Chapter 44: Exclusive Mercenary

Silas was surprised to know that the rest of the family Pheobe mentioned who would be dining with them were all... kids.

It turned out that a few younger Regis's took care of the little ones while the adults were away.

Pheobe was the oldest among the older Regis's present there.

It amazed Silas how she could handle all these little ones who seemed unable to stay in one place for more than 10 seconds.

A nostalgic feeling overcame Silas while watching a couple of teenagers feed the little ones. He chuckled to himself after noticing how the little ones seemed to think their food was clay dough and found ways to creatively reinvent the food's appearance. The teenagers also became their tasters.

After a while, his attention shifted to Pheobe while she and two other male Regis in their teens rounded up a group of three to four years old children. This group of misfits took up spoons and forks as arms demanding to be let out of 'prison' to look for Kyran.

The cause of this was Kyra, who was crying in the arms of another female Regis teen.

When they arrived at the dining hall and Kyra did not see Kyran, she started crying. Soon the other kids also demanded where Pheobe hid him.

With a sigh, Silas finally understood why everyone seemed to favor Kyran.

Everyone was really fond of him.

Remembering the skinny image of a young boy on the bounty poster, Silas slightly frowned. To think someone skinny and weak looking like him would be loved like this.

After some time, the little ones finally calmed down after Pheobe explained that Kyran was too exhausted on his birthday and needed time to sleep.

Silas could not help but smile wryly at her excuse. Who would believe that? Kyran's birthday was days ago, and just what kind of activity a person would have done to be exhausted for days that he needed sleep?

However, the little ones bought her lies, and the rest of the Regis youngsters could finally feed them.

Silas was left dumbfounded. When a male teen saw his expression, he explained that it was not the first time Pheobe made that excuse.

Apparently, there was an incident where Kyran did sleep for a few days because he was too exhausted. The male teen did not explain what that incident was. Silas did not ask either.

After making sure the kids were all seated, Pheobe went back to Silas's side.

She smiled apologetically at him and sat beside the empty chair to his left.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Silas. They are not usually like this. Most days, they are very docile."

"They seemed to be fond of Kyran."

Pheobe looked at the rest of the kids and smiled, "We all are."

Silas looked at all the younger Regis inside the dining hall.

Based on how the Patriarch and Cade talked of Kyran during their meeting, they also held great expectations. Now that guy was out there, hiding from the army's and mercenary's people.

If Silas were in his shoes, he probably could not stay sane, knowing how all his clansmen were in danger. Kyran was just a teenager, after all.

Silas let out a sigh. When he first talked to Pheobe, he said their decision to let Kyran escape was foolish because now the army had surrounded them. But now, looking at the Regis situation, they looked safer. At least they were aware of where the enemy would strike and would be able to make countermeasures.

As for Kyran, he probably could not even eat or sleep well. With that skinny and weak constitution, Silas wondered if he would be able to last a week outside.

"Is the food not to your liking, Mr. Silas?" Pheobe's voice broke his thoughts.

Silas immediately shook his head and smiled at her, "No. I mean, it is excellent. I was just thinking about something."

To prove his point, Silas cut off a piece of steak and stuffed it in his mouth.

"Hm! Is the sauce Regis's original recipe?" he asked and took another bite. The sauce blended well with the steak.

Pheobe laughed softly. She clearly knew Silas was distracted earlier. But she did not dwell on it and replied, "Yes, it is."

"It is really delicious," he praised with a nod.

"I'm glad you like it."

"Ms. Pheobe, if you don't mind. Will you tell me more about your cousin?" Silas asked, changing the subject. "If I were to leave this place and search for him, I will need something to convince him that I'm able to make contact with your family. From how the Patriarch and Master Cade spoke of him, he seemed to be a cautious young man and will not be easily swayed by words."

"Of course. We can talk more after dinner. Just ask what you want to know, and I'll answer as best as I can."

"Thank you."

====================

Tower of Conclave. The top floor of the main tower, the Lord of the Tower's Quarters.

Stella's quarters occupied the whole top floor of the main tower. Its shape was circular, with four doors and one open balcony that surrounded the center room.

The first door was connected to the hallway, where the stairs lead either downstairs or to the rooftop deck. The second door leads to Stella's study room. While the third leads to her wardrobe. And the last one was connected to her private bathroom.

There was a huge four-poster bed in the center of the room with white and gold curtains drawn to the sides.

On the bed lay Kyran, who remained unconscious. His body that had been cleanly bandaged was half-covered by a comforter.

A golden array lit above the four-poster bed's ceiling, and Stella descended from the middle. She hovered above Kyran for a few seconds, watching his sleeping face before moving to the side of the bed.

Stella sat quietly on the right side and continued to watch Kyran.

Her brow creased slightly, sensing that his life force seemed to grow weaker from the time she left to meet the leaders.

She reached out her right hand and placed it on top of Kyran's chest. "You've really pushed yourself too hard," she said softly while leaning slightly forward.

"Phew!"

The door suddenly burst open, and Nolan stepped inside with a hand on his stomach.

"Nothing really beats a nice warm meal after a long day of hard work-."

He stopped short after seeing Stella looking at him with wide eyes.

Seeing her flushed and surprised look plus her somewhat compromising position, Nolan could not help but burst into a cold sweat. He immediately raised a hand in front of him and said, "Sorry. My bad. I'll leave you to your business-."

"Stop right there!" Stella exclaimed and summoned her magic. Several small golden rings surrounded Nolan, and he was immediately rooted on the spot.

"Look, Missy, I don't make it a habit to watch other people get 'into' it-."

"What are you even thinking? I am not going to jump him when he's unconscious!"

"Oh, so you will if he is not?"

Stella flushed, "W-What vulgarity...!"

"Hahahaha!" Nolan suddenly burst out laughing. "You've got balls, Missy. I approve. Oh right, you don't have balls. And I'm not exactly his master; why the f*ck do I need to approve of you."

Stella's eyes narrowed not from Nolan's words but on how he could move even inside her magic's influence.

It was true that compared to the magic she used earlier, she only used 5% of her strength right now. However, there were special prohibitions inside her quarters that could remove anyone's magic or physical defences, making them more vulnerable to her magic.

There was an exception to these prohibitions, though. After all, Stella would also be affected by it. That was how she created the prohibitions.

"As expected, your magic attainments already reached the level above a Magus."

Nolan's expression remained unreadable. However, his dark eyes showed a slightly mischievous glint.

"Good that you notice."

Stella smiled and sat up straight. She released her magic around Nolan and said, "Are you worried that I'll break my oath and harm your precious-."

"I don't give a f*ck what you do, honestly. You have given an oath, but I don't believe in that shit. There are different ways to go around oaths. That old hag made use of it while looking for a way to save her and that f*cking mercenary's life when talking to the kid," Nolan cut her off.

"Old hag?"

"Anyway. I don't trust you. The kid doesn't trust you either. He's probably civil just because he's interested in what you have to say. Your magic seemed to interest him as well. But if you say something he doesn't like, whatever your relationship is with the Regis will not stop him from wreaking this place."

Stella laughed, "You're right."

Nolan raised his eyebrows, "You're pretty carefree."

"I know him better than you think. Don't underestimate my network."

Nolan did an exaggerated gasp and said, "You've been stalking him?"

Stella flushed and frowned at him, "It's called intelligence gathering!"

"Tsk. Tsk. No wonder the kid's got trust issues. You just don't know anyone anymore."

"You're incorrigible," Stella shook her head in defeat. She simply could not reason with this man.

"And? What do you want us to talk about 'separately'?" Nolan suddenly changed the subject.

Stella sighed, "And you're also very spontaneous."

Nolan shrugged, "Well, we're already talking, might as well."

"Alright."

With a slight nod, Stella stood and walked up to Nolan. When she was at least three meters away, she said, "I want to employ you as an exclusive mercenary."

Nolan simply raised both his eyebrows in response.

"Of course, you will be adequately compensated for your work."

"What makes you think I'll agree?"

"Azaloth's inheritance."

Though Nolan's expression remained unchanged, his eyes narrowed after hearing Stella's words.

A smile crept on Stella's lips.

"I can help you find it."

Nolan sneered, "Just help in finding it?"

"Azaloth was a very shrewd Magus. He would not leave an inheritance that can be easily taken and transferred to just anyone. If you want to take his inheritance, then you need to work on it."

Nolan crossed his arms and remained silent.

Stella waited patiently.

After a long pause, Nolan finally said. "What are your terms?"

"It's pretty simple. I need you to do some work for me, and you'll take Kyran with you."

Nolan made a face. "You want me to be his sitter?"

Stella laughed, "No. I want you to train him. You've been doing it already. Making him run around to let him get used to his magic."

"And you think the kid will agree to come with me? He's literally screaming bloody murder just to save his clan."

Stella made a surprised expression, "Oh. I thought it was your idea to attack our place and get our attention."

"Look Missy, you said you know Kyran better. Then you should understand what's more important to him right now," Nolan ignored the sarcasm and tried to reason with her.

"So you don't want to?"

"Of course, I don't-."

"Azaloth's inheritance?"

"-think it's a good idea but I'm totally good with it."

Stella chuckled.

"Damn you."

Stella smirked, "You know, I would have tortured you already for being rude. But since you helped Kyran and well your also his-."

"Don't go there."

"Fine."

"So, what do you want me to work on?"

"Well, for now, I want you to fetch someone."

"Who?"

Stella smiled, "A fellow mercenary. You have to make sure to bring him back safely. Because he's got something from the Regis Patriarch."