Chapter 38: Duke Trommel

A few days prior...

"You did WHAT?"

A loud, angry shout bellowed from a luxurious mansion. Inside the mansion stood a middle aged man. He was looking at a young boy in front of him with furious anger, almost at the verge of lashing out at him. A guard to the side of the boy stood there with his head down and said nothing.

The man looked towards the guard and shouted, "Narrate what happened again. Do not miss a single detail!"

The guard looked up at the man and narrated the events that had happened earlier in the day. The middle aged man's anger grew more and more the longer he listened to the story. After the story was complete, he once more erupted in anger.

"How could I have raised such a useless son. Do you know what you have done!" yelled the man in anger. The man screaming was Duke Trommel himself. He had just found out what his son had done earlier in the day to a Fenix Clan member, and was almost on the verge of insanity.

"I'm sorry father, I had no idea." the boy cried out in apology, but it fell on deaf ears.

"This is what I get for spoiling this useless son of mine. What should I do?" Duke Trommel paced back and forth deep in thought.

"I have to apologize personally to the young master. Even as a Duke of the Dreadel Kingdom, if the boy wants our family annihilated, all he has to do is say the word. Not even the king would dare interfere in this matter, especially since my son was in the wrong."

The Duke kept pacing back and forth while ignoring his useless son. After several minutes of deep thought, an idea came to his mind. He winced at the thought of it, but saw no other alternatives.

"We must give him the family heirloom. Only such an item will convey our most sincere apologies. Hopefully it will be enough to appease him" thought the Duke. He stopped pacing and looked towards the guard.

"Find out where the boy is staying. When you find him, notify me immediately."

"By your command" responded the guard before swiftly striding out of the room.

The Duke looked at his trembling son. Every time he looked at him, rage would well up within him. "It seems I've been too lenient regarding your antics over the last few years. You will atone for your sins!"

The trembling son looked up in fear as he watched his father approach. That night, long and anguished screams could be heard echoing across the Trommel Family grounds.

…

The moon hung high in the dark sky.

John was dressed in an all black robe, but unlike his normal robe, this one had no Fenix Clan insignias embroidered on it. On his head, John wore a face covering to hide his identity.

John looked to his side and saw that all the cultivators of the group were wearing all black robes and face coverings. Due to the nature of the mission, all the cultivators wore dark clothing and face masks to hide their identity.

"Don't be nervous. I'll get your back if anything happens" assured Austin as he patted John on the back. He had mistaken John's silence for nervousness, and was trying to reassure him.

John was about to respond when he heard someone speak up behind him.

"Based on my sources, all the Qi condensation guards under the employ of Duke Trommel should be away for some kind of escort mission. My sources indicate that there is only one late Mist Creation guard and several middle Mist Creation guards stationed in the Duke's residence. As such, this is the perfect time for us to strike."

The mustachioed man paused and looked at all the cultivators, making sure that they were listening.

"The target of this mission is a spear. The spear should be located in the Duke's vault, which is located in the basement of the mansion. From what my sources tell me, the Duke skimped out on paying for a decent vault, and so it's quite breachable. I suppose he was expecting his Qi Condensation guards to protect it at first, but after all this time it seems that he had grown complacent."

"Your mission will be to infiltrate the Duke's mansion, neutralize any guards you run into, and bring the weapon back to me. Regardless of who brings back the weapon, you will all be paid. Are there any questions?"

None of the cultivators spoke up.

"Good, it's the dead of night, so now is the best time to strike. I wish you luck" said the mustachioed man.

After receiving their instructions, the group set out and soon found themselves on a small hill overlooking the Duke's residence. The Duke was quite important in the Kingdom, and as such had a large manor and vast amount of land under his control. The surrounding few miles all belonged to the Duke.

From their high viewpoint, the group could see a large mansion in the center of the plot of land, with smaller manors located all over.. Lush gardens dotted the landscape, while a large pond behind the mansion shimmed beautifully under the moonlit night.

Although this mission had no official leader, most of the cultivators defaulted to following the directions of the old man, as he had the highest cultivation.

The white haired man observed the mansion for some time before speaking up.

"I will handle the single late Mist Creation guard. The rest of you will move towards the vault and neutralize any other guards you run into. Lets move out."

John nodded along with the rest of the group and started silently approaching the mansion several miles away.

Some time later, the group arrived at the perimeter wall surrounding the mansion. The white haired man looked over the wall before hopping over. The rest of the group followed the man as they slowly crept up to the mansion.

Two guards were stationed outside at the front entrance of the mansion. They were lazily conversing with each other, unaware of the impending danger.

Che!

A sharp sword beam sliced towards the guards, severing their heads before they could respond. They silently fell to the ground, their lifeless eyes still wide open in shock.