Chapter 44: Reapers
Seraph’s lips pressed tightly, and he immediately moved closer to the princess. Watching as the masked men emanating strong aura surrounded them, the girl trembled, clutching her gown tightly.
"Protect the princess, Seraph."
Seeing the white-haired boy closer to the princess, Noel shouted and charged at the enemies with the other inner court disciple.
Meanwhile, Marcus and the other two from Summer Peak stayed around the princess too, shooting ranged attacks at the masked individuals coming towards them.
Seraph also didn’t dive into melee.
Instead, he began making several wind blades and shot them straight at the masked men.
Now a Core Advanced Stage Cultivator, his reserve of spiritual energy was larger, so he could create more wind blades.
’They’re skilled.’
He noted, watching as they skillfully weaved through his attacks and closed the distance rapidly.
’Interesting.’
Glancing at the butler who remained standing beside the princess, Seraph smiled and dashed forward.
"Let’s see..."
The blade of his wooden spear was blocked by the two daggers of a masked man. The man’s strength was impressive.
Since he was shorter and smaller, he pivoted to the side, making the spear slide over the daggers and aim at the man’s mask.
Flustered, the masked man hastily disengaged and retreated.
"Marcus. You can’t engage in melee."
Seraph said flatly, his smile plain.
A single glance from his rainbow eyes made the boy step back and continue firing flaming arrows to obstruct their path.
Seraph also retreated, his expression cautious.
"Butler sir... can you lend us some assistance? You standing there and doing nothing is really aggravating."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You can actually ask for assistance. Heh, I thought you were a very cocky kid."
Seraph smiled and nodded. "Yes. I am very cocky."
The butler chuckled, then slowly raised his hand.
Rumble~
The ground rumbled, and there was an instant change in the atmosphere. The masked men paused, including those still struggling with Noel and the other girl.
Noel didn’t hesitate. Using that distraction, he beheaded one of the enemies, making the others retreat from them.
Now, they were all finally paying attention to the butler.
A thin smile played at the man’s lips.
"Knowing I’m with the little princess, they dare send you guys to assassinate her?"
His voice was mocking, and the next moment, he closed his fist.
Bang!
The masked men all collapsed to the ground, pressed down by a crushing gravitational force.
Seraph was appalled, watching the scene with wide eyes.
’Amazing... as expected of a royal butler.’
["He’s a Peak Master Stage Cultivator, I can tell."] Halo notified him, its voice serious.
Seraph smiled bitterly. ’And I was banting with such a person? I must be really courting death.’
["Yeah. You don’t value your life, right? After all, you’ve lived one before. Tch."]
Rolling his eyes, Seraph waited for the butler’s next move.
The tall man walked up to one of the men. Using his other hand, he removed the man’s mask.
Underneath the mask was a completely scarred face that had become unrecognizable.
The butler frowned subtly, then tightened his fist. Every one of the masked men were crushed to pulp, becoming blood and gore.
The scene was so gory that even the sect disciples had to look away. Only Seraph still had an unsettling smile on his face.
Walking up to the butler, he asked. "Do you have an idea which organisation is behind this? They surely can’t be ordinary."
The man turned to him, his expression subtle.
"You are very suspicious, kid." His lips curled into a frown. "You react too calmly for someone of your age. And what do you know about the dark side of the world? You’re too matured for your age."
Seraph was unperturbed.
"There is nothing wrong with that, no? I’m merely a thoughtful kid."
"As if I’d believe that."
Rolling his eyes, the man turned around and walked towards the princess.
"The organization sending these masked men are well known throughout the continent. Everyone refers to them as the Reapers."
"Majorly, they deal with kidnapping, assassination, and other dark jobs. Several kingdoms have tried culling them but it has been futile. They are too many."
Seraph’s smile dimmed slightly, his face becoming serious.
"Eh? It’s that intense? Now I’m really intrigued by these Reapers."
The butler scoffed lightly.
"Again, you’re only seeking death. Don’t ever try to test them out. It is dangerous."
Seraph nodded perfunctorily, his gaze darting to the crushed flesh on the ground.
’A dark organization like that. Hmm, I wonder if they’ll be tamable?’
Shaking his head, he rejoined the others, and they resumed their journey.
As they moved forward slowly, Noel approached the butler.
"Esteemed sir, we haven’t heard from the royal guards you sent out. Could there have been a problem?"
Still walking, the man replied calmly. "Oh that. Do not be worried. They should be returning soon."
Noel nodded and stepped back, giving the butler and the princess some space.
From behind, Marcus approached him and spoke in a low voice.
"Senior Brother Shan, don’t you think Seraph is being too much? Look, he’s walking right beside the princess."
Noel frowned and took a look. Indeed, Seraph was walking beside the princess. Though he didn’t say a word, his smile was pleasant to look at.
Noel shook his head and sighed. "Forget it. He’s just too young and stubborn. Perhaps he has developed a crush on the princess and is trying to get close to her."
Marcus’s eyes widened, "What? Is he crazy? That’s a princess! Not just some random commoner!"
A livid expression appeared on his face, and he felt like marching up to the white-haired boy to scold him.
"Now, now. Don’t be impulsive. The butler probably just sees Seraph as a nuisance and tolerates him since he’s still a kid."
"Unless he or the princess complains, no one is allowed to scold Seraph or anything."
Lowering his voice, he said in a mocking tone.
"It’s not like he has any chances with her anyway."
Marcus remained displeased, but he nodded reluctantly. "Understood, Senior Brother Shan."