色戒无删除版

The smell of the burning body overpowered the musty smell of books. If not for the barrier that the master placed inside the room, the smell would have reached the people outside. Once the body was thoroughly burnt, he restored the entire room into its original state before he went out.

Cygnus pushed the door open only to be met by two frowning people. He grinned and shrugged his shoulders because he took too long inside the library. "Thank you for your patience," was his only statement after making them wait for over three hours.

"You were supposed to finish an hour and a half ago," Aberleign pointed out with his frown deepening. "If not for the king's generosity, the royal guards would have dragged you out."

"I really apologize."  He still said even though he was not really apologetic. "I was really engrossed and amazed with all the books inside so I didn't notice how the time had passed already."

A laugh came from behind the butler and Aberleign after the master said those words. He even looked sheepish while saying those. The two men turned around and gave a bow to the approaching man. Cygnus looked at him curiously and guessed that he must be the king.

Behind the approaching man was an entourage of servants and his clothes were made from expensive materials. The attitude of his butler and Aberleign together with the royal guards gave it all away. He did not expect to personally meet the kingdom's king.

"I hope that you enjoyed the variety of books inside our library," the man spoke with a smile. He stopped and that's when Cygnus slightly inclined his head toward the man.

"Yes, I did. You have so many interesting collections and I have learned a lot." He answered with confidence and did it in a very informal manner that ticked the people who were following behind the king.

The king laughed and nodded his head. "Yes, there are indeed interesting books in there. It's just a shame that none of my family members are willing to read those books or use the library. Even I myself, will also only come here when I am not busy."

"Thank you for this opportunity," Cygnus answered. He did not change his way of speaking even though he was fully aware of the deadly stares aimed at him.

"Do you always speak to others in this manner?" The king asked. Although he had no problems with it, the others will find it very offensive.

Cygnus nodded. "This is also how I speak with King Orpheus. He permitted me to do so because I was not used to all of these etiquettes." He scratched his head and laughed it off.

"You are an interesting fellow. It is also a great opportunity that I am able to meet you. To think that the war god had a mage as a son, it made me curious," the king spoke. It was also the reason why he freed his afternoon just to visit the library.

Cygnus was about to answer when he saw that one of the servants started to whisper something to him. They waited for a moment before the king finally looked back at them. "Dinner has been prepared. Let us go and join me."

They followed behind the king and his entourage since they had nothing to do after the visit. There was nothing wrong in indulging the king first while they were still there. They would be returning to Lunaira tomorrow so it was also a good way to end the trip.

The king's table didn't disappoint. It was like a feast even though they were the only guests there. The dinner itself was silent but after they got to the dessert, the king started a conversation that was only revolving around Cygnus. It looked like he was very fond of the young man.

"If you have time in the future, you can always visit this place." The king offered because the man was very engaging and interesting.

"I will keep that in mind, your majesty." Cygnus answered and nodded a couple of times just to show his enthusiasm. After the dinner, they left the palace and returned to the manor.

Inside the master's room, Nina was already waiting when they returned. She was sighing when they entered and looked like a sad puppy as she looked at the master. She was only gone for a while and yet something fun happened and she wasn't able to participate.

"I felt your aura and something demonic, what happened master?" She asked because even though she did not participate, she still wanted to hear the details of what happened.

"It's an assassin from the Justice of Light," Cygnus summarized. They would immediately understand even with those words only.

Nina was taken aback. She stood up and checked the master. When she was sure that he was fine, she was relieved. "Did they find you?"

"Just that one assassin. The holy knight is quite dumb so it would take a while for him to discover who I am." Cygnus waved his hand to show them that it was not a problem. "Besides, we have a more pressing manner to take care of."

Cygnus summoned Ari and with his mana he transferred all the relevant information he got from the library. Ari on the other hand organized all the information before flashing it in front of them. Nina was amused when she saw the list of names on the hologram. Some of the names were already on the list that Ignius organized.

"We've got three other names in here that weren't added to the list. I did not expect that these people would become heroes that people look up to, how disgusting. After what they did to my family, they became heroes." Cygnus spat in disgust. He looked at the list and the urge to burn and torture them alive was getting stronger.

"Oh, this name sounds familiar," Nina pointed at one of the names. "I seemed to have heard some rumors about her while I was going around."

"What kind of rumors and where exactly did you go that you'll be able to hear this kind of rumors?" Cygnus wondered after listening.

Nina has been going anywhere and will return with some information. Some of them were unreliable at times while some of them were very helpful. She had been this kind of woman ever since and this free attitude made the others envious. She could do whatever she wanted without getting much consequences and this was the reason why she became a subject of hate.

"That this woman was an aloof person. She lives in the middle of a forest within El Merey and has been living there ever since who knows when. She was branded a witch because apparently, she does not grow old." Nina recounted what she heard from the shady areas in the kingdom. If one wanted information, it was the best place to be.

"How can you be so sure that that woman is the same as the woman in the list?" Mr. C inquired because he did not hear the woman mentioning the name.

"It is her name. I just heard it once and the person who said it was scolded by the other person with him. He said that saying the woman's name out loud will bring a curse to the person and to his entire family." Nina explained because she was afraid of getting cursed just in case the rumors were true.

"Why do I feel like it is an absurd claim?" Just as expected, the butler did not buy it. It was impossible unless the person was as powerful as the master.

The reason why no one could freely state the master's name was because his name was cursed. He did not know who did it but he had a hunch that the curse was made by the master himself. The first time he uttered that name, the butler, even though he was an AI, was also affected and had his whole system compromised because of it.

"I think I should go and pay a visit to this woman," Cygnus laughed. Since they were already in the kingdom why not make a short trip and have a look.

"But we are already leaving tomorrow." Nina expressed her doubts. "And we don't know which forest she is living in," she added. Despite hearing the story, the people who were talking about it did not mention where the woman lived.

"We can always make an excuse and just let that foolish man believe it." Cygnus was not worried because to him what's more important was to meet the woman.

"I understand," Mr. C bowed, followed by Nina. "We will go around to know more about this woman and report to you immediately which forest she was living in."

His servants disappeared as they blended with the darkness that accompanied the night. Gathering information was something they got used to doing because it was a valuable weapon. Their shadows went straight to the places where they could easily get information.