After that meeting, Galahad became colder and difficult to approach. The members of the council did not dare to set up a meeting again after the humiliation they suffered. Despite that, the opinion of the people did not change and seemed to have become extreme.
There were several rumors going around that the duke was going to sell the Blackwell territory to Ginehart. They were even saying that the people from Ginehart were tyrants and that even their own duke became merciless. The people behind the council were really doing their best to smear mud to Duke Galahad's image.
"This place is already so gloomy and now even the people aren't that welcoming. What will you do now?" Ulysses asked after another report of people coming to the manor just to cause a scene.
For the past few days, they've received several guests who came to the manor to personally tell them their thoughts and some were even there just to curse at the duke. They clearly lacked respect for their ruler and were bold enough to offend the Blackwell house without thinking of the possible consequence of their actions.
Instead of showing them his usually warm smile, Galahad decided to deal with them in a cold manner. All of his answers were perfunctory and his face didn't show much emotion or reaction. Although the duke felt uncomfortable doing so, he couldn't let them have their way any longer.
"I'll proceed with my initial plans. There are several things I must do even if the people have developed distrust towards me. Rather than that, would you be fine? Your name is getting dragged into this mess even though you are only visiting me." Galahad leaned on his seat.
He had been busy and if not for his friend's help, he would have died of over exhaustion. If not for the problems that arose within his territory, he would have been there to help Galahad too during that time. He raised his hand and rubbed his head then tightly shut his eyes.
"Indeed, you have been delayed for many years because of those people. If you were not so soft hearted then nothing of this would have happened. And I don't care if my name is being dragged around, my people won't believe those baseless rumors." Galahad waved the documents on his hand with a grin.
Galahad chuckled, "By the way, when will my nephew arrive?" He changed the topic to ease the gloomy atmosphere that was about to engulf them.
"According to the letter I received, they will be arriving within five days maximum seven days," Galahad answered. He placed the documents on top of the other documents that were already piled up on the table.
Galahad looked outside with a frown, "They must not rush. The road to Blackwell is not safe, especially because of the constant rain."
Ulysses also looked outside until his gaze landed on Galahad who had a frown on his face. "You don't have to worry, that son of mine is extraordinary and the people who are with him won't let him be in danger."
Galahad sighed, "I know that he must be something extraordinary for you to acknowledge him even though he is not your blood and that confidence of yours is beyond my expectations."
Ulysses laughed, "That child, I've already accepted him even though his nature is a bit bad and I am not the only one who accepted him, you even called him your nephew."
At the same time, an inconspicuous carriage was traveling through the rough and muddy road towards the Blackwell territory. They set out from the capital five days ago. At first the journey was still okay since they haven't entered the territory yet but the nearer they got to Blackwell, the worse the weather had become.
"The weather in this place is unpredictable." Ezio was looking out the window of the carriage at the dark sky and the rain that started to fall down from the sky a few minutes ago.
"This is a great opportunity for assassins to appear, don't you think?" Cygnus added with a faint smile on his face. He was still reading a book despite the rain that was starting to get heavier the further they moved.
"Master, don't jinx it." Ezio looked at the master and sighed, he ought to get used to this style but he had only been with the master for not long so he didn't know what to expect.
"I am not a jinx. I'm just telling the truth." He closed the book he was reading and stared at Ezio.
A few seconds after he did that, the carriage suddenly came to a halt and they heard the butler voice. "We've got company. What should I do, master?"
"Kill them and leave one alive. I need to know who sent them," was the master's answer.
A shield was raised around the carriage the moment that the butler jumped down to face the assassins sent to kill them. Cygnus returned to reading while Ezio was tense as they waited for the butler to finish. He was ready to create a gate they could use to escape anytime that the enemy might break the barrier.
"Don't be too tense, the butler will take care of them. Why are you acting like you don't know the butler's abilities?" Cygnus sighed and Ezio could hear the rustling of the pages as he flipped the pages of the book he was reading.
Ezio leaned back and sighed. "I guess I'm just nervous because this is the first time that I'll be traveling with you and the butler so I don't know what to expect." He closed his eyes and sighed again.
"You don't have to overthink about anything, with us here, nothing bad would go wrong besides with the status I hold right now, hidden enemies are bound to come after my life. I'm also guessing that Duke Ulysses must have done something within the territory that's why assassins are after us." Cygnus stopped reading while explaining to Ezio.
The child nodded as he took several deep breaths to calm himself. He pricked his ear and he could hear the pitter patter of the rain hitting the water cover ground, even the splash that came from the people who were currently fighting outside. He opened his eyes when he was finally calm and silently waited for the butler to finish.
They were not sure how much time had passed when they heard a knock on the carriage's door followed by Mr. C who opened it. He was holding a shivering man on his right hand as he bowed towards the master. Cygnus closed the book and carefully placed it on his side.
"It took you quite long to finish the job," Cygnus grinned, which the butler ignored. He knew that the master was only teasing him once again.
"I apologize, it was a bit difficult to fight with the heavy rain outside," he still apologized though. He then pushed the man forward.
Cygnus alighted from the carriage. The invisible barrier that was covering the carriage expanded and covered them. It also served to stop the rain and prevent them from getting wet. He looked at the man as his eyes turned red.
The assassin they caught couldn't help but stare at those eyes until he fell into a daze. After a few seconds, his body started to twitch uncontrollably. Cygnus tilted his head to the side with the glow in his eyes intensifying until the man began to bleed from his eyes, nose and mouth.
The master closed his eyes and the man fell on the ground, dead. "They are really from Blackwell, specifically from a member of the council. My guess must have been correct."
He turned around and entered the carriage once again. Ezio gave the dead man one last look before he averted his gaze. Mr. C returned to the front and started to drive the carriage like nothing happened.
"Do you want to try fighting them the next time assassins appear again? It can serve as a practice for you. You can't go to a place without preparing yourself to fight. You know, you might die if you don't know how to fight." The master's grin sent shivers to his spine and made him gulp but nonetheless, the master was right. If he couldn't fight, then he might as well die.
