Cygnus gave his father a smile after the gate disappeared. "Where is Isaiah then?" He asked after the duke kept the pearl that he used to contact him.
"They are currently inside Galahad's office," Ulysses answered. He started to walk away and Cygnus followed.
"They really want me to back them up?" Cygnus had his hands behind his back as he was looking around the hallway.
The paintings and the vases that were displayed on one side while on the other side were windows that showed the forest outside. He knew that they begrudgingly gave him that task even though they were not really comfortable with him working for them. Though he was in a good mood though, he did his task splendidly and even got rid of the brutal bird spirit that was residing in one of the towns they visited.
"Yes, the serpent spirit was a bit too much for them to handle that's why Isaiah made the decision to let Ezio create a gate for him to be able to report on the situation," Ulysses nodded. It was shocking news but they don't have the luxury to be dwelling on it and to be thinking of how a spirit like that appeared within the territory.
"Well, if it's at the same level as the bird spirit I disposed of, then there shouldn't be a problem. I know Isaiah's ability and experienced it first hand, so he should have been able to defeat that enemy," Cygnus spoke as he placed his hand on his chin with his brows furrowed.
"If that's the case then Archmage Sigma should have faced something similar to," Ulysses stopped walking and turned around.
"That's likely and this is too coincidental, don't you think so?" Cygnus's head was slightly tilted to the side with an ear-to-ear grin and with his eyes narrowed into slits.
Ulysses instinctively took a step back because of the ominous aura coming from Rigel. He gulped because of the feeling of intimidation coming from him. He had been a warrior for a long time now and had faced countless enemies but this level of intimidation, he hadn't felt it anywhere.
"Yes, maybe. We should head to Galahad's study for now to assess the situation," Ulysses answered. He slowly turned around and walked away from the man. Even after a few steps, he could still feel that cold prickling sensation behind his back.
Cygnus did not withdraw and instead followed behind. The servants they met on that narrow hallway flinched and almost fell down because of the presence behind Ulysses. They dared not look at Rigel and could only hang their heads to wait for them to pass by.
Galahad and Isaiah, who were waiting for them, felt the threat. They leapt on their feet with magic swirling on Isaiah's palm and Galahad's hand was on the hilt of his sword. They could feel that ominous presence getting nearer as their bodies tensed.
The door to the duke's study opened and both of them launched an attack but were immediately repelled by Cygnus's dark power. They were pushed back as their eyes couldn't be taken off from the man that was emitting such darkness. After a while, the dark power slowly subsided and eventually disappeared.
"Do you still want me to go?" Cygnus narrowed his eyes. He looked at the empty seats and took the liberty to sit down.
Galahad and Isaiah finally recovered from their stupor but they did not take a seat. They stared at the man for a moment because they didn't know the reason why he had shown them his power. Despite that they were still resolute to ask for his help.
"Yes," Isaiah's short answer. At this point in time, he did not really care what the other was or who he was because all he needed was his ability to help them.
"But if you do so, you will be accused of getting close to a person who uses dark mages. This story would definitely reach the common people and the reputation of the Ducal Household will surely be tarnished even more. Those council members will come and hound you endlessly," Cygnus wore his usual smile and sat like he was the lord of the manor.
"Then so be it as long as the problem is solved," Galahad answered.
They were a bit slow in identifying the spies sent by the council members because he was good at hiding his presence. It could only be said that the spy was a top-notch professional. It would be on them for not finding any traces of the spy and if word got out once again.
"Shall we go then?" Since they already made up their mind, Cygnus stood up and went to the location of the gate that was still open.
He stared at the gate and shook his head. Even after days of practice Ezio's gate was still crude although it improved in some aspects. Without waiting for them, Cygnus stepped inside and exited inside the inn where Ezio has been waiting. Once the young man saw him, he stood in attention and greeted the man.
"You really came?" Ezio couldn't help but ask. He thought that the master would not come because he was in another place.
"I couldn't pass up on the fun, could I?" Cygnus answered. Just as he was about to finish looking in the room, Isaiah appeared.
He was a little bit pale but he did not let it hinder him, "Thank you for coming." He gritted his teeth as he forced those words out.
Cygnus chuckled, "No need to force yourself to get along with me. I can understand your dislike towards me so feel free to be yourself." He waved his hand and continued to look around.
Ezio suddenly became anxious after hearing those words coming out from the master's mouth. It was unlike him to say such words and he was pleasantly amiable for the first time. He shuddered because this was not the master that he knew so something must have happened for him to be in a good mood.
"So where is this spirit that you were talking about?" Cygnus finally asked after he settled down on one of the chairs inside the inn. He crossed his feet and placed both of his hands behind his head as he slightly leaned back.
"According to the town's leader, it resides on one of the abandoned mines near the temple where it nearly ate us last night," Isaiah answered.
"I really wanted to visit those official mines and see some pretty stones but with all of this going on with the spirits I can't even do that." Cygnus complained out of nowhere which took the other two with him by surprise.
"Mines here are being abandoned either because there are no more stones to be mined or because the mining sites are considered dangerous. You'll have your chance to sight see once we finish our work here," Isaiah explained.
Cygnus hummed, "Are we going to the location then?" He changed the topic as he stared at Isaiah who adapted a cold expression to deal with him.
"Yes. Since the enemy couldn't leave while the sun is up, we will have the advantage." Isaiah nodded before he turned around and walked towards the door of the inn.
Ezio closed the gate and waited for the master to stand up before he followed behind. The people who were waiting for them outside of the inn were surprised when they saw that there was one more person who came out with them. They couldn't help but look behind them but saw that nothing was abnormal in the inn because they left the door open.
"We will be leaving now. We will let the sentinels stay in town and help you to set up the talismans while we go and deal with this Mighty One as you call it." Isaiah instructed the town's leader which he accepted. He was even eagerly nodding his head after hearing that they were going to help them get rid of that annoying malevolent spirit.
