Chapter 281: Prepared For the Worst

“You could have let us know that the person you wanted to visit was a Tier 6,” Stella exclaimed loudly once they had left Dante’s cabin

They hadn’t stayed for very long. Julius was well aware that Dante didn’t have the patience to entertain guests for more than an hour or so. This was why once he gave a simplified explanation to Dante about where he had been, he decided it was time to actually head into Heston before it got too late.

Although he promised Dante he would explain what happened in more detail at a later date, when not everyone else was around.

“Yeah and that he was a crotchety old man,” Reinera muttered.

“That too.”

Julius smiled apologetically at them. “Sorry about that. He’s harmless, he’s more bark than bite.”

“His bark could probably level that entire town,” Reinera pointed out, glowering at him.

“Hey! He’s just a bit grumpy is all. He’s actually quite sweet on the inside once you get to know him,” he defended Dante.

“Sure,” Reinera said while rolling her eyes.

“It’s true! He didn’t even kill or hurt anyone of you, right?”

“I wouldn’t consider not killing someone a sign of someone sweet. That is just a sign of someone who is not a psychopath,” Stella mumbled before looking over her shoulder anxiously as if Dante would appear right behind her.

“Sorry, what was that?”

“Nothing,” she quickly said.

***

Suddenly he was feeling a lot more nervous.

“What are you waiting for?” Stella asked.

“Just trying to build up some courage,” he admitted.

“Courage? For what? To say hello?”

He didn’t respond and simply stared at the guardhouse while biting his lip worriedly.

Finally, he mustered up as much courage as he could and approached the front door where two guards like normal were standing outside. Thankfully, it would seem that this time the others were fine with staying behind.

“Can we help you?” One of the guards spoke as Julius got within several feet.

“Um yeah, is Declan around?” He inquired hesitantly.

“Why are you looking for the vice-captain this late?” The other guard asked him.

“I just wanted to see him if he was still here.”

“The vice-captain left for the day, he will be back tomorrow,” the first guard said with a frown on his face.

“We can let him know you stopped by though. What is your name?” The second guard asked.

“I kind of expected something like that. Do you know if Orus or Rae are still here though? My name is Julius by the way.”

The both of them seemed taken aback that he knew who Rae and Orus were but recovered quickly. The second guard was looking at Julius kind of intensely but suddenly his face lit up as if understanding something.

He stepped forward and examined Julius’s face a little closer.

“Wait, aren’t you that kid from several months ago? The one that Declan brought in?”

The first guard smacked his hand on his thigh. “That’s right! I remember now! You are the kid who used to train late out back and who always got to eat Rae’s food! You grew taller though.”

“We all eat her food, Jeremy.” The second guard commented with a confused frown.

“Yes, but she would make him her famous cookies and snacks. All of us would always get jealous whenever she did,” Jeremy said with a laugh.

“Oh yeah! I remember now! I used to complain to my wife about you all the time,” the second guard said bluntly to Julius.

Julius awkwardly scratched his head. He didn’t know he had left such an impression on them.

“You said you’re looking for Orus?” Jeremy asked with a smile.

He nodded. “Is he still around?”

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“I think he was just called out for a disturbance just down by the market along with some of the others. You can stay here and wait for him if you want. Rae is still here and you can go say hi as you wait,” the man offered.

“That sounds…” he stammered.

Jeremy leaned over and slapped him on the back. “Come on, she is going to be happy to see you,” he said as he dragged Julius by the arm into the guardhouse.

Realizing his fate, he stiffened his resolve and followed the man into the guardhouse.

“You remember where to go right?”

He nodded softly.

“Perfect, I will let Orus know when he returns,” Jeremy said with a thumbs up.

“Thanks, Jeremy, I really appreciate it,” he said with a grateful smile.

“No worries.”

As he walked down the hallway, he was instantly reminded of the familiar scent of wood that greeted him when he first arrived here all that time ago.