Chapter 302: The Signal of Retribution
Lucas stood over the passed-out young master, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips. His eyes gleamed with dark amusement as he knelt, inspecting the unconscious man.
The once smug and arrogant expression the young master had worn was now completely gone, replaced by fear and a twisted sense of defeat even in unconsciousness.
A low chuckle escaped Lucas's throat as he stood back up, his gaze lingering on the helpless figure.
Moments later, Roxana approached, her steps unhurried, her presence as fierce as the heat radiating from her. She casually wiped her hands, blood and ash still fresh on her fingertips, but her expression was one of mild boredom.
"They were too weak," she said, her tone dismissive, almost disappointed. "I didn't even use a quarter of my power."
Lucas glanced at her, his lips pulling into a half-smile. "I wouldn't expect you to. This was just a warm-up." His voice was calm, as if none of this was a surprise to him.
Roxana raised an eyebrow at him, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "So... what's next?"
Instead of answering immediately, Lucas bent down and reached for the emblem hanging from the young master's belt. It was an ornate piece, intricately designed with the symbol of the Emberhart family. He held it up, the light catching on the delicate etchings.
"Do you know what this is?" Lucas asked, his voice taking on a teasing edge as he dangled the emblem in front of her.
Roxana leaned in slightly, eyes narrowing as she examined it. Then, a smirk tugged at her lips. "Of course I know. It's an emergency emblem, isn't it?" she said, her voice laced with amusement.
"Destroy it, and it sends out a signal that the person's in danger." She crossed her arms, looking at him expectantly. "I'm assuming you plan to destroy it?"
Lucas's grin widened, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Exactly."
Without another word, he closed his fist around the emblem, crushing it effortlessly. The metal crumbled into dust, slipping through his fingers as it scattered to the ground.
"Now that it's destroyed," Lucas continued, his voice as casual as if discussing the weather, "they'll come. And while we wait for them, I've heard there are a few other villages nearby... Emberhart soldiers are having their fun there too."
Roxana's smirk deepened, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "So, you want me to take care of them?"
Lucas nodded, his expression still cool and composed. "Yes. Consider it entertainment while we wait for the main force to arrive. I'm sure those soldiers will give you something to play with."
Roxana let out a soft laugh, a dangerous gleam in her eyes. "Perfect. It'll be over quickly." She shot him a wicked grin. "Just don't keep all the fun to yourself."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head slightly. "I wouldn't dream of it."
With that, Roxana turned, her smirk never fading as she prepared to unleash her power once again. The tension in the air thickened, anticipation mounting for the chaos that was sure to follow.
Meanwhile, back at the Emberhart family estate, the destruction of the young master's emblem triggered an immediate and violent response.
In the grand hall, alarms blared through the air as the shattered emblem sent out its unmistakable signal: the young master was in grave danger. The emblem's magic flickered wildly, casting ominous shadows along the polished floors, as the realization dawned on those present.
The patriarch of the Emberhart family stood at the center of the hall, his face contorted with rage as he stared down at the broken remains of the emblem in his hand. His fist trembled with barely controlled fury.
"Who dares to attack my son?!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the grand chambers. His eyes blazed with a fury that only a father could have for his only heir.
Beside him, the two elders of the Emberhart family exchanged uneasy glances, but their faces quickly hardened with resolve. They knew what had to be done.
"Patriarch," one of the elders said, his tone grim, "this attack must be deliberate. Someone powerful is behind this." Continue your saga on мѵʟ
The patriarch's eyes narrowed dangerously as he turned his attention to the elder. "I don't care who they are. Whoever dares to touch my son will pay with their life."
Without wasting another moment, the patriarch slammed his hand down on the table, sending it cracking under the force. "Gather the forces!" he ordered, his voice seething with anger. "We ride out now! Find the source of the signal and crush anyone who stands in our way!"
The elders nodded in grim agreement, quickly summoning their warriors. There was no hesitation in their movements—only the growing storm of fury as they prepared to set out for revenge.
As the forces assembled, the patriarch mounted his horse, his eyes still burning with rage. "They will regret ever laying a hand on my son," he muttered under his breath. "Mark my words."
With the forces of the Emberhart family in tow, the patriarch and the elders set off, their fury echoing in every hoofbeat.
Back in the burning village, the chaos continued to rage, though now with a deadly calm in the air. Lucas stood over the unconscious form of the young master, his cold smirk returning as he watched the man's limp body.
There was a faint groan from the young master as he hung on the edge of consciousness, but he didn't move. Lucas knelt down slowly, grabbing him roughly by the collar and lifting him off the ground with surprising ease, his strength undeniable.
As the young master dangled in his grasp, Lucas's smirk deepened, his voice dripping with cold amusement. "You know," he murmured, his eyes gleaming with a dark glint, "I think I'm going to have a lot of fun with you."
He lifted the young master higher, his fingers tightening slightly on the collar as if testing the limits of the unconscious man's frail body. The young master's head lolled to the side, completely at Lucas's mercy.
"Let's see how your family feels when they find you like this," Lucas whispered softly, his words chilling in their calmness.
With a final, dismissive glance, Lucas tossed the young master back to the ground, his smirk never fading as he stepped back, waiting for what would come next.