NTR School: S Rank Student

"Do not worry civilians. Once we find him, the Angels will deal with the man."

Afterwards, the Snowdon Knight quickly hurried out of the inn to continue his search for Raphael Brooks.

Little did he know, the man he was looking for was only a room away.

Heather and her husband stared at each other, giving a knowing look.

"That's him, isn't it?" The man said, gesturing towards the staircase. "The man in the room upstairs."

Heather hesitated for a moment, uncertain of whether her husband would run outside and give the man away.

But then, he let out a bellowing laugh.

"I know what you're thinking. You want to blackmail him for money. Suggest that if he doesn't pay up, we sell him out to the authorities."

Trevor slapped his knee as he laughed at the idea. "Brilliant!" He chuckled. " I love it!"

Heather's cheeks began to grow red, and her eyebrows furrowed in anger. Once again, her husband was displaying how much of a despicable man he was

And so she ignored him.

I'll run upstairs and tell Raphael what's going on. He needs to escape the city now and head back to the five- ---

Her train of thought was cut off, as footsteps sounded down the staircase.

She and her husband turned their heads to see Raphael coming down the stairs, still shirtless and holding a tray of empty food.

The man wore a smile on his face, as though nothing in the world could bother him, and his golden crown sat atop his head.

"Blackmail me?" He said with a raised eyebrow, now looking at Trevor, who was stunned with shock.

The man placed down his lute and waved his two hands pleasingly.

"N-no, I would do such a thing, my Lord."

Heather almost laughed at the pathetic reaction.

Then, Raphael tapped the crown in his head, as he walked over to the counter and placed the tray on top of it.

"You see this? I am not a Lord. I am a King. The things I heard you say about me whilst you thought I couldn't hear you should be classed as treason."

Raphael calmly leaned against the counter as he regarded the musician.

Heather stood silently by the side, watching the exchange.

"I... Don't mean to say this with any disrespect." Trevor started. "But I serve King Helix. It would not be classed as treason."

Raphael let out a laugh.

"You do not serve me yet. Why do you think I've travelled all the way here from the Six Schools?"

A silence hung in the air between the three people for a moment, as they waited for Raphael to give them an answer.

"Because I wish to take over the North."

The words caught Trevor off guard completely, and even Heather found herself in disbelief.

It had been centuries since anybody spoke of doing such a thing, but it only made sense.

After all, this man had already killed Emperor Joshua Brunell. This was well within his capabilities.

"And now that I'm here, you guys are going to help me. I will have a lot of business to do in this city, but I'll need to make sure I'm not caught in the meantime. This will be where I stay for the time being as I prepare for my conquest of Helix Castle."

Heather was secretly pleased with the man's plans. She had already decided she would travel to the schools with him, but having him around her in Snowdon as well was an extra treat.

Her husband, on the other hand, did not seem too pleased about the idea.

"W-what?" He spat. "You want to get us in trouble. We will be executed for treason when you're caught. All three of us!"

"Well you do have another option, I guess," Raphael added, which caused silence for a few moments.

He trained his eyes on the musician, who seemed to cower away from his gaze.

"I can just execute you now?"

Trevor's heart lurched in his chest. Who on earth have we let into our Inn? He thought to himself.

"I'm giving you a chance at life, and you would be wise to take it. King Helix will not be king of Snowdon for long. You will not be under his protection."

Trevor paused for a few moments, thinking over the events in his head, before finally, he gritted his teeth in acceptance.

It's fine. The moment this man steps outside, the Snowdon Knights will catch and kill him.

The man nodded his head with a grave look on his face. "Fine, but you better pay extra for this."

A smile etched onto Raphael's lips as he looked at Heather. "Don't worry, I've already paid ample amount."

Knowing what the man was talking about, Heather's cheeks blushed beyond her control, but her husband didn't seem to notice.

"Now," Raphael continued. "I'll need a change of clothes. They seem to know what I'm wearing, which means I'll need to disguise myself before heading outside."

"Heading outside?" Heather questioned suddenly. "Where do you plan to go?"

"That... Is not something I can tell you right now."

---

Raphael now wore loose-fitting civilian clothes and a heavy parka to blend in with the crowd.

His hair was covered up by a hat, and the bottom of his face by a scarf. He didn't stand out, since this was the common wear of the Snowdon people.

As he walked through the busy streets, he noticed guards patrolling frantically.

It seems King Helix is really desperate to find me.

Eventually, the two would meet each other, but for now, Raphael had somewhere else that he wished to go to.

A group of people that he wished to find.

The rest of the Angels.

It was clear that they were the fighting forces of the Northern King.

If he walked into his palace with his weapons brandished, there was a high chance he would be jumped by all remaining 4 of them.

There was a chance he could beat them all at once, but there was also a chance he couldn't. Four was a lot to face at a time.

So instead, he wished to seek them out one by one. Pick them off like an assassin.

Raphael stopped a guard walking alone, hand hovering over the hilt of his sword as he marched the streets eagerly.

"Excuse me, guard." He said, making sure that every strand of his blonde hair was hidden. The guard looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "With the news of a wanted man running around, I can't help but feel worried for the safety of my children."

He made sure that he made his voice sound higher than it was, feigning fear.

The guard's face suddenly grew softer as he placed his hand on Raphael's shoulder.

"Don't you worry, lad. This side of the street is being patrolled by the Fourth Angel. She will not let any harm be brought into you."

Raphael let out a fake sigh of relief.

"What does she look like? I would love to pay her my respects if I see her."

"New to town I suppose?" The man suggested, surprised that someone in the city didn't know the appearance of an Angel. "You'll know her when you see her. Wears a suit of all-white armour and a hammer on her back. Hard to miss."

Raphael nodded his head to the man and offered his thanks before heading off.

He now knew who his first target would be.