Bentick Ranger has always believed himself to be a rational man- one who, even when surrounded by enemies, could think clearly and calmly handle the situation. He prided himself on being the guardian knight of the Duke of Ironheart, the last line the of defence for the Ironheart family.
From a young age, he had been extraordinary, his intellects far surpassed his peers and his swordmanship skills was nothing even a grandmaster could scoff on. He was the Main commander of the Ironheart's army and has dedicated himself wholly to the service of the Ironheart family.
However, for the past few days, all he had managed to do was fail. He has failed to protect Duke Ambroise, has taken days just to start a search for the duke him and when he finally found him, he discovered that his Duke had a son and had been living in this forest for who knows how long.
Even though only 10 minutes has passed since learning the existence of the Ironheart's heir, Bentick felt that he had broken his vow to protect the Duke and his family.
Too many things were happening at once, but he was still the guardian knight- he could not lose his composure. It's only after he confirms his Duke and the heir safety and ensured that they are send safely to their home that he could scream in his pillow and mourn his failure.
They finally reached the hut, bentick along with the others who has just learned the existence of the heir, stood aghast at yeh sight of the worn down hut. They had sworn to protect the Ironheart family, and now, finding that the heir of a Duke family was living in in this hut, which looked like it will collapse anytime soon, they felt the urge to kneel and beg incompetence for their incompetence.
"Your grace, is the heir inside?" Bentick asked, his face filled with concern and despair.
Ambroise nodded and opened the door, finally relieved that he could get his son out of this damn forest. However, he froze in his track when he found that the hut was empty.
"Your grace, allow me to go in first and examine the heir's condition," Barlowe said. Rummaging in his bag for the essential medical tools to check up on the heir, stepped in the hut, but when he heard no response- neither from the Duke nor the heir, he looked up and was startled to find the hut empty.
Bentick who has also started becoming suspicious from hearing no sound either from the two,also entered the hut. He looked around and found that there was no one.
"Your grace, where is the heir?" He questioned, his sharp eyes scanning the hut for any hint of a child.
The two turned to look at Ambroise whose expression is abnormally calm, however, the two who has been with the Duke for so long knew that Ambroise was furious right now. His anger has gone through the roof and until he finds his son, this anger will not rest.
"Bentick," a stern command came from the Duke, "there is a magurd factory some distance away. Send Zaya and find the location. We will set off the moment Zaya returns with the location."
"Yes, your grace, " bentick bowed and walked out of the hut and immediately send Zaya off while he commanded the soldiers to get read for a fight.
"Magurd factory? Here, in this forest?" Barlowe asked, shocked to find that such a dangerous drug was being manufactured in their empire, despite the strict actions placed on the drug.
Ambroise hummed while picking up his sword. He skillfully took out the blade from the scabbard, his moments similar to a strong wave in an ocean, destroung eveything in its path. "After today, this magurd factory with all those who were involved in it will disappear."
Soon, bentick returned with Zaya on his shoulder. Ambroise nodded and got on the horse while Zaya flew off, showing the way to the factory.
The factory was not far away and it only took some minutes for them to reach their destination.
"Your grace, it won't be good if we all enter together. It is better to see analyse what is going inside the factory first. Let's just take only a few soldiers."
The Duke found this reasonable and bentick quickly selected the best men who will follow them. Barlowe also decided to follow them as they don't know what is the situation of the heir.
Ambroise took the lead with bentick and Barlowe following behind, and the squad behind the three.
As soon as they entered, they heard scream filled with pain. Ambroise, recognising that this was none other than his son's scream, ram towards where the scream came from, the others also started running.
On their way, they attacked the surprised guards who were not expecting to see people attacking their base which they had so thoughtfully chosen, away from the emperor's eye. However,they couldn't even get out a scream before they were struck, falling on the ground,their astonishment clear on their faces.
They heard another voice of a young child though not the same one from before. They finally reached to the end and without any moment of hesitation, they kicked down the door.
In the room, there was a big fat man, with barely any hair, holding 2 children from their collars. There was a handprint on the white haired child, who was now sobbing while the black haired boy glared hatefully at the man. The boy's face showd the sign of being beaten.
They immediately recognise the white haired boy as the heir of the Ironheart family but were also shocked to recognised the other boy.
" That boy is the heir of the Magic tower. What is he doing here?" One of the soldiers asked, his shock visible on his face.
The other occupants were also shocked and the black haired boy said, "Uncle Ambroise?"
Ambroise who was already angry that they had taken his son now felt that the range of a beast, whose cubs have been forcefully taken.
"Mister Ambroise?" Haru called out, tear tracts visible on his face.