The Tale of the Redeeming Villain

After leaving their temporary home, Blake and Catherine were moving toward the west. The Capital of this continent was situated in the North and Blake was doing his best to avoid it.

The last incident was beyond his capabilities to ignore. Catherine cared about those people and if he didn’t have to stop that monstrosity, she would have been sad and cried.

And that was not acceptable.

Now, they were trying to find another peaceful village where they could live without getting noticed much. Catherine had to wear a cloak over her head once again and Blake didn’t need anything since he had grown a beard in these few months, to not get identified.

The wanted posters of the two still could be seen around the streets, and the astronomical reward for the one who brings them back could easily make even a noble drool over it.

Although the initial flame of their disappearance has subdued, they still have to be cautious.

“The championship was not delayed but cancelled it seems.” While they were seated in a public carriage, moving aimlessly towards an establishment, they heard the traders talking among them.

“I don’t know what the Emperor is thinking these days. The championship has always been such a good source of income for us traders. Che.” One of them spat.

Just like back home, here, in Hedgalge as well, the yearly championship was cancelled for some ‘unknown’ reasons.

Not only these two continents but others as well have decided not to engage in entertainment and prepare for the incoming calamity.

There was no given date of the great war and even the expected time of it happening is shared amongst the upper echelon of each continent. So they can prepare accordingly

Only Carlson and the other three heroes know when they will be coming.

The three other apostles, Veronica, Charlotte and Catherine, are the pillars of light who would stand with the heavens. However, it was what the others knew. Blake, who knows this world from his previous world, knows that these three ladies had only one job.

To help Carlson retain his calm when he would bring an end to everything.

The Dragon of Ragnarok wasn’t the only dragon in existence, but the other three would be participating in this war from the other side and would do a marvellous job in developing Carlson’s rage during the war.

Now, the important thing was: why was this happening?

Simplex because light and darkness cannot tolerate each other. And the guardian of the Infinity couldn’t do anything to stop them except for reversing the time and giving birth to another universe which could possibly bring a truce between them.

It continued for ages until a variation was born. A variation which carries the essence of the chaos which the Light and Darkness have been spreading for aeons.

That essence of chaos is what makes up the Dragon of Ragnarok—a being responsible for bringing the long-fought war to a halt.

Now, the big problem was, if Carlson could stop before ending everything, then it would be good. The Dragon would be a deterrent known in the history of deities. However, if he loses his cool….then not even God would be able to help from the impending doom.

“Have you heard about the apostles gathering?” Hearing that word, Catherine reflexively tensed up.

Blake slowly held her hand and fondly caressed it.

Seeing those deep midnight eyes, Catherine calmed down and continued to listen to their conversation,

“The meeting between the heroes and the Emperor? I thought those were rumours?”

“Rumors get gossiped but here, they openly announced that there would be a meeting happening in three days now.” Another one rebuked.

The one who suggested those to be rumours asked, “Who did it? I bet it must be Your Majesty Noelle, the one who barked it all out.”

The trader laughed, making the carriage vibrate.

The other one chided, “Stop shaking the carriage you dumbo. Can’t you see there is a lady in here?”

He stopped laughing and with a slight bow, apologized to Blake and Catherine.

Continuing their conversation, the third one said, “I heard it was the Heroes who made this announcement. I can’t be sure but it seems they want everyone to know that they are coming to Hedgalge.”

Hearing that, Blake glanced at Catherine and saw her shrugging.

She didn’t have any information about it nor she ever mentioned anything in the letter asking for his help. Then why was Carlson coming here?

Not to talk about, he made an announcement; something which is very unlike Carlson.

Blake didn’t know what this could be about. He knew Majesty Noelle was a slightly cracked-minded guy who desired nothing but his own safety, but he never expected Carlson to respond to his request for a meeting.

‘What are you planning to do, Carl?’

*SCREECH*

Suddenly, the carriage was brought to a halt, urging one of the traders to ask, “Are we there already?”

The coachman lifted the leather curtain before telling them, “There is a checkpost ahead. Please remain seated.”

Hearing that, the fat trader said, “Strange. There haven’t been any checkposts around here before.”

Those words were enough for Blake to realise that there was something wrong.

Catherine clutched his wrist in concern as Blake closed his left eye, and the right one seemed to have enshrouded with violet flame.

A transparent eyeball flew out of the carriage and travelled through the air, forward towards the checkpost.

Regaining his powers has helped Blake many times, just like now.

‘Hmm…these are knights from the Capital,’ Looking at that emblem on their chest plate, Blake discerned that these weren’t any common checkpost soldiers.

He was about to draw closer and look into their documents when suddenly a forcefield erased his suspended eye, sending a backlash to Blake.

“Agh!” Blake exclaimed, covering his eyes.

“Are you okay?” Catherine hurriedly asked, but he didn’t respond to her and held her hand before urging,

“Let’s go!”

Catherine didn’t need to be told twice before she jumped off the carriage, under everyone’s astonished gaze, and began to dash away.

“Catch them!” Blake heard faintly that the soldiers were closing in.

Taking out an orb from his pouch, he threw the smoke bomb on the ground and enshrouded themselves under the veil of darkness.

“Where did they go?!”

The knight commander slashed his hand, trying to cut through the smoke, but it was futile.

Looking around, the blond soldiers couldn’t find anyone.

However, there was still hope.

Turning around, he looked at the short-haired girl and asked, “Did you catch the whiff?”