Rade's Demon Elimination Service

Chapter 37: The Order of London

Rade had just arrived at the town from her trip to the secret training building of the HODE when she got the call from London.

One of Aldeia clan's hunters clad in an all-black gear and a holy weapon at hand approached her while she checked in the Watchtower to register her arrival. The Watchtower was supposed to be the base of HODE.

In an outsider's perspective, the Watchtower was supposed to command order and organization of the hunters within the region. In reality, it was just a commercial building that held hunters who doesn't have ability to fight demons. The people in the Watchtower were kind of like Carys, but unlike Carys who initially wanted nothing of the hunters' society, the people that work on the Watchtower doesn't want to sever their connection with the hunters' society.

The Watchtower was the hand of HODE in each region, supposedly, but it now became a figurehead and an afterthought to the hunters, at least around the area where the . Someone the hunters around the town call to clean up the mess after their them. In reality, it was the Aldeia clan that controlled and managed the town and the surrounding area of the region.

The absolute power was theirs and something like HODE couldn't have the power to put the clan under their control. The hunters around the region revered the Aldeia clan with admiration for organizing the hunt around the place. Unlike the almost corrupted HODE, the integrity of the Aldeia clan was immaculate and something that has never been tainted.

The Watchtower was only still standing in respect to the HODE from the Aldeia clan, but it does not have any power left to even state anything in front of the Aldeia clan or actually govern the

Until now, Rade still couldn't believe that such family was in existence at the same time that the Huntsman Order was also in place inside this certain community. Defying the reality of most of the ancient clans within the hunters' society, the Aldeia clan managed to stay out of the secular business outside of their territory while keeping the peace that the generations of their clan leaders have established. Even the Aldam clan, Rade's own clan, that used to be powerful in terms of strength all over the hunters' society, did not manage to survive the weight of HODE and pressure that was put on their backs.

Rade couldn't even stress enough to herself how powerful the clan she was working on now and that she has a direct link to its head, a person who was called the most powerful hunter in the whole world.

As she was filling up a form given by one of the officials in the Watchtower, a female hunter approached her. She was wearing a smile and still green in the age, maybe just barely older than Rade herself by a year or two.

"Good morning!" the hunter greeted her enthusiastically, the same smile was still in place. "First Young Master Aldeia sent me to give you a message. We just found out that you're in the territory, if you don't mind, Miss Aldam? I was told by First Young Master Aldeia that you are to get and read the message a. s. a. p."

The hunter gave her a small piece of paper and proceeded on taking the document that Rade was filling up with her information. She smiled again at Rade who just looked at her quizzically, wary because of her enthusiasm. Upon finding that the hunter have no intention whatsoever to do anything else other than to get the message to her just like what just said, Rade realized that the hunter girl does not have any intention on staying beside her and was waiting for her orders.

Before reading the small piece of paper, Rade recalled the hunter's statement. She said 'First Young Master' so it would it was probably not Geneva Aldeia that wanted her to read the message since there was only one title that Geneva Aldeia was called for and to not address her title was to insult the while clan of Aldeia. A mere messenger hunter would never do that kind of insult if they wanted to live in this town longer. It was most certainly not New York too since he was the second son so it could only mean that it was the first son of the Aldeia clan, London.

London, Rade thought while she looked at the piece of paper on her hand. It was very light but the words written on that paper was not. Rade's eyes found the letters and, at first, she was not able to comprehend what was written on that little paper. She was too surprised or that maybe her brain just stopped working.

Although there wasn't any signature on the message, Rade was certain it could only be London Aldeia.

She was even more surprised that London knew what she has been doing in the past weeks since she never really tells anyone about the job she got. Then again, it was not much of a secret really and Rade was not like doing anything to the extreme so they would not know. Rade simply didn't tell anyone where she went or disappeared to. With the period of the Spatial Void slowly descending over the region, even Lyu and Miss Megumi could not be bothered with her whereabouts. Even Kalleid would surely be more concerned about his own safety with the impending time Spatial Void in the region.

It was either they were too worried that they will be targets of hunters trying to catch more cores before demons started being more powerful with the help of the Spatial Void or that they were slowly losing control and being taken over by ther demonic nature.

Going back to the message London wanted Rade to know. It was very simple and stated in a manner that did not beat around the bush.

Carys Haeven is in Kal's house, the little note stated.

Rade turned to look at the hunter that was sent and asked in a serious tone, "Would you mind finishing that for me?" She pointed at the document form and the hunter only smiled and nodded, understanding was already etched on her facial features.

Carys, Rade thought as she ran through streets and past the people walking to and fro..

There was dread that spread through Rade's mind and body. If Carys was in there, could it be that he intended to also take revenge on the people close to Rade now? Thoughts of Kalleid, as gentle as a blooming flower, appeared on Rade's mind.

Although Kalleid was an immortal, Rade knew that the Spatial Void would certainly affect his mentality and could even be a trigger for him to lose control over his mortal self. He was already vulnerable as it was. Meanwhile, Carys was in a different level in strength now, and for Kalleid to attain any injuries might be fatal for them both. Rade has only vague awareness of Kalleid's condition since she left early after the school break. What Rade was aware that this would be a difficult time for Kalleid and she couldn't risk him getting involve with her own matters.

But she had seen how he lose control, letting his demon side affect him. It would be a hard battle if Carys unintentionally unleashed the demonic side of Kalleid.

Things that they both might regret would happen so Rade must be wary.

"This is my fault," Rade whispered to herself while she ran helplessly. "Everything is going haywire because of this. I should have known this would happen, I'm so stupid!"

If anything were to happen to Kalleid, New York and maybe even London, for he was the one who sent the message to her, would never forgive her. Essentially the whole clan and members of Aldeia who were the main caretakers of Kalleid.

Most of all, Rade would never forgive herself if she would not be able to prevent certain things from happening.

It would be a blood debt though Kalleid hasn't married into the Aldeia clan yet.

Her palms were sweaty and she was itching to call forth the Aíma, but this person she would be dealing with was Carys. Though he has animosity against her, Rade has never got any for Carys. He was still her brother, though not by blood but by bond of years. Besides that, Rade truly thinks that it was her fault that Carys has darkened his heart so thoroughly.

Rade looked at the bus, but saw the heavy traffic that would come in the way of the transportation. She was exhausted and she just came back from her trip without any rests or even stops, but it was not the time for her to think about that. She does not know what Carys was doing on Kalleid's apartment.

When she entered the compound where Kalleid's apartment was located, Rade finally called forth Emma on her hand. The pain made her slightly winced and she wanted to cry out, her lungs were flaring and burning within her, but she kept her silence. Droplets of acidic blood came from Emma and sizzled at the asphalt ground.

The noise of her arrival was just enough to alert the others. Rade stood just before the entrance of the building. The compound has a small courtyard and just by looking, one could see the door of Kalleid's apartment though it was at least a dozen of floors from the ground floor.

Rade doesn't need to do anything, Carys already went out from Kalleid's apartment's door. On his hand was a very familiar-looking and modern bow with violet lining on the sides. His fair hair was, as always, on a neat ponytail. It has grown so long that Rade would not have thought Carys would still keep it that way.

Carys' eyes were unfocused as though there was some weight trying to drag him down. As far as Rade remember, she has never seen that expression on his face. It was though Carys was confused and more exhausted than herself.

It broke her heart to see what used to be a happy and gleeful boy turned into a shadow of what he had been before.

"Carys," Rade whispered, heaving deep breaths in and out of her lungs, but Carys has already jumped off from where the door of Kalleid's apartment was. Her eyes widened and a couple of arrows were brought down on her.

Flexing the Aíma, Rade spun the blade on her hand, deflecting the arrows made out of spiritual energy from the bow that Carys was holding. When Rade looked at the expected residue of the arrows, she found that the arrows were slowly dissolving. There weren't any residues but the arrows were as sharp as the real ones, if not even sharper. An arrow grazed her shoulder and Rade only just gritted her teeth, bearing the pain without any outburst.

Carys pressed her back while Rade continued on defending her body but a shift of movement changed the momentum of the fight and, a moment later, London has arrived.

The Latka was as graceful and elegant, guiding its descending wielder down the courtyard. Latka fluttered with the wind and London has finally descended on the groun, a graceful strip of cloth was around him, protecting hin as though it was a shield.

"Kalleid was put to rest by New York," he finally announced and with that, Carys siezed any chance of firing an attack towards Rade. "I would be here as a representative of the Aldeia clan and under the command of the clan head, Lady Geneva Aldeia, I order Elora Isolde Aldam to execute Carysia Haeven of the Haeven clan for violating the Huntsman Law of this sacred land."

Both Carys and Rade's eyes widened with the proclamation of the order by the older boy. HODE might have some semblance of a power within the territory of the Aldeia clan, but that was all it was.

Just a semblance and all pretense.

Although the Aldeia clan might have some face to take care of, they have never been biased. Rade knew this and Carys also knew of that, but they both never thought that execution was ever in the talks.

"London," Rade whispered, taking a few steps back.

Rade wanted to protest, but she knew she wasn't allowed to. She doesn't have any rights because that was her job. This was what she was mandated to do by her job and she had just been ordered an execution.

I can't do this again, Rade cried internally though her whole body was already numbed.

She just went on a mission, promised that she would only be investigating Carys yet now she was told that an execution order has been oassed by the very person who tasked her to do this. And it would be her specifically to do this kind of order, how could she do this to Carys whose sister she has already killed not even once but twice already?

London looked at her with sharp eyes, the blue in them darkened considerably and there was no trace that she was only joking. She was challenging Rade to question the command given to her by Lady Aldeia herself. Rade's gaze evaded the blue pair then looked up just in any case that New York would want to intercept since London hinted on New York being there.

"Don't get your hopes up, Rade." London found Rade's eyes hopefully looking up, towards where New York and Kalleid were might be. "Kalleid hasn't been doing well since the period of the Spatial Void has started. Sooner or later, he will be enveloped by his demonic side. New York is taking care of him now, so no one would help you absolving Carysia Haeven."

Rade gritted her teeth, her jaw clenched tightly and her hand, that was bleeding from gripping the bladed hilt of her holy weapon, also tightened her grasp on it unconsciously. Before Rade could think of what should be her move next, Carys was already shooting towards her with the bow.

If his expression was uncertain and confused earlier, exhausted even, now Carys has the same determination that Rade used to have to survive the world. It seemed as if the command that London given has woken and stirred something inside of Carys that triggered him to attack so recklessly.

"Bring the fight out or you'll disturb the residents," London further commanded and when he turned his back on fighting Carys and Rade, he never look back to make sure that Rade was fulfilling the order that he just gave.

Leaving Rade and Carys behind, London heaved a deep sigh. He has no idea if what he did was right, but he could remember Geneva's words as she has uttered them earlier to him.

"You have met Carysia Haeven before, have you not?"

London nodded as an answer to his sister. He could not remember Carys Haeven that well, but he thought he had seen the boy before. He just didn't expect him to be this beautiful, almost looking so ethereal. At first glance, he does looked like his sister, Laurinette Haeven, but at the second, one would realize that he was a different league of his own. London tried to recall ever fomally being introduced to him, but could not remember.

The haze that the time has brought dulled her memory.

"Just briefly," he finally responded, his eyes were still directed on the picture.

"Carysia Haeven is an innocent boy," Geneva said, "whose fate is intertwined with the hunters' society. He may not have known the real reason of the death of his sister, thus the reason he wanted to eliminate Rade like what he heard Rade did to Laurinette Haeven. One could simply say that it is easy to convince him by just telling the truth, but..."

Geneva paused and her gaze went up to her sister, expecting her to know what comes next.

"But it happened long ago and the only person that would tell true is dead. Even the body had been vanquished." London set down the picture on the table in front of him.

Geneva nodded as an agreement, her eyes went back to the pile of the documents that was awaiting her attention. For someone who looked so ordinary, Geneva was extremely graceful but her mildness often made people underestimate her. Some might have heard of her greatness and the power she holds, but rumors and words have a way to people to make it brighter and more exaggerated.

"So what do you want to do?" London asked her older sister.

"I heard that Rade just crossed the border," Geneva implied, "why don't you contact her, my dear little brother? I want Young Master Carysia Haeven to realize that avenging his sister would not bring her back."

London stilled, his eyes were both on his indifferent sister but there was something that has changed within her that London could not pointed out.

At the end, his question remained unuttered.

What's got you so interested on that little girl?