The Nobles

Chapter 10

CLAUDIUS stood elegantly in front of the crowd. Alam niyang maraming nagtataka sa katauhan niya. Kung bakit ang isang estranghero ay may taglay na ganitong presensya.

"He's dangerous." It was one of the whispers he heard.

Seems like the Nobles around him are wary of him.

Nasa Nobilis siya dahil pinatawag siya ng mga Leaders. Sa nagdaang mga taon, marami siyang nalutas na kaso tungkol sa mga gawain ng mga half bloods. He knew they are curious about his identity, but those accomplishments are not enough to invite him in the meeting with them. Alam niyang may iba pang pakay ang mga ito. Ilan lang ang nakikita niyang dahilan, gusto nilang malaman ang katauhan niya, kung sino siya, kung gaano siya kalakas, at kung bakit walang may alam sa pagkatao niya.

Dahil ang bawat malakas na Noble ay may angking kakilanlan. He will passed as one of the Leaders, maging ang Four Guards, pero walang may alam nito, maliban sa King at sa mga Nobles na kasing tanda niya. Kaunti na lang ang mga ito at nasa iba't ibang bahagi na ng mundo, tapos na sa tungkulin, matapos ang nangyaring digmaan ilang taon na ang nakakalipas. Those Nobles wanted a peaceful life, so they cut their ties to the messy world.

At ngayong nakabalik siya sa Nobilis, na naunang tahanan nila. Ramdam niya ang maraming pagbabago. There were common Nobles around, marami ang bilang kumpara sa dati. Mukhang paunti na rin ng paunti ang pinalad na magtaglay ng malakas na kapangyarihan. Although, common Nobles are still as strong as Class A half bloods, their strength is far away from the Nobles with ranks.

Three military Nobles went to him, military Nobles are stronger than the common Nobles. Ito ang sumama sa kaniya papunta sa Noble Leader's Palace. Ang sabi sa natanggap niyang mensahe, tatlo sa mga Leaders ang nais kumausap sa kaniya.

The palace of Leaders is as huge as always. But it is not comparable to the palace of the King and the palace of his Lady Adelaide in the center of the majestic forest, in northern part of the Nobilis.

The three military Nobles guided him in one room. Pinagbuksan siya ng pinto bago tuluyang umalis.

Nakita niya ang tatlong Noble na inaasahan. The fourth, the eighth, and the ninth Noble Leader.

Yumuko siya bilang paggalang sa posisyon ng tatlo. He can already feel the tense in the atmosphere.

Zara Diana Philip, the eighth Noble in the rank offered him the seat. Agad siyang umupo kasama ang mga ito.

The ninth in the rank sip his tea before speaking, "I heard about the cases you solved." Charles Louis said.

He nodded, "It just came unexpectedly."

Poor half bloods, they got into his way. They are all dead now.

Edmund Felipe, the fourth in the rank speak this time.

"You came across a lot of A's, you are not a common Noble."

As expected. He smirked. Alam niya na ang papupuntahan ng ganitong usapan. They must be wary of him, knowing he might become one of the Leaders who will likely grab their position. Zara and Charles will seek this opportunity to know their enemy more. He don't know about the fourth rank, Edmund, but he must be just curious.

"Let's say I am not." Pag-amin niya, ngunit walang kasiguraduhan.

He saw how Zara's eyebrow twitch at his remark.

"How come no one knows about you?" Even though she is pissed by his vague answers, she still manage to say calm.

"I prefer staying in the dark, Eighth Noble Zara."

Charles question him this time, "Really?You want to remain low, but your accomplishments aren't hidden?"

If this is a normal situation, he will mockingly laugh. These Nobles are really threatened. If his Lady is here, they will receive punishment for being this shallow.

"Hmm. No one knows about those, it must be His Highness who mentioned those things."

He knew the King often praise those who are under Lady Adelaide. Nobles these days thought they are supposed to act high and mighty.

Maraming hindi na alam kung anong dahilan ng pagiging mas malakas nila kumpara sa ibang races. The teaching of his Lady always mention, "The stronger, the heavier the responsibility." Also, "The stronger exist because of the weak."

Nobles do not practice that nowadays. Ang alam lamang nila, malakas sila, dapat katakutan at igalang ng iba. Nobles are now entitled and proud. They became distant, hard to reach and approach. When the truth is, they should always be the protector, the shield against the evil.

Lady Adelaide always tell him that he will lose the value of his strength when he no longer use it for the good of others.

Sadly, generations through generations, the duty of the Nobles was slowly forgotten.

"I always wonder why His Highness mentioned those things as if you've done something so worth praising. You're just meddling with the half bloods and saving the humans." Edmund said.

He can't help but to shake his head in disbelief. If only they know his position in the entire Nobilis. And if only they knew the Nobles true duty.

"I'm sure you already encountered half bloods killing humans, may I ask what did you do?"

Kahit naguguluhan, sumagot si Zara.

"Well, I just mind my own business."

That's it. He's done here. Too bad, the Nobilis empire has Leaders these useless.

Tumayo na siya para magpaalam sa tatlo.

He bow down as a sign of respect even though he think, they barely deserved it from him.

"I have a lot to do, may you excuse me?"

He saw how Zara's eyebrow raise, and Charles eyed him dangerously. Habang ang may pinakamataas na rank sa tatlo, Edmund, ay uminom lamang ng tsaa.

"In case you wanted to know, I am Claudius Aeneas Lawyart. Please greet His Highness in my place."

Matapos ng hind naman ganoon kahalagang usapan, lumisan na siya sa palasyo ng mga Noble Leaders.

He got a long way to go so he call his spirit animal to be his ride. In the swift motion of his hand, Aeneas, his spirit animal horses, that is named after him appeared in front of him. Nasa gitna ang itim, at ang dalawang kulay puti ay nasa magkabilang gilid.

Ilang buwan niya rin itong hindi natawag, halatang natuwa ang mga ito sa paglabas muli.

"Master, it's good to see you again." Black Aeneas said.

"We miss you Master." Right Aeneas.

While Left Aeneas brush his head together with his. Ito ang pinakamalambing sa tatlo.

"Let me apologize for taking it so long to call you."

"We understand, Master!"

Naputol ang usapan nila nang maramdaman niya ang pamilyar na kapangyarihang pasugod sa kaniya.

The blazing hundred of wind and fire wheels went towards his position. Agad niyang ginamit ang flame of light para gumawa ng harang sa paligid niya at ng spirit animal niya.

Matapos nito ay agad niyang sinugod ang Noble na ito. This time, nagharap silang dalawang gamit lamang ang natural na lakas. But their presence is enough to caught the attention of common Nobles around them.

"I haven't seen you for years." The Noble told him.

Sinangga niya ang sipa nito sa pamamagitan ng isa ring sipa.

"I knew you stayed here all this time."

Umikot ito at nagbato ng panibagong sipa. He dodge his kick by going sideways. This time Claudius use his fist to punch him on the face, but at the same time the Noble's kick landed on his stomach. Sabay silang tumilapon.

"I stayed here hoping she would come back to this place."

Lumapit siya rito upang ipakita ang pang-asar niyang ngisi.

"You should go to my place."

Kumunot ang noo nito, "I have a lot on my plate."

Nagkibit balikat na lang siya, nakangisi pa rin.

"Theodred Rainier, you're one of Lady Adelaide's Four Guards, don't you think it's time for us to gather?"

"You that lonely Lawyart?"

Napailing siyang natatawa, "Your choice, just visit when you're free."

Tumango ito, "I'll come but I won't stay, I'll wait for Master in this place."

Doon natapos ang usapan nila. Lumisan na siya ng Nobilis sakay si Black Aeneas kasama ang dalawa pa. Malaki ang tatlo kumpara sa normal na kabayo, halos ilang beses ang laki nito, at may pakpak na kumikinang ngunit kakulay ng balat ng mga ito.

Because the Nobilis is far from the country they are currently staying, it took him a day to arrive at his mansion. At pagod siya nang makarating.

"I'm freaking tired." He mumbled as he go inside.

Halos mag-hallucinate na siya sa pagod dahil nasa harapan niya si Duncan Emmanuel nang makarating ang sala. Gabi na at tulog na ang lahat.

"Welcome back." Duncan said.

Wow. Even his hallucination is talking.

"What the fuck." He murmured under his breath.

Hindi na lang siya nagsalita at umakyat na para magpahinga na.

Kinabukasan, kinatok siya ng batang si Devian para kumain. Pagtingin niya sa orasan ay tanghali na.

"You didn't go to class?" He asked the little human, he carry Devian on his arms.

"It's our sembreak, Aeneas."

So even his Lady Adelaide is here.

Bumaba sila at tumungo sa dining table para kumain.

Kunot noo niyang tinignan si Duncan Emmanuel na naglalapag ng pagkain sa hapag.

"So you're true."

Masungit lamang siyang binalingan ng tingin nito at umupo na sa tabi ng kaniyang Binibini.

Sinamaan niya ito ng tingin at pumwesto na sa kabilang bahagi na katabi rin ni Lady Adelaide.

"He came here while you're away." Devian said when he place him on his sit.

"His name is 'Uncan."

Halos matawa siya sa binigay na palayaw ng bata kay Duncan. Pero mukhang wala lang ito sa pinakatahimik na myembro ng four guards.

"Yes, I know him. How are you these days?"

"Aume always pamper me."

Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang nanlalaking matang si Guillaume.

"You gave him sweets again!"

Mag-aaway na sana silang dalawa nang tumikhim si Egon George, at nang tingnan niya ito, nakatingin ito sa katabi niya na si Lady Adelaide.

Napaupo siya ng maayos. Lagi talagang pinainit ni Guillaume ang ulo niya, tatandaan niyang sapakin ito mamaya.

"Claudius, how was your visit in Nobilis?"

Agad siyang napasimangot. "It was bad, my lady. I can't tolerate Nobles attitude nowadays."

Tumango tango si Lady Adelaide.

"That's given, almost all of the Nobles in Nobilis don't even know about our Master, it's natural that they don't know about her teachings." Si Egon.

Well, that's true. Masyadong matagal na panahon na ang lumipas, at nakakalungkot man, nawawala na sa landas ang karamihan sa mga Nobles. But he is sure, there are some who goes with the will of their heart.

Matapos nilang kumain, nalaman niyang pupunta sila sa isang town na pinanggalingan ni Duncan.

"I've been investigating the murders secretly, but it doesn't seem like doing of a half blood."

It must be a really evil human. Marami namang ganoon sa lahi ng mga tao. Para sa kaniya, sa dami ng nakita niya mula sa mga tao, hindi na bago ang mga p*****n sa lahi ng mga ito.

He remembered witnessing a case about a serial murder, this case did not shock him at all.

Kung pupunta man sila sa lugar na 'yon, baka gawin niya lang ito para magbakasyon. He'll investigative under his lady's command, of course, but he's planning to do it fast so he can chill after.

Nagsimula nang mag-impake ang isa't isa. He packed his things the fastest to ready the van they'll use.

It is a family van. Ito 'yung tipong pwede nang tirhan ng isang tao. He met a human years ago who lives in this kind of van, he just travels around to enjoy his life.

Claudius made sure it is customized so when the day like this would come, there will be no problem.

"This is a nice ride."

His attention went to Duncan. Walang ekspresyon ang mukha nitong pumasok sa loob. Napailing na lang siya rito, wala pa ring pinagbago.

He didn't know why he doesn't have ice as his power, but that will really suit Duncan. He's distant, he has his own world. He can't also stand his super intelligence.

"You got new inventions?" Tanong niya rito.

"Presence Sealing Pill, I also got newly made weapons."

He nodded. As expected. He is the well known Noble genius back then. But he heard someone from the Leaders have that title now.

"You know the new genius brat from the Leaders?"

Duncan nodded. Mukhang inaantok pa rin kahit tanghali na.

"Didn't heard pretty interesting invention from that Noble."

He can't help but to chuckle, "So, not so genius." He said pertaining to the certain Noble Leader.

Among the Four Guards, he can get a normal conversation with Duncan. But when the four of them collided, the distant Duncan turns into something else. Kaya hanggat maaari, pinaglalayo niya ang mga ito. Dahil pati siya nasasama sa mga kalokohan nila.

"Aeneas!"

Nilingon niya si Devian na tumawag sa pangalawang pangalan niya. Karga ito ni Egon na kasama si Guillaume at ng kaniyang binibining pinaglilingkuran.

So this is the start of their not so vacation.