Ryn
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Chapter 255
🕑 Added 2025-01-14 19:00:05 +0000 UTCJulius was completely overwhelmed. There were so many people running around that his [Spatial Perception] was running in overdrive trying to keep up, trying to inspect every person within its reach. It got so bad that he didn’t even attempt to find this Rolus person with the skill. Instead, he used the old-fashioned way.
His eyes.
Sadly, that didn’t exactly make things easier. He still wasn’t able to find Rolus in this mess. Thankfully, he managed to come across some nice people who helped him. The woman and the handsome man next to her pointed him in hopefully the right direction.
If they hadn’t, who knew how long he would have spent searching.
Maybe he would get to see them again if they were a part of the caravan as well. That would give him the opportunity to thank them more properly next time.
With new determination in his eyes, he followed the women’s directions and eventually came to a section that wasn’t as crowded as the others.
At the center of it stood a single wagon, but it was hard to call it a wagon. It was more like a small house than anything else.
As a matter of fact, it reminded him of one of those large camper RVs from his old world.
He felt pretty confident that this was the so-called ‘main wagon’ she had mentioned. Additionally, he spotted the reason why Richard and Rebecca had been so confident that he would know who Rolus was the moment he saw him.
There was one aura that stood out from the rest. It was a large looming aura that emanated strength and fortitude, unlike many other auras he had ever sensed before. The person was obviously Tier 4, which was the most obvious hint.
But he was even more convinced this was Rolus when he spotted the humongous sword strapped across the back of the man.
Most people didn’t keep their weapons out it they had access to a storage ring. Sometimes it was just quicker to take a weapon out of their ring instead of unsheathing it. However, there were times when people preferred to keep their weapons on their person. This Rolus guy must have been this way. Otherwise, he couldn’t figure out why he kept such a cumbersome weapon on him the entire time.
Julius tried to walk around and get a good look at the man. Since he was staring at the man’s back, all he could see was the hulking sword.
When he finally got a good look at the man, he was startled. The man wasn’t as tall or large as he had been expecting.
In his mind, he had already been imagining a giant of a man. Someone who would fit the stereotype of someone who would carry such a weapon. But instead, he was greeted by a man who couldn’t have been much larger than himself.
Now that he was looking at this Rolus, he couldn’t help but think the visual was a bit comical. The sword was bigger than the person who was swinging it. As such, he couldn’t help but be curious about how the man was able to use such a weapon with any type of proficiency.
With that being said, Julius had no doubt about the man’s strength. The man was a genuine Tier 4 and going off his aura, was someone who was likely stronger than Dustin.
With little hesitation, he walked toward the man who was surrounded by a number of other individuals.
Most of these people had sheets of paper and seemed like they were in charge of logistics and the general running of the operation. Julius observed as the man with the large sword, handled all of these people with patience and expertise.
The man was in complete control as he pivoted from one person to the next. Fluidly directing his members with efficiency.
It wasn’t until Julius noticed that nobody else was coming up to the man that he finally made his approach.
“Hello,” he spoke out to the man as he got within a few feet.
The man turned to him with furrowed brows, probably confused as he had no idea who Julius was. Upon closer inspection, Julius was able to see more of the man’s features. His face was quite ordinary. Not handsome but not ugly, he had short cropped hair, but what really stood out were the scars littered over the man’s face and neck.
Viscous ropes of scars wove throughout his skin and gave the man a much more fierce look to him.
“What can I do for you, Sonny?” The man asked.
Julius gave his best friendly smile. “You’re Rolus correct?”
“That’s right.”
He nodded in relief. “Perfect, I was supposed to find you and give this to you,” he said while passing over a letter he had gotten from Richard.
Rolus gave a curious look at the letter and gently took it from his hands, opening it up after he did.
Julius watched as the man swiftly reviewed the letter’s contents. While he was reading, the man looked up to give Julius a few surprised glances. When he was finally done, he folded the letter back up and handed it back to Julius.
“So you’re Julius, huh? I didn’t think you would be so… young,” Rolus said slowly.
“What did they tell you?” He asked.
The man gave the immediate surroundings a look before answering. “They explained the general details of the mission and your part in it. I can’t say I necessarily agree with the idea, but I am also not the person making the decisions.”
“But I can come along, right?”
The man chuckled. “I couldn’t stop you even if I wanted to. You got permission from the big guys, so, by all means, come along. But just know that there is a very real possibility of you getting hurt or even dying. I hope they explained this to you before you accepted the job.”
Julius gave an amused grin. “Trust me, they made sure I knew about the dangers.”
Rolus nodded understandingly. “Then you will get no problems from me. Just try not to cause any trouble while you are with us and we will get along just fine,” the man said with a half smile. But the scars on his face made the smile a little less assuring and he couldn’t help but notice the almost dismayed look on the man’s face.
Julius ignored it though and gave another smile with a thumbs up. “You won’t get any trouble from me. I am only here just in case something happens. Who knows, maybe we can get to our destination without any problems.”
Rolus didn’t say anything but simply gave him a stony smile in return.
***
Rolus POV
Rolus watched as the boy walked away with an anxious expression on his face.
He didn’t understand what the Marquis was thinking. Rolus had been working for Casidus Easten for almost ten years now, and he was always grateful for it.
Not everyone was able to get such a good job as he did. He worked his way from a simple guard to now running transportation and protection for House Easten. And the entire time, he had never disagreed with the House’s plans or behaviors.
Unlike many of the other noble houses, House Easten was an honorable sort. They treated their workers great and compensated them well. However, for the first time, he couldn’t help but feel a little bit of irritation toward them.
In what world did they believe sending a green Tier 3 along with the caravan on a bait mission was smart?
He didn’t care who the boy's family was or his connections. They were most likely going to be attacked by Tier 4s and many other Tier 3s on their way to Greenwich. It was almost a guarantee considering how valuable the materials this particular caravan was carrying.
They were hoping that the Conclave wouldn’t be able to resist making an attempt on this trip. It was why they had employed some of the best Tier 3 mercenaries, adventurers, and retainers they could.
They were undoubtedly going to lose some people, but it was all in the hopes of trying to capture some of the Conclave’s members. Something they have failed to do so far.
Hence, when he was told there would be a backup weapon that would protect the group so that reinforcements could come he was relieved. If they could limit their losses by even a couple of men, it would be a blessing.
However, when the boy showed up and gave him that letter, he didn’t know what to feel anymore.
He had been expecting some monstrous Tier 3 to come and help them. Instead, all they got was some kid who couldn’t have been much older than his daughter.
Not only that, but the boy’s aura was weak. While it could have easily been some sort of item or skill that hid his aura’s strength, there was a lack of hardness in it that skills or items were unable to hide.
He doubted this boy had fought in many battles so far. After all, he was too young to be a Tier 3. He had no doubt that the boy advanced recently.
“What was that about?” Adrian, his second-in-command asked, approaching after the boy, Julius left.
He turned to his friend. “That was our backup,” he said with a deadpan expression.
“What? Him? I thought they were sending someone strong, not some boy,” Adrian growled out in a hush.
“Me too.”
“Do you think there’s some sort of noble politicking involved?” Adrian threw out.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that was the case here. But House Easten normally doesn’t let stuff like that affect the important stuff. It seems out of character for them,” Rolus pointed out.
“Yeah, but can you think of any other reason why they would send us a kid?”
He tried to think of a reason but came up empty and shook his head.
Adrian sighed. “I hate politics. Some elder or noble thought they could send their son with us as a way to gain easy experience or worse, try and get the boy killed.”
“I doubt it’s the latter. He knew exactly why he was here,” Rolus told him.
“Wait so he knows that we are all bait?”
Rolus nodded.
“And he’s okay that we are likely going to be attacked by a group of Tier 4s and Tier 3s?”
Rolus nodded again.
“Okay, now I am confused too,” Adrian said with a frown.
Rolus turned to his friend and slapped a hearty hand onto his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter if the boy is going to help us or not. The only thing we need to focus on is making sure we protect as many people as we can while also trying to find the bastards who have been attacking us these past months.”
Upon hearing that, Adrian also steeled his face. “Oh trust me, I am going to show those assholes they messed with the wrong people.”
The two of them knew better than most about the damage this Conclave group has been causing. They have lost more than half a dozen friends who have been attacked and wanted nothing more than to put an end to this now.
This was their best chance at getting some revenge and some answers. And the two of them didn’t really have the time to focus on finding out why they were sent a boy. There were more important things they had to think about.
Comments
Thomas Grimshaw
As they are T3s the passive nature shouldn't affect them as much (it will still affect them) as it would the lower tiered villagers he was worried about hurting, it is the active nature that "should" only hurt what his will determines as enemies, as his will is such that this should be able to kerb the intent on his allies.
Kevin McKinney
Ha … ha ha ha ha
Rallaster
In his introspection, Rolus says he felt Julius' aura and it was soft in a way that skills and items can't hide.
TB
I find it cute that they are sending in a energetic nuclear warhead as bait
Len
piss themselves? nah, made them glad they wore the Brown pants today...... yeah him cutting loose imo = lots a brown stains gonna happen IF he doesn't have the "you are a good guy" filter. (if he doesn't have that filter than bad guys are gonna be red and brown stains...good guys just brown......)
Jack Trowell
You would think that in a world with magic they might have been open to the idea that Julius was maybe actually some strong tier 4 veteran hidden under illusions or something to look like a weak young tier 3
William Johnson
I am looking forward to some quality reactions!
ambullseye
Quick question. Are we working under the assumption that Julius's Aura training included the abilitiy to distinguish friend from foe or just the ability to suppress. The reason i am asking is if he does not have the level of control to only damage his enemies then any fight in the caravan by him would hurt his side as much as his opponents, more if his opponents are T4s but his side is T3s. I mean his aura could be oppressive to everyone still but the actual damage part is what i am curious of.
Luke Scheffe
I’m looking forward to their reactions. I just hope they’ll keep being chill once they know.
Amanda
Thanks for the great chapter! I love when we get an outside POV because I love seeing other people’s impressions of Julius. I’m excited for the action that is coming! It is so fun when other character’s first impression of Julius is suddenly challenged :)
gray matter
Yep nice build-up for his aura and ability reveal. Just wish I could read it now.
Magnuss
Tftc and oh they won’t see what is coming for them if Julius is starting to fight serious 😂
DeathTick
Yes
DeathTick
I remember Ryn once saying that he was 5ft 11, and I was so confused cuz everyone kept thinking of him as a kid despite being taller than most adults.
DeltaV
Yep! Bonus points for the "while laughing as he tries punching 3 people at once and regrows his legs that keep getting blasted off" part
Raymond Mouton
Thanks for the chapter. Great stuff.
Tanner Lannister
Gonna love a good “and then the weak boy who no one thought was going to be helpful unleashed the scariest aura I’ve felt and made a bunch tier 4’s piss themselves”
Ryan
He is actually close to the height of an adult. But he had the face of a kid.
Ryan
It's more of a byproduct of his method than anything else. The reason why it 'feels' weak is because the method is still flawed.
Zach
TFTC!!
Zach
I’m already getting the foreshadow chills of a tier 5 incoming 😭
Darune Albane
Same .. MC will look like he is going Super Saiyan when he unveils himself
RedLeaf
The reveal (of Julius' aura) is going to be brutal -- especially for their foes! Can't wait to see it happen.
Hamfist
He is 14. He's a little big for his age but not enough that he seems like an adult or anything. 15 is the normal age for first year academy students and that's the age most people think he is
Tom
Unless they slipped something into his baked goods, I expect he's not high at all
LA
So how old is Julius? And how high is he? Thought he was pretty big for his age, because of his body tempering....
CapeShifter
His aura is "weak" because he learned good enough control so that he doesn't passively attack everyone around him, right?
DeltaV
Nice, tftc! Can't wait for the action (and ass kicking) to start
Kyfe
Setting up for a great PoV reveal when it goes down later. Can't wait!
brennon Petersen
Tftc!
Orthneil Kelley Jr.
TFTC!
Quark Eiweis
Tftc
Quentin Cozzi
Thanks for the chapter!
