Stone Mage: Revenge of the Villain System

The Hope Revolution set up camps in open areas when night time comes. They would often assign people to guard others, mostly Nobles with powers, and to scout for any threats as well.

They would use large pieces of cloth to make makeshift tents. But a wagon was reserved to be slept at by the most important person to them…..

Which was, of course, Councillor Rozenaur.

But now that they have pretty important guests too, they were now invited to also sleep inside the wagon.

“It’s a little cramped, but it’s the best we have. I hope that’s fine with you, Your Highness.” Councillor Rozenaur told Cermin.

Cermin waved his hand. “It’s alright, it’s perfect as it is. I’m not picky with lodging just because I’m a prince.”

Ronin looked around at the small space of the wagon. It was at least warm inside and had a couple of nice blankets and pillows. It just meant that he and Cermin would have to sleep close to each other.

And with Councillor Rozenaur too.

The three were still eating dinner, so the two younger boys asked some questions to pass the time until they finished eating and went to sleep.

“Since when did you start building this group?” Ronin asked.

“Not that long. Perhaps just a month or less. I didn’t mean to build it, the people just continued to increase in size more than I expected.” Councillor Rozenaur said.

The two boys were eating roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, while the Monk settled for some stale-looking bread.

“They just started following you?” Cermin asked.

“Not necessarily. You see, the first two people I saved were a Commoner and a Noble. They got their legs stuck on a fallen building, and I helped them out. These two were friends, just like you boys.”

He pointed to the pair guarding the rounds today. “The Commoner, Andre, was actually the Noble’s servant. This Noble was Ricial. But they actually have the same Heartstone, Ricial’s family just luckily got born with a much larger Flame.”

“They’re both Feldspars. The Noble one just has a higher quality.” Ronin identified just from a glance.

“Those two were very enthusiastic boys. They wanted to make sure I was safe as I travel and did everything to make me comfortable.” Councillor Rozenaur smiled. “They care for the people of Magecia too.”

“They could not bear any more suffering, so they started to encourage more followers. They were the main reason why it had increased to these numbers today.” The Councillor said.

Cermin had come to admire the two boys because of this. “They sound amazing. So ever since then, they never left your side?”

“They didn’t. I see them as my sons now, and they treat me like their father.” The Councillor smiled.

Ronin then asked. “What about your real daughter?”

This caused the Councillor to stop nibbling on his bread. “Marigold…..”

His brow creased with worry. “I don’t even know if she is still dead or alive right now. The Goddess Seelie appeared to me in a vision, but said she doesn’t know of her whereabouts.”

It made sense, since they were very well-hidden in the domain of Freja. Ronin wondered if they had a close relationship or not.

But the way he called out her name had already revealed it. He was fond of his daughter, even when he did not act affectionately when beside her. Always looking stern.

“I pray to the gods everyday that even if I could not meet her at this moment, then at least let her be safe, no matter where she is. And if she had died…. Then may her soul find peace.”

He bit his lip as if to stop himself from saying something else, then changed the topic. “Anyway….. How did you two come to know each other?”

Cermin seemed to beam at this, excited to share his story with Ronin. “Oh. You see, I attended this funeral when I was young…..”

He prattled on about everything, while Ronin focused on reading the Monk’s mind as he did. The way he reacted to certain things, his small movements, and his changes in expression…..

He paid attention to them all while also remembering how Hyacinth remembered him back then.

In his memories, Councillor Rozenaur was more outspoken. He wasn’t afraid to show affection like small touches or hide his feelings in his expressions.

But now, he was much more reserved, like he had put a barrier on his heart. He was still good-natured, but it was like something had dimmed in him greatly since that day…..

“Friendship between two men really is a wonderful thing…. There’s nothing like it.” Councillor Rozenaur said after Cermin finished delivering his long recap of their tale.

Ronin raised a skeptical brow. “What do you mean by this?”

“The camaraderie that we have for each other, the brotherhood, this bond that eternally remains even if one passes away….. It’s something that’s unexplainable in words.”

He looked at the two boys, and smiled bitterly. “It’s always a shame when this brotherhood is lost.”

He then looked away to stare at the distance. “Most often than not, due to differences in belief or being led into the usual path of life. Find a wife, start a family, have children…..”

Ronin looked where he was looking. There were flowers near the field where they settled.

Those flowers happened to be hyacinths. Blooming with shades of violet and red, and everything in between those two.

Just like the eyes of a certain someone.

“You two must not take for granted this connection the most. You will always come to regret it when you do.” Councillor Rozenaur told them.

He then cleared his throat, and wiped away the crumbs from his clothes. Which were non-existent, since he ate so elegantly.

“That is all. We should all prepare for bed. There is much to do for tomorrow, we need to take you to the Edge and help villages along the way.”

Cermin nodded, yawning. “Thank you for everything, Councillor Rozenaur. I hope you get to see Marigold too.”

‘He won’t.’ Ronin thought.

Because he would be killing him and this revolution tonight.

It had always been his plan to kill this powerful man in order to gain more Flame and thwart this strong opposition against Darkness. Two birds against one.

But knowing his lamentable demeanor, knowing that he actually has a heart and care for people more than he expected…..

It does make him pity this man for being the recipient of such fate.

He had promised to Hyacinth to kill him too. After all, his action to call him a Daemon and banish him from Sephyrine had caused him so much pain for him to end his life.

Though he does not care for Hyacinth, he does feel like a vehicle for karma for this. Even with good intentions, Councillor Rozenaur was not perfect and made mistakes too.

Ronin waited until they had all laid in bed. Cermin was to his left, and Councillor Rozenaur was to his right.

He was facing Cermin at first, watching him fall to sleep. Once he was sure he was sleeping heavily…..

Ronin picked up something from his pocket.

Councillor Rozenaur was close to sleeping, when he felt a nudge to his shoulder.

“Zephyros….”

The Councillor immediately became wide awake, and turned to face the middle. The Coal Daemon boy was no longer there…..

And instead, a ghost from the past was facing him.

“H-Hyacinth….. How….”

They laid there staring at each other for a while, as if Hyacinth was waiting for his next move. Councillor Rozenaur took a long time to get out of his shock…..

And went to place a hand on Hyacinth’s cheek.

“Are you real….. Or are you…..”

“I want to talk to you, Zephyros.” Hyacinth took his hand away gently. “Come with me.”

The stunned Monk thought he must be dreaming. It was impossible not to feel like you were dreaming once you looked into Hyacinth’s red-violet eyes. Everyone would just easily question reality…..

Question how a man so beautiful like this could exist.

He sat up gently, and smiled offering a hand to the Rose Gold Monk. As soon as their hands touched each other…..

The Monk was already fully lured into a trap.

Hyacinth had led him to the flowers that bear his name. He took some of them, and waved it at Zephyros.

“I know now why you did it, Zephyros. Why you banished me.” He said, smelling the flowers.

Councillor Rozenaur was dumbfounded, seeing him so calm like this while talking about his banishment.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

Hyacinth smiled at him. “Camaraderie….. brotherhood…. Ah, yes. These two are very important to you.”

He then went closer, placing a delicate hand on his shoulder.

“But I know that’s not the only reason. You bear a secret.”

The Councillor’s heart palpitated so loudly in his ear. He was like a rabbit that had fallen into the clutches of a wolf.

“I didn’t want anyone to know….. Besides you. I was willing to tell you, but you won’t let me. You misunderstood, you hurt me, but I still… I still…..”

Hyacinth took off his mask and revealed the crystalline tears falling down his scarred face.

“It’s alright now…..” Hyacinth embraced him and….

SLASH!

“You can keep this secret with you to the grave.”