Valerian, The Legendary

312 Hounded By The Tyrant.

Valerian’s skills scared some people, while some harmful elements were triggered. They did not think this guy could deal with them if they attacked him in a group. Well, they couldn’t be any wrong.

The young man cast multiple binding spells and held the people in restraint. Then, he said, “If another one is left wanting to demean humanity, please step forward. I want to give you a glimpse at your shameless self. You guys can only attack the weak. Cowards.”

The people bowed their heads and looked at the ground under their feet. At this moment, this child made them feel like insignificant specks of dirt. Finally, an hour later, Valerian cast the beaconing fire spell.

The knights that came forward were surprised. They did not expect to have picked up more than a dozen of people in just three days. They were not even aware that the people were working in cohorts. Valerian made them aware of this and managed to draw out such people. What surprised them was how Valerian captured these guys without harming them.

This was thanks to his ability as a Magnus Magister. He did not need to beat anyone seriously. After these arrests, his merit points were raised a bit, and the townfolks were wary of him. The young man did not bother with them and focused on the people he had helped.

He said, “You all have the blessing to use magic. I will not say that you should use this ability to attack others, but if someone attacks you or does anything that harms anyone in your presence, you should use your skills to stop them. Blessings are not given to those who are weak, but to those who can help themselves and those who cannot help themselves.”

The people understood this, and they nodded to him. Valerian spent two more days in the village, ensuring things were fine, and then left with Valerie. The knights have provided him with the location of a somewhat more significant settlement. The threat here was a bunch of bandits. These bandits targeted the nomadic clans of the distinct people.

Valerian understood this and agreed with them. The young man did not tame any beast but purchased a horse from the townsfolk for two gold coins. The horse was not a magical breed and followed his instructions quickly.

Valerie was also comfortable riding the mount with him. Valerian was not in a hurry to deal with the bandits. He was aware that since they had raided a few days ago, they would not be coming out so quickly. At night, the two stopped to camp at the side of the river. The young man started a fire and cooked some porridge for them before he took out his hammer and an anvil.

.....

Valerie was surprised. She had the collar chain but did not ask Valerian anything and only watched from the side. Then the young man took out three small metal blocks and gestured for Valerie not to come close. Then he channeled fire mana through the blocks to smelt them.

Yes, he did not have a furnace to do it, so he just used his hands. He held from above, and as the metal smelted, it fell on the anvil. He used a thin layer of mana to cover the anvil so that the metal would not fuse. Then he manipulated his mana. Valerian folded the metal puddle in itself, and the hammer in his hand was hurled at it.

In the dark of the night, Valerie watched a young man relentlessly swinging his hammer against the puddle of gradually solidifying metal. He did not stop until he needed to make the metal heat up again.

Valerie did not know what captivated her, but she was too attracted to this sight and sound. She admired Valerian after she heard his story from the high priestess one day. She wanted to be just like him. Strong, calm, warm, and loving.

Valerian did not know what was going on in the mind of his younger sister and kept on working. After an hour of refining the metal, when he was satisfied with the purity and the blending of metals. Valerian manipulated his mana gradually to form an artifact like the collar chain.

His speed was slow, but his actions were calm. When he finished molding a chain, he moved along and used the remaining metal to form a pendant with the shape of folded hands. He kept the chains slightly hotter and took out a needle and special ink.

Then channeling wind mana inside the ink, he dipped the needle in it and inscribed the chain with a mana rune. This rune will make this seemingly ordinary chain into a magical artifact.

Valerian had kept aside some water in a mug, and he quenched the artifact with it. He channeled his mana inside the chain and found it to be working. He smiled and beckoned the young girl to his side.

Valerie had long wanted to go to his side. She dashed over, and Valerian chuckled. He patted her head and took off the collar chain on her neck. She was confused, but then Valerian tied the newly made chains around her neck and the old one around his neck. Then he asked, “Try and channel your mana.”

Valerie nodded and channeled her mana inside the chain. Then, she said, “Why did you make this for me? I am okay with the old one.”

Valerian asked, “Why? Do you not like it?”

Valerie shook her head and said, “It’s just that I never give you anything, Big Brother. I do not like to always take from you.”

Valerian scratched her nose gently and said, “I will ask you when you are older. Okay?”

Valerie pouted and said, “I will grow up soon.”

The young man chuckled and said, “Let’s go to sleep. We have to move in the morning.”

Valerie nodded and placed her head on Valerian’s thighs while the young man leaned against the broken tree truck and patted the girl gently. He smiled at her visage glowing under the illuminance of the bonfire.

He was not worried if any beast was lurking in the dark. Instead, he could sense someone was watching every move of his. However, since this person did not show hostility, he said Nothing.

...

In the depth of the forest, Olivis was leaning against a forest and smiled. Then, he shook his head while an ethereal voice sounded, “You seem too relaxed, dryad.”

Olivis shivered and bowed his head as he replied, “I dare not, Your Excellency.”

The ethereal voice belonged to none other than Boo-too. The bloomkin gazed at the humble dryad and said, “I only agreed to the request of your people because they seemed sincere. However, I will claw your heart out of all that bark if you hold any hidden motive.”

Bloomkins were not to be taken lightly. Boo-too was severe when she threatened him. Olivis knelt on the ground and said, “You can rest assured, Your Excellency, I do not follow the commands of the council. Valerian made it possible for my people to be able to go back to their rightful place. I will not harm him.”

Boo-too said, “I hope that is true for your sake.”

Her voice was aloof and cold. Finally, she turned to look where Valerian was resting and said, “This child is the only person who can stop Immortuos. Although the dragon barrier holds that man inside, he still has people outside, and one is here on the southern continent. They are sniffing for his scent if they find him. So I do not know if Valerien can fend for himself.

We cannot meddle in destiny, but we cannot let him fall on the dark path of destruction. Darkness cannot win against darkness. If he is met with any attacks from those people, you will be responsible for protecting the child. She has become the key to his rise and fall.”

Olivis nodded and said, “I understand what you mean, Your Excellency; I will not let any harm befall that child.”

Boo-too nodded and vanished from her place. Olivis sighed and mumbled, “Fortunately, my kin cannot sweat.”

...

Valerian suddenly opened his eyes and was surprised to see a glowing flower levitating before him. He wanted to move when the small figure hidden inside the petals said, “It is fine, Young Valerian.”

Valerian looked at Valerie and said, “Greetings, Yoru Excellency.”

Boo-too nodded, and her tiny lips had a faint smile as she cast her glazing bead-like eyes over Valerie. She said, “She is a special child. Isn’t she?”

Valerian was surprised and nodded. Then he asked, “Is there any problem, Your Excellency?”

His tone was cautious. He did not wish to offend this entity. Boo-too shook her head and said, “Nothing like you are thinking of. I came here to inform you, Immortuous had set his hound to track you. Be careful.”

Valerian nodded and said, “Thank you, Your Excellency. I would train this hound for his master.”

Boo-too nodded and said, “That is all, be careful. Good night, Young Valerian.”

Valerian nodded and said, “Good night, Your Excellency.”

Boo-too vanished after this brief interaction, but Valerian understood a few facts. He gazed at the moons in the sky and mumbled, “I am waiting for you to cross paths with me. Hound of the Tyrant.”