Myths Reawakened

Auston turned away to hide his face from Wayne as it contorted with pain. Feeling a pang in her heart, Megan went up to put her hand on his neck, the physical touch soothing him.

Damn cheaters... cheater. Who are you showing off to?! Do you think skeletons don’t have a love life? You don’t know what the skeleton has been up to after taking off this disguise!

Wayne huffed. “Hey, lover girl. I’m talking about you. Why are you supporting him? He’s not sick! You should move farther away so that you can catch him later!”

Wayne’s barbs made Megan question the source of the Death Knight’s hostility. Unfazed, Auston said, “Sir Knight, please hurry. I have to report to Her Majesty on our alliance.”

“That’s easy enough. Just leave the stuff at the detective agency, and Bo will take it to the cemetery for me.” Wayne laughed maliciously. “Of course, if any of you are daring enough, they are welcome to make the delivery personally. The nameless tombstone is the doorbell.”

He took two steps forward and commented, “Your bottom is more shapely than I expected. I’m sure it’ll be satisfying to kick.”

“...” x4

Master is acting strangely today. Is it because of familial discord between the father and son? Right, he’s an illegitimate son, so he must have suffered a lot during the years he lived as a nobody.

Bo lowered his head. He couldn’t bear to look at what was happening.

In contrast, Julia and Do both opened their eyes wide, while Snow stood on Julia’s back dumbly like a right fool.

“Auston’s lover, get your hand off him. The kick will be powerful, so I suggest that you get a head start and catch him.” Wayne spoke up. As someone strict with others and lenient to himself, he couldn’t stand seeing people getting handsy before him, especially when one of those people was Auston.

In addition to personal grudges, the kick was also meant for his master!

Wayne thought to himself, rotating his ankle in preparation for the kick. According to the laws of aerodynamics, the greater the force applied to Auston, the higher the relative velocity of Auston to air would be, and the more perfect the trajectory he would fly in.

Nice ball!

According to the Death Knight’s demand, Auston let go of Megan and rejected her supporting hand. Pain returned to him, making all of his muscles tense up. His legs couldn’t help but tremble.

“Kekekeke—” Not knowing the truth, Wayne guffawed. “Don’t be scared. Relax. I’m experienced and won’t make it hurt.”

Besides, aren’t you used to being a human cannonball? You must have maxed out your constitution.

Wayne had been looking forward to this moment. Ignoring Megan’s wary expression, he jogged up to Auston and made a flying kick to Auston’s behind. At that moment, he had forgotten about his master. The kick was purely for his personal revenge.

Auston took flight like a cannonball, splitting the thick mist and flying out of the cemetery. The mist rippled out, leaving Wayne’s petty heart satisfied.

Meanwhile, Megan rushed straight toward the landing point at an incredible speed, catching Auston before he hit the ground. With his keen eyes, Wayne saw it clearly and felt another wave of irritation.

Two minutes later, Megan helped Auston back to the cemetery. His face was pale and covered in sweat, and his suffering seemed genuine.

What a good actor! Wayne thought.

“Young man, you’re quite weak. Sex kills. Once you reach my age, you’ll know that beauty is only skin deep.” Wayne pointed at himself. The words were quite convincing when they came out of his mouth.

After all, he was a skeleton.

“Sir Knight, you’ve received Her Majesty’s goodwill. Later, she’ll send a liaison to contact your servant. I hope that you’ll honor your promise.” Auston tossed Obed’s silver coin at Wayne.

Wayne caught it and exhaled at it, sensing his elemental friends on the other side of the spatial passage. Satisfied, he said, “Tell your queen that I’ve received her goodwill. If our first time working together goes smoothly, I won’t mind further collaboration.”

“As long as you show up.”

“Of course. There’s no love lost between me and the demons. An enemy’s enemy is my friend.”

“Then allow me to take my leave. I wish you a good slumber tonight.”

“Get out of here!”

With that, Auston turned to leave, not wanting to stay even a moment longer.

The black luxury car drove away. Halfway to its destination, Megan hit the brakes and spat Auston’s antique silver coin out, wiping it with a handkerchief before handing it to him.

He took it and fiddled with it, much of the tension leaving his body.

“Master, has the Death Knight noticed?”

“Perhaps. He only asked for the coin and purposefully humiliated me...” Auston closed his eyes. His sweat evaporated, and his complexion returned to normal. “I’ve given him a chance, but he didn’t kill me. He didn’t confirm the authenticity of the coin, either...”

He felt a headache brewing. “I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I’m sure he’s suspicious of me.”

“Should we take him out?” Megan started the car. “As you said before, he isn’t the real Death Knight. Perhaps I can kill him.”

“It’ll attract too much attention. You’ll be exposed.”

Auston shook his head. No matter if Megan could kill the Death Knight on her own, a barrier to isolate their battlefield would attract too much attention, and the act would do more harm than good. Besides...

“He’s smarter than I expected, so he must be ready for an attack. It won’t be easy to kill him.”

“If we leave him unchecked, he may become a threat to Mistress, Young Lady, and Young Master. Is that really acceptable?”

Auston narrowed his eyes, his gaze glinting with murderous intent. That was his biggest concern.

“I’ll head back,” said Megan.

“No, wait... Let the demons do it.” Auston put away his coin, murmuring. “The goddess won’t have two knights walking in the human world. Compared to the reason he came to Londan, I’m more curious about his identity... Who is he?”

“A member of the Ministry of Magic, perhaps?”

“It’s possible, but he can’t be one of the legendary mages.” Auston paused. “Head to the headquarters of the ministry. I need to meet the Minister. Now that we’ve formed an alliance, it’s time for us to make a decisive move against the demons.”

“Moreover, the Death Knight has made many demands, including the silver coin and a plethora of magical items. I’ve given the knight the silver coin. The magical items should be delivered to the Death Knight as soon as possible. It’s a top priority.”

Megan gave him a withering look. Did the Death Knight ask for more payment? How did she not know when she was right there?

***

The next morning, Wayne emerged from the sewers and reached the Lando Estate. He looked around, finding Auston in the stable in the back of the estate. The man was supervising Megan as she fed the horses, not even lifting a finger.

That was how he fed the cat, and now he was doing the same to the horses. He never cared about anything but his own pleasure. Wayne had to wonder what compelled Megan to serve him and be his lover when he was so punchable.

Standing by Auston’s side, Wayne observed the man closely, disappointment clear on his face.

“What, are you disappointed that I didn’t die?”

Wayne responded with a depressed face, “Nonsense. I’m so happy to see you alive and well that I can’t control my facial expression.”

Looking at you irritates me. I should’ve let the Death Knight kick your butt! Auston huffed. “Don’t celebrate prematurely. I’m alive, and I’ll continue to live well. Wait for your turn to become the head of the family!”

It wouldn’t be a problem. Someone had had to wait seventy years for his turn[1]. Wayne glanced at the silver coin in Auston’s hand with excitement. “So, did the meeting last night go well? Did the Death Knight make things difficult for you?”

Say it. Tell me if it was a good kick.

“It went smoothly. The Death Knight may be somewhat unpredictable, but he isn’t a complete lunatic. Facing the demons hiding in the dark, he’s willing to work with Her Majesty.” Auston didn’t go into the details.

“Tell me more. What did you talk about?” Wayne didn’t want the abridged version of the story. “I wasn’t able to learn the masterful negotiation technique of the Lando family in person, so I’ll hear about it. You know I want to become better as the heir of the family.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Auston said with an unchanging face. “It’s an exchange of interest. The Death Knight got what he wanted and agreed to the partnership. That’s it.”

“What things?” Wayne asked eagerly. He swore it was purely for his pursuit of knowledge.

“The silver coin I always have with me and a few precious magical items. I’ve given him the silver coin. I’ll send the magical items to the Western District Great Cemetery tonight.”

What, the Death Knight asked for other things?

Wayne’s face stiffened. He was there. How did he not know?

He didn’t even have to think to know that the old man had to be exploiting the deal for his own profit. Damn scumbag, he was too good at it!

“Hey, if your coin was given to the Death Knight, where did this one come from?”

“It belonged to Her Majesty. She gave it to me as compensation and a bargaining chip for the partnership with the Death Knight,” Auston said simply. Last night, he had gone straight to a meeting with the Minister, recovering ‘his’ antique silver coin.

You stayed the night in the Queen’s bedroom? Was Megan there, too?

You deserve death!

1. A repeated reference to Elizabeth II and Prince Charles. The latter succeeded the crown at the age of 73. ☜