Re: In My Bloody Hit Novel - Chapter 573

Chapter 573: Burden of followership
Nora strolled through the lush garden within the holy land’s veil, the serenity of the surroundings a stark contrast to the whirlwind of emotions she had been experiencing since that fateful day.

Her life had changed dramatically, all because she had been willing to lay down her life for the heir of the family, a selfless act that had won her the admiration and respect of many.

Though she was now approaching her teenage years, Nora’s body had already begun to blossom into womanhood. Her chest had started to bloom, a sign of her growing maturity, and her figure was beginning to take on the graceful curves of a young woman.

Her hair, cut short at her neck, framed her delicate face, the dark brown locks gleaming in the sunlight. Her skin was fair, almost luminous, with a soft glow that added to her ethereal beauty. But it was her eyes, a deep, dark brown, that captivated those who looked into them. They were bright, intelligent, and held a quiet strength that belied her youth.

She wore a beautiful silk gown, the fabric flowing elegantly around her as she walked. The gown was a soft shade of lavender, accentuating her fair complexion, with intricate embroidery along the hem and sleeves that spoke of the finest craftsmanship. The material clung gently to her form, enhancing her natural grace and poise.

As Nora walked through the garden, the maids who passed by her couldn’t help but speak in hushed tones, their voices filled with admiration. Some of them, regardless of their age, bowed deeply to her as they passed, a sign of the deep respect she had earned. Even some of the soldiers, hardened by years of service, paused to pay their respects.

A few complimented her beauty and the elegance of her outfit, their voices carrying a hint of awe. Nora, once a mere slave, had become someone they all respected, thanks to the bravery she had shown in saving Eunid during the battle with Arid. The respect she now commanded was still a new and unfamiliar feeling for her, but she carried it with quiet dignity.

As she walked, Nora found herself waiting, her thoughts drifting to the young master who had become so important to her. After a while, Eunid approached her, a warm smile on his face. In his hands, he held a meaty snack, freshly cooked and still steaming. As he handed it to her, Nora’s heart fluttered, and she accepted it with a shy smile.

“Thank you,” she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she looked up at him.

Eunid’s eyes softened as he watched her, and to the onlookers, they looked very much like a young couple, sharing a moment of quiet companionship. It was not like master and servant but more like man and woman.

Many already had whispers about this, they had no choice but to keep their mouths shut. after all, many loved their heads were it was. and once again, Eunid had cemented his position as next in line. Besides, it was a general rule that those in power could do what they liked with no one to stop them.

Even though it was general knowledge that Eunid was betrothed to one of the scariest individuals in the holy land, no one said a word. even more so, no one would be so foolish as to leak such an information. The nightfall mistress might not look like it, but she was even more scary in some cases than the demons.

Then again, anything that was of magic was very scary.

However, As Eunid and nora stood together, a group of well-dressed soldiers walked over, their eyes drawn to the pair.

The soldiers marched forward with a grim determination, their red uniforms signaling their allegiance to Arid.

Over a hundred strong, they formed an intimidating presence as they surrounded Eunid and Nora. Eunid’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the color of their uniforms—these were Arid’s men, warriors who had fought and bled alongside him in countless battles.

As they approached, the most senior among them, an elderly man with a weathered face, stepped forward. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and fell to his knees, a gesture that was mirrored by the soldiers behind him. A maid saw this and hurried inside to inform old fang.

The air was thick with tension as the elder spoke, his voice steady but laden with emotion. “We are here for payback,” he declared solemnly. “Take our lives, that we may join our commander in death.”

Eunid’s frown deepened as he listened. He understood the weight of honor, especially within the military. These men had sworn an oath to Arid, a bond of loyalty that transcended life itself. They were brothers-in-arms, bound by their shared experiences on the battlefield. To them, Arid was not just a commander but a comrade they had pledged to follow to the very end.

Eunid sighed, pushing Nora gently behind him in a protective gesture. He addressed the kneeling soldiers with a voice full of pride and authority, “Arid died with dignity in battle. There is no need for this. You do not have to follow him in death. You serve the Diligent family, and your duty is to live and protect it.”

The elderly man, still on his knees, looked up at Eunid with eyes that reflected years of warfare and sacrifice. “Young Master,” he said, his voice filled with the weight of tradition and unyielding resolve, “you have never been on a true battlefield. The arena is not a battlefield; it is a murder ground. On the battlefield, we fight with honor and for a cause. But here, we fight for survival. Without our commander, we have no cause to live. This is our tradition; we cannot live without our leader.”

Eunid’s heart ached as he heard these words, understanding the depth of their loyalty and the heavy burden of followship

Eunid took the sword from the elderly man’s hands, feeling the weight of the steel and the gravity of the moment. The old man bowed his head even further, fully prepared to accept his fate. But instead of delivering the final blow, Eunid threw the sword to the ground with a force that sent it reverberating across the earth.

The elderly man looked up, his expression shifting from resignation to something more sorrowful. He sighed deeply, his eyes filled with a mix of regret and determination, before drawing a small knife from his belt. Without hesitation, he made a deep cut on his wrist, letting his blood flow freely. Eunid’s eyes widened as he realized what was happening—this wasn’t just blood; it was a ritualistic purge, a symbolic excommunication from the Diligent family’s flame. The old man was severing his bond with the family, renouncing everything he had lived and fought for.

“Then you leave us no choice, young master,” the elder said, his voice laced with both sorrow and resolve. “Or should I say, Eunid, our enemy.”

With those final words, the old man retrieved the sword from the ground, his eyes now filled with a fiery determination. He lunged at Eunid, the blade cutting through the air with lethal intent.

The other soldiers, who had been silently watching, followed suit. Each one of them bled themselves, severing their ties to the family flame, before launching their own attacks. The sight of over a hundred soldiers, all sworn brothers of Arid, turning on him with deadly precision, was a sobering reality for Eunid.

Eunid’s mind raced as he quickly assessed the situation. He could see the cold determination in their eyes—they were no longer bound by loyalty to the Diligent family but were driven by a desire to avenge their fallen commander.

As the first sword strike came, Eunid dodged, barely missing the blade as it sliced through the air where he had just been standing. The soldiers moved with the precision and unity of a well-trained force, their attacks relentless and coordinated.

Eunid instinctively pushed Nora behind him, his spiritual energy surging in defense. The ground beneath him trembled as his power expanded outward, a radiant barrier forming around him. The force of his energy shattered a section of the garden, sending debris flying as the soldiers, now severed from the family flame, charged at him with a newfound desperation.

The clash was intense, with Eunid fending off the soldiers’ relentless attacks. His spiritual energy crackled and hissed, forming a protective shield that repelled their blows. Despite the chaos, Eunid remained focused, his mind racing as he sought a way to end the conflict without further bloodshed.

Meanwhile, the sounds of the battle quickly drew the attention of the guards, who hurried toward the garden, weapons drawn. Among them was Old Fang, his expression darkening as he assessed the situation. Just as he was about to intervene, a maid rushed over to him, breathless and wide-eyed.

“Master Mulligan has instructed that you do not get involved,” she said, her voice urgent. She held up the patriarch’s family seal, a clear indication that the order was not to be questioned.

Old Fang’s frown deepened. This was obviously a test from Mulligan, one meant to push Eunid to his limits. Though his instincts screamed at him to protect his young master, Old Fang knew he had no choice but to stand down and watch, his heart heavy with concern.