Chapter 54 – Under the Sun

Leone’s first week in the city of Tinople was quite bloody. Ever since joining the resistance, he has been removing heads from designated targets given to him by Awk. Awk is the voice of the resistance, at least to Leone.

He would be given missions that would weaken the city’s defense. Particularly, the missions that Leone’s get sent into involves nobles that live in luxury. Leone always sees the nobles indulging in their sick perverted life every time he comes after them.

It was enough to make Leone sick, but he was determined enough to finish his task. As part of the resistance, that is all he can do.

After his assassination missions, Leone would return to the house bestowed by the resistance. It is just near Awk’s house so that when he comes back wounded. Ludak would be able to heal him up.

Leone found Ludak a peculiar one. During the past five days, Leone observed the crazy antics of Ludak. From smashing heads with a mace, shooting people with a crossbow while a smile is plastered on his face, it could be said that Ludak isn’t really sane.

Leone knew it too well that he really isn’t sane. But nonetheless, it doesn’t stop him from looking out for the poor guy. One reason is that he saved him once, and the other reason is that Leone felt a lingering curse on Ludak.

He suspected that he got inflicted with a curse that made him this way. The Elven Race is sensitive towards the supernatural so Leone was able to detect the curse on Ludak. And even though the curse should be negated due to the formation that is surrounding Tinople city, the curse that is in Ludak seems to feed on Ludak’s own mana.

Leone finds it weird that Ludak is the only exception. He tried asking Ludak about anything, trying to get to know him. But sadly for Leone, it was helpless for Ludak was just lost in his own world.

Leone could only sigh at his attempts. He is a protective elven after all, and those he who consider as friends would always be taken care off by him. Hence Leone, despite Awk’s warning still tries to communicate with Ludak.

One week has born no fruit. But even with that, Leone still tries to protect his savior out of his own ideals. The Elven Race is particularly hung up on their ideals. Leone himself was raised to become an honorable guardian and someone who repays his favor tenfold.

That is why despite the bloody slaughter he does every time he is told to. Leone would still try to take care of the madman that is Ludak. A sense of pity, pride, and a repaying a favor, it would long before Leone could forget about all of it. Not to mention that ‘caring’ for Ludak became a ‘pastime’ for Leone. In this city of sands, where there are barely anything to do. It could be said that there a few things to do, and Leone due to ideals, found something to distract her mind.

...

Leone was sitting on top of her house. The square, box-like nature of the sandstone house made it able for him to sit on top of the house. He has been sitting in the house. The sun’s shade would mask Leone as he looks at the stacked together houses of Tinople city.

It is a building jungle. Leone as an elven lived in a forest filled with giant thick trees. So he didn't use to the towering towers and stacked houses made of stones.

Dust could be seen filling up the streets. Leone stayed up in the roofs simply because he hated the dust. There is a piece of cloth that shields him from the sun. Beside him is a half empty gourd of water. Leone has been drinking a lot of water. The sun was just too much for him.

Leone perked up her hourglass-like body and tried relaxing her slightly tanned arms. A week under Tinople City’s sun made Leone’s snowy skin turn a shade of brown. Her pinkish lips are often dry since arriving. While her blue crystal eyes got a bit bloodshot. The dark shade under his eyelids is an indication how busy Leone was during the night.

Eliminating the head honchos of the City through blood isn’t easy. Not to mention that he has to deal with their bodyguards that are rather strong simply because they do not possess the restrictions of the formations.

The First goal of the Resistance was to find out how such restriction works. Leone thought that maybe it is due to a talisman or a charm but when scouring one of the dead bodies, he didn’t find any.

He still has ways to go until he would find any clue about it. Leone gave up on thinking about his missions and stared eagle eye at the streets. Down below he could see Ludak being carefree as always, not a single trace of worry can be found. Withdrawn from the world, the maddened Ludak is something to watch.

He proves to be an entertainment to the kids here. Ludak is good with the kids, he shares the child-like circumstance, but sometimes he would scare them when he laughs hysterically.

Hearing his laugh makes Leone feel incredibly sad though. It feels like Ludak’s laughter is more of a sobbing. It didn’t sit right with Leone hearing that despairing laugh.

I wonder what happened to him. Maybe the curse did him in?

Leone jumped down to the ground. He approached Ludak only for Ludak to suddenly run to him and grab his hands.

“What’s wrong?”

“Let’s dance!”

“Eh...”

Before Leone could recollect his thoughts properly, Ludak suddenly started swiveling Leone around. The two dances stiffly, as Leone was the lead. The Kids who were having fun playing Ludak clapped their hands as the two dances. Leone keeps a frown as he dances, but before long, he just went with it and smiled.