Epic Of The Demonic Sage

The city of Inanis found themselves experiencing a great change in the last few months since Lucius had taken his place in the world.

He was not the sole reason why everything changed, but a lot of sudden things took place when he took over as Asher Inanis.

The citizens quickly came to discover that one of their nearby and long standing ally, the Drews, had stirred up discord.

The current Viscount declared that he was going to be an independent territory that was free from the influence of Etara.

A number of merchants from the city of Inanis was  pulled away by the promises of lowered taxes and better opportunities.

Such was the ongoing change that occurred within the city of Inanis and that was not all.

When vicious bandits roamed the land and caused chaos, and the results of Viscount Drew's actions led to lowered trades and income, it had been terrible events that the Count and Countess had to take care of.

And that was a difficult thing.

It was easy to become disheartened and lose hope for the future of the Inanis City.

But fortunately, that was not the end of the story.

Change happened thanks to Lucius' discovery of the Carrom fruits' uses and it was something that had taken a bit of a risk.

The men and women, young and old soon experienced the sudden increase of employment when Dionysia Brewery first started to be built.

It was a boon for many of its citizens who were in search of jobs with great pay.

And it continued until the present time, many still employed by Lady Alessa to run the brewery.

Somehow, the situation with Viscount Drew had not brought them down at all.

And even when there was a situation with the Barony of Harrels that led to the Church of Duran to personally investigate, it had led to still good results.

The crime rate of the city of Inanis plunged down and out of the criminals, something good came out of it with the establishment of the re education center.

One after another, many things occurred for the citizens of Inanis as troubles started but eventually ended with a war between the Inanis and Drew, that ended in their victory.

It was easy enough to believe that was the end of it.

However, the recent assassination attempt led to a more serious atmosphere in the city of Inanis when even a great number of criminals were captured alongside suspicious individuals.

Sure, it made the citizens relieved that criminals were gone but also made them wary about what was going to happen next… and they turned out to be right.

Count Gabriel Inanis returned to his city alongside a group of warriors.

Their appearance sent shock and surprise to the people.

They wore black armor that looked expensive and specifically suited for each one that wore them, and the way they carried themselves spoke of strength that surpassed a lot of soldiers and of elite quality.

It was clear that even the Count Gabriel did not have something like this before, but that wasn't what captured the attention of most people in the streets.

"The Count looks terrifying." One of the young women whispered to their friends as she watched the company of the Count pass through. "I've never seen the Count look this intense."

A parent tried to shush a crying child in the street.

The young child had looked up and saw the Count's face and experienced what was akin to an instinct of death for the first time.

Older people gulped and yet shook their heads at the reactions of the younger folks.

"We've seen something even more frightening during his youth all the way back." An old man said carefully.

A name was whispered into the streets and spoken quietly as a mouse.

"Rancor."

"The young Count was—"

"Prayed to never see the man again."

Many of even the young and adult men couldn't help but step back in fear.

People cleared the streets as the Count and his companions made their way to the Inanis mansion.

The Count seemed like he was ready to devour anyone who blocked his path towards his family.

And though that was probably untrue, the Count cared for the people of Inanis and wouldn't rule them unfairly, there was a light in the man's eyes that made everyone uncertain still.

Criminals who might have still roamed the street would second-guess their decisions to return.

"Where is my family?" Count Gabriel practically leaped down his horse and tossed the reins to one of the servants.

He didn't wait for the servants to welcome him into the Inanis mansion and quickly rushed inside even before the Countess and Asher were ready.

Count Gabriel's gaze searched among the people who met him at the entrance of the mansion, and he was not fully satisfied until he saw the Countess and Asher arrive.

"Gabriel!" Lita called out to him.

"Father," Lucius greeted with Kiana just situated behind him.

The Count felt a certain weight disappear from his shoulders to see his family safe and sound.

His wife looked unharmed and Asher also did not look troubled at all.

It was almost as if the assassination attempt hadn't happened at all.

The reminder of the incident still clouded the Count's features and it took him a bit of effort not to ask right away, but the servants quickly took the initiative to leave the family some time together.

It was not their place to disrupt an important moment.

Once they were gone, Gabriel looked at Asher seriously.

"I swear to you, we will find whoever is behind this attempt and they will pay for their acts—"

"Father, we already know who is behind this." Lucius said.

"Now, Asher. We should let your father take a seat first and rest. It's been a long and exhausting journey for him." Countess Lita tried to say.

"No. Tell me who they are right away." The Count's gaze hardened. There was no way that he would sit down when the information was before him.