Fortunately, there wasn't much destruction that had occurred in the town of Flendon. It was only a few houses and buildings on one side of the wall that were impacted.
The locals were using their own resources to already help each other and their community. They wouldn't dare want the guards to work, or the people of Flendon that had stayed to have this come out of their pockets.
Especially when they had the resources to do such things. They had plenty of gifts given to them when the town of Flendon had been put under the Dark Magus's control.
The truth was, now that the news of Flendon defeating the Behemoth Clan had spread again, there was a phenomenal amount of visitors.
The clans nearby came bearing gifts, the local merchants and many more would visit. All of them had done so with the intention of meeting the Dark Magus.
Yet, not a single one of them was given an audience with the Dark Magus. Regardless, they hoped their gifts would allow them to be remembered in his head as good people.
With many in the Demonic Faction rising to the top, the others gave gifts more so out of fear, for fear that something would happen to them.
In the town hall that was stationed at the back near the south gate, this was where Raze was currently located. When the town hall had been rebuilt and upgraded, a special area had been created for guests.
This was to accommodate not just those in the city, but perhaps those who had traveled far. Rather than pay for an inn, the town hall would accommodate them to their needs.
Located on the second floor, in a fairly large room, where half of it looked like a library of sorts, Raze was laid out on the bed, tucked under his sheets.
His eyes peacefully closed.
A knock was heard at the door, and that's when Rayna, who was sitting by his bedside in a chair, closed her book.
"Come in," Rayna said.
When the door opened, Alba entered the room. She quickly closed it behind her and started to walk toward where Raze was.
"Man, the people, they don't just stop coming. If they can't see Raze, then they at least want to see you, and I don't know what to tell them?" Alba said, rubbing the back of her neck.
"I said to just inform them that he is currently back at the Dark Faction. It will take a while for them to travel there and find out if it's the truth or not," Rayna replied.
Alba walked closer and continued toward the bed, and just as she was about to step further forward, two men came and stood in her path.
"You know the rules," Fing said. "No one is allowed to get within arm's reach of the top brother here."
Alba pulled a face, thinking this was ridiculous. It was the same thing that had occurred last time she had come to visit, and it wasn't just one brother.
Although Han didn't say anything, he was also standing guard beside Raze's bed.
"I'm the leader of the Crimson Crane, and Raze is part of it. If anything, I'm above him in terms of rank, and I can't even see him. I've also known him a lot longer than the two of you!" Alba complained.
The two of them shook their heads.
"Do you really think that's the case? Raze, the Dark Magus, has become even bigger than the Crimson Crane."
"When he married Rayna and joined the Neverfall Clan, he became a part of our family, which is already a higher status than some wanderer clan."
"You have to remember you're talking about the head of the Dark Faction as well. You're a fool if you think he's still part of your Crimson Crane group."
Fing's words stung Alba's heart somewhat. They were true, and it was hard to say he was part of the Crimson Crane when lately they had been relying on him to make weapons in order to increase their strength.
They had also all been caught up in Raze's troubles and pulled along. Still, it felt ridiculous. She was closer to Raze than just some type of contract they had going on, right?
Alba then looked at Rayna, hoping that she could reason with her brothers. Instead, she just saw her mouth the words "sorry."
There was a reason why neither of them could say anything. Because the two brothers were ridiculously strong, to the point where Alba couldn't even force her way through.
Right now, Raze was certainly in safe hands, and it was unlikely anyone would be able to get to him.
So despite everything, she decided to stay standing away from him.
"He's still sleeping, no sign of waking up yet?" Alba asked.
"No, but he seems stable," Rayna answered. "We had some physicians see him, and they say there are no problems, so I think he'll wake up soon."
"It's still all so hard to believe that he did all that, and that old man from before, that it was really him," Alba said.
When she remembered the image of the old man, she remembered something else as well. The look in his eyes.
"Hey Rayna… when Raze had transformed or turned old, whatever you call it, did you notice something that felt a bit different about him? I mean his ey—"
Just as Alba was about to finish her question, another knock was heard at the door. The only people that knew Raze was staying here were those that were considered close to him.
When the door opened, the person standing there paused for a moment.
"I was told Raze was in here, but I didn't realize who else would be here," Dame said.
Rayna's heart was starting to race at that moment. Currently, all of the children of Belil were in the same room. This hadn't occurred in a very long time.
And there was a good reason why it hadn't either.