Julian watched the scene before him, his heart tightening in a way he hadn't expected. He instinctively placed a hand over his chest, as though trying to hold the feeling back, but it only grew stronger.
Just then, the door crashed opened, snapping everyone out of their somber moment.
A young man walked into the room with a laugh that was full of arrogance and mockery. "So you're back," he said.
His eyes scanned the room, briefly resting on each person with a look that was both menacing and sadistic.
The shift in the atmosphere was immediate as the warmth of the moment was instantly replaced by tension. Raphael's eyes narrowed and his body instinctively tensed, while Julian's gaze calmly observed the newcomer with an amused smile.
Rose's brother, Adel, in a fit of rage stepped forward and shouted with a clenched fists, "Why are you here?!"
The young man shot a mocking smirk towards him before turning his attention back to Rose. "Shut up, twerp," he sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Let me talk to my dear sister here." His eyes lingered on Rose filled with an obvious, lewd intent.
Raphael immediately stepped in front of Rose and was ready to defend her.
Julian's thoughts raced as he observed the man. Sister? He thought. That must mean he's the son of that infamous uncle... He continued to watch the unfolding drama with an amusement.
The young man pushed past Raphael with an arrogant shove. "You are a mere soldier" he said. "Don't get in my way" He then turned his gaze back to Rose with a lecherous grin creeping onto his face.
"You look pretty, sister," he said. The way he said it made it clear that he saw her more as an object of desire than a family member.
Rose's expression tightened, and her body tensed as the young man's words sank in. Her eyes flickered with a mix of anger and disgust, but she remained silent for a moment.
Adel however, clenched his fists and took a step forward. He was ready to strike, but Rose quickly placed a hand on his arm and stopped him.
"Don't," she whispered. She turned to face the young man with a cold gaze. "Do not cross the line, Albert" she said.
Albert's grin faltered for a moment seeing the defiance in Rose's gaze. "Oh, what's this? Little Rose thinks she's above me now?" He took another step toward her, ignoring the warning in her eyes.
Raphael's patience snapped. "Enough!" he growled as he stepped between them. He had held himself back, respecting the power hierarchy, but Albert seemed to cross the line that he should not. "You are not welcome here. Leave, now."
Albert sneered, his words dripping with mock as he turned back to Rose, "So you have even brought multiple men into your room now, huh? Can't even keep your dignity intact?"
Raphael's anger flared at the insult, and he instinctively raised his spear and got into a attacking stance.
But before he could make a move, Julian raised his hand. It was a calm yet commanding gesture. His eyes seemed to glow red as if his anger was evaporating through them.
This simple action from Julian seemed to shift the very air around them as an oppressive weight pressed down on everyone. The temperature seemed to drop, and sparks of lightning formed around him.
Albert slightly trembled as he instinctively took a step back, feeling the intensity in Julian's gaze.
Rose and Raphael also saw the shift in Julian's eyes, the intensity of his anger. It was something they had never witnessed before. His usual playful, easy-going demeanor was gone, replaced by a cold, focused rage. It was a side of Julian they hadn't known, and it sent a shiver through both of them.
Adel instinctively moved closer to Rose and gripped her protectively as if to shield her from the potential violence that was about to happen before them. Her father too, couldn't help but be moved by the raw power radiating from Julian
Everyone seemed to hold their breath, waiting for what would come next.
Julian stepped closer, his presence almost suffocating. "You really love your status and title, don't you?" he said, his voice calm and low that sent an unsettling shiver down the Albert's spine.
Albert took a step back. "Who… who are you?" he stammered, trying to steady his voice but failing.
Julian's cold smile flickered as he studied Albert, not bothering to answer right away. His eyes scanned him as if he was measuring his worth.
Julian leaned in closer with a smile "Do you love power and authority?" he asked. His gaze never wavered as he observed the Albert's reaction.
Albert shook with fear and stuttered, "I do... I do!" His voice cracked as he confessed, his pride and arrogance crumbling under the weight of Julian's presence.
"Come, I will show you what real power and authority is." Julian said. His tone was calm, but it carried a hint of underlying meaning.
Rose stood frozen, unsure of how to respond to the raw intensity emanating from Julian.
Without any further word, Julian made his way out of the house. His presence was almost ethereal. With his every movement, the three energies—Cosmic, Lightning, and Death, surrounded him in a constant, swirling aura.
As he walked, his appearance flickered between grace and destruction. For a moment, he was the image of divine grace, moving with the grace of a god. But in the next instant, his aura shifted as it darkened, and his appearance twisted into something menacing and evil.
Everyone followed behind him, unsure of what to expect. Rose's mind was whirlwind of thoughts. Raphael too maintained his composure but couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking beside someone who was far more dangerous than he had first realized.
As Julian approached the castle, the guards immediately blocked his path. But Julian without any flicker of emotion, continued walking.
In an instant, the air around him thickened with the death energy. The guards who stood only a few feet from him, froze as the overwhelming pressure of Julian's aura suffocated them.
Their eyes widened in horror, unable to move and breathe as the death energy crushed their very existence. Within moments, their lifeless body collapsed onto the ground with a thud.
Those who had been lingering nearby, the common folk and soldiers all scattered and ran in fear.
Raphael and Rose, though shaken by the brutal display, followed in stunned silence. Julian showed no sign of hesitation as he continued his path towards the castle.