The Beginning After The End (New Heights Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

the back of the stage.

 
    “Arthur,
follow me to where we keep some of the swords. They might not be anything
special but I’m sure you’ll be able to find a solid sword.”

 
    Vincent
says, leading me with his hand on my back.

 
    “Oh!
 Are you planning on taking lessons with the sword?”  The King
questions after hearing Vincent.

 
    Vincent
just chuckles helplessly while I just respond, “Just something I’m interested
in, King Glayder.”

 
    The
brat…I mean Prince Curtis chimes in with an arrogant voice, “Maybe I can teach
you how to fight with a sword sometime.”

 
    My
father and the Twin Horns arrive to meet us at this time, giving me an excuse
to ignore the kid.

 
    “Ah
you guys are here!  How did you enjoy the Auction?”  My father
exclaimed, picking up Ellie after bowing to the King and Queen.

 
    While
my father was talking with Vincent, I see Sebastian whisper something into the
ear of King Glayder.

 
    The
King looks a little irritated but he just sighs and walks toward me, with the
hooded pervert behind him.

 
    “Your
name was Arthur correct? My royal guard has helped our family numerous times in
duty and I do feel the need to do this little favor for him.  You see; he
seems to have taken an extreme fancy to your bond.  I know how complicated
it is to sever the contract but I will get someone to do that and I would be
more than willing to pay a generous amount for her.  What do you say?
 Can you do this old King a favor?”

 
    I
couldn’t help but give the both of them an annoyed face.  The rest of the
royal guards were on standby near the two and were observing me.

 
    “How
much would it take to sell your children to me, King Glayder.”  I simply
say without batting an eye.

 
    The
King has a surprised look on his face at my seemingly random question.  “I
hate to be rude, but I find it disappointing that a person of your stature has
the audacity to ask someone to bargain off a family member to them.  While
I know that slavery is considered normal amongst nobles, I find it beneath me
to sell off someone I love for a monetary value.  I hope that this has
made it clear that I have no plans on selling my bond.” I continue, my eyes
never wavering.

 
    “HOW
DARE YOU INSOLENT PEASANT SAY SUCH THINGS TO THE KING! ”  One
of the Augmenter guard unsheathes his blade and prepares to strike down at me.

 
 

Chapter 24:   Aftermath

 
 
    The
sword that was arcing down, ready to cleave me in half had a faint glow of mana
surrounding it.  Augmenting his sword to attack an eight year old…this man
showed no mercy.  The Augmenter guard’s face was unveiled as he charged
towards me, his hood blown back to reveal a furious expression.

 
    I
could see the horror in the faces of my family as well as Vincent’s family.
 The Twin Horns were desperately trying to make their way towards the
attacker to stop him from creating two vertical halves of me.  Even the
King had a surprised look on his face at the unprecedented action of his guard,
while his wife was already frantically reaching for her wand.

 
    I look
up lazily at the mage about to swing down.  Whether it was because he was
angry or because he was just looking down on me since I’m a child, his attack
was mediocre at best.  I don’t even will mana into my body as I take a
step forward with my right foot as he’s on his downward swing and reach up to
grab the corner between the cross-guard and the grip.

 
    Using
the momentum of his swing, I pivot my front foot, still holding unto the
cross-guard while my body is now parallel to the Augmenter.   His
reinforced sword slashes through the empty space my body was at before and
creates a small fissure in the ground, imbedding the sword.  In one quick
movement, I give a quick strike at his chin that he didn’t bother reinforcing
with mana.  The force of my upward punch and his downward movement while
he was swinging created a