Chapter 69

**Noch**


As I emerged from the gateway’s vortex I couldn’t help but let out a weary sigh. I really didn’t look forward to whatever I was going to have to do to get Jernok to listen. Hopefully, the mere mention of Dermon’s name would be enough to get his head out of his ass.

I walked up the stairs to the entryway and unceremoniously opened the heavy doors with my magic. I really didn’t care who had what to say about manners or courtesy. Everyone that was within the entrance hall paused momentarily to glance at the commotion I caused, but those that recognised me quickly made haste to dive out of sight.

“Hey you over there.” I called out to a random unlucky witch that was walking past with a pile of parchments. 

“Yes, sir?” The young witch asked uncertainly.

“Where is that asshole Jernok right now?” At my question the young witch suddenly blanched white and looked like he was torn between being shocked and outraged. Maybe I should have phrased my question differently?

“I’m sorry sir but the Council Head is currently preoccupied. Please send a proper request for an audience before barging in unannounced.” He sounded offended for some reason. Maybe I should be a little more courteous?

“Youngin… you must have come from a different division. This is me being nice. Either you tell me where I can find that waste of space, or you will be walking around without skin for the next week. Your choice.” I managed a good smile for his benefit as well, yet the young blood reeled back and looked just about ready to pass out on the spot. Was I too forceful?

“Nochtandriel, long time no see.” A new voice came in from the left.

“Who are you again?” I asked curiously to the young woman that came walking calmly up to us. She did look familiar, but I couldn’t pinpoint from where.

“I’m Kiria. I graduated from the Order a few decades ago and started working here in the Council afterwards.” She said with a smile.

“Oh, no wonder you look familiar. I’m glad to see you doing well. I still can’t understand why the hell you wanted to come work in a place like this though.” I remembered now that she was one of the graduates that boldly stated that she was going to work for the Council afterwards and not stay in the Order.

She chuckled. “I am indeed doing well, thank you. As I expected, this place is more my speed. I would not have survived in the Order had I been staying there permanently. I’m honestly grateful for the lessons I learned there.”

“Well, there aren’t any places like the Order after all. Finding places where to gain experience are far and few between.” I agreed with a nod. “I still think you would’ve fit in perfectly at the Order though, especially with the youngins we got after you left.”

She perked up and cocked her head. “You mean the yearly newbloods?”

“Nope, I’m talking about actual children that have been living at the Order now for the past few years. Arasule has dubbed herself grandma, Jasnine has dubbed herself aunt, Fog acts like a father, thankfully Raska is the same as ever, the Ga’s adopted little Nelia into the Healer’s section, while everyone else in the Order takes turns raising them.” I explained. It was the least I could do since Kiria hadn’t  been visiting, like some graduates tend to do every so often.

Kiria looked like she was turning pale. “Are you alright Kiria?”

“Those poor children. They must be going through hell. How old are they?” She asked in a sudden rush.

I thought for a second, age is rarely an important thing to keep track of for a witch. “I think they’re both sixteen now since they’re twins.”

She looked appalled for some reason. “What’s wrong?” I asked.

“You had two literal children grow up inside the Order of all places?!” she shrieked.

“What else were we supposed to do?” I was genuinely confused.

“What about an orphanage? Otherwise, there surely should have been a village somewhere that would have been willing to take them in!”

“Honestly speaking, I don’t think a village or orphanage would have been able to handle them. Especially the little Demon Spawn, she’s a handful even for me.” I said with a frown. Just thinking about how much trouble Merianna had given me was giving me a headache, even though I was probably partly to blame.

Kiria gave me a dubious glare. “I think it’s high time I come to visit a little. I shudder to think of you anywhere near normal children.”

“Ah, but that’s where you’re slightly wrong! They are not normal! Which is why the Order was the only real option open to them.” I said with a grin.

“I can’t believe it unless I see it myself.” She deadpanned. “Now why are you here in the first place?”

“Oh right, I need to speak to that prick, Jernok. Where is he?”

Kiria sighed heavily. “Very well, come this way, I’ll take you to his office.” She turned to lead the way. I noticed the young man I talked to earlier looking between the two of us in astonishment.

“Are you a strict worker in this place or something?” I asked curiously.

Kiria glanced over at the young man and sighed. “Nope, he’s just new. You can tell by the way he just talked to you while everyone else ducked for cover the moment you walked in.”

I chuckled as I followed her. “Well, I can’t blame them. Most of them are probably traumatized after graduating from the Order.”

Kiria gave me a skeptical glance. “I’m surprised that you actually acknowledge that. You and Raska would just laugh it all off as experience.”

“It is experience though!” I argued.

She sighed yet again as we reached a door deeper in the Council’s cathedral. “I’m honestly amazed that I managed to survive that place. No other coven would be crazy enough to have their apprentices go through all of that.”

“Admit it, it was fun. Nowhere else in this realm would you be able to make such memories.” I grinned at her and managed to catch her, trying to hide a smile.

“Maybe.” She muttered, then knocked politely on the sturdy door. “You have a visitor, sir. I’m opening the door.”

“Opening the door without permission? Haven’t we taught you all proper manners for-” Jernok’s words died as soon as the door swung open all the way and revealed me. “I see…”

It was honestly fascinating to see his facial expression go slack every time he saw me. Especially during the times when I arrive without prior warning.

“Hi Jernok. Been doing well?” I asked as I strolled inside and heard the door close behind me.

“I was doing well right up until the moment you appeared.” He groaned.

“Oh come now, is that the way you speak to someone who came bearing important information?” I smiled and took a seat in the chair in front of his desk.

He raised an eyebrow. “Usually when you say that, something catastrophic usually tends to follow.”

I gave him a bigger grin. “It might or it might not this time. That will depend on you and your help. And I bet on all the riches I have stashed away over the centuries that you will indeed help.”

“And just why is that?”

“One word. Dermon.” At the mention of the former Council member’s name, Jernok lost his sceptical expression and gave me his full attention.

“Do you mean to say that Dermon has emerged from wherever he was hiding?”

“Not just that, but he’s up to something big. He has a Demon for a Guardian and has also been working alongside the Hunters and Dark Warlocks.” I said nonchalantly. Jernok obviously didn’t think that this was something to be taken lightly.

“Even though I hate you… tell me everything you know.” He said with a dark glare.

I then proceeded to tell him about the fight that Ferina and her underlings helped us with against the Hunters, and all the other dirt we had uncovered so far, as well as our suspicions about Junnie due to her previous involvement with Dermon.

Jernok’s head was resting in his fingers as he massaged his temples with his thumbs. It looked like he was having a hard time digesting the information I just shared with him. It irked me that he didn’t even offer to have tea or wine brought in as refreshments. Come to think of it, he never played the host when I came around. Jasnine once asked me what on earth I ever did to the man to make him hate me because he treated her like a proper guest when she had news to report. I swear this man would be petty enough to dance on my grave once I croak. Although, I bet the Demon Spawn would be even more petty…

“I can’t believe that all this has been going on. Councilor Ferina sent a few reports to me about assisting you at the Order, but she didn’t necessarily go into detail about it.” He muttered.

“That’s because whenever you see a detailed report that involves the Order you tend to burn it before you read it.” I quipped back.

He gave me an exasperated glare. “That’s because the reports about the Order that usually come back to me are all filled with the damages you lot wreck.”

“I can’t help that the level of combat education at the Order is top-notch. Our students, staff, and live-in’s are all just too brilliant for the rest of the races out there.” I said with a happy grin. I give back what I get. If he wanted to be petty, then I shall be petty in return.

I could practically see the veins on his neck starting to pump rhythmically as he glared daggers at me. Before he retorted in retaliation, he seemed to catch himself and shake his head to calm down. I raised my eyebrow at his action. 

“No matter that now. Thank you for this information. I will gather a group to assist you in infiltrating the lair of the Dark Warlocks. I will also participate in this attack. Dermon cannot be left alone as an exile anymore. His crimes have only escalated since the last time we saw him. These crimes are all punishable by death.” He stood up from his chair and walked around the table to a communications crystal. “I will gather the troops in the Council and keep Ferina in the dark in case Junnie might overhear something. We’ll meet up at the Order at dusk and prepare our plan of infiltration in the Atrium.”

Was it just me, or did it seem like he had become slightly more reasonable? Maybe he didn’t hate me as much as I thought? No, no, no, that’s not possible at all. Hell, he hated me enough to send me on practically impossible bounties under Council Law in an effort to get rid of me before the twins came to the Order.

“Welp, since that’s the way you want to roll, let's do it. I will round up everyone in the Order. Fog and Raska have been preparing in secret since Ferina and Junnie pop up unannounced every once in a while.”

“Good, I will see you later, Nochtandriel. Be careful.” Jernok sounded like he actually meant it.

“Oh, so you finally recognize me as a valuable military asset?” I smirked as I reached the door.

He heaved a heavy sigh and took the communications crystal back to his desk. “I just realized that I’m too old to hold grudges. No matter how much you irk me.”

“Ha! The little Demon Spawn can learn a thing or two from you!” I cackled as I disappeared out the door.

“Demon Spawn?” Jernock asked in confusion as I waltzed out. I didn’t have any intention of answering his confusion, he’ll meet her soon enough anyway.