The butler kept looking at us, as we had yet to answer his request, I glanced at Albert and then again at him.
"Why were we attacked just now?" I asked calmly, no hint of my previous fury could be found in my eyes, as the butler kept looking at them, he pursed his lips and then lowered his head once again.
"I deeply apologize for their conduct, we are currently facing a deep sense of loss and struggle. I hope you can find a heart to forgive us." He spoke with his voice low and full of caution, each of the words felt deliberately picked as he emphasized the words 'loss' and 'struggle'.
'What was he getting at?'
My eyes narrowed as I stared at him, I raised my voice slightly and told without delay.
"Get to the point, I am not someone who is going to stand here with a respectful look after being unfairly attacked."
Hearing my words both the butler and Albert himself gave me a weird look, they stared at me and then at the two guards lying beaten up on the ground, the butler's eyes then moved to see the broken and burned mansion's door.
'They had taken more loss, why was he even angry at this point!'
That's what they both thought simultaneously but didn't point it out seeing Asher's still enraged face.
Butler licked his lips for a moment his throat feeling dry all of a sudden then told in a suppressed voice.
"Please let us tend to your wounds, I will explain everything inside..."
"Kohler please take that fool inside as well." He said out loud, I turned to look at the person he just ordered.
There the old man, well not so old actually, stood up from the bush he had fallen into and rubbed his nose, then calmly walked toward us with a still bleeding nose.
I was not surprised by the fact he was still awake, after all the only one I had even intended to make unconscious was the red-haired guard. This man known as Kohler had shown less hostility compared to the other guard now knocked out cold.
From the fact he never stood during this fight he had not cared about the red–haired man to begin with.
Kohler sighed then grabbed the fallen man by the back of his collar.
"Good work." He said wiping away the blood coming down to his lips.
"They are all crazy," Albert mumbled out loud, he was aware we all could hear him but Albert seemed to have stopped caring about that altogether.
'I know, right?' I thought to myself.
I pressed my lips together unsure what to say now but nodded nonetheless. "You too."
"Pfft—" Kohler's lips curled up into a full-blown grin as he couldn't hold back any longer, and burst into small fits of laughter.
'They all seem to have gone mad.' The butler thought inside of his mind, the tension kept rising along with his blood pressure. He almost wished for retirement at this very instant but held himself back by sheer willpower.
"Sir, please follow me." He said then gave Kohler a strong glare before moving forward.
Albert looked at me, his steps staggered as he found himself getting extremely tired. "Should we follow them?"
I frowned seeing his condition.
"Yeah, let's get treated first."
Kohler has already dragged away the red–haired guard following the butler's command without delay.
I followed his footsteps kicking off the ground, the door burned smell entered my nostrils as we reached it, the servants had already started the clean up but the burning wood and ashen smell couldn't be washed off that easily.
Walking through the hallway the butler moved through the doors subtly and opened one of the near-end corner doors at the side of the hall.
"Please wait, we will bring you some change of clothes immediately." Leaving us alone in a room, the butler left.
"Haa.." Albert slid on the sofa beside the small glass table, his breathing slow and steady. With a small shake of his head, he gulped the water from glasses kept on the table.
"Fool don't drink whatever you see."
I immediately walked toward him and put my hand on his shoulder trying to sense any kind of poison to slow down, but found none.
"Boss you should ease up a little..." Albert's voice was pitiful to hear, but I can't just relax now.
"Not now," I said sternly and took a seat beside him. Giving him a glare he moved away, giving me some space to sit in silence.
Albert sighed heavily and rubbed his hands, his eyes darkened a little as he slowly said.
"It was my first time seeing something like that from so close."
I raised my brow and looked at him,
"Really? I thought you should have seen something like this once already."
He chuckled and shook his head.
"No, not something flashy as this, Thank you boss for saving me... I am really grateful."
He was scared...
I licked my lips and calmly stated subtly and warmly.
"That's my job, don't worry. Your and Elda's lives are my responsibility, so I just did what I was supposed to."
'How awkward...'
Sigh...
"Were you not scared, when that big wheel of fire came down on us? I hate to say this but I was already praying to gods for my next life."
Albert laughed and said this with a hint of mischief, hearing this I smiled then tapped my hands together in a small clasp.
"I wasn't, to tell the truth, I felt nothing."
The sound of our banter continued till the door again opened.
Coming inside was a maid along with the butler we had just met.
"Sir this way," he said pointing to the door next to the room.
I followed up and quickly got changed into the clothes they had bought just now.
They had offered for the maid to do it, which I had politely declined at the moment of notice.
After ten minutes passed...
We both sat with some ointment and first–aid was finally done. Albert shook, wincing in pain.
"Stop making a weird noise, you are not a kid."
"Ugh, Damn you awakeners."
"Here, have some tea Sir."
The butler came along with a tray in his hands, putting the cups on the table with a clinking sound.
Then he stood there patiently waiting for us to make our move.
Albert was about to touch the cup, but I subtly kicked his leg, stopping him amid his action.
"Ow!" He again winced at the sudden kick but remembered what I had said before.
"Ah, sorry."
"Don't be an idiot now," I mumbled out loud for both of them to hear.
The butler gave a wry smile and nodded.
"Your suspicion is not wrong, Let me introduce myself, I am Sebastian the head butler of this manor."
He said, lightly bowing his head.
'Why do they bow so much?'
I reckoned for a moment lost in my thoughts then followed his lead.
"I am Asher, and if you are misunderstanding me for a noble, then don't."
If after all the commotion we did they hadn't kicked us out yet, the only reason I could think of was of them suspecting me as a member of a noble household.
"Ah, I see." Sebastian's face fell for a moment but then his eyes lit up.
"That's good to know."
'How is that good to know?'
I narrowed my eyes in suspicion, my hands ready to draw out the sword of Repose if needed.
"Please wait a little bit more Lord Ains will arrive here in a few minutes."
"Alright."
With that said we sat in silence, Albert's eyes from time to time moved toward the table looking at the beverage present there.
He looked like someone who hadn't eaten in days or even months.
"Don't you dare." I warned loud enough for only him to hear, he glanced at me and then nodded.
"I know— I know... I am not a child, you don't need to repeat it."
Click—!
I turned my head as I heard the door open, looking straight I noticed a kid entering the room, his hair grey with a subtle brown eye mixed with a tint of black, he wore a small navy blue suit in a small frame.
Following him the butler entered closing the door.
I tilted my head and asked the butler.
"When is your Lord Ains going to come? If not I will take my leave."
Sebastian's eyes shook as he pointed at the kid no more than 15 years old.
"Ah, it's this kid?"
"Yes, that's me. But I would appreciate it if you keep your tone respectful."
Ains said without blinking, his stare directly pointed at eyes, he then looked at Albert with a look of contemplation.
"Haa... I am sorry for what that bastard did to you two. Although it looks like you taught him quite a good lesson, Sir. Asher."
'Where did the word respectful tone go now?' I mused then nodded.
"I hope I will get a proper explanation of what just happened outside."
Albert's head nodded vigorously as he heard my words, he didn't wish to interfere in their talk but his life almost ended out there.
"Of course, I am more than happy to do so."
I waited for him to continue, Ains glanced at Sebastian. Sensing his gaze he walked over the door and stood right in front of it.
"Just to make sure no one hears it from outside."
Ains smiled and said without hesitation.
"My parents are no more and I am going to die soon..."
"Huh?"
I kept my silence but Albert couldn't, his expression seemed to be screaming 'What the fuck is this kid even saying?'