Count Olaf

Soft rain gently moistened the train window, creating irregular ripples on the glass surface. Inside, Rainard De Helton sat calmly, seemingly unaffected by the surroundings. The train moved smoothly, navigating through winding roads, heading towards a secluded village hidden behind towering trees.

In front of him sat a large, intimidating man with a peculiar charm. His gaze pierced through space and time, as if reading every thought crossing Rainard's mind.

"For what reason do you wish to visit that remote village?" the man's voice cut sharply, full of suspicion.

Rainard, with inherent wisdom, replied unhurriedly, "Simply for a visit, I have an appointment with someone there."

"Hmm, visiting that area? Intriguing. But be cautious, it's filled with threats. Bandits often lurk around caravans like ours," the man responded, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

As Rainard listened to Gerard's words, he recognized the man. Gerard Broman, a name familiar to him, a rebel leader who would become a significant rival for power. Despite his apparent violence, Rainard realized that beneath the hardened exterior, Gerard harbored a life story full of tragedy. They had crossed paths in the past when Gerard was still trapped on the right path. But now, everything had changed.

"Aren't you a bandit yourself?" Rainard asked with a thin smile adorning his face.

"Hahaha, of course. That's why I'm here," Gerard replied casually, revealing the dark side of his existence.

In his heart, Rainard felt compelled to do something. He didn't want to witness recurring tragedies, didn't want Gerard to sink deeper into the waves of darkness. In his mind, he devised a plan, a hope to change Gerard's fate, to prevent him from being trapped in the grip of sorrow and despair once again.

As the train continued its journey, Rainard's thoughts drifted to the next plan. He realized that threats would soon arise, that bandit forces would ambush them. Gerard, now accompanying him on this journey, would surely be involved in a series of violent actions.

Without hesitation, Rainard prepared his strategy. He wouldn't allow Gerard to continue down the wrong path. Instead, he would provide Gerard with the opportunity to rediscover the right path, to choose the light amidst encroaching darkness.

Rainard De Helton's prediction proved to be an inevitable reality. As the caravan traversed Count Olaf's territory, their presence was immediately besieged by threats from all directions. A smile signaling unwavering determination crossed Gerard's lips as he prepared to draw his sword from its sheath, but Rainard's hand halted his movement.

"Hold, my friend. I have a more enticing offer than joining this rebel band," Rainard whispered softly, a smile playing on his lips.

Gerard looked at him with consideration. "Speak, I'm listening."

With cautious steps, Rainard revealed his identity to Gerard, offering his allegiance as Count Olaf's personal assistant. But it wasn't just that; he also promised to make Gerard his loyal companion throughout their time at the academy, offering wealth aplenty. Furthermore, when the Prince returned to his homeland, he pledged to elevate Gerard to a respected noble, granting him a rightful place amidst power.

"Your offer is indeed enticing. However, how can I be sure that you are truly a son of Helton?" Gerard asked with doubt.

"Wait a moment... There's something I want to show you," Rainard replied, directing his gaze towards an unseen dimension.

And from the depths of that dimension emerged a black hole, swallowing all light around it. Without hesitation, Rainard reached his hand into it, retrieving several ancient gold pieces that were only owned by the Helton kingdom. With grace, he placed the gold pieces on Gerard's rough palm.

"Hohoho... What do you think now, my friend?" Rainard asked, his smile enchanting.

"You do possess extraordinary skills. Let us unite against this enemy, and let us keep my identity a secret," Gerard replied firmly.

Without further ado, they leaped from the caravan. Gerard rushed to the rear, ready to confront the villains attacking from behind, while Rainard faced the bandit troops in front with unwavering spirit. However, among the bandits, there was one figure who became their main target: the gang leader wearing a deer-horned helmet.

"Hehehe, even though we are witches, we will not falter! Attack--"

But before the words could fully escape, the bandit leader's head was already scorched, and his body fell from his horse. Fear gripped his followers, causing them to attempt to flee the battlefield. However, Rainard didn't let them escape so easily. Raising his hand, he summoned hundreds of magic circles hovering in the air, shooting fireballs that relentlessly chased their targets with deadly precision. Not a single one of them could escape the pursuit of the fireballs, for every trap Rainard unleashed hit its mark with awe-inspiring precision.

Rainard De Helton tapped his fingers lightly, then turned towards the caravan. Behind him lay a daunting panorama: a river of blood flowed, and a crowd of corpses lay scattered. Gerard sat calmly atop the carriage, his sword standing upright in the ground.

"How fares my work, Rainard-sama?" Gerard inquired, his voice tinged with pride.

There was no immediate response from Rainard. He raised his index finger in approval, then gestured for Gerard to return inside the caravan. However, as the caravan driver prepared to continue the journey with gratitude,

"We'll wait here for a moment. Count Olaf's forces will soon approach," Rainard stated.

He was already aware that two days after the tragedy triggered by Gerard inside the caravan, Count Olaf's forces were still investigating the incident. Rainard received this news from the account of one knight who had been delayed on the journey. As he suspected, an hour later, Count Olaf's knightly forces arrived at the scene. They were astonished to see the scene of burnt and disjointed corpses. After inspecting the crowd of corpses, a female commander dismounted her horse and approached the caravan at the front of the line.

"Apologies, who is responsible for this atrocity?" the commander asked.

The caravan driver recounted the sequence of events in detail, then pointed to Rainard and Gerard inside the rear caravan. The commander walked towards the caravan.

"Are you both responsible for these actions?" asked the captivating blonde-haired, blue-eyed commander, her charm emanating.

"Yes, we are both responsible. I am Rainard De Helton, and he is Gerard," Rainard replied.

"Very well. Follow me to Count Olaf's headquarters," the commander said.

"With pleasure," Rainard responded with a broad smile, for meeting Count Olaf was his primary goal.