Faul: The Reincarnation

Chapter 14: War And Love

One year had passed since Billie returned and delivered the message Maria had sent through the sword. After finding out that Faul was under Alfred’s care, Billie decided to continue his journey with the escorting cavalry until the time came for the great war against the Red Death.

In that time, Billie had grown significantly stronger. By the age of twenty, he had surpassed the magical limits once thought to bind his bloodline. His family was already renowned for holding more magical power than the average sorcerer, but Billie had shattered expectations. At twenty, he had broken through the magical barrier and was now wielding six distinct magic abilities. His swordsmanship, too, had evolved beyond recognition. Among both the older and younger generations of warriors, Billie stood at the top—his blade swift, precise, and deadly.

He had become the best swordsman within his escorting cavalry, earning the respect and admiration of all around him. Other escort units, who usually loved to fight over escort jobs for merchants and nobles, no longer dared to compete when they heard that Billie’s team was involved.

By the age of twenty-one, after a reunion with Faul that reignited his drive, Billie took a bold step forward. He formed his own elite escort unit, naming it the **Red Dragon Escort Cavalry**. Though the group had only been active for a few months, their name had already spread far and wide. Bandits feared it. Merchants sought it. Billie had become a symbol of security and power, the kind of protector every caravan wanted. His team was composed mostly of his Karazan brothers, men he trusted with his life.

Meanwhile, Faul had also been growing rapidly—both in strength and stature. Though only eleven years old, he had developed faster than his peers in every way. His physique, his magical power, and even his presence were far beyond what anyone expected from a boy his age.

“Anna, your boyfriend is growing more handsome by the day. I’m honestly jealous of you,” teased Amy, one of Anna’s closest friends.

“Amy! He’s not my boyfriend!” Anna blurted out, her face flushing red as she tried to hide her embarrassment.

Amy giggled. “Anna, you’re blushing. You like him, don’t you?”

“Amy, don’t say that!” Anna's voice cracked as her cheeks grew even redder.

“I’ll go talk to him for you. Honestly, you know he likes you too,” Amy said with a teasing grin as she started walking toward the training field where Faul and Phil were sparring with the others.

“Amy, wait!” Anna called out quickly. “I can do that myself… when it’s the right time. Don’t distract him.”

“You know that fake angry face doesn’t work on me anymore,” Amy replied with a smirk as they both laughed.

Their path was suddenly blocked by a girl standing tall with her arms folded and an unimpressed expression on her face.

“Hey, lover girl,” Lucia sneered.

Anna sighed, her mood turning sour. “Lucia, please, I don’t have time for your bickering. I have something to do,” she said, trying to stay calm, though irritation sparked within her.

Lucia, however, had no intention of letting her go so easily.

“I need to make something clear to you, Anna,” Lucia said with a proud tilt of her head. “Faul is mine. Take your eyes off him. Your father may run this camp, but my father is the Queen’s brother.”

Her voice was full of contempt, as if her status gave her ownership over others.

“What’s going on, ladies?” a boy said as he approached with a few friends trailing behind him. It was Leo—Lucia’s cousin.

“Uh, Leo, help me out here. Tell this wench to stay away from my Faul,” Lucia said, feigning distress as she put on a pitiful look.

“Faul?” Leo raised an eyebrow. “Who is Faul, that he’s caught the attention of my cute cousin?”

“Uh, Leo,” whispered Harry, one of his friends. “You don’t want to mess with that guy. He’s a beast.”

Leo smirked. “What my little cousin wants, she gets. You hear that?” he said, turning his gaze toward Anna with arrogance radiating from him.

“Do your worst,” Anna replied defiantly and walked past him.

“Hold it right there! How dare you walk out on me?!” Leo shouted, furious. He raised his hand to strike Anna, but before his hand could land, Amy jumped in between them—and the slap landed hard across her cheek instead.

The sound echoed across the training field.

Amy staggered, holding her face. Leo’s anger flared. Lucia, however, smiled in satisfaction.

**“Finally, this wench got smacked,”** she thought smugly.

Leo, fueled by misplaced pride and fury, pushed Amy aside and once again raised his hand, this time toward Anna.

“If you dare, I will chop off those two hands of yours,” a voice said calmly.

The voice belonged to Faul. He stood just a few feet away, his presence suddenly immense. His eyes glowed faintly, and a dangerous aura seeped from his body, causing Leo to freeze momentarily.

Leo blinked. “W-What was that? What kind of aura…?” he thought, stunned. “He’s younger than me. Why does he feel so powerful?”

Regaining his composure, Leo stepped forward, raising his own aura in an attempt to match Faul’s.

“And who are you?” he asked, trying to sound unbothered.

Lucia grinned and said, “Leo, he’s the boy I told you about.”

“Oh, I see. Then tell him to mind his own business, or I won’t take it lightly,” Leo replied as he turned back toward Anna—only to find Faul now standing directly in his path.

“I said,” Faul repeated, his voice low and calm, “if you touch her, I’ll chop off those hands of yours.”

Leo scoffed. “Oh, lover boy… she’s your little girlfriend, huh? Well, I guess I’ll just have to teach both of you a lesson.”

Faul didn’t flinch. His gaze remained steady, but the pressure from his aura only increased. Even without hostility in his voice, the threat was unmistakable.

Phil, who had been watching from the side, slowly moved closer, just in case things got worse.

The crowd around them held its breath.