.
Everyone in the court stared at Kenzeth as if he were a maniac.
Refusing the throne? Breaking relationships? Severing bonds? Disowning his name?
Who the hell does that?!
To them Kenzeth was an existence that they were unable to comprehend and it was normal for them to be shocked.
After all it's not everyday that you encounter someone who is so rebellious at such a young age and even dares to talk back and go against the reign.
Kenzeth indeed was a unique individual and whether it was foolishness or bravery they didn't know but they deeply impressed nonetheless.
The guy has balls of mythril.
"What... What did you say?" Anna asked in a flat voice after she regained her bearings. Her face was cold as ill intent radiated of her in huge amounts. "You want to go against me? Perhaps you misunderstood me... You 'will' become the next Emperor! That's my order and you will not refuse me! Guards! This brat has forgotten his loyalty and needs to be rehabilitated!"
"Restrain him!"
"Yes!"
Guards rushed towards Kenzeth as soon as Anna finished her sentence. Before Emilia or Fergu could react, five guards in Mid Extinction Abyssal Stage had already reached Kenzeth.
But they didn't have to panic for a long time as their minds were numbed as they received another shock.
The first guard rushed at Kenzeth with his hand out stretched as he aimed for his neck. Kenzeth easily sidestepped the attack and grabbed the outstretched arm.
He put positioned himself behind the guard and with a powerful twist, he broke the bones in the man's hand into several pieces.
*Crack!*
"Ahhhhh-!" The man didn't get to scream much as Kenzeth, maintaining the grip on his hand, grabbed a fist full of his hair and then proceeded to slam the man's face into the floor, silencing him forever.
Kenzeth slowly stood up, his long, wild hair shadowing his face. The shocked crowd felt a horrifying chill that made them shiver in fright.
Without saying anything Kenzeth grabbed the second guard by his neck and lifted him up in the he air.
*Gasp* *Gasp* *Choke*
Emilia who was the closest felt her coldness seep deep down into her bones as the sounds of the guard struggling to breathe reverberated throughout the whole court.
"You know... There are many things that I don't like in this world and they annoy me but I choose to ignore that. There are only a few things that I am unable to ignore and they make that make me loose my sh*t."
Kenzeth's voice was dead calm and held no warmth. It was like a haunting melody that was played when laying the dead to rest but beneath the dark there surely were flames of rage. "People like you are one of them."
It was time to let them know that the Kenzeth they knew was no more.
Kenzeth raised his other and everyone watched a crimson flame spark and dance in his palms with a fascinated gaze which turned into horrified stare as Kenzeth clenched his hand and gutter the guard hard enough to draw blood and send him flying near the Empress's feet.
"Ahhhhh! Put it out! Put it out! Nono! Save me! Somebody please save me! Ahhh-!"
The guards frame was suddenly consumed by demonic flames. He wailed and screamed as he was burnt alive.
Anna and others could only watch in horror at the spectacle infront of them and felt their skin crawl
They watched his skin get melted by the heat and his muscles thin and burn out. They had seen his internals turn into vapour and his bones crumble like they were made of paper.
They watches as a grown man literally turn into ashes in a matter of seconds before their eyes and this sight would haunt them for many days a come.
The remaining guards turned pale and instinctively took many steps back.
"If you poke an alligator from a tall tree then be prepared to face it when you fall below because the alligator will be more than ready to feast on your entrails."
Kenzeth said as he looked up his eyes glowed with rage and a huge amount of Qi poured out of him.
Everybody's eyes widened as the were finally to see to what Kenzeth's Cultivation Realm was. Emilia blanked out while Fregu watched stupified and could Anna could only stare with a horrified stare.
"L-Late Corporal Purgatory Realm?!"
Being a cultivator in the Corporal Purgatory Realm was a huge thing.
Being a cultivator in this realm would put him at the same level as several powerhouses of the Rising Heaven Country like the Clan Heads of the Four Pillar Clans of the Rising Heaven Country.
Kevin Haynes of the Haynes Clan, Xenovis Bryant of the Bryant Clan, Amelia Cox of the Cox Clan and Thea Barnes of the Barnes Clan are the Head of their respective clans, are the most influential and powerful people just below the queen and they all are cultivators in Late Corporal Purgatory Realm.
These four individuals are so influential that even the Empress had to be careful as to not needlessly offend them.
This would also put Kenzeth in the same level as the Bastard child of the Southern Governor who is thought to be favoured by the Heavens.
Albert Sutton had trained since birth and had reached the Purgatory Realm at the age of 15 and he had numerous amount of resources to use because he was the son of the Southern Governor, Makarov Elberisen who dotted on him very much.
On the other hand Kenzeth was a cripple, unable to cultivate since birth and he was exiled to 'The World Below'. People had never once believed that he would be able to return but to their shock, he indeed did return as he had said and he returned more powerful than they could even imagine.
Gaining the ability to cultivate and reaching the Corporal Purgatory Realm in just five years?!
If Albert was a rare talent favoured by the heavens then Kenzeth was a monster that shouldn't even exist because be defied the very logic of everything they knew and someone, even the heavnes would be envious of.
"Now I will make myself very clear. I am not going be a puppet for you to control. I am not Kenzeth Marsh whom you used to manipulate. I am Kenzeth Khaoscrest, the head of the Khaoscrest Clan." Kenzeth stood straight and said proudly. "And I am not asking for your permission, this is a statement that I am making today in front of you lot."
"You... You want to go against the throne? Do you won't make an enemy of the Royal Family?! Do you dare to offend me?!" Anna stood up and pointed at Kenzeth.
Looking at the enraged and flustered Anna, Kenzeth laughed mockingly.
"Of course I want to go against the throne!"
"Royal Family? What Royal Family?! I am ready to make even your whole country as my enemy!"
"Do I dare? Why wouldn't I dare?! There is no one in this world that I wouldn't dare to offend for I fear no mortal!"
Kenzeth said raising his hands as the red flames once again appeared in his hands and this time the heat made everyone physically uncomfortable.
"I have vowed to never kneel before a mortal. What bleeds can never be capable of instilling fear in my being." Kenzeth said as the flames flickered dangerous in his hands. "And to me your nothing but worms that I wouldn't blink if I were to kill. What makes you think that you scare me?"
"..."
Anna was unable to answer Kenzeth's question. His words had made it clear that he feared no one.
This were the words of a brave warrior that feared no man or of a mad man who didn't know to respect his betters. Either way, to these were the words of a dangerous man and it wouldn't be wise to agitate him.
Kenzeth flicked as his hand sending an arc of flame that consumed the three other guards who had rushed towards him and they were meet with the same fate as the previous guard.
People gulped but said nothing. Their knees were weak from the brutal display.
Kenzeth's action could be justified as the guards had offended him. The Empress was guilty and if Kenzeth were to press the charge against her in the Grand Imperial Court then she would definitely have to answer the Grand Emperor.
"As much as I would love to blast you to smithereens you lot aren't even worth it." Kenzeth said. He knew that as vile as Anna was, there must be something that pushed her to sacrifice her own son whom she surely did love before.
Anna was just the puppet and her strings were being pulled by someone in the shadows.
The answer was simple, it was Albert Sutton. The bastard was an ambitious retard with delusions of golden grandeur. In one glance the poor prince had managed to rip open his facade and had refused to give him face.
Bastard wanted revenge and he got it to some extent but in this process he also dug his own grave.
The old prince was dead and in his place was an Autocrat who had stood at the summit of the world in his previous life.
"I'm done here." Kenzeth said as he turned to leave but paused to give a last warning. He glared coldly at Anna, his eyes were cold and betrayed no emotion. "I am leaving and pray that I don't return any soon. Cause if I do, then I promise you... there with be no place that you will be able to escape to."
Kenzeth smirked coldly at Anna.
Giving Emilia a wink which made her blush, he made his way to the front grounds. The crowd dispersed quickly, none wanting to be his next victim.
Fergu bowed to the Empress and hastily ran after Kenzeth.
"Kenzeth! What in the name of lord did you just do?! Do you really want to go against your mother?!" Fergu asked heatedly.
"Calm down Grandpa. You worry too much. Don't thinking much about it and that woman isn't my mother any more." Kenzeth chuckled. "The only thing that's common between me and her is the blood that we share of the same ancestor."
"But-"
"Don't think about it Grandpa. She and her nefarious schemes have nothing to do with me now. The only thing that's on my mind now is the formation of my Clan, the Khaoscrest Clan." Kenzeth said firmly before looking at the sky with a soft smile. "But before that I want to retrieve something that I left in your care five years ago."
The prince had feelings for his personal maid and his childhood playmate since a long time but had been able to express his feelings because of his engagement at a young age and his mother's pressure.
His love had the same feelings for him but she never acted on it because she thought herself as just a lowly servant and unworthy of her prince's affection.
These feelings were left unexpressed untill the prince's death and his biggest regret was not acting on them and doing what he felt right.
The poor prince's feelings were so strong that they were able to influence a numb person like, Kenzeth who had never fallen in love after the death of his previous lover.
'To be able to reignite the flame in me... Poor lad, you sure were an interesting being. Don't worry, I promise I will take care of everything.'
'Such a strange thing this is love...'
Fergu how had been frowning the whole time finally smiled softly. 'It seems that he has finally decided to act on his feelings. Good, good!'
"Grandpa... How is she?"
"Miserable." Fergu said honestly. "But she disguises it well.. There were times when she came close to falling apart but training has helped her a lot."
"Hmm?"
"She said once you returned she wants to be strong enough to be able to protect you. The guilt of not being able to save you has always plagued her dreams. But she keeps going on, training and getting stronger everyday." Fergu said softly as Kenzeth smiled.
"To this day she has never lost her faith in you. She is always waiting for you."
"Well... take me to her then." Kenzeth gesture Sebastian and Marnie to come along as he turn to Fergu with a smile. "I've kept her waiting long enough."
.
Private grounds of Barnes Clan.
In a vast garden a beautiful young lady dressed in elegant blue robes walked aimlessly towards a pond.
Stopping on the edge of pond she leaned to look at her reflection in the clear water. Silky black hair framed her fairy-like-face, that even though set into a sad look still looked very breathtaking.
Baby blue eyes glistened with moisture as the longed to take in the form of their loved one.
"Where are you, my prince?..." She asked out loud but she got no answer. The water of the pond rippled as tear filled with sadness hit it. Bethany was unable hold her tears as she wept silently. "P-Please come back prince... I'm still waiting for you."
"Please... I'm waiting for you..."
*Woosh!*
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"!!!"
Bethany's head jerked upwards as she stared at the sight infront of her with wide eyes. She covered her mouth as she stifled the sobs that threatened to escape.
On the other side of the pond was a figure that her eyes had longed to see. Infront of her was the man she had longed to be with. Infront of her was the man she was in love with.
"M-My prince...?" She managed to choke out through the sobs.
The handsome young man just smiled and too her shock stepped onto water and began walking towards her.
Still shocked Bethany stood up and stepped on the water. She walked towards the young man and the meet in between.
The beautiful sunset in the back reflected beautifully in water creating a beautiful picture. The sunlight enhanced the feature of the two young buds as they looked at each other with unsaid but unbounded affection.
The young man raised his hand and softly caressed Bethany's beautiful face. Bethany was shocked and couldn't help but ask. "My prince-?!"
"Shhh... Relax my dear Bethany and listen to me." Kenzeth said softly while Bethany nodded in bewilderment. "From today onwards, I am no longer your prince... From this moment and onwards to the end of time..."
"I am and will forever be your Kenzeth."
Bethany couldn't hold back her tears anymore. Nor could she hold back her feelings any more. She had waited long enough and she was afraid that if she didn't act now she will forever lose the chance to get what she loves the most.
She decided to act and not care about anything else or anyone else, anymore.
Bethany cupped Kenzeth's face and pushed herself onto her toes to reach her goal as she gently pulled Kenzeth's face down.
Their lips meet each other for the first time and both felt a spark in their heart.
'I love you Kenzeth.'
'I love you too Bethany.'
No words were said as they were unnecessary as what exchanges was passion and affection.
Between two young buds was nothing but the thing love.
--------------------------
Alternative Titles:-
Demonstration Of Power,
The Man Who Fears None,
The Warning Shots Fired!
Umm... Lemon? (âīšâ)