Moonlight clasped the figure of the three men. Auras that are different from each other while leaning together against the colossal tree. Both suffered from extreme exhaustion, and relief for able to relax for a while.
"Your highness...?" Uriel called out, cannot stand the silence.
Cohen elbowed the shameless beastman. 'What the hell is this fool thinking?!'
Iavis still closed his eyes while giving a silent hum.
"Do you think Daniel is saying the truth?.... That kid can really open a portal?" He asked, a bit scared. Cohen didn't stop him anymore, he himself was eager to know the truth.
"Yes." He answered gentle. His tone was always prim and proper, consistently indicate his noble demeanor, "Although I don't trust their family, that kid has a strange aura surrounding him."
Uriel was stupefied. He, himself, cannot distinguish auras from every species. But Cohen is different. All elves were gifted by the power of elements. They're sourced of power was from their mana core and auras, they can identify every creature that has danger and can bring disaster to them. But this time, he can't really point out the strange aura the kid has. It was pitch black. It was not mana or aura, it was pure black without any hidden power on it. Cohen stared at the prince amusingly. He can even figure out the peculiarity of the kid! Just how odd this prince's power is!
Iavis opened his blue eyes and smiled. His smiled was amiable, but also unapproachable. They can't discern what is the meaning behind those smiles. Warm yet cold, glacial yet balmy. It was pure seraphic smile.
His forehead was slightly covered with his messy golden hair, he was leaning against the grayish tree. His adam's apple moves up and down in a coordinate trail, his lashes was slightly curved as for his face was lifting, staring towards the full moon. His eyebrow was sharp with a hint of gentleness and his wheat like skin was embracing the inappreciable light the moon offer. His whole aspect was holy and immortal.
Cohen gulped. Elves was the most beautiful creatures created by gods, but they don't stand a chance to this man, who is a descendant of the god and has a blood of a dragon.
"B-But your highness... Daniel seems nice." Uriel interrupted.
Both eyes turned to the naive beastman. Cohen narrowed his eyes, but the smile on Iavis' lips doesn't withdraw. He rises from the ground and glance at the two stun comrades.
"Daniel is not bad or good. But their family is horribly bad. I am not judging by a person, I was judging by the whole." Iavis glance at a certain direction, "Why don't you show yourself?"
Both Cohen and Uriel rises in panic. They stared at the direction the prince glancing and a huge figure emerge in the shadow. The two went on silent.
Daniel has always had a pleasant expression on his face, like he didn't hear their conversation a while ago. Seeing him like that, the two pleaded in guilty.
"I must say that the prince was good at his discernment."his black hair flutters by the sudden wind. His all appearance was neat and presentable, making one's feel nice and approachable.
Iavis' eyes narrowed: "My judgement are always accurate. But I know that you are not like your father, so don't fret."
"I see..."he grinned, "I am not coaxing you or anyone, but I hope your highness can broaden your understanding. Some things are not just bad as they seem, and the same with the goods."
Iavis' eyes glowed in pure gold. A huge pressure encircled the silent forest. The three trembled, but in a while, the pressure disappeared. They soon realize that the prince was already gone.
"H-Holy chicken!…" Uriel can't feel his knees.
Daniel groaned while trying to stabilize his body. His red eyes followed the figure from afar. He gnashed his teeth in silent.
"You! You're very brave for saying that to the second prince, hah." Uriel patted his shoulder.
The elf also glance at the black hair man, for able to withstand that pressure even for a minute, sure enough the Obelima duchy stand in second.
Daniel chuckled, "He just realized something."
"B-But why are you different from your brother Gavin? Are all Obelimas like you or like him?" The beastman asked, scratching his head as his fury ears wiggles.
"I have no idea. I guess some are like the eldest brother but less scary and timid."he giggled, making the two comfortable. How nice is it if the rumors about the house of Obelima was full of devils are false.
"But is it true that you all face challenges before the duke acknowledge your existence?" Cohen asked.
"That is true."
They went silent. Being treated like that was simply scary! For their own blood, that is sure psycho.
Uriel gasped, remembering something: "Is it true that your fifth brother was very beautiful? I heard it somewhere." For a big beastman like him, he was fond of beauty. That's why he befriended Cohen who was also a beautiful elf and his pretty chicken who just died.
Cohen glanced at Daniel, waiting for an answer. A month ago there was a rumor seeing the appearance of the fifth son of the duke. The other children have been publicized and already well known, but this youth was always staying in the mansion and very mysterious. But someone saw his appearance when he was delivering supplies for their house. Hair red as blazing fire, eyes that was crafted in a crimson color and a beauty that was bestowed by the gods. Appearance more beautiful than elves. They don't know if the rumors was exaggerated or overstated.
Daniel's eyes went cold. "I can't answer that." He doesn't like hearing praises from others about his brother's beauty.
Cohen and Uriel feels a sudden chills. They won't ask question anymore, so withdraw your aura!
In the silent night, a boy with pitiful appearance narrowed his eyes. Darkness emerge in his body, slowly freeing him from the chains and rope. The mage who was guarding him was no idea that the boy has been release. He was sleeping peacefully, cast by the boy's spell.
Eventually, the boy arises from the chair, a wicked smile appear on his lips. He walks towards the sleeping mage and slowly his tongue grew larger. A black aura surrounded the lad as his tip landed on the neck of the asleep mage. Slowly, blue particles merge towards his tongue. All the essence of the mage has been completely devoured.
His tongue went back to his mouth. A satisfying grin once again take shape on his lips as he stared at the entirely boned like mage.
He raised his hands and dark purple lightning materialized on his palm. He laughed crazily. Portals slowly constructing inside his tent, but a sudden scream of soldiers interrupted him.
This familiar aura! It was from his brother and sisters!
He ran outside the tent and what he saw was the soldiers rolling from the ground. Numerous shadow restrained them from moving. Even the crown prince and his powerful comrades has been restricted.
He was confused. He knew all the powers of his sisters and brother. No one with them has this kind of power. Intuition tells him that he needed to run!
Before he can move his leg, a black clothed person appeared in front of him. It was so fast. His heart throb when he saw the aura of this person. Danger! Danger!
Sylvester narrowed his eyes, he didn't give a chance for the kid to move and directly pick him up from the ground and flew towards the misty forest.
His moves were fast and accurate. His black robe flutters as he stepped on each of the branch of the tall trees. Hanabis immediately followed his master as he released the soldiers.
The kid in his arms keep struggling, but he paid no mind. He was bursting in anger. The gods really played their cards well. His black eyes glowed red as he dropped the youth into the ground, far away from the soldiers.
"You, you! Who are you?! Why are your powers different yet the same from me?!"the kids throw a tantrum while maintaining their distance. His mind tells him that this person was dangerous and stronger than his siblings.
In a clear voice, Sylvester asked: "Tell me, where did you get your power?"
The boy's expression cracked. His veins grew visible as he clenched his fist. He laughed madly as the breeze encircling them went cold and chilly.
"How dare you say that! This power is mine! This has been bestowed by the gods! You shameless!"dark particles unleashed on his palms heading directly to Sylvester.
"You are idiot! You are all idiot and foolish! This power is mine and mine! You will all bow to me!"his voice turned horrible as the shadow in his palms moves straight away to his opponent.
Sylvester feel a sudden pain as he was hit by the shadow. He fell on the ground, groaning and gasping.
The boy saw him fall, his face brightened, and he double the amount of powers he was releasing.
He laughed insanely, "Foolish! Foolish! I thought you are strong! Sure enough, there is no one strong enough to stand against me!"
He continued releasing his power, suddenly a smile form on Sylvester's face as he stands up steadily.
He smiled gentle to the boy, "I see."
"Y-You! How did you—no!"his power was slowly being devoured. He panicked and tried moving away his palm, but he can't move.
Sylvester walks toward the frightened youth. His red lips formed a certain arc. His gentleness and calmness terrified the youth more.
"Stop it! No...my powers!"
"Anastacio Bhalgom. Sixteen years old, born an orphan in the countryside of Aragon."his eyes widened, but Sylvester continued: "You have been bullied since you we're a kid. You hated the world for not giving you the life that you deserve. You hated the people who hurt and look down on you. Likewise, you are pitiful..."in every word, there is an indication of truth.
"S-Stop it! N-No! I am the strongest—"
"You were ambitious and arrogant. You said one day, every person will bow on you. They laughed at you, and you hated them more. But then suddenly...a power came at the door."
"No stop! You are lying! That power is mine to begin with!" The boy tried to cover his ears, but flashes of memories entered his mind.
"The power that can surpass anyone. A power that you borrowed. The power of greed."
"No! Shut up! Shut the fûck up!"
"The power that you used to surpass all the person who hurt you. You made them feel miserable and sorrowful while you stand in their body, laughing and smiling. But you can't get enough. You want to rule the world. You are greedy for power. So you opened the portals to the other realm."
"Stop it! You fúcking bitch! Shut the hell up..."he was helplessly struggling. Hanabis restrained him. While Sylvester closed his eyes, remembering every detail emerging in his mind.
"But you realize that you are not still the most powerful."
"That's not true! Not true! I am the king! I will be the king!"
"Yes, you want to replace the ruler in this kingdom. But you can't achieve that by your own. You use demons to attain your goal. Because you discover that...you are not enough."
By the unanticipated words, the boy fall down. His expression was ugly as he trembled uncontrollably, "N-No that's...not true... I am t-the most powerful, I am."his voice was low, looking like he was telling that himself.
Sylvester opened his eyes, staring directly at the miserable youth.
"You use the power that is not yours in the first place. You think you are powerful but for me, you are just greedy."his tone was not sarcastic as he continued, "You are greedy for the attention and their praises that you never experience in your life. You are pitiful. Not only that, but you are like a lonely child, grasping for a slight moment that will make you shine brightly. You are sad and anxious, but you use them in a wrong way. Creating a disaster, many humans died."
Sylvester eyes glowed in bright red, "You deserve to be punish."
The child look at him in horror, he knew that all his power was gone. This was the person responsible for destroying his dreams.
He gritted his teeth, "Who the hell are you?!"
Sylvester give him a humble smile. But that smile give a cold and chilly breeze towards him. His hood has been removed, revealing his disguise appearance. With a clear voice, he answered.
"I am the owner of the power, you borrowed."