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-The Heir to the Throne-
The fire in the fireplace blazed as time passed. Soaring, the witch threw thin wood chips and twisted the wood back and forth until it caught fire.
"Not many make it here." The woman shouted. He flashed a scornful grin. "This place is a valley of death for those who want to meet me," he continued.
Prince Ziden braked. He clenched his fists tightly. His vision sharpened, though the pain behind his back had been burning ever since he had woken up.
"You know what I mean, don't you? This is the valley of death. "
Prince Ziden nodded. He thought about it a moment ago. This place is too dangerous. He felt his soul being sucked out. Another form was tearing him apart from within. In addition, the fear of being left behind
"I'm quite surprised to see you survive this second," cried the witch. He stared blankly.
No one survives the disembodied shadow army. even if it's the strongest magician. They will be crushed by their fear. That's why this valley is called the "Valley of Death." The shadow army will drive a person insane to the point of killing themselves.
The place is full of magic. Illusion and reality are almost indistinguishable.
"My shadow army is a formidable defense. You will die with your illusions and fears. "
Degh...
"Magic?"
"No. They're not magic, but formless creatures. " For a moment, the wizard was silent. His gaze is straight ahead.
"They eat your fears. They make your thoughts come true," he continued to explain.
Prince Ziden was silent.
"You looked bad when I found you. So who do you imagine when dealing with the shadow army? A powerful enemy? "
Prince Ziden did not immediately speak up. The man thought, before exhaling breathlessly. He still endured the same pain in his back.
"Selena..."
The witch-woman furrowed her brows.
"A woman? Do you take a lot of women against the shadow army? Is she that scary? "
Prince Ziden nodded. "I saw him disappear from my sight."
"Oh, I understand."
love story.
"You're afraid he'll leave you. Do you love him? "
"Not." Prince Ziden answered quickly. His gaze turned harsher than before.
"I hate him so much."
Degh...
The witch was silent. He didn't expect to hear such a loud tone. It was as if hatred had completely overpowered him at the same time.
The witch-woman sighed softly before approaching the Ziden prince, who was still sitting in the same place warily. His beads gleamed, turning slightly red in a few moments before the woman patted him on the shoulder a little hard.
He stared blankly at Prince Ziden, who grimaced as he closed his eyes again. The man was in pain. He grabbed his shoulder with difficulty. The burning sensation grew stronger, almost eating away at his back.
The woman glanced at him. She chuckled lightly. He was silent for a while, watching the black dragon pattern appear on Prince Ziden's back.
'A curse mark.'
The witch-woman smiled slightly as she nodded. "I think I know the reason," he exclaimed.
He sat back down in his place. I poured the strange liquid into a small glass bottle. Occasionally observing Prince Ziden, who looks grimacing.
"You are less affected by the illusion of the shadow army because you have the curse mark."
"N-can't you help me."
Prince Ziden couldn't think straight. He's really in pain right now. Not the first. The curse marks on his back have been there since he was ten years old.
The pain he felt was also frequent. It's just that usually it will appear on a full moon, and now is not a full moon night.
"Did that mark burn you?"
Degh...
Prince Zidan nodded quickly. It burned this time.
The witch-woman didn't budge at all. He just stared blankly at Prince Ziden for a few moments before he sighed heavily.
"You have a royal lineage. The mark appears on the royal heir. Typically, the first son. Are you the crown prince? "
The witch again opened her voice while carrying a small potion bottle. sitting beside Prince Ziden while occasionally observing him intensely.
"I am the king's nephew," answered Prince Ziden slowly, a little hoarsely.
"Not the crown prince?"
"No."
The witch nodded in understanding. Even though he was far away from nature, he still felt strange. The curse mark only appeared on the heir. There is only one in the same lineage.
"Drink it, it will suppress your pain," he exclaimed.
Prince Ziden took it and drank it quickly.
A bitter taste lingered on his tongue. He smirked. He closed his eyes for a moment. The burning sensation is slightly reduced. although it is still felt in some parts.
"What brought you to this valley? Is there anything you wish to ask for? "
The valley of death is not just a place where black magicians live. but also a place where one can ask for something.
'A wish that can be granted.'
Prince Ziden gripped his own two hands. "Can you grant it?"
It depends on what sacrifice you make. The bigger it is, the faster your request will be granted. "
"Sacrifice?"
"You didn't know it?"
Prince Ziden glanced up. The man only knew that if he survived to the valley of death, his wish would be granted.
"You're more naive than I thought. Even though you have the curse mark. "
The sorceress chuckled softly. His voice echoed, bouncing from wall to wall. "
"Then I'll give you some relief. I'm usually not like this. " The witch looked at Prince Ziden. He smiled a little. "You remind me of someone. Slightly similar."
Prince Ziden furrowed his brows in confusion.
"You don't have to make great sacrifices, whatever your request may be. But in exchange, you must become my follower, young man. "
It does not matter. Of course, Prince Zidan hasn't been tied to anyone after all. No one would judge him even if he allied himself with a black magician.
The goal is revenge. Everything that his family experienced will be avenged. That's the first. He will not give up like his father.
The Central Kingdom would be in his hands. All those involved will perish down to their roots. Including him, the demonic woman, and also the woman's family. Everything will disappear into his hands.
Prince Ziden nodded in agreement.
"Good. Now say your request. "
"I want Alekrona, and I will have my revenge. Everything involved in the banishment of my family will be crushed to the core. "
The witch nodded in understanding. It's simple. Is that all you want? "
"I didn't ask for it instantly. I wanted to ask for your magic. "
"Ah, you want to be strong and seize Alekrona with your own hands?"
Prince Ziden nodded.
"Okay, I'll teach you my magic. Is that all you want? "
Prince Ziden was silent. The man gripped his hand tightly. It was as if there was an inner debate.
"You look a little confused, young man," he exclaimed.
Prince Ziden looked up. For a moment, his expression was tense. He hesitated a bit before a heavy sigh blew out.
"Can you bring back someone whose attitude has changed?"
The witch-woman laughed. He glanced at I'm a magician. My magic is only for hot things. So is magic on a person? You can't keep it the way you want it to. I'm not a god. A person's nature won't have much effect with magic."
"So you can't?"
"Not really. I told you I'm a Black Witch. I'm not a good woman. "
Prince Ziden furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Do you mind if it takes a long time? Ah, I might have hurt that person too. "
"No problem. Because I want to destroy it too. "
The mage nodded slowly. "I feel like you're asking to change the attitude of that woman named Selena, right?"
Prince Ziden nodded.
"Why?"
"Because I hate her so much."
To be continued...