"It's the perfect temperature. I like it. It's not too cold, and it's not too lukewarm."
Bathing in the incredibly soothing water, chest-deep, and buck naked underneath, Invictus scrubbed and scrub his whole body using his hands, getting rid of those dead skin cells.
"I'm mentally unstable... When I thought I was fully committed to taking revenge, seeking justice by bringing it into my hands and destroying the kingdom, people who are just so kind pop in one after another. And then at some point, I would realize that my daughter was innocent too. My wife, even if she was really the mastermind in the massacre of many lives, I don't think she deserves that. They could have at least made her die a
painless death and left me and my daughter out of it! So, eventually, I'll be back to being vengeful and despising everyone in sight for being happy."
A rustling of leaves and bushes suddenly resounded, making Invictus instantly turn his head in the direction where the crepitation came from.
"Are my senses becoming dull? I didn't sense anyone following me or sneaking around."
His doubt was exchanged with a laugh after a brown doe hopped out of the thick bush, munching on some grass. Then, his heart slightly melted when its two kittens also revealed themselves, hiding under their mother's fluffy fur.
"The kindling must have occurred a week ago if its kittens are already able to hop and run properly. They grew up so fast."
When Invictus thought that the doe only had two kittens, yet another weak offspring came out of the bush, crying for its mother's care.
The doe turned and looked at her own baby, stopping like a statue for several seconds until it abruptly picked it up by biting on its nape.
"Motherly instincts have kicked in—"
Invictus was smiling at it, but then the doe began to wildly and brutally rip off its offspring's head. Right after munching on the poor kitten's head, it chewed on its remains next, leaving nothing of the kitten but blood around its mouth and some on its paws.
"So, it has low possibilities of surviving, huh? Instead of taking care of the weak ones, you decided to turn it into the protein that your body lost."
Filial infanticide and cannibalism. Some animal species, including but not limited to, hamsters, pigs, snakes, birds, primates, and even bugs, have a tendency to kill and sometimes eat all or some of their babies or other young members of the group.
"Cannibalism is the right word for what the doe did. And I think the word for eating oneself is... Autocannibalism. I may be starting to have mental health conditions, but I am a hundred percent sure that I don't have an obsessive-compulsive disorder."
Reading became Invictus' habit whenever he had free time. He reads every book which contains knowledge. And his photographic memory seemed to be quite useful. He may not have a perfect memory of everything he reads, but most importantly, he knows what to remember and what not.
"It's time to use some of my knowledge in alchemy recipes. Creating a whole bunch of homemade fireworks will definitely take some time."
Taking a quick bath in the falls was one of its most sought-after experiences by Invictus.
Once he was done having a quick bath, Invictus immediately went back to the provincial town, but he took a different path he made last night. He went around, taking a detour, wasting several minutes. But it was worth it, though.
Invictus was pushing the cart, struggling to reach the entrance he secretly made. Had he gone back to the town, using the legal entrance where guards will be inspecting and asking him what he will need a large number of raw magic crystals for?
Answering sounded like a drag to Invictus. Detouring from the original path ate away plenty of his time. But when he finally entered the secret entrance, Invictus then looked for the perfect place to deal with the magic crystals.
Most of the minerals found in raw magic crystals are purified and removed in the process of making pure magic crystals. A raw magic crystal has the same components as gunpowder.
A raw magic crystal is a mix of elemental sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter (potassium nitrate). There is no definitive opinion as to what the ratios should be, and this changed dramatically from kingdoms to nations.
Only the elemental sulfur will remain in the magic crystals when the procedure is done. And this magic crystal has variational usage. Although, it should not be consumed by humans.
"This place should be perfect."
Invictus piled up some dried leaves he will use to sit down. Some tools he will need for his plan were already covered and ready to use. He just needs to crush and turn the raw magic crystals into smithereens. His aim is to turn them into much impactful gunpowder that will cause fire and hasten the blaze.
"A mortar and pestle, some coconut cover to store the crushed magic crystals, and a hassling boatload of work to do."
Motivated by the raging anger, his vengeful spirit brimming with resentment kept his hands moving, and his head focused on revenge.
"All of the plans I had in mind with my family were gone. They were crumpled instantly like a piece of paper when they killed my wife and daughter."
His work would be fifty percent easier if he had Aeriel help him. However, Invictus could not bring himself to ask the woman to burden her will only make her dirty her hands.
Invictus was a hundred percent sure that Aeriel her conscience would bug her, eat her mind away, and worst of all, Aeriel could lose her mind.
Not giving Aeriel any part in his plan was also part of his plan. Even if she wants to take revenge, he won't let her.
"Aeriel must keep her hands clean. She still has a bright future ahead of her. A young woman like her with such a unique beauty will absolutely be successful in life. Aeriel might not realize, but she has talent in painting."
One thing he adored about Aeriel is her skills in painting. Aeriel said she had never done painting before yet produced such a soulful piece using only her imagination.
Unfortunately, her works were burned along the house. Only her talent remains with her.
"When the fireworks display is over, I'd like Aeriel to pursue her painting career."