"Please keep this examination private from anyone." Arthur emphasized his words to the healer mage sorcerer sent by Sellia, who had just finished examining Ares' condition. "The nosebleeds won't stop. I am extremely worried about his majesty."
Ares let out a long breath, somewhat grumbling. "For heaven's sake, Arthur. Stop that attitude; you're glancing at me like I'm going to die today. It puts me in a bad mood to see you."
Arthur just shook his head, waiting for Hunt's explanation.
The power of Creighton Hunt's sorcerer healer mage, who gave off a cooling magenta-colored light, providing positive energy to dissipate the toxic pressure of the dark cursed seal, and the serious complications following the use of the Forbidden Grimoire, eating away at Ares' health until his hair turned black. "You were careless, your majesty. The dark blackbane infernal cursed seal made your health fragile; now you are adding to the burden by using illegal power. If Balthazaar and Vonstein knew this, they would be furious."
"You're just like Arthur, not helping me." Ares complained in vexation. He wanted to close his eyes in V's arms.
His longing for Valeska was deep every day, and it always felt suffocating. Ares wanted to eat V's delicious meal or cakes.
"Your hair is blackened; that means half of your life has been cut off due to awakening the Shadow Ancient Mage to open the Forbidden Grimoire portal. About your immortal ability, I can't confirm whether it has an effect. Let's just say the worst part is that, "Hunt added, worried just like Arthur. He had already found a solution to overcome the double-kill flare that often plagued Ares lately. "Maybe you will lose immunity; the ability to neutralize your poison weakens, and the Ephellem Sword might be able to kill you."
Ares let out a long breath. It was worth it to save Valeska. I'm willing to lose anything.
"Is there no way to cure His Majesty?" asked Arthur impatiently. He had no idea what to do now.
Hunt glowered at Arthur, finishing his medical therapy today. "Just like I said before, according to Falconer's divination. The only one who can heal his majesty is the owner of the power of omnipotence. If you ask me to find it, I can't. As mine does not include the power of the celestial divine. His Majesty Ares should be able to detect it. It's a legendary deity power; it might be tough to find it, or it might not exist in this world at all."
Ares's brows knitted, "Hunt, if there is a mortal human having a celestial soul life?"
Hunt was staggered, somewhat flabbergasted. "Why do you ask that?" then he scoffed ticklishly, feeling strange. "Human? A mortal being? That's impossible, your majesty."
"I saw and have met her. What do you think makes me use illegal dark magic power, awakening the Shadow Ancient Mage to open the portal?"
"Dear me," Hunt closed his mouth. He turned to look at Arthur again, who nodded his head—confirming Hunt's guess. "Don't tell me, you? So, is she here? In the Netherworld? Who?!"
Arthur stepped on Hunt's foot so that he would stop asking questions about it and glared at him. "'Confidential; no one is allowed to know about it. If something leaks out, you dare to tell others. You will die!"
Hunt grimaced in exasperation. "How long have we known each other? Do you doubt me?" He hissed, pulling out tiny bottles filled with magenta-colored liquid. "Never mind, I have to hurry back to Sellia. Professor Magnus will finish me off for staying away too long and leaving the classes at Sellia Academy empty. Here's the antidote; use it only when the glorious flare strikes. I'll make more; I'll send you the extras later. I emphasize this is only a therapeutic remedy to reduce symptoms, and soreness. If you are in a coma or suspended animation, this will not help. I cannot be sure how long your Majesty's period of tranquility will last. I hope that you can find the owner of the power of Omnipotence as soon as possible—as only she can heal you and save you from death."
***
"YOUR MAJESTY, THIS IS CRITICAL MATTERS!" Harel Sykes rushed into Ares' work chambers; in such a hurry, he broke down the door. Too late, he kneeled down to pay his respects with bated breath.
Arthur rebuked wrathfully. "What the hell is going on?! What do you think you're doing, huh?! Where are your ethics?"
"I'm sorry!" Harel panted, getting up slowly—feeling his legs were so weak it was as if he had just been hit by a blunt object. His face was as white as cotton. "I panicked too much. There's urgent news from Elder Scarfox's council."
"What else do they want?" Ares clucked, appalled at being checking the perimeter magic book reports of the Watchers.
"Your coronation is suspended, Your Majesty!" Harel added in a voice shaking. He swallowed hard as if a gigantic thorn had jabbed him in the throat.
Arthur glared in disbelief, and Ares gasped. A strange, tense silence evaporated on the surface of the air.
"Suspended how?!" Arthur remarked, extremely irked. The veins of outrage protruded all the way to his neck. "The crown prince of the Alverton empire is His highness Ares Halvard Constantine. The emperor's throne is, of course, his! What's the problem?! The Golden Order has supported his coronation."
"Scarfox found an official will from the late his majesty Raziel; it concerns you and the imperial throne. You are requested to appear at Scarfox's town hall now." Harel replied through an apologetic tone, his eyes getting misty. "Urgent matters."
"A will?" Arthur muttered in perplexity. This was unprecedented in the history of the Alverton empire. "Your Majesty, how? What are you going to do?"
"If the will has the official seal of father and mother on it, then it is valid." Ares replied, trying to remain calm. He was unaware of what Raziel was planning to do to him; even after his death, Raziel never stopped giving Ares a hard time.
Tsk! How could you... What else do you want from me? I won so many wars, opening up all the roads like a ravenous monster for them to only bow down to you. Isn't it enough that you destroyed me and my mother?!
"We're leaving." Ares rose to his feet, the perimeter report magic book sent through the Watchers' teleportation gate floating in the air, moving to close and stack on the edge of the table neatly.
Arthur took Ares' regal coat and helped him put it on. They walked out in a haste to Scarfox's town hall.
"Too bad, brother. Your coronation has been postponed. I hope you're not too heartbroken." Prince Cassius barked out a strange laugh, appearing behind the corridors of the main palace.
Ares halted but did not move. Reluctant to ignore Cassius' words. Then Ares gave him the silent treatment. It was useless to argue with Cassius; there was no point.
Ares walked again.
"Of course!" Cassius added, not caring about Ares' cold and smug attitude. Cassius' voice echoed down the hallway until it was heard throughout the palace. "There will be no people who want a tyrannical monster like you, brother, to occupy the throne of this empire. You think the people who lost their families—their wives, their children, their husbands—who were innocent of all of your actions—can forgive and accept you as the future emperor? They clearly condemn and want you to die on the gallows!"
"Your highness!" Arthur admonished Cassius to stop his insulting remarks. "I beg you, don't go too far!"
Cassius folded his arms across his chest, shrugged his shoulders, and smiled strangely. Continuing to corner Ares. "I'm just talking facts, isn't that right? Do I need to remind you how many victims have fallen because of his madness? It turns out that my father loves me more than the son of a mistress, compared to the brother who was born to the Queen Reign Mother, huh?"
"Enough, prince Cassius!" Grand Duke Delroy warned Cassius through a husky voice. He passed to meet Ares. "Already, stop it. Don't talk like that to His Highness. It's not good for others to hear."
Ares glanced sharply through his murderous eyes, lashing out at Cassius. Smiling like a demon, a maniac. He spoke in a challenging tone. "So, what if I'm a tyrant? What are your contributions and achievements in Alverton? How many wars have you won? If I rule by bloodshed? If I get the throne by imposing the will of all the people of Alverton, what will you do, huh?"
Cassius growled in exasperation. His spleen held back as he could not answer. "What did you say?!"
Ares smiled smugly. "Why would I listen to the son of a thief and destroyer of other people's families? Mother and son are both shameless usurpers!"
***