CHATTER CHATTER CHATTER
The sun was high in the sky and the people were still abuzz. Rumors and gossip were adrift in the air, nobles and merts talking about the ret happenings out in the open as they watched judgement fall upon the sinners.
The Court Trial is now adjourned and in an overwhelming turn of events, the King has won the feud, his allies celebrating his victory with smiles on their faces. A new era has e for the Kingdom, times of peace soon approag.
As for the Duke who has itted such crimes, he will be stripped of his title and authority, all of his properties would be fiscated by the Kingdom. Lastly, he will be fag execution uhe guillotine, his head to be decapitated.
"Y... Your Majesty... W... We are free nht?"
"That's right... Just like we promised, we have testified against the Duke."
"Your Majesty, is there any way we save our titles?"
Even then, even as they saw the Duke getting puhe other involved ill dared to approach the King with ill iions, pretentious and ridiculous smiles on their faces, trying to gain the King's favor by ag politely.
After all, the King did promise them to spare their lives so long as they testify against the Duke in Court. However, as if being spared was not enough, they wanted even more, hoping to get to the King's good side just by ag friendly.
Unfortunately for them, the King was not buying it. He erson only merciful to those who deserved it and cruel to those who dares to harm his precious Kingdom. For itting such heinous crimes, there was niveness.
"Guards, escort them out and make sure they're fortable." ［Philip］
"O-Ohhh! Thank you very much, Your Majesty! We will always beー Huh?"
The Baron couldn't even finish his words, the Royal Guards standing in their ways as they approached the King. They were like high and mighty walls, not letting even a lone fly in, their eyes glimmering with adamant resolution.
"Yes, make yourselves fortable and enjoy the rest of the day... After all, this will be your st day in this world. Make your time t." ［Philip］
"H... Huh...? Your Majesty, what do youー"
CLICK CLACK CLACK CLACK
It all happened so fast, the nobles couldn't eve to what was happening. Before they even noticed, they were already cuffed, intimidating knights by their sides, ready to throw them into prison and dragging them away from the King's presence.
"H-Hey! What are you doing?! Unhand me! I said, unhand me!"
"Y-Your Majesty! This is not what you promised! Your Majesty!"
They yapped and they barked, however, it was futile. The moment they allied with the Duke was the moment their fate had been decided. It would be their st day in the world, the sharp bde of the guillotine awaiting them as soon as night falls.
It is going to be a cold and gloomy night, blood shed throughout the Royal Castle as several noble households would be razed to the ground. It was a day of purification, all sinners and criminals to be judged by the heavy and merciless sword of justice
The King took a final look at the Duke, now cuffed and about to be sent to prison. He never really liked him, but had he used his power and authority for the greater good, he would have made the Kingdom a better pce.
However, they just don't happen to walk the same path. The same could also be said to the other Lt. Generals who took his side. While their abilities could be a great help to the Kingdht now, they are far too dangerous to be left alone.
"Hrettable..." ［Philip］
"Hm? Are you pitying them, Your Majesty?" ［thia］
"No, that is not it. The one I am pitying is our Kingdom. Had we had better leaders in the past, this would not have happened. It is upsetting." ［Philip］
"I see... Your Majesty is right. It truly is," ［thia］
The King mumbled under his breath and the knights heeded his words. They also felt the same way about the Kingdom, pitying the citizens for being uyrannic rule for far too long. It to them to make a ge and create a better future.
Whilst they were pting on themselves, the Duke had finally e into terms with reality. He raised his head and looked at the King with hostility. The once savage and reckless prince had now grown up to be a King, a rge thorn in his side.
He could have eliminated him wheill didn't have any powers to resist, however, he was far too greedy for results and was blinded by his greed. There was no use regretting it now. All he could do is strike back while still .
"Kuku... Kukuku... Kuhahaha! Hahahaha! Hahahaha!" ［Arsn］
A maniacal and hysterical ughter filled the air, the Duke ughing like a fool as he looked at the King. Any and every little thing he worked so hard to achieve was now being trampled on the ground, disregarded by all who were present.
"Do you really think this is really over, Your Majesー No! Philip?! Do you really think I would lose like this?! I have already prepared termeasures in pce! Look around you! Whatー no, who do you think is missing?!" ［Arsn］
"If you're talking about your merary, you don't o fret about it. I'll find him soon enough and send him along with you reuogether in hell," ［Philip］
"Hell... Kukuku... Kukuku... Kuhahaha! Hahaha! Hell! I like the sound of that, Philip! That has a nice ring to it!" ［Arsn］
He had fully gone insane, ughing again and again as he exged words with the King. He has gone hysterical, all eyes falling on him as he ughed as if there was no tomorrow. An evil aermined grin soon sprouting in his face.
"The's fall to hell together, Philip!" ［Arsn］
Decred the Duke as he raised his hands to the air, a loud voiing throughout the Court as he pulled mana from his heart. The ring in his finger shoh a bright, blue glint, turning red as soon as mana was io it.
"Piper! Now!" ［Arsn］
The Duke yelled his words oh loud, the sound of shattering gss following it as the ring in his finger shattered. It wasn't just any simple ring, but an ented ring which sends a signal to another ring as soon as mana oured into it and it was broken,
As for where the other ring was, it was located very far away, approximately about 5 kilometers. It was in the hands of a young manー no, a young-looking man, a smile blooming on his face as soon the ring on his side broke as well.
"And here I thought you'd never call me..." ［Piper］
Mumbled the man to himself as he crushed the ring into finer powder a scatter in the air. He then reached his hands out before, a storm of mana swirling before him, densing into a spear of light, glimmering a warm, golden glow.
He ched his fist ahe spear tightly, pting his other foot firmly before him. He soon drew back the spear of light, p every bit of strength towards the bright and howling spear, poiowards the Court just before the Royal Castle.
The spear tio out and mana tio dehe spear glowing ever so radiantly with every bit of sand trig down the hss. His smile bloomed even brighter, a deafening explosion following a streak of gold.
??Golden Ray: Burst Nova!?? ［Piper］
Thunder resohroughout the nds, and a golden spear streaked across the Royal Capital like a bolt of lightning falling from the heavens. It headed straight to the Court, targeting the very pce where the Duke and the others could be found.
"Attaing! Everybody, brace yourselves!" ［Grey］
There was no time to waste. As soon as Grey and Yuna noticed the massive amount of mana ing their way, they immediately jumped from the beams they had been from and stood before everyone else, a barrier erected soon after.
BOOOOOMMM RUMMBBBLLLEEEE CRASH CRASH CRASH
It was a direct hit, the spear colliding with the barrier, sparks of light swallowing the whole pd strong gusts of wind bursting forth at its wake. The whole court's front side crumbled from the sheer force, debris falling oer another.
Luckily for everyone, Grey and Yuna were present and quickly erected a barrier before the spear would even strike. It was all thanks to them that no one was hurt, people only shocked and fused by what just happened.
It was quickly averted, however, a smile remained on the Duke's face. In the short amount of time they were distracted, the enemy High-Rankers quickly grabbed the opportunity and shook themselves free of their grasps.
They flicked their fingers and ons materialized from their ste things. A pair of spiky metal maces appeared on the hands of the man, whilst a durable longbow, shimmering like the night sky as arrows of mana was loaded into it.
Both of them rushed towards the Duke's side, releasing the tter from his cuffs and raising their ons towards their ehey were already surrounded, but not one of them refused to give up, fmes still burning in their eyes.
"Hahaha! It's not over yet, Philip! No matter what happens, if I ot have this Kingdom, then I will just have to raze it to the ground!" ［Arsn］
"Cease the foolish resistance, Arsn! We already have you surrounded! No matter what you do, you will only make things worse for you!" ［Philip］
"Kukuku... Foolish...? Kukuku... What admirable words..." ［Arsn］
All eyes were on him, Gael secretly enjoying the show as murmurs and gossip flew left and right. All of the sudden, the Duke suddenly pulled something out of his ste ring, a strange pill with peculiar markings all over it.
Most of the people present didn't know what it was, but to those who did, their eyes all widening in shock as they wallowed in disbelief. It was the Dark Moon's Pearlー No, it wasn't like the Dark Moon's pearl they had seen before them.
What was before them was the final and plete pearl which could turn someoo a demon in just a matter of moments. It roduct made from a pool of flesh and blood, thousands of lives sacrificed to make it. The fruits of evil.
"Let's see who is foolish now, Philip!" ［Arsn］
"No! Don't let him e it! Stop him!" ［Philip］
The King screamed his order with much desperation, everyone rushing towards the Duke with their ons now uhed. The same went for the enemies, both the man and the young dy readying their ons.
However, the enemies' struggle was futile. Before the enemy High-Rankers could even make a move, the General and Captain of the Royal Guards already rushed towards them and drove them towards the er, the others defleg their attacks.
As for the Duke, he was left towards the Royal Guards, their bdes and swords poiowards him. They filled their ons with magic, stabbing the Duke the very same time he swallowed the atrocious and forbidden pearl.
"Kuaaakkkkk!!" ［Arsn］
The Duke mao ihe pearl, however, a spear had already pierced his heart and a sword had already cut off its head. A fountain of blood spshed around the floor, dyeing the once white floors into an ominous red color.
It wasn't long before the Duke's heart stopped pumping, his body falling towards the ground without aance. Silence filled the air as the crisis was averted, the King soon heaving a lengthy sighー or at least, he was going to.
Thump... Thump... THUMP... THUMP... THUMP THUMP THUMP
However, everything was still far from over, a vicious and heinous smile blooming on Gael's face like a poisonous flower. The drug had taken effed the Duke's heart started to beat once again, pumping faster and faster like a galloping stallion.
The Royal Guards were armed by the sudden and ued situation, but it didn't take long before they snapped back to reality, gripping their bdes tightly once more to finish everything ond for all. However it was already far too te.
BOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMM
They couldn't even brandish their ons, a turbulent and violent storm of mana f around them and exploding soon after. The Royal Guards were bsted away from the Duke, debris scattered around as clouds of dust formed.
The impossible finally happehe body of the dead Duke slowly rising from the ground. It stood ominously, its figure veiled in a curtain of dust, subtle steps ringing throughout the air as it took its steps amongst the rubble.
It slowly walked towards its bald and decapitated head, then pig it up ever so casually. Blood shed out like creepy tentacles, reag out towards the head as if they were alive. Before long, it reattached the decapitated head to the body.
"Th-The Duke survived! I-It's a miracle!"
"No! Look closely! That's not a miracle! The Duke had turned into a monster!"
"R-Run away! A monster has been born! Run for your lives!"
Panid chaos ran rampant all throughout the pce as the Duke came back to the nd of the living. He was no longer human, possessing forbidden powers no different to that of a monster's. He has bee a demon, eyes bloodshot as be.
As if amused by its own power, the Duke observed its physical dition first, its eyes scrutinizing his arms and body, and his arms feeling whether his neck had really beeached. Well, it wasn't only him himself...
??Appraisal?? ［Grey］
-----------------------------------
[Demon]
[Name]Arsn til Schemer
[Race]Human
[Sex]Male
[Age]56
[Status]Healthy, Destabilizing
[Mana Capacity]1,436 [Mana Quality]F
[bat Power]212 [Threat Level]E
[Attribute]Null [Magic Proficy]...
[Css]Swordsman [on Proficy]Basic (8%)
[Physical Enha]21%
[Ability]...
-----------------------------------
Though the Duke's proficies haven't improved, the same couldn't be said about his Mana Capacity and Physical Enha. From a measly H-ranker who couldn't even wield a sword properly, he has now bee a monstrous E-ranker.
Of course, E-rank wasn't much to look at. However, just the fact alohat it made him reach such a rank in an instant was enough for everyoo be shocked. If os his hands on such drugs, he could easily create an iructible army.
"Kukuku! This power! This incredible strength! Kuhahaha! My body had never felt aer! Is this what it means to be powerful?!" ［Arsn］
And like any other viliarts monologuing as soon as he gets his power-up. He was just an E-ranker, but he already felt like he was oop of the world. There was a horrendous smile blooming on his face as all eyes directed at him.
"Kukuku! I'm ing for you, Philip!" ［Arsn］
Still drunk on his newfound powers, the Duke immediately rushed towards the King without any preparations. He brandished his hands, filled with mana, ying waste to the already ruined court as he rampaged without a care.
However, it wasn't like the King had any pns on just lying down. He immediately retrieved his sword from the ste ring and uhed it without a sed thought. He soon blocked the attacks without any difficulties.
"Grey, Yuna, I will leave the evacuation to you!" ［Philip］
"You rest assured, Your Majesty." ［Grey］
Grey and Yuna also wao help out, however, the safety of the citizens es first. Before they could head into battle, they quickly led away the i nobles and the Judge away from the ruined court.
After which, it was their responsibility to activate the defensive meisms they had painstakingly deployed all throughout the Capital. They must make haste and finish everything by then before the smiling madman makes things even worse.
Well, it wasn't like they were the only ones smiling. The same also goes for the two enemy High-Rankers currently being held down by the General and the Captain of the Royal Guards, happy to see the pill actually worked.
"Do you really have time to be distracted now, Dougs?" ［???］
"!!!ー Haksen, you bastard, how did...!" ［Dougs］
One of the enemy High-Rankers, Haksen, didn't waste any opportunity and quickly took the pill whilst Dougs, the one pinning him down, was still distracted. The tter tried to stop him as soon as he could, However...
??Golden Ray: Burst Nova!?? ［Piper］
... He could even brandish his sword, a ray of golden light bolting towards him at incredible speeds. It was already too te for him to react. Thankfully, the General was there to deflect the attack for him, brandishing her spear with all her might.
The golden spear's trajectory was bent upwards, a loud explosiing in the air as soon as the spear pierced through the Court's ceiling. Had it struck the Captain of the Guards instead, he would have suffered a severe wound.
"Piper! You damn bastard! Show yourself!" ［thia］
"Huhuhu! How harsh of you, General. Is that how you greet someone you haven't met for a long time? I feel hurt." ［Piper］
Another character appeared in the court, light steps eg all throughout the now broken halls. He was the one who threw the spear before, proudly appearing before the crowd as if he was a mere observer atg a grand show.
He was a man with a geous fad well-built body whom any dy would fall for. The only problem was that there was a rge scar streaking across his left eye, barely covered by ach. A scar from the burning fmes of hell.
"You...! You still dared to appear before me?! Have you already fotten what happehe st time we met?!" ［thia］
"Oh my, how could I fet such a memorable day? After all, you gave me such a wonderful present, did you not?" ［Piper］
Replied the man as he touched the scar on his face, a sinister smile breaking from his lips. It was a smile he earned during the Civil War whilst he battled against the General, the searing pain still etched into his memories up until the present.
He was a man wanted for several crimes all throughout the try, yet he has yet to be arrested. They already khat he was w with the Duke as a merary, yet they still couldn't prove it... Up until now, that is.
"Well, while I am delighted to meet you again,.. Don't you think there is something else more important you o pay attention to?" ［Piper］
"What do youー !!! No! Dammit!!" ［thia］
Saving the Captain of the Royal Guards was the right choice, however, it could also be sidered a foolish decision. The General had only realized such a fact far too te, a regretful se greeting her as soon as she turned her head around.
It wasn't just Haksen, but the dy with her as well. They both ied the pearls as soon as they could, not letting aerfere with them. It sted all but a short moment, explosions of mana soon after.
BOOOOMMM BOOOOMMMM CRASH CRASH THUD
Debris flew left and right as they transformed into demons, turbulent storms of mana swirling in the air as thick veils of dust and pebbles scattered all throughout the Court. It was a se of havoc, destru looming near.
The rampage of mana soon calmed down and the clouds of dust soon cleared out. Two figures stood with pride in the ter of it all, white scleras now turned bck, irises red as red as freshly drawn blood. They have turned into demons.
-----------------------------------
[Demon]
[Name]Malia til Delvale
[Race]Human
[Sex]Female
[Age]43
[Status]Healthy, Stable
[Mana Capacity]3,004 [Mana Quality]B
[bat Power]4,537 [Threat Level]A
[Attribute]Null [Magic Proficy]High (58%)
[Css]Archer [on Proficy]High (56%)
[Physical Enha]75%
[Ability]cealment (3☆)
-----------------------------------
[Demon]
[Name]Haksen til Arlshide
[Race]Human
[Sex]Male
[Age]41
[Status]Healthy, Stable
[Mana Capacity]3,021 [Mana Quality]B
[bat Power]4,602 [Threat Level]A
[Attribute]Wind [Magic Proficy]High (56%)
[Css]Berserker [on Proficy]High (58%)
[Physical Enha]76%
[Ability]Bck Wind (3☆)
-----------------------------------
Not just any demons, but very powerful o that. They have leaped a whole rank to the higher-ends of A-rank, now pletely dominating the Captain of the Royal Guards. With the two of them, even the General will have a hard time.
The two of them didn't waste any time and quickly tested out their newfound powers. A quick swipe of their hands and violent gales shed out all over the already ruined Court, smiles blooming all over their sinister faces.
"Hey, General! Why don't we py a little?!" ［Haksen］
"That's right! Let's see hant you are now!" ［Malia］
It was all too sudden, the two demons springing up towards the General and shing out with magic time and time again. Haksen pouowards her and swung both his maces, whilst Malia shot her arrows, letting them pour like a storm.
The Captain of the Royal Guards wao help out, but with his bat Power as it is, he will only be a hindraowards the General. All he could do was ch his fist in silend bme himself for being weak.
"Sucks to be powerless, doesn't it?" ［Piper］
"Haha... You sure have a big mouth... Don't worry, I will be fag you myself. I'll make sure to shut that filthy mouth of yours." ［Dougs］
"Huhuhu! How cute... However, I'm afraid I won't be able to py with you... After all... You'll be getting quite busy..." ［Piper］
The man finished his words with a rge smile, then raising his hands and showing a simir ring the Duke had words before. However, u, it wasn't just tied to a single receiver, but dozensー no, hundreds of them...
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM
As soon as he poured mana into it and broke the ring, a cacophony of thundering explosions reverberated all over the Royal Capital, ruin spreading all throughout the pce like wildfire, eurning into demons oer another.
The Duke had already distributed the Dark Moon Pearls to his subordinates and had them scatter throughout the Royal Capital. As soon as Piper gave the signal, they all took their pills and turned into ferocious demons oer another.
There weren't just normal people, but affiliated knights aes as well. There were also the k officers on their sides, turning into B-rank demons as soon as they took the pill. It was utter and plete mayhem.
"Kukuku! How do you like our surー Huh?" ［Piper］
WHOONG WHOONG WHOONG WHOONG WHOONG
However, unfortunately for the ehey weren't the only ones who came up with a pn. As soon as demons appeared, beas of light shoowards the sky and marked all the locations they appeared at...
ROOOOAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRR
What followed after andemonium of roars, several ptinum figures s throughout the skies and taking it for themselves. They fpped their wings and gusts of wind blew away the clouds, baring their fangs towards the enemy.
They were beas which would guide the familiars to the locations of the demons and hunt them down before they could even cause any further damage. It was Grey and Yuna's pn which took them several sleepless nights to work on.
"What was it you were saying again... Ah, right... How do you like our surprise, you scar-faced bastard?" ［Grey］
Speaking of Grey and Yuna, the two had just finished evacuating the is and have already deployed the barrier around the Court. Even if the eried to escape, they would only be met by an adamant, invisible force.
"You go now, Sir Dougs. Leave the rest to us." ［Yuna］
"... Uood... I wish you luck." ［Dougs］
A light tap on the shoulder and a firm nod in response. With Grey and Yuna now taking over the role, Dougs quickly said his farewell and helped out with the extermination of demons, leaving clouds of dust in his wake.
As frey and Yuna, they both remaianding still, silening around them and calm expressions painted on their faces. They soon looked at the scarred man before them, eyes gleaming cold and sharp.
"Now then... How would you like to get beaten up, punk." ［Grey］
CHAPTER 427 END
