Chapter 8: Dark Magic
Chapter 8: Dark Magic
As the carriage got farther away from my residence, I felt annoyed. I missed my wife, but I had to take care of my duties as a newly appointed Duke. Can I not have a vacation I could sweetly spend with my dangerous wife? These people are indeed irritating.
The emperor loves wealth and power, and as the one governing the whole empire, he couldn’t overlook even the tiniest matter as it could expand to a huge one. The rampant beasts have yet to calm down, aside from the fact that I have sealed the Demon in Northern Mountains, there was no certain that it was the ‘Darkness’ since its power was weaker than the rumored power. It does sound crazy, likewise feeling, however, if the real Darkness comes around, the whole empire might shut down and everyone will die; no one is excluded.
Upon arriving at my destination, I went directly to the emperor and bowed before him.
“The Empire’s Sun, Your Majesty, the Emperor. Upon your call, I am here.”
He smiled at me, motioning that I get up. “Duke Valkyrine, I called you here right after your wedding, my apologies.”
“Please, don’t be, Your Majesty. I am well aware of the situation in the borderline.”
He nodded his head, standing up from his throne and walking towards me. I glanced at his hand that he placed on my shoulder and spoke, “You did well. The situation there had been steady, and the army has been making progress on giving shelter to those homeless.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty. I just did what I could.”
He lowered his hand and crossed his hands, “With your help, the crisis has been prevented and we again, have been saved by you. However, as the beasts’ increases, I couldn’t say for sure if the people in the West Border were safe until now.”
“I got a report just this morning that they were fine, and only a small casualty.”
“Right, the beasts’ attack there was unexpected. Duke… Do you think the Darkness is involved in this?”
I frowned. That had been my thought. The beasts wouldn’t have been this aggressive unless something triggered them to do so, and only the Dark Mages and Darkness could control such a number of beasts.
I shook my head, “I am yet to pick up evidence about that, Your Majesty. I, too, am wondering why defeating the Demon in the North was so easy. There might be something behind that.”
He nodded his head, approving of my words. He then returned to his seat and pondered for a while. It had been a year since the beasts made such a ruckus to every borderline, and even to some villages. These attacks were of different timelines, however, if opposite, I fear that even if the manpower included the armies of the Imperial Family, safety and victory couldn’t be assumed.
The beasts are aggressive and stronger than a knight. As such, it would be too dangerous to set up a plan without knowing the traces of the mastermind of these beasts. The beasts and humans never had a discord with each other which makes it worse.
“After the army in the Southern Borderline was done, they’d return and until then, I could give you that short time to spend with your wife.”
I thought he’d give me a mission, fortunately, he didn’t, or I’d rebel against them.
“Your benevolence is beyond, Your Majesty. I, then, shall take my leave.”
If indeed my assumption was correct, the people in this empire are in danger and I don’t have that much power to save them all. The results also vary if the beasts that attacked were of high level or not, otherwise, the result would be unimaginable. Was Father attacked by a High Level beast, too?
I should find his body quicker.
“Duke.”
Suddenly, a welcoming voice reached my ears. I bowed before him, “The Empire’s future Sun, Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
He smiled, “Such manners, Duke. Stop being so formal with me.”
I looked around and responded, “We’re in public, Your Highness.”
Even when the Crown Prince, Louis Belgium Alexander, his personality didn’t change. He still complained about the endless studies, his responsibilities, and the need to find his Crown Princess. I pity that he couldn’t even retaliate since as far as I know, he loves someone else.
He tilted his head, “When you greet me, it makes my skin shiver from fright. Anyhow, how was the wedding?”
I smiled, “It was fine. Why did you not attend?”
He shrugged his shoulders, “I went back from visiting someone just today, I had no time to go yesterday.”
The one he visited must be the woman he loved, Evangeline Grace, from the family of a baron, likely to be a commoner. As the Imperial Palace doesn’t accept a woman of low status, the Crown Prince must be feeling heartbroken. Nonetheless, he could help her attain a higher status. He is still the Crown Prince.
I scoffed. “It was my wedding, and you didn’t even attend, how ridiculous.”
He teasingly punched me and reasoned, panicking, “I-I couldn’t help it, my father also told me to visit Village Elukha as someone reported that a Dark Magic was seen.”
My interest was piqued. Dark Magicians didn’t intend to show themselves since they knew they’d be caught taking people’s lives in order to acquire a higher level of cultivation.
“Oh? Finally, a Dark Magician arrived. Did you catch someone?”
Louis shook his head, annoyed, and motioned for me to walk with him. “I did, but it was strange that he killed himself.”
“Why did you not prevent it?”
He sneered, “I did. But he still died, and when I investigated, someone had put a seal on him. Dark Magic is involved, this matter is not small, Zaren.”
I dismissed his words, “After my men return, I’ll report whatever happens. My wife is waiting for me, I must get going now, Your Highness.”
Louis tried to stop me, but I had no motive for not going. I have been out for a long time; I wonder how my wife is doing. Suddenly, I halted. Why are my thoughts only her?