1 Decaying worm

Gile was one of the four great generals of Ateadel Kingdom. His fierce reputation was spread far and wide around neighboring kingdoms. His extraordinary power and excellent commanding abilities were feared and vastly acknowledged.

However, if the civilians saw him today, they would hardly recognize him.

His gallant figure was now as thin as a candle. His rosy complexion was replaced with sickly countenance. His dark eyebags revealed his lack of sleep.

He couldn't eat well. He couldn't sleep well. His eyes were constantly filled with tears and despair.

What could have reduced him to such a state?

The gloomy atmosphere had spread around the palace. The maids didn't dare make extra noise. Lockhart family was covered in a dreary mist.

''Master physician, is there really no way to save my son? Please, tell me a way, no matter how difficult, I'll do everything! There has to be a way, something that I can do, please...'' Gile's old hands were desperately clutching the hem of the elderly man's robes.

The physician with hunched back heaved a heavy sigh as he stared at the young man at his deathbed.

He shook his head and said heavily: ''I'm sorry, old friend. This dreadful disease is extremely queer and peculiar. There is no cure to it. It's extremely rare as well, so there are not many records on it. Sigh, it's just bad luck. We are...powerless.''

Gile's eyes turned lifeless, as he had given up all hope. He powerlessly slumped on the chair near the bed and blankly stared at his son, Leto. The pain was cutting his heart like blades, as he felt so helpless.

''Is he suffering?'' He spoke in a low voice, sounding dreadfully emotionless. He had cried until he ran out of tears. Now he was like a deflated balloon, as he had given up all hope.

The old physician was looking at the young man with eyes full of pity.

''A lot. This kind of suffering is several times more painful, then what woman experiences when giving birth.''

Gile grabbed his son's weak hand, as his red eyes were once again filled with brimming tears.

''My heart died once when Maria passed away giving birth to you. I promised her I would take care of you. If you're gone too, what do I have left? How do I live? How can I face her in the afterworld?'' He mumbled while lovingly caressing Leto's weak, unnaturally pale hands.

The old physician's nose suddenly twitched as he secretly covered his nose. The rotting stench coming from the young man was unbearable. He hesitated for a while, then came closer to Gile, patted his back and said.

''My advice is that you end his suffering early. Living in this condition...is worse than death.''

Suddenly, Gile turned his head and fixed his bloodshot eyes on him as he bellowed.

''Get out! You useless thing!'' He pushed the old man like an enraged beast.

The old physician was startled. He couldn't react to the sudden attack. Gile's palm had struck his chest and made him collide against the wall.

''You...you!'' He struggled to get up while spitting blood. Anger and indignation were written all over his face.

Gile woke up, but the deed was already done. He glared at him angrily and ultimately, didn't apologize. The old man's suggestion had outraged him.

''Good, good! You dare treat me this way! Who do you think you are?! Even the king doesn't dare displease me. I'll make you pay for this!'' Wrinkles on the old physician's face twisted like venomous snakes as he stormed out of the room. Soon, the sound of something crashing and the maid shrieking rang.

Gile ignored it all as he silently accompanied his son.

Time passed. The eventide arrived. The orange sunlight passed through the windows, partially illuminating the luxurious room.

Gile hadn't realized as another person approached from behind.

''Maybe he was right.'' A clear, melodious voice rang from behind him. Gile was motionless like a statue. He didn't react to her daughter's words.

Stella sighed. Her gorgeous face revealed distressed expression as he gazed at his father's lonely back. Her gaze shifted to her brother, her emotions complicated.

Leto was her stepbrother, from the first mother. She didn't have many good feelings about him, as he was famous for his debauchery and sloth, but father still loved him the most. She couldn't say she wasn't jealous, but still...she thought Leto didn't deserve such pitiful end.

She couldn't help but shiver as she remembered the details of the records she had found.

It appears, in the body of human lives various types of parasites and worms. Some are more or less harmful, while others are in symbiosis with human.

In human's body exists a parasite called decaying worm, which lies dormant. It only awakens when the host dies. One of the reasons for human's decay and decomposition after death has to be attributed to this worm. It rots and eats the human from the inside. This is why many disgusting worms could be found in the rotting human corpse.

In Leto's case, the decaying worm has awakened before his death. Now his body is full of dozens of disgusting worms, which are eating him from inside and draining his vitality. They exist in his blood vessels, flesh, and organs. It's impossible to get rid of them...

This is why he gives off rotting stench and the reason why some disgusting worms crawl out of his seven orifices from time to time.

It's an extremely rare and dreadful disease.

Taking a deep breath, Stella resolutely decided to persuade her father once more, as she felt pity towards his brother, who was suffering a fate even worse than death.