Chapter 106: Emperor's Authority

The camp was awake and lively since the break of dawn. Breakfast was done early and all soldiers were garbed in their now iconic black uniform.

Zenith stepped out of his tent with his usually stoic face. Vincent and I waited for him before we were to set off.

"Have a safe trip inside," Zenith put his hand forward. "I wish for a quick and safe return for the three of you,"

"Keep the camp safe, kiddo,"

For the first time, I saw a smile break on his face. "Must I always remind you that I am as old as Vincent?"

Vincent, bewildered by the revelation, took a step back and stared with astonishment.

"You're the same age as me!?" He exclaimed.

"Due to my lifestyle, I barely grew above my adolescent height," Zenith explained with a smile.

Though I was not taken aback by his age, I was taken aback by his smile. It was the first time I had noticed a genuine smile on him.

"We should get going now," I said, averting my gaze from Zenith.

Vincent turned around quickly and began marching away. Zenith noticed his odd behaviour and shook his head.

"Sometimes I wonder how we are the same age," He muttered as he let go of my hand.

"Well, I shouldn't waste time either," I said, softly chuckling.

"Right, farewell then!"

I turned around and caught up to Vincent. Though anxious at first, he was eager to explore the cave by morning.

No one has entered the cave in six days now. Nearly a week. Casualties are none, as far as we know.

"Hey, Felix," Vincent said as we stood in front of the dark entrance. "Do you care for anyone special in this world?"

"Not at all," I smirked and answered.

"Who should I bring your body to if you meet an unpredicted end?"

"Lay my body out into the ocean on a longboat, let it float wherever the sea takes me,"

Vincent smiled before breaking into a small giggle. He didn't speak further, only swinging his unsheathed sword onto his shoulder and staring at the entrance.

"Let's go in," He said, taking the first steps to enter.

Without thinking twice, I stepped forward as well. The cave has a bizarre barrier of darkness, almost like an opaque barrier that you can phase through with ease.

As soon as we entered, a disgusting stench lingered in my nose. The smell of blood and corpses hadn't left the cave still.

Luckily though, torches were set up around the cave. They made the cave visible inside. Other than the bright light that came from outside.

"The first four floors are clear," I told Vincent. "We can be at ease but never careless,"

"Good point," He agreed. "I doubt all the monsters are yet to be gone,"

Vincent and I walked together, following the straight path ahead. It lead to a spiralling slope that went down four floors.

The cave was illuminated with a blue hue. Only the first tunnel was pure darkness, which needed to be lit up by torches.

Most of the cave was lit up by a glowing crystal. They are useful in creating light sources. Though it is common to find such crystals, they still go for a hefty price.

***

An eerie silence was inside the cave. The only sound we could hear was our own footsteps echoing around the walls. The rest of the cave was just a hollow, lifeless area.

It didn't take long for us to reach the fourth floor. We saw the only tunnel that lead somewhere.

We followed through with it, noticing the smell disappearing. The least amount of fighting must've taken place here.

"This is… horrifying…" Vincent muttered as we stepped out of the tunnel.

It was a huge dome-shaped cave, filled with the carcass of giant ants and centipedes. The numbers exceeded over a thousand. There is no way a man can take this many.

Yet, Artorius managed to fight through this hoard. No sign of him or his body.

Suddenly, a strange but obvious realization came to me. He was not alone when he left. He was with Amelia.

The dynamic duo had taken out this entire swarm. I doubt it took them more than thirty minutes.

"Look there," I pointed my sword to another tunnel. "They must've gone through that,"

"Right…" He said, sounding more nervous by the passing minute.

We walked through the cemetery of insects, stepping over the bodies and trying to mind our steps. It was a difficult journey crossing the sea to the tunnel.

As we made it, we looked back once more, memorising the sight in our mind once and for all. Not only was this a show of power, but it was a message to whoever wished to fight him.

"Felix… Do you think this was all Artorius' doing?" Vincent asked with his voice wavering in fear.

"Not at all," I answered. "He has Amelia, remember?"

"True, but I doubt Artorius would let a dragon outshine him,"

"What makes you say that?" I asked back.

"He's stood against death itself," He explained. "Remember? He always talked about Mori and how arrogant he acted with him?"

Vincent restarted my memory and made me remember what Artorius truly was. He was a man who spoke to death itself.

"You're right…" I said softly. "A lot of this must've been Artorius' doing then,"

We walked out of the tunnel and were faced with another horrific sight. Corpses of Cave wolves littered another dome-shaped chamber. The floor was dried with blood and larva had started to grow in the insides of the dead wolves.

Vincent, not being able to handle the sight, turned away from horror.

"What an absolute beast," I shake my head. "He has no hold of himself, does he?"

"Amadeus should be glad Artorirus took over this cave," Vincent powered through and spoke out.

Once again, I spot another tunnel. Most of this cave is just tunnels that led to somewhere, usually a dome-like chamber, which led to another tunnel. Repeated till who knows.

"Follow me," I told Vincent before starting my stride forward.

Vincent tried his best and carefully walked with me, following every footstep I took. It didn't take long till we entered the tunnel.

This time, however, the tunnel was not just a straight one. As we went further into it, we realised it was more of a maze than a proper tunnel.

"Shit," Vincent muttered. "We might get lost,"

"Not at all," I sniffed and answered. "There's a vivid smell that some of the tunnels don't have,"

"What do you mean?" Vincent scratched his head with his sword.

"It's the same smell that was in the cemetery of Cave wolves,"

In a strange way to put it, my sense of smell is strangely strong and can smell the odour from far away. If I am certain, this smell should lead us to the right path.

I walked in confidence as Vincent followed me with uncertainty. Though he is left with no choice but to follow me.

"How sure are you!?" Vincent panicked and screamed. "I feel like we are going in circles!"

"Just follow me!" I shouted back at him. "If we get lost, you may as well kill me in this maze and be lost!"

"You bet I will!"

The smell led us to another cave. But this time, I saw a white creature in front of us.

Vincent noticed as well. We both slowed down our pace and walked slowly towards it. We had no doubt it was a large beast. If Artorius were to come here, he must've faced off this.

The closer we got to it, the faster my heart began to beat. This would make or break this entire journey.

If this creature were to be the one to end Artorius, we both would be its next target.

"How on earth…" I muttered as I saw what it was.

A soulless furry creature lay dead on the floor. It was as big as the cave, nearly taking up all the space.

The Alpha wolf. It leads the pack of Cave wolves that scavenge the caves for food. It usually lays dormant, only waking up to feast every week.

But, it was slain with ease. A large gaping scratch lay across its face and stomach. A terrible smell came off it as it lay dead.

"He killed it…" Vincent barely sounded. "How…"

"It was not him, it was Amelia,"

Vincent noticed the scars, realising that no human could ever scar them in such a way.

Though, it is Artorius we are talking about. The possibility isn't impossible.

AMADEUS' POV

A soft breeze of air blew past my face. Under the summer sun, a cool breeze is always a nice treat.

I was en route to the camp. I expected Artorius' return soon. Since I decided to send him in, I also wished to receive him. Like a parent who sent their child off to an educational institute.

"We are almost at the camp, your majesty," Sylas notified me from the chauffeur's seat.

I turned to my right and see the camp. A wall made of spiked wooden logs. It was a tall wall that protected the well-sized camp.

The carriage was being escorted by horsemen. They surrounded the carriage in the back and front.

All of the paths were cleared of any traffic. It would only open up after I had made it to my destination.

"Sylas, could you recall the recent report from the camp?" I asked while staring at the camp.

"Recent report shows no signs of Artorius' return. After the sudden fire, Sir Vincent and Sir Felix wished to bring Artorius back,"

"Any casualties?"

"Not at all, your majesty," Sylas shook his head.

No one has been killed since Artorius entered. Just what I wished to hear.

My only fear now is hearing of Artorius' death. If he were to die, it would be difficult to lean on someone, someone as strong as him.

There's only one Artorius in this world, only one who can be as powerful in strength as he can be in politics. If I play my cards right and keep him on my side, he would be a great asset in my court.

The carriage turns and exits the main road, entering a dirt path that led towards the camp.

A few horsemen behind us stay behind and block the path. No one is allowed to enter the road as long as I am here.

Using an open-top carriage feels quite revealing, yet it is the most refreshing. Even at the cost of high risk, it is my favourite to use in times like this.

The gates to the camp open as they see the entourage come. Men stood at the post, holding crossbows and standing firmly. They were in uniform rather than armour. For a minute, I mistook them for high ranks.

It was Artorius' elite force. They are supposedly the strongest in the land, far stronger than any royal guard.

After a rather short trip, I made it to the camp. My presence made all the soldiers stop in their tracks. Most were lounging and relaxing. As soon as my carriage entered, they all stood in silence, staring as I stepped down.

"Where is the man in charge?" I asked Sylas.

"He's in that tent," He pointed forward.

It was a well-sized tent. It was much grander and bigger than the rest of the tents for sure.

To my surprise, the man who was in charge came out. He must've heard the horse hooves and carriage moving.

His unusual white hair was recognizable from a distance–Not to mention that familiar gloomy face.

"H-his majesty!?" Zenith exclaimed, bewildered by my sudden arrival.

"Zenith!" I shouted to him in childish joy. "It's been a while!"

A clear face of disgust was displayed on his face. Zenith was surely not happy to see me.

After what happened with my father, Zenith hadn't forgiven me. A man who has a distaste for his emperor should be sent to the gallows. Yet, I feel as though it would be a waste of opportunity.

So was the thought process of Artorius. He knew Zenith was strong. I learnt in detail what happened on my birthday two months ago. There was nothing to hide.

Zenith stepped forward and fell to his knee. He was reluctant but he had to show humility in front of me.

The rest of the camp fell to their knees too. My ego and pride grew seeing the kneeling men. All of these strong soldiers bowed before me.

"Rise," I commanded Zenith. "No need for such formalities,"

He stood back to his feet and put his hands forward. His short stature was always surprising, though he was much older than me, we were of similar height.

"Brief me on the current situation," I told Zenith while walking past him. "I am eager to learn of the current affairs of this cave,"

"I was not informed of your arrival," Zenith stopped me. "Why have you come all of a sudden?"

I was surprised by his new outspoken personality. Artorius must've taught him well.

"Sometimes, I wish to move in secret, you know?" I gave him a friendly smile. "I have enemies that wish to take my head,"

"That does not give you the authority to take over the camp I was given control over," Zenith spoke loudly from behind.

I turned around and looked at him with a blank stare. "Do you realise who I am?"

"Your majesty, I do not wish to disrespect you," He bowed his head and spoke. "But, I was given special permission from Artorius himself before he left. The camp is mine."

"If Artorius is the one who gave your permission, I'm the one who permitted Artorius to challenge this cave. All of his words can be overruled by me if I wish for it to happen."

Zenith bit his tongue and sighed in displeasure. "As you say, your majesty,"

"Good that we came to an understanding!" I gave him a warm smile.

I looked around the camp to see all the soldiers staring at the two of us. Some whispered to one another while others spectated with fear in their eyes.

"Listen up, men!" I shouted out to grab everyone's attention.

They all froze up and stood with their chest puffed and feet together.

"I shall take over this camp in the meantime. All of your actions will have to be proven by me and Zenith. Is that clear?"

"Yes sir!" All the soldiers shouted in unison.