11 The Final day

When Celine and Zeref had gone for shopping, Arthur Jr and his family went to the Emperor's palace with Gelraud's family as the accuser. A week has passed since that incident happened, today, the Gelraud family will be judged by the emperor for the acts they have commited.

"I heard about the family that's been scheming against the empire, what proof do you have if your husband has tarnished the reputation of your family" the emperor asked the queen, who didn't had a clue about the incident.

"My liege, I vowed not to commit any atrocities for selfish desires, I want the people of my kingdom to prosper, how can I betray the empire, forgive me for my own carelessness, As I never intend to commit these acts nor I have did it in first place." The queen of Gelraud kingdom pleaded.

"How propostrous" the emperor's prime minister began objecting her.

"Explain this ma'am Gelraud, the pile of dead bodies found inside your basement, which had potentially been capable to be ressurected as undead, just as undead monsters, only to plague your nation and the whole empire!"

"About the people who got missing each year, and most importantly, the incident which killed few members of the noble families, are such acts tolerable?" the minister asked with absolute judgement.

"Forgive me, my liege, I state this again, in all honesty, I never have, ever in my lifetime to have such an intent to harm or kill another human being just for the sake of my people or for the sake of the Empire, I, the queen of gelraud, in behalf of my family, will take responsibility for such acts, yet I'm not the enemy" The queen said, sweating with guilt and the carelessness she had done in her life.

"OBJECTION" the female prime minister screamed, almost Jolting out the emperor in shock, her scream was powerful enough to make people around the palace sweat, meanwhile the Valgurid family remained cool-headed.

"If she really cared about the people of the Axail Empire, there wouldn't be any casualities, I have a report on how much people have gone missing around the empire, for the last 10 years the numbers have grown absurdly high, especially around the Rornak plain."

"including, multiple eye witnesses, stating that King Gelraud had visited several places around the empire, According to the evidence provided, it is clear that Gelraud house was scheming secretly and kidnapping people" she said, stating facts about king Gelraud.

Countering the Gelraud house to submission, but to everyone's suprise, an 18 year old young man standing 6feet 7inches tall, none other than Arthur Jr, he raised his hand to speak up about the incident. The Emperor was quite amused by the child.

"Son, what are you doing?" Sasha tried to lower his hands, suprisingly she regained her memories back, meanwhile Arthur, his dad, was sweating profusely, he doesn't want his son to be an embarrassment.

"Lady Sasha, let me hear what that man has to say" the emperor ordered.

"Yes my liege" Sasha nervously replied to him.

"So tell me child, what do you want to speak up on" asked the Emperor.

"I think, Gelraud family is innocent-" but before he could tell anything, he was suddenly intrupted by the minister.

"Foolishness" the prime minister screeched again, with a scowl on her face.

On the outside, Arthur Jr looked calm, but actually, he was regretting himself for raising his hand. Reish's laugh echoed inside him, just because Arthur Jr was being too nervous in such trivial matters, as Arthur Jr kept sweating.

When he looked at his parents. Sasha's scowled at him for raising his hand, but even she was also scared of the emperor's judgement, meanwhile, his dad was equally nervous as her, but he kept whistling to calm himself.

"You have no choice kid Arthur, spit it out, the emperor's not going to eat you, I am here" Reish said, supporting him, he felt metaphorical arm around his shoulders. Arthur Jr felt as light as a feather, oddly enough, he felt relieved, thanks to Reish, with enough confidence, he was now capable to state the facts, rearranging them in the correct order.

"Lady Ghisel, you have done enough, let me hear what the child has to say" the Emperor requested.

"Forgive me your majesty, I couldn't control myself at the sight of someone calling accusers being innocent, releasing them without any evidence, isn't something I could tolerate" she said, bowing to the emperor.

"It's okay Ghisel, young man now tell me, how are you so sure that Gelraud's family is innocent" The emperor asked Arthur Jr.

"Your majesty, the person behind the strings, is the archmage Vahn Trildigor, one of his best disciples had possessed the king Gelraud and took over his life, 16 years ago, which actually killed the King Gelraud" Jaws dropped, from the prime minister to everyone else, as their eyes vividly resembled shock, to hear that information.

Sasha became clueless about it, moving her eyes around. The queen and her family became confused, oddly enough, Jill agreed to Arthur Jr.

"Even asking the help from demonlord, who possessed my mother's body to torture me, Using my mother to work together, as to destroy the Axail empire. The incident is enough to conclude that, we're too late, I think the spies have already inflitrated this empire as we speak" Arthur nodded with pride on his son, meanwhile Sasha frowned her head with guilt, about what she did to her own son.

Jill and Froya were present at this occassion, and they were astounded by his speech.

The emperor's rage shook everyone in the room, as he glowered just after listening to his facts, and then he said.

"That mage has been planting seeds everywhere, he had been annoying me for the past 50 years" said the emperor, who have lived around 310 years old, eventhough he looked like someone who's healthy enough to be in 40-50s.

"Ghisel, what do you think of this predicament" the emperor asked the prime minister.

.

"My liege, to all honesty, I think this man is right, we must tighten our security and most importantly, do a preemtive check on people with the help of espers, we must close all trades between Jehovich and Axail, that has been happening for atleast 100 years" affirmed the prime minister.

.

"So it's settled, forgive this emperor, ma'am Gelraud, but from now on, you're no longer the part of nobility. I hope you live a fullfilling life, as for the charity, your family settle with the Valgurid house" said the Emperor, miss Gelraud was in tears, because she had been getting death threats and now her family was spared, as her children cried with her, realizing the hopeless situation they were in.

For the efforts of Valgurid family, the emperor gave them a higher nobility, the king lineage. As the Valgurid house became the new ruler of Gelraud country. Hence the emergence of the Valgurid kingdom.

Helina Gelraud left the palace with her children, when they just met Valgurid family outside, welcoming them.

The queen was thankful to the Arthur Jr, just for protecting her children and their future.

"Thank you, Arthur Jr. without your help I would have my head being put on shame" she said.

"You're welcome I guess" replied Arthur Jr.

"Hey, you should thank us doing the hardwork" Arthur said, comically scowling at them. Everyone giggled at him for the funny expression he made.

"Hey Arthur, for something that happened at the party that time, forgive me" said Froya, despite being arrogant, he changed after the trauma he recieved from people around him, the people who threatened his family after realizing the conspiracy, as they treated his family like filth, and so he became polite.

"you're still worried about that? haha how cute" Arthur Jr said.

"Shut up, I didn't know you had mutant brother alright? jesus how is he even normal" proclaimed Froya. having PTSD from the arm challenge.

"pfft hahahaha" Arthur Jr laughed at him.

"you bastard" as Froya tucked his arms on his head.

"Alright, I look forward to be part of your family" said Froya, accepting the new life ahead of him. Both Arthur Jr and Froya smiled at each other, shaking hands.

"Arthur Jr" called Jill, she wanted to tell Arthur Jr, which has been bugging her for a time.

"what is it?" he asked.

"Lets talk when we meet at home" she said, with guilt in her eyes.

"Alright" Arthur Jr was curious about what she was going to say about him.

Back at home, everyone had a good time as they had drinks, but after all that, the most depressing thing has yet to be happened, as for the children of Gelraud, their mother was leaving forever.

"Well, it's good that it's all getting transferred to you, but I'm afraid there's alot of things to do for me, and I won't be coming back soon" Helina said.

"You're leaving already?" said Sasha, as she frowned, meanwhile the children didn't want her to go. Arthur Jr disagreed with her to leave their children but.

"kids, I have to go, somewhere far away, maybe I won't return" she said to her children and even Arthur Jr.

"Mother" said both of her offsprings, hugging her intensely. Arthur Jr watched them with a sorrowful expression on his face. It could be worse to think about his mother leaving him alone now.

"Don't leave us alone, no one can make the most delicious chicken dumplings as you, please don't leave us" Froya said with a expression of melancholy.

"Mom Why?" Jill asked as she wailed.

"I have some scores to settle, and I must leave, maybe two of you will understand, as you grow up" said Helina Gelraud. as both of them intensly hugged her, not letting her go, as they wailed.

"Aunt Helina, could you keep this" said Arthur Jr giving her a piece of Valgurid badge, and a ring for keepsake.

"That's our family badge and this one is the ring, which mom made it last month, it keeps you away from curses and demonic possessions" said Arthur Jr.

"Thanks Arthur Jr, I'll miss you Sasha, and especially my dear children, I'll miss everyone, I hope three of you grow up together, and be something else entirely" she said, as they kept crying, Sasha hugged them all.

Sasha and Arthur was sad about her, suddenly leaving now, but then Arthur urged her stay for one day or two, only to be refused. Everyone hugged Helina as a farewell, as she departed, vanishing from their sight as she walked further, Helina's quest was to get revenge on her husband, but at the same time she's now giving up her life to protect the empire.

"Dear, I'll make sure to avenge you, I'm sorry for being blinded by them" as she wiped her tears, she made a new resolve to kill the spies as much as she can. Going towards the Jehovich Empire to take down the people behind the scenes.

After a long travel, it was night time, Arthur and his family, with two children of Gelraud lineage, reached the Valgurid mansion

As they enter the place, they found a gloomy atmosphere, Edina and Serine welcomed the family, while Celine stood there in sidelines.

"Celine what's happening? why are you standing there" asked Sasha, worried about the frowned look on her face. as Arthur, Arthur Jr and the children of Gelraud left the hall, in search of spare rooms, leaving the scene.

"it's..." she couldn't say it, as guilt succumbed her, losing her will to speak properly. Zeref was everything to her, losing him became the most traumatic memory of her life.

"it's about Zeref" Celine whimpered in fear and guilt.

"Celine please tell us" said Sasha wondering why she was in this form. Sasha has never seen her like this before.

"Zeref...was kidnapped" said Edina, replying on her behalf.

"What?" Sasha was dismayed after hearing about it.

"It's not true right Celine?" said Sasha trying to reject the reality around her.

"..." she stayed silent with guilt, Sasha wanted to scream on her, but she didn't do it, as she carelessly allowed it to happen.

"Dad, where's Zeref?" Arthur Jr screamed, this antagonized Sasha's mind, even more than she could handle.

"No, it's not possible, right" Sasha became so deluded in rejecting the reality that was in front of her. Edina and Serine bowed in melanchonic expression.

"What the hell is going on" Arthur shouted, clueless about the whole ordeal. as him, Gelraud children and Arthur Jr came down upstairs.

"Where's Zeref? I have been searching for that kid, has anyone seen him?" he asked.

"Zeref was kidnapped sir" said Serine, frowning at him.

"You gotta be joking me right?" Arthur became confused yet he was furious.

"Which bastard is it, I'm gonna find him" he asked. meanwhile Arthur Jr was not suprised nor confused, because he's the only person on this room, who knows that he's not an ordinary kid to be messed with.

"Celine, tomorrow morning, lets talk about what happened back there. Now let me rest" Sasha said, feeling empty and defeated.

"Yes ma'am" she said, leaving the hallway, Sasha left, as she set foot into her own room, still thinking about her son Zeref, While Celine left upstairs, onto Celine's room. Then as Arthur was about to leave.

"Dad, we have to talk, it's about Zeref" said Arthur Jr, as he had already witnessed the horrors he did, he did saw Zeref killing experienced mages.

Meanwhile Sasha kept resting on her chair, her mind became chaotic, thoughts of killing the person who kidnapped her son, and if that person is dead, she would probably go on a rampage killing everyone at Jehovich empire.

"Should I destroy that Empire? Even if I bathe my blood for it, I couldn't care less" she said, with ashen purple eyes, devoid of light, it was the face of a killer. Anyone from the norm would have nightmares staring at her face. but then again. she started crying, for not being strong enough.

Celine on the other hand, peered near the window, basking at the moonlight, hoping that Zeref would be safe, hoping that he would come back someday. And meet him, but by that time he would forget her. The telepath link he gave wasn't responding her, so she didn't hope for his return. Holding her tears, she said.

"I'm sorry Zer, it's my fault, I was selfish, if only I were alot more open to you..." she said, as her eyes gleamed at the moonlight, while tears run down her cheeks.

Meanwhile Arthur was a bit doubtful about Zeref being alive, being on near the entrance hall with Arthur Jr and his new foster siblings, and the new maids.

"Son, how can you be so sure?" argued Arthur, While rubbed his chin, contemplating about the girls, which Zeref brought here.

"You have nothing to worry about, he isn't a small fry to be easily kidnapped, plus, I have seen him do the most unexpected tasks, especially during the Gelraud incident, six years ago" said Arthur Jr, meanwhile Arthur was madly smirking at him.

Edina and Serine who just happen to glean their conversation, weren't surprised at all, as they have witnessed Zeref's power in front of him.

"Is it possible for our son to be safe? he's just a 6 year old kid" Arthur said.

"Killing experts must be an easy feat for him" Arthur Jr thought, shrugging his hands, then he said.

"During the incident, he killed mages or spies from Jehovich, he even killed a 5th circle court mage" said Arthur Jr.

"What" Arthur's face became frozen, he couldn't explain what he was feeling, then suddenly he became too absorbed with excitement, as he showed an evil grin on his face, smiling widely like a demon, Froya was shaken by his mere bloodlust, Then Arthur Jr whispered to him, about Dein's death, and the experts he killed.

"That brat hehahahhah, I knew he was different" Arthur said, manically laughing at himself, after realizing that his youngest child had become a broken existence. He became confident at himself, Arthur, then had a better plan to execute his idea.

"Is this the Valgurid family?" Froya thought to himself, his legs trembled at the sight of his power. While Jillian kept admiring Arthur Jr for the confidence he showed, and the trust in his brother.

"Even if he's powerful, are you sure that he'll be okay" Froya said.

"Trust me, he'll come back, I'm sure he's alot stronger now" said Arthur Jr.

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