Chapter 22 - Reality of Ryuk's Father

In the early morning, Gaia's radiant rays pierced through the expansive clouds, guiding their luminescence toward a room that held the majestic aura befitting the Queen of the Selvius Kingdom.

As light filtered through the window, it delicately embraced a figure seated within, engrossed in the weighty responsibilities of the kingdom.

The golden beams delicately caressed her flowing ebony hair, enhancing the shimmer in her Amber eyes, which remained deeply engrossed in her tasks.

"Uncle Wang, what's with that form?"

Alisia's focus was abruptly shattered as her Amber gaze shifted towards a humanoid figure unlike any human form.

Its body was enveloped in seemingly indestructible crimson scales, emanating a pulsating, intense aura that cast the surrounding air into a hazy, creating an atmosphere charged with an unknown energy, oozing out of those rigid scales.

"This is the doing of the Young Master, Princess"

Wang revealed the reason behind assuming his original form instead of the customary human guise, causing Alisia's eyes to narrow as she sought to comprehend the connection between Ryuk and the unique manifestation of Wang in this form.

Seeing Alisia's eyes waiting for further explanation, he continued

"He used an enslavement technique on me"

Wang, despite the pressure exerted by the unknown force preventing him from speaking, divulged the truth.

SWISH

CRACKLE

This disclosure triggered an abrupt surge of intense energy within him, an overwhelming torrent coursing through his veins, mercilessly ravaging his body's core and inflicting severe damage upon vital organs.

" Ughh....if not for my healing princess, things would have been slightly complicated"

For an ordinary being, such torment would have meant unbearable agony and certain death, yet the humanoid form of Wang remained unfazed.

" This....."

Recognizing the sacrifice Wang made by disclosing the truth about being under the influence of an Enslavement technique — every regeneration costed a subtle amount of energy.

"Is there any way to remove it?"

Alisia sought a solution, perplexed by the sheer strength required to subjugate someone like Wang, whose kind was renowned for their vast reserves of mana and formidable power.

" Presently, these effects have minimal impact on me, but I'm unfamiliar with the nature of this energy "

'!?!'

Alisia's eyes widened in realization, witnessing Wang's lack of comprehension regarding the unknown force ravaging his body.

Belonging to a lineage renowned for their enduring lifespans and possessing an abundance of otherworldly knowledge, it seemed surreal for Wang to not identify an energy, 'Could this possibly be...'

Swiftly rising from her seat, her hand extended toward his chest concealed by scales before firmly landing upon it.

In that very moment, an inexplicable sensation surged through Wang's body.

CRACK

A resonating sound, akin to something breaking, reverberated throughout the room, prompting Wang to cast a glance towards his chest.

Alisia's clenched fist had shattered the seemingly impervious scales that stood firmly a moments ago.

"P-princess!?"

Without stopping at this, moving further, Her fingers dug directly into his flesh, encountering a resilience harder than anything witnessed thus far.

" Kughhh!"

However, it proved insufficient to obstruct Alisia's unyielding grip, as she persisted in forcing her way despite the formidable resistance.

WHOOSH

In that brief moment, a torrent of energy surged from Alisia's fingertip into his body, wreaking havoc as it tore through his being, reshaping the pathways of his veins, trying to find something without caring about hurdles.

"AaaGgggHhhhh!"

The pain a moment ago seemed puny infront of agony Wang was facing right now, ignoring him, Alisia's concentration lay focused on her aim.

" This?!"

Alisia's eyes widened, finding nothing inside Wang's body making her increase the intensity of her search

CRACKLE

"AAAAAGGGHHHH!"

'Nothing', After all this much search, she still can't found any sort of unknown energy within him, making her come to a single conclusion,' how can he be this stupid'

A glimmer flickered across her eyes as she shifted her gaze toward where Ryuk stood engrossed in conversation with Johan.

"Sigh... Uncle Wang, return to your homeland and tend to this wound." Calming herself, she reached for a handkerchief resting on the table, meticulously wiping her fingers stained with thick crimson blood. Despite Wang's potent healing abilities, capable of mending internal injuries, they appeared insufficient against the wound on his chest.

"I-I understand, Princess—"

"And also, if someone attempts to peer inside your body, end your own life."

As she cleaned her fingers, her gaze traversed the room, effortlessly piercing through walls until it settled on Ryuk. His eyes met hers, eliciting a smile on her face. "Inform Ryuk that his training begins in two days. I will personally oversee it," she conveyed.

Wang, already in agony with a bloodied face from Alisia's energy rupturing his cells, turned towards her line of sight. 'Lord, perhaps you were right'

Observing his grievous wound, a form that could obliterate continents reduced to a mere plaything in this mother and child's interaction, he recalled promise he made someone in particular.

FLASHBACK//

In an unknown realm veiled in mist, Gaia's radiant rays pierced through, illuminating the entire expanse.

The clouds shimmered with an ethereal glow, cast by the sole source of light.

A colossal shadow loomed over the vast space, absorbing the brilliance offered by the light.

The dark ebony scales of a creature absorbed every trace of radiance, an impenetrable void.

Standing resolute with its immense figure, this creature epitomized supreme strength and might.

Adorned with formidable scales and striking golden pupils akin to a predator's gaze, its reflection mirrored a human silhouette standing beside it.

Despite its unmatched strength, this seemingly almighty creature bore loyalty and pride as a subordinate to someone who stood alone in this vast world.

Presently, beside it stood a figure making a request.

"Wyrnith, you will accompany Alisia to the Heindal kingdom," a calm voice reverberated through the space, causing the creature's huge pupils to contract as it gazed at the figure beside it. The silhouette continued, "Let my child be born in a place untouched by this world's shadow"

⟨ But, My Lord, She could just live here, I will protect— ⟩

Before the Dragon could voice any further argument, it halted upon seeing the Silhouette turn towards it. Understanding that these words were meant to be followed without question, the Dragon acquiesced, ⟨I understand, my Lord⟩

A gentle hand moved towards the creature, which responded by tilting its colossal head. "Wyrnith, I don't want my child to endure this harsh world, ensure that his growth will be good"

Perceived by others as the pinnacle of strength, a man standing above all, but for him, it was a solitary journey.

He abandoned everything in pursuit of strength, engaging in countless battles and ascending through continents, only to realize that immortality brought forth loneliness.

Yet, he wasn't lonely now. He had a family waiting for him in a far future, a beloved woman, and an unborn child.

He only needed to confront the challenges ahead to secure a better future for them.

"Keep him safe until I return. Prevent Ardoros's Flames from reaching Heindal, even if it requires revealing your true form," he commanded. Despite viewing those around him as mere obstacles, he was bound by fate, preventing him from being with his family.

⟨I, Wyrnith, take the oath. I will safeguard Heindal from any war, even at the cost of my life⟩

Upon hearing the Dragon's oath, a smile formed on the man's face, "Create a humanoid form and infiltrate the Devereaux family. You shall take the name Wang"

Viewing the world as a cycle, standing omniscient, he continued, "My child will be born in exactly 6730 years, act as his Guardian"

Turning towards the Creature, who understood the time it was assigned to become an important part of the Devereaux family, where the new lord would be born, Wyrnith comprehended that despite his Lord's desire to shield the unborn child from the world's harm, bloodlines cannot be kept dormant forever.

It was evident that one day, the new lord would ascend to the same supremacy as the present one, proving the blood running through his veins.

FLASHBACK ENDS //

"I'll take some years of rest then," Wang decided, understanding his duties had been momentarily delayed.

His figure began to fade away, his hands still pressed against his wound, while his resolute gaze remained fixed in the direction where the future Heir of DEVEREAUX lay,' Next time, You have to prove worthy of becoming my Lord, Ryuk Devereaux'

With those words he vanished, leaving behind many hidden mysteries and Questions but one thing was clear, the existence he showed until now was tip of iceberg, a facade formed only to keep this world unaware of the presence named — Ryuk Devereaux