chapter 22:The Owl Lady and the Truth (2)

Stan's POV

"You know it well, don't you? They're all Golden Guards." My words made Darius's eyes widen.

This man has a close relationship with the former Golden Guard, and in the original story of The Owl House, he was among those who helped Hunter find his way back to the right path.

He was a character I really liked back then, and his magic is truly practical. In his hands or those of his friend Alador, it works wonders.

Now that I think about it, I should also recruit Alador before my departure.

Having an army of enhanced minotaurs like Space Marines is cool, but having a bonus army of mechanical monsters is even better.

Except I'm way too busy to handle this kind of industrial project. So, Alador and other scientists will be necessary in the future.

"So, the Golden Guards are clones, and they always end up betraying Belos after discovering the truth about him. But why does he keep creating these things? Oh, sorry, Hunter." Raine's words weighed heavy in the atmosphere.

Hunter paid no attention to Raine's words, too absorbed in the images of his predecessors' numerous deaths.

Poor kid is completely lost in his thoughts.

"To understand why the Golden Guards exist, you need to know Belos's own story." I traced the light glyph to project images of young Belos and his brother.

"Where is this place?" Terra seems fascinated by the vegetation surrounding young Philip and Caleb.

"This place is Earth, Belos's home dimension... and also mine," I said honestly.

The coven heads all stared at me with skepticism and disbelief. In their logic, a human couldn't represent a real threat to them.

"I know it's logical for witches to think a non-magic practitioner would be weaker, but that's not the point." I started showing and explaining each scene, each of Belos's decisions, up to the tragedy.

"He... killed his own brother," Hunter whispered, shocked by Belos's act.

He wasn't the only one surprised by this sudden violence; even Darius looked away, while the Collector didn't understand why everyone was taking it so seriously.

"Why all this drama? Can't he just fix himself? Like Stan? Ow!" I gave him a little tap on the head.

"Mortals aren't like your race or the Titan's; they have... fragile durability." I'm really going to have to explain a lot of things to him, for fear he might hurt Mabel or Dipper in the future.

"But if you're human, you're technically mortal too *tap*" I gave him another little tap reflexively.

"You can't take me as the norm for humans on Earth. People like me are rare there," I said, shaking my head disapprovingly before turning my attention back to the coven heads.

"Now that you know Belos's origin, I'll show you the methods he used to establish his power in this dimension, and I'll also tell you about my future projects for the Boiling Isles."

I have no intention of telling the Boiling Isles population about my original race; it would be counterproductive, especially since I plan to soon publish all of Belos's acts.

I plan to do it later, but for now, I'll simply remain a witch chosen by the Titan, and I'll gradually get the Boiling Isles inhabitants used to humans.

....

Narrator's POV

Lilith had already sent a guard to announce that the new emperor would soon dispel all doubts among the population about recent events.

He just needed to finish his discussion with the coven heads and the Golden Guard.

"I hope he won't take much longer, the crowd is getting more and more impatient," she said, clenching her fist trying to keep her cool.

"Indeed, folks are getting a bit antsy outside, sis." An annoying but familiar voice rang out behind her.

By reflex, Lilith summoned her palisman in preparation for a future fight, before realizing the stupidity of her gesture.

'Belos is no longer alive, let alone the current leader of the Boiling Isles. I no longer need to confront Edalyn.' She relaxed after concluding this, and Eda, who had also gotten defensive, imitated her.

"You're not supposed to be here, Edalyn. I also think the timing is a bit off," Lilith explained honestly.

Eda didn't respond directly, but she headed in the direction Lilith was taking before speaking.

"Don't be so uptight, Lilith, I'm just curious about your current boss." Eda's casual attitude exasperated Lilith, but she was secretly happy about her presence.

'At least I won't need to look for her or arrange a meeting between her and the emperor.' A small smile bloomed on Lilith's face; she just hoped the new emperor would know how to tolerate her sister's eccentricity.

Once they arrived in the throne room, Lilith and Eda were able to observe an unexpected spectacle upon their arrival.

"We pledge our eternal loyalty to Emperor Stanley Pines as long as he leads the Boiling Isles toward the 'new age,'" declared all the coven heads, including Hunter, as they took their oath.

"Uh... Lilith, I think we missed an episode."

....

Eda's POV

Powerful...

That's the word that comes to mind when I sense the magical powers emanating from the man sitting on the throne.

He's clearly more powerful than Belos. I don't know if this amount of magical energy is enough to explain the explosion that shook all of the Boiling Isles, but he's undoubtedly the most powerful person I've ever seen.

"I see you're back, Lilith, with...?" He looked at me with his golden eyes and glanced at my hair. Did he sense King hiding inside?

"This is my sister, Eda..." While Lilith wanted to say more, she was interrupted by Terra.

"My lord, this woman is a criminal who has caused much trouble in the Boiling Isles." Terra shot me a sneaky smile before wanting to continue her speech.

Fortunately for me, the man on the throne signaled her to stop.

"I'm aware of the Owl Lady's case, Terra. I don't plan to punish her." There was a weary tone in his voice, like that of an adult feeling tired from an thankless task to come.

"As I've already explained, wild magic is actually the natural state of the Titan's or witches' magic."

I don't know if this is his own opinion on the nature of magic, but I couldn't help but sketch a smile of satisfaction.

Rarely have I met someone sharing my opinion on magic, and he's, moreover, the new emperor.

However, this man forgets one detail: the wild nature of magic isn't really compatible with a sovereign's authority.

He'll surely become like Belos when he realizes the growing number of powerful witches that will emerge.

*applause*

"I'm glad you understood the nature of magic, unlike your predecessor, but if you think you can control the magic of the Boiling Isles, you're making a big mistake."

I like this guy, but I plan to clarify things quickly.

"Heee HAA." The emperor's snicker turned into outright laughter.

"Are you sure you want to work with this guy?" I gave Lilith a look, who simply shrugged.

"You're wrong, Eda, on several points, or you've misunderstood me." He rose from the throne and walked toward me.

"Beings gifted with intelligence and wisdom channel the forces of nature with the aim of controlling it, and when these beings fail to take control..." He stood before me.

I could now see his appearance more clearly: he had two horns protruding from his head and his fur resembles an outfit that looks like traditional witch's clothes, but more masculine.

To put it simply, he looked like King, but in a more witch or human version.

"...they destroy this energy or uncontrollable things, or ban them if they're unable to control them." There was disgust in his voice as he spoke these words, and his expression was thoughtful.

"So tell me, Eda... do you want to explore and try to tame this madness we call magic with me? No, excuse me, with us?" He extended his hand toward me.

I looked at this extended hand for a moment. This man had spoken words that went against my code and my vision of magic, but I couldn't deny his points.

If Belos was able to ban wild magic, it's precisely because it was too powerful and people couldn't control it completely.

I long believed that it was just the natural course of things, that magic had to remain wild. But now... I don't know anymore.

"Prove to me that you're right. If my vision is wrong and yours is correct, then you'll succeed where I failed, won't you?" He withdrew his hand and looked at me, a bit confused.

"What are you getting at?" He's playing dumb, but this man technically informed me of his ambition to take control of wild magic.

He wants to try to succeed where several people failed before him, a stupid act but... one I kind of like.

"I want to see if you can succeed where I failed and where current witches have failed. Emperor Stanley, try to cure me of this curse!" I showed him the feathers growing on my arm.