CHAPTER FOUR : THE REAL EVIL (4)

The large room is decorated with a black curtain. A man with crimson eyes is looking toward a kneeling man in front of him. His fiery red hair flows slowly. Holding the fragile glass filled with he smiled wickedly. "That bastard is dead."

The guardian of the Holy sword nodded mirroring the man's expression.

A woman suddenly barged in and hugged the man with crimson hair. "Oh dear, Carsine my dear beloved, do you know how happy I am at that moment? That bastard who was born with a dirty bloodline is finally dead. Dead! There is no way I sullied my bloodline for something so disgusting."

Triane Velathor is snuggling her face to the man's chest. Carsine Ascante is the second-born child of the Imperial family. He is the legible, formally appointed crown prince of the Ellcra Empire. Carine was born from true noble blood. His father, Michale is the twelfth Emperor of Ellcra, and her mother, Marriane Farzane, is the current empress. The fact someone born before him shocked the entire Empire.

Carine was well aware of the fact that his position was in danger after the ceremonial celebration. The existence of a prince who was born with a monarch aura is extremely precious. Because all of the monarch aura users will become the Emperor. Sometimes, he wonders if the boy was the chosen one. He wants to have everything the child has.

Fortunately, the nobles and aristocrats are well aware of their benefits. With the influence of his mother, he manages to stage a play to kill the child. He never expected the fact that he just made an irredeemable mistake that would plunge the Ellcra Empire into an era of chaos. The great heroes led by the Holy Swordsman will fight to his death.

******

End of Records.

'Liam Ascante, if you're reading this book, I just want you to know that we failed.'

'I have no intention of forcing you to make a choice, this is the only thing that I can leave to you.'

'For a child that I cherished, don't forget your existence. Finish your story and find your happiness. Do not believe the ignorant and cunning words of the humans.'

'For the great era of chaos, for the final salvation. I leave the rest on your hand.'

'Sincerely, Claude'

No matter how much he wants to continue reading the book on his table, he can't. The fact that the last and final moment he will get betrayed by his companions is not perfectly written. The documents and data are missing as well. He can deal with that. It's fine. He has his information network himself. The most unforgivable thing that he cannot accept is, why?

What in the world is Claude thinking? Is that the first impression he has on him? Did he act like a childish brat? Did he look immature in the demon lord's eyes? Liam Ascante was all aware of the fact that Triane never loved him. He knows the betrayal plan. He just doesn't understand!

He's just unprepared, okay? The wimpy kid who resembled him is portrayed as a weak brat. Not to mention the ominous words he left behind. Is this his will? Shouldn't he leave some gold or diamond for him instead?

For the first time since living with the demon lord as a general candidate, he decides to gather a rebellion army and siege the palace. Throwing the book into the fireplace, Liam takes a white coat and heads toward the demon lord's office.

He straightens his shoulder and walks with confidence. Unfortunately, he suffered a critical injury the moment he passed the maid's headquarters. Elen, a mermaid who is standing in her human form is whispering to the succubus, Hariel. They were laughing while holding a book.

'Oh dear, I never expected he is so cute'

'yeah, but he looks so pitiful'

'Do you read the scene of Lord Theoris pushing him?'

'Yes! The ship will sail!

Liam covers his face with both of his hands and walks a little faster. He knew that Claude should never, ever write a record. He turns it into a freaking novel! Kind and benevolent? Lonely and sad. What is wrong with all the adjectives he put there?

After dealing with gossiping glances and greetings from the palace employee, Liam arrives at his destination. He touches the door that is made from mithril and obsidian gems. He doesn't even knock. He just pushed, let himself in, and threw a dagger. Claude screams in terror as a dagger is embedded in the chair he is supposed to be in.

"Liam! What in the world are you doing? Is this how you repay me? Is this how you.." Claude was standing a foot away from the cold emerald green eyes. It looked so familiar and he was shivering in fright. He, the supposedly Great demon lord.

Liam ignored him and rushed forward to attack. He chants a holy prayer and grabs his dagger back. " Oh, the great being of Elkin, the one who oversees the darkness..."

A bright light shines as Liam pinned him to the ground. "Liam stop..., Hey! Help! I got attacked! A traitor! How dare you! Argh!"

All of a sudden, everything stopped. Arkaine is standing while protecting the lord. Liam looked extremely pissed. Arkaine, the violet-haired man looked like a transparent ghost. Liam stood back and looked at the wimpy lord. He can attack the demon lord, but he will never betray Arkaine. Liam walks away and keeps his dagger on his shirt sleeve. He clicked his tongue.

"He wrote the entries of your death, aren't you angry?"

Claude is standing, still hiding behind Arkaine. The transparent man just pats the demon lord's head. "Should I? He just having fun. Don't be too strict with him, alright?"

"Having fun? He is more than five hundred years old you know." Liam skimmed the information on the table. The Heroes party is on its way to the Elvenca district. It's near to the dark elf forest. Their target should be the illusions water of the black garden. Illusion water can be used against dream demons.

Dream demons are night creature that feeds on human nightmares. Most of the people who suffer from them are prisoners and murderers. Dream demons can amplify someone's guilt or greed, depending on their true nature.

People who are devoured by their guilt will end up taking their lives while people who choose greed will fall into their madness and become one of gluttony poxy. The creatures who guard the Illusions waters are the dark elves.

Illusion water is equivalent to holy water for demons. It amplifies the darkness attribute in their core. Elden went through all the data. The little Claude is still peeking from behind Arkaine. He looks extremely guilty. Liam glanced and took a deep breath. He clenched his fist and smiled faintly.

"I'm not angry." Liam talks solemnly. He is not angry. Well, a little. Maybe? Claude laughed and started to run around as he knew that his person was not mad at him. It means that he saved. The fact that Liam possesses Santhiana's eyes just reminds him of a woman who keeps nagging at him.

Asking pitifully, he grabs the end of Liam's coat. "Really? You will not blame me?"

Liam looks towards the pitiful pair of eyes. "I won't. I just feel uncomfortable you know? The person that you wrote in that record is not me. I'm not a person who will cry for something like that. I'm not an innocent person, Claude. I grew up with assassins behind my back. A mother who cursed me and my father hoping for me to be a good pawn. I'm aware of it."

Liam sat on the sofa and poured a glass of rose tea for himself. He puts down his glass and looks toward the small demon lord who is sitting on his repaired chair. Liam hopes Claude does not see him as a hero or a good person. "It's the same as you, Claude. I owe you my life. That's a fact. Please remember, the moment you block my path, even as my benefactor, I shall cut your throat."

"I see. I'm sorry. I just want you to be more human, you know?" Claude played with his fingers as he stared at the man in front of him. 'This child is not Santhiana'. His mind keeps reminding him.

Liam keeps reading the documents and information that is being sent by Theoris. Even Theoris himself refused to acknowledge the fact that he was half-human. "Don't worry about that. I rather kill that part that makes me human. It makes me weak. People say humans can only be strong because they want to protect something, they are wrong. What about people who have nothing left?"

"Liam...," Claude feels a little guilty.

"We shared the same goal. The holy sword that can erase your existence is a threat to you. For me, the existence of Heion Cardine himself is an eyesore. To destroy him is my only reason. It's not a desire to protect that makes me strong but revenge. I'm no longer human." Liam already made his choice. He will cut anyone who dares to stand against him.

Liam went through the documents and pointed his finger at the blue map. It's the entrance to the blue garden forest. The orc has already planned to attack that area because it is closer to the civilian, human village. The heroes who travel to the east, an attack on the west.

"Your smile is scary, you know?" Claude speaks out. He is waiting for Liam to finish his words. Claude is not a person who likes using trickery. He just barges in and attacks the people. He always feels excited to see how foolish humans can be. "So, what's the plan?"

"Your majesty, why don't we play a game? Whether the request of the church or the threat of people. Which one, will the heroes choose? Shall we bet?" A great storm is coming, Claude just knew it.

Saving the child might be the best decision he ever made. Arkaine just looked at the of them shaking his head slightly. He thought he could finally rest. He ends up being a babysitter instead.