The Cost of Freedom

"Damn! It seems like I drank too much last night." Blurted out Mikhail as he sat quietly on the side of the bed, clutching his head with both of his hands.

"I forgot this guy never drink alcohol. As such, this body's alcohol tolerance is the worst." He added as the pain in his skull ebbed and flowed like a cold tide.

Not only this was Mikhail's first hangover in this world, but it was also the first hangover of this new body of his as the previous owner wasn't a fan of alcohol which made it even more painful.

The hangover felt like a balloon under his cranium slowly being inflated. He felt as though his head was about to explode.

With his power, Mikhail could have easily detoxified the alcohol the moment it had entered his stomach. However, what was the point of drinking it in the first place then.

Furthermore, the party was already boring and Mikhail had no one to talk to. As such, the liquor was the only thing that kept him company as he was passing the time.

"Your Highness, may I come in?" At this moment, Martin's voice suddenly rang out from behind the door.

He was very quiet. However, Mikhail felt as though he was speaking through a giant megaphone as his voice thundered into his ears.

"Yeah." He answered while still clutching his head with his hands.

'I need to build this body's alcohol tolerance as soon as possible because there's no way I'm gonna stop drinking.' He inwardly thought.

After receiving Mikhail's permission, Martin quietly entered the room with a tray in his hand.

"Drink this, it should help you with the headache, your highness." Said Martin with a concerned expression on his face as he took the teacup from the tray and carefully handed it to Mikhail.

Without even asking what it was, Mikhail chugged the whole thing in on go before returning the empty cup to Martin and said."Thanks, that was refreshing. I feel better already."

"I'm pretty sure you didn't come here just to give this drink. So, what is it?"Mikhail suddenly asked. Martin has been serving for a long time. As such, he knew him pretty well.

Sure enough, upon hearing Mikhail's question, Martin's expression suddenly turned serious as he answered." His Majesty the Emperor requested your presence in the Audience Hall."

"I see." Mikhail didn't look surprised upon hearing that the emperor was looking for him. He was expecting it after what happened last night.

"Is it only me or did he call for the other as well."He asked.

"No, it's not just you. He also called all the other Imperial Princes as well." Truthfully answered Martin.

"Alright, get the carriage ready. I'm going to take a quick cold shower and I'll be down in a few minutes." After hearing Martin's answer, Mikhail had now a general idea why the emperor summoned them.

"As you command your highness." Said Martin in a respectful tone.

.........…..

The Audience Hall was an important location in the Imperial Palace. All major decisions were discussed and made there, and only high-ranking nobles and the members of the imperial families had the qualifications to enter.

After leaving his residence, it only took Mikhail twenty minutes or so to arrive at the Audience Hall which was located at the center of the Imperial Palace.

However, the moment he arrived, he saw an unexpected guest was pacing back and forth in front of the door as though he was afraid of entering.

"Brother, don't tell me you are too scare to enter the hall by yourself and were waiting for me." Said Mikhail in a mocking tone after seeing the nervous expression of the young man.

Indeed, this young man was none other than the 12th imperial prince Handal, Mikhail's older brother.

"It seems like your tongue has become even sharper little brother." Coldly answered Handal as he denied Mikhail's claim.

Ever since last night, Handal's hatred for Mikhail has reached a new height because he had found out that he was one the behind the robbery of the late Count Bertrand's estate.

He only had some suspicion at first, but he didn't dare to believe it as Mikhail wasn't that kinda person.

However, after seeing Mikhail's true power as well as how he robbed the unconscious Ramiel blind like a pro in front of all those people, he couldn't deny it anymore. He was a hundred percent sure that the little bastard was that damn thief that night.

'Sooner or later, I'll make you pay.' He inwardly thought as his steps reached the audience hall.

"Your Majesty!" Handal called out. He didn't dare to enter the room carelessly. Rather, he raised his voice and cried out longingly, "The 12th Imperial Prince Handal is here! Please excuse me!"

Then a sonorous and commanding voice was heard from the other side of the door as the emperor replied, "You can come in."

After receiving the emperor's permission, Handal didn't dare to waste any time as he hurriedly opened the door.

As the two luxurious doors opened, a magnificent throne came into view.

On the left side of the throne were two middle-aged men. One wore a black imperial knight outfit and had a chilly and indifferent expression, whereas the other wore a blue mage robe and possessed a refined and cultured bearing.

Sitting on the throne was a mighty figure. He was dressed in the Emperor's robe and had a crown on his head.

His blonde hair that seemed to be cast from pure gold of the highest grade was hung loosely behind his back.

He looked extremely handsome and his entire body was enshrouded by a majestic imperial aura. He also had an aloof expression on his face, as if he was made of ice itself

After entering the hall, both Mikhail and Handal bowed to the middle-aged man sitting on the throne before standing next to the others.

At the same time, whether it was Mikhail or Handal, they all felt a mighty pressure as well a domineering presence that could not be challenged swiftly descended upon them the moment they stepped foot into the main hall.

That domineering presence was one of utmost dominance and majesty.

Not only them, but even the other imperial princes that had already converged within the extremely Audience Hall felt the same as well as they were sweating profoundly.

"Vandal, you move to the other side." The emperor spoke flatly. His voice was not loud, but there was a will within them that allowed no dispute, no disobedience.

As soon as Mikhail moved to the other side, away from the others, the then emperor then shifted his cold and disappointing gaze at the others before saying." My sons, you are all a disgrace to the Imperial Family's name."

Though his voice wasn't loud, one could still feel the anger and disappointment within it as clear as the day.

"You are a bunch of spineless fools and cowards who do not deserve to carry the legacy of the Hyperions."

"Over the years, our Hyperion Imperial Family had encountered countless battles, won countless times, and have also been defeated before, but we have never chickened out!"

"If someone dares to challenge the Hyperion Family, then our Hyperion Family would dare to accept, even if it were the High Elves or the nearly extinct Dragon race!"

"Our Hyperion can lose, and we can afford to lose. But even if we suffered a crushing defeat, we would not lose our dignity!"

"Yet, In just one night, you fools made a joke out of the Hyperion Family's name and prestige that we have built over centuries." Said the emperor in an extremely angry tone.

At this moment, none of the imperial princes dared to say a word as they kept their heads down in shame.

At the same time, some of them also couldn't help but take a glance at Mikhail who standing on the other side. Their eyes were filled with envy, jealousy, and even hatred.

"You all can start packing your bags. In three months, I'll send you all to the frontline of the next waves of Ether Beasts horde in the Great Helios Pass. Whoever survives can then fight for the Crown Prince's title." He coldly added.

Upon hearing the emperor's last sentence, the expression of the imperial princes suddenly turned grim as they felt their entire bodies instantly become drenched in a cold sweat.

This was simply a death sentence!

"And you vandal, I still haven't approved of you relinquishing your right for the throne. So, I'm going to ask you once again, do you truly want to relinquish your right to the throne." Suddenly asked the emperor as he shifted his gaze toward Mikhail who was standing by himself on the other side.

"I am."Answered Mikhail without hesitation while looking at the Emperor with a resolute expression on his face. He truly didn't want to become an emperor as it would be too much a hassle.

Looking at the determined expression on Mikhail's face, the emperor could tell that he was serious.

"What a shame! If that's what you truly want, then you gonna have to earn it. I will give you a simple mission, if you can complete it in three months' time top, I'll give you the freedom you so desperately desire."

"If you can't complete the mission, you will then assume your duties as a member of the imperial family." Coldly uttered the emperor in a commanding tone.

"What is the mission?" Asked Mikhail. He could tell that the emperor was going to do whatever it takes to stop him.

"I want you to drive away and completely clean the entire Helios Empire from any Ether Church followers. Make it so that the Helios Empire becomes a forbidden land that none of them would dare to step foot in." Suddenly said the emperor with a slight cunning smile on his face

'This bastard truly doesn't want me to relinquish my right to the throne.' Inwardly thought Mikhail after hearing the mission.

Not only Mikhail, but even the other Imperial Princes had a shocking expression on their faces upon hearing the mission.

This was an impossible mission. Even the emperor himself tried to accomplish such a feat but failed miserably.

"I accept this mission," Mikhail said with a slight smile on his face.

This mission might be impossible for other people but not for him. He was confident that he could complete this mission even before the deadline.

Also, this mission was perfect for him as it would allow him to quickly increase his strength as well as completely unlocking some of the 7 Demon Gods' Unique Skills.

"Good, you are all dismissed."