Chapter 38:"Devil"

Though the grand mage possessed formidable magical knowledge and skill, she remained a mortal in the face of someone like Vahaemorys, who wielded the power of noblesse. With an eerie calmness, Vahaemorys approached her, maintaining a careful distance, and spoke with a disarming smile, "Rest for a while."

In an instant, the grand mage's consciousness faded, and she fell into a deep slumber, unaware of the enchantment that had overcome her. Vahaemorys had employed his mind-controlling abilities, a power that transcended the mage's formidable talents. Despite her status as a grand mage, her human soul was fragile before the might of Vahaemorys's own soul—a potent and overwhelming weapon.

The others in the banquet hall watched in confusion and fear, unable to move a muscle or intervene in any way. It was as though an invisible force had immobilized them, leaving them helpless witnesses to the enigmatic events unfolding before their eyes.

Everyone in the hall, except for Vahaemorys's true dragons, found themselves under the control of Vahaemorys's formidable mind. They were paralyzed and unable to move or react, completely subject to his will.

Vahaemorys commanded everyone in the hall to kneel, and they did so involuntarily, their bodies bending to his will. Among the crowd, children looked bewildered by the strange events unfolding before them.

Vahaemorys, however, ensured their safety. He used his telekinetic powers to gently guide the children to the ground, allowing them to sleep peacefully without harm.

With the adults now able to speak, one distraught mother, tears in her eyes, asked Vahaemorys about her children's condition, "Lord, what have you done to my children?"

Vahaemorys reassured her, "They are simply enjoying a peaceful sleep." He then took a seat on the stage, observing the crowd's various emotions.

One of the elders in the crowd couldn't contain his anger and muttered a curse under his breath, calling Vahaemorys a devil. In response, a horrifying sight unfolded as the elder began to bleed from every pore on his body, the pain rendering him unable to meet Vahaemorys's gaze.

A young man, the elder's grandchild, tried to step forward, his voice trembling as he implored, "My Lord, please forgive my grandfather. He is old and has become insensitive with age, not knowing what he says."

Vahaemorys regarded the young man and then cast a glance at the suffering elder.

Vahaemorys turned to the young man and calmly remarked, "Perhaps, his time has come."

Suddenly, the elder erupted, his body disintegrating in a burst of blood that sprayed across the hall, even splashing onto the face of the young man. The gruesome spectacle sent shockwaves through the onlookers, freezing them and rendering them unable to think.

The hall fell into an eerie silence after witnessing the elder's gruesome fate. No one dared to utter a word or harbor any ill thoughts about Vahaemorys.

Turning to the young man, Vahaemorys inquired, "Would you like to leave this hall?"

The young man, his voice trembling, replied, "Yes, I do."

Vahaemorys continued, "Then tell me, who among you is planning to betray me?"

The young man hesitated and stammered, "I... I don't know."

With a sinister smile, Vahaemorys remarked, "Since you are unwilling to cooperate, it seems you have little desire to live."

In response, the young man nervously pointed at another vassal house head, one who was notably wealthier than the rest. Vahaemorys observed the accused individual and quipped, "My, it seems my dog has grown too fat to resist the temptation of betrayal."

The accused man broke into tears, his pleas and begging directed at Vahaemorys. However, Vahaemorys only responded with a sinister smile. Soon, the man's cries turned into agonized screams as his own blood seemed to crush his bones into powder. He eventually lost consciousness.

Then Vahaemorys turned to the young man who had pointed out the traitor. He calmly told him, "You are free to go."

As the young man made his way towards the exit, he was suddenly confronted by Ragnar, who blocked his path with a drawn sword. Confusion and fear crossed the young man's face as he turned back to Vahaemorys, reminding him of the promise to let him leave.

Vahaemorys's smile remained, but it was chilling as he replied, "I will indeed let you leave, but not among the living." Without further delay, Ragnar's sword found its mark, piercing the young man's heart.

Vahaemorys scanned the remaining crowd, his eyes piercing and expectant. He inquired, "Why is it that no one is willing to speak when I have offered you the chance?"

A member of one of the vassal house families stepped forward, addressing Vahaemorys with a mix of fear and concern. "Lord, we have always served House Narnareon faithfully. Why must we suffer like this?"

Vahaemorys's response was stern, "You are no longer serving House Narnareon; you are now only serving me. During the banquet, I placed a curse upon you through the wine you consumed. Should anyone entertain thoughts of betrayal, they will face a gruesome demise. Even attempting to remove the curse will result in death. I trust that, from this moment onward, your loyalty to me will be unwavering."

With a final signature smile, Vahaemorys rose from his seat. As he prepared to depart, he gestured towards the lifeless bodies of those who had met their unfortunate end. "My loyal vassals, take care of the remains of their lovely family."

Exiting the hall, Vahaemorys departed along with the true dragon, leaving the subdued and fearful crowd behind.