CHAPTER TEN : A SWORD (1)

Walking through the alley, Allen covers his face with the long hood. The haunting nightmare was still vivid in his mind. His black hair has been colored with a brownish hue, and his emerald eyes now appear grey—natural and similar to those of commoners. A man wearing a blue robe is following him closely.

"I want you to meet someone. Don't ask me anything. What you're supposed to know should be just what I show you. Don't lose your way, Klein." Holding Klein's hand tightly, Allen walks through the city center and into another alley.

Initially, Allen thought hiding his true nature was the best choice, but he feels too weak now. In the novel, it is clearly stated that he is one of the former kings of the underworld. For some unknown reason, after the death of his second wife, Roselette, he cut off all his ties with the underworld. "Your Grace..?"

Klein should know. He must be aware of Allen's connection if he wants to help Adrian in the future. Allen realizes what he's doing now is foolish. He doesn't trust Klein, but he needs this man to be stronger than Klein in the novel. Besides, he wants to change the fate of the villain's supporting character. He should be able to help Adrian more.

To tell the truth, Allen feels conflicted. On one hand, he wishes to mend his relationships with both Adrian and Isabella. On the other hand, he knows his position does not allow him to do that. The children's resentment could end his life. Besides, he is not the real Allen. He has to guide the Holy Sword user and achieve the perfect ending. "If you want to protect Isabella and Adrian, you have to know about this, Klein."

[Name: Klein Hariel

Age: 28

Abilities: Cleaning Lv85, Management Lv72, Elemental magic (Water Lv82), Wind Lv52...

Character's Identity: Hariel's family has served the Raphaelis family for eight generations since the founding of the Empire. Klein hates and resents Allen from the bottom of his heart. He believes that his father's death is related to Allen's transformation into a madman. He is loyal to Adrian and Isabella. In the novel, if only Klein were aware of Vardinca, he would live until the end of the novel... (locked)

Favorability: -12%]

The Duchy of Raphaelis consists of two layers: the upper ground and the lower floor. Not many people are aware of the existence of the third layer, the underworld society. Most of those who are aware of this are the Empress's family and most high-ranking nobles.

Even the Emperor himself does not have definite access to this area. That's why the Empress was obsessed with the Raphaelis Duchy. A large number of monster appearances lead to illegal transactions in the black market, making it one of the largest dark societies on the continent.

Walking behind a row of houses, Klein clamps his nose and looks at his surroundings. Rats and flies are everywhere. Bodies, trash, and leaking water can be seen from the corner of his eyes. They walk and arrive at an empty bar.

"Claes Vardinca, remember this name, Klein. This is a place of nowhere." Allen takes his steps calmly and opens the door. Both of them are greeted by a middle-aged man and a young girl. An old man can be seen cleaning wine glasses on the bar counter. Allen drops his hood and walks to the bar counter.

"It's been a while, Fox." The old man known as Fox just stares at him in shock.

"Rabbit, why are you here?" Allen grimaces at the code name before taking Klein with him. He sits down on the stool and pulls Klein to sit next to him. Just as described in the novel, an empty bar with two people waiting. This is the entrance to Claes Vardinca.

The old man making his drinks is not an ordinary man. He was a mage who used to work for the council in the capital. Glenn and his daughter Jean. Both of them were guarding the entrance to the underworld.

"It's been four to five years since your second wife's death, huh?" Now Allen knows. Roselette's death is closely related to the real Allen's madness. The fact that Fox, one of his informants, knows is a big hint. Liam has zero intention of cleaning up the real Allen's problems. It's not related to him anyway. It's about the future, and if the existence of Allen Raphaelis can help him, he will not waste the resources.

"Does it matter? I'm coming back, Fox." The glass in his hand drops. Glenn is staring at Allen as if he had some screws loose. He slaps the table in front of him and pulls his collar. Allen stares at the man emotionlessly. Klein tries to grab the dagger on his sleeve, but Allen holds up his hand, asking the butler to halt his step.

Red veins can be seen on Glenn's head. Both of his hands are holding Allen's collar, trembling hard. "You ran away first. You abandoned all of us. Have you forgotten that? Claiming that you wanted to clean your hands."

[Hidden scenario occurs!]

[Based on the plotline, Allen will not return to the underworld before the demonic worshippers attack the capital!]

Justify your return

[Success: Token of the underworld king, Failure: Enemies with the Underworld gatekeepers]

Allen glances to his right. is this some sort of a sick joke or what? Allen does the only thing he can do. He reads this man's information. Then, he finds it. This man's real weakness.

[He is extremely loyal to Ariel Darren]

Allen slaps the hand that held him and clenches his fist. "I know. But I have to return. For that child's sake, to protect him. Only Vardinca can protect him."

"You hate him. He took your wife away from you, have you forgotten?" Glenn stared back and laughed maniacally. Is this man trying to deceive him? He knew how much Allen treated his son outside of the house. He ignores him and treats him like a nonexistent person. "You used to hit and beat him up with the excuse of training, you bastard!"

Glenn punches Allen, while the other man dodges and grabs the old man's right hand, pulling him forward. "I don't hate him. He has her eyes, after all."

"You abandoned him! You betrayed Ariel!" This time, Glenn tries to kick him but Allen pushes him down with his legs. He sits on the man and secures his position. Liam is freaking out again. Just let him speak! He grabs the man's collar and shouts in his face! He tells the man the truth that only he, the reader knows. Who created Allen as a bastard? He's having a hard time. Even that man, how can he hurt Adrian because he loves his wife?

This is the only excuse that he can think of. "And what am I supposed to do? Love him? Cradle him like a baby and let those people prey on him! Letting him live those types of life? Letting those people see, the strength of the blood of the Royal family in his blood?"

Glenn showed a confused face. "Ariel is an adopted child, that's why her last name is Darren instead of Reiner, she is a commoner.."

"She's not. Her mother used to be the former Queen of the current Kingdom of Prestia, It was long known as Predeus Empire in old scripture. She has pure royal blood in her veins. The former Emperor is my uncle, I inherited that blood. Adrian has blood from the two only ever existing empires on this land. The Royal family will not let him go. As long as I resent him, the aristocrats will not be thinking of using him."

Allen tells them the truth that is only revealed at the end of the story where Adrian betrays the protagonist and attempts a coup. "What nonsense...?"

"Even so, treating him like that is wrong. He's your son, Allen, at least tell him!"

"Tell him what? The Empire and this continent belong to him?" If this fact is revealed, The Empress and the Queen will go after his throat. That's why despite being the successor of a duchy, Adrian has no enemies. People believe that the child will take over the duchy and continue living within the Duchy without touching the underworld.

It's different now; Adrian has to be aware of the underworld. This place is rotten and nasty but the largest fighting force that he can have is here. As long as he can control the movement of the worshippers in the underworld, Allen has a high chance to decrease the casualty. He might become the worshipper's pawn. This is why he needs to teach Klein how to take him and the demonic society down in the future.

"The conservative faction wants him. I can not let him go. I rather he hate me than let those hyenas devour him. I have to protect him. I promise her." Good job Liam! He praises himself. It was written clearly in the book after all.

'The throne should belong to him, the child who was born from the purest royal bloodline! Not a child of a fallen kingdom!'

"Young master is.." Klein feels conflicted as he hears the truth that even his father was not aware of. Allen looks at the man and the notification in front of him.

[Justification success!]

[Reward: Token of the underworld king]

"That's why I need you to gather forces for him, Klein. To protect him. But now, you need to tell me what happened during my absence, Glenn." Looking at the silent man, Allen smiled sadly and sat at the bar once again. He needed to know what happened before the invasion of the demonic worshippers.

*****

One of the priests sitting in the prayer hall is crying and holding her breath. Along with her, the others are praying as well. Suddenly, a light glows, and threads of gold engulf the entire hall.

A man runs into the prayer hall and falls to his knees. He sweats profusely and coughs a few times. Everyone becomes worried. A few elders arrive and hold their breath. A smile forms on the corner of the Saint's lips. Tears flow down from her eyes. People start to shout.

The Holy maiden walks and puts her hand on the tree trunk. Instead of a bleak orange color, it shines with a golden aura. She trembles and closes her eyes silently. The world is no longer dark and dimmed as she thought. They are here. No, he's here. Her next successor will bring light and unite the whole world.

At that moment, she is stunned for a moment and looks toward the audience. It was the man who gave her the prophecy. The man bows his head and blends into the crowds. The man knows his time has ended. Liam Astoria will finish his and his sister's wish.

The Raphaelis children and the Saintess. He used up all of his divinity to fulfill his sister's wish to tell them about a sad future. He will once again enter the land of slumber. A God can't interfere with the wills of the world, but they can rearrange it with an equivalent price. "May the blessing of light be with you."

If Allen were there, he would recognize the man as the same man he met in the room before. The man who shoulders the title of God of Light, who was once known as the brother of a forgotten Goddess of Fate.