Chapter-20
4.8k 30 120
X
Reading Options
Font Size
A- 15px A+
Width
Reset
X
Table of Contents
Loading... please wait.

“Marquis As...no, Astley, what exactly do you want me to do with you?”

Marquis Astley was kneeling in his own office with Arthur sitting on top of his desk and Lux impaled on the ground. All the nobles were in one corner of the room, shivering...they were afraid. They couldn’t imagine the things they will go through because of the young Duke in front of them.

Marquis Astley in particular couldn’t bring his head around on what happened. He had three strong individuals...three strong ones that could bring down a village. However, the sight of the mage begging for his life in front of Arthur, was something he couldn’t believe.

I underestimated him…

This particular line went through Marquis Astley’s head multiple times. However, no matter the situation, Marquis Astley is a person who would never bow his head to anyone.

“You can do anything you want with me, Duke Arthur.”

“Is that so?”

Despite his voice being calm, anyone could clearly say that it is filled with rage.

“Tell me where you sold the people as slaves.”

“...”

“Tell me, Astley.”

Despite the clear difference in power, Marquis Astley had his mouth completely shut. Arthur soon reached his patience,

I had to go through things to get to this point, now this son of a batard won’t open his mouth.

“You forced me into doing this, Astley. Sebastian, bring him in.”

Sebastian brought another man...no, a young boy of age around the 20’s. He is the son of Marquis Astley. A treasure Astley is extremely fond of.

“Father!!! What is happening here??!! Who are these people?!?”

“SON!!.... Duke Arthur, I beg you. He has nothing to do with this. Leave him alone!!”

However, unlike the father, the son is a fool born only with riches and nothing else.

“Duke Arthur?!? The incompetent Prince?!?”

“Be quiet, you!!”, Marquis shouted at his son, afraid that Arthur might slash him down.

However, the Arthur that he was afraid of, had a sinister smile on his face. Seeing that sent shivers down Marquis’s spine.

“Yes, I am the incompetent prince.”, Arthur said with the same smile.

“I knew it!! You better leave me and my father alone, Arthur! Otherwise, you are gonna feel the wrath of Richard.”, the boy told proudly.

Hearing what the boy said, Arthur couldn’t help but burst into a roar of laughter.

“That muscle-head?? Ha-ha-ha~ all the idiots gather in the same place.”

“Yo-...You!! Whom are you calling a muscle-head?!?”

Ignoring the child’s ranting, Arthur took hold of Lux and threw it to Ron.

Unlike with Arthur, Lux was completely silent with Ron.

“Ron, you can do whatever you want with him. Just don’t kill him.”

“With pleasure, My lord.”

“Do-Don’t come near me!!!”

“Son!! You bastard Ron!! How dare you betray me!! Do you not want your village to live?!?”

Taking the last gamble, Marquis tried to blackmail Ron with his village. However, the arrow was put down before it could even reach the air.

“My lord has already allowed me to rescue my village.”, Ron said with a face devoid of any emotion.

*STAB*

“SONNN!!!”, before his son could scream, Marquis Astley’s voice filled the building.

“AHHHHH!!!!”, Ron stabbed the young man in his thigs, with blood dripping onto the floor,

*WIINNGG*

Lux absorbing the son’s magic, once again came back to life.

“Astley, do you see the glowing sword stabbed into your son? That thing can absorb magic completely.”

With that, Marquis Astley’s eyes widened to the maximum.

“He is gonna die...very soon. You can decide what you want to do, Astley.”

It is back again, the sinister smile on Arthur’s face is back. Marquis Astley with no other choice decided to confide in.

“I will tell you.…”, with that Ron removed Lux.

“GOOD!! GOOD!!”, Arthur happily exclaimed.

“The slaves were sent to the Lysandra Kingdom.”

That single line was enough to put Arthur’s expression dark. 

“To whom exactly?”

“Duke of Arma.”

Hmm...I see. Where are the records?”

“In the desk, you are sitting in.”

“Ohh...Sebastian, please check.”

Sebastian replied, after checking the contents.

“They are all here, My lord.”

“Good...and Astley, those three? Were they given by the Duke? I am sure a mere marquis wouldn’t have someone as powerful as them.

“Yes, you are right.”

They were given by the Duke of Arma. He wanted to make sure I was safe. But even they were no match for Arthur.

"Do you know your brother will be the next Marquis?"

"Of course, no one other than him would be worthy of the title after me. He is a good guy, works for the people. The kind I hate the most, but you are not like that are you, Duke Arthur? Though you contain goodwill for the people, you too love profits."

"..."

"Haha~ seems like I was right on point."

“Final question, Astley. Do you feel anything after selling my people to another kingdom?”

“No, I feel nothing. If I were to be given another chance in life. I will repeat whatever I did again. I did that for my own profit, and I have nothing to feel wrong about. Don’t you feel the same, Duke Arthur? ”

Yes, I feel nothing wrong, after all, it’s not my fault they were weak enough to be sold off. If I am going to die, then be it, except for leaving my son alone, I have no regrets.

“You are not wrong, but that doesn’t make you right either. Just as you said, I love profit, after all, I have been investing in you lot for years.”

Arthur said pointing to nobles.

“But in the process, I made sure to not trample on the citizens.”

“I see...though we share the same goal, our paths are different.”

“True...Thank you, Astley.”

Astley was stunned by the comment made by Arthur.

“May I know for what, Duke Arthur?”

“You have brains, Astley. After all, you figured out my plan and sent assassins after me. I thought it would be better to use that brain for the benefit of people, but…”

“But?”, though Astley already knew the answer, he feigned ignorance to hear it from the young prince’s mouth.

“You convinced me it’s dangerous to let you roam around the streets. For that…”

Arthur got down the table, took the sword, and made his way to Astley.

“FATHER!!!!”

“Silence, son. You’re my pride, live freely. I am just paying back the loans with my life. You have nothing to do with the crimes I committed.”

“Father!!! Duke Arthur, I beg you!!! Please leave him alone!!!”

Arthur made a difficult expression, it’s because he knew the pain to live without a parent.

“Come on, First prince of Zemira!!! Is this your resolve?!? I am not someone who would live under the pity of a boy as young as you!!! Finish me and save your people!!”

“Haha~~ You are right, Astley. I ask forgiveness for my lack of composure.”

*STAB*

“FATHER!!!!”

“Ah...Promise me, Arthur. Promise me, that you will always follow your goals. Promise me...ugh...that you will never bow down to anyone.”

“Haha~ You are a difficult man to understand, Astley. Has anyone ever told you that?”

“Many...I act on my own beliefs. And I believe, you will make a wonderful king.”

“I see…”

“Please take care of my son...he is spoilt, but he is a nice boy. Don’t kill him. Please….ugh”

“...I admire your love for your son. I promise to not kill him.”

“Good...I love you, son!!. Duke Arthur!! Finish me!!!”

“...tch.”

*STAB* *THUD*

“FATHEEERRR!!!!”

Marquis Astley let out his last breath after being impaled to the wall by Arthur.

*WINNGGG*

“Lux, stop absorbing his magic.”

As soon as Arthur said that, silence once again enveloped the room.

*Sigh* “Until the very end, he is a difficult man to understand.”



Hey, guys, Artique here!!!

Though it would be better to add some character to Astley...instead of a Beta villain. Tell me if it was nice down in the comments.

 

PS: I have exams coming up...well they are in January (JEE Mains). But that doesn't mean I will be stoping this. After all, I started this as a way to relieve my stress and I don't intend to stop. It's just that there will be only 1-2 posts per day. So please, keep on reading!!

120