POV: Vernisha.
I tried to swim against the harsh currents of the waves, but they were ridiculously strong and I was especially drained.
Other than healing from having a massive hole in my mind, that damn fox must have given my monsters a working. Not to mention, I am tired. Very tired.
But I had to get Brenda. I knew she was alive since when I woke up, I made Limdark secure her safety.
But they were tired, too tired to swim all the way to the island. I had enough Qi to spare to heal my muscles and therefore their muscles, allowing us to recover strength faster.
But… I suspect the Qi from that gun really did a working on me. There were no holes in my memory, right?
I don’t think so… My thoughts feel kinda scattered. Maybe my brain was trying to get accustomed to my body again after having a huge chunk of it blasted with such a high concentration of Qi?
While I dwell on such thoughts, a massive wave came in and hit me.
Ah… I feel so tired. Oh, I think I knew what would probably happen.
When I gave Biryan that berserk stat enhancer, I recall feeling an effect on my mind, but not the buff. Even in my seal, the side effect still felt so heavy…
Seals were meant to turn them into pure energy, but a living type. That’s why the fire attack wouldn’t have continued to burn him there, because it got turned into that energy too.
Whatever that drug is made out of, it affects everything. But… at least, it only makes me feel so…
Another wave hit me hard and I was sent deeper into the water. A couple of fishes with two heads hit me there.
Damn… I need to send Biryan out for me to attempt to heal to remove those effects. But, it was like poison. I could heal stuff, and speed up the body’s capability to filter toxins, but my healing powers didn’t directly target them.
Ah man. I had to take the gamble.
Oh wait. I also had two monsters out already.
Could I afford to heal my brain while healing Biryan? It was getting hard to hold my breath, but I was soon washed on the shore and coughed up water.
I tried to get up, but it felt like I had a mountain on me.
My hands trembled as I stretched them out to pull out the Qi crystal dust, which was in a bag.
It dropped on my chest, I just grabbed some from it like a starving man and sent them down my mouth. I mustered up all the saliva I could and swallowed it.
On the wet sand, where the waves would constantly reach me, I felt nothing but cold and alone.
I stared at the sky, watching a purple shooting star moving across the sky. Oh, great…
Time passed, and finally, my Qi reserves had built up. Time to endure hell, and quickly.
I focused healing on my mind, which alleviated some stress.
I took in a deep breath and brought out Biryan.
As soon as I did, I instantly groaned in pain and held my head as I had a huge headache.
Not only that, my entire body felt like it was getting drilled through, with some fire being lit into the holes.
“Hurts…”
Biryan was also in a state of pain, screeching in agony.
My entire body glowed in red, healing. But like I thought, it didn’t go away.
The pain drastically lessened, at least, but the exhaustion obviously didn’t.
To think the pain was being split between me and three monsters and yet it was this painful.
How was I going to save Brenda?
“Shit…”
“Ferzan…” I muttered as tears ran down my face. “Where are you… I need you… I”
I hated feeling so weak. I wasn’t going to die, but I didn’t want to live in such misery.
“Get up…”
I tried to move, but the pain increased so much, Biryan went spiraling.
My plan was wrong… what could I do— Oh. Yes, that could work…
I pulled out the sword from my inventory and crawled over to Biryan who looked like it wanted to die.
“I am not going to kill you, sorry.”
There was the issue of the metabolism of the drug in its body’s tissue, since drugs don’t just stay in the blood. They are distributed throughout the body and can affect various tissues and organs. And well, it clearly was doing that… So to get rid of it...
I fell to my knees, breathing hard.
I completely instinctively blocked out those other monster senses.
My hands shook as I brought my sword against Biryan’s trembling wings. My eyes were unfocused and I wasn’t sure if what I did was about to make sense.
“I will endure the same pain as you…” I lifted the sword and sliced down on its wing, spilling blood on the sand.
It squealed.
I bit down on my lips because of the intense pain.
HEAL!
Its wing grew back but I felt unsteady a bit.
That sudden influx of pain made me feel extra faint, especially with all the stress already. But I did something correct, my arms were no longer in pain.
“I am going to cut everything below the neck, now.”
My legs shook as I moved over it.
It’s going to hurt…
With both my hands holding both edges of the blade, I brought it down with all the force I could muster.
“ARGH!”
HEAL!
The pain went away but except the head.
Somehow, I maintained my consciousness, he didn’t, which was affecting my mind.
At least it wouldn’t be in any more pain. Damn, I have to reward him somehow when things cool down.
I made him [return] and then I took more Qi dust.
It seemed I could only do a 50% Qi recharge from it.
I took it all and ran into the and dived into the waves.
I went deep into it, moving towards the ship that was halfway into the water.
Limdark. Now that I was recharged, so was it. It responded to my thoughts.
Brenda, where is she—
I looked because of the shadow and saw a small boat.
I floated up and broke the water surface and it was her, though with a Qi gun pointing at me.
So much for stealth hunter. Although, it probably had to deal with the fact I made a huge sound upon breaking the surface.
Her erratic gaze disappeared once she noticed it was really me.
“Please don’t kill me. I am just a passing mermaid,” I said deadpan.
She was relieved so much that the gun dropped from her hand and she held her chest, taking in huge gulps of air.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Me…? I should be asking you that! But, you look okay. I am glad to see that.”
“Yeah, same. You got more space in here?” I asked, referring to the boat.
She smiled. “Dude… you can see that.”
I gripped the edges of the boat which moved a little due to me putting weight on it. Then I got on it and threw myself inside.
I also called those monsters over. It will take a while for them to return, but they would be safe.
She asked, “She is dead, right? I saw her monster suddenly collapse and assumed the same thing would have applied to her.”
“Yeah, she is.”
“Good. She was crazy. She can go meet the bastard that killed Nack in death.”
“Hm… Let’s try to get to the shore and light a fire to get some warm. You must be very cold.”
“A bit so.”
She then looked afar. It was my monsters she was looking at.
She asked, “You can freely use two monsters at once now?”
“Not exactly. One of my imbued artifacts has a mental focus buff, so that helps a lot, but it’s still strenuous.”
She nodded. “You know… I want to be of use to you in the future.”
“Hm?” I raised an eyebrow as I felt the boat go up because of a wave. “I mean, if it wasn’t for you and your connections, we wouldn’t be so close to Holvious.”
She grimaced. “Sure… but every time, you needed to endanger yourself to save me. All I did was be pathetic and be a burden.”
“I don’t—”
“It’s pointless to lie, to be honest. I am not saying that for pity. I want to be stronger. I want to be useful… if I was, then Nack’s body wouldn’t be left to the sea. But… I knew it was pointless to try to save the dead, risking my life. But that feels so shitty to think. He died because of me, and and… I had the fucking audacity to think so selfishly…? Like, what the honest hell is wrong with me?”
I wanted to say something, but I wasn’t sure how to comfort her. Would my words even help in any form?
But I had to try.
“You are a kind person. He probably liked you because of that. I am going to say something annoying, but I think he wouldn’t have wanted you to endanger your life to save his corpse. He most likely would want you to live.”
POV: The Queen of Terrafall
Standing in front of a restricted jail cell just for Goldbon Starworth was an interesting experience.
As the outside world became blurs, I couldn’t help but think about the conversation I had with him in secret. Well, more so, what a waste it was.
I expected to have some qualities of Eren, but it didn’t seem the case.
But the conversation with Joseph was good. It’s a shame that the king’s younger brother is so much more dignified than the actual king.
What a damn embarrassing life I must endure. Oh how I long for that husband of mine to meet his end.
I looked outside of the Qi jeep, gazing at the birds in the sky.
Hm… Maybe the conversation with Goldbon wasn’t pointless.
He said he knew that Vernisha was going to survive because she was his daughter, so foolish. If my sister heard that line of logic, she would scuff for the whole week.
I twirled the blade in my hand.
“That child of yours, she isn’t actually evil, is she?” That was the first thing I asked.
If she was, Eren would have killed her. I was certain.
Goldbon replied, lifting his head to see me. “Damn, if the king finds out you are here, he wou—”
“That disgusting scum wouldn’t do jack shit.”
“Oh wow? Well to answer, as far as I am aware, she isn’t.”
“Hm. Do you know how she got that mark? I heard from your ex bodyguard, Verlan, that she had it as a child.”
“Yeah, that’s true. She told me she always had the mark, but her mother hid it. I thought maybe her mother somehow made the deal? But, I am pretty sure it doesn’t work like that.”
“Yes, that’s right,” I turned to look at Katie, quite an accomplished monster researcher. “I don’t suppose you would have knowledge to add or contradict that?”
“No, I wouldn’t. Her biology is simply that of a Darsean’s.”
“Yet there is something weird about her. While Darsean cultists have that seal, they can’t use it to capture monsters, but only to drain their power, spread darkness, and maybe contact each other. Yet, that girl contradicts that.”
“Yes… why are you asking us those questions?” Goldbon asked.
“Well, I am very obsessed with Darsean’s history and just them overall, you see. There was this interesting thing I learned, there is a second way someone can inherit a Darsean seal without contacting the emperor himself, they have to be a child of his.”
POV: The King
I gazed at the recording from the hidden camera in Janet’s armor, which was barely functioning because of the salt water that got into it.
With my legs crossed, I processed what Janet’s dying request was, “I want him to die… Because he is happy right now. Having a normal life… But Yanson is dead, So is Ben and Dethen. I don’t think it’s fair for him to live… It’s not fair It’s not fair…”
To be fair, the berserk enhancer really does send someone’s emotions in a rollercoaster.
I then shook my head, muttering to myself, “Like hell… I gave them a chance to be something greater, but they all failed terribly.”
There were others to be used, but the stronger ones were currently dealing with an issue in another country.
But for her to say, I am happy… What’s wrong with that? I am the king, aren’t I? Shouldn’t I be the happiest in the damn kingdom?
I killed my brother for this damn role. If I had to do something so damn terrible to such a great man, then I should be happy.
But that child’s existence has brought trouble… but also, a chance to make me not fear anything.
As long as I get that hand and keep up the end of my bargain, everything will play out… like it should.
I got off my chair and looked at the massive glass capsule with green fluids in it; where a naked dead woman reside.
I pressed my hand against the glass, my gaze lingering on her beautiful hair, a mix of long brown and black strands.
Once I uphold my end of the bargain, I will have the power to bring her back to life, back to me. I will once again have her by my side.
Whether she regains her memories or not is of little consequence. As long as she can guide me on the best path in life.
As long as she can advise me on the moves that would guarantee my eternal rule.
Hmm, if she were to lose her memories, I suppose she would also lose her supernatural wisdom. Without it, she would be a different person entirely.
“Sir,” my assistant announced as he opened the door.
“What is it? And why aren’t there any women with you?”
“Uh… I did mention that the queen is coming. It wouldn’t be appropriate to invite any escorts or secret concubines to… provide services.”
“Oh, that thing… Where is she?”
“Well, we’ve received information that Ferzan is somewhat upset. As a result, she’s traveling incognito in a Qi Jeep, which is protected with C-rank Vanquishers.”
“You’re incredibly useless, do you know that? We’re currently far from any civilization to avoid that madman Ferzan until one of my B-rank Vanquishers can return to Terrafall. But what am I supposed to do to pass the time? Couldn’t you have found some village girl or some Slime eggs for their relaxing fumes?”
His eyes twitched. “No… I couldn’t. You must understand that your reputation is very important. The queen has done her best to keep silent about your activities because she fears that the fragile trust between Terrafall and the Holvious would crumble. People might believe she’s a spy sent to tarnish the reputation of their nation’s royalty. Besides, you want me to go around asking some poor girl to provide intimate services for a price? I don’t even care about exploitation, all I care about is the public viewing you as respectable… Not a man who’s always indulging in pleasures to distract himself from his miserable thoughts.”
I sat down on my chair and pointed at the woman in the capsule.
The assistant looked disturbed. “What is it, sir…? Miss Madria? What about her?”
“Do you know how old she is?”
“I don’t see how this is relevant to the conversati—”
“Just answer the question.”
“No. Maybe eight hundred? She assisted your father in ruling, and your father’s father.”
“Yes. She aided them from the shadows, like a ghost. That’s all she was to them. She never once shared their bed.”
His voice carried anger as he asked, "Is that all you think about when you see a--"
“But for some weird reason, when she was helping me rule, she fell ill and randomly found interest in me. I was only 18 when I lost my virginity to her.”
“I understand, she was a predator of sorts. But what’s the significance of this? It’s indeed peculiar that she chose you when she fell ill. She must have had a reason, one that remains unknown to us.”
I stroked my chin, now devoid of a beard. “I’m not sure. But it’s quite simple. I don’t desire ordinary women. The ones I desire, I desire for a straightforward reason. I’m seeking the same feeling I had with her. Not a form of pleasure… something that feels unnatural. Not right. Impossible, not in the ethical sense, but in the sense of impending doom.”
"Oh..." He was baffled.
Ha! Priceless.
I then laughed. “By the way, I just said all that to make you shut the fuck up. I don’t need to care about what some damn dragon balls licking, volcano-dwelling mongrel thinks. All I care about is using people yes, I have no shame about it. People to die for me, to kill for me, to suffer for me, or to bring pleasure to me. Only when I have complete control of those around me can I feel... right. Although I will say with certainty, that when Miss Madria comes back, once she can tell me what to do, I will be able to live a life at rest. Only then will I feel safe on this throne.”
"Comes... Back--?"
The door swung open, and a woman with black hair and matching armor stepped in.
I glanced at her and began, “She’s just an ordinary woman. Why would you bring someone so mundan—”
“I am not one of your whores, sir,” she interjected.
“Ah, that voice. Tarniesha… What brings you here?”
“I’ve contacted Ferzan. He’s not coming for you. He’s currently searching for Vernisha, but I’ve told him she went to Emeraldmine. I’m fairly confident he believed me, given my acting skills.”
“That’s good news.”
Just then, my Pyramid communication line began to vibrate.
I pulled it out of my pocket and listened.
"My King, it’s Verlan. I’ve reached Terrafall. Where should I meet you?”
“Hm. We’ll meet you, and then we’ll head to Holvious.”
The sound of a nearly silent jeep drew near, and after a few minutes, a woman dressed in a long red and gold gown walked in.
Despite living in Terrafall for a long time, she had maintained her tan. One could never look at her and think she wasn’t from Holvious.
With her casual yellow eyes and annoyed expression, she leaned against the wall and said, “I’ll be coming too. It’s been a while since I visited my home.”
As she spoke, I couldn’t help but glance back at the capsule.
“Why do you help us rule, Miss Madria?”
“I wish to witness a certain event in the future.”
“How close are you to it?”
“I’m not sure. All I know is that I won’t die until I see it with my own two eyes. Until I can give the greatest being what he deserves… And for that, I’ll do anything to witness it, again for the third time in this world’s history.”
