The Three Malics. (2)

After saying that to his father, Muzan had to admit that he felt good. It was like an immense weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Seeing the furious look on his father's face, a small part of Muzan wanted to apologize to him but suddenly, he felt a hand resting on his shoulder.

Looking to his right, he saw Erik nodding his head with a reassuring look on his face as if he was telling him to continue. Muzan took a deep breath and stared intensely at his father, waiting for his response.

Red with anger, his father was about to punish him but suddenly, one of the younger men that stood next to him stepped forward. This man greatly resembled Muzan so Erik could only conclude that he was also a prince.

Looking at Muzan and Erik condescendingly, the man shouted, "Muzan! Where did you suddenly find the guts to talk to the king like that?! The fact that he's your father doesn't mean you can talk to him however you want! Apologize immediately!"

Following his lead, the last prince, one that shared similar traits to the other two pointed his finger at Erik and shouted, "Intruder, don't think we've forgotten you either! Apologize for your disrespect towards the king and everyone in this palace! When you're done, you'll stay here and explain yourself to King Kiran, the leader of the Alla Empire." {A/N: Malics = Kings.}

To Erik, this display of "power" was nothing more than a clown show. These kings and princes were only impressive in their own kingdoms or the ones surrounding them. Compared to the grand scale of the tower, these kings were measly figures at best.

'Well, they don't even know that they are in a tower to begin with so it's not that surprising. Hm, what is this weird itch in my chest?'

Coming out of his thoughts, Erik started rubbing his chest and glanced nonchalantly at the prince who asked him to apologize.

"Why should I apologize? I'm the one who was wronged and Muzan already apologized for the actions of your guard. I came here to meet the people who claimed that they didn't take me seriously but yet, here you are coming out of hiding. Now that I'm here, you think acting like an arrogant fool would get me to submit? Are you dumb?"

The other prince, named Yuzan, went red from embarrassment and anger when he heard Erik's response. He knew that what Erik was implying was indeed the truth. They were afraid of him. The same guard who was killed by a slap was almost as strong as their king. He wasn't just the head guard for the gates, he was the head guard for the entire kingdom.

He just happened to be passing by the gates that day and heard the commotion with Erik. Who could've guessed that those were his final moments?

Muzan was getting bolder and bolder with every passing moment that he spent with Erik. Erik wasn't arrogant, he was just honest. Just by the way he carried himself around them let them know that they were weak.

But, he didn't actively try to oppress them or make them feel bad about their weakness. In fact, Muzan was sure that if they didn't start on such bad footing, the kingdom could've gained a powerful ally and he, a great friend.

'If only I could become stronger! I would take these proud foolish people off the throne and reform this kingdom into one where people don't have to be rich to given rights! Where people don't have to purchase their rights to live! Where slavery is a thing of the past! Dammit!'

Muzan clenched his fists tightly, causing his nails to dig into his palms. They even started to bleed but Muzan didn't care. He was cursing himself for being so weak that he couldn't stop his country from becoming a cesspool of evil. All he could do was watch as his accursed family took advantage of the people who couldn't afford to purchase their rights.

Speaking about his family, Erik noticed that the Queen who had been quiet all this time was whispering something to King Kiran, Muzan's father. Judging from his expression, it was clear that they were planning to do something drastic.

"Muzan!! For the past few years, every decision I've made has been opposed by you! While everyone else from the family was at my side, you were the only one standing against me! My son of all people was the one telling me that I was going wrong! Fool!"

King Kiran spat on the ground and stared at Muzan with pure anger in his eyes. His haggard breathing made it seem like he couldn't even catch a proper breath because of his anger.

"Now, you've brought an evil intruder into my home and you're calling me a coward?! I've had enough!"

King Kiran moved with a strange technique and arrived in front of Muzan with his hand raised. Erik was surprised that these people actually had a few techniques up their sleeves. After all, they weren't the strongest kingdom in the area for nothing.

PAH!

King Kiran slapped Muzan on his cheek as the latter took it without flinching and looked defiantly.

"From today onwards, you are no longer the prince of this kingdom! And most importantly, I disown you as my son! Leave this country and never come back! You have until noon to do so! After that, if you are found anywhere near this kingdom, you will be killed on sight! Go!"

The rest of the family just looked on condescendingly as Muzan was shamed and disowned. Not one person stood up for him. To them, he was already dead.

They knew how upright he was and they all hated him for it. It was a foregone conclusion that Muzan would play the hero and stay in the kingdom after the King's imposed time limit and he would die for his insubordination. But, unexpectedly...

PAH! PAH!

Muzan returned two slaps to his father, causing the mouths of everyone there to drop in surprise. His eyes flashed with anger as he took one last look at everyone there.

"You've disowned me? After all the wars I've fought? After all the times I've saved your life in battle? After all the times I've negotiated with the rebels when they were about to overrun this accursed palace? Alright! I'm no longer the prince of this country! I'll become a king of my own country and I'll raze this pile of trash from the face of the world! I'll give the citizens who want change a better home and those who don't an early grave! I swear I'll make all of your lives a living hell when I return! Mr. Erik, let's go!"

Muzan turned his back, grabbed his halberd, and started walking out of the palace. Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps appeared behind him, and the sweet voice of a young woman sounded out.

"Your Highness, wait! Take me with you!"

The same maid that called him before, Yanra frantically ran up to him. When Muzan noticed her, he put his hand on her shoulder and said seriously, "Yanra, my only maid, do you know what would happen if you follow me? You would be stripped of all your rights and you would become an outcast like me. It's going to-"

With determination in her eyes, she held his hand and interjected, "I know. But, I was your maid since we were kids and I will remain close to you until I die. That is the oath I took and that is the oath I will fulfill."

Muzan, knowing how Yanra was, couldn't argue with her. He then said, "Do you need to get your clothing?"

"No, you only have one robe and I only have this outfit. We will rebuild ourselves from there. Better times will come as I believe that you will accomplish what you set out to do."

Muzan clenched his bloodied fists once again and held her hands, taking her along with him. His resolve was strengthened even more now that someone believed in him.

Unbeknownst to Muzan though, something was happening to Erik as he followed them quietly. Something was wrong with him. The itch from before on his chest and now appeared over five more points on his body.

His forehead.

The palms of both hands.

The soles of his feet.

All of those, including his chest, had now become incredibly itchy, bordering on the feeling of pain. Even the Shinsu in the atmosphere felt like it was becoming incredibly thin.

Erik opened his palm to look at it and found that there was an ominous black pearl forming in it. Opening the other hand, he noticed the same thing happening too.

'What is happening to me?'

He started to become nervous as his mind raced in different directions. Nothing in recent memory gave him the slightest clue of what was happening.

That was until one word appeared in his mind. It was something that he had forgotten about since a major one hadn't happened even after six years of being in the tower.

Evolution.

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A/N: Fellas, sorry for the delay with the chapters. I'll try to put out another one today and if not, well, tomorrow. Thanks for reading.