Aftermath 2

Regulus arrived after the green world suddenly broke into pieces as if the world was just a mere glass.

His aura was brimming with oppressive, fierce blaze surrounding him, dancing as if it were alive.

His imperial, crimson gaze burned with rage as his pupils reflected the sorry state of his son.

He couldn't believe it.

Under his watchful eyes, he let his son be assassinated.

It was unbelievable.

As he saw his son alive, yet in such a pitiful state, he spread his domain, not activating it to perform an offensive attack but letting it become his perception to perceive every detail it covered.

He saw insects, grasses, tamed beasts, flowers, children, adults, old, cloaks or revealing, small and high-rise buildings… not a single one of them could escape his eyes.

However, he frowned while the rage in his heart continued to set ablaze as if it could burn the whole kingdom.

Regardless, as the Archduke and the Admiral, despite the negative effects of possessing the fire elements, which could easily trigger him, resulting in a berserk, he learned how to control his emotions.

He must not make any decisive actions that he would regret later on.

Even so, it would still be regrettable if he could not identify the assassin and avenge his son for what they have done.

However, he couldn't determine them.

He clenched his teeth until veins bulged out in his forehead and fists.

He grew exasperated every second.

If he couldn't search for the assassin who attempted to kill his son, then he might as well…

"It's no use, Father," I had to calm him down.

Of course, what I was saying was correct.

The Reaper Guild was known for being untraceable due to the artifacts they found in the ancient ruins in other forbidden regions.

The artifact could aid the owner to be untraceable by any means except the real vision.

In other words, unless Regulus saw Viper with his own eyes, so close to him, then it would be impossible to search for him with just the domain alone.

Such an artifact was considered Tier 1, while Viper wore was only a replicate being in Tier 2.

Nonetheless, it was sufficient to conceal him from the watchful eyes of a Warlock.

Artifact was divided by passive and active, as the former didn't have a minor grade compared to the latter.

What I wore was just a Tier 3 passive artifact since I've invested too much of my soul on the active artifacts, which I didn't really regret.

The tiers of the passive artifacts depend on their uses and the level of inscriptions embedded.

As expected, the current blacksmith or inscriptions practitioner of the Reaper Guild couldn't replicate the Tier 1 artifact yet.

However, if it would be Grandmaster Yin, he must be able to achieve it.

'A Tier 1 Artifact that could conceal the owner even against the Warlock and Archmage…' I grinned silently. 'It's worth stealing it.'

Sadly, only those on the higher ranking were blessed with Tier 2 replicate, while those on the lower would be blessed with Tier 3 that could only conceal them in the eyes of High-Mage.

Nonetheless, it made them renowned as the best assassin guild in the world.

"Why?" 

Regulus gazed at me, seemingly calmed down somewhat.

He slowly floated downward until he stepped on the floor near me.

I knew he hated looking down on me.

Hence, I wasn't surprised he dropped his butt on the ground and stared at me with a worried expression.

"Who did this to you?"

"It's the Re-"

My heart skipped a beat as my inner body was struck by something hard.

I panicked a bit before I was forcibly calmed down by my emotionless state.

'This couldn't be right…'

I trembled before slowly coming to a realization.

I grind my teeth internally, maintaining a calm and composed face even when I've suddenly paused what I was about to say.

'That bastard…'

It was hard to believe, but I failed to realize he planted poison inside my body.

Well, it wasn't surprising since the moment we came into agreement, I let my guard down, as I was contemplating a lot, neglecting that he was there.

'I was careless. I knew he wouldn't let me off easily!'

I wanted to express my exasperation by throwing punches mid-air, but I was too emotionless for that.

'I have no choice but to move on.'

That was what always happened next every time I made a blunder.

It couldn't be helped, for with the emotionless traits, there was no point dwelling over it.

'What was the poison he planted on me?'

I've pondered over it.

There were many variations of poisons, ranging from parasitizing, killing, hypnotizing, and many others.

Since the poison inside me was only stopping me from revealing any information, then there was only a single poison in mind.

I gritted my teeth internally.

'Mindweaver Spiderling…'

An adult Spider that could rival a High-Rank Mage.

Since what was inside me was obviously a youngling, it should only be a Mage-Apprentice Rank.

However, I wasn't blessed yet.

I couldn't even force the shadow element hiding inside my body to get rid of it.

To have control over it, I must be blessed first.

Since I wasn't blessed yet, it would be impossible for me.

This was so annoying.

Suddenly, a soothing feeling washed over my anxiousness.

It was the emotionless traits, no doubt.

Now that I've calmed down, I have a clear solution to this.

'To get blessed by the God of War.'

The God of War blessing didn't provide you any control over any elements.

It only gave you one thing, the opening of the twelve mana points and four mana networks.

If I could do that, then I could lead, despite not controlling the shadow element, to the mana points and network.

Then, I could get rid of the spiderling forcibly.

I was filled with relief.

"Who?" Regulus snapped me awake.

I didn't notice I was spending my time again pondering.

 Nevertheless, my thinking process was a lot faster.

I could think for many minutes, but only a millisecond passed by.

Of course, it depends on my consciousness.

If my consciousness was completely on thinking, the time difference would alter drastically.

But If I was thinking but conscious in the real world, then time wouldn't have much difference at all.

"I can't tell." I shook my head.

Regulus' eyes widened as he slowly arrived at a conclusion.

"You were poisoned?" He gazed at my silent response.

Then, as if the ground surrounding us faced a heavy meteorite impact, it was quickly pulverized.

Not even the debris rising survived as it vanished.

Thankfully, though, there was no person around us, for they must have been forcibly evacuated by Regulus without touching them.

"What now? Will it kill you?" 

His voice trembled in anxiousness.

It should be fine to tell them, for the Mindweaver Spiderling should have only prohibited me from saying anything about the identity of its owner.

"No. I will get rid of it."

Determination flashed in my eyes.

Regulus was stunned before laughing.

"That's my son right there!"

He guffawed while I was staring at him with a disgusted expression internally.

'Cringe!'