A Brief Respite (2)

Lancell laid on the soft feather-bed that was prepared for him several days back. He closed his eyes as his mind went to focus on his connection on Arkenvalle. The connection, which was stronger than ever was like a river that connected two seas and freely transferred whatever each of them was feeling.

After a near instant, Lancell felt his mind connect with Arkenvalle.

("Valle?")

("Hm?") she answered. However, her voice sounded a bit worn out.

Lancell smiled wryly in his mind. ("Sorry. Were you resting?")

("It's alright. I just woke up.") she said. It was obvious to Lancell she was being considerate.

("I see. Anyway, can I ask if you saw what happened earlier?")

("Earlier?") she seemed oblivious about what Lancell was talking about.

("I see. It's fine. Don't mind it.") Lancell said. After that, was a bit of silence as perhaps, Arkenvalle was thinking too, on her side. The silence didn't last too long, until Arkenvalle spoke.

("Lancelot.") she called out. ("I checked your memories just now.")

("Hm? So, did you find anything?")

("About Aria's behaviour?") she confirmed what he meant, and Lancell nodded.

("No.") Arkenvalle said. ("I only know what you know.")

("I see. Thanks Valle.")

("Mn.")

And so, after the very brief talk, Lancell dispersed his focus, and finally let his mind rest.

◇◇◇

In the throne room, Aria kneeled in front of her father. She was called out after the he found out that she had contact with Lancell, and demanded explanation.

"I asked whether he saw my brother." She defended herself.

The king frowned upon her answer. "How many times must I tell you, that man is a devil." His face gradually twisted to an enraged expression as he spoke.

However, Aria didn't relent. She stared at her father's eyes, and spoke in a firm tone. "I do not believe it." She then lowered her head, as her gaze fell into the sword on her waist.

"I do not believe he murdered brother." She repeated.

That's right. Yesterday, after the bloody battle with the Wave, Aria who went back to her room. And when she was about to go to sleep, Prim, suddenly knocked into her room and informed that her father was looking for her.

Aria then followed Prim's lead, and went into a private discussion chamber that was only used in emergency meetings.

And from there, she saw a soldier recollecting the events from the battlefield, and the gruesome fate his brother suffered.

Ever since then, the entire royal family was in guard about Lancell, Arthur, and as well as the group that arrived searching for him.

But Aria didn't believe that. From her short interactions with him, she knew he wasn't a person who would waste his time killing people. He was a desperate person. Desperate for power, and he loathed wasting his time. At least that's what Aria observed.

Aria's father looked down on her from his throne, his eyes narrowed to a sharp degree, and his brows frowning, showing his obvious displeasure.

"Leave." Her father spoke. "Return to your room, and do not leave without my permission. That is a royal order."

Having no choice but to oblige, Aria only nodded, and turned to leave.

And the moment she gained a bit of distance from the throne room, Aria muttered.

"What exactly happened, Lancell?"

◇◇◇

"Oooh boy! Ain't these some goodies!"

The moment he saw the small hill of materials that was delivered into his workshop (It wasn't actually his), Carlos cried out in a peculiar tone.

It was some awesome thing he hadn't seen before, and it seems quite interesting. The mana it held were unlike normal mana infused steel that he had once practice on daily.

He held some of the monster parts—fangs, claws, bones, scales— and observed them veeery closely. Let's not think of a pervert that was peeking at someone's panties, shall we? After all, this isn't that kind of work.

"Hihihihi...hihi..hihi..."

With a wide grin on his face, Carlos then started to fiddle with each material as he was already laughing in a disgusting manner. Let's not think of a paedophile who was suddenly exposed to a little girl's panties, shall we? After all, this isn't that kind of work.

*Tink* *Tink* *Tink* *Tink*

Sounds of metal hitting another metal resounded within the room as Carlos started tinkering with whatever he could get his hands on.

"Hihihihi...hihi..hihi..."

And along with a disgusting laugh, the tinkering continued. However, at times, Carlos would occasionally mutter:

"Bitch please. War's the best."

It seems war can also change a person in more than one ways. Disgusting.

◇◇◇

CRAASH!!

The sound of a table being destroyed resounded as...well, a table was being destroyed. The king, Margilus slammed and fists on a completely innocent table that a craftsman had poured his heart into making, solely for the reason he was angry. Okay, Lievel here, and I won't screw the story by staying here anymore. Pardon me.

◇◇◇

CRAASH!!!

Margilus slammed his fists on a table within his private chambers, breaking it into pieces. He felt like he was betrayed. Not just by Lancell, but by the world itself.

Lancell, whom he had trusted very much despite his dubious origins, had killed his eldest son. His daughter, who was supposed to be on his side, refused to believe the obvious truth. And as for the world, he questioned why the world would throw the entire wave directly into his kingdom.

Why? Why did he have to be so unfortunate? Why did the world have to be so cruel? Wasn't he already doing his best as a king? Why take more?!

Margilus had a lot of questions, but it was impossible to find an answer to any of those.

He clenched his fist while his jaws tightened. His blood was boiling, and his wasn't gonna forgive this betrayal.

His breathing grew more ragged. He had the urge to let out a howl of rage, but he had to keep it in. He was a king, after all.

After a long while, he finally calmed down. However, it was only on the outside as he was still burning on the inside. He looked past the window as he swore.

"I will definitely avenge your death...Jaime..."

And so, a seed of betrayal had began to sprout.