Truly Filthy

Prince Revaz was startled by this quick change of event. He had yet to process what was happening in the present when an oppressive aura exploded from Argan's body and enveloped the surroundings in a suffocating veil of darkness. It was as though the impregnable night sky had collapsed and fell upon the earth, shrouding every square, nook and cranny in a deathly menace.

The hand that was clasped around Prince Revaz's neck tightened without an inch of mercy nor hesitation the moment Argan had sensed the strong murderous intent radiating from the prince.

But, even after Prince Revaz had knocked out of his stupor, Argan didn't relax his strength and only meant to finish the deed since he knew once he had taken action, there was no going back for him and Kalliope.

On the other hand, Argan also noticed the density of mana that was residing inside the prince's body when they came into physical contact. It was as though his whole presence was a product of mana in the purest sense of magic and Argan could barely discern the level of his power.

Hence, Argan wanted to take advantage of his moment of confusion to quickly eliminate the enemy.

But, how could it be that easy?

Night was not only the demon's dominion but also the young prince's source of power. Prince Revaz curled his lips in disdain as he watched Argan's attempt to kill him while failing to deliver any sense of pain. His deep ruby eyes didn't even blink but twinkled in amusement as if he was watching a clown making a fool of himself.

Indeed, Prince Revaz didn't plan to do anything and just let Argan successfully snapped his neck. With a loud CRACK, Prince Revaz's head slanted and his eyes shut tight. Thereafter, Argan carelessly threw his body off the clock tower and it dropped onto the ground with a loud bang.

Argan breathed a heavy sigh as he turned to face the pale Kalliope. Her forehead was cloaked with a layer of cold sweat while she endured the pain that was slowly disappearing.

"My Lady, are you--"

Unfortunately, before Argan could finish his sentence, blood spurted out of his chest and splashed onto Kalliope's face, staining her fair skin and beautiful nightgown crimson red.

In that moment, it was as though time had slowed down and everything had gone into slow motion. Kalliope froze as her eyes stared shock at the arm that had punctured Argan's heart. Blood trickled down her face and went into her mouth, leaving a bitter, metallic taste of vengeance.

As Prince Revaz pulled his hand out, black aura erupted in a whirlpool of madness from the wound he created. The aura was embroiled in intense hatred and bottomless grief, so intense that it blanketed the darkness in an immensely powerful dead mana, sapping away any light within five kilometers radius before shooting through the roof towards the sky.

Prince Revaz was dumbstruck upon this sudden occurrence. Sensing a thick murderous intent from the mass of darkness before him, Prince Revaz quickly made his escape.

However, even with his acute senses, he had failed to detect the phenomenon that occurred in the sky above. The moment he had pulled out his hand and the black aura shot through the roof, the sky trembled as layers of clouds dispersed, creating a hole that covered the ground outside the clock tower.

Then, as Kalliope watched Argan dropped to his knees and his body transformed back into wisps of black mist beneath her feet, she lost control of her emotion and a gigantic black magic crest flashed, covering the hole in the sky.

The spell commenced and the magic crest summoned four other magic circles on top of it with the same runes imprint, but dwindling in size upon each layer.

Hence, the moment Prince Revaz dashed out of the clock tower, a dozen of swords pierced through the magic crest and rained down upon him at the speed of light. The black swords were created from pure concentrated mana with dark attribute. They pierced through his four limbs and trapped him on the ground.

And no matter how much he struggled, the ten blades remained buried in his skin. In fact, the more he moved, the more painful it became.

Yes, pain, Prince Revaz shuddered the moment he was able to feel the gradually intensifying pain. The shock ceased his movement instantly. Though no blood was spilled, Prince Revaz experienced a devastating agony that was a thousand times worse than the ritual that he had gone through which grant the prince his current power.

However, when a cry was about to break out of him, the black swords peeled off a string of its aura and they integrated into a layer of black mist before it strapped Prince Revaz's mouth.

"AR.....MMPFHhh...."

It successfully stifled any sound the prince attempted to make. Thereafter, amidst the torment, he sensed an approaching presence coming from his left. Revaz turned his head to catch a pair of dainty feet drenched in blood standing two steps away from him.

When he looked up, he once again met that pair of enchanting rose quartz. But, this time, they glistened with bloodlust while black veins covered the girl's lovely face.

Although Kalliope's face was emotionless, Prince Revaz could sense the burning rage from the black aura wailing behind her.

But, instead of the urge to fight back, Prince Revaz only heard a strange sound echoing within him that was very similar to the sound of heartbeats. His soul succumbed into obedience out of his own will and there was nothing he could do to control his emotion.

"You..." Kalliope's voice sounded slightly distorted as she asked, "You...have a death wish, don't you?"

"Touching what's mine..." Kalliope's voice grew menacing as she lifted one foot and placing it upon the prince's arm. "This hand...is truly filthy."

"Erusio."

In that moment, the black aura radiating from Kalliope's body slowly condensed as it floated down towards the sole of her foot. By the time it reached her toes, the black aura had converged into a ball of thick liquid and ruptured midair, splashing down on Prince Revaz's arm. Thereafter, it seeped into his skin through the fabric of his clothes.

When the liquid passed through the epidermis and landed on his bones, it quickly dissolved like sugar upon a boiling water and his bones began eroding, resulting in a tremendous pain. Prince Revaz couldn't help but bit his tongue amidst the agony.

Though the pain didn't spread to the other parts of his body, he started to spasm, writhing in misery without being able to release the tension.