Chapter 111

"M-Mother...?" The Archpriestess's voice trembled as she rubbed her temples, a slight headache creeping in.

/KILL HIM/

"Archpriestess?" Her followers exchanged concerned glances, noticing her distress.

"N-Nothing," the Archpriestess dismissed their worries with a shake of her head, biting her trembling lips as she focused on the unprecedented spectacle before her.

"That Slave... he's defying all norms, going against the very essence of the Eternal Slave law," one of her followers murmured with a deep frown, mirroring the disbelief shared by many witnessing the unfolding chaos.

"N-No, No, No, No!! Go away!! Get away from me!!" Timmy's screams pierced the air, a chilling echo of his terror as Aether advanced toward him.

"YOUNG MASTER, STOP THIS MANIAC!!!" Alfred's voice cracked with fear and desperation as he watched his son's life hanging by a thread.

Aether swiftly caught Timmy's other leg,

"NO, NO, NOOOOOO!!!!" Timmy's desperate cries echoed through the arena, "P-Please I wo.. 'Hic', I won't come near you... I want to live--aarrrrhhh" but before he could finish his plea, Aether mercilessly broke Timmy's other leg, the broken limb now twisted and grotesque.

The broken leg was dancing in the air!

"TIMMY!!!!" Alfred's heart shattered as he witnessed his beloved son being treated worse than a dog. Regret flooded his mind as he cursed himself for ever involving Aether in his schemes.

It was all because of him!

If his son.... died here, Alfred knew he would carry the weight of that guilt for the rest of his days.

Kai clenched his fists, his resolve hardening as he wiped the blood from his mouth, refusing to appear weak in front of the Princess. His gaze turned steely as he glared at Aether, who now crouched down and gripped Timmy's neck with a vice-like grip.

"P-Please... I-I'm sorraahhh... Plessess...." Timmy's desperate pleas choked in his throat as he was hoisted into the air by Aether, his neck straining under the pressure, the threat of it snapping looming like a grim shadow.

As the end seemed imminent, the Empress released Alfred from her hold, surprising him, but he wasted no time in rushing to his son's aid. Just as he prepared to move, a commanding voice rang out,

"In the name of Arcane, I, Kai Frostblade, order my Eternal Slave, Aether, to cease this instant!" Kai's authoritative tone cut through the chaos, his hand raised in a commanding gesture that revealed a small, glowing conical tattoo on his palm.

"Arrhh!" Aether emitted a pained groan, a scorching sensation branding his slave mark behind his neck in response to Kai's command.

"THUNDER!!"

The heavens roared in response to Kai's invocation, lightning streaking across the darkened sky as clouds swirled ominously above, coalescing into a formidable presence that seemed to pass judgment upon the unfolding drama.

'Clang, Clang'

"Chains of the Eternal Slave..." The Archpriestess's voice quivered with disbelief as she bore witness to the unfolding spectacle, her eyes widening in astonishment as golden chains materialized from the depths of the brooding clouds.

"Oh My God..." The spectators murmured in hushed awe, their gazes fixed on the celestial chains descending majestically, each link radiating an otherworldly aura.

Yet, the spectacle was far from over,

"ttrrrrr"

As the golden chains began their descent, The ground trembled violently, as if protesting the disruption of its natural order. Cracks snaked across the broken battleground, a visual testament to the magnitude of the earthquake...

'Clang, Clang....'

"Damn, Aether...." The Empress, couldn't conceal her astonishment as dark devoid black chains emerged from the fractured ground.

The appearance of the Chains of the Eternal Slave is a profound manifestation that occurs only when a Contracted Eternal Slave defies the Master's Order..... a testament to the watchful gaze of the Arcane herself, ensuring that no one can disobey the contract under her witness.

This was a moment of rare significance, marking the first time in centuries that everyone had witnessed the emergence of these ancient chains.

'Clang, Clang'

'Clang, Clang'

The golden chains, imbued with divine power and shimmering with radiant energy, encased Aether's upper body in a resplendent embrace, while the black chains, foreboding and shadowy, coiled around his lower body with an air of dark authority, ensnaring him in an unbreakable grip.

Every inch of Aether's movement came to a halt, his strength draining rapidly under the relentless pressure.

"grrr" Aether gritted his teeth unable to move... He couldn't snap Timmy's neck. Meanwhile, Timmy,

'Drip, Drip'

Found himself unable to control his fear... He soiled!!

Then, a unique collar materialized around Aether's neck, merging the hues of gold and black. Chains extended from this collar, tracing a path back to his Master.... Kai.

Kai seized the extended chain, casting a glance at the Princess with a smug expression, as if to say, "See? I've resolved the situation with mere words."

The Empress's lips curved slightly as she observed the unfolding events, her thoughts murmuring, 'I see... now...'. Before turning her attention to Velc,

"Velc..."

"H-H-Yes?" Velc's attention snapped back to the Empress, puzzled by her sudden address.

The Empress's words carried weight as she spoke with a profound tone, "I don't know why or how it is even possible in the first place, but it is truly beyond anything I have seen so far."

"Pardon?" Velc's frown deepened as he struggled to comprehend the Empress's cryptic statement.

Meeting Velc's gaze with a serious expression, the Empress continued,

"You know....

You can take a King's treasure....

His Kingdom....

His power.....

His people....

His position, and....

Even his life.

You can steal anything you desire, but..." Her gaze as she slowly shited to Kai who was showing off.

"Let him go!" Kai commanded firmly.

Aether's grip automatically loosened, and with a thud, Timmy collapsed, losing consciousness.

The Empress then turned her attention back to Aether, her tone carrying a mix of acknowledgement and reverence as she said,

"You.... You cannot become the King himself... because there is only one True King, isn't that so?"

'Gulp'

Velc audibly gulped, his face now drenched in sweat, his hair standing on end as he realized the weight of the Empress's words, 'S-She knows!!!!!!' Velc screamed inwardly, his eyes darting around, unable to meet the Empress's gaze.

"Hehe..." The Empress chuckled softly, nodding to herself as she looked at Aether with a small smile, "I see... True Arcane King... ah," she murmured, a mix of admiration and understanding in her eyes as she finally confirmed her doubts.

Though she wasn't sure how and why Mortimer could pull this stunt... still, 'He able to change the destiny...' she thought as she linked Mortimer's cursed state, 'He also angered the Arcane and got cursed, that's why Arcane favouring Aether... ah' those where her thoughts and conclusions.

She couldn't help but smile at Aether and muttered under her breath, "You finally got me impressed, Pretty boy~"

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 7.5↓%

Velc's thoughts raced, realizing the gravity of the situation, and his intentions to contact his father were abruptly halted by a chilling sound,

'Crack'