Chapter 112

'Crack'

The sudden sound seemed to freeze everyone in place as if time itself had paused. Velc's movements were robotic as he turned his head to witness the golden chains around Aether's neck..... noticing a small crack amidst their divine sheen, all while Aether's gaze remained fixed in their direction.

'ssshhhhh'

A subtle breeze lifted Aether's dark locks, unveiling his eyes, which were eerily devoid of emotion, staring intensely at Velc.

"Thud"

Velc dropped to his knees, his face pressed against the cold ground, his eyes vacant and lost. Meanwhile, Kai lay unconscious nearby, having succumbed to the strain after coughing up blood.

"What in the world..." The Empress couldn't contain her shock and muttered under her breath, not because of Velc or Kai but due to the..... unsettling presence behind Aether.

"ARRRHHHH!!!" Archpriestess's agonized scream pierced the air as she clutched her head in unbearable pain.

"Archpriestess, what's happening?" Her followers rushed to her side, concern etched on their faces as they steadied her.

Archpriestess winced in agony, her hazy and pained gaze fixed in Aether's direction where a dark figure loomed behind him.

A deep dark figure..... It was a silhouette of a woman, her arms wrapped around Aether in a sinister embrace and what more horrifying was that her face twisted into a grotesque grin that seemed to lack features altogether.

A white grin adorned the face of a faceless black woman figure!!!

'Gulp'

Empress audibly gulped, her throat drying with unease and... Fear? Her eyes remained locked on the haunting scene unfolding before her, unable to tear herself away from the bizarre spectacle.

"Is something wrong?" Delphine asked the Empress, noting her empress unusual behaviour while Aether continued to blankly stare at Fallen Velc.

"Mother?" Princess also frowned, observing her mother's peculiar reaction, a hint of concern etched on her features.

"Y-You can't see?" Empress inquired, though her gaze never wavered from the grinning figure that seemed to exude a malevolent aura.

"What?" Delphine and Princess exchanged puzzled glances, turning their attention to where the Empress was fixated, only to find Aether ensnared by the chains, nothing unusual about his appearance to their eyes.

"Archpriestess, is something wrong?" Her followers asked, noticing her distress and the tension in the air.

"C-Can't you see that thing?" Archpriestess muttered, her voice filled with utter fear and disbelief as if struggling to comprehend the surreal sight before her.

"What are you talking about? Did that slave do something strange again?" Her followers responded, unable to grasp the invisible threat that seemed to grip the Empress and Archpriestess.

Selene, too had a worried face but not for her brother or even her father... Only for Aether, who was bound by the mysterious chains.

Empress and Archpriestess shared a knowing glance, realizing that they were the only ones able to perceive the sinister presence that loomed ominously over Aether... but why?

"M-Marisandra..." Archpriestess's voice quivered with pain as she uttered the name, her mind clouded with dread and foreboding.

"W-What?" Empress's attention was drawn back to the Archpriestess, her gaze still fixed on the enigmatic figure.

"M-Mother wants to kill him.... " Archpriestess's words were laced with agony as she struggled to articulate the torment that gripped her mind,

/KILL HIM//KILL HIM//KILL HIM//KILL HIM//KILL HIM//KILL HIM/....

Empress glanced at Archpriestess before refocusing on the figure, her expression grave as she contemplated the implications of its presence, "I-I fear.... that thing will surely kill us before we even take the first step..." Her words carried a weight of foreboding.

She was clearly not joking around as she sensed the Arcane Energy surrounding Aether..... screamed in agony.

Archpriestess swallowed hard, her eyes fixed on the figure that suddenly ceased grinning, its white lips moving in silent whispers...

Both Empress and Archpriestess strained to decipher its words, reading its lip movements with a sense of dread,

"She truly hates when he gets hurt"

"She truly hates when he gets hurt"

As they muttered they couldn't help but freeze in terror.... Then Empress and Archpriestess exchanged frowns as they comprehended the chilling message, then looked back again... only to find...

"Where?" Empress's brows furrowed upon seeing Aether lying unconscious on the ground, the chains that once bound him now vanished without a trace.

"H-Huh?" Archpriestess felt a sense of calm wash over her as her mind cleared, She didn't hear any more words in her mind.

"Are you feeling better, Archpriestess?" Her followers asked, noting the change in her demeanour.

"Y-yes, I am feeling better... now," Archpriestess replied with a faint smile, though her eyes remained fixed on Aether with a growing sense of concern.

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 7.4↓%

Velc, Kai, Timmy, and Aether were healed by the Archpriestess in due time. The aftermath was taken care of by the Empress's Maid, ensuring everything was cleaned up after the engagement party concluded. However, there were lingering matters to address.

"So, what do you say, Mr. Velc?" Archpriestess asked as she leaned back in her chair, her expression was unreadable

"I... I 'sigh' I'm not sure about it..." Velc replied with an awkward expression. After receiving healing from Archpriestess, she requested a private meeting with him to discuss something important.

Timmy, Kai, and Aether were peacefully asleep, especially Aether, who had finally found tranquillity after causing so much chaos.

"Mr. Velc, I'm not forcing anyone since you are not one of my subjects..." Archpriestess reassured him with a gentle smile, indicating if he was her subject... She wouldn't be asking calmly.

"F-For-Forgive me, Archpriestess, but I cannot relinquish ownership of Ether, even if the offer is.... really good one" Velc said with a hint of dread, casting a quick glance at one of Archpriestess's followers.

"Even though your own son could gain another Arcane Queen by his side?" Archpriestess posed the question.

Velc hesitated momentarily. What the Archpriestess offered was undeniably tempting... No, it was miraculous to receive an offer.

An engagement to another Arcane Queen from a different Empire would surely elevate Velc's position, and his son would be delighted to have beautiful and powerful women by his side.

A potential boost in status and power for both himself and his son.

Yet...

"A-Archpriestess, I-I would be happy if you asked for anything other than Ether," Velc admitted, awkwardly scratching his head.

Seeing him not cooperating, She tried a different route,

"Sigh, you saw that thing, right?" Archpriestess asked with a serious face.

At the mention of it, Velc flinched, his expression morphing into one of horror, "Y-You saw that thing too!!!"

Archpriestess nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the situation, That unknown entity had revealed itself to only a select few individuals. But why... She wondered.

'-ha-ha-ha' Velc's breath caught, his face once again contorted in fear. The memories of that thing itched onto his brain..... A large grin on the Black figure, Velc would never forget it!!

"That's why I'm telling you, I need to keep an eye on that boy... I fear he might become dangerous," Archpriestess confided, though her words were only partially truthful.

"I... I am sorry," Velc replied, fear evident in his voice and yet he shook his head to give Aether to anyone.

'Tsk'

Tsking inwardly, the Archpriestess bid him farewell and left the room without further discussion.

"Saintess," Archpriestess called out as she walked away, her followers trailing behind her.

"Archpriestess?" Her follower responded.

"You're attending the academy, correct?"

"Yes, Archpriestess. As holder of one of the Arcane Queen, it is my duty to attend the Academy alongside our Apostle, who serves as the Arcane King," her follower confirmed.

"Good..." Archpriestess paused, fixing her gaze on the follower with a stern expression, "I need you to keep an eye on Aether."

"You mean that slave?"

"..... Yes."

"Why would I--"

"Do as I say," Archpriestess commanded firmly.