Chapter 144: Chapter 144 - The Capital(Part 12)

Point-of-View: Aries Velenet

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"I have brought him here, you majesty," I remarked, as I entered the throne room with the Knight trailing in after me.

"Tch, so this is the coward who assisted one of the terrorists, is it? I believe that the only course of action is his swift execution, immediately," Responded Prince Drakkar, before the King could speak.

Immediately? What’s the rush? He’s definitely acting suspiciously...

"I cannot disagree that his actions warrant an execution...however, first, I would like to hear what he has to say for himself. Explain yourself, Knight," Remarked the King.

"Yes, your majesty...I acknowledge that my actions were a betrayal of my oath to the nation and the crown, and I shall accept the punishment you see fit to bestow on me. I shall not protest my fate," He replied, his tone void of any emotion.

"Were your actions simply taken because of a desire for self preservation?" Inquired the King.

"I cannot deny that that was a significant factor in my decision to help the intruder locate Prince Rhyle...however, there is another reason. The Prince would not have survived for more than a few more hours regardless...I thought the least that he deserved would be to die as a free man, instead of perishing in the dungeon like a common criminal," Responded the Knight.

"This man has lost his mind, there can be no credibility to what he-...," Began Prince Drakkar in a defensive, slightly nervous, tone...what is he trying to hide?

"Enough," The King interrupted him with a narrowed side glance, before turning back to the Knight, "Explain yourself. What did you mean by that?"

"...very well, there is nothing left for me to lose, so I shall tell you everything. Prince Drakkar...he had been brutally torturing Prince Rhyle regularly for the last three years. He commanded us guards to never speak of it...he placed a Dark Spell on each of you, a subtle mind control Spell that would lead you to perceive Prince Rhyle in decent health whenever any of you would come down to the dungeon to see him.

Following the reports of the intelligent Monster who attacked the capital, he came down to the dungeon and inflicted Prince Rhyle with a lethal, slow acting poison...he may already have succumbed to it. The young man who freed Prince Rhyle called him ’dad’...all the actions he took were to save his father from imprisonment and torture.

I will not attempt to justify my actions, only explain them...I had considered attempting to kill that young man if an opening presented itself, but in the end, I saw fit to let Prince Rhyle spend his last moments free and with his son. It was also a way for me to alleviate my guilt...my guilt at standing by and doing nothing while Prince Drakkar cruelly tortured-..."

"Wh-what is this nonsense!? How dare you come in here and throw around such baseless and vile accusations!?" Snapped Prince Drakkar as he abruptly stood up, turning to the King as all the other Royals stared at him, "Do not listen to him, father! This...this is a ploy to tear apart and sow seeds of distrust amongst the Royal family!"

"Hm...," Muttered the King, as he closed his eyes and placed his hand against his head, a dark mist flowing out, "It is true...I have been inflicted with a Dark mind control Spell."

"How awful! B-but you cannot possibly believe that I was the one to cast such a Spell on my own family! This treacherous Knight, he must have done it! Or someone else who he is in collusion with!" Exclaimed the Prince, clearly trying to hide his panic, and not very well, as he added, "Who are your accomplices in this vile plot!? Answer me!"

Wow, even without my Instinct Skill, while allows me to sense things like deception, malice and bloodlust, it’s clear that he’s lying. And I haven’t sensed so much as an ounce of deceit in the Knight’s words, he’s telling the truth.

"There’s no such plot. You look quite pale and panicked, Prince Drakkar...almost as if you were indeed guilty," Responded the Knight dryly.

"I-I...I am trembling in rage at such horrific accusations, you bastard!" He shot back, before snapping, "Enough of this, I cannot tolerate such a disgusting insect continuing to breathe in my-...in the presence of the Royal family. Manifest Soul Weapon: Golden Spear!"

A fully golden spear formed in his hands as he shot towards the Knight with an almost deranged look in his eyes. From what I’ve heard, anything that that weapon cuts turns to gold, with the exception of other Soul Weapons.

"Stand down immediately, Drakkar!" Commanded the King with an outward swing of his arm, as he rose to his feet.

"Manifest Soul Weapon: Justice Shards," I chanted swiftly, moving two of them in front of the Knight as the Prince wildly slashed his weapon down at him.

A loud clang erupted out as his spear clashed against my blades, blocking his slash, the recoil of the impact causing him to stumble back.

"Wh-what the hell do you think you’re doing!?" He snarled at me viciously.

"Following the will of the King," I shot back icily.

"Thank you, Knight Commander. Did you not hear me, Drakkar? You disgrace yourself, denying your wrongdoings and trying to silence your accuser in a blind rage unfit for Royalty," Remarked the King in disgust.

"I-I am being framed, father!" He cried in despair.

"You never were the best actor, brother. You’re usually a good liar, but as always, you crumble under pressure," Spoke up one of the others with a slight, amused smirk, Prince Landis Dianus, second in line for the throne.

He had medium length, ashy white hair that was slightly parted from his forehead, golden eyes and had a slender yet strong build. He was forty-six years old but looked significantly younger, if I didn’t know his exact age I would probably guess that he was in his early thirties at the very most.

"How could you do that...torturing your own brother to the verge of death?" Added the Queen, her shoulders trembling as she stared down at him with a mix of disappointment and rage in her eyes.

Queen Ruby Dianus, originally a Princess of the nation of Onyx, she had grey hair that was elegantly tied up and nestled with her crown, piercing red eyes and an authoritative, commanding presence.

She’s a sixty-six year old woman who had married King Bronne at the age of sixteen shortly before he was crowned. Members of the Royal family are only allowed to marry other Royals.

The nations of Hematite, Onyx and Obsidian are patriarchys, their rulers have always been Kings. Whenever a Crown Prince is close to their coronation, they must first marry a Princess of one of the other Dark Continent nations.

For these three nations, such arranged marriages usually take place between them, as the other two nations in the Dark Continent, Agate and Zircon, are matriarchys, they’ve always been ruled by their Queens. Therefore, they tend to arrange marriages between their respective Royal families, and have rarely ever turned to the patriarchal nations in this matter.

"Why...why don’t any of you understand!? Never call that pathetic worm my brother again, he abandoned the capital to live amongst the filthy Commoners! He willingly put himself down to that level, rolling around the mud with those worthless pigs! He does not deserve to be Royalty, so I did what I thought was my rightful duty! Are you all so blind that you cannot see that!?" He exclaimed desperately.

Oh, he decided to stop playing innocent...not that he had to, it was pretty obvious to anyone with half a brain that he was lying.

"No, you overstepped your authority...imprisoned or not, Rhyle was still very much a member of the Royal family, his actions do not change the blood running through his veins. I hereby denounce you as the Crown Prince, and remove you from the line of succession...Prince Landis will hereby be instated as the Crown Prince of Obsidian. Your actions are unacceptable, Drakkar...and for your punishment, you shall serve a sentence in the dungeon, is that understood?" Declared the King as he narrowed his eyes at the former Crown Prince.

"N-no, I...wh-why, father...?" He whimpered in shock, collapsing onto his knees with a stunned look on his face.

"Now, as for you," The King turned to the Knight, before continuing, "The penalty for your crime will be...execution. But do not misunderstand, your most severe crime was not the actions you took today...instead, it is because you withheld Drakkar’s vile actions from me, you should have informed me of what he was doing the very day it began."

"Indeed, that is my biggest regret, your majesty...I accept your judgement. I will not protest my execution," He replied without hesitation.

It’s a shame...he’s shown an integrity and sense of honor that’s truly rare among the Knighthood. I could use a Knight like him under my command...but the King’s word is final.

"This matter is settled...Commander Velenet, please escort Drakkar to the dungeon. You may place him in whichever cell you see fit," Remarked the King dismissively.

"Understood, your majesty...," I responded with a bow, before I walked over to the Prince, who was still looking like he was in utter disbelief.

He’s getting what he deserves, but I doubt he’ll ever understand that. Well, at least some good came of this in the end...

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