A Story of Evil

Chapter 87: The Burden

The morning was unusually foggy that day. In fact, it was so thick that one would think the clouds themselves have descended upon the Void Domain. Yet this wasn't what happened and, could not be any farther from the truth. It wasn't the sky and the heavens that descended.

It was the devil.

"Hey, look." A guard said, sobber and pointing at a silhouette that appeared in the mist.

"That's probably a worker coming back early." His companion mentioned.

"Early? Come on, do you know what time it is?" He said, mentioning how the workers were still sleeping at that time or, preparing for the day ahead. This alerted both of them; making them raise their guns as they asked:

"Who goes there?"

There was no response to their words. Instead, the silhouette simply continued moving towards them. His steps echoing. Faintly. Gradually increasing in volume as he continued getting nearer.

"So this is the Void Domain huh. I must say it's pretty shabby compared to the Earth Domain."

"Earth domain? Are you an invader?" The silhouette only continued getting closer and so, one guard was forced to take a shot. Echoing louder than the stranger's footsteps who stopped at his tracks.

"Yeah that's right. Stay where you are if you don't want to get hurt." The guard furthered. Feeling confident after the silhouetted stranger stopped.

"Now give us an answer. Who are you?" There was a laughter. A faint one that came from their early morning visitor.

He disregarded all the things the guards were saying. Making the said watchers understand that, they cannot reason with whoever it was finally deciding to pull the trigger. But as soon as they pulled their triggers, the silhouette disappeared.

"Over here." In the blink of an eye, the man appeared behind them. As they turned, he grabbed on their throats and chocked them. Lifting them high up in the air. They tried shooting him again but their guns caught fire. Making them release it as, their weapons fell to the ground.

"Don't worry. I'm not gonna kill you." The guards saw a sinister smile on the stranger's face. They had a hair-raising chill just from this. Making them understand that, whoever this person was, he would bring nothing good to their domain.

"You're not gonna die. In fact, I'm gonna give you an upgrade."

One month has passed since King Jubilee sent the [Core Seals] to all the domains. Within this time, each domain was ordered to cleanse the land that connects their domain to the plantation. This was also part of the expansion which every domain gladly adhered to.

Although difficult to contact and control at that time, even the earth domain followed this command. With King Jubilee also making use of steel cores in order to make walls. Ones which still divided the cleansed areas equally among the ten domains.

Although everyone was following him, he knew that conflict could easily begin. Especially because the domains aren't that friendly with each other. Primarily due to the isolation of every domain to themselves. King Jubilee was far from stabilizing things and, a large factor that made this difficult was the past Culling.

Although the people have been given lands, they have not forgotten all the events. The mutations and the devil like creatures. And, they also haven't forgotten about the Void titan who used some kind of powers.

The person in question, Solomon, was already healed at that time. He could walk and move properly although the pain on his muscles was still there. As soon as this happened, King Jubilee acted again. Making a live feed which finally explained all that Solomon did in that fight.

Thankfully, the night was able to obstruct a clear view of all that happened when Sol fought Blaze. Thus, the Void king was able to stack up a bunch of lies. Right at the face of his citizens and, to every domain at that. He said that Sol made use of devices created by Lilia. Something which he demonstrated right at that moment as, he placed some machines on Sol's body and made him float.

"As you can see, there is nothing weird about this. The boy is simply utilizing the power of wind crystals strapped on his body. There are also thin layers of barriers placed on his body. Made in a similar principle as the Aegis shields. That is how he won in that fight."

Of course the monarchs knew the truth. They knew that the little boy which Jubilee was growing had the same powers as him. However, they couldn't tell it to the public. Not with their stacking debts to the Void king. Not with Jubilee himself binding them in a vow preventing them from doing so.

With this, the lips of every monarch was sealed and, the announcement was enough of an explanation to calm the public down. Because if there was one thing they were sure of, it is that King Jubilee will be the one who will restore the world from chaos.

But at that moment, there was something on Sol's mind. He never forgot about the words of the mysterious lady. And he never forgot that he needed to ask.

No better opportunity could be there than that moment. Hence as soon as he was brought down to the ground, he began his inquiry.

"Is that enough my liege?"

"Yeah, thanks Solomon. You may take your leave."

"Actually I " The door was pushed open, revealing two people which Sol has never encountered before. A young man resembling the king in features and, a lady who had a look of irritation written all over her face. Beautiful. But somehow repelling.

"Shit, this is a bad spot for you Sol." The king muttered as the two approached them.

There was a reason why the King was troubled. It was because, the two who came were his family. Queen Octavia and, Prince Jules.

"I knew I could pin you down dear husband."

"You really waited for me to make an announcement, didn't you my beloved wife?"

Both the mother and her son gave cold and uncaring glares to Sol. He instantly understood that they don't like him. Not even a bit. But it wasn't like he cared. He was only there because King Jubilee asked for his presence.

"Is that the boy who won the Culling?" Queen Octavia asked, not hiding any disgust for the boy he just met.

"Yup. He's the one who made me win that bet."

"Ah, I forgot to introduce him. Solomon, meet my first wife "

"REAL wife." The queen reiterated.

"Yes that too. Meet Octavia Pendragon." Sol bowed his head in respect as soon as king Jubilee finished.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance my queen." As Sol said this, the queen continued observing him from head to toe. Like he had some sort of contagious and deadly illness that she didn't want to contract. Placing a handkerchief over her mouth and nose as she asked.

"Are you sure he is not a spawn of the devil like those earth and fire domain titans?" She was straightforward. Not that Sol was insulted in any way. [Cold Blooded] kept him calm after all.

"Uhh, did you not see the demonstration I had earlier?" The king said in reply.

"How could I see it when I rushed to get here?" The queen's tone was sarcastic. Questioning the intelligence of her husband.

"Right." Jubilee simply said. Wanting to avoid conflict.

"Anyway, there is something urgent we need to discuss." She furthered.

"If it's about Bishop Baron, then no can do. I'm not releasing him no matter what."

"What do you mean? How can we give worship to God if his envoys are locked up in cells?"

"Goodness Octavia, this is why I try to avoid you as much as possible. There is no God. How many times do I have to say it?"

"You need to keep on saying it until you think otherwise. How can such blasphemous things come from the mouth of my own husband?"

The queen and her clan have always been devout believers. They were crooked and corrupt. Yet they kept the religious practices. Thinking that they would be cleansed and justified. So long as they sponsor the church. So long as they assisted it. There was no better way to do this than to free them. An intent which Jubilee was fully aware of.

"He tried creating an uprising. Gathered the people to his cause and, all confessed of being given sermons about me being the "devil" incarnate. He beat up a kid and his father and tried assaulting one of my knight. He's got quite the record piled up and, frankly speaking, I'm not gonna let this slide." Jubilee said, delivering nothing but facts which irritated the queen.

"It's revolting how you try to act just all of a sudden Jubilee." She said, knowing that there was no room for argument anymore.

"If that would be all, you may take your leave."

Frustrated, the queen and her son went for the door. But just before they left, the king spoke again.

"Octavia." The queen turned, hopeful that the king has changed his mind.

"What is it?" She said, almost delighted in her tone of voice.

"Leave our son here. I need to speak with him." Irritated again, the queen left without saying another word. Stomping her feet as her presence finally disappeared.

"Man, that woman is just too much to handle." The king muttered to Sol as prince Jules stood at talking distance.

"What do you need from me father?" Jules asked right away. His face devoid of any expression.

"I'm gonna go straight to the point. There are still a lot of things that I need to care of. Frankly, it's too much for a single king to handle." While the king spoke, Jules was actually a bit pissed. Not at his father. But of the fact that, Solomon was there during the whole ordeal standing right beside his own father.

"That's why you need to retire and give me the throne." Jules' voice was dead serious.

"As straightforward as your mother I see." The king replied with his lips curving to a smile.

"And you are beating around the bush father. What is it that you need?"

"I want you to oversee the plantation. Manage it on your own." At this the prince's face brightened up.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I give you half of the authority over it."

"What do you mean by half?"

"What I mean by half is that, this boy covers the other half." The king tapped Sol on his shoulder. Finally drawing the line as Jules showed visible disgust and anger.

Meanwhile Sol only thought of how the prince felt like dead weight. Somehow resembling Ethan. But he didn't speak and only stared at the prince as the Void king gave his final order.

"The two of you will work together within a week. Show me results within that span of time."

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