Cohen of the Rebellion

Chapter 16 - Loser

“Stranger?” I murmured, “Who… is a stranger?”

“It’s you, haha.” The boy in the middle said, “Let me present myself, I’m Laika.”

“Stranger?” Lisa called me, her fiance, a stranger, in front of another person who’s a total stranger to myself? My stomach churned one more time when I caught her unchanged smiling face.

Laika paced nearer and drawled, “We’ve been listening to your talk. Your loser fiance was funny enough. Did he touch you?”

“Eww, I can’t go out too often. Father was watching.” To my surprise, Lisa sounded as if he’s her lover, “Then I promised dad and took this loser around here so that I can see you. I didn’t even let him grope my hands!”

“You hear that?” Laika faced me, “Loser, get your ass out of here!”

I gazed at him then turned to see at Lisa. Anger or pain was not enough to describe my agony.

“Why are you doing this! Why do this to me?!”

My look scared Lisa off for a few steps, then she appealed to Laika, “I don’t like him! His eyes!”

“He’s probably another loser who's crazy about you.” Laika scorned, “Never mind, he's a loser.”

“If you want to go out, or to see someone,” I said slowly, “you could just tell me, why lie? Why are you saying I’m a loser?”

“Because you ARE a loser!” Lisa screamed, “You don’t know anything, like you father!”

That moment, my chest was on fire!

From the day I was born, whenever I was, whoever I met, all I heard were compliments on my father. I did know nothing on magic or martial arts after all. However, if anyone were to say a single bad word about my family, I will not tolerate it! My father was a good viceroy! My family's pride is worth fighting for.

In this confusing moment, I grabbed Lisa’s arm, “No! He’s not! My father is the best viceroy!”

“Hands off! Cousin, help!” Lisa was full of contempt and looked at me as if I was a filthy bug.

“How dare you touch my woman!” Laika threw his foot hard towards my belly.

Meanwhile in the Prime Minister’s mansion.

“Visual,” Loman approached a glass of wine to Mr. Kheda, “We will soon be united as one family, it's an honor to have your son.”

“Minister,” Visual Kheda too held his glass, “Please.”

“I think you are aware that, in your territory, quite a few alien races are expanding leaps and bounds.” Loman’s look grew impulsive and fierce, “This is not a good news to both of us. We've also discovered the existence of several rare ores in the Dark Forest. My men are planning for occupation. But considering Dark Forest is within your territory, I sincerely hope that you are with me on this matter. I will be asking for His Majesty’s permission. If it works, I’ll cut you off a deal.

“Mr. Loman, your offer is much appreciated.” Visual Kheda replied, “However I wish you take this matter a second thought.”

“Oh? Is there anything I should know?”

“First,” Visual Kheda flicked his glass, “Let’s suppose that His Majesty will say yes to your proposal. You need to know that His Majesty has never actively initiated any wars since the crown. We are blessed to have such a king in this peaceful realm. I do not intend to bring this up to His Majesty. One more thing, those races were abnormally united, the cost of attacking will be heavily burdened on us. I suppose you remember the elimination of the Black Storm right? I, for one, would like to retain a favorable relationship with them.

“I take it that you wouldn’t join me, in a moment we are about to become one family.

“Mr. Minister!” Visual Kheda stood up, “I appreciated His Majesty’s generosity on this marriage. I’m glad Lisa and my son are getting along well. However, none of these should be a reason for war! You are the Prime Minister, nevertheless, I’m no subordinate of yours. My loyalty lies with His Majesty for eternity.

“His Majesty would be glad to hear about this.” Loman’s face fell in peace, “But what I said was something he’s been worrying about.”

“Meaning?”

“You have no idea.” Sipped his wine, Loman continued, “Orders from the Heaven Island high temple, Swabia’s quota has been tripled this year.

“The temple is fooling around again, even though, our taxation is well enough to handle that.

“Visual, my friend. Don’t you understand?” Wine made Loman’s cheek redden, “The temple is preparing for war!”

“The war… with the Asmodians?”

“It is, my friend. Once the war starts, there will soon be someone to occupy the Dark Forest. It’s better to be us rather than anyone else, that’s a lot of money…”

“Whatever you say,” Visual stood up, “I will not do it!”

“Geez you!” Loman stormed up, face redden, deformed his glass with his firm grasp.

In this very moment, a servant stumbled along.

“My lord… emergency!”

“Fool! What is it!” Loman shot the servant with his glass.

“Ahhhhh!” Then the servant said with one hand covering the wound, “Her Lady… and His Highness Cohen… emergency!”

“What!” Visual Kheda, who’s been watching Loman’s clumsy act, jumped up, “Where are they!”

“... the altar!”

“Take me there, HURRY!!!” Visual and Loman called a truce and rushed towards the altar.

The pain came from my stomach, after being kicked. Before it went away, I was slapped in the face. After a short numbness came hot pain. My left face was puffed… I roared to fight back, but it all seemed powerless against three other.

“Scum!”

“Sucker, how dare you!”

“Loser!”

“Kick his ass!”

I suffered great pain on the chest, head… I was like a boxing sandbag swagging in waves of punches. I couldn’t see with left eye puffed. Blood was streaming down from my head on the right, through my eyebrow down to my chin. My vision was filtered with a scarlet color. The pain was all over my body and it felt loosened. My clothes were covered with dust and foot stamps.

However, compared with the sorrow and humiliation I received, the pain was nothing worth mentioning. I was a boy who grew up in a loving and caring family.

PUFF…

My powerless legs couldn’t hold its body any longer. I waggled and fell beside the rail. I was too exhausted to even wipe the blood off my mouth…

In the red vision, I saw a foot on my chest. I turned harshly, it was Laika.

“Peeking my woman, ASS!" His sound was mixed with humming, “Who do you think you are?”

Pressure from my chest crushed me. I was unable to breathe. I made an effort to not tear and stared at him stupefied.

“My father is a general. I will let him appeal to His Majesty and cancel your engagement.”

“Cough...cough” It shuttered my wound, I felt terrible…

“Then I…” That dirty swine gabbled, “My future… I have to trash you…”

“For me… trash you…”

“Trash you…”

“Trash you…”

“My future… trash you…”

It repeated itself in my mind. Disregarding all other sounds, a tiny part of my brain boomed and shrank… this ain’t no good! I tried to calm, but Laika stamped even harder, I couldn’t control it. The feeling from my mind was trying to burst out...my hands and feet started twisting…

Finally… that part of my brain cracked…

It felt like an explosion and a huge energy wave filled my body.

I twisted even harder, my body curled like a cooked shrimp. My skin seeped flows of blood and BOOM…

The foot on my chest and its owner were thrown away from me. And dust around furled like a stone in the water, ripple…

Countless scenes flashed before my eyes, which looked exactly like my dreams in every night. In the chaos, another spirit crashed into me, a strong power cast the two of us, together...

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