Chapter 109: The Second Awakening (2)

“M-Mother!” Herarion squealed in shock.

Herarion’s biological mother, Venus Khan, and his wife, Selene Khan, were the only family members of the Khan dynasty.

Herarion wasn’t the only one that was shocked. Eisen was the head of the Shonan family responsible for protecting them, and Henry was the one who decided to protect them in the first place. They were full of panic.

‘What the hell…? Is it Arthus’ doing?’

Arthus came to Henry’s mind because he was the only person who could stage such a ridiculous hostage situation.

‘Arthus, so you’ve decided to go this far.’

It didn’t matter whether or not he was a duke, how could he break into the room and kidnap the royal family during the subjugation?

Arthus was clearly a madman.

Benedict had forced the two women to kneel beside him. He looked at the leaders of the subjugation army with his head held high. He was wearing a proud expression.

Grit!

Herarion ground his teeth to the point of breaking them.

‘...This is going to be messy.’

Henry had confidently promised to protect the royal family, but now that the situation turned out like this, he couldn't bear to look at Herarion. It was the same for Eisen.

“Why are they here…?”

This was the worst possible situation.

No one dared to open their mouth.

Benedict was the first one to break the silence.

“Herarion.”

Benedict did not call Herarion “Khan” because he believed that he was already the king of Shahatra.

Instead of answering, Herarion glared at Benedict with fierce eyes.

“I’ll keep it short. Give me the king’s badge, or else…”

Schwing.

Benedict drew his sword. His meaning was obvious if Herarion refused.

‘...What a persistent guy.’

The fact that he was asking for the king’s badge meant that La’s and Janus’ badges were very valuable, which was all the more reason not to hand any of them over.

However, Henry also couldn’t shamelessly ask Herarion to give up his family when they had a secret agreement.

‘But I must convince him.’

There was no choice.

Henry looked apologetic and asked Herarion, “... Your Majesty, why don’t we take a moment to think about this a little?”

“What is there to think about…?”

“But?”

“Didn’t you promise to protect my family? Look what’s happening now…!”

They were the only family he had left, and because he didn’t have children, they were the most precious beings in the world. At the end of the day, the king was also human.

Herarion’s face was full of sadness, as though he could burst into tears at any moment if anyone dared to bother him. Henry couldn’t bear to look into his eyes.

In the end, the negotiations entered a state of limbo and the camp fell into heavy silence.

* * *

At night, the meeting of the leaders of the subjugation army began without Herarion. However, the conclusion was the same: Benedict’s demand could not be granted.

The reason was simple: everyone had personally experienced the power of death that Janus possessed and the power of La now possessed by the desert’s best warrior. They were aware of how terrifying those powers were.

However, no one could pass this message on to Herarion.

“... I will try to convince him.”

“We’ll leave it up to you, Henry.”

The meeting ended and everyone parted ways. Henry headed to Herarion’s barracks after wrapping up his thoughts on how to persuade him.

“Is Your Majesty sleeping?”

“... Do you think I can fall asleep in this situation?”

From the way he spoke so bluntly to Henry, it was obvious that Herarion was on edge. It was understandable, but Henry behaved even more cautiously, as if he were handling glass.

“Your Majesty.”

“I’m listening.”

“... You must decide. You realize this, right?”

“I know, but I…”

The suffocating feeling that he was struggling to hold back slowly started emerging again, like water-soaking paper. The king was also human, but because there was only one king, he had to make choices for his people and not for himself. That was the weight of the crown.

Henry decided not to say anything and to wait however long it took.

How much time had passed?

He carried so much sorrow that he couldn’t bear to raise his head and answered with difficulty.

“I… I have no choice… but to choose my family.”

“...Alright.”

It didn’t matter that he was the son of La; he was human after all. A human named Herarion who had a soft heart. WHenry closed his eyes and started to comfort him.

“...I understand, Your Majesty. Please don’t be too heartbroken. How could I dare to force the greed of the empire on Your Majesty?”

“Th-thank you for understanding…”

“No, Your Majesty had to make a choice as someone’s son and husband. However, I have a favor to ask.”

“...Go ahead.”

Henry understood that it was difficult for Herarion to make a decision. All he wanted was to be given the responsibility over the hostage-and-badge exchange.

“...Leave it up to you, Lord Henry?”

“Yes. Right now.”

“What..?”

Henry told him that he wanted to end the hostage situation right away.

“If the exchange is held in front of everyone during bright daylight, it will negatively affect Your Majesty and the subjugation army in many ways. So if I could borrow the badge right now, I will meet with Benedict right away and bring the two women back to Your Majesty.”

Herarion did not ask how, as he knew that if it was Henry that could use Teleportation. Herarion thought about it. No matter how much he trusted Henry, Henry was still from the empire.

Herarion looked into Henry’s eyes and the eyes of La that lay within Herarion flashed for a moment.

Flash!

Henry couldn't see this light as it was a power given only to the son of La, Herarion.

Herarion confirmed Henry’s intentions and said with a slightly surprised expression, “... Alright.”

“Thank you for trusting me.”

Henry had earned his trust, and thanks to that, he could see the king’s badge, an item that he hadn’t even been able to see in his previous life.

Herarion took the badge from his clothing.

The badge was surprisingly simple.

‘It is a ring.’

He had believed that it would be something impressive because it was called the king’s badge.

“The red is the mark of La, and the black is the mark of Janus.”

“Alright.”

Henry took the ring and hid it in his clothes, like Herarion.

“...I’ll leave it up to you.”

“Don’t worry. I will make sure to safely rescue both of them.”

There was no room for mistakes. Henry bowed one last time and quietly left his barracks.

Henry was ready to penetrate into the enemy’s territory, and he erased his presence and appearance with magic just as he had done in Caliburn. He left the camp at a fast speed.

‘Fly.’

Swoosh!

Penetrating the capital was easier than expected, as he was one with the darkness and there were no magical barriers like at the imperial palace.

Henry continued to fly and finally arrived at the backyard of Khan’s palace. He didn’t see anyone, but as soon as he arrived…

“A guest so late at night?” Benedict spoke in the darkness.

‘As expected.’

Henry knew that Benedict would see him with the eyes of the desert, which was why he had chosen to go through the backyard. As Henry withdrew his spell, he revealed himself.

“You’re the guy that was standing next to Eisen. I didn’t know you were a wizard.”

They had seen each other during the first round of negotiations. However, despite Benedict’s familiar greeting, Henry went straight to business.

“I’ve brought the answer to your offer.”

“I don’t know what the answer is, but is it considered polite in the empire to visit someone’s house in the middle of the night?”

“Are you in a position to talk about courtesy? You’re holding hostages.”

“Hahaha, so, what did he say?’

“His Majesty said he would give you the badge. I have it with me.”

“How bold of you. You came here to make a deal with me all alone just because you can use a little bit of magic?”

Blaze!

Flames silently appeared on Henry's hand.

“I hid the badge with my small amount of magic, so if you play tricks on me, you’ll never be able to see the king’s badge for the rest of your life.”

At the serious warning, Benedict’s face stiffened, and he answered sincerely, “Alright.”

He brought out Venus and Selene at Henry’s request.

“I’ll give you the badge after confirming that they’re fine.”

“Do as you please.”

Benedict pushed the backs of the hostages.

After confirming, Henry quickly cast a sleeping spell on them before they recognized his face.

“Sleep.”

The two women fell unconscious. Henry picked them up, then took the badge out and threw it at Benedict.

Benedict checked the ring and smiled.

“Good.”

“Fly.”

As soon as the deal had finished, Henry flew into the sky with the two and commanded in a quiet voice, “Klever.”

- Yes, Master.”

Gulp!

Klever was on standby in the air, and he swallowed Benedict like a wrapping cloth.

“Damn it…!”

Klever was a mimic and devouring someone was a mimic’s fundamental power. In the pitch-black darkness, Benedict drew his swords and shouted in anger.

“Do you think you’ll be able to do something to me with your little tricks!”

Schwing!

Blue flames rose from Benedict’s dual swords, but just then…

Vmmm!

A vibration of such magnitude that made his whole body go numb came upon him.

In the pitch-black darkness, hundreds of purple magic circles appeared at the same time with a bright light.

.

“Of course not,” Henry replied lightly.

Clap!

As soon as Henry clapped his hands, the glowing magic circles exploded at the same time.