He had expected the backlash to be devastating, just as it had been before.
But this time, the penalty seemed significantly reduced. The Divine Form was not a skill he could simply summon on a whim. It always came with a price.
"I was surprised too," Robert admitted, sitting closer to him.
"But maybe your body is finally adjusting to your awakened bloodline."
’Master,’ Bigbird whispered in Auren’s mind, his tone serious, ’I suspect the reduced penalty is because of the Primordial Blessing of Flame within you.’
’Primordial Blessing?’ Auren frowned. ’What do you mean?’
’Back when you used Divine Form last time, while you were unconscious, a mysterious human approached Robert who was carrying you. He said something I could not understand, then placed a blessing upon you.’
’A mysterious human? Could it be another disguised Primordial?’
’My biggest guess is that it was Ugha, the Primordial Beast of Flame and Chaos,’ Bigbird replied gravely. ’After he murmured his blessing, I felt his power force me into evolution. I was turned into an egg and began to change. That was the last thing I remember.’
Auren turned his gaze toward Robert. "Father?"
Auren hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"During the last time I was unconscious... did a mysterious man come to us?"
Robert stiffened instantly, his mouth parting in shock.
"H-how did you know that? You were unconscious that time."
Auren only smiled faintly, the kind of smile that carried secrets.
Robert hesitated but eventually sighed. He had learned not to doubt his son’s mysterious abilities.
"Indeed," Robert said slowly. "There was such a man."
He leaned back, eyes lifting toward the ceiling as though recalling a weight too heavy to bear.
His voice trembled as he described the encounter, how the stranger’s mere presence had paralyzed him, how he could not even lift a finger.
Auren’s eyes sharpened. "I see. So it really happened."
"I honestly believe he was no ordinary man," Robert admitted, his hand tightening into a fist. "I could not move. My body refused me, as though I was bound by chains."
"That is impressive in itself," Auren muttered, eyes narrowing.
"Normal men would have died on the spot if they discovered his true identity."
"What do you mean?" Robert asked, confused.
Auren turned his head toward the window. The sunlight outside blazed bright, harsh, almost mocking. "Keep this between us. That man is probably the reason I am alive right now. He blessed me with his essence."
"Do you... know who he was?" Robert pressed.
"I am not certain. But I have a good guess."
Robert leaned forward, eager, but before Auren could answer—
"ROBERT, THIS IS BAD!"
The door slammed open and Austaire stormed in, her face pale, eyes wide with fear.
She was breathless, clutching the frame as though the weight of her news crushed her lungs. She froze when she saw Auren sitting up, alive and awake. She got news from her scout and she had to tell them right away.
"Hello, sister," Auren greeted casually, a half-smile tugging at his lips.
Her fear crumbled instantly into shock. "A-Auren? You are awake?"
"I think so," he replied dryly.
She nearly snapped back but then remembered why she had come. Her face twisted with panic. "I... oh damn it!" She could not form her words.
"Calm down," Robert urged, gripping her shoulder firmly and guiding her to a chair. "Tell us what happened."
Austaire drew in several shaky breaths before blurting, "It is the people of Austerra! They are marching here. They want to arrest Auren for the destruction of the capital!"
Both Robert and Auren’s expressions darkened.
"Are they insane? After everything Auren has done for them—"
Auren’s voice cut in calm and sharp.
"No! You deserve their praise and thanks, not this betrayal!" Robert snarled, his hand flying to his sword.
Before he could draw it, the air turned heavy.
Auren’s presence shifted, cold and suffocating, his aura spreading across the room like a chiling storm.
Robert froze mid-motion, his body trembling under the weight. Austaire too felt her breath catch, her limbs paralyzed.
’This... Domain Control?’ Robert’s eyes widened in disbelief.
’H-how can he use such advanced Domain Control?’ Austaire thought, horror in her eyes. She remembered vividly that this boy had once fought Aurelus in his King Beast form. To oppose him now was asking for annihilation.
"Father," Auren said firmly, retracting his presence with a sigh.
"Calm down. Let them come."
He swung his legs off the bed, standing with surprising steadiness, and began to dress.
"Auren, please," Austaire begged, stepping before him. "Let me speak to them. I can explain. They will not harm you if I—"
"Do not worry, sister." Auren’s voice was calm, almost amused. "I will not harm them either. In fact, this is perfect."
He sat in a chair, crossing one leg over the other like a man plotting victory. A wicked smile spread across his lips. "I know the perfect solution. But I will need both of your acting skills."
Austaire frowned. "Acting? What crazy plan are you scheming this time?"
"Just trust me." Auren smiled before standing up.
Far outside the manor, a mob gathered.
Knights, nobles, and furious civilians marched in unison, banners of Austerra torn and bloodied in their hands.
Their faces twisted with rage, their voices thundered with chants.
"Justice for Austerra!"
Behind them, Imperial knights marched with grim silence. Even Wyvern Riders circled above, their shadows looming like vultures.
One official carried a declaration sealed by Emperor Romeov himself: Auren was to be captured, investigated, and if found guilty of slaughtering innocents during his battle, may be executed.
By the time they reached the manor gates, they froze. On the front steps stood Austaire, her face grave, her golden hair flowing.
At her side, Auren knelt in ropes, head bowed, his body weak and pale. His aura was suppressed, his mana dimmed to a flicker.
"He is an abomination! Because of him, Aurelus killed tens of thousands of children!"
"My house collapsed during his battle with that beast! My wife, my children... all crushed! He deserves no mercy!"
The mob screamed, spitting venom. Then Austaire drew her golden sword.
"I know what you want," she said coldly.
"That is why, to protect Austerra, I will end this myself."
Before anyone could move, Austaire drove the blade into Auren’s chest.
Blood sprayed, hot and red, spattering across the steps. Auren’s body jerked, then fell to the ground. H
e lay motionless, eyes closed, bleeding, suffering.
The mob fell silent, stunned.
"She...killed the freak? Just like that?"
The shouts died in their throats. The wind carried the only sound, whispering through the courtyard.
Unmoving. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novèlfire.net