(Azazel Morningstar POV)
The moment our massive castle appeared on the horizon, I yanked the wyvern's reins, urging it faster toward the training grounds. My heart leaped at the sight of my family waiting below - father, mother, and my siblings all gathered to welcome me home.
The wyvern's wings created a thunderous whoosh as we landed. Using a burst of power, I leaped down gracefully, unable to suppress my smile as I faced my parents.
"Azazel! I've missed you!" Mother's warm smile lit up her face as she rushed forward to embrace me.
"Six years..." I murmured into her shoulder. "The Nether Realm was every bit as harsh as you warned, mother."
She pulled back, joy and relief mingling in her expression. "I'm just grateful you've returned safely!"
I sighed. "We only explored the shallower regions. All I managed to retrieve were some mystery-grade artifacts and a few dozen C-Level Nether Cores..."
"That doesn't matter," Mother assured me. "Your safe return is what's important."
Father stepped forward, his deep voice cutting through the moment. "What of B-Level Nether Cores? Did you secure any?"
Meeting his gaze, I replied, "Actually... our party was fortunate enough to obtain two."
Father's eyes lit up. "Excellent. Two B-Level cores could power Ferland for nearly half a century. The capital's energy needs will be secured."
I reached for my magic bag still strapped to the wyvern, withdrawing a small pouch. Inside nestled two cores no larger than an infant's palm - darker than the others but radiating pure power.
"This one I discovered in a cave system," I explained, holding up the cores. "The other... we had to fight off a pack of Blood Hunters to claim it." The memory of those crimson-eyed Nether Wolves still sent chills down my spine.
"So these are the Nether Cores I've read about in ancient texts!" A familiar voice rang out. I turned to see Arnold, his neatly combed hair and wire-rimmed glasses giving him a scholarly appearance.
"Glasses, Arnold?" I chuckled.
He adjusted them with a slight frown. "A side effect of overusing my rare ability."
My smile faded. Arnold's gift was precious - the ability to awaken the Primal Morningstar bloodline, turning his eyes an otherworldly green that could perceive the very essence of magic.
"I warned you about overusing it." I reached into my bag and pulled out a shimmering hide, its dark scales reflecting an ethereal green glow. "Here - the skin of a Nether Tiger. I thought you'd appreciate it."
Arnold's eyes lit up as he examined it. "Incredible. Thank you."
"What about me, elder brother?" A young voice called. I turned to see Apollonia, no longer the child I'd left behind but a growing young woman.
As I spoke with them, I noticed Bobby hanging back. "Bobby."
He nodded stiffly. "Welcome back." Though he and Arnold were both born to concubines, only Arnold had grown comfortable in my presence.
Then I saw Lucy, her graceful smile a stark contrast to the bookish, introverted girl I remembered. Her glasses were gone, replaced by an air of refined professionalism.
"I've been looking forward to your return, elder brother," she said warmly.
I smiled, then scanned the gathering for one missing face. "Where's Arthur?"
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense. Father's voice cut through the silence: "Don't concern yourself with him. Let's focus on celebrating your return, son."
I followed my family to the grand ballroom where crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over elegant tables laden with delicacies. A royal orchestra played softly as we shared stories and laughter, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Hours passed, the celebration waned, and still no sign of Arthur. More troubling was how everyone skillfully dodged any mention of his name.
After father and mother retired, I walked the palace gardens with my siblings. Apollonia peppered me with questions about the Nether Realm's twisted landscapes and fearsome creatures.
Apollonia's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I want to learn everything about the Nether Realm! The creatures, the landscapes - it would make perfect inspiration!"
I studied her curiously. "Is this for your royal academy studies?"
She shook her head, grinning. "No, I want to create manga! The Nether Realm would make an amazing setting!"
"Manga?" I stopped walking, puzzled.
"Books with drawings and dialogue that tell stories," she explained excitedly. "Elder brother Arthur introduced them!"
"Not exactly," Bobby cut in. "Manga existed in Japon first. Arthur just made them popular here."
My frown deepened. "Arthur... Where is he? Everyone's been avoiding any mention of him since I returned."
My siblings exchanged uncomfortable glances before Apollonia spoke softly. "While you were gone... father exiled him."
"What?!" I couldn't hide my shock.
Lucy sighed and explained how Arthur had borrowed 200,000 dollars from the bank, enraging father.
"Just 200,000?" I shook my head. "That's hardly worth exile." I thought of my bookish, magic-weak younger brother trying to survive outside the palace. "He must be struggling..."
To my surprise, Apollonia started giggling.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Brother Arthur isn't struggling at all!" she beamed. "He's actually quite wealthy now. He founded his own studio and made Demonfather - it earned hundreds of millions!"
My eyes widened. "You're joking!"
"It's true," Lucy confirmed. "That loan he took? It was to start his entertainment company. His films have been incredibly successful."
"Brother Arthur's done even more," Apollonia continued excitedly. "His manga is getting popular everywhere, his films are always successful, and he even has his own TV network!"
"TV network?" I furrowed my brow.
Lucy explained the concept, and I felt my head spin. Six years in the Nether Realm, and the world had changed so drastically. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI(F)ire.net
"Now brother Arthur's more successful in entertainment than Bobby," Apollonia added with a giggle.
"Watch your mouth, girl," Bobby hissed, his face darkening.
I studied their reactions - Apollonia's joy, Bobby's anger, Lucy's complicated expression, and Arnold's calculated indifference. What had happened to cause such division?
"Arthur seems to have changed considerably," I mused. "Where is he living now? I should pay him a visit."
"Ah..." Arnold broke his silence. "You won't find him in this kingdom, brother. He's moved to Horn Kingdom with his company."
"Why would he leave?" I frowned. "Is it bitterness over his exile?"
Arnold's eyes flickered to Lucy, who spoke carefully. "Perhaps the brat's just angry at the family..."
Bobby let out a harsh laugh. "Right. Nothing to do with your brilliant law taxing successful films."
"Arthur left without explanation," Lucy countered. "Don't make assumptions."
"I'm thinking of leaving too, thanks to your taxes," Bobby shot back.
Lucy's lips curved into a cold smile. "Don't worry about the tax. Your films won't be successful enough to qualify."
"What did you say?!" Bobby's face flushed with rage.
I sighed, watching Bobby and Lucy bicker. Some things hadn't changed in my absence - their old academic rivalry had simply shifted to new battlegrounds. Bobby's switch from failing at studies to making unsuccessful films hadn't helped matters.
"Enough," I cut in. "I'd like to see these films Arthur's made."
"I have Demonfather!" Apollonia brightened. "We can watch it together in the living room!"
I nodded, recalling Lucy's explanation about television. "Let's go."
"I have matters to attend—" Bobby started backing away.
"Father's orders," Arnold interrupted coolly. "We're to update our brother on recent changes. No excuses."
Bobby gritted his teeth but relented with a sigh.
The royal living room had changed during my absence. While the marble columns and silk-draped walls remained familiar, new enchanted crystals now cast light from ornate sconces. Most noticeably, a strange black box hung mounted on one wall - something I'd never seen before my time in the Nether Realm.
Apollonia held a small device, pressed something, and suddenly the box blazed to life with moving images. She inserted a small rectangular object into another box beneath it.
So this is the 'television' Lucy mentioned...
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