Chapter 67: Lost?
Arthur had seen demons like this before—not many, but enough to know their danger. In fact, there was a time he had one under his command. It targeted those with strong faith, twisting their devotion until it broke.
When your strength becomes your weakness.
When you begin to doubt what you once believed in.
When the light you follow feels distant and cold.
They were called Unvowen.
Arthur never imagined that one of those ancient creatures would still be alive after a thousand years. Back then, a sorceress had risen against them. She hunted Unvowen relentlessly, cutting down over a hundred of them. But her victory came at a price—her faith and her life.
She knew the truth: even Eric, the man of unshakable will, couldn’t face the Unvowen without losing his mind.
They weren’t powerful in the usual way. They didn’t crush bones or burn cities. But they could break something far deeper—your belief, your purpose. They could leave even the strongest feeling lost and abandoned by their gods.
But before Arthur could worry about the demon, he had to deal with Tantula.
"Judgment."
As the word left his lips, the skies darkened—not from clouds, but from something massive blocking the light. A colossal hand, formed entirely of surging water, took shape above them.
The creature let out a panicked howl, sensing death bearing down. It lunged to escape, but was too late.
Thick ropes of mud shot up from the ground, wrapping around its legs and yanking it back.
"KHIEEEK!" it shrieked, baring its massive fangs at the soldier who’d trapped it.
Bennet scoffed. "Die, you insect."
His words were a sentence. And the skies obeyed.
The giant hand plummeted.
The soldiers scattered just in time before the impact hit like a tidal wave.
BOOOOOOOOM
SPLASH
Water exploded everywhere as the elemental hand crashed down, shattering the beast’s exoskeleton and slamming it into the dirt. Bones cracked, its body twisted—and in seconds, the life was squeezed out of it.
Elowen felt her stomach twist at the gruesome sight, but even then, she couldn’t look away. There was something hauntingly beautiful about that spell. So raw. So overwhelming.
The remaining soldiers broke into cheers, their spirits rising as they pointed their spears toward the demon. The beast was dead. One more enemy left. Just one final strike, and it would all be over.
But Bennet wasn’t celebrating.
He stared at the demon, uneasy. Its eyes told a different story—cold, calculating, utterly unshaken. Worse, its presence was only growing heavier.
’If he were losing, he would’ve fled already...’
But this demon didn’t look the least bit afraid.
"You’re an anomalous human," the demon said, his voice chillingly calm. "One without devotion, yet overflowing with strength."
No one asked him anything, but it was clear who he was speaking to.
Arthur stepped forward, eyes locked on the inhuman figure. "Who do you serve, Vowen?"
He didn’t ask out of curiosity—if this demon still held allegiance, then maybe Arthur could get a glimpse of the current state of the demon side.
The demon’s eyes rounded slightly, surprised. "Vowen, huh... It’s been a long time since I’ve heard that word."
Arthur’s expression sharpened.
The demon smiled slowly. "As I thought... You really are someone I need to erase."
Black flames erupted from the demon’s body, twisting, slithering, crawling toward his palms like living shadows.
Arthur didn’t hesitate.
He spun on his heel, wrapped an arm tightly around the Prince’s waist, and yelled, "RUN!"
The demon’s palm hit the ground—
And hell exploded.
....
"What do you mean you can’t reach her?" the King thundered, his voice echoing through the marble hall.
He had dispatched a group of elite soldiers to quietly trail Princess Elowen’s convoy, meant to stay hidden unless danger appeared. Yet now, those very soldiers stood before him, empty-handed and pale.
"We... we found no trace of them, Your Majesty," one of them stammered. "It’s as if the forest swallowed the entire party. No tracks. No signs. Nothing."
A heavy silence gripped the court before a minister broke it with a sharp voice.
"Your Majesty! I suspect the spy from the neighbouring kingdom is responsible!" he cried, his face flushed with urgency. "I warned this court—he arrived under the guise of market research. But Aldercrest has no trade plans with us, and no shipments were ever scheduled."
Worse still, the so-called merchant was nowhere to be found this morning. His room was empty.
The Prime Minister folded his arms and spoke in a calm, measured tone. "And yet, for a single person-a child, no older than fifteen—to ambush trained soldiers and abduct the Princess? It borders on absurdity."
The accusing minister turned sharply, eyes gleaming with conviction. "Age is no measure of ability, Prime Minister," he said. Then, turning to the Supreme One seated on the throne, he added, "If Aldercrest truly sent him, would they not ensure he had the skill to pull off something we consider impossible?"
A murmur rippled through the court.
Had Aldercrest betrayed them?
Had they allowed the enemy to enter their walls under the veil of peace?
The King clenched his fists and had to contemplate it for a few moments
The ministers didn’t say anything while leaving the judgment entirely to the King.
After a brief pause, he turned towards the Minister and said, "Raticus, go to Aldercrest and dig information about the boy who came. Don’t return unless you have everything about the boy."
The Minister’s chest was pumped as he gave a brief bow, "Understood, my Lord."
The King turned toward the soldier before commanding, "Take the Falcon division and head towards the forest, and any route that could lead to the other cities. I don’t want even an inch unchecked."
The soldier gave a crisp salute before making his way out.
The Prime Minister glanced at his Lord and found the deep anxiety he was hiding.
Well, that was to be expected given the Princess’s importance.
’I hope this doesn’t end up souring the relationship between the two nations.’
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