Holy Emperor

''And also,'' Seeing that the being resembling a horse wasn't going to reply, the man who was called the Heretic Saint suddenly spoke again. He turned his head to look at the being standing behind him.

Only then was one of his eyes got revealed.

His silver eye had a strange symbol in the iris, something like a combination of horizontal cross and half of an arrow on both ends. His strange eye flashed with a faint luster as a faint grin surfaced on his lips.

Then he continued, ''For a mythical beast such as yourself, why are you attaching emotions to something or someone else? You even called them your children. Don't you have any shame left in you?''

''Fuck you, old man. It's you who forced me to do that! You ordered me to act like their father, do you think I have a choice?'' The being resembling a horse, that appeared to be a mythical beast, snorted coldly in response. Smoke puffed out from his nose as he rolled his eyes to the side.

If that old man hadn't ordered him, would he even care about those kids? No, if that old man hadn't enslaved him by plucking his golden hair, would he even obey his orders?

Everything that was happening was because of that old fuck!

''Hahahaha, is that so? But why does it seem like you're enjoying it?'' Heretic Saint couldn't help laughing at it. As if he heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

''Stop the chit-chat and get moving already.'' The mythical beast harrumphed coldly in response as he crossed his arms under his chest. Obviously, he was trying to change the subject.

''Alright, alright,'' Heretic Saint responded with a snicker before he stood up from where he was seated. He stretched his body to crack some bones as he continued, ''Since you're in so much hurry, I will now use your golden hair to revive them.''

''What?!'' The mythical beast was startled.

He was obviously taken aback by what he heard. There was even a hint of fear blended in his tone of voice.

With that, he stared at Heretic Saint in clear disbelief and resentment as he asked, ''You're not going to revive them yourself?''

''Kuahahahahahaha,'' Suddenly, Heretic Saint began to laugh madly in response. It was to the point that he had to clutch and hold his stomach tightly. After satisfying himself for a good while, he added, ''Afraid of dying, huh? Don't worry, I'm just kidding.''

''You...'' The mythical beast gritted his teeth in dejected response. If only this man hadn't caught him so easily and made him his slave, then he would have retaliated already and given him a good punch to his face.

Sadly, this sneaky bastard was just way too cunning. He failed to detect him that unfortunate day long ago as he just appeared beside him and plucked his golden hair out without warning. As if it was only natural for him to do that and he must comply. Just how in the world was there a person of such caliber? It had to be known that he was a mythical beast.

A being that transcended common sense.

But a mere human managed to...

Until now, he still couldn't believe that he lost his golden hair to this heretic just like that. He was just thankful that this bastard wasn't using the golden hair to make a wish yet. If that happened, then he would surely vanish from existence.

So, when this bastard said that he was going to revive the kids using his golden hair, he really was scared out of his wits. Although he wanted to save the children, he still wanted to keep his life too.

Fortunately, that heretic was just joking. That really made him heave a huge sigh of relief inwardly.

''Alright, enough playing around. Let's go out and check the kids outside...'' Heretic Saint spoke casually with a faint smile as he started getting on the move. He walked forward unhurriedly, heading out of the tree cave they were currently in.

''...'' The mythical beast was silent for a moment before he followed behind the Heretic Saint.

He had to admit it.

This old man really had a lot of cunning means under his sleeves. Recalling how they avoided the Magic Knights earlier without getting detected, he couldn't help but think again about how he did that.

That ability of him where even he was helpless against, was really terrifying.

***

Somewhere far away, in a grand and magnificent hall in which space seemed endless...

''Holy Emperor, Jax's Life Fire has vanished.''

A slender and tall figure appeared beside a man seated on the throne. The figure was clad in full-body black armor in the shades of golden lines.

That figure was a Royal Guard who tended to inform the Holy Emperor about minor to major matters graded from E to A. Jax's Life Fire suddenly vanishing only meant that he died. And this matter should be considered a minor matter that was graded D. But since he didn't die a usual death, the grade of this matter was raised from D to B.

''Hm... Is that so? I really thought he would be someone special. It seems like I miscalculated.'' The man seated on the throne responded, there was no change of expression on his face. But curiosity took the best part of him as he spoke again, ''What killed him? Did he die by accident or was he killed by mere thugs?''

''No, Holy Emperor.'' The Royal Guard replied respectfully as he continued, ''He was killed by time magic.''

''Oh... Now we are talking,'' The Holy Emperor was somehow surprised. The news piqued his interest. ''I didn't expect that child to head out that far away. Too bad, he died. And he is the first one among his brothers and sisters.''

''Shall I personally head out to the Maharlika Kingdom's Ancient Mangyan Tribe to ask for an explanation?'' The Royal Guard asked.

''I'm curious,'' The Holy Emperor replied casually.

''At your order,'' The Royal Guard replied. He understood what the Holy Emperor wished as he vanished from where he stood and started getting on the move.

The moment the Royal Guard left, the Holy Emperor fell silent without a change of expression. He stared into the distance and reminisced about the distant past.