Her Death

After her death, the Emperor ordered his men to leave the forgotten princess body to be hanged to let the people to damage it further. But before the citizens began to throw stones at the corpse, suddenly every [STOPPED]. N None could move or talk but see and hear, yet they still retain their consciousness, some have tried to move but failed. No one knew what was happening and they began to fear.

No sound could be heard but footsteps walking closer towards the petrified crowds. Sweat began to form in their faces as fear crawl down to their spines as they continue to hear the someone closer and closer to them.

Upon the stand, the frozen Nobles and Aristocrats noticed an old man ,that bore an aura of power and magic on his own being, with silver hair and red eyes ,filled with awe and wonder as if found a treasure, with a twisted smile that carry mischief as he walked towards the princess's corpse.

/

Claude felt enraged of being bound by an unknown magician but he could do nothing but glare at him in anger. He could not move nor can he use magic in this situation other than sense boundless and bottomless magical energy coming from the magician, especially that strange Jewel sword on his hand that made him sweat in caution.

Zelretch ignored them all as continue to walk closer to Athanasia until he stopped right before her and looked at her in silence. He drew his hand up and suddenly the corpse levitated and the rope forcibly loosen itself around her neck as she floats down to him.

Many saw this began to question his connection towards the dead princess, more so for the Nobles as well. but they could still do nothing but watch as he turns towards them all them with the Athanasia's body slowly lay on air.

He looked at them all with glee and mocking eyes then suddenly focuses on Claude De Alger Obelia.

Suddenly Athanasia's body began to glow as her ragged clothes transform into a beautiful blue silkworm dress that shines in the sunlight golden flower patterns that shines just as equally with a blue translucent cape around her shoulders down to her knees. Her skin was now clean of dirt and free from bruises and cuts while showing its beautiful pale yet rosey color, showing how fresh she recently died as her arms and ankles now bore beautiful golden armlet and anklets with a simple blue jewel triangular pendant and blue small triangular shaped jewel earrings to match. Her hair became clean and neat revealing her natural golden color that was now sorted in a rose bouquet hairstyle with pearls and golden pins to keep the hair in its place, except for the bangs and wavy curls on the sides of her face.

At her sudden transformation, the crowds eyes widened awe as they suddenly did not realized how beautiful the late princess was nor did the see the hidden beauty behind the depressing composition she bore. they had known that the she was beautiful but to this extent was a slap on their faces. if one were to compare her to Princess Jeannette then the favored princess would lose in beauty.

Zelretch looked at Athanasia's corpse after the glow fades and looked at the Emperor again with a small frown on his face then settled with a neutral expression that held no amusement that would bring the Lords and Ladies in the Clocktower on their knees in fear and dread but these people do not know that.

"In all my life, I had seen many gods, demons, humans, and beasts created foolish decisions in their actions. But none would have gone so far on killing the only one who kept their continent's Nature in balance. What you have done to yourselves will now bring nothing but calamity and death to this land." Zelretch spoke in a firm voice that was heard in the entire continent with magic. "So now I congratulate you, people of Obelia, for what you have done."

Claude suddenly felt the pressure got heavy on him slowly as he gritted his teeth through the weight but he sat firm and straight on his seat.

Zelretch thought of something amusing that could perhaps create more chaos in the future. However there will be some confusion on Athanasia's part though.

Well. Did he care?

No. He did not. He will deal with the damage before Athanasia's regained her life back. it wasn't that hard especially if her soul is heavily blessed by high divinity, plus Alaya owes him a favor including Gia many years ago. all he needed was a catalyst which is the corpse he is bringing. so it wouldn't be a problem.

They all watch as the old man walk away with the princess floating by his side. " Calamity and Destruction to the sole Sun and Star of Obelia." Zelretch voiced throughout the crowed. And in a flash of light that nearly blinded everyone's eyes the looked back to the stand to no longer see the old mage nor the deceased princess along with the heavy weight on their bodies which allowed them move once again.

_____________________________

(After the Grand Banquet Of Aristocrats.)

It has been 6 months since the Grand Banquet had ended and as time continue, the conditions and problems worse in Obelia. Many influential businesses stop selling their goods and started to relocate to the Theus Empire where the Theusians themselves welcome them with open arms dispite being Obelian citizen blood.

It caused their commoners and Nobles, who refused to leave Obelia, in an uproar of protest and betrayal. The Businesses that left Obelia to Theus was not something they can just sit by and watch. Those businesses contains goods that were now essential to their daily lives, especially the medical goods and technology they provided. even the nurseries and orphanages relocated along with their children in their care.

Emperor Claude and the Nobles started get irritated by this problem. the medical goods and technology were highly needed and essential for the upcoming war but they already have left before the Nobles had even noticed. Obelia still continue to have harsh weather and enemy spies kept sabotaging them in crippling their economy.

Commoners have began to riot for food and solutions to their problems but with war and famine around the corners they are at their witt's end.

Fresh water started to turn into blood forcing within the boarders of Obelia which force all man, and beast to suffer dehydration.

Ashes began to fall instead of snow in winter forcing them to breathe ashes and smoke that caused them to damage their lungs just by breathing.

Many people suffered from sickness and diseases but with the shortage and supply they could do nothing but endure.

Mana around the air started became so thin through the constant use of magic the wizards use to help stable the economy but the in the end it would always return to it's horrific state as if it was natural bad.

Plants were slowly dying and losing it's color while animals got weak and sickly, the skies on Obelia slowly turned duller until it nearly turns gray.

''...-and now, more people are becoming sickly, your majesty. Yes, it is true that our Wizards can fix some of their problems, but for how long? Mana is becoming scarce, the conditions here in this Empire is nearly in a state that we can no longer safely inhabit." A lowly noble report in fear for his life as he being stared down by Emperor Claude.

Claude gritted his teeth in frustration. "And none of our researchers and sorcerers are able find the cause of the problem?"

"I-I'm afraid not, your majesty."

"Useless!" The Emperor yelled but immediately regret it as he suddenly cough blood.

"Your majesty!"

"Daddy!"

"Quick! Send in a magician for the emperor now!"

"You majesty!"

"Enough!" Claude raged making the Nobles, even Jeanette Freeze and step back. "40 minutes. Dismiss."

The Councils agreed and left without a word except for Jeanette.

'Daddy-"

" Felix." Claude cut her off by sending Felix a silent order to bring Jeanette out, which Felix silently complied.

Ever since after Athanasia's death, Felix became silent, only answering short responses. He became withdrawn and aloof but still followed order to the letter. There was a rumour that he brought a maid from the palace into his household but that was not a problem to Claude. After all, that maid was none other than Lilian York. it was better for her to leave. she wasn't needed.

Once Claude was alone. he began to think any solution to his predicament. Sadly, he had none.

Damn it. Claude thought. His health was getting worse by the week but he couldn't rest just yet. He didn't think things would escalate this bad. Especially the land itself.

Many researchers were trying to find the reason the cause of the slow changes in the environment but he wasn't stupid. It was either a curse of some powerful Wizard who has a grudge for Obelia or Obelia must have enraged a deity.

If it was the first option, then there was no doubt it was that man....

His mind remembered those that the Mysterious Wizard had spoken before he left. 'Calamity and Destruction to the sole Sun and Star of Obelia.'

But that idea was crossed off when he noticed not a single magicule signature that belonged, much less compatible, to that old man. Claude would have noticed if that man did cursed the land because he had remembered the taste and presence of that Wizard's thick mana.

It was like the madness, death, power, and life that was bound into one man but what stood out, most of all, was the alien texture that molded in that mana.

So placing the blame on that old Wizard was useless if he didn't do it was catastrophic. Since that old man was not someone they can afford to anger.

So that only explanation was that Obelia angered a deity of sorts but that idea was ludicrous because he didn't want to believe it.

Why would the gods set their eyes on Obelia with rage when they didn't do anything that was considered as overwhelmed with Sins?

Many of the previous Emperors riled in tyranny, but not once had Obelia earned even hateful glance of their attention that forces Gods to intervene.

So what made the deities look in their way?

His thoughts were shattered as the doors forcefully opened without his permission, much to his ire, but that was immediately faded as he saw the one who came in.

"Warlock."

The black Wizard with Ruby eyes greets him a sneer. "Your Majesty."

As much as he hated the arrogant Warlock, they both knew that they needed to cooperate with each other. With war around the corner and rebellion above their heads, the last thing they need are those 2 threats demanding their heads for execution with their enemies hunting them like wolves.

"Report."

"I found something you might want to know about the Theus Empire."