Chapter 107

"That is all I have to report," Zenith finished his long and roundabout account.

The camp has been quiet and lazy. No deaths, no fights. Most of the men were bored with such a relaxing job. They wished for more than just guard duty.

Everything was going according to plan, except the bet I had made with Artorius. Though he might've not been serious, I doubt he would overlook such an opportunity.

As for Felix and Vincent, they were anxious about Artorius–Rightfully so.

I sat and closed my eyes, relaxing my mind after hearing such good news. The past few days had been quite stressful. A lot of unnecessary expense was made due to this endeavour. I wish to turn that expense into a business expense.

Hopefully, I could gain some of the lost money back as profit.

"Would you like anything to eat, your majesty?" Zenith asked me, leaning forward on his table and looking sincere.

"No need to go the extra mile!' I laughed. "I'm quite well-fed."

"If you wish to stay at the camp, I can get that arranged right this instant," He said, standing up and grabbing his coat.

"Ah, I had already arranged that," I smiled at him.

"What do you mean?" He raised a brow. "No one would work unless I command,"

"Your command is overridden by me, Zenith," An ugly smirk breaks from my lips. "The camp is under my management,"

Zenith, feeling humbled, sat back in his seat. He bit his lip and sighed in defeat.

Sylas entered the tent with a scabbard in his hands. He came down to his knees with the sword in the palm of his hand.

I stood up and turned around, grabbing the sword out of Sylas' hands.

"Zenith, you know you've been with my family for a while, right? I know you like a brother, an elder brother."

"Yes, you are right," He answered. "I've been by your side since birth,"

"Doesn't it only seem fair that we stick together? Like a family?"

I took the sword and unsheathed it from the black leather scabbard. It shined under the lantern light. Newly sharpened and ready for use.

"Has Artorius knighted you yet?" I asked Zenith.

"Not fully," He answered dully.

"What does that mean?" I raised a brow. "How are you not fully knighted but also knighted?"

Zenith stood up from his seat and gave me a stern gaze. "After what happened the day after your birthday, I went to Artorius, estate. There, he took me in and explained to me my new oath. After I had sworn my oath, he slapped me across the face,"

My eyes widened as he told me the story in short. He was not fully knighted but swore an oath to Artorius.

Realising that it was hopeless, I sheath my sword. "I see, seems like we won't be going back to the good old days anymore."

"There's another reason I would've refused your knighting, your majesty," Zenith's eyes showed pride.

"What do you mean?"

"I doubt your father's last plans are no more secret," He smiled, for the first time.

Seeing his smile, an uncanny feeling grew in my chest. He never smiled, not even on a happy occasion. This was my first time seeing him smile.

"You're… correct," I stutter on my words. "I learnt of what happened behind the scenes,"

"Perhaps you've missed a detail," He walks around the table. "Your father and I had an agreement."

"What kind of agreement?"

"Whoever would defeat me in a duel, I would devote myself to them."

Artorius had won a duel against Zenith, albeit at the cost of his sword. But he had won a prize far greater than he had lost. He had the strongest swordsman on his side.

It still does not mean Zenith is not on my side. Artorius is under my rule, meaning I still have control over Zenith. But it appears that I cannot bring him back under my control.

"Very well," I shake my head. "It seems that Father has put me in a predicament,"

"You may still order me around, but it would have to be approved by Artorius first," Zenith gave me an unpleasant smile.

He stood inches away from me, he was no more afraid of me. He knows his true value now. He's a lost asset to me.

"I'm glad we came to understand our differences, your majesty," He put his hand forward.

His hands which used to be ragged and dirty were now clean yet rough. We shake hands and let the past be. Zenith was in far greater hands than when Father used to have him.

FELIX'S POV

After the Alpha Wolf, we walked into another tunnel, followed by another dome-shaped room. Wolves lay dead as usual. To my surprise, a few of the cubs were killed as well. It looked as though Artorius wasn't leaving any witnesses

Through another tunnel, we went. It was all becoming a repetitive cycle. A long tunnel, followed by a messy room, followed by another tunnel. Repeated for the entire time.

This must've taken him at least a few days to clear out. We were just walking past his mess.

A tunnel was charred with multiple gaps in them. We crossed with caution. We were unsure what happened here and did not want to figure it out.

We found a long and confusing tunnel. It led on for a while. The only sign that he took this route was the water jar he left behind.

"Does this have an end!?" Vincent exclaimed in frustration. "How long has it been since we have been looking for him?"

"No clue, just keep walking," I said with a determined face.

I am only leaving this place after I've found him.

"Speak of the devil!" Vincent shouted as we spot the exit to the tunnel.

Vincent ran forward, leaving me in the dust. I ran behind him, trying to warn him of the dangers.

"Finally! We've found an end to this tunnel!" He triumphantly shouted–his voice echoing around the cave.

"Vincent! Wait!" I shouted out to him. "Don't run there!"

"Oi! Artorius! Where are y-" Vincent shouted before slipping.

I barely managed to grab hold of his coat. He was dangling off a cliff that fell into a deep abyss.

"Ho~ly shit!" Vincent cursed as I dragged him away from his demise.

We both catch our breath and calm down. Vincent, who just about survived a fall to his death, fell to his knees and gasped for air.

"Never- run like that again!" I shouted at him. "Who knows what could've happened to you just then!"

"Sorry!" Vincent apologized loudly. "It won't happen again! I swear!"

He stands up on his feet again and dusts away his knees. I walked forward while watching my step.

The right side led to a dead-end, but the left side continued for longer.

Vincent followed behind, watching where he stepped as well. We both hugged the wall and stayed close to each other.

"This space is tight! What would Artorius be doing here?"

"Looking for things to kill, obviously,"

A small route was in front of us. It was small compared to what tunnels we've gone through.

The path became narrower as we continued down. We slowed down and watched for traps.

Vincent peeked over my shoulder. "A tunnel?"

"A stairway," I answered. 'Strange, it is built so well even though it looks so old."

Knowing Artorius, he must've come down this way.

We take a gamble and walk through the dark stairway. It was difficult to see but strangely, it was just bright enough to be able to walk through with ease.

A strange glow dimly lit the tunnel. Even though the stairway had no lights, it had a soft glow to it.

I was on high alert. This cave has shown many strange activities already. Wolves, insects, goblins. I've seen all of them massacred and beaten into mash.

We took a slow walk down the staircase, ensuring every step we take is safe. A trap could be set anywhere and it could be the end.

"What condition do you think we will find him in?" Vincent breaks the silence and asks.

"Alive, probably." I chuckled.

Vincent scratched his chin, thinking of a better answer. "If it's Artorius, there's a high possibility he's asleep."

"Knowing him, you're not far off."

In front, a tunnel led to a room. The room was barely lit by a light blue light. From where the light came from, it was unknown. It would be answered when we entered the room.

Strange noises came from the end of the tunnel. We both became alert and slowly walked, keeping our bodies lowered and checking the ground for any traps.

As we exited the tunnel, no one could've prepared me for the sight in front of us.

There was a pile of creatures. Wolves, skeletons, centipedes. The pile was made of corpses from all the creatures.

Behind the mountain of corpses, was a mighty dragon, dark as night with eyes glowing a bright yellow. It gave off a fierce and stern gaze as it took notice of both of us.

The final surprise–a red-haired man sat above the pile. One leg dangled from the side while one of his hands grabbed onto the hilt of a broken sword, stabbing inside the pile.

"Yo, Felix," He gives us a wave while locking eyes. "It's been a while."

His clothes were ragged and torn. A part of his face was covered in blood. Not to mention, his clothes looked as though it was dipped in a pool of blood.

Before he left, he wore a white shirt with beige slacks. That same white shirt turned into a tattered and bloody mess.

"Artorius!" Vincent's voice echoed around the chamber.

"Oh~ Vincent!" A jolly smile shined from his bloodied face. "Long time no see!"

He got up and slid down the pile. He walked over to the two of us as he came down the pile.

The aura around him had changed. It was once a mysterious and enticing aura that would drag you closer to him.

It had now turned into bloodlust. The smile that he usually wore seemed unnatural and uncanny.

He was not the same Artorius I had known from birth. This was a different man.

ARTORIUS' POV

Felix's eyes looked at me with horror as I came closer. On the other hand, Vincent looked as lively and happy as ever.

He came dashing at me, jumping over the multiple soldiers that scattered the floor during my fight with Asim.

"We finally found you!" He said as he came to a halt. "You're alright!"

"Yeah, obviously," I said with an arrogant smirk. "It's only been a week and you missed me so much?"

"Not really…" He shied away and scratched his head. "I was just ecstatic to see you once again."

"Well, isn't that lovely?" I laughed and turned my attention to Felix. "Hey, Felix! How have you been?"

Felix had frozen up as soon as he saw me. Though at first, I thought he was startled to find me now I realise he looked as though his eyes were full of fear.

"Felix?" I call out his name.

"A-Artorius…" He whispered. "This is your doing…?"

"Me and Amelia," I said, turning around and looking at the mountain of corpses.

Amelia had been standing behind the carcasses and guarding my back for a while. We both had only just finished fighting against these.

They popped up out of nowhere. While I was in the library, looking through books and scrolls, Amelia had found herself in a tight spot only an hour ago.

She held herself well but was becoming overwhelmed. With no other option, I came back to help her.

I threw away my sword, or what was left of it. Amelia transformed into her fox form and came running around the corner.

"Amelia has grown quite strong, hasn't she?" Vincent said as he picked up the red furball.

"She's tired now," I said while walking past him. "Take care of her for now."

I walked over to Felix who could only stare at me. His strange behaviour made me realise something was wrong.

"Felix, you've been oddly quiet this entire time," I said while pacing towards him. "What happened?"

"I-I don't know…" He mustered up a few words. "You've changed…"

"That's true…"

Felix's eyes spoke of fear. It was the first time I had seen such fear in his eyes. I got close to him and looked into his eyes.

There was something wrong, very wrong. What could he have seen or heard?

Wait… It can't be…

"Artorius… What happened…?" He spoke softly.

I place a hand on his shoulder. "I'll tell you all about it soon," I told him with a softer expression.

Felix, who had always had a bright ray of sunshine around him, seemed gloomy and frightened.

Felix grabbed hold of himself and sighed. 'Sorry, I was overthinking," He said as he looked down.

"Tell me, what is it?"

"Nothing," A mellow smile broke from his face. "I'll tell you later if we get the time."