Chapter 5 [Trickery and Disguise]

"Your Majesty?"

'Besides being a great magician, he must've also honed his acting skills.'

I was never kidding with my words. As a fellow actor, I could say that he was a great one.

The confusion and ignorance that he shows, from his brows, to his eyes, to his body language, at this moment perfectly reflected on this fact.

'Or a natural-born one.'

"Is this the magic that you've used to rebel? You traitorous member of a royalty."

But it doesn't matter, I can also respond to that. That's the reason why...

Even though I've wanted to shout and scream because of the unease that the greatest enemy is right in front of me, I did not do so.

I spoke so slowly and calmly as if I was never the one in a panic.

I wasn't surprised. Subconsciously, upon knowing the crisis I am in, my body and mind is one in acting myself to safety.

'Let's act-- no. At this moment, I am Emperor Craig, the ruler of Chronos.'

"Are you aware of the consequences that you've caused to this empire? To the very empire that our bloodline rule and originate authority of, Cerus?"

"..."

"I neither cared whether you built your force outside of the empire nor you live as if you were a member of a dark organization. But you were daring enough to cause chaos to what I rule?"

I waited for any response then. Silence ensued the place and no one talked. He completely put down the spoon. He looked at me intently.

But I didn't, I stared infront indifferently even as he put down his hand supporting my back and changed my support to a cushion.

He lowered his eyelid and no longer pretended. He exaggerated a snigger and then talked.

"You don't care?"

"I warn you as of now that you have to withdraw any kind of authority that you have in MY EMPIRE and ban yourself and your people from ever stepping into this land even an inch."

I spoke with authority that even I know he laughs at.

It was a meager and powerless authority exerted by a failing emperor like me.

" That ritual wasn't supposed to let you live. I know you came to treasure YOUR EMPIRE the most. But I pitied you and did not let you see through its end."

"Ritual? What ritual?"

I, 'Craig' frowned at those confusing words.

"Hmm.. now, now, even though I would have wanted to play ignorance with you, what's the use when you already exposed me?"

"What foolishness is this now? Do you treat me as a simple man? Just a mere ritual and you think I would cease to live? "

A timely irritation and annoyance perfectly came into a play. This came to confuse Cerus indeed as he showed a disinterested smile.

"No, I should be saying, what nonsense is this now, elder brother? You died at your very own secure office three weeks ago, didn't you? Remember it quickly and save me some time explaining this single truth."

"Cerus, does fainting from too much fatigue spells death to you? Isn't this your very own fault too? I refuse to entertain your jokes that are too impressive for someone like me any longer."

I then tried to call for the loyal subordinate of mine. The knight who visited me everytime as always.

The room remained silent.

I frowned and was secretly helpless inside. It seems that the events did proceeded as stated in the novel.

'It's July XX of Year 16XX, huh?'

A loud laugh then burst out from Cerus by my side. I didn't know how he did it, it was magical and mysterious.

Embers flew and his appearance changed to a more attractive and much more natural appearance.

The normal and common brown hair changed and became short tidied black lustrous hair. Red eyes as beautiful as rubies and sharp as a fox. A tall and beautiful character. Fitting for a villain who uses his charms and trickery to attain his goals.

Aside from useless descriptions typical for novels, I applauded his mastery for his magic.

Instead of going back to his real appearance, his transformation process actually looked like his real appearance was his disguise form all along just now. His mastery stage of "Reverse Disguise" is one level below from the perfected form, "Limit".

"I don't care whether you've gone crazy and do not remember. But my brother, I'm happy to inform you that whether you are alive or not, this does not stop me from letting your empire fall to nothing but ruins of the past."

His speech snapped me from my revere.

'Almost distracted.'

THE END..