Chapter 276

[Third Person's PoV] 

"Husband, dear…" Alpha called out with a wry smile. "I love you dearly, but I'll have to ask you not to even think about it. Otherwise, we'll have to make it so you're only allowed to watch them under someone else's supervision."

"At least you got the option to say no," Aurora scoffed.

"We can allow them to give the command to execute someone when they turn five—at the appropriate age," Alpha said with a nod.

"How is that any better?!" Aurora asked in exasperation. "I swear, sometimes I feel like I'm the only one with common sense around here."

Shaking her head, she turned toward Celeste, scooping her up from Cid's shoulders. Holding her in her arms, Aurora pointed an accusatory finger at the little girl.

"And you, young lady—just what were you thinking? We'll need to have a serious conversation so you don't turn out just like your father. One of him is already enough; we don't need a second copy."

"Hey," Cid called out, clearly offended.

Celeste just pursed her lips in a cute pout. "Bwad pweple."

"Gosh, you're just so cute!!" Aurora melted, raining kisses down on her chubby cheeks.

Alpha watched the scene with a smile before turning her gaze toward the institution behind them. She then looked toward the rest of Shadow Garden, watching them effortlessly slaughter the remaining named children.

Turning back to Aurora, Alpha asked, "Do you mind if I do the honors?"

Aurora thought for a moment before shaking her head. "I don't mind. Go right ahead."

With that, Alpha stepped forward, and her form began to shift. The transformation was instantaneous—a magnificent golden western dragon now towered over the battlefield. Her maw opened as the core of her throat ignited, glowing with intense red heat.

She let out a guttural roar that shook the land, sending tremors through the air and ground. Celeste covered her tiny ears, her eyes narrowing in displeasure.

Then, golden flames of destruction erupted from Alpha's mouth, engulfing the institute. Explosions rocked the area as the building was swiftly reduced to cinders. Even the ground was not spared—large sections of earth were scorched and disintegrated, leaving behind a massive, glowing crater pulsing with heat.

Aurora gazed at the obliterated building before shifting her attention to Cid. Then, she looked down at Celeste, who was happily clapping her hands at the destruction.

Closing her eyes, Aurora leaned her head against Cid's shoulder contentedly. She shifted Celeste to her other arm and reached for Cid's hand, intertwining their fingers.

"Thank you…" she whispered softly.

Cid leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "I'd happily let the world burn for you, so don't worry about things like that."

Aurora chuckled. "There's no need to go that far." She kissed his cheek, her eyes warm. "But still, I appreciate the gesture… My valiant knight."

… 

Alexia knocked on the large, dark brown oak door—but she didn't wait for a response. Without hesitation, she pushed it open and stepped inside.

Seated behind his desk, King Klaus Midgar looked up from a small pile of papers, his brow furrowing in confusion at the sudden intrusion.

Noticing the frown on her face, he gave her an inquisitive look. "What is it? I'm busy. This better be important."

"I'm staging a coup d'état against you," Alexia said with a smile.

"…What?" King Midgar asked in disbelief, caught off guard by his youngest child's declaration.

Letting out a heavy sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose. "What are you doing, Alexia? I'm not in the mood for your childish games."

Alexia rolled her eyes, already growing tired of his constant belittlement. "The Cult of Diabolos."

King Midgar's expression hardened. "What about them?" he asked cautiously.

"How could you have let it come to this? Why are you allowing them to roam freely in our kingdom without taking action? You are a king—you should be in charge of your subordinates, not the other way around. You're a disgrace to the very title of 'King,'" Alexia said, her voice dripping with disgust.

King Midgar was appalled. He stood abruptly, glaring at her. "Watch your tongue, Alexia. Do not be disrespectful. I will not tolerate another comment like that. Do not speak of things you have no knowledge of."

Alexia sighed, closing her eyes briefly. As she lowered her head slightly, a golden aura seeped from her skin before rapidly expanding, filling the room.

King Midgar's eyes widened in astonishment as the pressure shattered the desk before him, sending him crashing to the ground. Trembling, he cautiously looked up, horror filling his gaze as he saw Alexia standing over him—her golden eyes half-lidded and indifferent.

"This is the third time I've been treated like a child who doesn't understand the world," she said coldly. "And honestly? I'm sick of it. I am not the one ignorant of the world, Father. You are."

Her gaze bore into him as she continued.

"I know about the Thirteen Night Blades who secretly control this kingdom. I know each of them—from the Marquis to the Count. I know they all serve the Cult of Diabolos and that they are the true operatives running Midgar. You?" She scoffed. "You are nothing more than a figurehead."

King Midgar gritted his teeth, straining to push himself up with his magic, but it was futile. No matter how much strength he poured into his limbs, he remained pressed against the ground.

"If you know that much…" he growled through clenched teeth, veins pulsing at his temples, "then you must understand the power the Cult holds. They are monsters. Their strength surpasses that of any kingdom. What was I supposed to do? I am a king—I have to think about what is best for my people!"

"You didn't even try to fight back," Alexia retorted. "There were countless ways you could have handled this. You could have sought help from neighboring kingdoms, like Oriana. You could have exposed the Cult's existence to the public, turning them into a common enemy."

For a moment, she merely stared at him before sighing. Slowly, she withdrew her power, allowing the crushing pressure to fade.

King Midgar let out a sharp breath, gasping as he regained control of his body.

"Well, I can't say that I don't understand," Alexia admitted. "I'm not unreasonable, after all. The simple truth is that you couldn't do anything because you are weak, Father. Which is why I'm taking the kingdom from you—I will be its ruler from now on."

She extended a hand toward him.

"So, while I'm still in a good mood, I'll ask you to hand it over willingly… or I will take it by force."

King Midgar glared at her. "And what exactly do you plan to do once the kingdom is in your hands? Wage war against the Cult? You must understand—when war breaks out, it is the civilians who suffer the most."

"War?" Alexia tilted her head, a mysterious smile curling at her lips. "Who said anything about war? You really are silly, Father." She waved a hand dismissively. "How could we go to war with a Cult that no longer exists?"

"What?" King Midgar asked, utterly perplexed. "What do you mean?"

Alexia's smile widened.

"You see… when I said you were the ignorant one, I wasn't lying."

As she spoke, her shadow expanded, twisting unnaturally. Dark, viscous slime slithered from its depths, coiling around her body until it formed a sleek black-and-gold suit.

King Midgar's eyes widened in disbelief.

"While we were busy here discussing this…" Alexia's voice was almost playful now.

"Shadow Garden has already exterminated most of the Cult's leaders."

She giggled softly.

"So, as of tomorrow, this world will finally be free from their influence."