Chapter 135: Backstory -

"Your mother Cynthia was the lone heir of the Frost legion tribe. The infamous tribe that was insanely famous for the healing of blood and necromancy. They were the only ones who could practice necromancy since they were used to following strict rules and had their own principles. They were a notorious but prideful tribe with members who were extremely talented in various forms. Rivera got his batch of extremely talented people from their tribe. The kingdom's royal healer, some of the courtesans, chefs, and others were from the same tribe. Everyone there used to worship Hades and the leader of their tribe Cynthia was responsible for running it. She was an exquisite beauty who had intelligence off the charts. With her killer looks and deathly tongue, she was like a drug. Addictive but deadly. She was a shiny serpent whom people only adored from far because even if someone ever tried to cozy her up, he would be found dead other day in the most bizarre way. She was a woman with temperament. Your grandfather died due to a long-term illness and when she was only 16-year-old, he died. Later she struggled and continued to rule the tribe for six years. Those were the golden period of Frost legion. Not only was there an increase in talent, but they lived a wealthy life too. Slowly people started to worship her too, saying she was a forgotten goddess. Cynthia was a haughty woman, but she was a benevolent leader who was very concerned about her people."

Vlass sighed with a smile as if he were wondering about some sweet moments of his life looking like a lovesick fool. When Severus saw his reaction, he felt somewhat uncomfortable. Well, no son can remain calm in front of a man reminiscing about his dead mother except if that man is his father.

"When Cynthia was in her prime, at the age of 22, the current king of Rivera kingdom got fatally injured. Everyone failed to cure him thus he was sent to the Resen which was the habitat of Frost Legion. Here the king stayed for nearly six months and recreated. His condition was worse. He was as good as dead. It was Cynthia who practically brought him back from the door of death. I am not sure about what happened between them but after the king Marquis was healed fully, he asked Cynthia's hand for marriage. Although he was married and was the father of a newborn baby from the current empress, he still asked her to marry. He expressed his love and said he wanted her to make his concubine. When Cynthia learned about this, she flared up openly. She treated him that if he won't accept her as an empress then she won't marry him. Come what may! Marquis was enraged when he heard that. It was rumored that his current wife, ex-empress was the love of his life thus no one could replace her place. Well, who knows what was the truth, but the king accepted her denial and went back to his kingdom? Everything went back to normal and soon the daily life of everyone continued but something tragic happened. After six months of the king's return, the ex-empress died due to an unknown illness. The king raged. He believed that it was Cynthia who put up this curse on the late empress so she meets her end and Marquis can take her in as an empress. Anger, frustration, pain, and despair made him psycho. I personally witnessed the scene and it's too hard to believe that it was all fake. He still doesn't know whether it was real despair or just an act. You know the rest of the story. The king wanted revenge for her dead wife thus he killed the Frost legion. That was a bloody massacre. Not even children were spared, and the rest were forced to take up blood oaths for survival. If ever they broke their oath, then their bloodline would be cursed for nine generations and will die a very bloody and tragic death. Everyone feared it and thus not even a should perform that art. There were dark days of Resen and from then on everyone started fearing King Marquis"

Dead silence prevailed in the room. This piece of information doesn't come as a shock to him since he more or less guessed it. "This I understand but I doubt my mother would have cursed the late empress. I am not favoring my mother but if she had been loyal to King Marquis then she wouldn't have conceived me. I doubt with her powers anyone would have taken her advantage."

Vlass smirked when he heard Severus "You are right. She never did such a demeaning thing. Although she was just a leader of a small tribe, she was immensely powerful. The king Marquis was not even on the same par as her. Her powers were hidden by shackles put by her father. Your mother was a special child. She was strong from birth but because of her abilities she was always under grave danger thus the old man sealed her powers so she can never harm herself."

"So How did the late empress die?"

"Well...Will, you believe me if I say Marquis was the one who killed his dear wife, the late empress of Rivera kingdom?"

"...."

"For a moment Severus failed to breathe. His mind went blank and this shock shocked him from the inside. He had experienced firsthand how much importance the current empress held for Marquis. It was not known to everyone, but Marquis had a habit of seeing Late empress portrait as the first thing in the morning. Once when he asked about this, he revealed that she had always been lucky for him, even after her death. So, he always had to look to her first to thank her, her love and blessings. Like a naive child, he believed in Marquis and even praised him for such a devoting love but now, if you scrutinize it you can see the flaws.

"I believe but do you have any reasons? Any proof? Given Marquis devotional love it's a bit strange to believe in this"

Ha!

Vlass gritted his teeth in annoyance. "I don't blame you for doubting me but before I tell you anything will this revelation be enough. I, Vlass is a real brother of the late empress and the disciple of Sage of frost legion which was none other than Cynthia's father and your grandfather. Ye, I was his pupil and that is the reason I could never believe Cynthia would ever do such a thing because I knew her like the back of my hand. I have proof that it was Maverick who had killed my sister. My sister was poisoned by a rare poison that is the specialty of the Song family from Hui Island. It took me some time to figure it out. I investigated the death of my sister personally while remaining in the shadows and confirmed it. When I got to know about it, I turned mad from rage. I plotted long-time revenge for Marquise and that was the reason I joined Onyx. Since I was the son of Onyx leader, so it was natural for me to take up the position but believe me, this was the last profession I ever wanted to opt for but for my sister's sake, I joined it and got to know a lot of things. The map you just told me was with Marquis for ages. He had locked it in a cupboard for ages studying in regularly. To be honest I am amazed by the courage shown by Maverick. As far as I remember he was a frail and easily scared child. To think that he had grown to become so bold is a proud moment. Never mind I don't have enough details but whatever you said was accurate. I read notes of Marquis and in that, it was mentioned that they belonged to hades shrines with the center as this place I failed to understand their relation, but I am confident that you won't fail"

Well, this was not the answer Severus was expecting for.

"If you say that Maquis never loved the late empress then even for killing her there should be a motive. Let's say he killed her in vain, but it doesn't make sense that he never remarried. Isn't it? To say that he will go so far as to act. It's a bit far stretched"

Vlad nodded his head in approval. "This is the second mystery that I failed to solve, and I am counting on you to solve this one too."

Duh!

Do you even know anything?

It seems like I need to do everything myself.

Now came the hottest question of the evening which was like a hot potato that everyone wanted to eat but no one wanted to hold it up.

Ahem!

"I have one more question for you master Vlass"

"HMM"

"Well,"

Cough Cough!

"Are you my father by any chance?"