Chapter 281 Old Schemes Exposed!

Chapter 281  Old Schemes Exposed!

As the smoke and dust settled, revealing the ruins of the once majestic castle, Artin and the maid caring for Aretrus emerged from the debris. They were among the few survivors, protected by an artifact Artin possessed that shielded them from the full brunt of the chaos unleashed by Ares.

Cough— Cough—

Artin coughed, his body shaken by the shock and disbelief of the sudden turn of events. In one moment, he had been commanding his troops with confidence, and in the next, the entire castle had been reduced to a graveyard of his well-trained Knights.

There was no trace of the shadow organization members who were supposed to provide backup, leaving Artin to deduce that they had likely met the same fate as his troops.

"It's been a while, hasn't it, my brothers!" Suddenly, Ares's voice rang out echoing through the desolate remains of the castle.

!!

"Ares!" Artin's jaw clenched, his glare fixed upon Ares. Anger and resentment seethed within him, fueled by the loss of his troops and the devastation before him.

Meanwhile, Aretrus trembled in his wheelchair, fear consuming him. He instinctively tried to move backward, seeking distance from the approaching danger. However, his maid, displaying a resolute expression, held the wheelchair firmly, preventing him from retreating further.

"Don't worry, I am here to protect you!" the maid stated, her voice devoid of emotion but filled with an unwavering determination to protect him.

Ares's grin widened as he took in the anger reflected in Artin's eyes and the maid's protective stance. His voice dripped with a mixture of malevolence and satisfaction. "Since your attempts to eliminate me were in vain, it is only fair that I return the favor, don't you agree, my dear elder brothers?" he declared, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

His eyes scanned Aretrus's trembling form, taking in the fear that gripped him. "Ah, Aretrus, it seems you have managed to preserve yourself quite well," he remarked, his tone dripping with a blend of mockery and sadistic amusement.

Aretrus shivered as a chill ran down his spine upon hearing Ares's voice. He felt a mixture of terror and vulnerability, knowing the danger that loomed before him. His only solace was the maid who stood by his side, showing unwavering loyalty and protection.

"...And it appears you have also forged an alliance with the demon lord," Ares remarked, peering through the maid's disguise before redirecting his attention toward Artin.

!?

Artin's anger surged, and his sword unsheathed in a swift motion as he unleashed his pent-up frustration.

"You wretched bastard!" Artin's voice echoed with a venomous rage. "Everything that has befallen us is because of you! If not for your existence, I would rightfully inherit the throne. Why did Father choose a lowly, manaless bastard like you as his successor?" he spat, his words seething with bitterness. "I, the eldest and most deserving candidate, should be the one to ascend to the throne! You are nothing more than the son of a maid."

Ares remained silent, taken aback by Artin's outburst. He had no knowledge of his father, King Artemur, choosing him as his successor. The revelation seemed unfathomable, considering his previous self had been devoid of mana.

'Why would that old man choose me as his successor?' Confusion filled Ares's mind as he inwardly pondered.

"...So, you killed my mother because I was the next in line for the throne?" Ares questioned calmly, his desire to understand Artin's motivations evident.

"Haha! That woman got what she deserved. She witnessed something she shouldn't have, and we disposed of her in the most brutal manner possible!" Artin confessed, his laughter tinged with madness.

Ares remained unfazed by the taunts, meeting Artin's gaze with unwavering composure. "I see. So, she witnessed you poisoning our father. That's the reason she met her demise," Ares muttered, unperturbed by the revelation.

Artin's eyes widened in surprise, disbelief washing over him. He struggled to comprehend how Ares had uncovered the secret poisoning, an act that had eluded even the royal doctors.

"...So, you are aware of that, huh?" Artin's voice trembled with astonishment. "Yes, she witnessed me poisoning Father when he declared you as his successor. My mother relished in killing her, savoring every moment of her screams," he added, a sinister grin playing on his lips, hoping to incite a reaction from Ares.

But to his astonishment, Ares's reaction was the opposite of what he had expected. Instead of anger or despair, Ares's grin widened, radiating an eerie calmness.

"Oh, were you referring to this woman?" Elaine's voice echoed, her sudden appearance catching Artin off guard. She tossed Queen Arabella's severed head in front of him, causing it to thud against the ground.

Thud!—

!!

The sight sent a shockwave through Artin's being, his eyes widening in sheer horror.

"T-This can't be!" Artin's voice trembled with disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the ghastly reality before him.

"M-Mother!" Aretrus screamed. "Y-You bastard, I will kill you!" His voice echoed with sorrow and rage as he faced Ares, his heart consumed by grief.

Aretrus turned to his maid, his eyes filled with desperation and a thirst for revenge. "Kill him for me! I want to see him suffer, to witness his torment!" he ordered, his voice shaking with a mix of sorrow and rage.

In response to his command, the maid stepped forward, her arms morphing into tentacles with deadly blades forming at their tips. The transformation revealed her true form—a demonic creature.

"A demon?" Elaine muttered, a glimmer of amusement dancing in her eyes. "Do you want me to deal with her—" she asked Ares, her tone filled with a hint of anticipation.

But before Elaine could finish her sentence, Ares sprang into action. With a swift and precise motion, his katana materialized in his hand, slashing through the air with astonishing speed.

Swash— Swash— Swash

And in an instant, even before she could even react, the maid's body was severed into multiple pieces, each falling to the ground with sickening thuds.

Thud— Thud— Thud

Silence engulfed the scene as the lifeless remains of the maid lay scattered on the ground in the pool of her own blood.

"....."

Elaine shrugged, her earlier amusement fading. "...Well, never mind what I just said," she muttered, her eyes lingering on Ares and his mysterious katana, which had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

Aretrus, witnessing the swift and brutal demise of his loyal maid, felt a wave of despair wash over him. Overwhelmed by the reality of Ares's power, he tumbled out of his wheelchair, his body weakened by sorrow.

"T-This can't be happening! H-He is a monster! W-We can't kill him," Aretrus cried, his voice trembling with desperation. "B-Brother, please do something, or we will meet the same fate as our mother," he pleaded, his voice filled with fear and desperation.

Artin, regaining his composure, directed his anger at Elaine. "E-Elaine, what is the meaning of this? Your father is a loyal subject to the throne. Are you betraying the royalty?" he questioned, his voice laden with disbelief.

"Hmm? My father may be loyal to the throne, but I am not," Elaine responded with a dismissive shrug, her nonchalance contrasting with the tense atmosphere. "Nonetheless, Our family's allegiance lies with the true successor to the throne, who stands beside me. So, I don't consider it a betrayal," she replied, her words carrying a sense of confidence.

"In fact, I am very loyal to the new king," Elaine whispered to herself, a wicked smile playing on her lips.

"...Enough with the chit-chat!" Ares declared, his voice cutting through the tension. He swept his katana downward, allowing droplets of blood to stain the ground below.

Drip— Drip

His gaze turned icy cold as he locked eyes with Artin, his intent clear. "The dawn is approaching, and it's time to bring this to a swift conclusion," he added, his words carrying an air of inevitability and imminent danger.

To be continued...