"That is Ari. I told her to seal my memories in her infinity dimension but these past few months, the seal had been weakening and the memories are coming back. Now I am having those nightmares again, as vivid as they appeared. I can even smell the scent of blood and death. I couldn't enjoy my sleep." He explained while waving his hand and a burst of mana shot out towards the king.n()o-.v/)e(/l(.b)-1).n
Orpheus blinked a couple of times because of how fast the attack was. If that was directly aimed at him and didn't miss, he would have lost his head already. He gulped because he could feel the heat that the mana emitted as it hit the wall behind him.
There was at least three meters distance from him and the wall but he could feel the mana's power. He did not dare to look back because he knew that it would only intimidate him more if he tried to take a peek of it. The prince on the other hand shuddered because he clearly saw what the man shot.
It was pure mana and not even manifested into any form. He couldn't help but give the wall a side glance because the entire wall where the mana hit was already destroyed. It did not crumble or leave any pieces behind, it disintegrated.
"The only way for me to stop these nightmares is to kill. This land is already filthy so there's nothing wrong with me doing what I need to have peace. Besides, this will be the payment for the blood of my house that made this land prosper. This is payback for their disregarded effort in becoming the foundation of this kingdom's creation." He stood up and grinned at the king and his heir. "Come at me with all you've got and keep me entertained."
The gray barrier that covered the entire room disappeared together with Cygnus and his subordinates. The words he left echoed and reverberated in their minds. Orpheus finally looked back before he laughed like a crazy person.
"So, this it, the end of everything. Send my command to all of our soldiers and to the four great houses, the hero association and the magic tower. We will launch an all-out attack against Rigel Maverick Ginehart no against the World Breaker. Send letter to the other kingdoms and warn them of this disaster." Orpheus stood up and wore a serious face.
There was no time for him to wallow in self-defeat. If they wanted to survive, they would need to fight. Even if the enemy had overwhelming power, it was better for them to die fighting than doing nothing. Renzo, who was arrogant, suddenly changed as he heeded his father's orders.
It was war and they needed to be prepared to face a foe that could destroy their kingdom. He left his father and immediately drafted letters non-stop. With the king's approval, the letters were sent at the fastest speed available using magic.
The citizens of the kingdom of Lunaira were evacuated as per the king's order. They were confused as to what was happening but everything became clear at the first sign of attack. The citizens were yet to be evacuated but Cygnus already launched an attack.
These series of explosions prompted the people to move faster and leave their houses without hesitation. The soldiers did not look back and just focused on helping the people get out of the capital city. By this time, the four great houses already received the message.
"What is it, Ulysses?" Linette walked up to her husband who was focused on the letter he received just a while ago.
She could already recognize the paper and the seal on the envelope that was on the man's table. Linette touched her husband's shoulder and slowly massaged it. She could already understand what implications that letter has.
Ulysses sighed and gave the letter to his wife. Linette silently read the letter and after reading it, she returned it to the table. "So, it has finally come."
"I never knew what was running through his mind and never understood his actions. I only felt that there is something deeper hidden behind his grinning and calm façade. I don't know what happened but we need to defend our kingdom from any threat." Ulysses looked up at his wife's face and gave her a smile.
Linette nodded and embraced her husband's head as she gently patted his head and combed his hair. "Rigel already knew that this would happen. You already talked with him about it. We don't have any reservations. I am just a bit worried for Linius."
"Linius will be fine. He has a contract with Rigel so he will be fine." Ulysses murmured as he buried his head on Linette's stomach. "I just hope that Rigel will give him a chance."
Just as Ulysses already made his decision, Galahad also made up his mind. Instead of letting the kids fight, he requested that Ezio transport them to where Rigel was. He would rather entrust Isaiah to the enemy than to let him stay on the losing side.
Isaiah objected but the duke was adamant and did not give him the time to argue. Ezio could understand why the duke was sending Isaiah away. It was for his own good so even if he did not like it, he grabbed and forcefully opened a gate for them to leave.
Ezio and Isaiah appeared at the Ginehart Manor where Mr. C was already waiting for them. He welcomed them and guided them to their rooms. At dinner, they were all in the dining room and the atmosphere was a bit suffocating. No one was talking and only the 'clinking' sound of the cutlery could be heard inside the room.
"Will the general be here soon?" Ezio suddenly asked when he noticed that Linius was not with them. He was also surprised to see that William Ginehart was actually with them.
"He'll be here soon." Mr. C answered for the master as he already sent a message to the general.
"Will he be joining us or joining the other side?" William asked as he became curious of the status of the general. His uncle and aunt shook their heads when he asked them before he was sent to the manor.
"He is bound by blood so there's nothing he could do against it." Cygnus fixed his spoon and fork on the empty plate he had and answered the question.
He couldn't help but sigh and look at the three new additions to the people in his estate. He didn't remember agreeing to those dukes that he would take in their wards and yet here they were. They were comfortably eating with him like there was nothing wrong.
"Were the two of you raised twisted?" Cygnus asked with a sigh. He did not understand why they were fine eating with their enemy. "I'm about to destroy this place and kill those people, even your beloved dukes and yet here you are eating peacefully together with me."
William and Isaiah stopped eating after hearing those words. They both stared at the plate in front of them for a moment. The other people inside the room did not dare to utter any word because they knew that it was not their place to speak.
"I'm not here on my own will." Isaiah looked up and stared at the man who caused all of this to happen. "I wanted to stay but the duke wanted me to leave and even Ezio pulled me here."
Cygnus looked at the young man with raised brows but Ezio only grinned at him. It was true and the master has no say about it any longer. The more they were inside the manor the better. It was better than him being all alone.