Chapter 142 Ch. 142: Rumination [1]
—Boom!
The deafening boom echoed through the chaos, drowning out any other sound.
The ground shook violently as the Behemoth crashed down, causing a massive tremor that rippled through the surrounding area, sending clouds of dust and debris soaring into the air.
As the dust began to settle and the chaos subsided, Adrian and Nathaniel exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and relief.
The defeat of the Behemoth was a minor victory, but Adrian knew all too well that the battle was far from over.
Adrian's cerulean eyes scanned the devastated surroundings with a sense of urgency, taking in the heart-wrenching sight of buildings reduced to mere rubble and charred remnants.
The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke, and the distant crackling of flames mingled with desperate cries for help, wails of agony, and the blood-curdling shrieks of the Chimeras.
Guilt washed over Adrian like a tidal wave, his heart heavy with the weight of responsibility.
He knew that the destruction that lay before him was, in part, his doing.
'It's… my fault…'
He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the weight of the lives at stake.
Without wasting a moment, he summoned his powers, creating a staircase leading to a higher vantage point.
"Ian, wait!"
Nathaniel called out, concern etched on his face.
Ignoring Nathaniel, Adrian unleashed a barrage of wind bullets toward the Chimeras and the spies that entered his line of sight.
—Whizz
The bullets sliced through the air with a sharp whistle, finding their targets with deadly precision.
—Splat! —Splat! —Splat!
The Chimera's chests erupted in sprays of black blood, while the spies' heads exploded into a gruesome mess of flesh and bone.
Reaching the summit, Adrian commenced to recite a spell as fast as he could.
Gradually, a colossal magic circle formed in the sky, its intricate patterns glowing with an otherworldly light.
Dark clouds started to gather, swirling ominously above, as raindrops began to fall, at first a gentle drizzle, then turning into a torrential downpour.
The rain poured relentlessly, drenching Adrian and the ground below.
His blonde hair gradually faded, replaced by his signature white locks.
The water cascaded down, extinguishing the flames that had ravaged the city.
But it was not enough.
Adrian could see that there were still many districts untouched by his Magic Circle, still engulfed in the destructive inferno.
Determined to save as many lives as possible, Adrian pushed himself further.
He infused more Mana into his Magic Circle, expanding its reach.
"Adrian, stop this in an instant! This is not your fault!"
Nathaniel's voice pierced through the chaos, pleading him to cease his efforts.
Deafening his ear, Adrian continued.
Hastily, an intense dizziness began to overwhelm him, but he fought through the pain.
"Cough, cough!"
Blood stained his lips as he coughed, his body weakened by the immense strain.
His nose bled profusely, and the symptoms of Mana Exhaustion grew stronger with each passing second.
Ignoring the excruciating pain coursing through his body, Adrian pushed through.
—Whack!
Suddenly, his body was violently flung to the side, causing him to stagger backward and fall onto the hard earth plate.
Shearing pain shot through his left cheek.
Before he could fully comprehend what had happened, Adrian felt a forceful tug on his collar, and his gaze was forcibly directed towards his assailant.
Nathaniel's face appeared before his eyes, his golden feral eyes filled with anger and frustration.
"This is not your fault!"
Nathaniel growled, his voice laced with concern and exasperation.
But Adrian merely looked at him with an unreadable expression, his mind lost in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions.
'How could it not be my fault?'
As Adrian gazed upon his brother's face, a wave of emotions engulfed him.
It all began at that moment—the Refugee Camp.
If only he listened to Nathaniel's advice to escape the camp and hadn't persisted in urging everyone to fight the dark organization, then perhaps the dark organization wouldn't have made a second attempt to assassinate the Kearny Princess.
And if only he hadn't interfered with Charlotte's assassination, he wouldn't have gotten entangled with Annelise's bet.
Adrian had always known that even the smallest alteration in the storyline could cause a butterfly effect, but he egotistically feigned ignorance, claiming that it was Nathaniel's responsibility as the protagonist of this world to handle such matters.
But now, as he looked at the chaos and madness unfolding below, Adrian realized the gravity of his actions.
Everything spiraled out of control, and even Nathaniel, the protagonist of this world, couldn't handle the magnitude of the situation.
"Ian—!"
"I'd appreciate it if you keep quiet, Nate."
"...ah."
Nathaniel's eyes widened in realization, understanding the weight of his actions and the impact they had on Adrian.
He slowly loosened his grip on Adrian's collar before eventually letting it go.
"I… I'm sorry, I punched you."
Nathaniel muttered, his voice filled with remorse.
Adrian weakly shook his head, his expression a mix of exhaustion and understanding.
"No, it's alright."
Deep down, Adrian knew that Nathaniel was just trying to knock some sense into him.
But for now, Adrian needed some time alone to reflect and contemplate the consequences of his choices.
Nathaniel tried to open his mouth but there was someone faster.
"Ahem!"
The boys turned towards the voice and beheld a man with vibrant, light green hair standing not too far away.
It was Asher, the Emperor's Escort Knight, and behind him stood Fredinand.
Soon, the man began.
Nathaniel's brows furrowed as he considered the situation.
"What about the monster and those spies? They are still scattered all over the place?"
Nathaniel asked and Asher reassured him.
"Fear not, Your Highness. The Paladins will be dispatched soon to handle the situation. However, Your Highness' safety is our top priority. Please return to the palace at once."
Nathaniel turned to Adrian, silently conveying the message. Adrian nodded weakly in response.
Turning back to Asher, Nathaniel spoke on behalf of both of them.
"We understand."
Immediately, Asher retrieved a Blink Sphere from his Magical Sphere and activated it.
In the blink of an eye, the scenery around them transformed, and they found themselves standing in the grand and opulent Sun Palace.
The familiar sight of the giant mahogany doors with intricate designs greeted their eyes, indicating that they had been instantly teleported to the entrance of the throne room.
Glancing at his brother, Nathaniel chanted inwardly, using his magic to remove the rainwater that soaked their bodies and clothes.
Within moments, they were completely dry.
"...thanks."
"You're welcome."
Nevertheless, Nathaniel couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart as he observed his brother's distressed state.
Despite reminding him that it wasn't his fault, the accident clearly took a toll on Adrian.
Raising his hand, Nathaniel gently ruffled Adrian's hair, offering him words of encouragement.
"Be strong."
He hoped with all his heart that Adrian would find the strength to overcome this ordeal soon.
"Thank you."
With that, the trio approached the towering doors, their footsteps echoing through the grand hall.
The guard, stationed dutifully by the entrance, wasted no time in announcing their arrival with a voice that reverberated through the opulent space.
"His Highness Prince Nathaniel, His Highness Prince Adrian, and Sir Asher are entering!"
Soon, the grand mahogany doors swung open, revealing a sight that demanded attention.
The trio, led by the two princes and Asher, stepped into the room, leaving Ferdinand waiting outside the throne room.
At the center of the vast chamber, seated upon an intricately carved dais, sat a man in his forties.
His regal demeanor was enhanced by his snow-white hair and piercing magenta eyes, while his face remained devoid of any expression.
As the doors closed behind them, the trio advanced towards the Emperor.
Their footsteps, softened by the polished marble floor, echoed softly.
With a synchronized motion, they bowed before the Emperor and greeted him in unison.
"We greeted the Emperor of the Aeon Empire."
"You may rise."
The Emperor's attention shifted momentarily to the figure standing behind his sons, a man with light green hair.
Sensing the unspoken command, Asher instinctively moved to the side of the room, positioning himself in a place of inconspicuousness.
—Tap —Tap —Tap
Impatience flickered in the Emperor's eyes as he tapped his armrest, the sound reverberating through the room like a metronome.
His gaze remained cold and unwavering, fixed upon his sons.
Closing his eyes briefly, the Emperor let out a long sigh, a deliberate attempt to quell his rising anger.
He began to address them, his voice carrying a mix of disappointment and frustration.
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