Regnum Aetern: Dual Rebirth

Chapter 152: Finally over

Adrian stared at the lifeless body of the Prophet lying on the ground.

’It’s finally over.’

These five years had been extremely straining. He had to be constantly on guard, evaluate his every action, and was forced into a role he found very hard to play.

On top of that, he had been constantly feeling the stinging pain from the white bracelet. Even though Immutable suppressed most of the pain’s effect on his mind, it was still a constant source of irritation.

He quietly whispered.

"Alisardarc."

The moment he spoke that name, his mana condensed above his shoulder and materialized into a black bird.

The bird poked his neck with its beak.

[It is about time. It is good to see you after five years, Feeble One.]

Adrian nodded.

"I can vaguely share the sentiment. Though I doubt we share the same experience."

Due to the risk the Prophet posed, Adrian hadn’t summoned Alisardarc even once in these five years. Seeing the bird after so long was indeed not a bad feeling. But since Alisardarc could observe the world through his senses, it would’ve seen Adrian almost every day.

The bird glanced at the corpse lying on the ground.

[Looks like this old fool has been dealt with; now how are you going to slaughter the rest of the cultists?]

Adrian tilted his head.

"Why would I do something like that?"

[For revenge, of course. Or what? Have you actually started thinking of those deranged lunatics as your family or something?]

"That’s obviously not it." Adrian shook his head firmly. "Actions have consequences, so I would rather not do it."

The bird tilted its head abnormally.

[I have heard you say that part quite a few times, Feeble One. What do you even mean? That if you do good, then good things will happen to you?]

’Do I look like someone who believes that kind of nonsense?’

"No, that’s not what it means." Adrian looked into the Prophet’s lifeless eyes. "No matter the action, it will have some sort of consequence."

If one steals, then maybe they’ll be caught, or maybe they’ll be able to get away with it. But both of those outcomes are consequences of the act of stealing.

"So before doing something, I ask myself: Do I accept all possible consequences of my action? If the answer is no, then I simply refuse to act. That is the same for this situation. I dealt with the Prophet because I simply had no other choice."

The bird poked at his shoulder.

[You have a tedious way of living, Feeble One. There are often times when you should simply act instead of thinking too much.]

Adrian calmly ignored the bird’s advice. He had his reasons.

He lived this way because only this way would he never have regrets. And Adrian had sworn to himself that he would have no regrets during his last moments.

’Grandmother, I will prove your words wrong. I will prove... that you could’ve also closed your eyes without any regret.’

"More than that, I think that those cultists possess great value. I would rather make use of them than pursue something as pointless as revenge."

Alisardarc flew off his shoulder and landed on the Prophet’s corpse. The bird then began to rummage through the deceased’s cloak.

[Hmm... this old fool was carrying a lot of useful stuff. He has several Grade Two and a few Grade One fragment relics. This cloak itself is a powerful magitool. Even with all this, as well as the power to see the future, he was still done in by you. How incompetent. Anyway, why did you summon me, Feeble One?]

Adrian glanced at the door.

"I want three of your avatars to constantly monitor the cultists from now on."

Having reached Phase Three, the rate at which Adrian’s mana replenished had increased significantly. Now he could maintain four incarnations of Alisardarc constantly.

Hearing his command, Alisardarc began dividing itself and soon created three more incarnations. Since the room was underground and there were no windows, the birds hovered near the door, waiting for it to open.

The incarnation sitting on the corpse pointed at it with its beak.

[By the way, you did manage to kill this old fool, but how are you going to clean this up? It’s going to create quite a commotion in the cult if the ’Prophet’ simply disappears. And since you’re going to be the last person to have met him, all the suspicion is going to be directed at you.]

Adrian stared at the corpse for a bit, then replied in his usual tone.

"You don’t have to worry about that."

***

Rolf was just about to finish cleaning up after today’s mass prayer. But then he suddenly froze.

He saw Priest Adrian coming out of the corridor, carrying the Prophet in his arms.

Without thinking, Rolf rushed forward and soon arrived in front of Priest Adrian.

"What happened to the Prophet? Is his condition getting even worse? And to the point that you had to carry him yourself?"

"..."

Priest Adrian lowered his head without speaking.

Rolf looked at the Prophet. His skin had turned extremely pale, even blue in some places. He looked extremely sick.

By now, other priests had noticed them and were coming near them, forming a small crowd.

"I asked what happened." Rolf’s voice came out louder than he intended. "Why aren’t you answering, Priest Adrian? I’m talking to you."

"..."

But the boy still didn’t reply, standing there motionlessly.

Clicking his tongue, Rolf placed his hand on the Prophet’s forehead, trying to measure the elderly man’s body temperature.

But the moment he did, Rolf suddenly felt his heart grow cold.

’W-What...’

Instead of being hot, his forehead was cold.

Rolf hurriedly placed his hand on the Prophet’s chest. His hand began trembling.

He couldn’t feel the Prophet’s heartbeat.

"The Prophet had called me to his chamber to talk in private." Priest Adrian finally broke his silence. "But when I arrived, I saw him lying on the ground, motionless. I had first thought that he had fallen unconscious, but after checking his condition... I was terrified. I checked his body, and there were absolutely no physical wounds or any sign of strain."

The boy paused.

"I was aware that he had been sick since I tended to him the whole day yesterday. But I didn’t know that his condition was so bad that..."

Rolf couldn’t find words to speak.

***

The news that the Prophet had passed away soon spread through the cult, causing a chaos on the same scale as the chaos after the ritual incident five years ago.

The ultimate shield that had been protecting the cult from so many threats was lost.

The Prophet’s body was thoroughly examined, and they didn’t find any wounds or signs of physical struggle. Apparently, the cause of death was supposed to be cardiac arrest. In the end, it was clear that he had passed away due to his old age and sickness.

But learning that didn’t calm the chaos much.

Just like during the incident five years ago, a meeting was being held to discuss the Prophet’s sudden passing, as well as their next course of action.

All the priests were in attendance except for one. Priest Adrian didn’t show up until the very last moment, forcing everyone to start the meeting without him.

Rolf was forced to take the role of overseer of the meeting.

He scanned the room. The atmosphere was somber, and everyone was quiet.

Clearing his throat, he spoke.

"Now then, I announce the start of the meeting."