[Storyteller's POV]
Celia's choice to side with Layland significantly shifted the people's general impression of the Kingdom. She had openly expressed her condemnation toward the King's lack of surveillance on the Nobles and civilians, especially, those who sided with Layland couldn't agree more.
She also revealed another stronger reason for siding with Layland—her non-consensual sacrifice. Since Brianna didn't even bother to hide her desire to sacrifice her, her senior, she didn't hesitate to tarnish her name by propagating the notion that she was plotting against her.
The people were enraged. No matter how highly they regarded the Hero, they still hated it when their people were treated like garbage. Celia was not a common person in this world, so they reacted violently. Many criticized the Kingdom openly, uncaring of the consequence.
It happened three days after Celia declared the "truth" in Aftlachtine County, which had been liberated and become an independent city. After only three days, her revelation managed to significantly sway people's general opinion on how things worked in Antares.
The people became more daring and the Nobles grew increasingly concerned. The King also didn't stay quiet; he came up with something that could counter the "truth" that Celia propagated.
The Kingdom announced the fact Celia was no longer a Holy Maiden. It claimed that Celia had fallen into the pit of sinfulness, so God punished her for it. No one believed it, much to the King's bafflement, so he asked people to investigate why. It turned out that the civilian didn't understand the difference between Divinity and Holy Energy.
Dulorand de Antares, the King, was about to order someone to educate the people on the difference between the two but the Temple immediately stopped him. The higher-ups said that revealing the way God's power worked to ordinary folks wasn't worth the benefit.
Dulorand immediately folded and tried for another way to save his face and the integrity of the remaining Heroes his Kingdom had. Brianna and Mark, who had found out that the heart they got belonged to the late Queen, immediately met the King and revealed the "truth."
They were stuck; they couldn't find any way for them to escape Layland's life-reaping blade. They were hoping that turning his people on him might deal him some damage.
The story of the past was told and the King listened to it keenly. He, of course, didn't hear the truth, so he developed an immediate contempt toward Layland. The fact that Layland was a Demon was quickly propagated. They expected a lot from this revelation yet, again, no one reacted violently.
Dulorand was extremely stumped. He could understand why the people who lived in Noble's territories didn't react much but he couldn't wrap his head around the fact that none of the people whose territory Layland had liberated was surprised.
It happened because Layland had anticipated it; he had revealed his identity two days before the Kingdom made the announcement. He announced it in the independent city of Achtreal. Every representative of the territory he had liberated had come to hear it. They had been shocked at first but none of them turned their backs on him.
They had heard his story and his reason for becoming a Demon. Like him, they, too, were disappointed by humans in general. They had heard how Cursed Creations truly lived from him. As he did, they questioned if humans were as civilized as they thought.
The notion of coexisting with Cursed Creations was still uncomfortable for them yet it was by no means repulsive. They needed time to get used to it but they were absolute that their lives wouldn't be affected in a bad way even when they coexisted with Cursed Creations.
When Brianna and Mark figured this out, they immediately came to meet Dulorand and told him that Layland was also the one behind the destruction of the twenty-seven cities for the past month, which they had forgotten to tell.
Much to their surprise, Dulorand refused to announce that to the public. The arson Layland committed didn't kill civilians; it only killed the Guards and Knights helping the people to evacuate. Dulorand couldn't see how he could tarnish Layland's name with that fact.
"Don't you think that the people who died doing their job weren't worth the anger?" Brianna asked with a frown.
"I would have done what you suggested to me if that had been the case. Unfortunately, a lot of them didn't do their job properly. Many tried to evacuate first, leaving the people behind. Guess, who saved the people? It was your Demon friend," Dulorand retorted bitterly.
"What about the damage he caused? Surely, the people who lost their houses don't just stay quiet on this, don't they?"
"That is…" Dulorand shifted uncomfortably before smiling wryly. "We don't have those people in our territory any longer; if any, they can be counted by fingers."
"What happened?" Mark, who had been silent, chimed in.
"They were treated poorly by the Noble after the incident. A rumour about a better life in a 'certain' territory was spread and the people believed it. Depending on where you see it, fortunately, or unfortunately, they found truth in the rumour."
"They are all in the territories Layland liberated, aren't they?" Brianna asked bitterly, earning a light nod from Dulorand.
The announcement about Layland's identity as The Arsonist was cancelled. They didn't want to throw any more boomerangs that would come to hit them shortly.
Brianna and Mark instantly became agitated. Their lives were timed; Layland would come for them and they would have no choice but fight him. They would die—that was the only outcome of the fight—therefore, they wanted to avoid it at all costs.
Fortunately for them, Dulorand also shared their sentiment. They were the only living Heroes he had to fight Ilschevar, the Demon King that had been haunting Antares for two thousand years, so he treasured them greatly.
Brianna suggested that he should send people to hold Layland back while she helped Mark level up. Dulorand agreed to it; however, just a second after he said he agreed, a piece of concerning news came in: three of the eight Dukes of Antares declared their territories' independency and sided with Layland.
Among the three Dukes was Hadrian who was viewed favourably by a lot of civilians and Nobles alike. He revealed the reason why he decided to change sides—the truth behind the Queen's death and the Kingdom's condemnation toward Alivert—gaining support from quite a numerous Nobles, who also decided to change sides along with him.
It was extremely concerning for the Kingdom yet the King was fixated on the Queen's adultery with Mark. The revelation hit him like a train. He couldn't stop opening and closing his mouth as he stared at Mark. He tried to say something but nothing came out.
"I won't defend myself. You should decide whom you want to believe."
Mark played it cool and, fortunately for him, Dulorand chose him. Still, due to security concerns, Dulorand couldn't grant Brianna's request. The best thing he could do was assign them Warlords and Weapon Masters to accompany them as they level up. Brianna was disappointed but she still agreed to it.
"There is a better way that you forgot to consider, Your Majesty."
Mark, however, had a different thought.
"We could sacrifice Brianna and let me Transcend. The last time it was done, two Demon Kings died. I may not be as strong as the Hero who did that after Transcending but I can assure you that I will stay alive long enough to kill Demon King Ilschevar."
Brianna's eyes immediately darkened as soon as Dulorand turned his eyes to her. He was humming to himself, giving her the impression that he was wondering why he didn't think of that.
She wanted to mention that Celia was still alive, so they could still sacrifice her; however, she stopped herself the moment she recalled that Celia was no longer a Holy Maiden. The gears in her head spun at an extreme speed as she thought about the way to get out of her predicament.
Sighing to herself sadly, she nodded her head even before Dulorand said anything. "Let's do it tomorrow." She glanced at Mark with a hurt look before continuing. "The sooner the better. With how things are going, only chaos will await us should we dilly-dally."
"Your sacrifice shall forever be remembered," Dulorand said sincerely. "I am ashamed of my daughter. When this is over, I shall punish her myself."
"Then, I will prepare myself for tomorrow."
Brianna left without saying anything to Mark. His hand was left hanging in the air as he tried to grasp her shoulder but failed. Dulorand put his hand on his shoulder and shook his head silently. Dulorand suggested that he should give her some alone time.
Mark agreed and then left the palace. Knowing that tomorrow would be the day when the table turned, he decided to relieve his frustration and had some fun.
The day went on and tomorrow came soon. Mark came to the palace with a bright face. It soon changed, however, the moment he saw Dulorand's exasperated look. He asked what the matter was and the answer hit him like lightning.
"I am sorry, son. It's all on you now. Brianna is nowhere to be found and we are occupied by the quickly rising rebel army, in which I am sure your friend has a hand. I will assign some great people to accompany you, so you can level up quickly."
Standing up from his throne, Dulorand patted Mark's shoulder. "Come back stronger."
Mark just stood there rigidly, remaining motionless as he imagined how he would die in Layland's hands.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)