Chapter 17: The Bandit Lord Part II

A week passed since the envoys’ visit. The Kingdom of Tesma immediately gathered their troops in preparation for war. Civilians were conscripted one after another in an attempt to increase the number of soldiers. There was tension within the air as knights and soldiers moved through the cities.

Viper stared at the sculpture of the God of Fire. It was almost finished, and only the feet were left. During these past few days, his mind was in turmoil. Should he tell the King about it?

He felt that he should, but was rendered undecided.

He kept chiseling through hard rock, his mind preoccupied by numerous thoughts. Eventually, he stopped and screamed. “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!”

A soft voice answered, “What are you so frustrated about, ruffian?”

Viper turned around and saw the princess staring intently at him. She was wearing her pajamas, and judging by her ruffled hair, she had just woken up.

“What are you doing here, little one?” said Viper.

Princess Krisha pouted. “I’m already nine years of age! I am a full grown adult! Watch your mouth, commoner!”

Viper’s lips crooked into a smile. Somehow, the thoughts that were bothering him started to fade away. “Yes, yes. Sorry if this commoner does not please you, your highness.”

“There you go again! That smile! You’re thinking that I’m nothing but a spoiled kid, right? Right!?” said Princess Krishna.

Viper shrugged. “When did I ever say that?”

She glared at him, but the ferocity of her stare slowly faded away the moment her eyes landed on the almost finished sculpture of the Fire God. Her mouth was slightly opened. She whispered, “beautiful.”

“Of course. I made it,” Viper merrily spat.

Princess Krishna’s eyes swiveled between Viper and the statue. Eventually she said, “Accompany me.”

Viper’s raised a brow. “What?”

“Accompany me,” she said. There was a small fidgeting sound as she added, “I-I’m going out to shop for clothes! I am ordering you, as Master Instructor, to accompany me!”

“Nope.” Viper’s eyes danced. “Why should I? As far as I know, my job is to teach the young soldiers about the sword. I’m no chaperone, young princess.”

“I’m already an adult!” she shouted.

“Yes. Yes,” chuckled Viper. The thought that was bothering him once again resurfaced in his mind. He stared intently at the Princess. To his surprise, he had finally arrived at a conclusion. “Hey, little one—I cannot accompany you right now. I have an important matter I need to attend to.”

Princess Krisha tilted her red head to the side. “Important matter?”

“Yes. I need to see his majesty.”

***

“This is a good enough place. Speak,” said the King. He was watering the plants in the Royal Garden, slowly sprinkling water into the new sprouts. Flowers bloomed everywhere, filling the air with a nostalgic sweet scent.

When Viper was unable to immediately utter a reply, the King added, “What is it, Alecto? I’m the one that had put you in your current position. I know you very well, my friend. You are not interested in the politics of our world. A man of art. A man of solace. A man of passion. A man detached from the material things of this world.”

A butterfly fluttered past the King, and he stared at it in silence. He said, “It is rare for you to appear before me. Tell me, what is it that bothers you?”

Viper inhaled a gust of air. “Please concede the city of Palamesh to the enemy.”

His remark took the King by surprise. He stopped sprinkling the plants. “What do you mean?”

Viper knew that what he was saying was preposterous, almost absurd, but he had to say it. He knew. “Please give up the city of Palamesh to the enemy. Those two guys behind Prince Jabaltar… those two escorts… they’re dangerous.”

The King furrowed his brows. “How did you come to such conclusion? Moreover, you are telling me that such decision is based on those two guards alone? Alecto—you greatly disappoint me.”

Viper’s heart sank. If not for the current King, he would have been a nameless beggar pursuing his arts. The current King was the reason he was able to pursue his passion without dying from hunger. But it was even more so a reason for him to convince him from committing a grave mistake.

“Those two guards behind the Prince… they’re stronger than you think. Strong enough to fight against the Fifth Holy Apostle of our Kingdom,” said Viper. If another person heard their conversation, he would have thought of how much a madman Viper was.

Total silence befell the two of them. Eventually, the King said, “I did not know that you are a liar, Alecto. Get out of my sight.”

“I’m telling the truth! I have not told anyone about this, but I am capable of estimating the amount of magic in an individual! I have met the Fifth Apostle, and believe me, those two guards that was with Prince Jabaltar is almost as strong as that old magician!”

“Enough!” shouted the King. Three guards appeared from the corner upon hearing his furious remark. The King signaled them to stand their ground. “I am tired of hearing lies from you, Alecto. Get out! Get out of my sight!”

“But! You Majesty! Going into war with that country is a big mistake! We should not needlessly sacrifice the lives of our men! Of our people!”

The King slapped his face. With a soft voice, he said, “Please. Go. Just go.”

Viper bit his lips. His entire body was quivering with utter frustration. Why can’t he understand? He wanted nothing but the safety of the Royal Family.

With heavy footsteps, Viper left.

***

[Present Time]

The fire violently crackled inside the chamber, illuminating everything in a bright hazel glow. A soft hissing sound filled the air as a snake easily spanning fifty meters in length coiled itself onto a stone pillar.

Viper smirked as the memories of the past suddenly resurfaced in his mind. Why was he remembering it now of all things? He tossed the small figure he was sculpting into the flames.

An owl flew through the opened window and perched itself on the table. Its eyes glowed for a second. It said, “Lord Bandit, the promise?”

Viper got up from his bed. He was stark naked. “I’ve killed all the knights. You were watching us. Is there even a need to ask?”

“As expected. Your sense towards magic is really impeccable.”

The snaked coiled in the pillar violently hissed. Viper signaled for it to calm down, and it did. “Stop the pleasantries. The Blood Stone Fragment?”

“I cannot give you that, yet. First, present to us the head of Frederick Lancelot. Also, we found out that the female priest you took is Faith De Sagun. The High Priestess of the Order of Aquina. We also wish for you to present her head to us.”

Viper closed his eyes. “I’ve come this far. There is no turning back. Consider it done.”

“Kukuku! Splendid. With enough Blood Stone, the revival of Princess Krisha will no longer be a dream.”

Viper glared at the owl. How many lives had he taken for the sake of his goal? He had lost count. But they were all necessary sacrifices. He cannot turn back now.

“Then, we’ll expect great news, Lord Bandit.”

The Owl opened its wings wide. The snake hissed, and owl flew out into the distance. The curtains of the window violently flapped from the gust of wind.

“What a chilly breeze,” mumbled Viper. He walked towards the window and stared out into the moonless sky. It was dark. And even the silhouette of the innumerable trees outside gave off the appearance of an abyss. Such life was indeed lonely.

Suddenly, chills ran throughout his entire body. He violently trembled as a malevolent presence engulfed his entire existence. He had never felt such massive amount of magic in his entire life. It was bottomless, peerless.

Who was it? Why had he not noticed its existence until now?

One thing was sure. Right now, a creature greatly surpassing the strength of the Holy Apostles was inside his mansion.

A monster? No, a God would have been a proper explanation.