Age of Heroes

AZRAEL MOURNSTAR

1015 SEEDMONTH

ARAKATH THRONE ROOM

'Your Grace' A person approaches the throne and then he kneeled. Inside the throne room, there is only the King of Arakath and this person.

Even the servants were not here. Of course there is still eyes watching over the safety of the King, the shadows of the royal family secret forces loom inside the throne room, making sure that the person kneeling would never try to assassinate the King when they were alone.

The man then looks straight at Azrael, his eyes is determined and show no fear toward the High King that rules over the Eight Kings, the man who rules over Anvali.

'You have summoned your loyal servant' he said and remain silent. Azrael sighed. He nodded and look at the person kneeling with complicated expression

This person is none other than his own father in law, Lord Mila Devonhurst.

The other nobles are outside the throne room waiting. Azrael wanted to discuss this matter with his father in law without other people interference and opinion.

He like this conversation to be personal. There was only silence inside the throne room. Then he sighed and ask

'Father-in law why?'

That was his first question. Mila did not answer so he continues

'You know what this action might result. We have had peace for a long time. Why do you want to destroy that now?' he asks

There is no need to delay this matter. Taking up a banner without royal command is treason and can be punished with death. Every lord knows this.

But Lord Mila still do it. That is what he could not understand. Then Lord Mila rises up from his kneeling and look at Azrael straight in the eyes.

Even though he has grown old and there is a white beard on his chin, he still maintained that fierce aura that was molded in battle

He then shouted

'My daughter!' Azrael himself feel himself shaken when he heard the shout. And he can feel his father in law desperation from his voice.

'Your betrothed has been killed. Why does Your Grace think I march to the Blessed Lands if not to avenge my beloved daughter?'

Azrael gulped as he gripped his hand on the handle of his throne.

His hand and entire body is trembling right now. Hearing Lord Mila talk about Arianna murder like it has already been committed make his hearts waver.

It is hard being a King. But this is a speculation…. surely it is, isn't it? Who dares touch a royal bride especially the demon king bride? He thought to himself

We may not control Davarus any longer but surely they must still fear us. If they do not fear us, why built the damn wall to keep us out? That is his inner thought right now.

But a war between the two continent must not happen.

No…. that is the worst case scenario. If he didn't stop Lord Mila from crossing the border when he did, the humans will clearly see the act as a provocation.

Maybe even a declaration of war.

And surely the young lord who live in the shore and has been given full control by his King, that young lord surely, if he is as capable as the rumors speak of him he will invoke the Defender of the Shield title that will give him the papnatical authority to request from every Lucellian devout and the faithful's of the Church of Light to aid him in his quest for repelling the Dark Lands armies.

And then the other nations will also lend him armies and troops.

And this means only one thing.

A great war like has never been seen before will begin. Blood will be spilled, people will suffer and kingdoms will fall.

A great war between humans and demons.

Some romanticize it. A great war that whoever emerges out from its ashes will be the glorious one, a nation or Kingdom suddenly elevated to be the world superpower.

But a great war only leaves the kingdom with three armies. Army of cripples, army of mourners and army of thieves.

War….is never romantic.

Azrael looked at his father in law. He understands his grief, but it does not warrant him to go to the border and march an army outside of Anvali.

Then he said

'That new is not yet confirmed, my lord' he says trying to persuade his father in law.

Lord Mila snorted as he said

'Your grace, Minister Aleister swears it on his life, that Arianna, my beautiful daughter has been killed.'

Azrael then said with apparent distrust

'And do tell me how he stumbled upon this information?'

Aleister Crow is one of the influential ministers in Ge'laer faction.

Can his word can be trusted? Or is he inciting war to reclaim back the Lost lands? After all that is one of the important men of the Ge'laer faction. Suddenly this feels more like a setup. A conspiracy.

Lord Mila then explain.

'He said he has some spy to follow my daughter when she went to Vern. He said he never believed in the humans. And the-'

'Which Ge'laer faction's member ever believed in humans?' Azrael; said cutting of his words

But Mila continued

'He said that the moment that the Princess enters the Imperial Palace she was killed and it took only now for the news to reach here.'

Azrael scoffed at this news.

'Do you really believe him my lord?' Azrael ask Lord Mila

'What do you mean?'

'How about this, my lord? Calm your anger as I investigate what really happen' Lord Mila look at his son in law and then he looks at his son in law like he is viewing a stranger.

He shakes his head and snorted

'You don't believe me.'

Azrael shakes his head and then explain to him

'I believe in you, father in law. It is Aleister I had a hard time trusting'

But Lord Mila would not accept such simple reason. He then accuses Azrael

'Is that so? Or do you just want to avoid the stark possibility that my daughter is killed, or worse yet, you simply do not care about my daughter' he spoke politely but Azrael could feel his father in law anger.

But he could not know how wrong he is. Azrael stand up from his throne and look at his father in law, his eyes is red and was about to order something he would regretBut he stopped himself in time.

Blood is rushing to his head and he takes a deep breath to calm himself down.

After all, the words that his father in law said to him is heavy accusation. As a King, he could even execute Lord Mila for such rude attitude toward the King.

The King of Anvali is not the King in the Human Continent. The King of Anvali possess absolute authority, to determine right and wrong.

He then sits back down on his throne and then said.

'If the Emperor of Vern really kills Arianna, I give you my word, my lord, that I myself will lead the army to Vern and burn that kingdom to the ground and everyone else in it. But…. unless all the fact is known I do not want to start a war especially if Arianna is still alive.'

Hearing this Lord Mila is slightly consoled.

'For now…. please listen to me and be calm. Do not raise your banner of war. Let me investigate it. Let me see whether it is the truth.'

Lord Mila looked at him for a moment. He closed his eyes and Azrael can feel he is calming himself. Then he nodded.

'Your orders will be obliged Your Grace. Give me truth, Your Grace and I'll give you peace'

Azrael nodded and feeling relieved. Lord Mila then excuses himself from the throne room.

'Elkar' he yelled.

The curtain behind the throne room fluttered. The silhouette behind it moves. Elkar quickly enter the throne room.

'So did you hear it?'

'Yes, Your Grace' Azrael went straight to the point and ask

'What do you know about Lord Aleister?' Elkar then immediately reply.

'Hmm, Aleister. Lord Aleister as you already know is a minister in the Ge'laer faction. He is also a great family friend to the Devonhurst family.'

'So you think his words are the truth?'

'That I don't know. Your Grace just because he is a family friend doesn't mean he would not lie.'

'That is true' Azrael said nodding

'If he lies what do you think of his true intention?'

'Why do you ask me Your Grace? Don't you already know the answer to that question?' Elkar throwing back the question to him.

He looked at Elkar and nodded. Yes, he already knew what Lord Aleister is trying to do by lying.

There is only one objective.

The war between humans and demons. The chance to reclaim back the Lost Lands. To show superiority that demons are powerful than humans.

Prejudice runs deep in his own court especially regarding the humans. A five hundred years old hatred. Hah, problem after problem

'Summon him to Arakath and bring him in front of me.'

Elkar nodded then he excuses himself from the throne room while Azrael rest himself on the throne.

The throne never felt comfortable even when he is sitting on it. There is always some crisis he need to overcome. And this time it is even harder when it is personal.

'Haaah' he sighed.

Major mistake was averted. But his heart also began to worry about Arianna. And he worries that the words of his father in law is true. That she had died in the Human Continent.

But he could not become the King who started the Great War without any proof. He need to send spies to check.

But if his father in law words are true, and Aleister did not lie to him, then…. then...he will wash the death of his beloved with all the lives in Vern and the Human Continent

There is killing glare in his eyes for a moment before he clams himself down.

He tries not to think such thoughts as he continues his duty.

Outside the throne room Elkar went to the stable, and his face is unreadable as he orders the carriage to go to Lord Aleister residence.

Dark shadows are enveloping the entire land of Anvali

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Hmm... Thta is the only thing I woud write for the author section. anyway, hope you are still enjoying the story and leave some comments and vote for my story