Killed Me? Now I Have Your Power - Chapter 333

Chapter 333: Chapter 333: Rising Tides
Chapter 333 – Rising Tides

A week had passed inside the Mythic Quest.

The Celestial Empire was still in its good shape, standing strong and unyielding and unchallenged, with nothing unusual happening…well, as far as the folks were concerned, that is.

All they knew was that a battle for the throne was unfolding, and soon, they would have the right to choose who would be their ruler.

That was, of course, the charming fantasy of the ignorant.

For those who were more than simple wandering folks burdened by their mortal woes, for those holding connections and power in the Empire, they knew well that things were about to get rather untasteful.

The two princes wanted the throne, while the Sun Empress herself didn’t look ready to give up on it. Meanwhile, the Emperor Consort was continuing his endless orgies. Rumors whispered that he hadn’t left his room for the whole week, for he had found on his endless journey some stunning toys to soothe his boundless depravity.

The Sun Empress’s patience was running thin, and somehow, the sun above the Empire’s sky was burning with a hotter, harsher light. Added to that, the moon was seldom appearing in the sky during the night, always shadowed by thick darkness.

As for the stars, those with worthy perception spotted only one star during the night. A star that burned so bright it was blinding and yet…the onlookers couldn’t help but feel it would not last.

And they felt a strange sadness creeping inside them.

The Empire was indeed at peace. The sea was calm and still, the fish going on with their lives. But the first ripple caused by a small stone thrown by one duo had finally reached a level high enough to spread ripples across the calm waters.

The tides were slowly rising.

And with that, the first howling wind and rising tide had already begun, with the First Prince of Asterion already in the City of Green, waiting for the decision of Lady Green.

…

Morningstar City, Silver City, and Green City were the three main cities of the Empire, their leaders being the descendants of the closest companions of Vesper Asterion.

For the glorious deeds they had done, they bore the name of Crusaders of the Empire. All of them were Knights. And their descendants were, doubtlessly, Knights too.

The three cities were positioned like a triangle, with Asterion perfectly in the middle.

At the tip of the triangle was Green City, a city made of only flowers, weeds, trees…all in the emerald shade of green. A color the folks of the city called the color of peace, their characters reflecting perfectly their philosophy.

And in such a city, in one of the numerous houses made of woven trees and wood, with a bed made of leaves, was Soleil Asterion pacing along the room with restless steps, his black onyx knight armor clinging tightly to his frame.

He was visibly cursing under his breath.

“How much longer shall I wait,” he growled, snapping his head toward the butler in green uniform standing at the door, “before your master deigns to give me her answer?”

The butler — black-haired with green eyes framed by gold-rimmed glasses, around his thirties — only ducked his head in respect.

“Lady Green is holding a meeting with her Forest Knights to ponder more about your request,” he said respectfully. “Please, Prince, your patience would be much appreciated.”

“One week,” Soleil grated. “It has been one week since I have waited for her answer.”

He took a couple of menacing steps toward the butler.

“Tell me, butler, are you taking me for a fool?”

The temperature rose searingly high, causing the butler’s forehead to be instantly drenched in beads of sweat.

Yet his expression didn’t change.

“Lady Green—!”

“…is here.”

A melodious voice cut the butler short. He immediately fell silent, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief as his master finally arrived. He bowed at once and excused himself.

Soleil shifted his golden eyes toward the woman who appeared in front of him as if she had always been there. She wore a forest-green robe, the faint slit in her clothes revealing a thick left quad and high green heels.

Her hair was green and braided into dozens of thick knots tied with ribbons. Her eyes were a strange pink shade that glowed mysteriously within all the surrounding green.

She smiled softly at Soleil, showing a set of teeth so white it was blinding to look at.

“My Prince,” she slurred, bowing her head lightly, “I ask your pardon, for I have made you wait far too long.”

That simple gesture brushed away the dissatisfaction coiling in Soleil’s chest, easing his face at once, his ego rightfully kissed.

Now fully relaxing, he spared Lady Green a smile of his own.

“It’s nothing of importance,” he said, waving dismissively his hands. “I am more curious about your decision.”

“My offer would be, doubtlessly, the best you could get,” he added with infuriating confidence.

Lady Green’s smile turned sheepish, “Is that so?”

Her pink eyes flashed with an unknown hue.

Not noticing it, Soleil stepped forward, stopping two steps from her.

“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “I am giving you the opportunity to be one of the hands of the Empire. The Starborn family will be no more soon enough, and the Empire will need one more power to stop the ambition of the Moonborn.”

“You will have power, prestige, and authority to influence the Empire directly. And added to that…”

He looked down on her from his greater height, “…I promise you that I will marry you.”

He said it as if he were granting her an honor.

Yet Lady Green only smiled and nodded. “Too much. You honor me surely, Prince.” She murmured. “But I have concerns of my own.”

“You have my attention.”

“Living inside the capital would be something new to me, and I fear I do not have the materials nor the knowledge to bear the heaviness of the task you would place on my shoulders.” Her voice was soft, pained. Her face carried a strained expression.

“I—!”

“You will have my protection,” Soleil cut in mercilessly. “Nothing will touch you.”

“Words never made someone of our power sleep easier, Prince.” Her gaze locked with his. “You know it as well as I do.”

At those words, Soleil understood immediately what she wanted from him.

She wanted him to swear on The Will.

And that was something he could not do.

‘Father didn’t tell me this.’ His lips tightened into a thin line. ‘I should not do it. I must ask his approval first.’

Thinking that, he opened his mouth to speak…only for Lady Green to beat him to it.

“Here, Prince.” She practically shoved something into his face, startling him greatly.

He frowned, lowering the parchment in his hand. It was covered in blood-colored runes inscribed on blank black paper.

His face twisted with confusion, one that didn’t last long, for Lady Green soon spoke.

“This one is nothing like swearing on The Will, as it is temporary,” Lady Green said. “I am the leader of this city, my prince, so accepting your offer means risking the lives of all my people.”

She bit her lips, making a difficult expression.

“Please understand my position. I need your sincerity, My Prince.” Her voice slurred strangely, almost seductive.

Soleil’s eyes filled with quiet struggle. He began to think it was a good idea, even if his father condemned him.

He only needed her support to have all three cities behind him, then he would have enough backing to kill the Last descendant of Starborn without consequence, and announce to the Empire his wish to be emperor.

Then he would challenge his brother.

Everything was ready. It only lacked Lady Green’s support, and thinking of how close he was…

…Soleil grew impatient and accepted Lady Green’s proposal without deeper thought.

“What are the terms?” he asked, looking at the parchment.

Lady Green smiled mysteriously.

“Ah, only that you will do everything to protect me, and I, too, will do anything to protect you. If you see my life in danger, you must save me, and I must do the same. And if one of us takes back our words, kills, or betrays the other…we will become the slave of the other.”

Soleil felt immediate relief at the conditions, thinking they could literally serve him. Without hesitation he cut his finger, letting his blood drop onto the parchment.

Instantly, it glowed a brilliant crimson light before transforming into one drop of blood and vanishing into the folds of reality.

Soleil then looked at Lady Green, who was already bowing deeply before him.

“Let us walk the path of your Throne, my Lord,” she whispered, her voice strangely devoted.

Soleil smiled gravely. “Then we shall march now while destroying one obstacle.” He grated, “We need to kill Aurora of House Starborn. And that, immediately.”

He had already wasted too much time.

He needed to kill Aurora before she set her path into motion.

And as fate would have it…

“Isn’t that perfect, Milord?” Lady Green whispered. “I have recently received intel about the location of The Last Star.”

Soleil smiled widely, thinking that the Celeste was finally in his favor.

“Bring me to her,” he grunted, unable to suppress his twisted grin.

“By your orders, Milord.”

—End of Chapter 333—