The Guardians' Throne - The First Magic Swordsman

Dalyor opened his eyes widely after hearing that… for a moment, he recalled the days when Ameria was pregnant, and she seemed uneasy due to the feeling of weakness that she was complaining about. The healers said that it was a normal thing for some women to experience that, and he also assumed that. Still, Ameria didn't seem so sure about it…

After that, Ameria suddenly began to disappear inside the castle, and then she only appeared during meals, and she looked even more tense than usual. Was it because she found the reason for her condition, and it was similar to what Zaos said?

"If you read the books about him, then you should know that the demon god had the power to steal mana, and this magic aura also could terrorize other beings," Zaos said. "Ameria's weakness was due to the fact that Milliendra drained her mana for nine months, and that had been too much for Ameria… the power that she received from the demon god is so powerful that I even lost the movements of my left arm, the arm that I used to carry her."

"You are lying… my granddaughter isn't a child of the demons," Dalyor said.

"You are right, she isn't, but that doesn't change the fact that the demon god chose her," Zaos said. "Over the years, I developed a magic glove that prevents her powers and aura from manifesting, but the effects will last for a while if someone sees Milliendra's aura without them for too long… warn Drannor to not take the gloves from her. You can't let her see the face of her real father looking at her with eyes full of terror or hatred."

Dalyor couldn't help but get nervous about that. Zaos wasn't demanding the return of Milliendra, nor was he asking where she was… it seemed that he truly was acting with concern for Milliendra and Drannor's future. Still, Dalyor's mind began to think of many excuses to not do that… like Zaos would track the raven that will eventually lead him to them, or like he wanted everyone chasing a lie in order for him to organize his forces in the mercenaries country. Still, none of that made sense since Zaos still must have some of the former assassins, and finding certain targets was their specialty, and after hearing how he took an entire town alone, he certainly didn't need an army.

"While you think about that, I will check your library," Zaos said. "We don't have time to waste because the recent wars worked in the demons' favor. All the nations are weakened, so the demon god couldn't have asked for a better situation to return."

Zaos wasn't asking. Still, Dalyor couldn't help but think if there was a way for him to defeat him. Once that was done, he could confirm if the things he said were true or not.

"You… you should have protected Ameria," Dalyor said while he glared at Aleni.

"I couldn't have protected her against the power of the demon god… he is the cause of your daughter and of my dearest friend's death," Aleni said. "He is also the cause of Milliendra's suffering. That being said, our ancestors are also to blame for this situation. However, complaining won't solve a thing. You can put a slave seal on me and confirm that I am telling the truth. If you truly want to avenge your daughter and have a normal life with your granddaughter, then you need to get rid of the demon who wants to use her as a tool."

  Dalyor was starting to waver. He knew that one of the worst things someone could experience was to become a slave after experiencing so many years of freedom. Yet, Aleni was ready to do that to prove their point. Dalyor began to think again. Over the years, he blamed himself sometimes because of the way he treated Zaos. Because he didn't have a good relationship with his daughter in her late years and because he did what he did. In those rare moments, his head had cooled down enough to make him recognize the weirdness of some events. Like, why did Zaos kill the king and the queen of the Ashiris kingdom when that only benefited the Sairus kingdom? Why did he leave the followers of the demon god just after their first victory and when they began to recover their territories?

"... Awake those two and give back their weapons," Dalyor said. "If you do that, I will guide you to the royal library."

It looked like Dalyor was plotting something, but Zaos decided to do that. In the end, whatever he or anyone else does, it will be useless. Zaos was determined to change the world for Milliendra in one way or the other. So, even if he has to dispose of another royal family, he won't hesitate to reach his goals… cooperation with others was just a way to make things a bit easier for him and a way to be considerate, but that certainly won't stop him. If people want to follow the mistakes of their ancestors, so be it…

  When Laiex and Drian woke up, they found their swords pierced deeply on the ground and Zaos staring down at them. They tried to grab their weapons, but they needed some time before they succeeded. In the meantime, Dalyor stopped them.

"That is enough…" Dalyor said.

"Your Majesty… are you being…" Dalyor said.

"I am not being controlled," Dalyor declared. "If I were, I wouldn't have so many doubts right now."

"Who knows… maybe I am manipulating even your doubts," Zaos said. "My life would be so easy if I could control others with magic…"

"You are a disgrace to my family's name…" Laiex said.

"I don't mind being a disgrace for that kind of family… After all, the Sielders family is also to be blamed for Milliendra's trouble and Ameria's death," Zaos said. "If the head of the family of that time and the wielder of the king's sword, the demon god wouldn't be wishing for revenge."