Chapter 10: Curse

Potions, elixirs, and herbs made the family of Westaliyon rise from the ranks of society. Their family's ancestors were originally merchant sellers of different kinds of herbs that sell in the capital market of Esthera.

A lot of plants and herbs were imported into their business. Even though they invested a lot in the business it hasn't been that productive. And that was passed down from regeneration to generation.

It was then that their family was acknowledged by the royal family for one discovery they have made. The birth of the full potion. Healing magic is uncommon to the race of humans but divine magic does. That's the reason why potions are high valued and on-demand from different places that sell potions.

Westaliyon's family business only sells medicinal herbs. The business only flourished when they diverted to making potions. The one responsible for making potions was the descendant of the Westaliyon's lineage, Goryon Westaliyon, who was a scholar in medicine. Assisted by his wife, Melvory Westaliyon, a researcher in making potions.

The nine years of their labor have come to an end. They were able to make way to a tunnel of the impossible. Goryon succeeded in making the full potion.

The Serunix.

The Serunix is a potion made for healing any injuries, may they be severe or not. However, it has a distinct flaw. Too much usage of the potion leads to the breakdown of the flow of rigil and slowly dies your internal organs. Moreover, a suggested amount of intake is only one dose.

After it was introduced to the public many adventurers, outlanders, nobles, and merchants, fought to buy the potion. It has reached other places which increased the business offers.

Their life was truly changed but didn't last. It was a mystery why they suddenly disappeared out of nowhere. The reports were classified that the last sight of them together was leaving the castle after they were summoned by the king and after that, they were not seen anymore.

The couple went missing and the case was left undone. After the incident, their sole child was left in an orphanage on the outskirts. An eight years old boy, who only knows the formula of his parent's discovery that may lead to their disappearance.

The heir to their family, Crisis Vonavitch Westaliyon.

***

The sunlight hits the face of a young man sleeping buried in piles of books and papers. His room was filled with a brim as the sun rises.

There will be heard footsteps from afar coming into the room. Suddenly, a knock on the door echoed within the area after it decided to open it.

A figure of a tall man who stood with elegance stared at the sleeping man and was deeply signed.

He woke him.

"Hey," he called yet he got no response.

He shakes his shoulder to wake him again.

"Crisis, wake up. It's morning already."

Crisis's eyes opened slowly.

"Oh, it's morning."

"Stand up, night owl. We have to report early to Bishop." The man said as his eyes wandered around the messy room filled with unorganized documents and experiments.

"I have many things to research. Even though I want to finish it as early as possible, I could've done it by now." He sighed while organizing the papers on his desk.

"Are you that busy?"

"Yes."

"Then, hurry." The both of them get out of the room after Crisis was finished dressing up. They walked into the empty hallway where only their footsteps can be heard and continued their conversation.

"I see, so you haven't done experimenting about the Lili Sanctuary?"

"That flower only grows in the middle of the winter season. I was busy last winter, so I could not research it."

"The count told you to don't rush it. Well, I guess that's alright. I heard Percival needs its essence. I thought that thing is a poison."

"Ah....that. He said he needs it." Crisis said turning his head sidewards to avoid the man's sight.

The man's eyebrows raised in suspicion.

"Ha? Why would he need that?"

"Ah--uhm........hahaha......" He laughed while hiding his nervousness. That man, Percival, strictly told him to keep it a secret.

Especially to the man beside him since he knows that it would be trouble if he finds out.

"Don't laugh at me, you punk. Did he break the item I lent him again?" Those last words sent Crisis's body to shiver.

He doesn't want to get involved with it.

The man's voice sounded so angry but he restrained himself to do so. On the other hand, Crisis has a cold sweat battling himself if we should tell him or not.

"That--" he was cut off by the scowling face of the man and obediently keep his mouth shut.

"Shut it. I will deal with that jackass by myself."

Crisis just nodded in defense.

"Ah, one more thing, what is it that you're researching this time? It looks serious."

He was kept silent for a moment before telling him.

"The Bishop told me to research the curse magic."

The man quickly turned his eyes to Crisis in disbelief.

"Crisis, even though I have limited knowledge about it that thing is taboo." He said in a low mutter.

"You are only responsible for researching cures and poisons. Why would Bishop task you to do that? And you agreed?"

'He sounded so troubled' Crisis thought.

"Bishop was extremely careful with this matter, so he ask me to do it. And I also studied curse magic when I was in Szcznaya Tower. Therefore, I was the only one he could reach for this matter."

"And why? The existence of curse magic so far was near from extinct, you know. Knowing Bishop there must be something strange that's happening," he was paused for a moment. His face frightened up as if it is something he shouldn't know.

"I know I shouldn't pry. But why would you tell me this quickly? You didn't even lie about it! Don't you have self-awareness?!" he said.

Instinctively, the man knew that new troubles will befall on him. He was sure by it.

He's mad again.

'If it's him I think there's no problem' Crisis thought.

"It's fine, you know. You'll know by it sooner anyway." The man halted his steps and express an unbelievable look.

"What?! Is this the reason why Bishop wants to see me?!"

Crisis looks back to him facing each other.

"Yeah, after all, Indigo you're a spatial magic-user and most of your abilities lie on dark magic. Your abilities are mostly alike to space magic but yours as Bishop explained is highly sensitive to dark properties."

"Why are you so calm at this? Is the situation that serious?" Indigo deeply sighed as he got no proper response from him. Crisis face looked down. Not able to speak.

Indigo expressed a distress look. He should've known better that this guy naturally became calm as when the situation turn into bad or messy.

What a one hell of an attitude, really. How is it possible that there's a guy like that?

"Curse magic wasn't even recognized as dark magic, Crisis. And you know I can't control the sensitivity I have, it'll leave me berserk. How are gonna take care of that, huh? " He said frustratingly.

"I don't know. Bishop only told me he would take care of it."

It's a problem. Indigo's cooperation would help with his sensitivity to dark properties. There are not so many people who possess sensitivity to dark properties because according to the research of Szcznaya Tower there are possibilities that they could be able to detect curse magic. But that theory wasn't proven yet so everything about it was still unsure.

Still, Bishop said it's worth trying. Because it's the only way to know.....

"Tell me. Does this involve the strange occurrence guildmaster noticed four months ago? Even though I want to leave it aside, that odd feeling won't go away. I know others noticed that too but they remained silent and observant." Indigo asked with an intimidating look.

Crisis flinched as soon as he heard it. It was only he and Bishop who knew about it.

"H-how did you know?"

"I heard. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. But I mean it when our members noticed it too. And that was three months ago."

They fell into silence. It was a lot to take in all at once. And three months ago was.......

Crisis mentally sighed.

The two figures then decided to walk to their destination while continuing the talk.

"Tell this later to Bishop. Is that all that you knew?"

"Hm..... I guess......" Indigo hesitated and think it rationally.

"There's one." He thought.

"No, there's none."

"It's fine."

"Could you tell me more about the curse magic?" Indigo asked.

"Did you already take an interest in curse magic?"

"I just want a brief understanding of it. I don't want to remain clueless."

Crisis hesitated for a moment.

"Curse magic is complicated itself. The most accurate example I could tell you is that curse magic is like selling your soul to a devil." Indigo eyed Crisis in a deep thought.

"Pardon?" Indigo was taken back. He don't understand what it does mean. He was about the ask for Crisis's explanation until he saw a familiar door. They're here.

"You can ask Bishop for further explanation, Indigo. He'll tell you the rest afterward."

The huge door was opened by Crisis revealing a man inside sitting on the couch sipping a tea.

"Bishop." The both of them called him.

"Finally. Crisis, Indigo, have a seat. We have lots to talk about."

Indigo goes ahead while Crisis closes the door. They sat across 'Bishop'. The atmosphere became solemn.

"I presume you already know why you're here." Bishop started to speak.

"Crisis told me."

"That saved a lot of work. I'll tell you directly right now. As you've known, we're focusing on curse magic right now."

"We have received a report. The guildmaster already gave an order to look upon it. There are four curse magic sacrifices discovered within our empire, Esthera."

Both Crisis and Indigo were shocked.

"F-four?"

"Has it already been identified yet?"

"That's the reason why you're here, Indigo. All of them were already stated unidentified. Other than you, I have sensitivity to dark properties as well as the guildmaster. I have prepared a solution for your case. Since I'm also like you. Are you going to help or not?"

"Also like me? It's my first time hearing it, Bishop."

"That's no surprise. I have already controlled my own sensitivity that's why it was not noticable."

Indigo didn't know Bishop is also like him and the guildmaster too. Getting uncontrolled all the time due to his sensitivity is really a pain. Therefore, he has no reason to refuse anymore. He is already involved anyway.

And he wants to get even more stronger. Thinking back a few months ago, he felt pathetic to himself. He felt weak. He felt restrained by something. He wants to change.

So, he'll work even more.

"I see you have decided." Bishop relies on a reassuring smile but it faded right away.

"I have one more thing to say......"

"One of the unidentified curse magic sacrifices we discover was found inside the castle."

***

"Your Majesty, My King"

Your Majesty, my king,

I have come for you summoned my being,

What can this lowly servant do for you?

Within one word I'll follow you to show my value,

I'll never complain nor object,

You are my king and I am your subject,

May it kill or steal,

In your command, I'm ready to defy the law's will,

Your Majesty, the crown's highest noblesse,

I am at your mercy in such happiness,

I'll rebel and win the battlefield,

To let this lowly servant fulfill your greed.

***

A man sitting on a luxurious throne stared at the kneeling knight. The atmosphere was filled with pressure and unpleasant feeling. There was no room for the light from outside to occupy. Only the undefinable light that came from a plasma cube.

"Speak." A voice from the throne came.

"Your majesty, we have found his current location after he fled to Teranotch. His last appearance was seen together with a stranger entering in the back alley." The knight reported.

"He is residing at the neighboring province in the west of Grinrace right now." Then, the knight silenced waiting for the king's response.

"How amusing." The king said with displeasure painted on his face.

"Did that man finally show up his face here?" The intimidating voice that came from the king made the knight commander confused. The king is not easy to deal with. His tempters are also a thing people don't want to provoke.

The king he serves is a pure tyrant. Much greedier than anybody. A crazy man beyond what everybody knows. Even so, he is the knight, a servant, to the king on the throne.

His loyalty is much more hideous like a mad dog. He can do anything for the king. Serving a mad man like his king didn't mind him at all. Things like sympathy don't suit him.

Therefore, he will willingly taint his hands with blood to fulfill the king's order. That's why he got curious about this man that made the king infuriated.

The king displayed an enraged look making the atmosphere harder to breathe.

"Gather your knights to summon him back here. You know what to do to the other person. Bring him back here safely. All in one piece. Not a scratch. Or bruise. I strictly forbid you and your men to hurt him," the king warned.

"Knight Commander, you know what I do to fools who don't follow my orders, right? I don't accept failures. Don't disappoint me and bring him back here. You're dismissed."

The knight put his right hand to his chest and bowed. "Yes, your majesty."

Soon after the knight walk out the king stand up towards the plasma cube and look deeply at it. A vicious smile escaped from the lips of the man.

"My little lamb, keep running away from me. You know that in the end, you'll end in my hands. So sweet of you to rebel against me, dear. I've been waiting to chain you forever in my embrace for how long. If you still keep running away, I might as well cut your legs off. And that way you'll never break free! I'll kill that shameless bastard that goes between us. Won't that be better? No one will go between us anymore!"

The man hysterically laughed.

He can't stop thinking about how he will dominate the man when he ends up in his arms. He'll treat him like a queen. An exotic rose in his secluded garden. Only for him.

His eyes lit up in delirium when he suddenly remembers something from a past memory. It was a memory of him and him on that day.

'Your Majesty, I can be your canary, but I will never sing for you.'

His eyes back then as he looked at him made the king go crazy for him. He was extremely turned on by the sharp and frightening raven-like eyes.

Thus, the feeling of possessing him levitated throughout his body. And that's where it began.

'You do resemble the rose I greed of. The thorns you set for yourself are dangerously beautiful which made me want to break them. I own you and you know that. I let you live in the soil you wished for, gave your freedom.

You can't refuse me, my delicate rose. A rose like you fleet so beautifully tragic. What I want is your salvation to be me. That salvation where you always end up in my hands full of your thorns. With that you'll never think of anything other than to live in my garden. That's all you could offer to me. A sweet surrender.'

"I can't wait to see you, Morin."

***

A warning for my dear Morin. It doesn't matter where! JUST. RUN.

Oh, it's been long since I updated.

(◡ ω ◡) Right, I decided to upload this chapter this time.

Now there it is! I keep my promise about Morin(◡ ω ◡) My dear Morin will be in trouble for a while.

I'm sure that I tell you guys I'm going to make Morin's love life complicated so I did it(≧▽≦) so excited about him.

Don't forget to watch the media above! I intentionally put it to relieve some stress(*'ω｀*).

Ah, it's april.......... I'm too nice to not put a prank in this chapter so better thank me! I'm being good! I hope I'm not too late to greet you guys April's Fool.

I hope you enjoy today's chapter so far.

Oi. You don't forget it right?! Watch some hot ikemen in the media above! Bless your eyes! Most especially thank your author for giving you this gift!

( ꈍᴗꈍ) Enjoy it as well.

Happy reading, readers!

~Lovelots