Chapter 29

  Once Drakkel had returned, his blood began to boil.

  Too much had occurred. Far too much! What chance did he now have to prove himself right? What chance did he have to redeem himself? He had staked everything and what did he gain?!

  He currently stood alone with Rilian Adore in the middle of the throne room.

  All the demon lords and lieutenants were focused on doing a headcount and tending to the wounded. His plan should have been perfect! His clan should have been redeemed! And yet…!

  His mind went blank.

  Suddenly moving his body, he twisted around and grabbed Rilian Adore, who was standing next to him, by the throat, pushing him into a nearby wall.

  “How could you not recognize your own handwriting?!” He growled.

  Rilian Adore could only lower his head in guilt as he struggled to breath. Even then, he didn't dare to speak nor look Drakkel in the eyes. It was as if he had resigned to his fate.

  Drakkel then realized what he was doing.

  He released Rilian Adore and spat, “Get out of my sight.”

  Rilian Adore didn't question anything. He didn't even try to argue. Rubbing his neck, he silently made his way out of the throne room with his head hung low.

  All of a sudden, Drakkel felt the sword that still laid in his hands, gently hum.

  Was it trying to calm him?

  He sighed, went up to the throne and tried to clear his mind.

  As he waited, the Demon Lords entered the throne room one by one.

  Once they had all arrived, Drakkel asked them to provide the results of the headcount. He was told that amongst the over hundred demons spread out across the four demon lords, they had twenty three casualties and fifty wounded.

  None were in grave condition.

  The demons ready to fight numbered in the thousands so the casualties were small in comparison. But, Drakkel couldn't help feeling the slightest lament at losing some. Especially when nothing was gained in return.

  Trying to distract himself, he asked, “Who among you knows the origins of this sword?”

  He held up the sword for all to see.

  Knowl stepped forward. “Your Highness…that is the demonic sword passed down through generations of royal demons. It doesn't have an official name since it's name changes for each demon who possesses it. It is your rightful sword.”

  “Mine?” Drakkel asked, an eyebrow raised.

  Knowl nodded.

  “Then why hadn't you mentioned it before?”

  Knowl replied, “The demonic sword was lost after Demon King Fael passed. Even Demon Prince Fal-On was not able to locate it, so we thought that it was gone forever.”

  Drakkel looked at the sword which seemed to be humming in delight. He couldn't stop himself from picturing the donkey that it came from.

  “Do you wish to name it, Your Highness?” Knowl asked.

  All the things that happened so far had only left him with one feeling. “I'll call it Lingering Regret.”

  The sword which appeared to be humming happily, stopped. Upon Drakkel's utterance of it name, it now seemed rather ordinary.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Drakkel sighed and set it next to the throne.

  Suddenly, Riyuk stepped forward. “Your Highness, as we were fleeing, there were three groups of people who insisted on coming with us… I don't know if you want to meet them first or the new prisoner.”

  Drakkel was curious. Who would intentionally follow demons? Even more, who had the ability to seek them out while they were hidden?

  He was more intrigued by these newcomers than the prisoner. “Bring the people you spoke about here one by one and properly bind the prisoner. I will meet with him afterwards.”

  Riyuk left and returned after a few minutes. Some demons were guiding someone that Drakkel didn’t expect to see.

  From her looks, he could infer who she was, but he only confirmed it after he asked her. “Who are you?”

  With black hair as soft as silk, pale skin and an alluring face, her beauty could truly only be matched by an immortal’s.

  “I am Sonalita Pir of the Sweeping Trees Clan,” She answered.

  A smile played on Drakkel’s face, almost extending into a laugh. What a humble introduction for such a famous and renowned person!

  “Sword Master Sonalita Pir, why have you come here?” He asked curiously.

  Finally, the cold expression held by the beautiful woman melted into a deep sadness. As tears dropped from her eyes, she said something that made Drakkel’s heart thump. “I want to prove to the world…” A loving expression filled her pupils as she continued, “I want to prove that Leyon was innocent.”

  Drakkel was taken aback. So someone still cares?

  Remembering his junior, for a moment, Drakkel almost felt sad as well. But, he shook off these emotions and listlessly stated to the demons guiding her, “Have someone bring her to a guest room and we can discuss this later.”

  “But!” Sonalita Pir yelled.

  However, Drakkel shot her an evil glare. He only wanted to see the prisoners and take care of his business. Chatting with them would take too long and his patience was already wearing thin.

  Sonalita Pir could only give up, nodding and following the demons out.

  Later, more demons walked in with another person. The man was ordinary but the uniform of the powdered vessel clan wasn’t hard to spot. They wore white robes with an intricate pattern lining the sleeves and front of the robe. “Are you…?” Drakkel was about to ask. But he stopped himself. Surely what happened once couldn't happen twice? He didn't dare assume.

  The man spoke. “I am Caz Lianga of the powdered vessel swords clan. I was engaged to Mi-Mian before…” He paused, his mouth trembling as he found it hard to speak. “Before what happened to her. They wanted to engage me with someone else! They said I should wash my hands of the bad fortune and be glad I still had prospects! But, I couldn’t! Mi-Mian was so kind! She didn't deserve this end! I had to watch as my clan constantly put her down. In the end...”

  “In the end you couldn’t say anything so you asked to come here?” Drakkel finished for him.

  Caz Lianga nodded. “I mistakenly came across the demons and after realizing who they were, begged to come here. Please. I want to prove her innocence. She was such… a good person. We used to say that when we get married, we would travel the world first, then settle down. I remember she really loved her martial siblings, but she loved you the most. She said if we were to name our kids, the first one had to be named after you! We were meant to get married after this Sword summit… I”

  Caz Lianga fell to his knees unable to continue anymore.

  As he sobbed, he asked, “Why is life so unfair?”

  Drakkel couldn’t lose his composure.

  He waved to the demons and at the same time said to Caz Lianga. “Calm yourself first and we can discuss further later. I’ll prepare a room for you.”

  Caz Lianga could only nod as he was led out of the throne room, tears still streaming down his face.

  Drakkel let out a heavy sigh.

  He didn't know how much more he could take. Who would they possibly bring next?

  After a few more minutes, another group of demons entered with five people. On their heads were bamboo hats and the uniforms they wore were the same as the ones Drakkel saw in Dragon’s Dwelling.

  Upon sight of this, his heart began to flutter with anticipation.

  But he maintained his demeanor, his hand which has been resting on the throne rest supporting his face fell.

  “Who are they?” He asked with only a slight interest in his voice.

  They couldn't possibly be…

  The demon leading the group stepped forward. “They said they are the Dancing Swords Dancing Troupe.”

  The demon didn’t understand what Drakkel meant.

  He slammed his fist into the throne rest as his voice got louder. “I mean who are they!?”

  The demon seemed at a loss.

  Drakkel pointed to the group and aggressively shouted, “You, at the front, take off your veil!”

  A gentle laughter escaped the mouth of the man in the front.

  As he heard it, Drakkel’s eyes widened, his hands trembling and his body growing weak.

  “I’m surprised you don’t recognize your senior brother…”

  Drakkel's heart felt like it was being squeezed right as the man took off his veiled bamboo hat, a thoughtful expression upon his face.

  “It’s been too long… Drakkel,” Aurien Wavel said.

  https://www.amazon.com.au/Mage-Prince-I-Sharisha-Bane-ebook/dp/B0DYJXKXVW (or you can search up Sharisha Bane or The Mage and the Prince and the title should pop up)