Not All Heroes Are Guiltless

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Dungan’s POV

The castle doesn’t even look different, and it’s been nearly a decade now since I’ve been here, and a crowd was formed when we arrived. The priests made me wear an ugly outfit with ruffles and buttons in some bizarre places, but I’ll let them feel they have their way now.

I’m escorted by the crowd bowing lowly. I definitely do not enjoy all the attention; I’m so used to masking my presence to everyone around me. Even my dark sprite seems to be irritable about the inhibited attention we are receiving. The castle guards take us to the audience room, and it's filled to the brim except the pathway to the throne. King Roland stands to greet us; he shows some sign of cheerfulness before his face drops when he sees me come in. I guess when he heard he had a successor, he was excited to possibly relinquish his throne and seek a happy venue for retirement. Now, he knows that it’s not going to happen exactly how he had hoped. His deep, inset fear is almost comical to me.

High Priest Dubin greets him in a formal introduction and then turns to me, “King Roland, it seems you or one of your brothers had a bloodline continue.”

King Roland nearly snaps out in irritation and nervousness at the high priest, “No, I’m positive he is my son. Because he has his mother’s hazel eyes. How long have you known?”

“Since I was a child.” I say in confirmation of his suspicion. He presses his lips into a tight line and shakes his head in realization. I continue to set him a bit more at ease, “She never told me about you. She always hated me with so much passion, and I never knew why until Bellar saved me from her at the age of six.”

The high priest’s face is now askew, “Dungan? You said your mother was of no consequence. Was that a lie? And, why would you become a blacksmith’s apprentice if you already knew you were the legitimate King? He saved you, right? Did he attune to you at such a young age?”

I laugh at him maniacally, “Answering one question at a time. I was doing what I’ve done since I was a six-year-old child. I was trying to delay my birthright until I was finally divinely ordered to do so. My mother is of no consequence to you. I became a blacksmith because I was removed from my previous job. So, I wanted a chance to have some freedom before I was called back.”

Dubin’s face is bright red, and it's hysterical. I can’t help but laugh, knowing it's coming out darker and more sadistic than intended. King Roland gulps and seems to hold onto the arm of his chair to hide his shaking hands. The grip on the chair makes the wood underneath bend and crack.

With an angry huff, Dubin commands me, “What was your last job?”

I let the question linger in silence before King Roland’s voice breaks the tension, and everyone in the room shivers, “Shadow, what of your threat?”

I smirked and chuckled deviously. When the king betrayed me and told me I was no longer welcomed. He couldn’t naturally hand me over to the Hou Ndours because I was too much of an asset to keep in hand. So, he had one of his men take the fall and kill him. The Hou Ndour were satisfied. They believed they had the right man. My absence just went to help in the deception. However, he still betrayed me when he signed that treaty with Hou Ndours. I told him that when I returned, I would kill him.

The high priest starts accusing the king of conspiracy because now he doesn’t even want to know the answer. His rambling rant is just background noise to the tension in the room. My markings burn and itch, and I know I must follow my divine's guidance. Without a second thought, I spawn one of my spirit swords and swipe at the red-faced priest. His head rolls on the marble hall of the audience room, and for a long moment, the eerie silence fills with dread and fear from everyone in the room. I was apprehensive of the attention walking into the castle, but for a moment, I almost felt overwhelmed by dread when everyone’s eyes were set on me, and their heartbeats started to rush from terror. I’ve never done a public execution or even allowed anyone, outside of a few special acquaintances, to detect me while I killed. The moment gives me a chance to layout the spell with a more precise concentration who I want to run away in terror to spread the rumor I am not to be underestimated; and who I want to stay frozen in place to exact the revenge Bellar is driving through pulses through his marks. My tendrils wrap around each of my targets and stop their hearts. The chosen have fallen, and it wakes everyone naturally out of their shock.

Many are now running out of the room, and only the King, the dead bodies, Minister Gentry, and I are in the audience room. My sword dissipated as I came closer to my father. He holds his head up high, trying to hide any anxiety of my presence. He visibly swallows before nearly yelling out, “Is that the reason you served me for so many years?”

“Honestly? I was only searching for a method destroy my tyrant mother. Bellar informed me that his personal library might have the answer I sought. He’s the one who truly bargained for me to serve you through all those years, even when I was not fulfilled in my pursuit. He’s proud of you, by the way.” I say while I touch my hand on his chest, and he places his hand on mine.

“Thank you.” He whispers while my hands change to claws and rip his heart out. Bellar has always been a vengeful god. Only fitting my vengeful sprite is comfortable in this land.

I turn to Minister Gentry, “Now, let’s void all trade agreements with Hou Ndours. I have a lot of work to do.”