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Chapter 24 - Reason to Hate Olivia(1)
Chapter 24 - Reason to Hate Olivia(1)
24 Chapter 24 - Reason to Hate Olivia(1)
"Cr-Crown Princess!?"
The maid's simultaneous exclamation slipped out, their words swiftly escaping their mouths as their brains raced to strategize how to earn Adanyl's favor.
Observing their stunned reactions, Ryuk understood that his intended outcome had been achieved feeling the silence from the small girl beside him.
"What's with that reaction" Ryuk firmly reminded them to behave, noting their collective flabbergasted state.
His firm tone caused each of them to realize their breach in etiquette before royalty, prompting all to bow in unison. "Forgive us, Your Highness," they pleaded.
"It's alright. Vivian, no need to return in princess palace; proceed directly to Elysium," Ryuk instructed Vivian to head straight to the palace where Adanyl was staying before turning towards the carriage to depart.
Observing Ryuk enter the carriage, Vivian, bewildered by the day's events, glanced at her husband, who merely shook his head before following Ryuk into the carriage, leaving her even more perplexed.
"I-I..." Standing there, her voice caught in her throat, Vivian struggled to make sense of the situation.
Tak. Tak.
The white carriage adorned with golden carvings embarked on its journey, carrying Ryuk and Johan toward their destination—the Monastery of Goddess Fela.
As the carriage vanished through the palace gates, the maids maintained their composed bows, frozen in their places, blankly watching the departure.
silence~
The atmosphere around Vivian suddenly shifted, prompting her to begin her departure with a soft voice, "...then, I take my leav—"
"Kyaaa~!!"
"Hey, Vivian, how do you do it?"
"Yes, tell us, what's the secret to gaining favor with His Highness?"
"Did your husband make a request to His Highness?"
"If you become the personal maid of our new queen, we'll gladly be your sidekicks."
The maids bombarded Vivian with eager questions, their hungry eyes fixated on her, overwhelming her with queries and requests for advice, while she stood there, eyes growing teary, silently pleading for Johan to rescue her from the commotion,' save me, Dear!'
Unnoticed by the maids absorbed in their quest for information, a lone little girl with short silver hair and sapphire eyes lingered at the palace gates, staring blankly in the direction where Ryuk's carriage had disappeared.
Drip
A tear trickled down her cheek, landing on the ground.
She bit her lip, gripping her uniform tightly, a whirlwind of emotions engulfing her mind.
Avoiding the eyes of passersby, she refused to let her tears flow freely, remembering how the person she loved had come to despise her due to these same tears — referring to the time when her hands tried to stab Ryuk, while these eyes can only reflect her pain.
"I hate it," she muttered, her hand rising to wipe away the stubborn tears that seemed endless, despising both her fate and herself.
"I never wanted this," she whispered, her heart heavy.
Although she knew there were numerous possibilities ahead and that polygamy wasn't uncommon, her heart remained stubborn, still thinking to being by his side not as just a mere maid.
Standing alone, the little girl was left without anyone by her side, tears her only company.
.
.
«-230» «-250» «-290»
Sitting within the carriage, Ryuk ignored the popping bubbles portraying the intense emotional distress someone might have been experiencing because of him.
Instead, his Amber eyes remained fixed on the window ahead, lost in his own thoughts.
?????????????????????????
1. Demon seed Potion ×1
2. Arcane Poison ×2
3. Anti-mana aura blade (remaining one use)
4. 8-star Aura sword's half fragment
5. ⟨Empty⟩
6. ⟨Empty⟩
.
.
?????????????????????????
Reviewing his inventory and items, Ryuk realized the lack of essential items such as healing potions, crucial tools from the system that were rare in this world due to their unique properties.
The Demon Seed Potion, for instance, was something he had given to Maria, which was completely different from this world's normal methods of awakening of demon seed, which had many side effects and easily recognisable.
Similarly, the Anti-mana Aura blade, the very weapon he used against Edward, was unique and impossible to replicate.
His actions had been meticulously planned.
He had blocked all possible ways for anyone to save Edward.
He even anticipated someone trying to help and took measures, cutting Edward's hand with a sword that had mana-repeling properties.
This action caused Edward to permanently lose his hand, rendering healing potions or the abilities of Healers useless on him.
"Your Highness, may I ask something?" Johan's voice pulled Ryuk out of his contemplation.
Ryuk smiled, already aware of Johan's inquiry before closing the system's window.
"Johan, your wife's safety would have been compromised if she had stayed in her previous position," Ryuk informed him, revealing the truth despite the inconsequential nature of a butler's opinion.
He felt the need to convey this to Johan.
Johan's eyes widened, noticing Ryuk's choice of words, realizing the underlying tension between Ryuk and Olivia.
Furthermore, the mention of a life being threatened made Johan ponder the severity of the situation.
'Are the relations between the prince and princess this strained?' he wondered.
Observing Johan's reaction, Ryuk discerned his thoughts were more focused on the strained relationship between Olivia and himself rather than the safety of his wife.
Ryuk redirected the conversation, "Don't dwell on that, Johan. Did you complete the task I assigned you?"
Not wishing to prolong the discussion, Ryuk inquired about a specific task he had delegated to Johan a few days ago.
Johan responded, "Yes, Your Highness. However, due to our border location, its condition will take time to improve."
Ryuk simply nodded, turning back toward the window. He settled his thoughts and prepared for a short nap.
The journey was long, and he knew it was only the beginning of the challenges he would face ahead.
// Small Glimpse of Past life //
{ A/n: This is from when Ryuk was very merciful, So please don't judge him }
Gaia's radiant rays streamed into one of the chambers within the Selvius Empire's royal palace, illuminating a table laden with various documents.
21:33
A man sat there, his amber eyes fixed upon the papers while a woman stood beside him.
Observing Ryuk immersed in his work and kingdom responsibilities for an extended period, Amayara couldn't contain her concern and, feeling disheartened, let her feelings surface.
"Ryuk, you've been working since yesterday. At least take some rest."
Focused on his task, Ryuk continued sifting through another stack of documents. "You already know, Amayara. Many refugees are seeking shelter within our borders. If I remain idle, who will address these problems?"
Pausing briefly in his writing, he resumed, "Mother handled it until now. I cannot evade the responsibilities entrusted to me."
It had been four years since Alisia von Selvius's disappearance.
The Selvius Kingdom bore the weight of surrounding issues—droughts, pandemics, healthcare—solely.
Ryuk took drastic measures to confront these challenges head-on.
If any kingdom couldn't provide for its citizens, the Selvius Kingdom absorbed them, granting food and sanctuary while following a simple approach, provide food for your citizens or surrender your land, willingly or forcefully.
Not only that, but the nobles of those lands had to sacrifice both hands, while their heirs forfeited a finger, to secure this support —a mercy Ryuk felt compelled to show.
"By the way, Some nobles were unhappy with new policies. Offer them two choices: surrender their heads voluntarily, or I'll claim them myself," Ryuk stated bluntly.
Amayara, standing resolutely, nodded in acknowledgment, unfazed by his methods, having witnessed the harshness of the world from her time in an orphanage.
"Do you think I am cruel?" Ryuk's question made Amayara turn towards him.
Understanding his isolation despite his outward fortitude and even after witnessing how others are slowly leaving him, genuinely wanting to care for him, she shook her head, "No. If you turn right, people will condemn you for not going left. If you choose left, they'll criticize you for not turning right. Perhaps we should simply ignore—"
Interrupting her path, Amayara adjusted her phrase to suit the man before her. "We should simply pave our way through their bodies."
"I'm not that evil, you know," Ryuk remarked, slightly puzzled by Amayara's perception of him, and continued with his work.
Knock, knock
A faint knocking echoed through the office-like room.
"Come in."
Upon the command, a young girl in a maid's uniform entered, carrying a small tray adorned with tea and cake, followed by other maids who placed the items on the table.
After setting the tea on Ryuk's table, the little girl stood before him, looking towards him who was exuding an air of royalty, unfazed by his presence.
"Your Highness, I've prepared this tea myself as instructed by Aunt Alia," the young girl stated, placing the tea cup on the table without waiting for Ryuk's response.
"Lily, Could you fetch your father for me in a moment?" Ryuk, pausing his work, requested Lily to summon Johan for an assignment.
"I understand, Your Highness." Lily bowed before leaving the room.
Observing Lily depart, Ryuk returned to his work.
Despite not being a workaholic, he understood the necessity of dedicating time to his responsibilities, even if it cost him some health points.
'!?'
Suddenly, Ryuk's hands halted mid-motion.
"R-ryuk!?"
Swiftly rising from his chair, he startled Amayara.
SWISH
Ryuk's gaze shifted abruptly, and without hesitation, he disappeared. Startled, Amayara followed suit, disappearing behind him.
.
.
.
.
.
"W-what does this mean?" Olivia stood inside her room, supported by several maids, her figure faltering as blood dripped from her abdomen.
"Hehe, Princess, we would like to thank you for allowing us entry, but it's time for you to leave," one of the men, disguised as a servant, spoke while others stood beside him, observing the wounded woman succumbing to a corrosive poison.
Olivia gritted her teeth, her original plan had been to stage a scenario with fake assassins to divert Ryuk's attention, focusing it away from Alia and Amayara — from her perspective, he spent more time with them.
But somehow, the Aidiac Kingdom had swapped their own operatives in, leading to this dire situation where she was now poisoned, unable to utilize her mana to defend herself.
"Y-you must stop! His Highness will punish you!" Vivian supported Olivia, attempting to intimidate the assailants despite her fear, but her words seemed to fall on deaf ears.
Grins spread across their faces as one stepped forward, sneering, "Idiot, we wouldn't have entered if we were afraid of that psychopath."
The Aidiac Kingdom had swiftly fallen to Selvius within two days of the war's outset, largely due to the fear instilled by Ryuk as he advanced towards their capital.
With each conquered domain, the heads and skinned-bodies of corrupt nobles were displayed as a warning, half meant for vultures to feast on it and other, a gruesome spectacle meant to deter others from continuing their corrupt practices.
These assailants belonged to a faction previously hidden from the clutches of the Selvius Empire, but knowing their inevitable fate, they sought to drag Ryuk down with them, exploiting Olivia's vulnerability to infiltrate the palace gates.
"Kill her!" One of the men barked out the order, prompting another to move forward with a dagger in hand.
"Stop it! Protect Her Highness!" Vivian shouted, stepping forward with all the maids rallying to cover Olivia's back.
Despite their roles as palace maids, they were faced with a moment where they had to choose the life of royalty over their own.
"We'll start with you," sneered the man, a smirk forming on his face before he attempted to strike Vivian, who, trembling with fear, instinctively covered her eyes
SKLCHT! A sickening sound of flesh tearing filled the room, sending a shiver down Vivian's spine, causing a tear to slide down her cheek as she realized her fate was sealed.
Even in that dire moment, her thoughts turned to her daughter,' Sorry, my child,' she whispered inwardly.
"Who are you?"
A voice made her uncover her eyes, revealing a man who had moments ago been trying to kill her, blood dripping from his mouth, looking at her with now blood filled red eyes, widened with horror while a hand protruding from his chest.
Thump thump
The sound gradually drew her attention towards the object held in that hand - A still-beating heart.
She watched it pulsate for a brief moment before it was ruthlessly crushed.
STOMP
Ryuk's amber eyes blazed as he confronted the men, who were now sweating profusely, witnessing their comrade's brutal demise, understanding the sheer ruthlessness of the man standing before them.
"Didn't you hear? Who are you?" I would have uploaded the chapters yesterday but wanted to increase their quality, So, Today will release with good editing.... A4KL