Kapitel 101: Flames versus Shadows
"Stop!"
The dukes, the guests, everyone was in panic. However, the king who Sebastian was running at was calm. There wasn't any hint of fear in his eyes as he looked straight at Sebastian.
"Ah—"
The duke who had been shouting prior to Sebastian's attack froze. The flames hadn't harmed the king, they weren't going anywhere near him.
Sebastian's flames burned the shadows that were quickly traveling towards the king.
"Everyone, calm down."
King Magnas raised his hand and calmed everyone down. Sebastian had yet to lower his guard as his arms were still in flames.
"What is your name?"
"Sebastian Sol, Your Majesty."
"Would you mind explaining what just happened?"
"There was an attack aimed at the king."
Everyone gasped.
"And who is the culprit?"
Sebastian had traced the shadow's path earlier. He looked beside Reiss Anton, a servant that he had brought with him.
"Her."
Sebastian pointed at the servant with his flaming hands. The servant flinched and subconsciously took a step back.
"Hm? That's preposterous! Marie isn't an Inheritor."
"Then, she's been hiding it pretty well."
Sebastian didn't care about his position. Right now, the king's life was his priority.
"I see. Well, we'll have to take you into custody."
Cowell stood up and drew his sword.
"I-I didn't do anything!"
"If you're innocent, then it isn't a problem. You'll be released soon."
Marie shivered.
"Wait, I believe there's been some sort of misunderstanding."
Duke Anton stood up and tried to defuse the situation but at that moment, Reaire spoke up.
"Duke, it's only an investigation. There's no need to be so scared… or could it be, that you're involved with her?"
Although Reaire knew that Marie was working under the duke, it wasn't like it meant that he was guilty. The underlying meaning behind his words were, 'if you protect her and she's guilty, you're an accomplice'.
Duke Anton flinched and glared at Marie. While he didn't know if she was truly an Inheritor or not, he wouldn't risk his head for a servant.
"...The Anton Household will cooperate."
Though his son did somewhat favor the servant, there was no other choice.
"Father!"
"Quiet!"
Reiss indignantly backed down.
"Miss Marie, please come along quietly."
One of the knights-cum-guards stepped towards Marie with his sword drawn. The other dukes and duchesses on the table also began retreating.
"Y-you…"
Just as Marie spoke, Sebastian felt her energy rise up.
"Watch out!"
The knight responded too late and was sent flying by a tentacle that rose from Marie's own shadow.
"Everyone, stand back!"
As one of the only Inheritors in the hall, Sebastian had the duty to help. He quickly shot a few fireballs at Marie but they weren't able to pierce her shadows.
"I-it's your fault!"
Marie gave Sebastian a crazed look and attacked him with her shadows. The shadows she made were mostly tentacles but there were also long human arms mixed among them.
The dark aura they exuded was eerie.
Sebastian blocked most of her attacks and dodged the few he couldn't before counterattacking.
However, no matter what he did, his flames couldn't get through her shadows.
'Is she an Adept?!'
"Do you need assistance?"
"Yes, please!"
"Very well."
Reaire stepped forward and brandished his own sword. Beside him was Cowell who had done the same. Though they weren't Inheritors, they were confident in their skill.
As soon as Reaire and Cowell neared, the tentacles switched their targets. Without any energy to support them, they could only try and evade as their swords weren't strong enough to cut through.
"Flame Cage!"
Sebastian stretched out his two arms and then looked through the gap between his hands. A cage made out flames materialized above and below Marie's position.
Sebastian slowly closed his hands as the flame cage kept on getting smaller and smaller.
"This is annoying."
Cowell muttered as he dodged another attack.
"Indeed."
Reaire shared his opinion. Neither of them looked troubled by the attack itself, but by the fact that they couldn't really harm the shadows.
Most of the nobility had already retreated—afraid that they would be caught up in the fight. Irasiel and Euphea had joined them but the king wasn't too far from the battle.
"Your Majesty, pleaese get out of here!"
Though the knights pleaded King Magnas, he didn't move as if he hadn't heard the knights say anything.
He was quietly observing this fight between the Inheritors and his sons with great interest.
Sebastian clasped his hands. The cage had fully formed and was burning Marie inside. Though she was being concealed by the shadows in an orb-like state, she should still be able to feel the heat.
'Something's wrong.'
Sebastian looked at the ongoing attacks of the tentacles and the orb-like shadow wrapping around Marie.
He was assaulted by a bad feeling. It was one he constantly felt while hunting in the forest.
Without thinking, Sebastian reached into his clothes and took out Pine's collapsible bow. He quickly readied the bow and took an arrow out from his hidden container and then turned around.
His bow was pointed right at the king.
"..."
The king looked at him straight in the eyes and nodded.
Sebastian ignored the shocked gazes of all nobles and fired his bow. His arrow traveled faster than any of them could react and burst into flames.
"AAAAH!"
Marie who was right behind the king screamed after being struck in the shoulder and getting burnt.
"Father!"
Irasiel yelled out. Unlike her two brothers, she had no combat ability. However, as the nearest to her father, she was the fastest one to move him out of the way.
"Give up."
Sebastian loaded another arrow into his bow and pointed it at Marie.
Though her power itself reached the level of an Adept, it was obvious that she didn't know how to use her ability in combat. If she had trained her ability, Sebastian and the two princes wouldn't have had a chance against her.
"Hiii!"
Marie shrunk back in fear and fell down. Sebastian was focused, he didn't let down his guard as the knights came to subdue her.
"S-stay back!"
Sebastian released his arrow and hit Marie's other shoulder. With that, her arms should be paralyzed. She had shown signs of using more energy and his attack stopped that.
"I-if I'm going down, then…!"
Marie forced herself to stand. Sebastian knocked her back down with flames and held her down. However, her attack had finished. Marie spat out a black object which went flying. It pierced through Sebastian's flames without any resistance.
"?!"
It passed by Sebastian's side. He saw it in the corner of his eye, a miniature sword.
"Your Majest—!"
Sebastian yelled out too late. The sword had already arrived in front of the king.
"Castel."
DING
—Hoooh.
"Wha-?"
Sebastian was bewildered, Balanos was impressed.
"You have our thanks for coming to our aid." [1]
King Magnas spoke. His body was covered in golden armor from head to toe. All the nobles breathed sighs of relief.
"T-that armor…"
Sebastian stuttered. Euphea neared him at that moment.
"Father is a king, but he's also a warrior. Back in the days, he led his armies at the forefront and was named Aurora's Human Fortress. That armor is the reason behind his name. When father wears that, not even Adepts are able to hurt him."
—It appears he's quite the strong human.
Balanos hadn't just said that because of Euphea's words, but by her own understanding. Soul Weaving is a skill that very few humans should have today but even among them, the king's armor was especially strong.
—As expected of a country's ruler.
The strength of the Soul Armor is proportionate to the strength of the user's soul. With a weak soul, one would have a weak will and mindset. People like that wouldn't be able to use Soul Weaving and even in the slightest chance that they could, they'd only make fragile armor weaker than glass.
"N-no!"
Marie got out of her shock and despaired. Her attack had failed and the king was still safe.
"Take her away."
Magnas ordered and the knights bound her hands with a block-like restraint.
"This won't be able to hold me! H-huh?"
Marie tried to use her ability but the knights that should've been crushed were perfectly safe. She tried to get away using her own shadow but she wouldn't sink into it.
"It appears to work quite well."
Magnas nodded in satisfaction.
"It's a special type of restraint built to hold Inheritors. Ironically, it's made with the powers of other Inheritors."
Magnas' explanation was for Sebastian.
"We'd like to reward you for the help you've provided today. Please meet me at the throne room in a few minutes, we'll settle everything here."
With that cue, Euphea led Sebastian out of the hall.
"...your father isn't what I expected at all."
"You thought he'd be more stern?" Euphea shrugged. "He's always been this way. He did what he wanted and loved to watch interesting things. In truth, he could've defused the whole situation in an instant. If you hadn't defended him from the first attack, he would've dealt with Marie himself."
"So I just meddled into something I didn't need to?"
Sebastian sighed.
"My elder sister doesn't know how father uses his armor, so she was definitely shocked. My two brothers on the other hand…"
Sebastian understood as she trailed off. He was being led to her study once again.
"Though it didn't end up as planned, you'll still be able to get something out of it. Father's really generous when it comes to rewards."
—Though, you've already acquired what you came for.
Sebastian smirked.
That's right. During the battle with Marie, he managed to analyze her ability. It was a simple concept unlike when he tried to learn healing through Sana. Just like when he manipulates flames, he just needs to manipulate his shadows.
Though Sebastian was looking for people with the abilities he wanted, in truth, he could just make the abilities themselves.
The stigma allowed him to use his mind. As long as he knew the principle behind it, he could even use powers used by the Primogenitors.
"Aah~ I wonder what my reward is~"
Sebastian couldn't hide his joy and caused Euphea to roll her eyes.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
SeverTheHeavens
SeverTheHeavens 5/5 that's the end of the mass release.
1. King Magnas' speech. He uses plural pronouns like "we, our, us" instead of "I, my, me" and etc. The reason behind it is because as a king, he isn't his own person anymore, but one that lives and dies with the kingdom. So, although he's saying 'we', he's just referring to himself.
Thanks for reading.
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