บท 23: Empire Under Invasion?

Davis and Bowen made their way to the cell, where Wagner was locked inside.

The formation in that cell was active, and it prevented Wagner from being able to use his cultivation, and the formation also made him unable to see what was going on outside.

Wagner, who was undoubtedly a male, looked at the ceiling with a blank expression on his face. It was as if he was considering when he was going to die this month.

Davis then saw a circle switch near the cell's gate. He pressed it.

Nothing seemed to happen visibly, but Wagner turned around his face.

He saw a small child with blonde hair along with a Prison Guard.

"Heh, don't tell me you brought a brat for me to enjoy?" Wagner seemed to jest, but it was obvious that he viewed Davis with lascivious eyes.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Davis only asked a question.

He already made up his mind to make him his first target, but he still wanted an impetus.

"Heh, of course, to brutally murder and rape you!" Wagner's breathing hastened as he a crazy glint encroached his eyes.

Davis became thoroughly disgusted, but his face remained the same.

It was written in the records that Wagner had necrophilia, and it didn't seem to be faked.

On the other hand, Wagner didn't care for anything as he was fated to die this month. It didn't matter whether he offended a big person or not, much less a child.

"I understand," Davis replied calmly. He then switched off the mechanism.

'You understand?' Bowen became utterly dumbfounded. He couldn't understand where this conversation was headed to...

"Bowen, leave the prison!" Davis commanded.

"I can't do that, your highness." Bowen was stunned before he replied with a calm expression on his face.

"You won't listen to my command?" Davis narrowed his eyes.

"I was told by his Majesty to protect you no matter what happens..." Bowen shook his head.

He looked as if he wasn't going to leave Davis alone, no matter what.

Davis slightly narrowed his eyes, but then a smile lit up over his face.

"I see, then I will have no choice but to say to my father that you molested me in the Prison."

"W-What!?" Bowen couldn't believe his ear, 'What kind of words did this five-year-old child utter?'

His mind momentarily stopped working, unable to form a reply.

"I said that I would have no choice but to say that you violated me in the Prison."

'That is totally different than what you said before!!' Bowen started sweating heavily, but he didn't dare retort.

'Could it be that all the Imperial Family members are like this?'

"This... your highness.. don't make this difficult for me. I was only tasked to protect you in this Prison."

"Do you think my imperial father won't act against you? Do you think that the Emperor will believe your words or mine?" Davis profoundly asked as if there's an underlying meaning in his words.

'What did I do to deserve this? This child is a demon in human form!'

Bowen was on the verge of tears, and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"How about this... you're only tasked to protect me, right? Stand guard near the entrance of the Prison. This way, you can both protect me and do what I told you, right? You think that these prisoners who are suppressed by these formations can harm me?"

"This... Alright." Bowen considered a moment before yielding. He was truly afraid that the little prince, no, the little demon would do as he said.

"Good, you're not allowed to use your senses on me, and you're not allowed to peek either. I will come to you to accept food every four hours, and with this, you can verify my safety every now and then."

"Eh? This... I understand."

Although Bowen felt reluctant, what else could he reply? He already accepted his highness' conditions once, and it did seem that he was able to protect the prince through this method. He at least had the confidence that no matter what happened, he would be able to protect him in the Prison.

Only he couldn't understand why the prince forbade him from using his soul sense on him. He imagined that it must have to do something with the Imperial Family's secret, so he didn't dare to ask.

'After all, a child, especially an imperial child, wouldn't come to this place, just to sightsee, right?' Bowen inwardly thought he left that part of the corridor and made his way towards the prison entrance.

Davis checked his surroundings before tugging on the soul, summoning the Death Book.

A black aura encircled around him as it changed into a hazy appearance.

A book appeared on his hand as he looked at it. It was pure black on both sides of the note, and there wasn't anything written on the cover. He opened the book and turned the pages only to see that it was pure white, without a single speck of dust.

He pressed the switch again, only to see Wagner moving his right arm up and down.

"Honestly, there's no redemption for a bastard like you." Davis wrote his name while he felt disgusted. He'll be sure to give him a worse death.

=======

Three days later.

Davis was still roaming inside the Imperial Prison, experimenting with the Death Book.

In the Imperial Castle, Throne Hall.

Logan was seated in his throne while Claire sat beside him, but both of their faces appeared extremely grave.

The whole Throne Hall remained crowded even though it was a hundred meters long and wide.

People were assembled here, ranging from Middle-Class Officials to High-Class Officials from the Imperial Palace and the Army. The atmosphere enshrouding here was tense. No one dared to utter a word, afraid that they might be cast out or outright killed.

*Creek!~*

A sound made from opening the huge door of the Throne Hall echoed, making the people present slightly shudder as if it was a crack from the underworld.

An older adult with a commanding disposition walked in with great strides. He was covered in dark blue armor, and he held his grand headgear in his arms. He walked forward until he was in line with five other men who were clad in different yet luxurious garments. He kneeled on a single leg on the floor and clasped his hands.

"Reporting to the Emperor.." He took a deep breath and shouted.

"The Albert Kingdom, which is under our jurisdiction, has been conquered by invading forces two days ago..."

Beads of sweat formed on his face, "We... we were unable to defend against the invasion of the combined alliance of the Raven Empire and Tritor Empire!"

With a bang that caused numerous people to flinch, he kowtowed, "We were made to retreat in the face of the giant threat, and I cowardly made the decision for the army to retreat to the Imperial Capital. Please let this cowardly one die and atone for this mistake! Your majesty!"

Without hesitation, he instantly drew his sword from his scabbard and proceeded to stab it into his heart.

*Bang!~*

Robust yet formless energy came out from nowhere and knocked the sword out of his hand. He stared blankly, not knowing who did it.

"It's fine, this Emperor forgives you, Supreme Army Commander Randal," Logan replied with a calm expression on his face.

"Instead of making our army die a cruel and meaningless death, you made the right choice by giving the order to tactically retreat to the Imperial Capital in exchange for your own reputation."