บท 8: The Curse Fruit
Rain indeed kept his promise, delivering three hundred slaves, twenty sturdy horses, ironclad beasts, fine armor and swords, five thousand kilograms of food, and a barrel of Redknight wine from the Elven capital.
This influx of people and goods was enough to make Leo's domain prosper.
"These are Prince Rain's gifts to you!" Basilo handed over the items to Leo, still maintaining an air of superiority.
"Perhaps one day he'll gift you to me as well," Leo shrugged with a smile.
"You!" Basilo appeared visibly annoyed.
Leo looked up, his gaze turning icy.
Though "exiled" by his father, he was still a prince of the kingdom, born with a natural air of authority that now showed in his true indifference and disdain.
It was a look that regarded all life beyond his own as mere ants.
"Leave!" Leo uttered just one word.
Basilo trembled, filled with anger and a touch of fear.
For some reason, upon meeting Leo's gaze, he instinctively felt that Leo truly had the power to decree his death.
With a face ashen, Basilo said nothing more.
Gritting his teeth, carrying his humiliation, he turned and left.
…
Leo quickly instructed his subordinates to distribute the armor and weapons to the soldiers.
The slaves, food, and red wine were also settled into the manor.
Afterwards, he returned to his own estate.
"What is Lilith doing?" Leo inquired of his servant.
"Lilith is still training. Do you need me to call her over?" the servant replied.
"No need," Leo waved dismissively.
Though he enjoyed "tormenting" Lilith, her strengthening herself was beneficial for him too.
He needed Lilith to grow alongside him.
Entering the dining room, he found the day's meal already laid out on the table: blood-red beef, large chunks of bread, a leg of lamb, and various side dishes.
The knight training required substantial meat intake, and consuming large quantities of food was essential.
This was still during his phase as an apprentice knight.
He had heard that advanced knights consumed food nearly dozens of times that of a normal person, approaching the appetite of a spellbeast.
However, upon reaching the divine knight realm, one could draw energy from the heavens and earth, reducing the need for such copious eating.
Half an hour later, after finishing his meal, Leo planned to resume his training.
"My lord, Mr. Frett wishes to see you," a servant approached, speaking softly.
"Frett?" Leo narrowed his eyes.
He remembered this man, the son of a duke who controlled a much larger territory than his, even including a real city.
As far as he knew, this individual was quite close to his elder brother Horn.
Why would he visit him now?
"I understand," Leo nodded. Since the visitor had come, he couldn't avoid meeting him.
Slowly rising, he walked towards the front hall.
…
"Frett!" Leo extended his hand in greeting.
Hearing Leo's voice, Frett turned around. With a thick beard and deep blue eyes, he had an air of wisdom about him.
"Your Highness," Frett bowed slightly, a smile on his face. After a brief embrace, the two sat down together.
"Mr. Frett, what brings you to this place?" asked Leo.
"Your Highness might not be aware, but your brother, Prince Horn, misses you dearly. He sent me here with some gifts to visit you," Frett replied with a smile.
Leo's eyes narrowed slightly.
His brother, who guarded the border, seemed suddenly very thoughtful of him.
Was it because of the news from Rain, or did he learn something from elsewhere?
"I too miss my dear brother dearly. I wish I could see him right now," Leo responded, still smiling.
"Your Highness, Prince Horn asked me to bring this to you. It's said to be a treasure that can help one advance their state," Frett handed over a box to Leo.
Taking the box, Leo opened it to find a red fruit inside, radiating abundant energy.
"Please thank my brother for me, for his... care," Leo said, looking up sincerely.
"Of course, I will convey your gratitude," Frett assured him with a smile.
The two then engaged in a pleasant conversation, even discussing potential cooperation, marking a successful meeting.
An hour later, Frett left reluctantly.
Leo also expressed his reluctance, even shedding a couple of tears.
After Frett's departure, Leo returned to his bedroom.
…
Opening the box again, Leo's gaze turned icy, but a smile crept onto his lips.
His dear brother would certainly not show concern for him without reason.
Without even touching the fruit inside the box, he could already smell the scent of a curse upon it.
It must have been cast by a powerful magus.
By consuming this fruit, through the curse, his every word and action would fall under Horn's control.
"The value of this fruit could probably buy a dozen estates. My dear brother really is... quite thoughtful!"
Leo remarked, picking up the fruit with a smile.
It was evident that Horn had invested heavily in this.
Previously, his brother had never taken him seriously, not even deigning to glance in his direction.
It must be that Horn learned something through Rain.
A magical waste like himself, suddenly awakening magic talent after leaving here?
This fact alone would be enough to alert Horn, seeing Rain as a contender for the throne!
Naturally, he, who was related to this matter, couldn't escape notice.
"Unfortunately, there's a more fearsome curse inside my body. Even if I consume this, it will be rejected. I can only disappoint my brother's kind intentions."
"However, since you've sent this to me, perhaps I can use it for something else, to give you an even bigger surprise."
As Leo looked at the fruit under the light, his smile grew brighter.
He remembered a hell magic that could implement a reverse curse through an object marked by the target.
This magic didn't even require the use of any elemental power; the only condition was to possess an item cursed by the target!
Inside Horn Vickery's manor.
As the Lionara prince most likely to inherit the throne, and a great yet young divine knight, Horn was enjoying his dinner.
Seated next to him was his most trusted adviser and a formidable magus, Nile, dressed in a long black robe.
Nile's overly elongated face and green-glowing pupils lent him a somewhat sinister appearance.
"Rain's awakening of magic talent is indeed a fortunate event for Lionara," Horn remarked, wiping his mouth with a cold tone.
"Don't worry. With the curse, we should soon unravel the cause of this," Nile responded, bowing slightly, his voice grave.
He knew Horn was angered.
Until now, Horn had never really considered his brothers as threats.
However, Rain's sudden magic talent awakening and potential advancement in power could tilt the old king's favor.
This was something Horn could not allow.
"It better be," Horn said coldly. "My brothers always seem to engage in distasteful acts, like annoying cockroaches!"
"Your authority will be supreme, everything under your control," Nile assured, leaning forward slightly.
"Of course..." Horn's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted.
Everyone was startled.
Horn's expression froze as he slowly turned towards Nile.
At that moment, Nile was covering his eyes, green fluid seeping from the corners, his body trembling in apparent agony.
"What's wrong with you?! Damn it, what's happening?!" Horn stood up abruptly, both angry and confused.
Nile's screams continued.
It was as if something was forcing him to release his hands, then open his eyes.
His eyes, glowing green, fixed on Nile as he let out a ghastly cry, "I see you!"
Horn, startled, instinctively drew his sword from his waist.
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