Chương 84: Saving Timber
Upon arriving at the Marquis Household, Eugene received a warm welcome from his younger sister.
Eugene felt helpless as he carried Eunice in a princess style and apologized while walking inside the mansion. Euric descended the stairs gracefully, looking affectionately at his two siblings, and informed Eugene that he had asked the chef to prepare his favorite meal.
"So, what did Casimin say about Timber's condition?"
Eunice glanced at her brother Eugene and Euric, but since she couldn't understand their conversation, she obediently sat on Eugene's lap while sipping her tea.
Euric's smile vanished, replaced by a serious expression. "Timber is under the spell of geas."
Eugene frowned.
From his recollection, geas was a forbidden demonic spell, once practiced by necromancers who were later eradicated along with the demons. Necromancers were considered enemies of magicians and wizards, as they disrupted the balance between life and death.
He had not expected Klius to possess knowledge of such a spell.
It appeared that the Rozans were not as he had perceived them to be – they were far more dangerous.
"Eugene, Timber's stepbrother may have delved into dark magic; it's incredibly dangerous."
Eugene took a sip of tea and patted Eunice's head.
"The Rozans family is adept at concealing their true nature."
Geas was categorized as dark magic due to its ability to command any creature to fulfill the caster's desires, forcing them to carry out specific actions or refrain from certain activities. The caster could issue any command, except those leading to certain death, and the spell would only end if a suicidal command was given.
In essence, one's life was at the mercy of the caster.
The fact that Klius had gone to the extent of commanding Timber to fall into a deep sleep was alarming. Eugene couldn't help but feel anger building up within him. Fortunately, the mana he had injected into Timber's body was preserving him [Timber]. Otherwise, Timber's body would have decayed, and he might have turned into an undead creature.
Eugene tightened his grip on the cup, his eyes glistening.
He thanked his brother for taking care of Timber and couldn't help but share what he had discussed with the emperor.
Euric grew concerned and said, "Finding a suitable candidate won't be easy."
Eugene shared the same sentiment.
"If I weren't already engaged to Kaizer, I would risk my marriage for Timber," Eugene admitted.
Euric's hand trembled, and his eyes widened. "Don't speak like that."
"But brother, I'm desperate."
Euric lowered his gaze, clearly struggling as well.
In the end, Eugene excused himself to visit Timber, leaving his brother lost in deep thought. Eunice licked her lips and followed her big brother to visit Timber.
Glancing at his little sister, Eugene sighed, relieved that Eunice didn't seem to notice the prolonged absence of their parents. The Marquis and Marchioness hadn't spent much time with Eunice, so her lack of deep attachment to them was a blessing now that they were gone.
Upon entering the room, Eugene immediately checked Timber's condition and infused him with mana to preserve his body. Eunice watched her brother perform magic in awe and clapped her hands.
"Brother, when will Brother Timber wake up?"
Eugene patted his little sister's head. "Soon, he'll wake up soon."
Eugene stayed in the room, reading books with Eunice seated on his lap. While telling stories, Eunice inquired about Eugene's future marriage partner, and he assured her that she would meet him soon.
Eunice pouted, showing curiosity but not genuine interest.
Later, Euric personally called them for dinner, and they discussed Timber's situation again. This time, Euric, who had been quiet, spoke up.
"I think I can do it. I'll marry him."
Eugene froze, his pupils dilating. "Brother, what are you saying—"
"Eugene, hear me out. After the cede ceremony, I'm sure many nobles will want me to marry their daughters. It will pressure me as the new head of the family. I've considered this; if I get engaged to Timber after becoming the Marquis, those nobles won't be able to scheme to bind our family to them."
Euric sighed. "It may sound selfish, but Eugene..."
He lowered his gaze. "I had no intention of marrying. I just want to stabilize the Marquis house to protect you, Eunice, and Eullian once you're married. With the Shradinza supporting you three, no one will dare look down on you or Eunice or harm you because you'll have a powerful backing."
Euric smiled.
"Of course, this could be a contractual marriage. If Timber falls in love with someone in the future, I'm willing to divorce and give them my blessing."
Eugene pursed his lips.
His brother Euric was always calculating, considering the benefits for both parties. However, the fact that Euric had no plans to marry for the rest of his life saddened Eugene. In the past, his brother had rejected every marriage offer to take care of him and Eullian. Eunice's death had traumatized him, and he had devoted his attention to his two surviving siblings. But in the end, he died too, and Eullian, like their little sister, had also succumbed to despair after Clarence's death. Eugene's brother, Euric, was left alone and eventually died at the hands of Casimin.
It was too great a sacrifice.
"Brother, I don't want you to grow old alone."
Euric chuckled. "How could I grow old alone? There's you, Eullian, Eunice, and my future nephews and niece. I won't be lonely if that's what you're worried about."
Eugene shook his head. "That's not what I mean."
His brother should, at least, have a child, an heir of his own blood.
"The Marquis house will need an heir in the future. Eullian will become a saint and is not allowed to marry, and Eunice's children will belong to her husband's family. There will be no one to inherit the Marquis household if you don't marry and have a child your own."
Euric didn't show any expression, because Eugene was right.
"I don't know; let's see what the future holds. Besides, Timber needs help; he's like a little brother to me. I can't just leave him alone and suffer in the Rozans family."
Eugene sighed. "Give it three days. If you don't change your mind, then I'll accept the offer."
He knew his brother well enough to be sure there wouldn't be any issues, as Euric was different from others. He was incapable of falling in love, probably due to the family's circumstances. Euric didn't want to be like their father or marry someone like their mother. Instead, he chose to stand beside his siblings as a father figure, looking after them.
Eugene clenched his jaw.
His brother deserved to be happy. He wanted to reconcile matters quickly so they could live their lives.He didn't care if it meant another sacrifice, as he had already accepted the inevitability of death. Even as a god, there was no immortality, as gods could erase each other's existence.
He knew that if one day he left Artha and ascended, he would have to face the gods who had judged and accused him of a crime he wasn't aware of—a matter of life and death. The thought of leaving Artha made Eugene's heart tingle, especially when Kaizer's figure flashed in his mind.
He is unable to commit because he knows that eventually, he will leave again.
Struggling to let go of everything he worked hard to change, he couldn't accept that fate had subjected him to suffering simply due to his birth origin.
Why is it so unjust?
According to Kiara, Kaizer is the favored child of the heavens. Does that mean Kaizer is destined to fall in love with Chantall? What about him? What role does he play in this?
Eugene clenched his fists and took a deep breath, his eyes turning red.
Euric sensed that his younger brother was feeling down, so he attempted to console him.
In the afternoon, a carriage from the grand dukedom arrived to fetch Eugene. He instructed his brother to inform Casimin that there's no need to find a cure, as he would lift the spell after three days, once he received his brother's final answer.
Seated in the carriage, Eugene remained lost in thought.
Matrimony.
What if he didn't get engaged to Kaizer and married Timber instead?
But Timber might not want to marry him because they had been friends. Timber had mentioned that he only saw him as a friend, nothing more. What about his brother? If it were his brother, would Timber agree? Would Timber choose his brother over him?
He hoped so, as part of him was screaming that he did not deserve Timber.
That Timber should not remain by his side.
He killed Timber, not once but thrice, and the guilt was too heavy to let go.
Kaizer had been eagerly awaiting Eugene's arrival, so when Eugene stepped inside the castle, Kaizer immediately hugged him and asked, "I missed you. Has someone wronged you outside?"
Eugene's eyelashes trembled, and he hugged Kaizer back.
"No, who would dare to offend me?"
Kaizer chuckled, "Exactly, a dualist and future grand duchess like you; anyone who touches you would be offending me."
Eugene leaned on Kaizer and hummed.
"I'm tired."
Concerned, Kaizer frowned and tightened his grip on Eugene's waist.
"What happened?"
Eugene sighed, "Let's talk. Tell me what you know about geas." He needed to find a way to lift the spell so that Timber could wake up and discuss a plan to keep him away from the Rozans household, far from Klius's reach.
"Geas? Are you referring to the Code of Geas?"
Confused, Eugene raised his head and looked at Kaizer: "Code of Geas?"
Kaizer carried Eugene to the living room, instructing the servants to bring some tea and pastries, as he feared Eugene might be hungry after the long travels.
"Yes, geas is a spell that has different levels."
Eugene had no knowledge of Geas' spell, as he had never known anyone capable of using that spell, especially since necromancers no longer existed. Moreover, in his past life, Klius had concealed his power cleverly, and he had no idea that the Rozans could use dark magic until this lifetime when Klius became restless and cast a spell in an attempt to control Timber.
"Geas is a fifth-level dark magic, and it's quite complex."
Kaizer raised his hand, and a dark purple magic circle materialized.
Eugene stared intently at Kaizer's hand, asking, "Can you tell me how to lift the spell?"
"Yes, but it depends on the specific type of geas spell used."
Kaizer dispelled the spell, "The Code of Geas has five levels. The first level is the 'finger of death,' where the caster can send negative energy coursing through a target they can see within range, causing it searing pain. The second level is connected to the first and is called 'Marionette.' It allows the caster to raise a humanoid killed by the first spell as a zombie permanently under their command, obeying verbal orders to the best of its ability."
Eugene's expression turned solemn; this explained why dark magic was so feared and eradicated.
"The third level, 'gentle response,' involves the caster touching a corpse or remains to protect it from decay and becoming undead. The fourth level, 'soul cage,' allows the caster to keep the target's soul, causing the target to fall into a deep slumber and awaken only by the caster's command, remaining under their control."
Eugene realized that Timber's condition matched the fourth level.
"The fifth level, 'rise of the dead,' enables the caster to control the dead and summon them from their graves, creating an army. It's a spell that can bring chaos to humanity."
Kaizer pursed his lips.
"Eugene, why do you ask about this?"
Eugene's face remained expressionless but showed a hint of helplessness.
"Casimin discovered that Timber is under a geas spell. Based on what you've said, I believe Klius used a level four spell. I managed to inject mana to preserve Timber's body while he remains in a deep slumber. I asked you to save time for research, so tell me, Kaizer..."
Eugene gazed deeply into Kaizer's eyes.
"Tell me how I can save Timber."
Kaizer's eyes darkened. Why did Eugene only show genuine emotion when it concerned Timber? How important was Timber to Eugene, compared to him, who had been by Eugene's side for thousands of years? When would Eugene start valuing him as much?
With his jaw clenched, Kaizer tightened his grip and hugged Eugene, concealing his red eyes.
"I'll tell you, but I have a condition."
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