72 Rise and Shine (1/2)
As they belonged to the small circle aware of Klaus' true identity, the four elders didn't find his words surprising. Even the facts that he awoke before Niklas and could bypass the wards they'd set up, didn't grab their attention. What truly startled them was that Klaus…didn't have an aura.
”In complete harmony with nature. Exarch-level Dra Control,” one elder remarked. When human magi reached Exarch-level Dra Control, their aura merged with the world's, making their presence nigh-impossible to detect unless they wished to show off. But as they stared at Klaus' golden beam, the elders realized their oversight.
”No, not just Dra Control. He is a true Exarch. How can an incomplete soul grow so fast?” They asked one another, baffled by Klaus' growth speed. Desperate to save him from an eternal loop of pain, Niklas split Klaus' soul into four parts, a main part with one-third the original soul, and three lesser parts that made up the rest.
Klaus' current soul only contained the main, meaning that—at best—he could unlock 16 Dra Roots. And although that number sufficed to reach Arcadia's summit, it couldn't explain the cursed prince's progression speed.
A High Emissary at 14, an Archon at 20, and an Exarch at 42. In Arcadia's history, few could compare. And remembering that this was merely the result of one-third of Klaus's true potential, those elders couldn't restrain their sighs. If not for the eldars' Karmic Hex, wouldn't he now stand at the pinnacle of the arcane world—destined to surpass even Adramelech?
But as the elders lamented the fallen crown prince's fate, Niklas' eyelids trembled. The scene of his utter defeat at Jezebel's hands replayed in his mind, and his eyes opened wide—bloodshot from his seething rage. But in that instant, Klaus leaned over, greeting Niklas with a lopsided grin.
”Old man, rise and shine,” Klaus declared with grand theatrical gestures he'd only show before Niklas.
”When will you give up this habit of spouting rubbish?” Once Klaus' face appeared in Niklas' eyes, his rage vanished, and though he rebuked Klaus in words, the gentle tone betrayed him.
”Old habits die hard. Enjoyed your rest?”
”What rest? Marcel activated Number One to let me keep an eye on the situation. How about you?”
”Wilfried regularly fed critical intel to my brain. I just processed it all. By the way, if you keep calling grandfather by his name, I might start calling you Niklas.”
”Dare, and I'll smack you back into your coma,” the father and son pair dove into a rapid exchange. As for the Number One in Niklas' words, he was none other than the eldest prince. The three imperial princes, Ayden and his two elder brothers—were nothing but Niklas' clones—created to store Klaus' soul parts.
Niklas only had one child: Klaus. The eldars' Karmic Hex guaranteed that in each generation, Niklas' line could only produce one offspring. Back then, the reckless use of Soul Division, a taxing branch of Dark Magic, weakened Niklas to near-death. But believing that leaving the three clones wholly independent would create trouble, he swallowed his pride, and had Marcel bind them to his soul.
Whenever Niklas' true body suffered mishaps, Marcel could swap his soul to one of the three princes. He could also turn them into puppets bound to Niklas' will. And while having to rely on Marcel for such a vital task brought the emperor no end of grief, he had no other choice. The Arcadian Empire didn't have a better Soul Puppeteer than Marcel. Niklas might not fear him in pure strength, but even he could only bow before Marcel's mastery of souls.
”Hum, hum. Your Majesty, please forgive our interruption, but as we speak, the rebels split their forces into three. The main force, an army of two million backed by 3,623 fighters all equipped with plasma weapons, garrisoned in Koln, and prepares an attack on Tenburen before advancing on the Imperial City. Rupert and Erland lead them.
The second numbers 1.2 million, backed by 2,341 fighters, and aims for Erlom. Three Grand Dukes lead them. The last totals 800,000, and targets Orloth. The former Grand Master of the Blood Rose commands that batch.” The most senior of the elders broke the pair's exchange.
Only now did Niklas pay the four attention. As members of the elder council, all four were Exarchs and pillars of the house. In any other circumstance, Niklas would have given them his full attention. But in this one, their sight annoyed him.
”Bitches that don't know when to shut it,” Niklas wanted to say but restrained himself.
”Any nuclear weapon?” Klaus asked.
”The armies on imperial territory aren't using any. But the forces heading toward Orloth are packing many.”
”At least they haven't lost that bit of common sense,” Klaus noted. Using nuclear weapons against the von Skolls was no different from asking for a beating. Although Rupert had clearly lost his mind, those backing him hadn't.
”I told you that you should have killed him. Now you must slaughter 800,000.” Niklas shook his head. After Klaus crushed the former Grand Master of the Blood Rose before the eyes of Arcadia's elite, the man sank into a concerning mixture of depression and hatred. Niklas initially planned to have him murdered, but Klaus' will stopped him.