Chapter 297: Better Offer (1/2)
”I've done nothing other than guarantee my own survival, my lady.” Arthur strode forward. ”I hereby command you to use your power to protect me and Gala.”
A wave of power gushed out of Arthur and entered the princess's core despite her strong resistance. The power made sure that if Dia didn't follow his command, the power would burst and destroy her core.
”You've placed a Bloodline Order on me?” Dia's eyes went wide and shook. ”But how, we don't share any bloodline!”
”For that, you can ask your father.” Arthur smiled and turned to the Duke. ”You enslave humans and look down on them, but use their techniques on your daughter. Hypocrisy at its finest, Duke Zenos.”
”Shut that mouth and die, slave!” The Duke roared as his flames burned. He flapped his flaming wings and appeared in front of Arthur and Gala in a heartbeat. The moment before he struck them, Dia appeared between them and raised her hand.
An ice sphere covered Arthur, Gala, and Dia to protect them. The flames of the Duke struck the barrier but there were no signs of it weakening.
”Move aside, Dia!” The Duke roared.
”If I do, I'll die.” Dia gritted her teeth. ”What is he talking about, father? How can he use the Bloodline Order technique on me?”
”That is...” The Duke retracted his flamed fist and looked torn. ”There is no requirement for bloodline in this technique. It can be used...” The Duke seemed to spit the world by force. ”... on any Demi.”
Dia's body shook. Arthur didn't know if her shock came from the fact that her father deceived or that Arthur had fooled her. In either case, she could no longer escape from Arthur's control.
”We've made a deal!” Dia turned to Arthur. ”You never had the intention of helping me!”
”I would have never used the Order, even remove it, if you were to keep your promise.” Arthur shook his head. ”You did not, so I can only resort to such means to protect myself.” Arthur then turned to the Knight of Courage.
”What is the meaning of this, Seika?” The Knight smiled coldly. Even though she didn't explicitly state it, her meaning was obvious.
”I'm offering you a better deal.” Arthur threw away any disguise he had. ”Would you like to obtain the power of the Ice Phoenix?”
”Are you saying you would offer the princess to my King?” The Knight was surprised. However, Arthur shook his head.
”I'll offer my services to Solomon. This is me guaranteeing that I won't be backstabbed, that's all. What's your answer?”
”Knight!” The Duke roared. ”Are you plotting against my kingdom?” His eyes were burning with fire. ”If that's true, then none of you would leave today, even if I have to kill my own daughter!”
The Duke raised his hand and hundreds of Demis appeared on the walls, the roofs, in the garden and there were more outside the mansion. They were in the hundreds.
”This is my Army of Fire!” The Duke threw his hands out. ”If you think you can take them on, I'll happily offer you the Alva kingdom!”
”It's getting hectic,” Arthur turned to the Knight. ”Tell me your answer, Knight of Courage.”
”I shan't do such thing.” The Knight of Courage shook her head, making Arthur's chest tighten. ”For His Majesty would answer you myself.” She raised a crystal in the air and lightning descended from the sky to destroy it.
A heavenly presence descended as a throne appeared in the sky. Sitting on top of the throne was a man that Arthur knew so well, but couldn't even begin to recognize.
Wearing clothes lined with white and gold with a crown on his head was Solomon. His elbow rested on the armchair of the throne with his chin resting on his hand.
Below his robe was a black silk shirt that contrasted Solomon's pale skin. A few strands of hair fell to cover his eyes, but the messiness couldn't hide the majestic aura he exuded.
”You disappoint me, Seika.” Solomon's words were colder than before. ”I gave you respect and power, yet you chose to betray me.”
”Betray you I never did,” Arthur bowed. ”For I never served you to begin with. We had a deal and I'm now offering you a better one.”
”A better one?” Solomon turned to Dia. ”Her?”
”No,” Arthur shook his head. ”My services and power. I can only make a deal if I had other options, which I didn't have previously. Now that I do, I'm sure that your majesty doesn't mind.”