Supreme Magus

Chapter 1784 - The Day Of Fate (Part 4)

”Are you alright, darling?” Zoreth asked, noticing that the Raijuʼs eyes were fully dilated and her gaze fixated on something that only she could see.

”Itʼs impossible.” Bytra mumbled over and over, incapable of taking her eyes off Solus.

Her face was pale white and even though she could withstand the fires of her Forge without any protection, the fourth Ruler of the Flames was sweating bullets. The veins on her neck bulged and her head throbbed at the sight of the revenant Elphyn Menadion.

Solus was no longer a mere figure of golden energy. Her looks, her voice, her bearing were all drilling through the meditation techniques that Bytra practiced to keep the fits of blood madness at bay.

Most of all, it was Solusʼ hair that stirred the Raijuʼs memories. The silver and orange streaks sparkled under the magical lights, conjuring echoes of Menadionʼs voice in her head and with it Bytraʼs sense of guilt.

”My Epphy is blessed by the light. I donʼt care how many elements sheʼs attuned with, Iʼm certain that she will surpass me as Forgemaster.” The First Ruler of the Flames used those words to introduce her daughter to her apprentices.

Bytra would never forget that hair and all the time she had spent staring at Elphynʼs back in envy while the young woman crafted one power core after the other, effortlessly absorbing Menadionʼs most complex techniques like a sponge with droplets of water.

ʼSnap out of it!ʼ Zorethʼs voice boomed in her head via a mind link that she had created from a Forgemastering wand.

ʼThank the gods you are here. Please, keep my mind busy.ʼ Bytra clenched Zorethʼs hand to find strength in her touch.

ʼWhatʼs wrong?ʼ She asked.

ʼI know that this is going to sound crazy, but that girl over there is Elphyn Menadion, the first person that Bytra- I mean, that I killed before slaughtering Riphaʼs apprentices and attempting on her life to seize Menadionʼs tower.ʼ Bytra replied.

Meanwhile, at the end of the carpet, the rest of the room was unaware of her distress and quickly moved their focus to Lith embracing Princess Peonia.

”Thanks for defending me in the Royal Court. I really appreciated that.” Lith had learned of his own trial only after its end.

It made him realize the importance of political allies and brought his hate for Orpal to new heights. It was because of him that Mirim had died. Without her, Lith had only Jirni looking out for him.

He was thankful to Peonia for saving his family from even more suffering and held her with a tenderness that went beyond what selling their act to the audience required.

”You are welcome.” The Princess said with a dry throat.

Looking at him from a distance was one thing, feeling his body pressing against hers and smelling his scent was another. She tried and failed to keep her hands from caressing his back.

”Do you have plans for after the banquet? There are many things we could discuss.”

”Donʼt tell me that Morn fucker is at it again.” Lith found her acting to be a little too enthusiastic and gently broke the embrace.

”No, everythingʼs fine in the Court. Thereʼs nothing for you to worry about.” Peonia felt her face flush as the blood rushed back to her head and realized what she had said and done.

”Then if you donʼt mind, Iʼd rather go back home. Iʼm in the middle of a huge magical breakthrough and I need to upgrade my equipment if I want to be prepared for the incoming war or any task of your choosing.” Lith replied.

ʼAny task?ʼ The Princess thought as her mind went wild again.

”Excellent idea.” She actually said.

”Thanks for the supply of Orichalcum. If thereʼs anything I can do for you, donʼt hesitate to contact me.”

”I will. Now, if you excuse me, I need to freshen up.” As Peonia walked toward the nearest bathroom, the nobles whispered in their communication amulets what would have soon become the gossip of the week.

ʼThatʼs impossible, Bytra. Elphyn Menadion is dead. You showed me your memories and thereʼs no way that a human can survive with a punctured heart.ʼ Zoreth didnʼt care for gossip, only for her girlfriendʼs mental health. ʼEven if she did, she would be way older.ʼ

ʼWe know that girl from Lithʼs house. Sheʼs simply a shapeshifted Emperor Beast. Think about it. Were she really Elphyn, why did she introduce herself as Solus and why didnʼt she recognize you?ʼ

ʼI have no idea how this is possible, I only know that Iʼm right. Even her smell is the same as Elphynʼs. This cannot be just a coincidence.ʼ Bytra said as the red waves of blood madness crashed against her sanity.

ʼLetʼs say that you are right, why do you feel so bad? If thatʼs Elphyn, thatʼs one murder that the original Bytra failed to commit and that shouldnʼt burden your conscience.ʼ The Shadow Dragon said.

ʼAre you kidding me? Iʼm the reason her mother is dead. Iʼm the one who slaughtered everyone she knew out of envy for Menadion. I killed her family and stole her legacy. I have to give the Fury back to her!ʼ

Bytra started to cry, but Zoreth hid her distress by burying the Raijuʼs face in her chest in a seemingly tender embrace between lovers.

ʼThatʼs pure madness! What would you achieve by doing that? If you are right, weʼd make a mortal enemy. If you are wrong, weʼd expose your real identity. Either way, weʼd ruin Dadʼs wedding!ʼ Zoreth said.

ʼDad!ʼ The thought of spoiling Vastorʼs happiness and staining the ceremony with blood made her feel like a child throwing a tantrum. ʼYou are right. This will have to wait.ʼ

Bytra slowly regained her cool, yet keeping the raging river of her memories at bay took every ounce of willpower she had. Zoreth never let go of her hand, using the mind link to project images of the good memories they shared together.

”Politicians really are first class liars.” Lith said after taking his seat between Kamila and Solus. ”Peonia is an amazing actress. If I didnʼt know of our deal, I would have fallen for her act.”

”So would I.” Solus nodded. ”What did you two talk about?”

”I just thanked her for her support and the Orichalcum.” Lith shrugged.

Kamila feigned indifference, but she listened to every word and felt reassured by the lack of his perverted face. If there was anything between him and the Princess, it was bound to appear after she had touched him that way.

After having Lith back in her home after Manoharʼs death and being so close to him during Zinyaʼs wedding, Kamila was ready to admit to herself how grateful she was to Lith for everything he had done for her sister.

More importantly, she understood how much he meant to her and that even though they didnʼt see each other often, he still had her full trust and she had his. It was that trust that didnʼt make Kamila feel jealous of the Princess despite the rumors or the hug.

She discovered to not be much jealous of Solus either anymore, yet she didnʼt know how to say it.

ʼI donʼt care what Zin and Elina say. Iʼm not going to do anything that might ruin the wedding. She deserves this much after all she went through..ʼ Kamila thought.