Chapter 10: The Lost graven
Arin is just sitting on the ground with a confused look. Atahsaia, Jean and Kaelor are on their knees in front of him, lowering their heads. They are apologising about something but Arin didn't understand a single thing.
"What are you all apologising about?" Arin asked in frustration. "Can you just explain this situation?"
Atahsaia looks towards Arin. "Do you know about your father?"
"Ahh, I know many things about him. Like he was the man and had two eyes, one nose and maybe a big mouth like yours, still not able to explain a thing." Arin sarcastically reply to Atahsaia.
"You are talking like that, it means Selene never told you about him." Atahsaia smile and stand up.
Jean and Kaelor also stand up. Then Atahsaia asked Arin to follow him.
Atahsaia is now standing in front of the meeting room. He ordered his soldiers to open the door.
When they entered Arin saw a massive round table surrounded by eight chairs. A massive mana stone hanging above the kingdom map model, which is placed on that massive table. This mana stone is lighting the model and whole room.
Atahsaia pointed his finger towards a chair. "Arin, can you see that chair?"
Arin put his right hand on his head then narrowed his eyes. "Yup, I can see that chair."
Atahsaia lowered his eyes then took a gasp. "Your late father used to sit in that chair."
Arin's expression changed to serious. "Even if you are the King, you also don't have any right to make fun of my father. My father was just a poor person, who died working day and night in the slum."
Atahsaia turns towards Arin and looks into his eyes. "I am not telling the lie, Arin. Your father was not just a poor civilian but a duke of a northern noble city." Atahsaia took a gasp. "He used to be the most powerful person in the whole kingdom."
Arin's mind is now gone blank, his eyes and other senses are wide open to understand as much information as he is hearing. Since his childhood his mother never mentioned anything. Arin's heart is now beating too fast. He pressed his chest with full force. Arin looks at every one's face and he only sees a genuine smile on their faces.
Arin fell down on his knees. His breathing became more heavy with each breath his vision was going blur. Before he fell unconscious he saw Atahsaia was holding him in his arms.
Arin wakes up in a massive room. He feels very comfortable while laying down. This is the first time he feels the softness of a premium bed. He touches his hand to feel more softness of bed. But a distant but worried voice breaks his peace time.
"Are you a good boy?" Atahsaia said. Jean, Kaelor and ten imperial healers standing beside both sides of his bed.
Arin looked at everyone. They are wearing premium outfits. This is the first time Arin saw these types of clothes in his entire life. Because in Veylor premium goods are not allowed for normal civilians.
Atahsaia again called for him. "Boy, are you still feeling unwell?"
"No, no no. I am fine." He is still glaring at the whole room. "I… am more than fine."
"It's good." Atahsaia ordered all healers to leave the room. "You have to be fine, Arin. Because you have more responsibility to deal with."
"What responsibility?" Arin asked.
Jean moves forward. "The truth of your father's death."
"I am ready to hear." Arin's all thoughts are now focused on a single thing, what's the truth.
Atahsaia starts explaining to him. "He was the most powerful person. And untouchable even if hundreds of soldiers attack him simultaneously."
"Then how a most powerful person died." Arin asked him. Arin is still sitting on bed half covered by white blanket.
"He was not dead but a murdered."
"Murder." Arin got confused, is this even possible to kill a person who possess this level of power.
"Yes, the General of Glorissa kingdom killed him." Atahsaia said.
"What Glorissa kingdom, other kingdoms also exist." Arin finally starts learning about this world. "And how did he killed him."
"when we forged an alliance to kill an evolved monster. Both kingdoms decided to send their best battalion to eliminate that monster. And the northern city is the closest one. So, Eren decided to go on that raid. Then—" Atahsaia stopped for a time.
"And then what. Tell me." Arin got impatient.
Atahsaia took a deep breath "Only a wounded soldier returns with the heads of all soldiers and… Of Eren."
A tear fall down from Arin's eye. He stayed silent for a time being. "What you did in return."
Atahsaia remained silent. Jean takes initiative. "We are still finding the location of their kingdom. Our…"
Atahsaia broke his silence. "I promise you Arin. When I find them. I will make their life hell. I promise, I'll take Eren's revenge."
Arin start laughing, all three got confused. They are thinking, Is he break down because of too much sadness?
But no. Arin stop laughing then look directly in Atahsaia's eye.
"Revenge weakens us, my king. When we give ourselves to it, we are consumed, losing the very core of who we are. And when vengeance is finally ours, we awaken only to see that what we have lost far outweighs what we have gained." Arin takes a gasp. "I don't want to take revenge or any answer. I have a goal. I just want to fulfill it."
"You really are his son." Atahsaia said. "Now let's go, a person is waiting to meet you."
"I will meet that person but first, I want my clothes back. It's really creepy that three men are looking at my naked body." All of them are laughing.
Atahsaia clap, and a maid enter in the room with clothes in her hands. "When you get dressed, she will bring you to my room."
All of them leave the room.
"(what does he mean, wear clothes and come to my room. Is he that type of men)"
"Master, you should get dressed up now." Maid said.
"I'll do it, you can leave now."
Maid bow infront of him then leave the room. Arin stood up from bed and wore that dress. Arin stood before the full size mirror, the dim light glinting off the silver chains that draped across his chest. The black coat hugged his frame with a soldier's precision, its sharp lines giving his reflection an almost inhuman sharpness. Across his torso, the crimson sash slashed like a wound, vivid and alive, fastened with clasps that caught the light like drops of blood.
His eyes traced the details—the high collar that rose to his jaw, closed with a silver cross at his throat, the shoulder draped with a long half-cloak that fell in heavy folds of black, its inner lining a dangerous red that flickered with each subtle movement. It looked less like clothing and more like a banner of power he carried upon himself.
Chains and pendants dangled at his waist, their symbols hinting at oaths unspoken, while tall black boots tightened around his legs, built for both authority and war. The reflection staring back at him seemed not entirely his own—too regal, too commanding, as though the uniform had reshaped him into something greater.
For a long moment, Arin simply studied himself. The boy he had been was gone. In the mirror stood someone else—sharper, heavier with meaning, cloaked in both elegance and menace.
Arin called that maid again. When she entered her eyes were low. Arin told her to show him direction. Maid just bowed and asked him to follow her. She then looks towards Arin and she falls in love with his beauty. She just froze there and lost in thought that if she just marry him, her cheeks become red.
Arin snapped just an inch away from her. "Hey, are you there?"
She returns to reality and apologizes for her rude behaviour. After that both of them approach the King's room. Arin saw many things in the way like a massive garden, training ground of soldiers and magicians. Arin finally reached the King's room. Before she knock the door she told him to bow in front of the king.
The maid simply knocks on the door and asks permission to enter. A voice allowed them to enter. That maid opens the door, Arin simply enters and behind him she slowly closes the door.
Arin saw two big sofa sets facing each other in the middle of the room. Three people are sitting on them— a young lady about his age, filled with curiosity in eyes, and a woman whose face has already lost its expression and lastly the King himself.
Arin bowed and put one hand on his chest. Same as that maid told him to do.
"My king, accept my gratitude."
To be continued…
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Blood Debt System
Debtor: Arin graven Age: 20 years
Lifespan: 150 years Traits: 3
Corruption: 14% Title: Life Ledger
Debt: 1,000,000,000
First installment: 9,700
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Strength: 25 Agility: 19
Mana: 13
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Passive: Blood manipulation (level 2)
Skills: Shadow step (level 2)
Swordsmanship (level 2)
Blood Ledger
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