Life Delusion Chapter 3: Chapter III : The Price of Power

Read chapter 3 of Life Delusion by The_lite on NovelPedia.

The journey to the Elven forest felt like a dream. As they emerged from the treeline, a sprawling palace of white stone and gold filigree came into view, shimmering under the sunlight. It surpassed even the grandeur of his father's hall before the exile. Upon their arrival, they were met by George, a young Elf prince. His features were hauntingly reminiscent of Rodius—Aqua's brother—sending a sharp, nostalgic pang through his heart. "Father, who are these people?" George asked, his voice laced with a subtle disdain. "Our guests, George. They saved your sister's life," the King replied firmly. "But Father..." "Do not be insolent," the King snapped. "They are to be treated with the utmost respect." Despite the initial awkwardness, the evening passed with lavish hospitality. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the King offered them quarters for the night. Aqua felt a prickle of hesitation, a strange instinct he couldn't name, but Rose accepted without a moment's thought. Aqua, trusting her judgment, acquiesced. Later that night, George paced the palace courtyard, his jaw tight with suppressed resentment. "Are you angry with your father?" George spun around, his hand flying to the hilt of his blade. A hooded figure stood in the shadows. "Who are you? How did you bypass the guards?" "I am a friend," the figure replied, voice smooth as silk. "I know you covet his throne. It is time for you to take what is rightfully yours." "And what must I do?" George asked, his ambition overcoming his fear. "Your guests are Red Demons. Alert the Dwarves. They are the tribe's sworn enemies. They will arrive to purge the 'threat,' and in the ensuing chaos, you shall be the savior who replaces a king who consorts with monsters." George smiled, a dark, jagged expression. "I don't know who you are, but you are very useful." A few hours later, the silence was shattered. The bedroom door disintegrated in a spray of splinters. Before Aqua could even summon a spark of magic, heavily armored Dwarves swarmed the room. They seized Aqua and Rose, binding them in chains that felt unnervingly cold. They were dragged before the Dwarf commander, who held a torch aloft. He shoved Aqua's hair back, exposing the jagged scar where his horn had been broken. "The brat was right. A Red Demon." "Please," Aqua pleaded, his voice cracking. "It's me you want. Let her go. She has nothing to do with this." The commander let out a guttural, cruel laugh. "Why would I let potential mana stock walk away? Your energy signatures are... promising. You will serve well in the soul-draining pits." "Wait—what are you—?" It happened in a heartbeat. The commander signaled his executioner. The blade flashed—a silver streak in the torchlight. It wasn't a duel; it was a cold, efficient execution. The sound—a sickening thud —echoed through the stone chamber. Rose's body slumped to the floor, her life extinguished before she could even utter a scream. Her head rolled, coming to rest inches from Aqua's boots. Her eyes were still wide, fixed on him in a final, confused expression of shock. Aqua stared. Time seemed to stop. The world narrowed down to the crimson pooling on the floor and the stillness of her body. He screamed, a raw, primal sound of agony, but the chains binding him felt like they were biting into his bone, anchoring him to the spot. He couldn't move. He couldn't reach her. The reality of her death hit him like a physical blow, shattering his composure. "Silence him," the commander barked. "Drag this demon to the dungeon. Keep him restrained until the mana-drainer is ready." Aqua was dragged away, his eyes never leaving Rose's body until the dungeon door slammed shut, sealing him in darkness. In an unknown, ethereal realm, the "Gods" observed the scene with cold detachment. "One day left. Tomorrow, he turns thirteen. We can finally bestow the power." "Is the spell prepared?" "Yes, Master." "Good. This time, we ensure perfection. He is not sentimental; he will not limit his power