Outside of the Undying Caverns

Year 2850 | Month 12 | Day 30

Valent Ararius feels sullied just from standing here in front of the Undying Caverns’ entrance. Because he’s stuck out here unless he wants to get in the line behind the commoners. And there’s no way he would ever do that.

He’s a Class B magician and a noble.

The very thought of standing in line with a bunch of non-magician commoners is a slap in the face to the word ‘noble’ and makes him incredibly disappointed with the ‘prince’ already.

But what was even worse was when the prince in question completely ignored his people who he had try to summon him over to speak before walking straight inside of the caverns.

So he does what feels right to do.

He walks up to a small raised platform that his subordinates created from nearby wood and spreads his arms out to both sides before using a wind spell to amplify his voice as he speaks, “People of my beloved territory! We have all seen just how little the Undying Magician thinks of human lives! Are we going to just stand for this?! Even if he is the prince, he can’t just stomp on us humans like we’re ants! He can’t-” Valent continues speaking for an entire five minutes, trying to rile up the commoners.

To his surprise though, most of them completely ignore his words. He even sees some hints of disgust sent towards him.

Disgust that sends his rage even further down the hole of no return as he decides to change tactics and nods at his direct subordinates. All of whom are Class C magicians.

And without hesitation, the Class C magicians in question raise their hands, making one spell circle appear after another. Then numerous arrows of magic emerge above said spell circles. Ranging all the way from arrows of light and lightning to arrows of darkness and flames.

Nearly a dozen different affinities overall.

“Abandoning the Ararius territory to the enemy and running away like a coward to a neighboring territory is treason, and you will be punished for it,” Valent finally loses his patience. “But don’t worry, for only a few of you will make for good examples.”

Then he gives the signal, making his magicians all send out the arrows flying at the closest civilians. Terrifying all of the non-magicians and angering the magicians.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

But the arrows aren’t given a chance to hit them as they slam into a barrier of black flames instead, leaving every single arrow dissipating in the process.

Valent’s mind blanks for a moment before he, his men, and all of the civilians turn to look at the entrance to the Undying Caverns to find an entire force of soldiers leaving it. Four dozen in all, with a single man leading them.

A man Valent recognizes from the picture he’s seen of the Undying Magician.

The adopted son of the King of the Fallen.

What surprises Valent though is that the vampire doesn’t look angry. He just looks a little bored and irritated.

Almost like what he’s doing right now is just dealing with a pest biting at his ankles and not an actual problem.

He’s even got that strange bird of his on his shoulder.

A bird that is staring at him just as coldly as its master.

And this combination of events pisses Valent off more than anything that’s happened thus far.

“Your Highness,” Valent says in a mocking tone while crossing his arms and looking down at the approaching vampire from his pedestal. “It would appear as if your new refugees are discontent. How are you going to deal with this?”

To his surprise, the Undying Magician doesn’t stop walking. He doesn’t even say a single word.

Not until he makes it right beneath his barrier of flames, dispelling the flames and standing between Valent and the line of people. People who all seem happy about his intervention, clearly gaining him popularity through his saving them.

Valent’s eyebrow twitches and his jaw clenches before he opens his mouth.

But before he can say a word, the Undying Magician speaks.

“I will give you three simple options,” he declares, his voice as cold as ice as it sends a chill down Valent’s spine. “Put down your arms and surrender, allowing us to cuff you with anti-magic cuffs. Leave now and never return to my territory. Or die where you stand.”

The rage in Valent’s heart grows with every word the Undying Magician speaks. And after a few seconds, he raises his hand, making his soldiers all raise their guns to aim at the Undying Magician while more spell circles appear in the air.

All I have to do is kill off the civilians and soldiers behind him before restraining the Undying Magician himself. Then he should back down and let us in.

Valent genuinely can’t believe the lies the man is spewing, because there is no way anyone would kill him. The absolute youngest Class B magician in the kingdom and a newly risen noble after his father’s death.

Not only would it simply antagonize the other nobles right after their treaty, but it would paint a cruel picture to the people he has been rescuing.

And someone who is going out of his way to rescue refugees like this and help them is a bleeding heart who would never damage his public image.

Meaning none of the Undying Magicians words must be true.

“Option three it is,” the Undying Magician declares before he vanishes in a blur, following which Valent feels a powerful pressure on his neck as the man appears again in front of him. With his hand holding Valent’s throat as he lifts the young noble into the air with just a single hand and no magical aid.

Valent’s mind blanks out again from pure shock. Then the shock turns to a brief inability to understand what’s happening, followed by an even briefer period of terror.

All before he hears a loud cracking sound, and everything goes dark.

With the cold and apathetic gaze within the Undying Magician’s eyes never once fluctuating the entire time.