Three days after he woke up, Faust could already walk with just a little discomfort. Nothing was broken in his body. Most of the damage was from burns. The Overlord’s last shockwave was so powerful, it heated the air around it with such violent motion, resulting in minor burns all over his fledgling body.
Even a fledgling with a perfected core could tank such heat, but his rank was way too low to endure it. Though that wasn’t all. The shockwaves his ability absorbed and erased used his own flesh as a medium. Faust guessed that’s why his armor was shattered, and the hot air affected him more than it should.
Jonos said the beast used almost all its strength to unleash that last shockwave; it was a suicide attack. The Overlord wasn’t planning to survive that. It was also a continuous attack; the shockwave was released in several waves for a whole second or two.
That continuous absorption and erasure seemed to have damaged Faust the most. All powers had limits; his was no exception.
But all joy of his fast recovery and lesson-free days left him when, on the fourth day, the Duke told him that he was to leave for the capital, Keldros.
And so four days later, his luggage was packed and ready. Faust stood in the large hall of Dawnfire Castle surrounded by his family.
Faust felt cold in his stomach despite wearing several layers of clothing atop his bandaged body.
’Damn it! Why do I feel like this? Didn’t I already decide to follow through with this?’
"Well," Faust looked at his older sister, "don’t make weird things while I am gone, okay?"
Zisel gritted her teeth, her eyes shaking a little.
He smiled, "Understand what the world needs and create something that will change the lives of thousands. I’m sure you will receive the invitation to the tower."
Before she could reply, Faust stepped aside, facing his older brother.
"You already know more about noble society than I do." Faust smiled wistfully. "But whatever they ask of you, remember that there is more to life than just becoming a good lord."
Augustine inhaled deeply, then forcefully pulled him into a tight hug. "Whatever they may say, I know who you are. I know what you did. You will always have a brother; never forget that."
Faust felt weird as his vision blurred. He wiped them off with the edge of his gambeson before the droplets threatened to fall and let others see his weakness.
Faust fell back, still smiling at his three family members. Koren placed a hand on his shoulder. He did not look at her; at least she was staying with him. It was easy to act like he was fine. Perhaps because deep down Faust knew he would mess this up sooner or later.
A happy, loving family? Magic and dragons can be real, but that cannot. Not for him at least.
Just at that moment, the Duke arrived with Jonos and Albert on his side. Faust had no idea why the Duke was doing this. What was so dangerous about him that he was willingly handing him to the King? The Duke and the King barely even talked since the bloody race to the Crystalpeaks.
Their eyes met. The Duke was surprised by the lack of defiance, disappointment, or anger on his face. Faust simply gave the man a respectful bow and glanced outside the open gates.
’At least I won’t have to bother being nice in the capital.’
Suddenly, the Duke and his men stopped abruptly. Faust was surprised to see Zisel standing before her father when he turned his head. Her eyes were bloodshot and intense. Jonos, the best knight in Cindros, took a step back under her gaze.
"Step aside, child." The Duke spoke in his calm voice, "These are matters of grown-ups. I do not expect you to understand."
"No," Zisel said, her body shaking, "I do not understand. But I don’t need to. Fuck your reasons, father. No one takes away my baby brother, not even you."
Suddenly, a strange ripple of energy spread through the hall, and Zisel’s eyes changed colors from bright blue to deep purple. Several gasps echoed in the hall as a strange, glowing, dark pink diamond-shaped tattoo appeared on Zisel’s forehead, the corners of which stretched into a long line, disappearing in her red hair.
Like a crown that came from within her flesh.
Standing behind the Duke and his men, Faust saw clearly what had happened, but his brother and mother had no idea what had just happened.
Augustine and Helena stepped forward together, their heads held high before the Duke.
"Father, I have never disobeyed you, no matter how much I wished to disagree, because duty compelled me to." Augustine said, "But today, honor demands that I stand with my sister. If I can’t protect even my own brother, what worth do I have as your heir?"
Helena inhaled deeply. "I know, dear, that you have some reason for taking this step, and it pains you too. And I apologize for going against my vows for the first time in two decades. But I am not strong enough to let him go. He is my responsibility. I must protect him even if the whole world stands against me."
The Duke stared at the faces of his children and wife. His gaze lingered on Helena longer than the others.
What were those expressions on his face that appeared for a moment? Regret? Apologetic?
They were gone before Faust could be sure he had even seen them. Replaced by reluctant resolve.
"Is this what you wish, boy? Do you wish to stay no matter what?" The Duke looked straight at Faust.
"Yes," He spoke without even realizing it, but then added, "But if by staying I am putting my siblings, Helena, you, or the entirety of Cindros at risk of even the smallest of harm... I will gladly board that carriage and never look back."
Jonos and Albert could not help but smile, pride swelling in their chests.
The Duke of Cindros sighed, aging decades in a second, then his features hardened and his gaze returned to Faust.
"Then swear it. Swear before the gods and men you shall never become a lord of any place, no matter how small or big. You shall never disobey the lords of Cindros, ever, no matter the situation. And... you shall never, in any circumstances, father a child."