World Domination System - 184 Grief
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184 Grief

The crus.h.i.+ng guilt of facing the families of those who had died affected him to such an extent that breathing was all he could do.

It had always been obvious that such a day would come. As someone who had walked through the ocean of corpses, Daneel knew very well that this was only the tip of the iceberg of the haunting scenes he would have to see.

Among those, it was quite natural that some might be due to his mistakes or unpredictable circ.u.mstances which might result in the death of Lanthanorians.

Thus, he had been mentally preparing himself for the ordeal for a long time.

Yet, when it actually came, he realized that it had been foolish to even think that any preparations could help.

It wasn't about the deaths. Daneel had watched unflinchingly as multiple n.o.bles had been choked to death on his orders.

More than anything, it was the regret that he might have saved them if he had given the order to fall back sooner.

Meanwhile. Luther, Kellor, Faxul and Kellor had already taken their seats on the table.

As men of the military, such an ordeal wasn't new to Kellor, Luther or Robert. Although it made them furious, they could still control their emotions without breaking down like the King of Lanthanor had done.

As for Faxul, his childhood had made it so that his baptism had taken place before anyone else in the room.

Although Robert wished he could help his son, he knew that this was a hurdle that had to be crossed by each person in their own way.

Commanders and rulers had coping mechanisms which served to lessen the guilt acting on them. For Robert, it had been his choice to help newbies and increase their chances to survive on the battlefield and in life.

Similarly, his son had to find something which could distract him from the guilt that would only increase with time.

Hoping that he wouldn't have to seek for the mechanism for a long time, he proceeded to pour the wine onto al the cups placed on the table.

After doing so, the four of them solemnly raised the gla.s.ses in the air with the King still not responding to their actions.

"For Lucas, Ira, Grover, Christopher, Lucio, Marlin, t.i.tus and Dorian. Lanthanor shall never forget your ultimate sacrifice, and we pray that you find peace in the afterlife."

With the traditional prayer to commemorate those who fell in battle, the four downed their gla.s.ses in one gulp feeling the spicy liquid slide down their throats.

As if the names had broken the spell cast on Daneel, the King of Lanthanor stretched out his hand and drank the wine before gesturing for more.

With bloodshot eyes and heavy hearts, the people who were in charge of ruling Lanthanor spent the entire day drinking continuously before collapsing into the beds and falling asleep into a slumber filled with dreams of floating corpses and withering leaves.

...

Meanwhile, in the Withering Leaf Sect which had stayed hidden for centuries in Central Angaria.

The large room in which the escaped prince of Lanthanor had had a meeting with the sect head was currently filled with multiple figures all wearing robes similar to the ones worn by the Vice Sect Master of the Withering Leaf Sect back in Lanthanor.

Seeming to be woven from nature itself, the robes gave the individuals an atmosphere of those at peace with themselves and the world.

"It is time for the Withering."

As these words were said by the Sect Master, the calm expressions of the individuals turned into ones of unbridled rage as their faces turned red from the anger.

Beside the Sect Master, on a seat just one step below the leader of the Sect, the former prince of Lanthanor could be seen sitting with folded legs.

Looking around the room, he fought to control the urge that had been born in him to behave like those he was seeing.

Amidst the snarls of rage, a messenger walked in before respectfully handing a parchment to the Sect Head.

Reading it, he spoke in a voice that was only audible to the Eldest Prince.

"The bait was successful. Lanthanor's spies still hang from the tree southwest of our location, and it was ensured that the King you resent so much is aware of what has happened. The message was also delivered. All that remains to be seen is what kind of response they will give."

Without a word, the Eldest prince got up from his place before bowing to the Sect Head respectfully.

Making his way to the door, he quickly exited the room, afraid that he would also be affected by the atmosphere of violence and cruelty that had come into being since the moment the Sect Head said the word "Withering".

Running to his room, the Eldest prince stripped off his robe before dropping to the ground and grabbing a Ker Gem which was nearby.

Beginning the absorption and finally relaxing, the Eldest Prince took in deep breaths before s.h.i.+fting into a sitting position.

If someone were in the room, they would be shocked to see that at the point above the chest where the heart was located on the body of the Eldest Prince, a face was coming into being whose features could not be seen.

The only thing that could be deciphered was that each time the Eldest Prince absorbed a stream of energy from the Ker Gem, it was as if the face became clearer, as if an invisible artist were using his brush to give life to this face which was not similar to any of the species Daneel had seen so far.