Myths Reawakened

Wayne would love to cripple Auston and take over as the head of the Lando family, living in Auston’s house and using Auston’s money while sleeping with Auston’s daughter and beating up Auston’s grandson. Once Auston was near his death, he would even personally turn off the life support!

Wouldn’t that be nice?

Upon second thought, though, he realized that the plan wasn’t viable. If he were going to tell his master, he would have to reveal the fact that he was the Death Knight. Compared to her student being the Death Knight, the immoral relationship between her husband and butler would be nothing.

Wayne cursed in his head. He had the evidence, but couldn’t do anything to the old man. Fuming, he scoffed, “You’re here to discuss with me how the demons should be disposed of on Windsor’s behalf, yet you brought your lover and couldn’t keep your hands off her. What, are you mocking me for being a skeleton?”

He’s hostile! Is it a coincidence?

Auston frowned slightly, smiling rather than answering the question. “Sir Knight, a few days ago, a demon from hell descended to the human world and challenged your authority in the Great Cemetery, dying at your blade at the end.”

“You’re well-informed.”

“To tell you the truth, the Ministry of Magic has a special source of information that sees every little thing in Londan,” Auston said humbly. “Nothing, no matter how trivial, can escape Her Majesty’s notice.”

Is that special source of information a handsome boy with a sunny disposition?

Wayne rolled his figurative eyes. He was only giving a disingenuous compliment, yet Auston ran away with it.

“Sir Knight, you must know that there is more than one demon. Others remain in the dark, similarly targeting you. After learning of the situation, Her Majesty expressed her deepest concern for you.”

“Why would your queen care?” Wayne huffed, his tone icy. “Cut the crap. For some reason, the mere sight of you gets on my nerves, and I feel like bursting out of this skeleton. I want nothing but to draw the sword and cut you to pieces.”

Auston and Megan fell silent.

Frowning, Auston tried to figure out the source of the Death Knight’s unreasonable hostility, tightening his arm around the slim waist beside him. He pulled so hard that Megan was practically plastered against his torso, her chest squashed.

Wayne couldn’t be more envious—no, furious. Lamenting the family tragedy, he barely suppressed the urge to draw his sword and commit patricide.

“Sir Knight, the demons have come for you. They’re only lying low to make a decisive move against you. You’re in great danger...”

“I don’t need you to tell me that. Two demons are nothing to me.”

“No, you don’t know what the demons have gained the past two days...” Auston spoke quickly. “They found the vessels for the Seven Demon Lords in Londan. Once they open the gate of hell, the divine power of the Seven Demon Lords will descend to the human world...”

“The demons also gained the power of the Astral Plane. It’s a terrifying legion that cannot be killed or erased, with no rationality or fear of death... You may be unrivaled in power, but facing these many powerful enemies, what are you going to do?”

“Sir Knight, your enemy is the Life Alliance, is it not?”

“You’re making a lot of sense. I’ll suffer losses if I don’t work with you, but...” Wayne laughed darkly. “I’m curious why there are the vessels of the Seven Demon Lords, and from where the demons gained the power of the Astral Plane. Care to explain?”

The Death Knight might not have a brain in his skull, but he wasn’t brainless. He could see the truth behind the pretense.

Auston calmly responded, “Knowing that they cannot defeat someone as powerful as you are, the demons stole the strategic assets across Londan, which led to serious losses to the royal family...”

“So, according to you, I am at fault,” Wayne interrupted. “Conversely, the demons should’ve been easy to deal with, but they became bigger trouble because of your lack of care. Am I right?”

“Sir Knight, we’re both victims here, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. The priority should be wiping out the demons.”

“Is this silver tongue of yours the goodwill of your queen?” Wayne sneered. “Not bad. You are quite a smooth talker, but you’ve been saying nothing but empty words. Be practical. I know the queen is at her wits’ end. What is she willing to give to protect the crown on her head?”

Finally, we’re getting to the point!

Auston smothered a sigh, holding onto Megan tightly. “Her Majesty looks forward to working with you, Sir Knight, and she hopes to establish a long-term alliance. What do you think about faith as a condition? The faith of Death has been suppressed by the Life Alliance in Windsor, and Her Majesty believes it is time to change that.”

“That’s too impractical. I’m not interested.” Wayne shot Auston down without hesitation. He had latched onto the Goddess of Death’s thigh to take advantage of Her; he never planned to work for Her.

“What do you want, Sir Knight?”

Finally, the point!

Wayne cheered in his head. He wanted many things, and he would like to ask for everything this time. However, he knew very well that while the Queen would offer faith since it was free, if she was to give away treasures with real value, she would’ve tampered with them beforehand.

That would only increase the risk of him exposing himself. It was better to reject the offer.

Wayne pondered for a long time before stating his condition: “Since your queen is being so genuine, I’ll take a step back and offer my goodwill, too. Satisfy my two conditions, and I’ll agree to consider the enemy of my enemy as a friend. Take it or leave it.”

“Please go on.”

“First.” Wayne looked at the silver coin in Auston’s hand. “I’m interested in the coin you’re holding. It’ll be mine.”

Auston’s pupils contracted. He wondered if the Death Knight had found out.

Noticing the tension in his body, Megan moved closer to him, her hand moving soothingly on his back to relax his nerves.

Bah, shameless! I only do this with the light off!

Wayne was furious—no, envious. He spoke in a frosty tone, “What? It’s only a coin. Is that the extent of your queen’s goodwill?”

“You may not know, Sir Knight, but the silver coin represents my status in the Ministry of Magic. Many of the higher-ranking members each possess one. It’s a token to prove my identity.”

“So? I like the one you’re holding. I’m not asking for anyone else’s,” Wayne said flippantly. “Give me the coin, and I’ll work with your queen. If you won’t give it to me, get out of here and don’t disturb my slumber. The moon is too nice not to have a good sleep under it.”

Auston took a deep breath. “Alright. I’ll give you the coin.”

It was Obed’s, so if it was gone, he could just report to the Queen and ask for another. It was the royal family’s asset and didn’t matter to him.

“My second request: turn around and let me kick you.”

“???”

Both Auston and Megan were flabbergasted by the absurd request. They hadn’t expected it.

“Are you being serious, Sir Knight?”

“What, is your bottom too precious to be kicked?” Wayne laughed. “Right. It’s not your bottom, but your queen’s face I’ll be kicking. Let me guess. There’s something between you and your queen. You’re her lover, aren’t you?”

Again, silence.

What? Why aren’t you talking? Auston, say it isn’t so!

Wayne was beyond shocked. If his head weren’t a bare skull right now, it would’ve contorted with envy. He had thought that Megan was the only one, but the bastard also had an affair with the Queen? Which was his? Prince Edward or Princess Elizabeth?

It has to be the princess. It has to be!

No wonder Auston didn’t want him to mess around with the Princess; she was Veronica’s older sister.

“Sir Knight, please don’t jest about the sovereign before me,” Auston said seriously. “She is an elegant and pure-hearted lady.”

“Yeah, pure-hearted. She has only made a deal with the demons in hell.” Wayne made all the comments he hadn’t been able to make, taking two steps forward. “Turn around and let me kick you. If you can’t do it, get the hell out. I’d like to get back to sleep.”

Megan’s hand balled up behind Auston’s back, while Auston said after a brief silent pause, “Sir Knight, you seem to hold a grudge against me.”

“Sure. For some reason, your face makes me feel an instinctual disgust.” Wayne considered it for a moment. “Anyway, my instinct as a knight tells me that if I don’t kick you now, I won’t be able to sleep at night.”

Auston narrowed his eyes, considering the implications. Megan angled her head to give him a pointed look, questioning if he was going to say yes. The demand for the coin and the unexplained hostility led to a clear answer, only the Death Knight hadn’t spelled it out.

No rush. Let’s give it another test!

Auston patted Megan’s behind. Once she took two steps back, he turned around without hesitation.

“Sir Knight, as you demand, I’ll show you Her Majesty’s goodwill!”