Second World

”Cut the crap,” Prince Therribus said. ”We both know what kind of vile person you are under that smile and friendly face. Donʼt think your ploy will work on me, little brother. I will crush all the trickeries you have with my strength. Power is the most important to rule this kingdom. Your petty schemes will only bring ruin to us.”

Rhemos laughed at Therribusʼ antagonistic words, ”Still as haughty as ever, you should learn to work with others more, my big brother. You and your people saw outworlders as nothing but nuisances. Our father knows instead their potentials. You should learn from him if you want to be a capable king.”

”I will do things my own way, donʼt you dare give me a lecture.” Therribusʼ eyes then shifted to the red-haired female who stood beside his brother, and spat, ”hmph! Another one of those outworlders.”

”Donʼt be like that, let me introduce you. This is Red Death from Death…”

”I donʼt give a shit who that outworlder is!” Therribus cut Rhemosʼ words curtly. He then walked away without any further word. Warren trailed behind him. He was timid all the time. After all, they were talking to another prince this time.

When they were out of earshot, Warren said to Prince Therribus, ”Should I arrange someone to disrupt the third princeʼs expedition?”

”No need to concern yourself with them. That greenhorn is never my opponent. It is that devious Rhemos we should be wary of. We donʼt know what he is up to, but he did seem to have involved himself a lot with those outworlders lately. Send someone to find out more about their intention!”

”Yes, sire.”

”Now that the majority of the third princeʼs forces are going out. We can maneuver more easily in the capital. Use this chance to sway those that are still on the fence, and focus our force to reduce the second princeʼs influence. If you see an opening on his supporters, take them out!”

”What about the third princeʼs supporters? With their main force out of the capital, isnʼt this the best time to deal with them?”

”His remaining supporters who stay here are insignificant, they wonʼt affect the big picture. There is also another matter you might not be aware of.”

”what is it, Your Highness?”

”Although the royal advisor doesnʼt show it, he was actually supporting the third prince in secret. If we make a move on the third princeʼs remaining supporters during his absence. He might as well use this chance to go against us. Just focus on the second prince.”

”I will do as you command… About the third prince himself, are we really not doing anything about him?”

Therribus chuckled, his face revealed an ominous expression. ”I have prepared a present for him in that expedition of his. Whether he can survive or not, that will depend on his luck. It doesnʼt matter, even if he comes back safely. By that time, I would have held the majority of influence in the court. Dealing with him will be a piece of cake. You will have your chance to take your revenge on that outworlder when the time comes. Do not let your mind be clouded by revenge. Focus on the task at hand!”

”Your Highness is truly the wisest,” Warren praised with reverence.

Rhemos who watched his brother go was still smiling despite his brotherʼs sharp words.

Jack took this chance to greet Red Death, ”Hey, you. Fancy meeting you here. What are you doing here anyway?”

Red Death turned to him. Why the hell was this guy acting so friendly? Did he forget already that they were enemies?

”None of your business,” Red Death replied sharply.

”All right then, nice meeting you,” Jack said.

”No, itʼs not,” Red Death said back.

”Wait! Friend of Red Death,” prince Rhemos called to Jack before he left.

”He is not my friend,” Red Death clarified.

”I really am not,” Jack agreed.

”Okay then, not-friend of Red Death. I am Rhemos, the second prince of Themisphere, as well as one of the legal contenders to the throne.”

”Good for you,” Jack commented.

”I heard you are going on an expedition with my little brother.”

Alonzo was joining? Jack was taken by surprise by this revelation. The Duke did not mention anything about this.

”I must say, I question the wisdom of your choice,” Rhemos continued. ”Out of the three potential candidates, why did you choose the one that is most unlikely to succeed the throne? How about this. Come over to my side, I will make it worth your while. I am a friend to the outworlders, as you can see on my relationship with your friend here.”

”He is not my friend,” Red Death repeated.

”I really am not,” Jack also restated

”Fine, fine! Now, back to my proposition, what say you?”

”That big brother of yours just now called you a two-faced liar,” Jack said.

”No, he did not,” Rhemos responded.

”I know, I simply summed it up. Itʼs a hassle to repeat all the bad things he said about you.”

Rhemosʼ smile which was all-friendly all this time became slightly crooked.

”You certainly know how to piss people off,” Red Death said to Jack.

”Oh, lady. You clearly have not met Saint John,” Jack uttered.

Rhemos quickly recovered his composure and said, ”are you saying that you are rejecting my kind offer?”

His face was still smiling, his voice was still friendly, and yet, Jack could not help but sense a tinge of threat in his tone.

”I advise you to think through carefully,” he continued. ”Out of the three successors to the throne. One is a weak fledgling, another is an anti-outworlder, only I can provide your kind with a prosperous environment to grow. Even if you do not do it for yourself, do it for your people.”

”Damn! You really know how to persuade,” Jack exclaimed.

”So, you will reconsider my proposal?”

”Uh… Still no, sorry.”

Prince Rhemosʼ eye twitched. He had given this outworlder quite a face, but the guy just kept on making fun of him.

”It will be too late to regret it later, mister…”

”His name is Storm Wind,” Red Death informed.

”Mister Storm Wind. I recommend you rethink your political position in this kingdom. If the tree you rest under falls, you will fall with it. You will have no place to stand within this kingdom. Mark my words, I donʼt give any mercy to my adversaries. Those who stand on my opposition will be considered as rebels once I sit on the throne, and they will be hunted down by the full force of the kingdom.”

”You talked differently from your brother, but he gave me the exact same threat just now,” Jack said. ”Apart from whether you are trustable or not, there is also another reason why I canʼt join you. You see, I and this girlʼs group arenʼt exactly on a friendly term. So if we are to work with you, doesnʼt that make it awkward? So Iʼm sorry, I have to turn you down. Anyway, good talk! I gotta go now, I am late already.”

Jack walked away from them, but he did not turn around. Instead, he walked backward. This was a level 50 special elite he just agitated. Although he doubted this prince will attack him in a fit of rage, it was still better to be careful. Although he did not know if the prince truly decided to attack him, whether it would make a difference if he saw the attack coming or not. Again, this was a level 50 special elite after all.

Fortunately, the prince kept his civility. Jack still watched them as he finally arrived at the gate to the Dukeʼs estate. He quickly ran inside once the gate was within reach.

Rhemosʼ stiff smile slowly disappeared. Such a disrespectful Outworlder, if he was not someone with good self-control, he would have killed that fool outright.

”That guy is your enemy?” He asked Red Death.

”He is.”

”Hmph, all right. I will help you deal with him once I ascended the throne. He was under my young brotherʼs camp, so I canʼt do anything to him in the open at the moment. You just make sure your guild did your part in helping me deal with my older brother, and I will give your guild special privilege within this kingdom once I am king!”

😉