The Damned Demon
chapter-690

The moment Anna wheeled herself into her house, she slammed the door behind her, exhaling loudly as if she had been desperate to finally take a proper breath.

The tension in her shoulders eased, but her heart still pounded with the anxiety of her close call. She wiped the sweat trickling down her left temple, realizing just how near she had come to being caught by Arthur.

Too close, she thought, her hands trembling slightly as she moved her wheelchair further into the hall. If she hadn't disappeared into the city when she did, things could've ended much worse.

Fortunately, Arthur wouldn't suspect why she was in the building since she lived in the city anyway. That was the only reason she had no choice but to run back here. Any other place…she wouldn't be able to use her natural disguise.

But it wasn't just the close call that was rattling her. Why was that Bloodice Witch even there? Anna's mind raced with questions. That woman wasn't just wandering around for fun—there had to be a reason. Hellbringer must've sent her, she mused, though she couldn't shake the unsettling thought that maybe that woman had also been following Arthur. What was he doing out in the desert, anyway?

However, what truly gnawed at her was Arthur's strength—how much stronger he had become. He had nearly caught her. That wasn't something she could ignore. Someone is training him, she realized. The blue-eyed monster, the one who kept Arthur under his watch, wouldn't allow anyone to help him grow stronger unless it fit into his plans. Arthur wasn't learning all this on his own since he was too inexperienced. Her lips pressed together as a knot tightened in her chest. Part of the reason Arthur wanted to get stronger was because of her—to catch the Thundering Reaper. She winced at the thought, her emotions warring inside her.

Just as she thought about getting some rest, the bell rang, breaking the fragile calm she'd found. Anna turned around, her heart thudding as she realized who it must be.

Moments later, the door creaked open, and Arthur stood there, his face filled with concern, "Are you alright, Anna?" he asked, stepping inside without hesitation. "I was so worried about what happened today."

Anna forced a soft smile, shaking her head as she wheeled herself back a bit. "I'm fine, Artie. I was just startled when everyone started panicking, and then you were there. I never thought the Thundering Reaper would suddenly appear in our country… in a public library, of all places." She let out a small chuckle, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I would've been terrified if not for you being there."

Arthur sighed, running a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated. "No. It was my fault. I was chasing her, but I wasn't fast enough to catch up. She fled in this direction, and I still don't know why. There were so many better spots she could've chosen. But…" His voice trailed off as his gaze shifted to her, his expression growing doubtful. "Why were you there in the library, though? Did you take leave from work?"

Anna chuckled softly, a practiced ease in her reply. "Yeah, I did. I know I take too many breaks from work, but I needed one. Sometimes, it helps me clear my head."

"Oh…" Arthur's tone softened. He knew how much Anna had gone through, especially after losing someone who had been like a sister to her. "It's okay," he added, his voice more gentle now. "Today was just bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"You said you were chasing the Thundering Reaper?" Anna asked, her brow furrowing in concern. "How did you manage to find her? Were you searching for her this whole time?"

Arthur shook his head, his brows knitting together as he recalled the day's events. "No… I just happened to find her in the middle of a battle with the Bloodice Mistress. I wasn't even looking for her, but that's how I knew she was there. What doesn't sit right with me is why both of them were there in the first place. It doesn't make any sense. It feels like something bigger is going on… and I have no idea what disaster is coming next."

Anna nodded, forcing her worry down as she tried to focus on comforting him. "On the brighter side, it seems like you were closer to catching her this time," she said with a smile, though her heart clenched at the thought. "You must have gotten better. Did you find someone to train you?"

Arthur winced at her question. The memory of the promise he made to Ash immediately surfaced. As much as he hated lying to Anna, he knew he couldn't break his word. "I did," he admitted, though the guilt was clear in his voice. "But they made me promise not to tell anyone. They're really strict about that. I'm sorry, Anna."

Anna realized that whoever was teaching Arthur must suspect that Arthur was being watched. Otherwise, they wouldn't be this secretive.

"That's fine," Anna said with a soft smile, though she could sense his discomfort. "If they told you to keep it a secret, there must be a good reason for it. I wouldn't want to pry. I just want you to be careful, Artie. I really don't like it when you're chasing the Thundering Reaper. It makes me worry every time."

Arthur knelt down in front of her, his warm hands gently clasping hers. His hazel eyes softened as they met hers, filled with sincerity. "I know, Anna," he said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "And I'm sorry for making you worry. But I can't rest knowing that she's still out there. The people… they'll never be able to sleep easy as long as she's free. She's taken too many lives. I can't let her continue." His voice grew more determined. "What if she comes back here? What if she puts you in danger again? I can't let that happen."

Anna's heart clenched at his words, knowing full well she couldn't stop him. No matter how much she wanted to, his determination to protect the people, to protect her, wouldn't waver, and that tormented her more than she ever imagined.

—

In the dark study hall of Demonstone Castle, Rowena sat at her desk, her delicate fingers tracing the edges of old parchments.

It had been a while since she last received one of those suspicious letters from the mysterious sender. She stared blankly at the papers before her, wondering if it had all been a hoax—some pathetic attempt to rattle her. Maybe the sender had gotten discouraged when she didn't react as they had hoped.

She sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. Perhaps it was time to forget about those letters entirely and focus on more pressing matters. Maybe it's better this way, she thought. There's no point in giving those letters power over her thoughts.

But just as she reached for her quill, a tense knock echoed from the door. Rowena's hand froze mid-air as she glanced up. "Come in," she commanded, her voice cool and authoritative.

The door swung open, and Seron rushed in with a grave expression. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by an urgency that made Rowena's heart tense.

"Your Majesty, I have unpleasant news," Seron said, his voice low but heavy with significance.

Rowena's crimson eyes narrowed, her frown deepening as she leaned forward slightly, "What is it?" she asked, her tone clipped, sensing something serious.

"Prince Oberon..." Seron hesitated for a second, his jaw tightening before he added, "...he just tried to assassinate His Majesty."

Rowena's breath caught in her throat, her crimson eyes flashing with a deadly gleam, "What?" she muttered coldly, her voice like ice as she rose from her chair, her presence suddenly towering.

Seron quickly continued, "It happened as His Majesty was returning from the Mistshore Village. Prince Oberon attempted to ambush him, but fortunately, His Majesty managed to subdue him before anything could go wrong."

Rowena's expression darkened, her thoughts swirling. Oberon... how could he be so foolish? She had always known he harbored resentment against Asher, but this... this was beyond what she had anticipated. "What should we do, Your Majesty? Prince Oberon is currently in His Majesty's custody," Seron asked, awaiting her response.

Rowena's brows furrowed as she spoke coldly, "What else but to let my husband decide how to deal with the traitor who dared to raise his hand against his king?"

She knew Oberon's hatred for Asher ran deep. Even then, had he grown that desperate to attempt such a foolhardy act? She never expected it from him.

The throne hall of Demonstone Castle was suffocating with tension. The air was heavy, and the room was packed with high-ranking ministers and officials, all standing in silence.

At the far end of the hall, Asher Drake sat high on the majestic black throne, his queen, Rowena, seated beside him.

His consorts, Isola, Silvia, and Sabina, were also seated on the lower elevated platform.

Isola seemed calm yet resentful at the same time as she looked at Oberon.

Silvia and Sabina contemptuously looked upon the pitiful figure of Oberon, who knelt in shame before them, defeated and broken.

They wondered the same thing - How dare this half-crippled scum dare try to harm their man?

Oberon's shoulders sagged, his head bowed low as he knelt on the cold stone floor, his hands bound behind his back. His face was a mask of bitterness and shame, but he couldn't bring himself to raise his head. Never in his life did he imagine he would one day experience such a humiliating scene.

The silence was shattered by a frantic voice, "No... Oberon! Your Majesty, please! Have mercy! I-I will pay for his crimes!" A woman rushed into the hall, her voice cracking with desperation. It was Rebecca, her face stricken with fear and anguish as she threw herself forward.

Oberon gritted his teeth, still kneeling, his entire body tense at the sound of his mother's voice. He could hear the anguish in it, the love she still had for him despite everything. But he couldn't face her—not now. Not after everything.

He had to do this for her sake!

Asher's eyes remained cold as he watched her approach, "Somebody make sure she doesn't intervene," he ordered, his voice as calm and cold as the winter winds.

Seron quickly stepped forward, grasping Rebecca gently but firmly by the arm, "No, let me go! I can't let anything happen to my son!" she cried, struggling against Seron's hold, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Calm yourself," Seron said in a firm yet soothing tone. "If you keep this up, his head will surely roll. Let's see what His Majesty decides first."

Rebecca bit her lip, holding back the flood of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. She could only hope—pray—that Asher would show mercy.

Oberon was already a broken man, a half-cripple who couldn't even kill someone 10 times weaker than Asher, even if he wanted to. Surely, Asher would see that and understand it was nothing more than just a moment of foolishness.

Rowena's eyes flickered toward Asher, her voice low and soft as she asked, "Do you want me to handle this?"

Asher turned to her, offering a reassuring smile, but his gaze quickly hardened as he looked down at Oberon, "No," he said. "I think I've decided how a traitor like him should be punished."

Asher's voice rang through the hall, clear and emotionless, "For attempting to assassinate the king, a crime punishable by the worst torment, you shall face the consequences of your treachery, Oberon.