Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 1212: The Truth

The other soldiers stood on edge, scanning the empty courtyard for traps or residual magic. Nothing.

High atop a rooftop far in the distance, King Alexios Valorian stood with his arms folded behind his back.

His crown caught the light of the sun as he gazed at the place where the dead had stood. His expression was calm. A small sigh left his lungs.

"So this is what’s called true necromancy. Its elegance can’t be compared to old necromancy... Or rather, Corpse Animation."

The king had a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he imagined the many undead monsters, most of whom were part of the Covenant of Eternity - another big syndicate like the Vesper Consortium just in Ravenshade territory instead of Greenvale. He knew those old sacks of bones must’ve been beyond furious when their class suddenly went from Necromancer to Corpse Animator.

All thanks to Quinlan. He wondered if they would do something now that they knew that the man responsible for their demotion was a mere duchy away.

"And that damned portal..."

It gave him a headache.

He soon returned to the palace. Stormlord arrived after, holding the sealed letter.

"Your Majesty. I had our very best check for malice, but they found no sudden tricks. But when it comes to that man, we can never be sure... I suggest-"

"No."

Alexios’s voice cut through the air. He turned sharply to face the general. "Thank you, Stormlord. You may leave now."

Stormlord hesitated. "Sire-"

"Leave."

There was no room for debate in that tone.

After a moment’s silence, Stormlord inclined his head. "As you command."

The soldiers, too, withdrew.

Alexios stood in the grand chamber alone. Slowly, he broke the seal and unfolded the letter, and the king’s eyes narrowed as he began to read.

To His Majesty, King Alexios Valorian,

You asked me if the gods serve Her.

You believe that the Goddess you worship stands above them all. She’s the maker and the ender of life. The almighty entity who stands above all.

Allow me to correct that misunderstanding.

The word god is not a title of servitude. It is a name for what they are, a collective of entities. The Goddess you revere is but one among them. Just as Thalorind is only one world among many, she too is one voice among countless others.

Some worlds are vast, grand enough to birth a myriad of civilizations that span numerous continents. Others are smaller, fragile, and short-lived. Each has its gods. Each has its keepers.

And just as mortals conquer mortals... some gods conquer gods. Some grow unsatisfied with what they have and turn their gaze outward. They invade other worlds, enslave their people, and claim dominion.

Now, then. You’ve asked me about my title, the Godslayer.

But your cunning and wisdom are too great for me to insult you by spelling it out.

You already know.

P.S. I am about to meet the Goddess for a chat. If there are questions you wish to ask her, I am willing to carry them across the veil for you. For the right price, of course.

After all, you taught me there’s no free meal in Thalorind.

Quinlan Elysiar,

Master of your daughter,

The Primordial Villain.

Alexios’s eyes lingered on one line in particular. His grip tightened. ’Master...? He did say he’d teach Felicity about magic...’ Still, he found it weird to be included.

But then, as his brain began mulling over the rest of the letter, his hands began to tremble.

That memory.

That cursed message.

The one that had appeared across the minds of all. The day the heavens themselves had trembled.

—-

❖ NOTICE TO ALL LIVING BEINGS ❖

GOD VENTHROS,

THE CORRUPTED ELEMENT,

HAS BEEN SLAIN.

SLAYER: QUINLAN ELYSIAR

FIRST TITLE: THE PRIMORDIAL VILLAIN

SECOND TITLE: THE HARBINGER OF RUIN

THIRD TITLE EARNED: THE GODSLAYER

—

The letter slipped from his shaky fingers.

It fluttered to the floor soundlessly.

The story Quinlan spun was so incredibly outlandish that it simply had to be true, the king realized. Had he wanted to mislead or lie to him, he would’ve come up with a tale much more easily believed.

Alexios stared ahead, wide-eyed. His breath came short and shallow.

Then... his knees hit the marble with a hollow thud.

The flames in the sconces flickered violently as he turned toward the towering statue at the end of the room.

"Just what kind of a being am I facing?"

And then, trembling, King Alexios Valorian, ruler of humanity, defender of men, bowed his head before the silent Goddess and began to pray.

Many, many hours passed in silence. The servants began to worry, but they were explicitly ordered to stay away.

But the king’s silence unnerved them all.

Thus, it was his own children who were begged by the servants to check on their father.

Namely, Crown Prince Elias Valorian, Alexios’ firstborn son.

Elias entered quietly and came to see a sight he’d never seen before.

His father kneeled in the middle of the vast throne room, facing the statue.

"Father?" Elias called out softly.

No response.

He took a few cautious steps forward.

When he finally reached him, he knelt and touched his neck.

"Have you...?" he started, then froze.

No, there was a pulse. Weak, steady, but there. The old man was breathing.

Elias exhaled. "By the Goddess, you scared the life out of the palace staff! Collect yourself, Father, this is unbecoming. If you’re unfit to rule, then step down from the throne, finally, and retire to the countryside. If I die of old age before you do, I’ll curse you in the afterlife."

Prince Elias was getting up in years, and Alexios had long since ruled at his age. It made the man feel as if he wouldn’t be able to match his father’s legacy.

The sudden rasp of Alexios’ voice came. He did not care for the prince’s witty remarks. "The times are changing. The era of humanity, no... The era of mortals might be coming to an end."

Elias blinked. "Father?"

Had he gone mad?

Alexios slowly raised his head. His eyes were sunken with dark rings beneath them. But they were clear, terrifyingly so.

The king then sighed and stood. "Son, if I were to step down right now, you would be overrun by the monster within a day. You’re not ready to face this horrible creature... No one is."

Elias frowned, searching his father’s face for any hint of jest. "What are you talking about? I’ll call the healers."

Alexios watched the retreating back of his son. And somehow, in that moment, his heart steeled.

He knew that he himself was the only man who could face this terrible demon. His entire lineage depended on how he navigated the next few years.

Perhaps, the entire Valorian bloodline would be wiped from the face of Thalorind.

Or perhaps...

...

Hours ago, right after Scar left the city of Valorian.

On the other side of the portal, the world solidified again.

Naomi gasped, clutching her chest, and Gideon stumbled as his knees nearly gave out.

They were no longer surrounded by soldiers or chains. Only the freshness of winds and the scents of Quinlan’s stronghold filled the air.

Rosie leapt from her seat with a grin so wide it nearly split her face. "They’re here! It worked!"

Quinlan looked at the two ghostly pale-faced humans, then smiled. "Welcome home, mother-in-law, father-in-law."

"..." Naomi’s eyes filled with disbelief, and Gideon could only stare.

Quinlan cracked his knuckles. "Now," he murmured, "How about I introduce my amazing platinum-haired girl to you two?"

And just like this, Aurora’s parents were finally free from their imprisonment.

And Quinlan had a very, very long list of things to do next.