Villain: The Play of Destiny

Chapter 549: Chapter 549

A day after the rains stopped in Crystal City and its vicinity, having poured relentlessly for nearly three days and four nights, a small convoy approached the First Gate.

The lines of City Guards, as well as the Nemerus Guards, stood on either side of the road, and at the gate, the Lord of the House of Nemerus, one of the Four Founding Families of Crystal City, stood together with his wife as he waited to receive his uncle and aunt, who were returning after nearly two decades.

Having heard the news of Zarion Nemerus’ return to the city, many others had come to receive him as well, including the Head of the Ameer Family, another Founding Family, as well as the Prince of Crystal City, the eldest son of the City Lord.

And the reason why so many people had gathered to show their respect was because Zarion Nemerus was a fabled Martial King who had been on the verge of becoming a Martial Emperor when he left the city years ago.

They wanted to see if he had managed to reach that Realm, and they also wanted to pay their respects to one of the strongest pillars of the House of Nemerus and Crystal City.

Soon, a line of horses emerged from the dense forest, carrying their riders, and the inconspicuous figure of a tall and burly man, who made his nine-foot-tall Mountain Horse seem like an ordinary horse, caught their attention.

His neatly trimmed thick hair, which stood up slightly on his head, and his well-kept but thick red beard, coupled with his thick eyebrows, gave him a beastly charm that they were all familiar with.

The sight of the giant battle axe on his back was just as intimidating as his presence, and the weaker ones could not help but feel shivers run down their spines when the Nemerus unleashed his presence.

Zyron’s smile brightened when he sensed the pressure coming from his uncle, and it was the same for the Head of the Ameer Family, who was visibly relieved after learning that the rumours were true.

The City Prince was curious, but even more curious was his little brother, who was standing by his side and voiced his thoughts, making some people smile.

"Is Lord Zarion stronger than my Grandfather, Gero?" he innocently asked his servant.

"The pressure Lord Zarion is exuding is that of a Rank 2 Martial Emperor. So, no, he is not stronger than your grandfather in terms of Cultivation Realm. However, the person you are looking at right now is hailed as the finest Warrior in the city, and he possesses a Heavenly Lightning Spirit. It is entirely possible that he would outclass your grandfather in battle, Master Simon."

Hearing those words, the little boy’s eyes shone with excitement, and the smile on his face brightened.

However, the older brother was unhappy with the blunt honesty of their Family’s old retainer, but he kept quiet and only cast him a meaningful glance, reminding him that he should not have spoken such words.

"Brother, who’s that girl? She is so pretty!" The child suddenly tugged at his sleeve and asked, pointing at the beautiful girl riding a magnificent Winter Horse right beside Zarion Nemerus and his wife, Hilda Nemerus.

"I don’t know." He narrowed his eyes as he stared at her enchantingly beautiful face, and desire surged within his heart.

She was a Barbarian. There was no doubt about it. Her fiery red hair and even her attire were a testament to it.

Like every Barbarian, she was clad in leather, looking like a war maiden, and there was an inborn stubbornness about her that held a deadly attraction for men.

"Uncle." Zyron immediately stepped forward when Zarion dismounted, and the two shared a hug in which the older man nearly knocked the breath out of him while patting his back.

"You have grown strong, Lord Nemerus," the man said in his gruff voice before ignoring his nephew and walking past him to gently pat the head of his niece, Zilya.

"Where’s the little kid? He did not want to come and see his granduncle?"

"Zyrios was tired after his training, Uncle. He’s resting at home," she apologetically replied.

"It’s good to train them early." The man nodded appreciatively before looking at the grey-haired man, who was an old friend.

"Ameer Ziad."

"Zarion Nemerus."

They both called out each other’s names and laughed as they stepped forward to share a hearty embrace.

"It’s good to have you back."

"Aye, it is good to be back." Zarion nodded before smiling at him and then extending his hand towards the girl standing beside his wife after greeting Zyron and Zilya.

The girl smiled at his gesture and immediately stepped forward, placing her hand in his.

"Meet my daughter, Reha." He proudly introduced her to his friend. "She’s prettier than any of your daughters." And he did not forget to take a jab at him.

His words greatly embarrassed the people around him, but the Lord of the Ameer Family laughed, already familiar with his friend’s sense of humour.

"Never thought a beast like you would sire someone so beautiful, but I suppose Hilda’s genes were stronger." He returned the jab before politely bowing to his friend’s wife in greeting, and she returned the courtesy. "The enemies?" he coldly asked.

"Dead." Zarion grinned and watched his friend let go of his coldness before nodding with a sigh. "Join me for lunch tomorrow."

"I will." He promised before turning to look at the people bearing the crest of the House of the City Lord.

"Lord Zarion, I am Fabian Crystol, the eldest son of City Lord Armin. We met once on my fifth birthday."

"Ah, the snotty little brat. I remember you." The Nemerus nodded as he recalled his face, and his words prompted the child standing beside his brother to giggle. "Another Crystol?"

"Simon Crystol, Lord Zarion." The boy stepped forward and respectfully bowed to him, which pleased him greatly.

"A well-mannered Crystol. Good, good." He nodded appreciatively before patting the boy’s shoulder, and even though he was being gentle, the action still made the child wince slightly in pain. "Start training, Kid. Or you will become just like your brother."

"Lord Zarion..." Fabian tried to correct him, but remembering his father’s warning, wisely kept his mouth shut.

His eyes wandered to Reha, who was speaking with Lord Ameer, and just as he was about to step forward to greet her, Zarion’s words rang in his ears.

"She’s engaged, Kid. Don’t hold out hope for her." He warned without even looking at him, and the insult made Fabian’s blood boil with rage.

"My apologies if I have given you the wrong impression, Lord Zarion. I request you to forgive my shortcomings as a child. I do not mean and have never meant any harm."

"It’s not your actions, Kid. It is who you are." The Nemerus glanced into his eyes. "Some things can’t be fixed, but you can always try to be a better man."

"Zarion." Ziad, sensing that things were becoming a little tense, interjected. "Who’s she engaged to?"

"His name is Mir. Only a Martial Warrior right now, but he’s younger than Reha and very talented. I have taken him as my disciple and will introduce you to him tomorrow."

His words roused his friend’s curiosity.

"He should be in the city right now. Last I heard, he was going to apply for citizenship here." The Nemerus shrugged before nodding to his nephew and mounting his horse again.

Soon, everyone was ready, and together they made their way into the city.

Reha, who had never been there before, curiously looked around, and by her side, her mother happily told her about everything she asked.

"You did not need to antagonise Fabian," Ziad seriously said as he rode beside his friend and the Lord of the Nemerus Family.

"He’s right, Uncle. Fabian is going to become the Crown Prince of the future Crystal Kingdom. It is not right to insult him like that."

"A tragedy." Zarion sighed. "You know me. I don’t like sinister people, and that boy is very sinister. He has the same aura as a kinslayer. You should speak to Armin and the rest of the Heads. Fabian is not suitable to become Crown Prince."

"You are too blunt for your own good." Ziad helplessly shook his head but never denied his friend’s words. "Armin dotes on him a lot, and now isn’t the right time to talk about it."

"The City Lord needs to know that the Four Families do not approve of Fabian. There is never going to be a right time for it, but if you delay it, some people might take advantage of the situation and ensure that Fabian becomes the next King. Tell Armin to declare his second son the Heir before the formation of the Crystal Kingdom, and he should place his youngest next in the line of succession. Fabian should be sent away to some sect or academy."

"You said he has the aura of a kinslayer, and you want to force him into kinslaying?" Ziad frowned.

"Do you hear your own words?" Zarion asked, and Ziad frowned before lowering his head. "You know I am right, old friend."

His words made both Ziad and Zyron sigh, and all three of them were unaware of what the person they were discussing was planning.

Away from the street leading to the Nemerus Estate, Fabian entered an establishment with his Shadow and retainers.

"Find everything about the boy named Mir who has applied for citizenship at City Hall. If he has not yet, then wait for him. I want to know everything about him," he ordered, and one of his retainers immediately bowed before leaving.

"Master Fabian!" a charmingly seductive voice called out, and soon a woman clad in sheer clothes sensually walked over to him. "Did you finally remember your slave?"

"How can I forget you, Whore?" He smiled at her, pinching her chin. "Bring two other girls to my room. The finest of them." He spoke, making her flinch, before pushing her away and walking upstairs with his Shadow, who was clad in black from head to toe.

The rest of his servants stayed downstairs, and soon some girls were sent to entertain them as well, their laughter and soft murmurs drifting up from below through the dimly lit establishment.