Past Mischief

"Impossible. Klaus can't possibly be the son of Niklas," Jezebel categorically denied Kilian's motion. After learning of his past experiences, she finally understood why he turned into such an oddity. But though she'd often agree with his reasoning, on this one topic, she wouldn't.

"Why not? Niklas von Skoll is no gentleman. The terror of his early reign still rumbles in the mind of the aristocracy. A man like him would never tolerate a Klaus to exist under his imperial rule. Yet, he's been watching him incessantly grow for decades.

There are only two logical explanations. Klaus is either his blood or someone he can guarantee will never harm him. You dare bet on the latter?" Kilian countered. Although this assumption was nothing more than an educated guess, many across Arcadia were starting to form the same thought.

The callousness of Niklas made Ivan the Terrible look like an altar boy. 50 years ago, while he still was Crown Prince of Arcadia and Grand Master of the Divine Glory, claiming that all land rightfully belonged to the human race, Niklas led an unprecedented war against the eldar tribes east of Arcadia, slaughtering more than 1.5 million eldars in the name of "the holy race."

The Seven Grand Masters all possessed the unique right to wage wars against non-humans, without needing the consent of the emperor. But rarely would any ever use it. In fact, across the Arcadian Empire's 3,000 years of history, there weren't more than eight such occurrences.

Although humans somewhat distrusted the eldars, the two sides rarely engaged in conflicts. Better, in the early stages of the empire, when the human race's arcane arts and technological level stood at a primitive stage, the eldars provided great help. Therefore, even after the empire surpassed them, the past emperors always tolerated the eldars' existence.

Niklas didn't. On the one hand, he used the eldars' genocide to petrify the nobility, on the other hand, he turned the eldars into massive dra sources by crystalizing their blood, and robbed all their ancient treasures. Following the massacre, the previous emperor abdicated and vanished from Arcadia's political scene. How could such a man tolerate Klaus?

"Niklas is possessive, callous and unforgiving. Let's assume for one second that Klaus is his bastard son. Niklas would take the mother and child back to the Imperial City, regardless of who the husband might be. Never, ever, would he let a woman he touched remain beyond his reach. As for having his flesh and blood raised by another man? That's simply impossible," Jezebel shook her head in disapproval. But in her words, Kilian sensed a familiarity he found quite puzzling.

"You seem to have a thorough understanding of the emperor," Kilian remarked in an inexpressive tone. But when his words echoed, Jezebel arched an eyebrow, placed her arm on his shoulder, and whispered, "Is that jealousy I hear?"

Alas, Kilian's following words crushed all her expectations.

"I am your bonded partner and you're currently sitting on my lap. It's already great that I don't gloat, what need do I have for jealousy?" He candidly replied. Jezebel rolled her eyes, wondering why she asked in the first place.

"140 years ago, I used to shove dildos down his ass," Jezebel replied with a shrug. This time, Kilian couldn't help but blink in disbelief.

"For real?"

"I can't bear to deceive my Lothario."

"He's the Emperor of Arcadia, sovereign ruler of five billion, leader of the human race, and you did what?" Kilian couldn't believe his ears. But seeing Jezebel sigh in proud reminiscence, he had no other choice but to accept her words.

"I suppose you can say that a lot of his current personality stems from my teachings. Maybe I should have gone easier on him. But he was way too conceited," Jezebel pursued. But in her words, Kilian couldn't help but feel that there was more to the story than she let on.

Not that it mattered.

"By the way, it is well known that the Duke of Kars created his own Arcane Bloodline after becoming an Archon. Another reason why he can't possibly be von Skoll progeny," Jezebel added. But then again, even she had to admit that things didn't add up.

…

In the meantime, Klaus had returned to his castle, now sitting in his study. Wilfried stood at his right with confusion written all over his face.

"Your grace, several things leave me perplexed, and I hope you may enlighten me," Wilfried bowed and requested in a polite tone. Hearing this, Klaus lifted his cold blue eyes from the book he currently browsed, shifting his attention to Wilfried.

"You rarely ask for explanations. Fine. Ask and I will answer if I feel like it," Klaus cooly replied. After another polite bow, Wilfried pursued, "Three months ago, following the execution of the young lord, your grace suddenly lost 70% of your powers, dropping from mid-level Archon to low-level Archon. Although I can't guess the truth, I infer it has something to do with the young lord.

By any chance, did your grace play tricks to allow him to escape his fate? And if so, why?" Wilfried inquired. Time flowed differently depending on the plane of existence; therefore, on Arcadia, it'd already been two months since Kilian's death.

Klaus' ambitions for Kilian had always been a mystery. However, one thing was clear, the duke intended to raise his own Sword of Damocles. There were many ways to raise or take Kilian back, but Klaus picked the one that ensured a lifetime of enmity.

Wilfried didn't doubt that he did it on purpose and, at first, he didn't care much for it. But since that nephew received the taint, all plans should have gone to the gutter. Why then would Klaus still assist him?

"Good question. I suppose that the second one is why my powers recovered so quickly?" Klaus asked with his lips curled in a smirk. Indeed, he was right. Typically, even for Klaus, recovering from such a loss should take half a decade. But in less than two months, he not only recovered but rose to another level. If Wilfried didn't know him better, he'd believe Klaus consorted with some high-ranking fehl creatures.

"I can't hide anything from your grace," Wilfried replied.

"Very well, I can give you a partial answer. Although Kilian's mutation was never part of my plans, some reflection allowed me to determine its nature: the Eye of Fehl.

According to ancient records, the Eye of Fehl possesses seven forms, with many sub-applications. The first form, the Eye of Distortion, allows its user to twist and manipulate the fabrics of space. Knowing that the Eye would seek self-preservation, I used the Baptism of Fire as a cover to fuel it with my powers—giving it enough energy to help Kilian escape true death and the reincarnation cycle. Of course, whether he can successfully return still depends on him," Klaus casually explained, making Wilfried gawk in disbelief.

"But he...wants your life...I'm confused. Now more than ever, I don't see how his growth can possibly benefit house von Karsten," Wilfried mumbled, but for a second, he could swear he saw the glint of bitterness flash within Klaus' eyes.

"Throughout Arcadia, none can take my life."