The Tyrant's Pet

The Haimirich Empire.

The land that Abel loathed so much for purging him in the days of yore. But instead of destroying it all at once, he built it from scratch until it stood at a height no other kingdom could reach and was known across the world.

Aries said he was kind for doing this or he was simply craving recognition from the people who purged him. That might be true, but at the same time, there had always been a darker meaning behind his big actions.

Abel never admitted it even to himself, but deep in his rotten soul, he made this molehill a mountain so no one else could destroy it except him. If he had enough reason to do so, Abel was certain he would destroy everything in one go.

And that was what happened in this empire in this spirit world.

Abel destroyed the entire Haimirich in a state of oblivion, but now that there was nothing to destroy, only emptiness remained. He felt like drifting with no particular direction, unable to leave this world. Even if he thought of ways to wake up from this world, this world just nerfed him until he felt powerless.

Yet, he felt no other emotions bigger than this enormous void in his heart.

While Conan was rambling on and on, repeating the words he had already said countless times as if he was on a brink of insanity, Abel kept his focus on the clear blue sky. His eyes were listless, slowly losing faith, before closing them ever so tenderly.

'What would I do if I see her again, huh?' he wondered, channeling all his weight to sink into the lake.

Abel held his breath as his body slowly sank. As he sank deeper, he felt no urge to rise above the water. He had always felt like sinking deeper and deeper even when he was walking on the surface of this world. It made no difference in sinking literally.

While underwater, Abel slowly opened his eyes. All he could see was the blurry waters and the fading light that couldn't pierce through the deeper part of the lake. Although the lake wasn't that deep as it could only reach half of his body if he was standing up, he felt like it somehow felt unnaturally deep like an ocean.

'I don't know…' Abel reached his hand out as his body continued to sink deeper. '... I'd find out once I lay my eyes on you again, Aries.'

Soon, his eyes closed as the bottom of this deepening lake sucked him deeper and deeper. Despite the lack of air, he didn't struggle as he submitted to the darkness that was swallowing him whole.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!?"

Before Abel completely lose consciousness, he heard the faint voice of Conan followed by the splash of water.

'How strange,' thought Abel, that even when Conan's voice was growing closer, it seemed the latter couldn't find him. Conan's voice sounded alarmed and terrified, but Abel didn't dwell on the helpless call.

'Don't call me with such a tone,' was the last thought that crossed Abel's mind before the darkness welcomed him into its embrace.

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GASP!

Abel gasped for air the moment his eyes snapped open. His heart thudded violently against his chest as if it was forced to pump blood all over his body. His heartbeat was painful for the first several seconds before he could feel his fingers and toes.

When his aggressive heartbeats calmed down, he blinked to get a hold of his shaking vision until the high ceiling of the chapel came into sight. He instantly recognized it, but a part of him wondered whether this was reality or the other reality in that damn world.

'This is…' his thoughts trailed off, catching a figure from the corner of his eyes. Abel slowly shifted his gaze to the person standing beside him, and his eyes lay on an extremely pale face that was devoid of any emotion.

Tilly held his gaze without the slightest reaction, and without a word, she gazed at her palm. A wound was apparent across her palm and the glowing scriptures in the air that were surrounding the altar slowly faded.

"Abel," she called with her meek and soft voice, closing her hand into a loose fist. She then set her eyes back to the man in the coffin, still no emotion on her face. "Weddings needs food for the guests."

Abel's brows rose at the random concern he was hearing right after he opened his eyes after two years of slumber.

"You're late for the wedding," Tilly continued in the same tone. "That means you have to shoulder the banquet."

Abel stared at his sister whom he hadn't seen since leaving the mainland thousands of years ago. He didn't dwell on her concern immediately, closing his eyes for a moment. When he reopened his eyes, a grunt slipped past his closed lips.

He raised his stiff hands to the edge of the coffin, pulling his heavy body to sit up.

"Ahh…" Abel ran his fingers through his slightly long and untrimmed hair, turning his head to the pews.

There, he saw multiple people he hadn't seen before, sitting on the pews. They were looking back at him with a smile, and one of them — the man with bright silver hair and a pair of crimson eyes — waved at him happily.

Abel just scanned his eyes at them, recognizing Sunny, who was sitting on a woman's lap. Sunny had this bright smile and twinkling eyes, excited to see him back. But he didn't dwell on it as he caught one familiar figure in the corner of his eye.

Isaiah.

Abel set his eyes on Isaiah's figure, only to see his vassal looking back at him with wide eyes. The corner of his lips curled up, bringing back the confidence and sinister look that usually dominated Abel's countenance.

"Your Majesty…" Isaiah's voice shook, still in disbelief that Abel had woken up from his long slumber. "I'm so glad to have welcome you back."

Isaiah lowered his head and placed his fist across his chest. "Welcome back, Your Majesty."