Accidental Ascendance
Chapter 24 24: Papa….

In the grand throne room, King Lucian stood alone, the weight of his responsibilities and the troubles of the kingdom pressing down on him. He looked down at the crown that rested on his wrist, a symbol of his authority and duty. Reia entered the room, her presence bringing a sense of calm and understanding.

"Ever heavy is the crown that sits on the head," Reia remarked, her voice soft yet resonant with wisdom.

The king scoffed softly, his eyes fixed on the crown. "That's why I wear it on my wrist. I've always sought little ways to stay independent while still fulfilling my duties."

Reia nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's always amazed me how you replace that delicate balance between duty and personal freedom. You're a rare kind of leader, my lord."

The king let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You know, this job never got easier like I hoped it would. Fest continues to cause problems, with more and more Dragons from the Dragon continent appearing in the kingdom. And the Ivory Enclave's indecision on attending our trade negotiations only adds to the uncertainty."

Reia placed a firm hand on the king's shoulder, offering her support. "These are challenging times, my lord, and you carry a heavy burden. But you are strong and resilient. You've faced many obstacles before, and I have no doubt you will navigate through these challenges as well."

The king looked at her gratefully. "Your confidence in me means a lot, Reia. But I can't help but feel the sting of Fitman's betrayal. I knew he was ambitious, but I always believed that his love for this kingdom outweighed his personal gain."

Reia's gaze softened, and she gently squeezed his hand. "Ambition is like poison. It seeps into the hearts of even the most loyal and devours their sense of loyalty and honor. Fitman's choices were his own, my lord. It was no fault of yours."

King Lucian reached out and took her hand in his, feeling the warmth and reassurance in her touch. "I know, and yet it still pains me when friends turn into enemies. It's a harsh reminder of the complexities of human nature."

Reia nodded, her eyes filled with understanding. "Indeed, my lord. But it is in these trying times that true strength and character are revealed. You have the resilience and determination to face these challenges head-on and emerge victorious."

The king smiled softly, grateful for her unwavering support. "Thank you, Reia. Your counsel and friendship mean more to me than you know."

Reia gave him a reassuring smile. "It is my honor to stand by your side, my lord. Please pay more attention to our daughter. She is at that age."

The King nodded his head. "The work never ends, huh?"

The king's gaze returned to the crown on his wrist, a symbol of his duty as a ruler.

In the luxurious royal guest room, Cedric sat alone, his mind filled with thoughts of the events that had unfolded in the throne room. He let out a deep sigh, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden responsibilities thrust upon him.

"Well, this is weird. I don't even know what a court mage does," Cedric muttered to himself. "Yet I am supposed to act as one during this investigation. Not to mention that whole thing with that old guy. If the king wasn't there, I could've gotten hurt."

He fell back on the soft, red sofa, gazing up at the ornate ceiling. "Speaking of which, why did the king save me or even want to see me? Maybe he knows my father on a friend level. If it's because of my family, then I really can't fail."

Cedric ran his hands through his hair in frustration. "Ugh, this is way too much pressure!" he exclaimed, feeling the weight of the kingdom's expectations bearing down on him.

He rolled to his side, closing his eyes and trying to let the fatigue of the day wash over him. "Alright, from now on, no more surprises," Cedric said to himself as he drifted off to sleep, hoping for a peaceful rest.

The next morning, as the soft light of dawn dimly illuminated the room, Cedric slowly opened his eyes. However, his peaceful awakening was interrupted when he saw a small fairy floating before him, smaller than Megna, with black hair and blue eyes.

"Huh?" Cedric blinked in confusion, not quite believing what he was seeing.

The fairy flew up to Cedric's face and asked, "Papa?"

Cedric's eyes widened, and he jumped back, flipping over the couch in shock. The little fairy followed him, hovering above him concernedly. "Are you okay, papa?"

Cedric's face turned pale as he shook his head in disbelief. "I said no more surprises!" he exclaimed, feeling like he was in some sort of surreal dream.

High atop the city's tallest tower, a mysterious clad figure stood, obscured in darkness, gazing down at the bustling city below. His presence sent a chilling aura through the air, and a sinister smirk played on his lips. With a voice that seemed to carry an echo of darkness.

"Behold, the city sprawls below me, a web of innocent lives tangled in their pitiful existence. They believe themselves safe, guarded by their feeble mortal illusions of strength and hope. Little do they know that their doom looms nearer than ever before. The Grey God is coming, and with it, the end of their insignificant world."

His eyes gleamed with malevolence as he continued, "The Grey God, the harbinger of chaos and destruction, shall cleanse this land of their naive beliefs in a benevolent world. Their false gods and futile prayers will offer no salvation. For the Grey God, with its cold, merciless touch, shall shatter their illusions and lay bare the truth of their fragility."

He spread his arms wide, like a puppeteer orchestrating a macabre symphony of doom. "I shall be the instrument of the Grey God's arrival, the conductor of their impending demise. In the shadows, I have woven a tapestry of darkness and despair, manipulating minds and kindling flames of discontent. Soon, they shall witness the futility of their mortal struggles."

A sinister chuckle escaped his lips as he reveled in the chaos he had sown. "Their so-called heroes and protectors shall crumble before the might of the Grey God. Their bravery and valor will turn to ashes, and their courage will be naught but a fleeting memory as they are consumed by fear."

The clad figure's gaze darkened, and his voice grew deeper with malevolence. "And the mages, oh the mages! Those who wield the very essence of existence, they shall be stripped of their arrogance and power. The Grey God's cold embrace shall sap their magic, reducing them to mere mortals, helpless and lost."

"The Grey God is inevitable," he declared with cold certainty. "It transcends time and space, untouched by the futile attempts of mortals to defy it. Its presence shall sweep across this land, a tidal wave of darkness, leaving naught but despair and destruction in its wake."

As he spoke, the city lights flickered and dimmed, as if responding to the foreboding aura of the clad figure. "And when the Grey God descends, I shall rise as its herald, the harbinger of a new era. The world shall bow before its might, and I shall revel in the chaos and despair that shall befall the foolish souls who once dared to challenge its supremacy."

With a malevolent grin, the clad figure's eyes blazed with an eerie light. "The time is nigh, the hour of reckoning is upon us. Let them rejoice in their ignorance for now, for soon, their world shall crumble, and the Grey God shall take its rightful place as the harbinger of the end."

He let out a haunting laugh that echoed through the city, a chilling prelude to the impending darkness that would descend upon the unsuspecting populace. As he stood, a dark silhouette against the fading light, the clad figure felt the pull of destiny, and he embraced it with an unholy fervor, eager to witness the world's descent into chaos and despair at the hands of the Grey God.