The Insurrection of the Inept Hero
Chapter 123: The Prince

Using Black Magic, Joseph and I appeared in a dark, underground tunnel. The torches burned a sky blue color and instead of emitting heat, they gave off a cool aura.

I don't know where we were as none of this looked familiar but it seems Joseph does. Otherwise, we wouldn't be here since you can only use Black Magic to go to places you've been to before.

Soon, we reached a door and Joseph knocked on it several times. A magic circle appeared on the door glowing and there seemed to be an eye looking at us. That circle then disappeared and the door opened, a masked man stood at the door.

"Welcome back," The masked man greeted Joseph before turning his attention to me, "And this must be-?"

"Yeah, it's him in the flesh."

I don't know what was happening but I think I felt a sense of excitement coming from the masked figure. Suddenly, other figures appeared from behind him.

"Whoa! It can't be!"

"It's him isn't it!"

"C-can I have your autograph!"

"He's so handsome! The rumors were true!"

They all began to slowly crowd up against me but then Joseph step between us.

"Hey now, we can save the fanboying and fangirling after the meeting. Alright?"

They sighed and walked away. Joseph shook his head and chuckled.

"Sorry about them. They've been dying to meet you."

I tilted my head in confusion. Meet me?

"They know who I am?"

"Of course they do. Naoko."

I glared at him for a second but he laughed it off.

"Heh, I think I'll just stick with calling you, Nero."

I followed Joseph through this strange underground base. I've walked past many humans and other masked figures, then there were demi-humans. It seems that this place belongs to some kind of mercenary group and a rebellion that wants to make the king of Paragon pay for his actions and free the demi-humans. There was also another reason why this rebellion was made.

"You see, they wanted to prove you innocent of the crimes you've committed."

"Crimes? Does one of them include me hurting the king?"

"Yeah, assault… but that's just one of the many."

Joseph then began to list the crimes that I've committed. Of course, these are only recognized by the kingdom. Homicide, destruction, manslaughter, murder, extermination, and the killing of heroes…

Wait, most of those are practically the same.

After Joseph said that, he said he couldn't say anything bad since he's done some crimes himself. One of those was a genocide… of ice elves. Since he was working with royalty though, he got let off the hook since they were the enemy and it was advantageous to them.

We eventually reached another room and Joseph opened the door.

"Your highness, I brought him here."

I entered the room to see a large round table. There were others sitting around the table but the one that caught my attention was one wearing clothes suiting a noble. He had short golden-blonde hair and pure blue eyes.

It was weird… the moment I spotted him, I felt my guard drop. It was as if I didn't even need it around him.

"So you must be…"

The man noticed me walk in and immediately stood up to bow to me.

"It's an honor to meet you."

Everyone else followed the actions of the man; getting up from their seats and bowing to me. For some reason, my body moved on its own and I bowed as well.

"You… too," I responded hesitantly.

Whoever this guy was, he most likely knows who I am. I guess I don't have to introduce myself, but the question is who is he?

"Forgive me for being rude," He said as if he had just read my mind. "My name is Mordros Paragon. I am the son of Authorian Paragon, the King of Paragon."

…

Joseph turned his head towards me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"You good, Nero?"

Why would the prince be here? Is this a trap? Was I lead here to be captured or something?

The prince, Mordros, noticed the look on my face. Everyone also noticed and they began to say things to try and keep me calm. However, all those words would just enter one ear and go out the other. The only thing keeping me in place was Joseph's grip on my shoulder.

"I understand your feelings, Mr. Akujin, but I will not do any form of harm to you. I merely want to speak."

To my own shock, my body relaxed. His words made me at ease. It was as if an angel was speaking to me in person.

"Please take a seat." He said and I took a seat with no resistance.

"I heard from Joseph here that you don't have much patience so I will make it short."

I turned to Joseph and he shrugged.

What did this guy say to him about me? I do not have such a short fuse.

"Nao-, no, Nero. My crowning ceremony is being held in 2 weeks. When that day arrives, I will officially receive the title of crown prince of the Paragon Kingdom, so I will take over the throne once my father passes away of old age or when he decides to leave his throne."

"And what does that have to do with me being here?"

"You see, Nero, I… want you to kill me."

...

Is he serious...? I'm sure I wasn't the only one hearing this… right?

I looked around and everyone else besides me didn't react. Really? You can't be serious.

"I know it sounds absurd, but I'm begging you."

"Why would you want me to kill you?"

"Well, it dates back to the time of the first war when my ancestor who was the king at the time, was a great king. It started when his father was killed and he was forced to take the throne. His father was a tyrant, a person with a black heart. His assassination was planned so that his son would take the throne. His son was pure-hearted, despite having a corrupted father. Blessed by the realm of gods, he was given the power of kings to fight the demons, the alleged enemy of all humankind. That was the start of the age of heroes. Once the first heroes were summoned 1,300 years ago, the demon king at that time was slain and the world was freed from the evil."

"And what does this have to do with me wanting to kill you?"

"Well, the king then settled down. Married and had a son. Now listen carefully. His son grew up to become just like his grandfather, pure evil. Tormenting others and abusing his status. Then when he grew up, married, and had a son of his own, he was a child who was ridden of any sort of malice and evil. My grandfather was a pure-hearted man, born from a man who was the grandson of the king that caused demi-humans to be enslaved. What I am trying to say is that my family is cursed. Every two generations, we would have a pure-hearted king sire a someone with an impure heart. Then, that someone will sire a great king. Then the process repeats itself. I was born to my father who is the son of a pure-hearted man. He is corrupted and I was born from him."

"So why are you asking me to kill you instead? Shouldn't I be killing your father?" I began.

This made no sense. Why does he want me to kill him if he says he's pure-hearted? Why not his father who's evil?

"Well, you could try but you won't succeed. You see, with the power of kings, we are blessed and cursed. We are immortal and we cannot be slain by anyone. The only ones who can kill us are those that possess the power of kings. That was how my ancestor became king. He had to assassinate his father with his own hands. Of course, that would stain our hearts, but it was a price to pay for salvation. I heard you had the ability to gain skills from anyone you kill. Is that correct?"

I started to question how he knew that, but I assumed that he probably read my memories or something, just like Celestia can.

"Yes."

"Good. I want you to kill me and take the power of kings away from me. I possess the power of kings but it has not awoken yet. It can only be awakened by pure-hearted individuals."

"Pure hearte- but you just said your father was evil."

"He is. Pure evil. That's why he was able to access the power of kings. There are two types, the one for evil and the one for good. It is divided and it can only be accessed by those who possess the Paragon blood."

"So why do you want me to take the power of kings? I do not possess your blood so it will be useless for me."

"I know, but it can also be accessed with a pure soul."

Pure soul? What's the difference between a pure soul and a pure heart?

"All souls possess at least a small amount of darkness. It is to balance the light and darkness in the spiritual realm. The power of kings was to give power to those worthy of the power it gives. It's supposed to grant divine abilities that can only be wielded by a worthy individual. Because we are people with royal blood coursing through our veins, we are given that power. However, there is still a way despite not possessing our blood. If someone possesses a soul purely constructed of light, they can fully utilize the power of kings. It is designed only to grant true power to the purest of hearts."

"So you expect me to replace someone with that kind of soul?"

"No, but I reckon you could do something about that."

He stared at me like I was some kind of genius. I scratched the side of my head and tried to think of what to say next.

Me? Do something about that? Pff, like I'd do something intelligent in my life.

"What do I get out of this?" I asked him.

"There is nothing I can offer you. All I can say is that my father isn't the only person behind your false accusation. From my spies, he seems to be working with a group called the Enigmas, a mysterious affiliation that has been around since the beginning of the new age. They are the cause of numerous disasters, assassinations, crimes, etc. It's most likely that they were the ones that caused you to be what you are now."

Wait, so he wasn't the one that-?

"Tell me more about the Enigmas," I demanded, slamming my hands on the table.

"Is that your request?" He asked and I nodded.

"Alright then. Listen carefully though. I don't know much so you are going to have to figure out the rest on your own."

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