Reincarnated as a Genius Mage-Chapter 42: A Looming Threat

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(Alexander POV)

I did the right thing by letting him go.

Yes, I did the right thing. If I hadn’t let him go... If I didn’t— he’d have been consumed, and shackled by this man.

Jayad, and the rest of the elders have all been in a frenzy ever since Charles left.

The loss of a special talent like Charles was too much for the old heads to bear.

But I’m pretty sure Jina, my second wife— felt relieved. She’d definitely started plotting to make her son— James, my last son before Charles, the Patriarch.

Ah, the Flameworth family tension. Always have to sleep with one eye open.

I think they even tried tracking Charles, but... I thank the stars that his maid— Jennette, seemed to have adequate trail-covering skills, so no matter how much they searched they couldn’t find him.

Now I’ve had to endure countless visits by people who always come to find out the whereabouts of Charles. Something that even I don’t know.

Klaus; the vice-captain, asked me. His expression was sad, it seemed he’d really taken a liking to the child. Even the stoic Sin Morderego who barely shows emotions came asking me. Like I’m the one who snuck him out. Well, I am the one who snuck him out.

Although I’m pretty sure that some of the elders have already figured out that I helped him escape.

And it’s easy to come to such conclusion, after weighing the fact that his personal maid disappeared on the same day he did. It’s really not that hard to put one and two together. But of course they can’t dare ask me about it.

I shake my head.

Forget about all that.

Right now, I’m not at home...

I’m in the Palace of the Emperor of Jalozi.

One of my knee is kissing the cold ceramic tiles, and my other knee’s up. And my head is held low.

The palace is dark, but the ceiling is adorned with shimmering stones that make the place glow with a soft, and warm hue, like that of moonlight.

"Lift your head, Alexander." He commands with a voice that’s as low, and tender as a loving parent’s.

And I lift my head— my gaze ascending to meet with that of the Emperor. His purple eyes lock with mine. And immediately we make eye contact, his lips stretches with a graceful smile.

He’s sitting on his throne... His back straight, his posture refined— creating a regal air around him. And his golden crown etched with red rubies lie on his carefully trimmed white hair that cascades down his forehead.

His skin is white, smooth, and almost as pale as a ghost. In fact, this man is no different from a porcelain doll.

And with his graceful smile, tender regality, and soft spoken tone— no one would know... that he’s the source of this wicked energy pressing down on me right now.

Evil bastard.

"I greet you, Your Grace." I say. My voice low, and humble— detached from the hostility writhing inside of me.

And as he hears my greeting, his soft smile stretches wider. "Alexander.. You hid him from me." He says immediately, without so much as a warning.

And my heart contracts the moment I hear those words. My breathing becoming a jumbled mess.

That filthy energy.. the one that’s neither mana, or even holy power— keeps swirling around my heart.

And I grit my teeth.

I should be used to this by now. It’s been this way ever since I became a Patriarch. Endure it.

"You know... You never told me that you had another son after James. And if I didn’t get the information from... a special source. I wouldn’t have known." He still has that graceful smile. If I don’t tell them, no one would ever know that he’s capable of doing this to me.

"Oh, my good dog Alexander..." His voice rises, becoming more deeper as his purple eyes glow with pounding malice. "You hid him for seven years. That demands punishment, no?" He asks. And as soon as he asks that, he vanishes from his throne.

I flick my gaze, searching left and right frantically— twisting my neck like a machine.

"But before the punishment..." His voice comes from my back— just a few inches away from my ear, and I turn my neck— he’s crouching. His hand behind his waist, and his lips not too far from my face.

My heartbeat surges. The hot lava in my body rushing uncontrollably.

Darn it.

"Where is the boy, Alexander? I heard he has an affinity with all four elements. What a talent!" He disappears again, leaving behind trails of black wisps— like smokes. And I turn— facing my neck forward. He’s on his throne now, sitting like he never left.

"I don’t know," I answer him, my voice is low and shaky, caused by my unstable breath.

It’s the truth, I have no idea where he is. And this.. this is the Charles didn’t want me to know of his whereabouts. Smart boy.

A wide grin stretches on my lips unintentionally.

And at that same moment, that swirling mass of wicked energy squeezes my heart tight— threatening to burst it. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

"Argh!" I groan in pain, clutching my chest tightly.

–Huff– –Huff–

My breathing is raggedy. Right now, I can’t even use my breathing technique.

"Oh? You’re right. You don’t know where he is..." He shuts his eyes close as he nods. "But I need him. No... WE need him, hmm."

What does he mean? Need him for what??! Who is ’we’?!

I want to hurl questions at him, but I can’t. This strange entity called the emperor... I can’t even so much as talk bad about him behind his back.

This is the reason I urged Charles to run. And the reason I encouraged him to change his name.

My breathing is still unstable— my red eyes peering straight into that purple-spiraling eyes of the Emperor. His eyes are like an endless abyss. And if one isn’t careful and gaze into them for too long. They might die.

This ancient evil... Just what the hell does he want with my child?

"Hahahaha!" He suddenly bursts into a loud laughter that echoes throughout the palace.

"Alright. Go, Alexander. I have no mission for you today. But await my punishment." His smile stretches wider, just one more time before he stands up from his throne.

I’m on the ground. Kneeling, and watching him slowly walk away— heading toward the direction of a blue-painted door.

I, Alexander Von Flameworth swear, that one day.. I will look untop your corpse, and I will grin.

My eyes flash with perfectly tamed hostility that I’ve been suppressing.

And then he turns his neck. Eyes landing on me one more time. And I snap the hostile glare away from my eyes.

"Charles right? If you’re protecting him this fiercely. Then he must really be worth something." He says as he opens the door, and makes his way out.

The pressure wrapping around my chest finally melts. And I fall down— lying on the floor. My breath heavy and uneven as I breathe.

A wide, satisfied smirk plays at my lips.

Wrong. He’s not Charles... He’s Ed.

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