The demon grinned.
I can only advise one thing. Release me.
«No,» Rigerd said firmly.
Its a pity. Then one of you must become a Dark Lord in order to oppose the Light One, who has gone mad. Although, as I see now, hes not that crazy. He sold Eldoras to the Duke of Suthering. He promised to marry his daughter to a Suthering nobleman. Beelzuvik and Suthering have united in the fight against you, unknown ruler of Morelia.
Rigerd clenched his fists.
You are lying! You say this to incline me to Darkness, evil spirit. Moreover, how do you know who I am? I didnt say I ruled Morelia!
I dont call myself honest. However, I cannot lie about the Bright Lord, no matter how much I want to. And you know this well.
The evil spirit really didnt lie.
«So, the princess goes to meetings with my nephew, and in the meantime she has wooed a Suseringian? What a bitch!»
Exactly, bitch! «Rebuild my old city,» Antimonik continued meanwhile, grinning with black lips, «The power that is poured in this place will help you protect yourself.»
The ghost was saying something else. But Rigerd did not listen. He, as if hypnotized, walked towards the sorcerers who kept the demon in the center of the circle.
«Free me!» sounded in his head. For a while, reason returned to him. The Duke turned away from the dead man, so as not to even accidentally cross his eyes again.
«Stop it,» he said. «I will order the people, and they will close the circle.» Then you will sink into oblivion.
Fine. I see you are a strong person. What is your name?
I will not tell you a name, spirit of discord. I have one last question for you. Whats going on in the Ennian Lands? Who is the sorcerer who dares to scare my inhabitants?
Fear flashed across the demons «face.»
This cant be! I didnt know it still existed! I sympathize with you if you encounter him!
So who is «he»?
Antimonik did not answer. He disappeared into thin air, leaving the Dukes main question unanswered.
Well, at least one question was answered. Looks like we have only one way to fight Beelzuvik.
Rigerd knelt down.
I renounce the Light. I dedicate myself to serving the Darkness, may it give me the strength to fight the omnipresent, all-powerful enemy!
It seemed that the Duke had disappeared for a while in the mirror of the world, dissolved like morning fog when the sun appeared. And then he appeared, but no longer as a tired old man, but as a man radiating strength.
Chapter 6. Changed
Its getting colder. Many, as always, are not ready for the first frost. During the day it is a little warmer, the puddles barely have time to turn into water. Carriages with firewood scurried back and forth. It had been raining for several hours, the city streets were covered with mirrors of puddles. The merciless wind tore the last clothes from the trees that were preparing to fall asleep until spring. He waltzed with yellow leaves.
Leiveads detachment entered Dream without being noticed by anyone. Near the city gates, people are too busy preparing for winter, but in the center, in the square, a whole crowd has gathered.
Whats happened? Christell asked one of the men. -What kind of meeting?
Do not you know? Duke Rigerd will give a speech. He is preparing us for a great war! We will get rid of the oppression of Beelzuvik! Finally we will be free!
Leivead couldnt understand what was happening. He decided to immediately go to his uncle, but the guards did not let him inside.
I am Viscount Leivead! Do you know my name?
It is known. But Duke Rigerd ordered not a single person to be allowed in.
Leivead did not know the guards.
Maybe theyre new? Although, such familiar faces! Where could I see them?
The epiphany came a few moments later.
This cant be! Sigurd and Will! They Theyre dead! Did your uncle really resort to direct use of necromancy? War can still be avoided! Im sure!
The Viscount ran up to the guards.
Let me in immediately! Otherwise he babbled some threats, he didnt even remember what exactly he said. The guards remained uninvolved. Then Leivead risked breaking through by force. He was grabbed by the arm.
«Its not worth it,» Will said in a sepulchral voice. «The Duke will come out himself when hes ready.»
Leivead went to the square where his comrades were waiting for him. After a while the Duke came out onto the balcony. He wore a golden crown over his black hair. He looked younger, his wrinkles smoothed out.
«For a long time we endured the oppression of the damned Belsuvians. Its time to get them off our necks. Eldoras and Morelia will be able to live without Beelzuvik, and, especially, Suthering. Anyone who dares to cross the border of our kingdom will be killed.
Hooray! the crowd chanted. Leivead himself succumbed to the general madness for a time. It is impossible to listen to Rigerd calmly, there is something enchanting in his words. Ready to instantly take off and go to war Against whom? The man shook off his obsession and looked around. There are only madmen around. It doesnt matter what Rigerd said. The important thing is that people were ready to jump into the abyss right now, headlong. Black eyes that looked straight into the soul.
Let it be so! Men who can stay in the saddle are from fifteen springs! Sharpen your swords, patch your chain mail. The Battle is Coming Soon!
He said his last words and disappeared behind the curtain. And the crowd continued to roar.
Uncle! Leivead shouted. I want to talk to you!
«Let him in,» a voice was heard from the depths of the balcony.
Accompanied by guards, Leivead entered the throne room.
Everything is serious with you, uncle! Since when do I only meet with you in the presence of guards?
«These are the times,» said Rigerd. I dont know who to trust.
Leivead clenched his fists. But he did not respond to the Dukes taunt.
What happened to you! You have changed since our last meeting!
Life is such a thing that leaves no one unchanged!
But why are you preparing for an uprising?
Rebellion, you say? These lands belong to my family! After my death they will go to you. My son died of smallpox, so the crown will go to you. But we must not obey Beelzuvik! Gartaur sold our lands to Suthering. Do I really have to endure this in silence?
Do you think we can resist the entire empire?
«Now yes,» Rigerd grinned, revealing his shoulder, on which a tattoo in the form of a black crown appeared.
«This cant be,» Leivead whispered. Uncle, why did you do this?
Yes, I am the Dark Lord. Now I have no less right to the throne of Beelzuvik than their «blessed» emperor!
One of the many curtains fell and Nisa ran out. She clutched a dagger in her hand.
Father is right! But I didnt believe him! Die, spawn of darkness!
She plunged the blade into the Dukes chest. But he laughed, taking out the bloody steel. Before the eyes of the surprised Leivead, the wound healed.
A mere mortal cannot defeat the Dark Lord!
He clenched his fist, and some invisible thread began to strangle Nisa. She held her throat, choking.
Let her go! Uncle, can you hear me? Let her go!
Rigerd looked at his nephew with eyes mad with hatred. And then his gaze softened.
You are right! I didnt think you were so savvy! Gartaur will not attack Eldoras while his daughter is in my captivity! Willie!
The dead guard entered.
Take her to prison. Make sure our guest doesnt get bored.
Uncle, please dont do this! You know how I feel about Nysa!
«I also know how she treats you and our family.» Shes already married to someone else! Do you hear, Leivead? Gartaur sold Morelia, and the price was your beloved.
What are you saying! How dare you say these words?
«Its true,» Nisa whispered. «I went to Eldoras to prove to my father that he was wrong. He called your lands black, he promised to cleanse them. I was hoping to bring him proof of your innocence. But it turns out the emperor is right. Morelia and Eldoras are now ruled by evil spirits!