188. End of a bastard

Kai rode through the open fields. The banner of Veralt fluttered from one of the horses, its fabric snapping with every gust, a silent declaration of their advance. His small contingent moved in formation behind him—Killian at his side, Gareth a few paces back, their armor dulled with dried grime from battle. The others, those who had emerged with only minor wounds, followed silently, eyes fixed on the horizon. They moved until Veyrin’s walls were right ahead. Kai could tell that the sight stirred something in Killian. The Knight who was at his side gripped the reins tightly, his lips parting just enough for a breathless murmur. “We’re back.” Kai caught the flicker in his eyes—the chains of familiarity, the unspoken emotions of returning to a place that he had a past. It echoed something within him too. Veyrin was no mere city; it was the place where Arzan Kellius had been cast aside, where he had spent his childhood in and where he had lost the succession to Lucian. But that man was dead, his fate rewritten. Now, Kai was going to be riding back through those gates—not as a disgraced heir, but as the man who had crushed the old order and won the fief war. Ahead, the city waited. Inside, Lucian lurked. Gareth had assured him they would breach the walls without trouble, that Lucian was ripe for the taking. But Kai had lived too many lives to put faith in certainty. The remnants of the fief war had shattered Lucian’s forces, but his allegiance to Regina meant there was still danger—potions, parasites, gifts that could twist flesh and mind beyond their limits. Kai exhaled, feeling the slow pulse of his Mana heart as it stirred, replenishing the power he had burned in the fight against Shakran. If Lucian had turned himself into another monster, then so be it. Monsters could be slain. Kai kept his posture loose, but his senses sharp as the walls of Veyrin loomed closer. Power hummed beneath his fingertips, a spell waiting at the edge of his will. The wind carried the scent of stone and damp wood, but no signs of ambush. Still, he didn’t let his guard slip. A small, but noticeable movement caught his eye—figures shifting on top of the walls. Then, with a deep groan of wood and iron, the city gates yawned open on their own. Torches cast wavering light on the figures waiting beyond the threshold. The guards bore Lucian’s crest, yet they stood rigid, their weapons at rest. But it wasn’t them who drew Kai’s attention—it was the old man standing at the forefront, silver hair neatly combed back, robes crisp despite the tension in the air. Rubert— Lucian’s butler that he had already gotten information on. Kai reined in his horse and dismounted immediately. The butler’s lined face softened with something almost nostalgic before he bowed, his voice even yet touched with something warm. “I’m pleased to see you again, young master Arzan.” His eyes moved over Kai, taking in the hardened stance, the quiet authority that hadn't been there before. “You sure have grown a lot.” Kai met the man’s eyes, the weight of the lack of memories pressing at the edges of his mind—memories that weren’t his. Another fragment of Arzan’s life stood before him, expecting familiarity that wasn’t truly there. The mask slipped into place. “It has been a while, Rubert,” Kai said smoothly, nodding. “I’m glad to see you’re doing well.” The butler’s lips curled into a smile, though his eyes held something keener than mere pleasantries. “Only because I had hope, my lord. Hope that you would take Veyrin to new heights as the victor of the fief war.” Kai let out a short breath, the corner of his mouth tilting upward. “For me to be the victor, I still need to capture Lucian first.” His gaze swept past Rubert to the city beyond. “Where is he?” At that, Rubert’s lips thinned. “In his castle. Duke Lucian returned hours ago and locked himself in his chambers.” He briefly glanced at Gareth, then back to Kai. “After confirming that you defeated his forces, I gathered every guard still loyal to Veyrin and not him, and attempted to seize him, but the gates are barred. We couldn’t get inside.” Kai’s fingers flexed at his side. Of course Lucian was stalling. If the fool had any last tricks to play, he would be using them now. He lifted his chin, eyes narrowing toward the distant castle. “Then it’s time we knocked.” Kai dipped his head in acknowledgment. “You did well.” His focus shifted over to the gathered guards. “Are they all ready to swear allegiance?” Rubert straightened. “Yes, my lord. Your brother’s rule was despotic. The people had already lost hope in him. When he returned alone, news of your victory spread like wildfire. The city is waiting for you to address them.” Kai exhaled slowly. “I will—once I deal with my brother.” He turned, his attention shifting to Killian and the others. “Let’s go.” Without another word, they moved, boots striking against the stone as they marched through the streets. The banner of Veralt fluttered above them, snapping in the breeze. Eyes followed them—faces lining the streets, peering from behind shutters. He had expected everything that came with him walking through the walls of Veyrin. So he didn’t spare them more than a passing glance. Not yet. The estate was ahead and they walked right inside to a grand hall. There were flickering candles everywhere, but he didn’t have time to take in every inch of the details. His eyes fixated on the staircase that would lead them upstairs. Rubert stepped closer. “Duke Lucian took your father’s chambers after seizing the title.” he said in almost a whisper. But Kai only gave a nod. He didn’t know where the chamber was—he simply followed the butler’s lead. Through the grand halls, up winding staircases, they walked. The scent of wax and old wood clung to the air. By the fifth floor, Rubert finally stopped. Kai stepped forward, testing the door. Locked. He turned his head slightly. Killian was already moving. “Let me, Lord Arzan.” With a swift, brutal stroke, his sword cut through the wood. The heavy door splintered apart, shards flying as it crashed inward. Kai didn’t step in immediately. His body tensed, waiting for a trap, a last-ditch strike— Nothing. They moved inside. The room was dark, the air thick and just as they took the first step inside the room, something touched his leg. Kai stiffened, taking another look at the liquid. Since he couldn’t see through the whole of the dark room, he ignited a small flame in his fingertips. Then they saw him. Lucian sprawled against the wall, his body slumped at an unnatural angle. Blood pooled beneath him, glistening in the dim light. A dagger jutted from his stomach, buried to the hilt. Yet he wasn’t dead. His chest rose in shallow, weak breaths. Bloodshot eyes flickered open, locking onto Kai. For the first time, face to face, they looked at each other. And despite everything—the war, the betrayal, the bloodshed—Kai realized this was the first time they had ever truly met. Sure, he’d been aware of him, keeping an eye on his every move but meeting Lucian to face was different. They had been enemies since the moment Kai took over this body. But for Lucian, the hatred ran deeper—he had seen Kai as an enemy from birth. Lucian’s lips parted. His voice was hoarse, each word drawn out like it took effort to speak. “So, you came… brother.” A weak, bitter smile tugged at his lips. “I wanted to cut my throat and be done with it, but… I knew you’d come.” He swallowed, his bloodshot eyes flickering past Kai to the others. “Tell your lackeys to leave. Especially the butler. I don’t want to see traitors in my last moments.” Kai didn’t answer immediately. He weighed the risks. Lucian could try something—but in his state, did it matter? No. His decision was already made. He turned to Killian. “Give me some space.” Killian stiffened. “Lord Arzan, it might be a trap—” “I’ll deal with whatever comes.” For a moment, their gazes locked. Then, seeing Kai’s eyes, Killian exhaled sharply and gave a nod. With reluctant steps, he and the others withdrew, the door creaking as it shut behind them. Silence settled. Kai turned his attention back to Lucian. Even now, even like this, there was defiance in Arzan’s brother’s eyes. Caution tingled at the edges of Kai’s senses, but he dismissed it. If Lucian tried anything, it would be his last mistake. He would make sure of it. Slowly, he stepped forward, boots sinking into the thick pool of blood. As he knelt, bringing himself to eye level with Lucian, he saw it—more wounds, shallow cuts on both arms. Had he been torturing himself? Did he hate himself that much? Or was he attacked? Kai didn’t know. Lucian’s ragged breath broke the silence. “I wanted to see you in my final moments.” His lips curled in a humorless smirk. “To look at the man I hate the most… the one who killed me in the end.” Kai met his gaze, voice steady. “You killed yourself.” A dry chuckle. “Only because you crushed my forces. My hopes.” Lucian’s fingers twitched, curling slightly at his sides. “You don’t know what it feels like—to realize you’ve already lost. It’s the worst thing a ruler can experience.” He sucked in a sharp breath, his body trembling. “But I wasn’t going to let you take my life. So I did it myself.” Kai’s eyes narrowed. “I would have captured you first.” Lucian let out a weak, wheezing laugh. “Wouldn’t have worked.” His bloodstained teeth flashed in a grin. “I was dead the moment I lost. Regina… that wretched woman wouldn’t let me live after such a failure.” He sighed. “But even without her, I couldn’t live knowing I lost to you… my pathetic, loser brother.” And then, despite the pain, despite everything, he laughed again. Kai looked down at Lucian, the weight of the moment settling over him like a cold shroud. It wasn’t too late to save him. The wounds were bad—too much blood spilled—but a healing potion could pull him back from the edge. He reached into his coat, fingers brushing against the vial— But Lucian’s chuckle stopped him. “Oh, don’t bother.” He chuckled again. “The knives and blood aren’t the only thing. I already drank a lethal poison.” Kai’s fingers curled around the vial. His eyes narrowed. Lucian’s smirk grew faintly. “Do you know of Requilem?” He waited for Kai to answer. But seeing how he didn’t, Lucian continued. “It seeps into your being, slow and unnoticed, and then—” He snapped his fingers weakly. “—instant death. A very special poison. And there’s no cure.” For the first time, Kai froze. He knew this poison. He had read about it in one of the many books in the castle library after coming into this world. There were antidotes—at least, in theory—but they took time to make, and Lucian wouldn’t last that long. He was already dead. Lucian studied his face and scoffed. “Why don’t you speak? Gloat.” His breaths were shallow, but the fire in his eyes hadn’t dimmed. “You won, you bastard. I’m dying, and you get to take everything.” His voice turned hoarse. “I hope you get killed too. Everyone does in the end. But yeah, you won.” Kai remained silent. Lucian let out a ragged laugh. “I should have killed you long ago, you know.” He groaned loudly. “That mana vein blockage poison—Mana Bane—wasn’t enough to keep you from gaining power… or growing a spine.” His lips curled. “Gods, I hated how wimpy you were.” “So it was you.” Lucian smiled, and despite the blood, it was smug. “My mother, bless her soul… whichever hell she’s floating in.” His gaze flickered as if recalling something distant. “But truly it was Regina. That woman is paranoid. She wanted to make you a mortal, to erase you as a threat. But then she got  paranoid…” His voice weakened. “And decided it was better to kill you outright.” The air between them grew heavy. Kai clenched his jaw. Regina. That woman had tried to cripple him from the start. And now, the last person who could give him direct answers was bleeding out in front of him, laughing in his face. Lucian let out another weak laugh, his voice barely more than a whisper. “Crazy bitch…” Kai’s fingers twitched at his sides as his thoughts churned. He had already suspected Regina’s involvement, but hearing it from Lucian himself made his anger burn hotter. He wasn’t truly Arzan Kellius. But even so, he owed that much to the man whose body he now inhabited—to take revenge on the woman who had pushed him into a life of inferiority, humiliation, and suffering. His voice was cold when he finally spoke. “I’ll kill her next.” Lucian spat on the ground. “Please do so.” His breath was ragged, but his eyes still held that infuriating glint. “But I doubt even  can. She’s not alone, and she’s not someone you can easily subdue.” He coughed. “Either way, enough about her. Tell me, how did you change so much?” Kai remained silent. Lucian scoffed. “Is it the inheritance? Did your mother really leave you something before her death?” His voice was laced with bitter sarcasm. “Please tell me it was that. At least then, I’ll know you didn’t do it alone.” Kai exhaled. He wasn’t sure why he even considered answering. Maybe because Lucian was dying. Maybe because, despite everything, he was still Arzan’s brother. Or maybe because this was the last conversation they would ever have. Somewhere deep down, he needed Lucian to know this last piece of information before he truly went to… hell. “The truth is,” Kai finally said. “I’m not Arzan.” Lucian’s eyes widened. If the poison wasn’t working, Kai was sure he’d have given the man a heart attack right then and there. Because his weak heartbeat stopped for a moment before he gasped, clutching his chest. Kai continued. “My name is Kai. A Magus from a different era. I came back to the past and took over this body, due to a… ritual—a forbidden one, if you will. I know it's hard to believe, but that's the truth. Arzan died to Actra long ago.” His gaze sharpened, meeting Lucian’s stunned one. “So you didn’t lose to . You lost to .” Lucian’s lips parted, as if to speak—but before he could, his body convulsed. A violent cough wracked his frame, blood spilling from his mouth. Kai immediately stepped forward, but it was already too late. The last bit of light flickered from Lucian’s eyes, his breath hitching—then ceasing entirely. Kai stared down at him, waiting. But there was nothing. No last words. No final curses. Just silence. With a sigh, he reached down, fingers pressing against the side of Lucian’s neck. No pulse. It was over. Just like that, the pathetic bastard of a man, died. Kai closed his eyes briefly before standing up. He turned, walking toward the door, his footsteps echoing in the bloodstained chamber. When he pushed the door open, he was met with the sight of Killian and the others standing outside, waiting. He exhaled. “The fief war is over. Lucian is dead.” His voice echoed in the hall. And then, silence followed. Then Kai’s next words came, cold and decisive. S~eaʀᴄh the nôvelFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “Prepare for a funeral.” *** A/N - You can read 30 chapters (15 Magus Reborn and 15 Dao of money) on my patreon. Annual subscription is now on too. Also, pre orders for Volume 1 are live. Pre-order Magus Reborn Volume 1 HERE. Read 15 chapters ahead HERE. Join the discord server HERE.