Ascension Of The Villain

Chapter 192: Sweet To Sour

Vyan strode down the grand corridors of the Diamond Palace with a casual pace, two guards flanking his side. He had to leave Clyde waiting outside, thanks to the recent life-threatening incident at the palace. The explosion had sent ripples of panic through the imperial grounds, and as of then, only trustworthy authorized personnel of the emperor were allowed within the palace.

It was kind of ironic. Given how Vyan was the one to set off the explosion and he, of all people, was being allowed to stroll into the palace hallways like a regular Monday.

As Vyan approached the heavy oak doors of Edgar's chamber, the door guards straightened up. They gave Vyan a courteous nod and exchanged a glance with the guards on Vyan's side, as if to confirm whether they had done a full-body check of him or not.

Once they gave the confirmation through a curt nod, the guards stepped aside to let Vyan through.

Vyan allowed himself a small, fleeting smirk as they pushed the doors open for him and he entered the huge, dimly lit room.

The emperor's private chamber was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and incense—the kind of incense that irritated Vyan's lungs. It was a good thing that he had already mastered covering up his irritations and dislikes in front of the targeted audience.

Instead of the emperor, Vyan's gaze first met Wyatt's. As usual, Vyan gave a nod of acknowledgement, and Wyatt responded back in the same way, so did Storm. The former was standing near the window, while the latter behind the doors.

Vyan suppressed a smile of amusement. But it wasn't their positions that amused him; it was their presence. How much paranoia did Edgar have to be struck with to have both of his Aura knights guarding him inside the room? One usually has their knights guard only outside the door in order to allow oneself privacy, and well, to avoid feeling the need to be stared at all times.

Their presence was a living proof of how much Edgar was being devoured by his own paranoia and anxiety.

Anyway, forget the paranoia. Nothing comes close to the amusement that Vyan felt when he finally saw Edgar. The once-might emperor lay in his massive bed, propped up by a pile of pillows, his skin pallid and his hair disheveled. Sweat beaded his forehead, and his once-sharp eyes were now clouded with exhaustion and hopelessness.

Without Aster's mana, Edgar was nothing but a cornered animal, gasping for breath.

Vyan took a moment to relish the sight. It was almost poetic. For someone who had thrived on control and manipulation, to be stripped of the source of his strength like this was nothing short of karma.

"Your Imperial Majesty," Vyan began, his tone rich with feigned concern, "I came as soon as the palace gates were opened. I… cannot express how deeply upset I was when I found out what happened."

Edgar's eyes cracked open, dull and bloodshot. He managed a weak, bitter smile. "Ah, Grand Duke," he rasped, his voice scratchy. "What a pleasure... to have you visit me in my... dire state."

"Your suffering is our suffering," Vyan replied smoothly, bowing his head. "It is a tragedy to see you in such distress, Your Imperial Majesty."

The loss of the unrivaled, borrowed mana coursing through his veins… Oh, the tragedy! Vyan would have broken into laughter if he could afford to.

"I cannot even begin to imagine who would dare to do such a thing," Vyan let out, his tone full of pretense anger.

Edgar's expression twisted into one of melancholy. "Yes…. Who would dare such an atrocity?" he muttered weakly. "To try to assassinate me... in my own palace… Such a treacherous villain must be at large."

"Indeed, Your Imperial Majesty," Vyan agreed, nodding thoughtfully. "But rest assured, the imperial officers are on high alert. They will surely catch the culprit responsible for this heinous act," he said while inside his head, he thought, the imperial officers can