The crowd that consisted of servants, nobles, and citizens burst out in celebration. Wines squirting in the air, loud music intensifying, and the people screaming as loud as they could looked so chaotic yet lively at the same time.
But the happiest men for this news, it seems, are Axerion and Vedis. They forgot all about their status and hugged each other while jumping up and down.
After everything had settled, Dhein guided Shina forward to meet their parents.
"This is great. So great, indeed!" Vedis exclaimed.
"With this, the imperial bloodline is secured!" he added.
Axerion came forward, his hand resting on his chest.
"As the highest priest in the world, I shall officiate this wedding myself."
Vedis nodded.
"Excellent idea. This will be the grandest wedding ceremony in the history of mankind that will make mine and Yuhan's pale in comparison."
While they were talking, Dhein looked around, searching for Zarria. He knew there was a tendency that she would not take this news well.
But as Shina said, people like them were bound by their duty as rulers of the land. Every decision they made must be in line with their subjects' interest.
Suddenly, he felt a hand softly tugging at his suit.
He turned to Shina who was looking at him worriedly.
"Is something the matter?" she asked.
Dhein sighed.
"It's nothing."
His betrothed lingered for a moment before letting the topic go.
***
< THE NEXT MORNING >
Carriages were lined up outside the gate, ready to carry two hundred passengers. The Theocheirós Clan and their guests stood outside of the mansion. Some servants were already preparing with their departure while some ran around, frantically organizing everything they needed to take with them in their travel.
Dhein, his sister and parents stood at the front yard. His grandfather was also with them.
Standing before them were Shina and her parents. It was their first time meeting as "soon to be" in-laws.
After everything that had happened, Dhein was still quite at a loss. This was undoubtedly the biggest step in his life.
They had decided that, in two days, the wedding will be held in Mavir Port City, a tropical region popular for its beautiful beaches and many tourist attractions. It was also where the divine tree was located. From Selense, you would be able to see the foggy figure of this giant tree as big as a mountain that was hundreds of miles away. Many people from across the lands visited this place for vacations and exploration.
Emperor Vedis would pay the mayor of the city to gain full VIP access for him and all the guests for a week.
"Emperor Vedis Venilon, Consort Yuhan Liu, it is my clan's great honor to be integrated into the imperial family," Axerion stated with a formal tone.
"This will most certainly be a catalyst for our empire's prosperity!"
The emperor nodded.
"I agree. Dheinyrus has proven time and time again to be worthy of my daughter's hand. I'm sure that with him, the strongest human in the world, joining the imperial council, any problem that comes our way will be easily handled."
Dhein and Shina's eyes met, he could tell that she was holding her laughter. And it made his lips curl upward, too.
After a moment, Dhein turned to Zarria whose eyes was dead set on Shina.
'Is she still doubtful of her?' Dhein asked in his mind.
His attention shifted to Axerion when he spoke.
"Truly, Your Majesty. And also, while I regret to say this, I have to be left behind in the manor to take care of the issues created by my traitor brother. The wedding is in two days, so I will use this time to set everything in line."
The emperor nodded.
"Very well, Lord Theocheirós. Do what you must."
Then, the emperor smirked and did a mocking voice.
"Slave away while we enjoy our vacation in the best resort in the world."
He then stuck out his tongue.
Veins popped out on Axerion's forehead, indicating his hidden anger behind a fake smile.
Soon, it was time for them to leave. Mavir Port City was located southeast of the empire near the Uthalonica Island. At a horse-drawn carriage's average pace, they should arrive there by evening.
Dhein, Shina, Zarria and the emperor and his consort boarded the royal carriage while the other scions and Fiorelle boarded the one after theirs. Neral, Edvic and Axerion's siblings boarded the next. And the rest of the carriages carried the other guests and servants. More of the guests were said to come from different parts of the empire and the world in the next two days.
Axerion watched as they moved forward. The manor had almost been emptied of personnel.
His personal servants were left behind with him.
And so, as the carriages vanished from his sight, the leader of divinity began walking back inside his grand mansion.
His footsteps echoed faintly as he stepped into the tiled floor. The noise from his shoes stopped when he began walking on the pristine black carpet, silence dominating the empty house.
Turning left and right in the maze-like hallways, he reached the deepest corner of the mansion where an ominous door was placed. No one ever opens this door except him.
Axerion pushed the door open, revealing an even tighter and darker hallway, made out of unpolished stone bricks. Only some small lamps and torches served as dim lights illuminating the mansion's dungeon.
He walked a little further, passing through several cells. They contained "sinners" he had personally sentenced to hell.
He was the Godhand after all.
After a few more steps, he reached one particular cell.
One where his genius of a brother was locked up.
He pushed the key into the keyhole, opening the cell door. And then, he met his brother's hateful gaze. Raymond's eyes were just as crimson as his, and almost as dead, too.
Looking at the chained man, the leader of divinity couldn't help but be repulsed.
"Hello, big brother," Axerion greeted with a smile.
"You know, we didn't have to arrive at this conclusion. Everything could have ended up way better for you, had you only listened to me."
The blonde man didn't respond, in fact, he couldn't. Because without prayers, he wouldn't be able to heal his severed tongue.
"Right. How can we have a proper conversation if you can't even talk."
Axerion's laughter echoed inside the dungeons.
Then, he pulled something out of his suit — a blindfold.
He wrapped it around Raymond's head, covering his eyes.
Shortly after that, Axerion heard Raymond's voice inside his head.
"Fuck you."
The dark-haired man's lips curled upward.
He then slapped Raymond so hard it almost pulled out the chains from the concrete ceiling.
"I will do that as many times as you want," Axerion whispered.
He sighed, and then spoke.
"Now then, I just wanted to ask you about all of your goons. If you tell me who and where they are, your son and wife will be safe."
"They have done nothing wrong, Rio. Leave them out of this."
"Come on, Ray. You know I don't give a shit if they're innocent or not. And don't forget, I have your useless boy... what does he call himself again? Silver Sky? Whatever. Even if you stay silent, there's a chance that he'll just spill everything I need. Julius and Karina's demise will be in vain."
Raymond glared at him intensely.
"You are no god."
Axerion slapped him again.
"Wrong answer."
"You will never be a god."
That day, blood flowed from inside that cell, covering the path in dark red.