The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 36: The Second Day (Part Two)

Chapter 36: The Second Day (Part Two)

The Crown

We pass the portal and take in our surroundings. This place is vastly different from the withering forest. I am highly doubtful that this is the human realm because the sun is shining so brightly over us that it is almost blinding. The forest is filled with lush greenery and the sweet smell of lively plants. I don’t know how long it has been since I last set foot in the human realm. But now that I have, I realize just how much I have missed it.

"What’s with the sun?" Erick complains as he holds out his hand before him in a futile attempt to block out the bright sunlight, "Why is this so hot and so bright?"

Right, I forgot that demons can’t tolerate warmth and brightness. They are the wanderer of the dark. Even their blood is cold and the magic that course through their veins is dark as well.

So this is the obstacle they planned for today, huh?

Demons are much weaker and more vulnerable under the sunlight. This is why they live in the dark and shadow to save themselves and get stronger. Now that all the immature demons are exposed to the sunlight, they will have to handle the mutual weakness and fight to live as well which will make this trial much more difficult and dangerous for them.

Suddenly the voice of Professor Felix’s snarky voice rings in the air, "Students, I forgot to mention that this trial will take place in a secluded area of the human realm. And other than that, once the time for the day is up, dark mages will track down the locations of the treasure chests and teleport the owners back."

"Is this some kind of bad joke?" Seraphina spits, her face twitching with disappointment, disdain, displeasure, and whatnot. Clearly, she is pissed, "How can brother do this to me?"

I scrunch my nose in distaste but don’t say anything.

"Well, Seraphina, I think he did that to everyone in this trial." Erick points it out for her, "You are not the only one, I presume."

"But I am his only sister." Seraphina refuses to give up, "He should be more considerate about me."

Finally, I’d have enough, "Will you please stop whining like a little kid, Seraphina?" I snap at her, "You are acting like a spoiled rich girl. And I highly doubt that Lord Vermilion actually dots on you at all."

I think I might have hit some nerves here because, Seraphina’s expression darkens immediately, "what did you say? Say it again. I dare you." She takes a few quick steps toward me threateningly.

"Oh really? You wanna see just what I dare to do?" I take a step toward her as well, my eyes narrowing into slits.

"Your Highness, Miss Seraphina, will you guys kindly stop fighting among yourselves?" Edward snaps sternly, "Please do not forget that no matter what history you two had has been called off for this twelve hours and I expect the both of you to be on your best behavior for the twenty hours. Did I make myself clear?"

Both of us flinch, even Erck winces. I and Seraphina nod in unison, "Understood."

"So where do we start from?" Erick chimes in, trying to ease up the tension in the air.

"Seriously, Erick?" I make a face as I turn to him, "You literally have the freaking map and you are the damn leader."

"Your Highness, please mind your tongue." Edward rebukes, "Do not forget your status as the crown prince."

"My bad." However, I don’t sound at all guilty.

Erick rolls open the map that was given to us, and the four of us almost dive our heads into it. "So we are currently here—" He points to a specific spot where a red dot is pointing, "—We need to go here—" He trails his hand across the big map and stops at a particularly bold cross mark, "—This is the closest treasure chest hidden spot."

"How do we get there?" I ask, "The map isn’t giving any important information at all." I straighten up, my hands on my hips.

"We just ask," Edward answers simply and makes a gesture with his hand.

Suddenly a root, buried deep inside the earth, evades the soil and springs out like a snake.

"It will lead us," Edward says nonchalantly as he starts to walk ahead of everyone in the group. The thick root is slithering across the ground and following Edward as if it is its master.

"What the...?" I and Erick start simultaneously then exchange a glance and start to follow Edward like obedient children.

"Are you not going to come?" I crane my neck and look at Seraphina with a blank look on my face.

Seraphina, who is still in shock, snaps out of it and hurriedly starts to follow us.

We walk beside each other silently. No one is talking until this is necessary. The sun is bright like a summer day which is why the two demons are sweating profusely. Without any doubt, the sun is draining their power and spirit.

Meanwhile, I can feel my magic getting stronger with the passing seconds. The sun is basically the source of my light. This is why I am feeling more energetic and spirited under the sun. The sun might be the weakness of the demon kind but this is the powerhouse of my magic.

After walking for three solid hours, Erick, who is working like a navigator, with the map laid out before him, suddenly halts. "I think we are almost there." He points out a part of the map, "This should be around here. This is what the map is showing at least."

I open my mouth to make a remark but am cut off by the noise coming from a little distance.

"Look carefully. This treasure box or whatever it is, it should be here." An unfamiliar voice speaks, her voice urgent and slightly annoyed.

"You are not doing any work. So stop bossing around." Another woman bickers back.

"None of you are doing anything. So shut your fucking mouth up." A male voice growls angrily and shuts both the women off.

Without saying anything I and my teammates start to edge toward the place hidden in the bush, we carefully hide our presence and keep our footing feather -light.

I carefully move a branch aside to take a glance at just what the demons are doing. Sure enough they’re digging the earth and they have dug quite a lot. I am sure just a few more minutes, and they will find just what they are looking for.

"So what should we do, Your Highness?" Edward speaks in a hushed voice. "Seems like they already have found the treasure box. Should we go and look for another one?"

I am having just the same thought. Should we leave it or fight for it? Damn this is so hard to decide.

"There is a reason that you guys are human and we are demons." Seraphina scoffs from the side, "This is easy, isn’t it? We just go and take what we need. But before that we wait until they obtain what we need. Then we qill just take it from them." She says those words as if there is no life that is betting on it. So easily and so nonchalantly...

But I can’t deny the reason Seraphina has in her words. If we don’t take what we need then we will end up being the victims.

"Your Highness?" Edward asks pointedly.

"We are taking this chest." I say, my voice stony.

Edward pauses for a brief moment before nodding.

I need to save us first. We can’t afford to look out for others. Edward knows this too. This is why he doesn’t question it.

After waiting a little while, the group of demon at last manages to dig out the treasur box. Which is very small yet neat. It has something in its aura as well.

"Okay, let’s go now." Seraphina smirks and steps out of our hiding place.

I sigh and follow her. We are doing this after all I guess.