The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 49: The Fallen Angel

Chapter 49: The Fallen Angel

The Rose

"The palace seems so empty without His Highness around." Phillip remarks, breaking the long silence at my office, "He is such a lively person."

Phillip is not wrong. Lush is like the silver ray of the moon. Highlighting everything to its best. During the time he was here, the place was always filled with distant sounds of banters and laughter. I have never been the person to enjoy those things, however, now that the place is empty just like before...it’s kind of bothersome. I have this unnatural yarning to hear Lush’s soft singsong voice. But I am not about to show it.

"I am afraid that you are getting too attached to the crown prince Phillip." I flip through the ancient book that I was brought to do some research. "You should focus on the thing that is in your hand."

Phillip opens his mouth but chews on his words, deciding not to talk back to me, "Yes, My Lord." He pauses, "Did you find what you were looking for, My Lord?"

"Not really." I shut the book and draw another one to me, "The information was recorded nearly twenty centuries ago. I am doubtful that it was either lost or not recorded with care."

"So what are we going to do now, My Lord?" Phillip asks, his usual stoic expression turning a bit worried.

He has started to worry a lot these days, especially about Lush. I can tell by looking at his face that he doesn’t want Lush to take these dangerous jobs. But he can’t just go out of his way and speak out. Phillip has a soft spot for Lush. He doesn’t show it, but it is evident to me. He doesn’t have any resentment against his family.

Figured humans would always be humans.

"Someone is coming." I don’t bother to look at him, "He will have what we need."

"Aww, Lord Vermilion! How can you always detect me like this?" a voice whines and an animal figure appears at the door’s threshold. "I always do such a good job of hiding myself."

"But you still have a lot to learn, Zhen Xin." I don’t look up at him as he enters the room.

Phillip winches, clearly bothered by Zhen Xin’s presence, after all, he is a divine beast. A sacred white tiger. He is one of the gatekeepers of the Divine realm. He is new though. He has been appointed there only for two centuries.

"Lord Vermilion," Zhen Xin drops to the floor in front of my desk, "How are you always aware of the things happening in the Divine realm?"

"This is just an assumption, Zhen Xin." I also flip the book shut and look up at him, "I just need you to confirm it."

"To be honest, Lord Vermilion, the situation is about to get out of our hands." Zhen Xin’s voice seems a bit stressed, "I am here to let you know in advance. The Divine realm is in chaos."

"What did your Gods do again?" I ask, my expression remaining bland, "Though I am assuming that these magic-sucking incidents are conducted by one of them. But a question remains, why are they sucking dark magic? Shouldn’t they look for light... magic?" A pang of realization hits me.

"This is partly correct, My Lord." Zhen Xin replies, "An angel has fallen. He was a very high-ranking one among the angles. After his fall he consumed almost every other angles’ magic before he was thrown down here. Gods forbade him to enter the Human realm."

"So he came to the Demon realm." I continue, my heart pounding in my chest, this is one of the times that I realize that I still have something in my chest, "He somehow got to know that there is a God-blessed crown prince here. So he is luring him in."

Gods are the most powerful beings among the three realms if I don’t count the four demon lords in the demon realm. Then comes angels. They are as nasty as the Gods. I’d say nastier than the demons and humans. Then come divine beasts.

As you know, when gods fall, they become demons but when the angels fall, they become something nastier. Fallen angles are definitely bad news.

I have never been fond of these celestial beings. They have always stirred endless troubles since ancient times and then left the rest to the demons.

I get on my feet, "We are going to the northern domain, Phillip. Ready the teleportation circle."

As the words fall from my lips Phillip bolts out of the room, without acknowledging us. I turn my attention back to Zhen Xin, "Do you wish to come with us?"

"I am appointed to dispose of the fallen angel." He replies, his voice deep and mighty, "I may fulfill my duty."

"Very well." I start to trudge toward the exit. "I never asked you what this fallen angel trying to do by consuming this much magic?"

"He is trying to find a vassal," Zhen Xin replies as he follows me out. He lost his body when the Gods punished him. So he needs a vassal to regain his power. So he is killing everyone who he consumes magic from. My Lord, I am afraid, the holy crown prince is in grave danger."

We reach the teleportation room and I am not at all assured by the look that Phillip has on his face. He looks like he is about to cry.

"M-My, Lord..." He rasps, stumbling toward me, "T-The teleportation magic isn’t working. I can’t connect the northern palace with any magic. There is a light barrier obstructing the magic to reach the palace’s core."

I am feeling an emotion, I have never felt in a long time. Fear. There is this emotion swelling at the bottom of my stomach, creating a knot there. I am afraid that I might lose someone. I don’t know why I am feeling this... but I am desperate. Desperate to see my prince’s moonlit face.

I take the alternative. "We are flying there."