The Kingmaker System
Chapter 284 - 283. Cursed (2)

Chapter 284: 283. Cursed (2)

I returned to the inn with the conversation and weight of the decision hanging heavily on me. The demon had struck a deal with me, if I hand myself to him then he would undo the curse and if I didn’t then he would kill the child and also destroy the kingdom.

I knew the answer to this was simple I could sacrifice the child and kill the threat right away but he knew I wouldn’t let the child be harmed that’s why he was playing around.

He was also the one who made the curse worse for both the child and Marvoni.

"Well, I knew you had both of them, I couldn’t risk the Pope telling you the truth and the Lesser Dragon was a warning." The demon in Zale had grinned and shrugged nonchalantly making it hard for me to not rip him apart right then and there.

"You were also the one who came in the Temple frequently,"

"In your room? Yes, I wanted to see what you were up to."

I grabbed a chair and sat down looking at him as he smiled at me, despite the malice in his void like presence, I knew he wouldn’t do anything to me right now. Even if he were to try it would be useless.

"You were also the one who tried to kill me at Lozar, right?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yes, I thought I’d crush you like a bug but you got out," he said.

"Then I guess you’re also the one who were responsible for the chaos that was caused in those towns because of the monsters."

He nodded again with a smile, "Yes, it was fun, but it would have been more fun if you hadn’t interfered, I was angry, you know? I wanted to kill you right away but then again, I knew you would soon fall into my trap that’s why I came here."

He thought I had fallen into his trap, as if a Dragon would fallen into a demon’s trap.

"That black fluid which was responsible for driving the monsters crazy was also your work."

He grinned, "Yes, it was my blood."

"Blood?"

"Yes, it works immaculately on those who have less or no mana."

That’s why those animals and the shifters had turned into the monsters without any consciousness.

"You were in Mordino as well?" I asked as I recalled the cheetahs that also were injected with the same black fluid- his blood.

"Yes, I was travelling and gifted the King some of my blood and two demon stones."

"Demon stone?" I asked and he chuckled.

"You and I have a history and you have no idea about it, Dragon." He grinned making me feel sick.

This bastard was responsible for all the troubles that I had gone through since Mordino. He had been playing around since the very beginning and I was only getting go know of that now.

"Then you also gave the King the blueprint of that strange device." I prompted and he tilted his head slightly.

"Device?" He wondered.

"The one that sucks away the mana and aura from one person and transfers it in another person."

His eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned ahead, "Oh, that device. Though I like it but sadly, it wasn’t my work."

I observed him and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I’ve answered you honestly up till now, why are you looking at me like you think I’m lying?"

"Who is this man that you’re using as your Host?" I asked looking at the young man in front of me.

"Hm? Sorry, not telling you." He grinned making me scoff.

"Fine, don’t tell me, I don’t care," I muttered.

"But I need a proof of you being loyal on your side,"

The demon laughed so hard that I wondered if he’d pop right out of the man’s mouth.

"Ah, you’re looking for some easy way, aren’t you?"

"No, I just don’t think that a demon is a trustworthy existence considering you are famous for backstabbing." I said and he smiled.

"You’re really an amusing half Dragon," he said and then hummed before he stood up.

I observed as he walked up to the vanity and opened a drawer pulling out a small chest from inside and walked up to me. Something deep within me stirred and I couldn’t help but focus my attention on the chest or rather the contents of it.

He opened the chest and pulled out a thick silver ring with the lock of hair tied to it. He clasped the ring in his fist before he muttered something under his breath and then opened his eyes with a smile. It felt as if something was lifted from my chest and I could breath easier.

He tossed the ring to me and I caught it looking at him for an explanation.

"I’ll hand you Marvoni since you ask me so nicely,"

I frowned and looked at the ring which had the crest of the Saintess and the Dragon along with the lock of white hair. This ring was what used to curse Marvoni.

"I guess this would prove my word to you," he said and I sighed.

"I’ll go check," I said as I stood up and he chuckled.

"Quite a cautious person, aren’t you?" He said, "Well, check and come back, you know where to find me."

I turned my attention back to the present as I sat in front of Marvoni who looked like he was doing well except for the misery that I had inflicted on him.

"Hey, Marvoni, the object that was used to cast the curse on you was this, wasn’t it?" I asked showing him the ring.

His eyes adjusted on the ring and went wide in an instant as he looked up at me and then at the ring.

"H-How do you..."

"Your curse is gone," I said making his jaw drop.

"What?!" He gasped.

"Try it," I said and he blinked.

"I was cursed." He whispered and then waited for a moment but nothing happened.

That was an assurance that the demon had indeed kept his side now, if I agreed to his terms then he would also undo the curse on the kid.

But then again, I wasn’t willing to trust him with it, Marvoni was a useless piece for him now that’s why it was easy to undo the curse. But the case with the child was different. The child was like my Achilles heel, and the demon knew it. If he knew me enough then he also knew that I would be willing to do anything to protect my people. He knew I would do all I could go save the child that’s why his side was more strong.

He knew what decision I would make and he was right.

But before that, I needed to take precautions. The curse might not be of the same kind as the child had so, I had to do all I could to keep myself from losing myself.

I hadn’t told Silas about any of this, if he knew that I was taking over a curse then he would fly all the way here to pull my ears for being reckless.

Still, I had to take a chance here, and I guess my Patrons could be of help.

[Defender of Divine Glory advices you to not sacrifice yourself.]

[Goddess of Wisdom warns you that demons should never be trusted.]

"I felt him undo the curse on Marvoni."

[Goddess of Wisdom says she thought better of you.]

[Defender of Divine Glory firms rejects the idea of making a deal with that demon.]

"I know your concerns-"

[Giver of Gifts says she is also against the idea of letting the demon take over your body.]

"He won’t be taking over my body."

[Defender of Divine Glory corrects you by saying that that would be exactly what the demon would be doing.]

"Is there any alternative then?" I asked.

There was a pause for a moment.

[Goddess of Wisdom says that it’s better to sacrifice the Lesser Dragon.]

"I can’t and I won’t." I responded.

"If you’ve forgotten then I have a task of saving that child,"

[Giver of Gifts says that for a greater cause there are always sacrifices.]

"Yes, there are but since I’m alive I’m not letting that child die."

[Defender of Divine Glory warns you against your idea.]

"It’s my call," I spoke up.

[Goddess of Wisdom says they chose you to save the world not to destroy it.]

"That’s exactly what I’m saying, you guys chose me to save this world if I sacrifice an innocent child who had already suffered enough here then how would I be eligible for the further plans? Do you think it would be hard for me to sacrifice this world in future if I continue?"

My words rendered them speechless and I knew I had won here, now all I had to do was make sure that I wouldn’t screw up here.