I Reincarnated as the Bastard Prince? Well, At least I'm OP!-Chapter 31: The Blood Jest cult

"Impressive, Elysia," Raul murmured as he approached her, his cloak trailing behind him like black smoke. "The demon king would be pleased. Now, where is the child?"

"She’s currently resting at the Guardian Chambers," Elysia replied then hesitated. "There’s something unusual about that child. She defeated Zoran—the elder lich—and survived Frosthelm Mountains with six other candidates. A child mage shouldn’t be that powerful."

"I told you, the child’s an anomaly," Raul said, his gaze darkening. "And anomalies are dangerous. This isn’t someone the demon king would take lightly. That’s why the child must be eliminated immediately. Her death takes priority over anything else."

Elysia clenched her hands, her eyes steely. "All seven candidates are exhausted from the trials. I’ll strike tonight, when she’s most vulnerable."

Raul considered this, then shook his head. "No. Do not attack her directly. Send the Blood Jest cult to eliminate her. If this child is as strong as she makes out, we must thread with caution."

Elysia raised her hands. "Why waste time? I can handle her myself. I’m strong. Even if she’s a prodigy, she can’t defeat me."

"Elysia," Raul spoke sharply. "You have your role to play. The demon king assigned you to maintain control over Luminous city. Stick with your orders, and leave the dirty works for your subordinates."

Elysia lowered her gaze. "I understand, Raul," she muttered.

Raul returned to the massive desk and sat cross-legged on her chair. "Summon Andras."

Elysia stretched her hand, conjuring a magic circle. Out from the depths of the magic circle, a man emerged before them.

He wore a court jester’s cap styled like a crown. The cap was adorned with bells, curved horns, and gemstones.

His face was hidden behind a bone-white porcelain mask with a craved smile.

This was Andras, Cardinal of the Blood Jest cult. The head of the demon king secret cult.

"Lord Raul," Andras bowed respectfully before Raul. "I’m at your service."

"I have a mission for you," Raul said leaning forward, his fingers steepled. "Your target is a child mage—an anomaly who might cause us future troubles."

Andras tilted his head, the bells on his jester’s cap jingling softly. "How delightful. And just how powerful is this child?"

"She is strong, no doubt. Strong enough to defeat the demon King’s mages, Throgg and Zoran the Elder," Raul replied. "If we let her live, there’s no telling how powerful she’ll become. She must be eliminated."

Andras porcelain mask remained frozen, it’s carved smile spilling his next words. "I assume you want me to dispose of her tonight, Lord Raul."

Raul simply nodded. "You will find her resting at the guardian Chambers. Make it quick."

A loud chuckle escaped Andras lips as he spread his arms dramatically. "Oh, Lord Raul. You always know how to entertain me. I’ll make sure her death is as elegant as possible."

He paused, passing his tongue across his thick lips. "I love the taste of young blood. I wonder if she tastes delicious."

Elysia scowled. "Stop fooling around, Andras. This child is dangerous. Don’t underestimate her. She—"

Andras turned sharply, cutting her off. "Ah, if it isn’t General Elysia. If I need your counsel, then I would ask for it."

"You clown," she hissed, her voice laced with disdain. "This isn’t a game. This child faced ice giants and survived. The Blood Jest cult mustn’t fail to eliminate her."

Andras laughed, casually shuffling a deck of cards. "The Blood Jest never fails their missions. But if you’re so doubtful of our capabilities, why aren’t you handling it? Or are you by any chance scared of a little girl."

Elysia twitched, glaring. This man has little to no regards to for her. If anything, they despises each other.

"Watch your tongue, Andras," she growled, her eyes glowing red. "I’m still a top-ranking general in the Demon Kings army. Know your place."

Andras let out another breathless chuckle as he spin around in a lazy circle. "Of course I wouldn’t want to feel the wrath of the formidable ’Elysia The Terrible’. Still, I don’t appreciate the Blood Jest cult being underestimated. I assure you, I’ll take care of this child. What’s her name?"

"Raven," Elysia replied, her glowing red eyes dimming. "You must make haste. The longer she lives, the stronger she grows."

There was a moment of silence.

"Very well," Andras said, letting out a slow sigh. "Consider it done. I’ll be on my way now, Lord Raul."

Raul and Elysia watched him as he turned on his heel and walked towards the door.

The bells tinkled with every step but just before he reached the door, he paused in his tracks and looked over his shoulders at Lord Raul.

"After I eliminate this girl, I may keep her head as a souvenir," he whispered.

Raul smirked. "Bring her head to me first. Then you can keep it."

Andras burst into an eerie laughter. "Oh, how interesting. I can hardly wait to see this Raven. I pray she’s as much fun as you make her sound."

Then in a second, he was gone.

"I better be on my way," Raul rose to his feet. "Report to me once Andras is finished."

"I still think I should’ve been the one to handle Raven," Elysia muttered.

"I believe Andras would do just fine," Raul said, his voice grave. "He’s after all, stronger than you."

Elysia’s face darkened, and her hands clenched into fists.

* * * *

Raven couldn’t sleep.

She tossed and turned in bed, her mind replaying scenes from the trails she passed through at the trials.

She had come all this way to fulfill her dream and she was just a step closer to it.

But there was also the anxiety that gnawed at her inside like a hungry rat.

She was a Laymen.

It’s rare for Laymens to become mages. Magic belonged to the blooded, not to commoners like her.

Enrolling in Waurweth academy was her one and only chance to defy that fate.

And now that she found someone to teach her, Archer, there was nothing stopping her.

The thought of him sent a flicker of warmth through her chest.

"Maybe I should take a walk," she said, getting off the bed. "I can’t sleep with all these thoughts running in my head."

Grabbing her staff, Raven stepped out of her room and slipped into the silent corridor.

She thought about checking in on Archer, but he had mentioned he would be sleeping at an inn with his guardian.

Raven was fascinated with this boy. He possess powers she had only seen in her grandmother.

If her intuition was correct, he was the key to unlock her magic.

Raven didn’t know how long she kept walking but soon, she found herself in the academy’s expansive courtyard.

It was a full moon night, but there weren’t anyone in sight.

The place was empty and silent. It was just her alone in the courtyard.

Raven walked over to the gushing fountain at the center of the courtyard, admiring the shimmering water reflecting the moon and stars above.

"I’ll make you proud, grandmother," she muttered. "I swear it."

Suddenly, the full moon turned blood-red and everywhere became still and silent.

Raven’s eyes widened in shock at the sudden change.

Raven’s breath caught in her throat.

"What is this?" she gasped, stumbling back. "What’s happening?"

The water from the fountain has also transformed into a blood-red colour.

She cried out in fear.

Shadows emerged from the edges of the courtyard. Figures stepped forward—silent, grotesque, and evil.

Each one wore a jester’s garb, their faces hidden beneath cracked porcelain masks.

In their hands, they held curved daggers, sickles, and blades that glinted even in the darkness.

Panic flared in Raven’s chest.

"Who are you?" Raven shouted. "What do you want with me?"

A shrill, manic laugh echoed through the courtyard, shattering the silence like glass.

One of the jesters stepped forward, as though his limbs were being pulled by invisible strings.

"Well, well... so you’re Raven," he said, dragging her name like a blade across stone. "I’ve heard so much about you."

Raven froze.

"I’ve longed to meet the girl who is Worthy enough to be a threat to the Demon King," he hissed. "What kind of power would you display to me, I wonder."

A chill slid down Raven’s spine, rooting her to the spot.

"Who are you?" she breathed.

"Andras," he said, grinning with a dramatic bow. "Cardinal of the Blood Jest cult. You have such pretty brown eyes. I’ll enjoy plucking it out for further study."

Raven’s heart lurched.

She turned to run—but the ground beneath her feet cracked open with a thunderous snap.

Black Chains erupted from the earth, wrapping around her wrists, her ankles and her waist—tightening before she could scream.

"No! Let me go!" she cried, struggling against them.

The jesters laughed, edging closer to her.

Just then a portal tore open in the air before Raven.

Before anyone could react, Raven vanished—swallowed whole by the swirling maw of the portal.

Andras’s masked face tilted slightly, his voice a low, dangerous growl. "What is this?"

From the inky depths of the rift, a figure emerged, stepping forward and positioning itself where Raven had stood moments before.

It was Archer.

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