Shadow Slave: Eternal Madness

It's been a week since Raphael took Richard's place.

Raphael tried to copy most of Richard's routines and habits, but in the end, people still started questioning the change in his behavior.

Well, it didn't matter now, since today was the last day he would be Richard.

Raphael was now in "his" PTV, outside "his" fiancée's clan, waiting for her.

Since Richard had a fiancée, Raphael was forced to attend the Valor banquet with her.

"His" fiancée came from the Hall clan, a mid-tier clan known for their riches and wealth.

After a few moments, the door opened, and out stepped a beautiful woman.

Her long blonde hair was casually tied up, flowing smoothly and luxuriously. Her emerald eyes reflected a somewhat pale flame, looking as deep as the ocean and as pure as a gemstone. Her facial features and the shape of her face exuded stunning beauty. Her bearing and elegance were clear and refined.

Her gown was an elegant blend of soft green and white, with delicate lace on the bodice and puffed sleeves tied with ribbons. The layered skirt flowed gracefully, adorned with golden accents, while a bow at the waist and a matching parasol completed the timeless look.

She was none other than Audrey Hall, one of the top beauties of humanity, even though she was still an Awakened.

Since Raphael was "her" fiancé, he also wore a white and green tuxedo accented with gold.

Raphael walked towards her, knelt down, and kissed her hand.

"You are as beautiful as ever, Lady Audrey," Raphael said.

Audrey looked at him with a hint of annoyance in her eyes.

Raphael knew why. Richard had been cheating on her, and he hadn't even tried to hide it.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you too, Master Richard," Audrey replied coolly.

Raphael stood up, took her hand, and led her to the PTV.

Once inside, Raphael sat across from Audrey.

"It will take us around 20 minutes to reach the banquet," Raphael said.

Audrey looked at him and nodded silently.

After some time, Raphael heard Mohg's voice in his mind.

"Your Majesty, she is using some kind of ability."

Raphael turned to Audrey, and just as Mohg had said, her eyes had changed from green to gold.

Using her Awakened ability, Audrey looked into Raphael's soul.

Her ability allowed her to see someone's soul and mind, letting her discern their emotions. What she should've seen was a bright area, but instead, she saw darkness. In the sky of his soul, seven dark cores floated ominously.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, she heard Richard's voice.

"Ah, it's nothing," Audrey said with a smile.

Audrey glanced at Raphael, her mind racing with thoughts.

'There is no way someone's soul could suddenly change. Then how did his soul change... unless he isn't the same person!'

Raphael sighed and spoke, breaking her thoughts.

"At first, I planned to let you live, but you saw something you shouldn't have."

Audrey's face froze with fear.

"What do you mean, Richard?" she asked nervously.

Raphael chuckled and said, "Stop the act, Lady Audrey. You must already know that I'm not Richard—it's written all over your face."

He leaned closer and touched her face gently.

"At first, I thought I'd kill you, but I changed my mind. If I went to the banquet alone, it would cause me too many headaches." Raphael said with a smile.

"Let's make a deal, Miss Audrey. From now on, you will never speak of this conversation. If even a single word leaks, your entire family will die."

Audrey nodded her head in agreement, her fear palpable.

"Good. We have ten minutes until we reach the banquet. Don't act out of the ordinary." Raphael said firmly.

The PTV stopped, and the door opened. Raphael took Audrey's hand and led her out towards the banquet hall.

At the entrance, a guard requested their invitation cards. Raphael handed him two cards, one for himself and one for Audrey. The guard examined them briefly before returning them.

Raphael and Audrey entered the grand hall, which was filled with hundreds of guests.

Since Richard was the son of a Saint and a Master, people swarmed to him like flies.

"Master Richard, it's good to see you here," someone greeted.

"It's good to see you too, Awakened Alex," Raphael replied politely.

"Miss Hall, you look breathtaking as ever," Alex added, turning to Audrey.

Audrey, lost in her thoughts, snapped back to reality upon hearing her family name.

"Sir Alex, it's a pleasure to meet you today," Audrey replied with a forced smile.

Raphael glanced at Alex and smiled.

"Sir Alex, I have some matters to discuss with my fiancée. If you'll excuse us," he said, not waiting for a response as he led Audrey to the side of the hall.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the great hall shifted. The voices grew quiet, and a heavy silence fell over the crowd.

It was because of one man.

The man's presence was overwhelming. He was strong and severe, with sharp features and even sharper, cold eyes. His black hair was streaked with silver at the temples. He wore an elegant suit that resembled impregnable armor, and his vermilion cloak moved slightly, as if touched by an invisible wind.

Raphael looked at the man and chuckled quietly.

Why was he laughing? Because he planned to kill this man—Saint Madoc—with his own hands.

As the guests fell silent, Madoc surveyed the room with steely blue eyes before offering a slight smile. Instantly, the oppressive atmosphere lifted, and the mundane humans sighed in relief.

Madoc spoke, his strong voice easily reaching into every corner of the great hall:

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests. Welcome to the annual ball of the great clan Valor. It is my honor and pleasure to welcome you all under our roof once again. In the past year, many things have happened. Some of our brothers and sisters... are not with us anymore."

"...Despite that, it pleases me to see many new faces among you. Humanity has grown stronger yet again! New heroes rose to carry the torch for those who had fallen in battle. With champions like these, our world has nothing to fear! Despite it all, we persevere. But more than that… we rise. Nothing can stop our ascension."

He looked at the guests, and then sighed.

"Well, those of you who know me also know that I am not one for long speeches. To be honest… this one was actually written by my beloved wife, who is far more eloquent and wise than me. Not to mention pleasant to look at."

A wave of polite chuckles spread through the crowd. Saint Madoc smiled once again.

"Today is not a day for sorrow. Today is a day for joy. And so… let the ball commence!"

As soon as he said that, the space in the middle of the hall was cleared, and the musicians started to play a magnificent and emotional composition. Whispering Blade danced the first dance himself, accompanied by a beautiful, mature woman. Moving with elegance and grace, they both looked breathtakingly splendid. Soon, other pairs joined them.

Soon, other pairs joined them.

Raphael looked at Audrey and said:

"I need to go to the bathroom, wait for me."

Raphael saw Sunny walking away.

As he walked toward the bathroom, he saw Sunny enter.

Raphael stood next to the bathroom door. He could still hear the conversation between Sunny and Mordret.

After some time, the door opened, and Sunny came out.

Sunny looked at Raphael and froze.

'Did he hear me talking to Mordret?!' Sunny thought.

Raphael looked at Sunny and smiled.

"Take it easy, Sunny, it's me, Raphael."

Sunny looked at Raphael, surprised. He already knew Raphael would be at the banquet since he had planned to meet Cassie.

"Why are you... in this shape?" Sunny asked.

"Hmm... how do you think I would enter a hall without an invitation?"

"So, you took someone's place?"

"Yes," Raphael replied.

Sunny paused for a moment and then asked:

"What happened to him...?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Sunny sighed and shook his head.

"By the way, that Mordret must be a pain in the ass." Raphael said.

"Oh, don't get me started."

Raphael chuckled at Sunny's words.

"Anyway, I'm here to warn you. At the end of the dance, something will happen."

"What do you mean?"

"I can't tell you; it's a surprise. Anyway, I need to get back to my fiancée."

"You have a fiancée?!"

"Well, not me technically, but yes, you could say that."

Raphael said his goodbyes to Sunny and returned to Audrey.

She was surrounded by men asking her for a dance.

Raphael walked toward her, pushing the men aside. He took her hand and asked, "Shall we dance?"

Audrey's face twitched, but she accepted.

Leading her to the middle of the hall, he saw another pair joining in. It was none other than Sunny and Nephis.

The guests looked at the two pairs heading to the middle of the hall.

Those already dancing ended their dance, and others stopped in their tracks.

How could they continue when the last daughter of the Immortal Flame Clan and the most dazzling gem in NQSC were dancing?

The musicians began a new composition.

The two pairs started dancing, and the people watched.

Even Madoc and Morgan turned their attention to them.

While dancing, Raphael noticed the look on Sunny's face—it was truly amusing.

Audrey stepped on her gown, but Raphael noticed this and quickly placed his hand on her waist, correcting her stance.

"Thank you."

Raphael nodded in reply.

After five minutes, as the composition neared its end, Raphael noticed Sunny's expression change.

'She must have told him she's joining the Valor Clan.' Raphael thought.

When the dance was about to end, Raphael saw Sunny take Nephis's hand and lead her out of the hall.

Raphael finished the dance with Audrey, and the guests began clapping for them.

"Mohg, do it." Raphael whispered.

"As you pledge, Your Majesty." Mohg replied.

As Sunny was leading Nephis away, he felt the atmosphere of the hall shift. Looking back, he noticed the lights flickering.

'What is going on?!' Sunny thought.

Then he remembered Raphael's warning.

Madoc was the first to notice. He quickly drew his Memories.

Raphael carried Audrey in a princess hold and leapt away from the center of the hall.

From the middle of the hall, a small pool of blood appeared out of nowhere.

The guards outside rushed in and surrounded the pool.

From the pool rose a terrifying demon with a head full of twisting black horns, like a crown of nightmares. Its massive, dark body was clad in rich red and gold robes with intricate patterns, radiating both power and malice. Large, tattered wings spread out behind it.

Raphael observed Mohg. As a Titan Master, Raphael could summon Mohg, a Sacred, for only three seconds. But what if this was a copy of Mohg?

The copy carried the presence of a Sacred, but its power was at best Saint-level.

"I hope you are having a good night, humans." Mohg said.

While in the Underworld, Raphael had taught Mohg how to speak human languages, preparing for this moment.

"Who are you?!" Madoc demanded.

"Me? I'm merely an apostle of my lord, sent to deliver a message." Mohg replied.

The guards' swords, forged by Anvil, were part of his domain. This meant Anvil was also observing the events.

Mohg took out a scroll and began to read:

"From Raphael, The Black Emperor, Son of Destiny and Choice, Ruler of the Underworld. To Anvil of Valor, King of Swords, Son of War and Life. Put thy foolish ambitions to rest, and stop what is called Madness. The Tomb is where even the gods dare not tread, and you—a mere human—dare to defy the gods' will! Stop your foolish ambitions, or you shall bear my wrath! The Wrath of the Underworld!"

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In the Song Clan headquarters, the same scene unfolded.

Beastmaster glared at the departing Mohg, her face etched with fury.

Beastmaster struck the armrest with a clenched fist.

"How dare he disrespect Mother!"

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In the book The Rise and Downfall of Humanity, people of that time believed it was some kind of joke or the work of a madman. But they were wrong. The Sovereigns ignored the Emperor's warning, and so they paid the price... in blood.

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The World needs Justice!

The chapter was supposed to uploaded yesterday but Citdel de Mors dropped so yeah..