Fragtastic
patreon
A Song Through Time - Chapter 54
🕑 Added 2024-05-26 13:56:51 +0000 UTCPhillip Rothsgomery, known as the Tyrant, was born into the prestigious Rothsgomery family of the Thelwedean Empire as the second son of Emperor Leon Rothsgomery. However, his birth was marred by the fact that his mother was a servant, which meant that he was considered a mixed-blood within the imperial family.
From an early age, Phillip faced discrimination and prejudice due to his lineage. He was treated as an outsider, a reminder of a shameful secret that the imperial family sought to bury. This constant rejection and marginalization fueled a growing bitterness within him, creating a void that yearned for power and control.
As he grew older, Phillip witnessed the opulence and privilege enjoyed by the imperial family, which contrasted sharply with his upbringing in the shadows. The stark disparity between his life and that of his siblings and peers only deepened his resentment.
Feeling betrayed by the very family he should have been a part of, Phillip was consumed by a desire for revenge. He vowed to prove his worth, not only to himself but to those who had cast him aside.
Over time, Phillip became cunning and manipulative, honing his skills in politics and strategy. He sought allies among dissatisfied factions within the empire, quietly amassing a network of supporters who shared his grievances against the ruling elite.
However, it was a pivotal event that pushed Phillip over the edge and transformed him into the Tyrant. The Thelwedean Empire faced a series of internal conflicts and external threats, including border disputes and revolts. Amidst this chaos, Emperor Leon Rothsgomery, Phillip's father, was assassinated by a faction seeking to seize power.
The assassination shattered any remnants of loyalty and trust that Phillip may have held for his family. With the weight of betrayal on his shoulders, he seized the opportunity to rise to power. Utilizing his cunning and the backing of his supporters, he launched a brutal campaign to eliminate his rivals and consolidate his control over the empire.
Under Phillip's tyrannical rule, the Thelwedean Empire plunged into an era of oppression and fear. His mixed-blood status fueled his thirst for dominance as he sought to assert his superiority over those who had previously shunned him. He unleashed his wrath upon anyone who dared to challenge his authority, using ruthless tactics and instilling a sense of terror among the populace.
The empire descended into chaos as Phillip's cruelty knew no bounds. The once-revered imperial family became a symbol of oppression and corruption. Phillip's grip on power grew stronger, driven by a deep-seated desire to reshape the empire according to his twisted vision.
However, he couldn't keep this situation going for long, as he knew the empire had turned into nothing more than a ground for war.
After all, time had caught up to him, even after consuming numerous longevity-enhancing treasures.
Despite his iron fist and prolonged lifespan, the ravages of time had finally caught up with Phillip Rothsgomery, the Tyrant. Knowing that his body was deteriorating, he devised a sinister plan to ensure his immortality and maintain his grip on power.
Longevity treasures no longer worked on him, no matter what he tried, from potions to ancient artifacts. In the end, he made a deal with the demons by letting them know of a way to weaken the seal.
In a forbidden ritual, he buried himself deep within the heart of the treasury, binding his soul to the enchanted crown. As his body decayed, the crown's demonic energy enveloped him, preserving his consciousness and granting him the ability to possess other bodies. The blackened skeleton before them was merely the vessel of the unfortunate soul who had donned his cursed crown.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Inside the treasury chamber, as the expedition group confronted Phillip, they were unaware of the true extent of his demonic energy. With a surge of malevolent energy, Phillip channeled his essence into the golden crown he wore on his skeletal head.
As the expedition group confronted the blackened skeleton before them, they could sense the sinister power emanating from the cursed crown. Phillip Rothsgomery, now a disembodied consciousness bound to the crown, surveyed his adversaries with a malevolent grin.
"You fools, do you truly believe you can challenge me? I have transcended mortality itself, and now I shall claim your bodies as my own."
His voice echoed through the chamber, dripping with malice.
William, undeterred by the Tyrant's taunts, stepped forward. He knew that defeating Phillip would require more than physical strength alone. It would require a strategic and methodical approach.
He didn't know how he was still alive, but the energy surging from the crown gave him a hint.
"Vincent, you are the most powerful person here. You are going to confront him one-on-one, use your souls to attack, and make sure to cover yourself in Aura. Everyone else, follow my instructions and make sure not to get in contact with the crown!"
Ordered William, his voice covered with Aura and directly entering their ears.
Vincent activated [Death Sworn] in an instant, a black aura covering the whole chamber. Not even a second later, countless figures appeared from the shadows—the souls Vincent had called upon.
Vincent's figure had also changed, resembling a black knight covered by shadows. A giant scythe was held tightly to his right arm while two bright spheres of light appeared where his eyes were.
In just an instant, he had become a different person. In this form, he was as powerful as an Aura Saint despite being only twenty-one years old. Paired with his now awakened Aura, he could even kill people at a higher stage.
He was a monster among monsters.
The souls, once trapped in the shadows, now heed Vincent's call, lending their power to his cause. They swirled around him, their ethereal forms pulsating with an otherworldly energy. The presence of the [Death Sworn] sent shivers down the spines of the expedition group, but they knew that this was their only chance to defeat the Tyrant.
With his scythe held high, Vincent charged at the blackened skeleton, his every movement exuding a lethal amount of energy. The souls followed his lead, their wispy forms darting and weaving through the air, ready to unleash their spectral attacks.
Phillip, sensing the impending danger, attempted to defend himself. He summoned dark tendrils from the crown, hoping to ensnare Vincent and the souls. But their connection to the spiritual realm allowed them to maneuver effortlessly, evading the grasping darkness.
Vincent swung his scythe with precision, slicing through the tendrils with ease. The souls followed suit, launching their ethereal assaults upon the Tyrant. Each attack struck true, ripping through the dark energy that shielded Phillip's consciousness.
Phillip let out a howl of frustration as the souls' attacks penetrated his defenses, chipping away at his power. He realized that he couldn't rely solely on his demonic energy to protect him from this spiritual onslaught.
Desperation fueled Phillip's determination as he tapped into the depths of his powers. He focused his consciousness, drawing upon the remnants of his former self—the cunning and manipulative prince who had risen to power. With a surge of mental energy, he launched a counterattack, attempting to seize control of Vincent's mind.
But Vincent had prepared himself for such an assault. His rigorous training in the technique William granted him gave him a shield against external influences. He fortified his mind, pushing back against Phillip's intrusion with unwavering determination.
The scene of Vincent pushing back the Tyrant excited the rest of the expedition members.
William, not wanting to lose such an excellent opportunity to attack the weakened Tyrant, activated his aspect and began waving his finger.
[Chronomancer] was an aspect that was on the same level as [Death Sworn] but had far greater restrictions due to the effects of the time element.
William's body was covered in bright green runes from head to toe, inside and out. His sharp green eyes shone like lanterns, his finger constructing the magic circles beyond anyone's imagination.
[Unique Spell: Encapsulate]
Just like before, the thousands of miniature magic circles merged into one, engulfing William in a black shadow.
As the mist gradually solidified, an eerie transformation took place within William. His body contorted and contoured, its proportions distorting into an otherworldly shape. The once-familiar features became unrecognizable beneath a peculiar black mask that obscured his face, devoid of any discernible facial traits. The mist coalesced into a strange, stretchy membrane, enshrouding his form with an unsettling aura.
If it had been William before entering the academy, he wouldn't have been able to sustain this unique spell of his, but the current him was different. He had entered the third stage after a year of absorption, so he was confident in his magic abilities.
His current max was around twenty minutes, giving him plenty of time to assist in defeating Phillip. Since his aspect also allowed him faster mana recovery, even William found his current self really strong, but still not as strong as some of the Heroes who trained at a much younger age.
His figure instantly disappeared from the spot, reappearing next to the Tyrant in just a fraction of a second. The spell already gave him extreme speed; by adding his aspect on top of it, he became so fast that everyone was shocked by his sudden intervention.
Waving his hand, William chanted, creating an energy blade, the best thing he could use in close combat.
After training with Raymond Olson, William was considered to be on par with at least a grand knight when it came to close combat. Now that he was going all out, his strikes were about half the power of an Aura Saint.
If he were a fourth-stage mage at the third stage of Aura, he would be able to contend with Aura Saints and sixth-stage mages, though he wouldn't be able to defeat them no matter how hard he tried.
Magic swordsmen were famous for a reason, after all. Despite being ranks lower, they could fight those who only possessed one type of energy, or didn't train both at the same level.
With his energy blade in hand, William engaged in a fierce duel with the Tyrant. The clash of their powers reverberated through the chamber, filling the air with crackling energy. The expedition group watched in awe as William, his movements fluid and precise, unleashed a flurry of strikes upon Phillip.
