He can do that?!! Koul's mouth fell open in surprise, but as a shadow, his expressions couldn't really be properly seen.
Please don't! Even if you can, don't!
"But I can't right now," the real Koul said, glancing at his shadowy palm. "Though I can feel it. That the next time I draw you here, I will be able to."
Don't bring me back here! Koul gazed up at him with fear, confused by the real Koul's demeanor and words.
I thought he was a mere fool? Why does he talk like some old, wise man who wields some sort of power?
Radiating so much blood lust like I was the one that killed him.
"Anyways, time is of value. Work toward bringing justice on the people who cut my lavish life short. Or else I'll take back my body and have you thrown to hell!"
Koul stared silently, not daring to utter any response but speaking his mind internally.
Asking me to bring justice on the people who wronged you like you yourself wasn't an evil doer, tsk!
As soon as he said that within him, the chains around his heart constricted tighter, shooting unbearable pain through him.
Koul crouched to the water, overwhelmed by the pain but no matter how much he screamed, his voice wouldn't even sound.
"Don't act mighty! I can hear your thoughts here so choose your words wisely, else I'll dispose of you earlier than planned!"
Koul's head turned light and his vision instantly went black, causing him to collapse unconscious on the water.
The moment his body fell into the water, it submerged him, drowning him like it wasn't the same shallow water he'd been kneeling on.
As he sank deeper, feeling the water overrun his lungs, he blinked awake in his chamber.
He snapped up from the bed, panting like he had just returned from a marathon inside his dream.
"System," he voiced out before he could even fully register everything that happened.
The system appeared beside him within seconds, floating to his front.
[You're finally awake. I thought Armin would for sure kill you. Anyway, what is it?] it questioned.
Armin? What about the real Koul that almost just suffocated me to death?!
[Hello?] The system floated side to side in Koul's face, trying to break Koul out of whatever deep thought he was lost in.
Koul stared silently at the system, his brain computing things and trying to find a ground.
Does it really not know that I just encountered the real Koul?
"System," he called again, pausing in between. The system gazed back with a deadpan look, evidently annoyed.
"What killed Koul?" He blurted.
The deadpan look on the system's face immediately wiped off, turning to a robotic one.
[Why the hell would I tell you what killed him? How dare a lowly mortal like you question this?] the system fired angrily.
Is it really worth getting this angry for? Koul side eyed him.
It was a simple question, no? Tsk!
[It appears you have nothing better to inquire about. I'll take my leave.]
"Wait!" Koul called out, stopping the system before it disappeared.
He sighed aloud, his shoulders moving up and down with the motion, aggravating his sore muscles.
He groaned softly, relaxing back against the bed rest.
"The women who saved me-" he paused. "No, I'm not even sure if they were the ones who saved me from Armin. But who are they?"
The system turned back to Koul with a swift turn, responding mechanically.
[They were the ones who saved you. And they're your wives. If you're wondering where they've been, they've been out of the palace. They're among the few of your wives who possess one or two talents, abilities as they're called in this world. Unlike most of your wives that feel confined to the palace, they freely explore the outside world and they had just returned when they found you.] the system explained with no breaks.
Wow. The more I discover more of my wives, the more I'm surprised what kind of a person Koul really was.
I thought he trapped them all and controlled them as he deemed fit.
[You didn't exactly see them so I see no use in telling you their names. But if you're curious, they're Omaya, Seira, and Arista.]
"You say they're among the people with talents, abilities. Llike magic? The one you told me about?"
[Yes.]
"Wow," Koul breathed in admiration. "I didn't know my wives also…"
[Most of them do,] the system cut in. [But because they're your wives, not all of them have the privilege to explore it or work on it.]
"..."
Lifting his palm, Koul gazed solemnly at it. I wonder if I myself possess any kind of ability.
I mean, did the real Koul possess any?
If I do, will I be able to conquer the system with it?
"And me? Do I possess any?" He asked, eager for an answer.
[I'm afraid I cannot say since I'm not sure. Most people who possess magic or abilities find out in different ways. Some manifest when they come of age while others do not until they attend the academy and have it drawn out for them.]
I see. So the probability that I might possess some kind of magic or ability isn't zero.
Lifting back his gaze, Koul returned the conversation back to his wives.
"Then, did they use that ability to heal me?" He questioned in wonder.
If so, then such ability is special. Not a single wound can be found on me. Except for mild aches, nothing.
[Indeed. Seira is the one with the healing ability. Her magic is from the old times. A crude but effective method. To heal, her ability heats the skin to coagulate the blood, then cauterizes the wound.]
"That must be why I ache all over despite having been healed," Koul said, massaging his arm gently.
[Yes.]
"What about my broken bones then? How were they healed back to perfection?"
[Along with this magic of hers is an ability. Sort of like a restoration kind but a bit different. This one rearranges and mend things back in order.]
Thinking about the whole process of how his broken bones were mended, Koul's eyes turned dizzy.
I'm actually glad I was unconscious.
"What about Armin? Where is he? What happened to him?" Koul questioned, anger simmering slowly within him.
"That bastard attempted to kill me, a king. I'm sure the punishment for that must be severe?"
[Well…to tell you since you haven't noticed, it's already evening the next day,] the system began quietly.
Koul's eyes popped out dramatically, his mouth falling slightly open.
"I was unconscious for half a day?!"
[Oh, more than half if we calculate it well. Anyways, your wives beat him to a pulp and sent him back home last night, so I suggest you also let it go,] the system advised.
They…. they beat him to a pulp?
Uwah! Scary!
Before he could throw any more questions at the system, a gentle knock came on his door.
Koul immediately sat upright, his mind skipping a bit.
Are they the ones? Are they here to see how I'm doing after saving me? His mind raced as he granted permission.
The chamber doors creaked open and revealed Kanstiv.
"Y-your highness," he bowed.
His voice was low and his face wasn't the usual.
"I'm glad to see you are awake."
Ok?
Koul stared at him. He knew something was up so he stared silently, waiting for Kanstiv to speak up.
Noting Koul's eyes zeroed on him, Kanstiv bowed his head immediately.
"I have failed you, your highness. Whatever punishment you wish to unleash upon me, I shall accept."
Huh?
A clueless Koul who had just woken up from multiple attempts on his life couldn't understand what Kanstiv was talking about.
"For what?" He asked.
Kanstiv briefly raised his gaze at Koul, then bowed it again.
"Even if it were Lady Arista, Omaya, and Seira who took you to heal you, I shouldn't be that careless with you," he said.
"I had only stepped away for a moment and didn't even know you were no longer inside when I came back. I wouldn't have known if not for when the Ladies brought you back," he narrated.
"I should have checked up on you. Even if they took you out for treatment and Lady Arista's skills are top notch, I shouldn't be so lacking."
After explaining, Koul got a good amount of what he was talking about. Though he could only remain staring.
Why be so dramatic?
Plus, I guess those three didn't tell him it was Armin who kidnapped me?
Does that mean he's clear from the traitor list?
"I'm just glad to see you well, your highness."
A faint smile curved his lips.
"Yes. Considering the real Koul almost killed me to take back his body," Koul responded.
His voice was warm as he finally felt open to the vice captain. But when he raised his head and saw the dark look on the vice captain's face, he ceased.
Ahhh!