Auron then pulled up his status window, his thoughts briefly shifting away from the chaos in his mind. Curiosity stirred within him as he summoned it. It had been almost a year since he last checked his status.
The familiar translucent panel appeared before his eyes.
『Progress Window』
『Name: Auron (Sunny) Primus Yb Wasg'ood XV』
『Stats:』
• Strength: 125 (-120)
• Dexterity: 143 (-140)
• Agility: 103 (-93)
• Vitality: 183 (-171)
• Endurance: 199 (-197)
• Aura: 367
• Will: Transcendent
• Spirit: Transcendent
• Mind: 345
• Soul: 998
『Skills』
• Wasg'ood Imperial Sword Technique [Intermediate Lv 5]
• Wasg'ood Imperial Circulation Technique [Intermediate Lv 8]
• Wasg'ood Imperial Footword [Intermediate Lv 4]
• Crimson Moon Slash [Intermediate Lv 1]
• Mana Breathing Technique [Beginner Lv 6]
• Basic Sensory Technique [Master Lv 1]
• Basic Energy Manipulation Technique [Expert Lv 5]
• Basic Sword Technique [Master Lv 10]
• Basic Footword Technique [Master Lv 9]
『Traits』
• [Imperial]
• [Wasg'ood]
• [Extreme Physique]
• [Immaculate Energy Control]
• [Extreme Beauty]
『Conditions』
• [Extreme Poison]
• [Mental Distortion Curse]
• [Curse of Extreme Pride]
• [Vitality Erosion Curse]
• [Curse of Numbness]
• [Energy Vein Poisoning]
'...'
Auron stared at the screen in silence.
'... How am I even alive?'
That was the first thought that crossed his mind as he finished reading. The status window was awe-inspiring and horrifying at the same time.
His stats and traits were monstrous, something most cultivators could only dream of.
Yet the list of conditions chained to his body was equally absurd.
He was cursed with so many afflictions that most people wouldn't encounter even one of them in their entire lives.
And yet… he was still breathing.
Auron couldn't understand how his body was still functioning.
'The traits...'
Slowly, he began to piece it together. His Extreme Physique, combined with the Wasg'ood bloodline, was barely suppressing the Extreme Poison and Vitality Erosion Curse flowing through his body. Without those two factors, he would have died long ago.
'No question about it.'
His Imperial trait was forcing his nearly deflated body to move, sustaining life through sheer authority of blood and will.
And because of the Extreme Beauty trait, his outer appearance remained untouched. His body still looked muscular, healthy, and flawless.
There were no signs of decay, no visible weakness.
But that was only on the surface.
Inside, his body was on the verge of collapse. His organs were exhausted. His energy pathways were damaged. His life was being eroded slowly and constantly.
Auron closed the status window.
'Damn...'
He could feel throbbing behind his eyes, and he knew that he should be feeling headache but he wasn't the Curse of Numbness made it impossible to feel pain as it was placed that way. Auron could still feel few things. Emotions were one of them.
He exhaled slowly and steadied his breathing.
'I need to find a way to cure myself.'
But before that, before any plans, calculations, or long-term decisions, there was something he needed to do.
He turned his gaze toward the door.
"Isn't anybody there?"
He asked calmly, his voice steady despite his condition. There was always someone outside the door to tend to his needs.
Within moments, the door opened.
A trembling maid stepped forward. She bowed slightly, her movements stiff with fear, and spoke in a soft, controlled voice.
"H-How may I help you, y-your highness?"
Auron looked at her closely. Her body was tense. She was staring at the floor, not daring to raise her head. Her hands were clenched tightly, and she was holding her breath.
He immediately understood why she was acting this way.
Auron remembered he was notorious for killing servants on a whim. He had already killed many in the past. All of it had been fueled by his Mental Distortion Curse.
But right now, that curse had no effect on him.
Still, Auron neither corrected her nor tried to reassure her.
'It's not like I'm in any condition to reassure anyone. My one foot is already in grave...'
"Bring out my imperial attire, Call others and dress me up. Prepare the bath as well."
He said calmly. The maid immediately bowed at a ninety-degree angle.
"Yes, your highness! I will do so right away!"
She quickly retreated from the room.
Before long, a group of maids arrived. Some went ahead to prepare the bath, while others carefully helped Auron out of bed.
The maids held Aurons hand. Auron felt nothing.
No pain. No warmth. No sensation from his limbs.
He couldn't even feel his own body properly. It was as if the feedback loop between his body and mind had been cut off.
His body could receive commands, but it gave nothing back in return.
'It is a truly mystical and unsettling feeling isn't? How curious...'
Auron slowly moved toward the bathroom, relying on the maids' support. Their hands trembled as they held him, fear and uncertainty etched clearly on their faces.
Despite that, they did their job.
As they helped him undress, some of them blushed deeply, their faces heating up despite their fear. Auron didn't care. It was an everyday occurrence for him.
The bath was a medicinal one, mixed with holy water brought from the Holy Empire. This water alone could revive a man on the brink of death.
But it had no effect on Auron.
The maids washed him quickly and efficiently. Afterward, they helped him dress.
He put on his imperial robe, black in color, heavy with authority. A deep red cape was draped over his shoulders, flowing behind him like blood-soaked silk.
Auron took his crown from the ceremonial cushion held by a maid and placed the crown upon his head.
Then he walked toward his sword, which two maid was holding the ceremonial cushion with reverence. He took it, tested its weight, and tugged it free.
Without another word, he walked out of the room.
A morning breeze brushed against his face, carrying the scent of flowers from the imperial gardens. The air was fresh.
Auron walked forward without assistance.
The moment servants noticed him, they immediately bowed. Fear and confusion flickered across their faces.
His destination was the Emperor's residence.
The imperial castle was massive. Normally, Auron would never leave his quarters. Even standing up usually felt like a mountain pressing down on him.
'Can I even feel...?'
But today, he didn't care.
By the time he reached the Emperor's residence, sweat soaked through his robes. His breathing was heavy, uneven. Several servants followed behind him, their expressions filled with worry.
Despite the exhaustion, Auron felt something strange.
He could feel nothing, no pain, no sharp sensations, only overwhelming exhaustion and his body failing him. Nothing else.
'Fascinating indeed.'
He entered the Emperor's residence. The guards bowed and opened the doors. The building was three stories high. His grandfather resided on the second floor.
Auron climbed the stairs.
Standing in front of the room was Butler John de Caligna, a former count of Caligna County, long retired, and the Emperor's aide for over a hundred years.
John looked at Auron with a troubled expression. As Auron drew closer, his face hardened.
"Good morning, your highness, the crown prince."
The butler bowed slightly, then straightened and spoke again.
"Your highness, you should return. It is not good for your health to travel such a long distance. You do not look well."
Auron met his gaze calmly.
"Butler John, are you worried that I am here to kill my grandfather?"
John flinched. Auron snorted softly.
"Move."
Butler John stared into Auron's eyes for a long moment. Then he bowed slightly again and stepped aside.
Auron entered the room.
Before the door closed, he turned back.
"Make sure no one disturbs us."
Butler John nodded.
"As you wish, your highness."
The door closed.
The room was simple, filled with plain furniture. There was no luxury here. At the center of the room lay an old man on the bed, his breathing shallow and weak.
The old man opened his eyes.
Ruby-like eyes,once fierce and brilliant,now dulled by time and sickness gazed at Auron.
Auron walked forward and stopped beside the bed.
He drew his sword, planted its tip firmly into the ground, and knelt.
He bowed his head.
"Grandfather, I came here to not justify myself. But to apologise. I, Auron Primus Yb Wasg'ood The Fiftieth, apologise for all the distress I have caused. I apologise that I have been a disappointment. I apologise for all the time I have broken your trust. I apologise that I have failed you. I apologise that I have failed Father and Mother... And I apologise that I have failed my people."
He said solemnly. His voice was steady.
This was the stance of a knight offering sincerity, kneeling with sword drawn infront, because to a knight, the sword was their identity. And putting it infront when apologising is the sign of sincerest apology.
Auron raised his head.
His ruby eyes blazed with determination.
"I may not become a benevolent ruler, loved by the people, like you or my father, But... I can assure you of this, I will become a nightmare to my enemies."
He paused.
His grandfather did not respond. He simply gazed at Auron in silence.
"So, Grandfather, I ask you for one last chance of trust."
Auron continued,
"Please… make me the de facto ruler."