Chapter 435 A Prince
Chapter 435 A Prince
Chapter 434: A Prince
Shin's words caught in his throat as he witnessed the Vice-Head's sudden and unexpected display of deference. In a swift and fluid motion, the Vice-Head sank to his knees, his body bowing forward with a profound humility.
The weight of the moment hung heavy in the air, leaving Shin in a state of awe and confusion.
"Huh?"
"Your Highness, thank you for returning," the Vice-Head humbly spoke, his voice filled with sincerity.
"…"
Shin's head swiveled left and right, his brows furrowing with confusion as he searched for the recipient of the Vice-Head's words. He turned back, expecting to find someone standing behind him, but to his surprise, the area remained vacant, devoid of any other presence.
A perplexed expression crossed Shin's face as he locked eyes with the Vice-Head, seeking an explanation for this mysterious address. The Vice-Head, still kneeling with humility, met Shin's gaze with unwavering sincerity.
Shin's mind raced with possibilities, even entertaining the thought that perhaps stealth was at play. Determined to unravel the truth, he activated his All-Seeing eyes.
As his eyes scanned the surroundings, every detail became crystal clear. He could discern the slightest movements, perceive the presence of hidden beings, and penetrate illusions. Yet, to his astonishment, there was no trace of anyone lurking in the vicinity. No concealed figures, no hidden intentions.
Shin's gaze shifted back to the Vice-Head, his curiosity mingling with a hint of uncertainty. He cleared his throat, gathering his thoughts before speaking.
"Um, are you by any chance addressing me?" Shin inquired, his voice laced with a mixture of intrigue and a touch of humility.
"Yes, Your Highness," the Vice-Head responded, his tone carrying a weight of reverence.
"But... why?" Shin's voice echoed with genuine curiosity, his question punctuated by a blend of intrigue and genuine desire for understanding.
The Vice-Head, unwavering in his respect, met Shin's gaze with a profound sincerity.
While accustomed to being addressed with deference due to his name and status, Shin never anticipated that the Vice-Head would extend the same level of respect towards him.
Caught off guard by this unexpected display of reverence, Shin couldn't help but feel a tinge of surprise mingled with a deepening sense of curiosity.
However, the Vice-Head's choice to address Shin in such a respectful manner went beyond a simple inability to utter his name. There was a deeper underlying reason that compelled the Vice-Head to adopt this unique approach.
"Because you are the heir of King Arnolius," the Vice-Head declared with a resonant voice.
Shin's mind swiftly retrieved the memory of his father's name, a name that echoed with importance and significance throughout his arduous journey. The repeated mentions by the system and the profound wisdom imparted by the Elf-Celestial had firmly imprinted his father's identity in his consciousness.
However, the revelation that his father was meant to be a king came as an astonishing surprise to Shin. The notion of his lineage being associated with royalty had never crossed his mind.
"Wait, wait... my father... he was a king?" Shin's voice trembled with a mix of surprise and confusion, his disbelief palpable as he struggled to process the startling information shared by the Vice-Head.
"Yes, that's right."
'Then I was a prince all along?'
'Wait wait…'
'No, this doesn't make sense…'
As the truth began to sink in, Shin's mind became a storm of conflicting emotions. 'If my father was the king, then why was he killed by mere humans?'
He questioned himself, his confusion deepening as he recalled the tragic deaths of his parents and the countless wolves he had witnessed being slaughtered soon after his reincarnation. The pieces of the puzzle seemed to fall into place, raising a haunting suspicion that there was more to his family's demise than he had initially comprehended.
Countless lifeless bodies strewn across the ground, each one a fallen wolf, all under the reign of his father. It was a chilling realization that his father's rule had ended in bloodshed, leaving behind a trail of death and despair.
If his father had held the title of the King of the Heavenly Wolf Family, it meant that he would have possessed unparalleled strength and power, far surpassing even the current Head.
No ordinary arrows or attacks could have brought about his father's demise. The King of the Heavenly Wolf Family would have possessed an indomitable spirit and formidable defenses, rendering him impervious to such mundane means of destruction.
Shin's mind was filled with confusion, his thoughts swirling in a desperate attempt to piece together the puzzle before him.
Yet, despite his relentless efforts, a crucial piece of the puzzle remained elusive, taunting him with its absence. It was as if a veil shrouded his understanding, hiding the missing information from his grasp.
Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Shin mustered the courage to confront the Vice-Head and unravel the truth surrounding his father's demise. With a firm resolve, he approached the Vice-Head, his voice filled with a mixture of determination and vulnerability.
"Your Highness, your father, in a selfless act of valor, willingly sacrificed his powers to protect us…" the Vice-Head revealed, his voice resonating with profound respect and gratitude.
"Huh?"
Shin's confusion deepened as the Vice-Head dropped such a significant revelation without providing the complete context. His mind swirled with questions, craving a comprehensive understanding of his father's sacrifice.
"But what exactly happened? Can you—" Shin's words were abruptly cut off by a deafening explosion that reverberated through the air, assaulting his eardrums with an overwhelming force. The sound echoed like thunder, threatening to rupture his senses and leaving him momentarily disoriented.
"The heck?!" Shin quickly turned towards his left, only to be met with a terrifying sight. A massive fire roared to life, its ferocious flames dancing and consuming everything in their path.
The intense heat radiated through the air, scorching his skin and filling the surroundings with a suffocating heat. The crackling sound of the fire mixed with the crackling of debris, as chaos unfolded before his eyes.