Professor Zalar stood before a cave, dried blood stained the floor and gnawed bones were piled together. He leaned down and picked up one of the bones, sighing and crushing it in his palm.

"I've never seen someone so worthless before in my life. To be eaten and turned to shit is truly fitting."[Zalar] Zalar let out a long sigh,

"How am I supposed to explain this to your parents? Explain it to me!"[Zalar] Zalar screamed in anger to no one in particular as he crushed what was left of the bones to dust to help tide his temper.

"Old friend, your temper will be the end of you"[Raphael] Zalar turned around and gave a small smile,

"Ah, Sir, its just that... You know, This man was important to help secure funding for your research! His death has done a number on my old heart."[Zalar] Raphael smiled brightly and said,

"Is your heart giving you any problems?"[Raphael] Zalar shook his head hurriedly,

"No no no, of course not, it's beating as it ought to, you know."[Zalar] Raphael walked past Zalar and picked up some bone dust from the ground, he sighed,

"The deaths of the youths are the saddest there are, don't you agree?"[Raphael] Zalar hurriedly nodded and said,

"Yes, I asked for guards to come for this very reason, you know! Unfortunately, this young man avoided them, causing his death in the process."[Zalar] Raphael gently blew the dust into the wind and clenched his hand. A harsh pain hit Zalar's heart, and he collapsed onto the ground, grasping at his heart in terror and in pain. Raphael walked over to him and crouched down beside him. His sweet smile vanished and he said,

"There are so many dead souls in this forest." A tear fell from his cheek as he leaned next to Zalar's ear and said,

"Do you know what they say? Do you know who they hate? Do you know who they curse in their death?"[Raphael] Unable to answer, Zalar's face turned pale, and he screamed in pain. Anger could be heard in Raphael's voice as he said,

"They curse that rotten dog Zalar, do you know of this man? What kind of wretched creature would take the lives of people, the most precious thing, for something so base as their birth? Old friend, this couldn't be you could it?"[Raphael] Raphael reached down, touching Zalar's heart, "For someone who knows the preciousness of life... You couldn't do such a thing, right?"[Raphael] Zalar did his best to shake his head, Raphael merely smiled. He grabbed Zalar's head and began to chant. Zalar screamed and broke out in tears as his flesh started to melt, slowly revealing bones. Zalar's eyes slowly emptied as he started to accept his death.

Raphael shook his head like a disappointed parent.

"You still don't understand? I am not like you. Death is only for the martyrs."[Raphael] He started to chant again, and Zalar's flesh started to grow back. Both of the spells, though, were still active. Zalar's flesh kept melting and regenerating, leaving him in constant agonizing pain. Raphael stood up and looked down at Zalar saying,

"I don't wish to do this to you, but you are so stubborn and can't be taught."[Raphael] Raphael sighed and walked into the depths of the forest as Zalar screamed and struggled.

***

Azalea could not be said to be having a good day. She smiled genially as she conversed with the nobles in another popular part hosted by the Second Prince. Although she sought the hand of the first prince, it was always good to speak with the other nobles. Really, the only parties she wouldn't attend were the third prince's. They were so low brow. Azalea generally did very well in these environments but,

"I've heard the Cerns house has resorted to recruiting peasants. Ah, it must be so hard for a young girl to fill her father's shoes. If the Duchy is unwell, well, we could always offer our support. We are close friends to the Cerns house, afterall. " [Earl Sykes]

'If you are such close friends of our house, then could you do us a favor and rip out your tongue? No no, lady like manners. Ladylike manners.' Azalea smiled and said,

"It isn't anything so much, I simply wish for the troops under his majesty to be stronger. It wouldn't be any good if the future soldiers of his majesty didn't have the proper training for such a petty reason, right? In fact, I invite you to help donate to the kingdom's future army. As you said, I am but a young girl with failing finances. The impressive Sykes family could surely prop up the army for years to come. Long Live the King."[Azalea] Azalea did not believe any of that, it took her willpower to just say it without gritting her teeth.

However, if she was paying for a peasant army, she was damn well going to take everyone else down with her. If the Sykes family refused this offer, then that meant they were unwilling to support the king. Especially since they offered to help prop up and Ducal household earlier. If they were greedy to part with their money now, it would be suspicious. The Earl's lip twitched and he said,

"You make it sound as though the king's army is lacking. Do you have such a poor view of his majesty?"[Earl Sykes] Azalea shook her head and said,

"You mistake my words. His majesty is obviously an impeccable leader and splendid statesman. I think I have the duty to support the kingdom in what little ways that I can. That is a duchy's responsibility. Don't you think?"[Azalea] The Earl was silent for a moment and then said,

"Indeed, what you said is correct. We will match your investment."[Earl Sykes] Sykes was always trying to compare with the Cerns duchy. He was but an Earl, but he always attempted to outdo the Cern's house, as if throwing out his arms and saying:

'I'm am but a humble earl, you are a Duchess. Don't you think our roles should be reversed?' Usually this would annoy Arrieta, but she actually smiled. Neidr, that bastard, had actually used all of her resources when she told him he could. Wasn't it proper manners to not take it too far? Regardless, this Earl just promised to bankrupt himself in front of an entire noble hall.

Azalea was quite happy.