A/N: Earlier than usual, hehe. Thank you so much for your review, JusaLove; I am doing my best to finish this story during my vacation. Thank you for tuning in.
As Jellal approached the vicinity of the black market, he was immediately assailed by the pungent odor of smoke and the sound of flames crackling. With a firm grasp on the reins, he maneuvered his horse through the congested streets surrounding the raging black market. The air was filled with the sound of crackling flames and the clamor of terrified bystanders. His horse galloped with a sense of urgency as he navigated the narrow passages, its hooves pounding the ground. After averting the alleys, he finally reached the hiding place of the mercenary guild. He disembarked his steed and was greeted by Caleb immediately.
"You're late," he remarked.
"I know. Where is he?"
"Inside, he's still not willing to cooperate with us."
"Oh? I guess he doesn't know who he's dealing with." He chatted casually as he removed his white gloves.
"It's been a little while, Bacchus," Jellal said as he approached the man with black hair bound to the bench.
"Y-your Highness?" As soon as he saw his emerald eyes, his voice broke.
The uncanny radiance of black magic emanates from his hands after he has completely removed the pair of gloves from his hands. Jellal's irises were filled with disdain. His eyes locked with his in ferocity. He gasped in disbelief as the room was filled with tension and the impending silence hanging by a thread. He may have consumed an entire barrel of alcohol before the onset of chaos, but what he sees now is the true Jellal. The fucking mad dog of the emperor.
"Ah, I see. You're not senile yet to forget about me," he chuckled as he watched him in his disoriented state. Jellal drew his sword with a calculated action, the blade's sheen reflecting his icy gaze. He positioned the blade's pointed edge against his neck. Jellal is not the type of person who will hesitate about killing someone, and the proximity of the sword makes him uneasy. It was apparent that any misstep could result in the severing of his larynx.
"I-I cannot divulge that info-"
"Should I kill you then?" He tilted his head mockingly, pressing the blade against his unblemished skin, drawing blood.
"I'll die regardless!" he exclaimed with a worried expression.
Bacchus realized there was no escape from his condition; he would perish at the hands of this deranged monarch or his master.
"Stop spouting such nonsense, and tell us where the mergers are!" Caleb muttered in a low, commanding tone because he had lost forbearance.
"If you confess your crimes now, you may be out of this rabbit hole. All you have to do is show us where the mergers are and drop his fucking name, or else your head may roll instead. Your time for deceit is over." Caleb emphasized while seizing him by the collars.
"Move; if he refuses to reveal it, I'll decapitate him instead." Jellal's voice sounded impatient as he tightened his grasp on the sword. Bacchus quickly realized the futility of resistance upon observing his inflexible iciness.
"T-The records you seek are not here. We are not allowed to have a physical copy of those mergers if you want to find evidence against him..." His voice was tinged with anxiety and resignation as he prepared to say his name.
"You should infiltrate Blanche's household instead," Bacchus replied before Jellal's eyes widened. Bacchus experienced an intense surge of power that tore at his very essence. As soon as he spoke the forbidden word, the black magic quickly permeated his entire being. The black magic began to consume him, transforming his body into a whirling vapor of dark energy.
"NO!" Caleb yelled as he attempted to use his light magic to counter the spell cast on him, only to discover that it was much more potent than he had anticipated. A sense of loss flooded them as the mist quickly dissipated, leaving no trace of Bacchus. The air was filled with a profound emptiness, and a profound sense of loss suffused the atmosphere.
"Fuck!" Jellal remarked incredulously. Even my dark magic is ineffective against that enchantment. How even is that possible?
Caleb stood frozen in shock and disbelief as the malevolent presence lingered. It is that woman's family once more. Their efforts were now futile once more.
Later that day
He shut his eyes as he witnessed his brother, Rung, throw the documents on his desk. As soon as the gravity of the situation sank in, silence descended upon the room. The information regarding the illicit transaction on the black market gave him another headache. Due to the fact that the expedition Rung sent many years ago was short-lived due to cyclones that sank those expeditions, his status was at its lowest point, and the illegal market, which had been a means for him to accumulate wealth once more, also failed.
"I thought he would stop going after you after he had his hands on your daughter, Rung," Ruvelise said to his brother as he turned his back to view the gardens through the study window.
A tingle ran down his spine at the mere mention of the event. Jellal, you scoundrel! He should've died that night. Ruvelise remained concerned about the infiltration and destruction of the black market.
"How can you be sure our family will not be dragged into this, Rung? I am already losing my mind over the thought that he could've coerced someone to speak on the court to testify against us."
"That's impossible," he replied with a vacant expression.
Ruvelise scoffed at his remark and emphasized the importance of acting swiftly to neutralize the threat and safeguard their interests. He asked inquisitively, "How can you be so sure of that?"
"I requested that Erschelle cast an incantation upon them. When those bastards utter that word, they'll surely meet their demise."
"That's the thing!" Ruvelise elevated his voice. He understood the significance of Rung's daughter to their plan, but he was beset by a strong sense of urgency to act. They could not afford to let their plans crumble based on trusting his daughter.
"That damned daughter of yours! You are exceedingly confident in her. Have you heard the rumor that your daughter is behaving differently than we had planned?"
"I am well conscious. Therefore, I had planned to see her today. She must not act hastily, as any premature action could jeopardize our plans."
Meanwhile, in the palace
Jellal's blood was boiling with rage and frustration as he stood before the king and recounted the preceding night's events. He had anticipated praise and acknowledgment for his efforts, but the king's response was unexpected. In lieu of appreciation and comprehension, Jellal was subjected to criticism and denigration. His efforts were belittled, and his commitment was met with contempt.
"Stop going after them; you will lose everything you have. "Isn't it enough that you've already married his daughter?"
"You were well aware of his misdeeds, indeed. How could you, Your Majesty, neglect to see the full extent of that despicable man's vengeful deeds?
"You married his daughter!" he said indignantly.
With his remark, Jellal struggled to maintain his composure. Before marrying her, he knew that the emperor had hoped to dispose of Rung Blanche's entire family in order to eradicate the greatest threat to the empire. This family exploits innumerable lives as if they were tools. Due to the realization that his sacrifices had been futile, he was on the verge of emotional collapse. In the midst of his rage, Jellal inhaled deeply to soothe his racing thoughts.
Jellal's furrowed brows and clenched jawbone revealed his anger and dissatisfaction with the king's reply. As he approached Jellal with a concerned expression, Caleb spared no time in recognizing the tension in the air.
"What's wrong, Your Highness?" Caleb inquired.
"Nothing." He replied with a sigh.
As Jellal and Caleb made their way through the palace's corridors, they unexpectedly crossed paths with Alexis, the crown prince. The man with blonde hair had a striking resemblance to the king. The sight of him repulsed Jellal. The unexpected encounter with his lifelong adversary within the palace walls caused him to experience various conflicting emotions.
"I extend my greetings to His Highness, Crown Prince of the Empire, Prince Alexis." Jellal, repressing his initial reaction, addressed Alexis in a frigid and formal manner, barely concealing the underlying animosity.
"Your presence here is... unexpected, Prince Jellal. I anticipated seeing you at your own palace with your wife." Alexis said in derision.
"You can rest assured that I will return to my domain immediately, Your Majesty."
"So you actually wedded Erza without inviting me in the least. It's such a shame that because of the matters in the academy, I was not able to witness the spectacular sight of you marrying someone like her,"
"It's Erschelle. Do not call her by that name." He insisted, causing a lingering animosity in the atmosphere.
A/N: Please leave some reviews; thanks! I'm pretty sleepy, might edit it for some grammatical errors later.