Chapter 125: A Sonata for the Queen
Rose slept on a bed in the second Phantom's Lair. The first one has been compromised so I can't possibly take her there. The layout of this second lair is similar enough to the first one, with many candelabras illuminating the room, a small dock for the boat used to traverse the subterranean lake, musical instruments scattered around and the highlight of the place which is obviously the pipe organ.
This hideout is also located under the capital, though not under an Opera House like the first one. You might be thinking that making another hideout in the capital would make it easier to be found by Shadow Garden and thus I shouldn't have done it… It is exactly that kind of mentality that led me to build it here. Plus it is more convenient because I don't have to run far away in order to retreat.
I also used some special magic to erase our scent on the way so any beastkin they sent to track us down won't be able to find us. Now I will have no interruptions as I continue to corrupt her.
She is mine now. With how much trauma she has experienced, she will no longer have anyone but me to rely on. She will be my perfect pawn. My tyrannical queen. Heh heh heh.
Now… what song should I sing for her when she wakes up? Obviously the Music of the Night comes to mind but… there is someone I'm saving that song for. I suppose I'll just settle with the good ol' Piano Sonata No. 14 aka Moonlight Sonata that has become very popular these days thanks to Silon the pianist… or Epsilon, one of the Seven Shades.
"Uhhn…"
Ah. She's waking up. Right on time. I quickly jumped to the seat at the pipe organ and began playing Moonlight Sonata on it. Normally this piece is to be played with a piano but due to how rushed I am to set up this second lair, I had no time to acquire a piano. The pipe organ is my personal preference and thus is a greater priority after all.
"Last night… Was that a dream…? A nightmare…? No… It wasn't…" She hasn't noticed the music yet as she is still experiencing flashbacks and began having a panic attack again. Her breath heavy, her forehead wet with sweat and her cheeks stained by tears.
"Ohh… father…" She cried but I ignored her as I kept playing my music. But soon enough, she noticed the familiar tunes played on an instrument normally unfamiliar for it.
"This piece…. Moonlight?"
Rose was enthralled by my music. Capturing and extracting the knowledge and experience of those musicians is worth it after all, even if I still had to practice a lot in order to make use of the knowledge I stole. This way I can play the role of the Phantom of the Opera, a murderous musician, well enough and influence her while showing off at the same time.
No. 046, aka former Saint Victoria, has been a great assistance in that endeavour. Shadow Garden probably thought that killing the king is necessary in order to prevent the war with Midgar from happening. She called Rose naïve but she is also naïve. You think Midgar will just sit back and do nothing now that they lost the target of their revenge? Now that they lost the reason to wage war? Fools.
War, conflict, slavery, colonialism, ethnic cleansing, racism, etc has always been motivated by one thing and one thing alone, profit. Anything else are merely excuses to justify the atrocities committed. Every kingdom, especially in this world, naturally sought profit and would jump at the opportunity given the chance. Oriana is a prime target for Midgar right now. Ripe new lands to conquer (with weaker military too considering they've defanged themselves for a long time thanks to the Cult's influence, and are currently even facing a civil war too), not to mention access to the hero (heroine) Freya's tomb which is said to be located here, which would increase Midgar's political influence internationally.
As Claude, I didn't even need to influence the Midgar nobles on my side with subtle hypnosis to support this war, not just to show off Midgar's might but also to get more lands. If I'm not as evil I am, I'd say they wanted the war more than I did. Truly, human greed knows no bounds and they will gladly kick a dying little puppy for a piece of meat. At this rate even Iris and Alexia won't be able to stop them from demanding war. And as the good king I am, I have to grant their wish, don't I?
Shadow Garden should've studied history more often… although with how biased and shrouded their world history is thanks to the Cult, I suppose their young minds couldn't possibly reach the same conclusion I did. It doesn't matter though. Their naiveté helped me speed my plans up and they even graciously provided themselves as scapegoat. I was originally planning to have Mordred kill King Raphael but this is even better because this allows Rose to break out of Shadow Garden even faster than I originally planned.
Now she has nowhere else to go… no one else to comfort and support her but me.
Rose left the bed and walked up to me whilst enjoying the music with listless eyes. Eventually I finished the song and she claps her hands with an empty smile.
"To think that you would know my favourite piece. That was a wonderful performance, Phantom."
I stood up and bowed my head before her. "I aim to please, your highness." Seeing me bow and addressing her as royalty reminds her of who she is and what her mission is and that brought some light to her eyes after a few seconds have passed.
"Now… there are things I must do…. But I don't know where to start. Last night mother and Perv said they prepared a replacement for me. Do you know anything?"
"Project Clara." I uttered the name of Mordred's latest pet project, which was coincidentally the name of her deceased younger sister who died at childbirth. Is that the reason why her mother was such an outrageous woman? Or has Queen Reina always been like that? Who knows? Rose widens her eyes and clenches her fist in response.
"To think that not only they manipulated my father and turned my mother against us… they even sullied the name of my deceased sister…! Just how far must they defile my family!?" Rose grits her teeth in anger.
"Yes. They took your DNA and created a clone based on it. She was made to lure you out by making your father announce a new heir to the throne and would eventually be used to replace you afterwards." I explained the nature of Project Clara, which infuriates her more.
"Then we must find her at once."
"Yes. But first there is something you must do." I said as I took out a ring box out my pocket and opened it. She stared confusedly at the silver ring with rose carving at the top and some red vein-like lines surrounding its surface.
"I'm sorry… but I cannot accept your feelings. I have…"
"No. That's not what I meant. This ring once belonged to your father. It is an Artifact possessed by the royal family for ages. Now it belongs to you. Take it." I elaborated. I totally do not want to propose to you right now. It is necessary for her to wear the Ring of Succession not just to allow me to gain admin access to its systems so that I can gain access to its Black Rose function but also because I've hacked the ring and placed a certain recording that I want her and the world to watch.
"Very well." She said as she took the ring and after staring longingly at it for a few minutes, she wore it on her left index finger, a place for a royal's ring.
Just as she wore it, a bright red light began shining from the ring and shoots through the ceiling and into the sky. I grinned as my plans proceeds smoothly.
"L-Lord Mordred! That light…!"
"I know! Now shut up!" I said as I decapitated the subordinate who wasted my time with a useless report of something I already know.
Today has been another disappointing day thanks to that meddlesome assassin who calls himself the Phantom of the Opera. Not to mention I never recovered the Ring of Succession from the now deceased king because Perv has been secretly defying me, colluding with that damned Necromancer. Too bad he was killed before I was able to punish him myself. And now it seems that Princess Rose has recovered the Ring of Succession from her father's corpse. The bright red light shining on the capital is a sign of that happening. Several holographic screens started appearing in the air, depicting the late king. It appears that Geerk has recorded a hidden a message on the ring before he transferred the ownership of the ring to Rose.
"Attention, citizens of Oriana. It is I, Raphael Geerk Oriana, though if you're seeing this message, it is likely that I've passed away… or had my mind and body be controlled by powers beyond our imaginations." The king, whose face is reflected on the screen, began speaking. His words are heard by every citizens of the capital. At this rate the existence of the Cult will be revealed. This kingdom must be destroyed.
"But before that happens, I have something to confess. It is likely that at the time you're hearing this, I would've already succumbed to the influence of my captors and slain King Klaus of Midgar as they wanted, causing a great rift between the two countries. The organization that is behind all this desired Oriana to be engulfed in war against Midgar. For what reason? I do not know. Perhaps to weaken both kingdoms so they can easily take over." There he said it. Even just through mere reference, this kingdom must absolutely be destroyed. I grabbed the Artifact that could remotely activate the Ring of Succession and immediately ran to the center of the light while the king continued his speech.
"The identity of the organization that is behind this crime perpetrated against me… I cannot say it, for they are far too dangerous. But several Oriana nobles are affiliated with them, particularly those affiliated with Duke Perv Asshat. He and my wife are personally responsible for drugging and manipulating me." You cannot say our names but you have drawn attention to us, nonetheless, accursed king! If I could, I would've killed you ten times over!
"But fear not, loyal citizens of Oriana. When I am gone, I hereby declare that the one who will inherit my throne is the one I love and trusted most, my beloved daughter Rose Oriana. It is likely that by the time you're hearing this message, she is missing, working behind the scenes. But she is a strong woman and she will return. With the threat of war looming on the horizon, I believe she can be the one who will make Oriana strong. Only she can guide you through these trying times and bring peace and order back to Oriana. Please put your trust in her. And Rose…" The image of the king started intently at the viewer, as if staring directly at someone.
"I love you. And I forgive anything that you would do… for you will do it for my sake, and for the sake of Oriana. I'm proud of you. Please remember who you are and always remain strong. Always." With those last words, the screen, along with the image of the late king, disappears. How sentimental, but I shall send her to the underworld so you won't be lonely!
I arrived at an underground lair after passing through a subterranean lake by walking in the water and there, I saw the new queen, Rose, and a masked man, likely this Phantom of the Opera character, in a room full of candles and musical instruments, with an enormous pipe organ in the wall. I've found you and you cannot escape anymore.
"I love you. And I forgive anything that you would do… for you will do it for my sake, and for the sake of Oriana. I'm proud of you. Please remember who you are and always remain strong. Always." With those last words, the screen that displayed my father's final message disappears. I can't stop the tears from falling.
"Oh… father… I promise… I shall be a great and strong queen! And I shall protect Oriana!" I swore right then and there.
At that declaration, I heard a clap, but not from the Phantom. I turned towards the one who claps, a purple haired man in white armor. I recognize him from the dossier. He is Mordred, a member of the Knights of Rounds and one who injured Lady Epsilon some time ago.
"A touching display. But it is time to close the curtain with your deaths."
"Mordred! You and your Cult has toyed with my family and Oriana for long enough! I'll put an end to your reign!" I declared with a slime sword pointed at his direction.
"Ha ha ha! A foolish infant like you think you can defeat me? How amusing! Come then, so I can send you to reunite with your pitiful parents." Mordred merely laughed. He didn't even unsheathe the sword at his hips.
Before I can jump in to strike him, the Phantom stopped me.
"Allow me, my queen. You must go to the castle to restore order to the royal court."
"Restore order? There is only destruction waiting for you! Behold!" Mordred took out an oval shaped device from his pocket and pressed the button on it, sending a magic signal targeting my ring. But before it could reach, the Phantom stopped the flow of magic with a wave of his hand.
"What!?" Mordred exclaimed as whatever he expected to happen didn't happen.
"Go, my queen! I'll handle him!"
"Make sure you return alive!"
"Of course I will." The Phantom said as I escaped the place through a tunnel.
Rose escaped through the tunnel behind me as I blocked Mordred's path. With me around, he cannot activate the Black Rose. Oh no. I will not allow it, not when my evil queen hasn't had a chance to shine yet. She needs to rise before she inevitably falls. Her fall would be much more beautiful that way. Mordred merely grinned, thinking he can dispose of me easily with the new sword that he bought from me, which is appropriately named Clarent.
"Playing the role of a knight, are you? How admirable, but also foolish. This kingdom is doomed the moment its leaders betray the Cult. Your queen's only act as a monarch would be to witness her kingdom's destruction and she shall have only her father to blame! And you should be honored, fool. For standing in the way of the Cult, I, the Knight Beyond Men himself, shall personally destroy you!" Mordred began monologuing again.
"Heh heh heh. It's amusing how you'd say that after your shameful last defeat."
"Hmph. So you've heard of my retreat from that vampire Alucard. No matter. I've become stronger since then and you'll never defeat me." He said as he finally unsheathes Clarent, a greatsword with decorated hilt, a red gem embedded on its guard, and red glowing runes carved on its blade.
"Grown stronger? You call borrowing another's strength as growing stronger? First that stolen elven sword Invisibilite, and now this new sword?"
"You can talk all you like but in the end, you shall die by my hand!" Mordred said as he sent an invisible long range slash that I dodged, which sliced through my precious pipe organ.
"That was pretty expensive, you know."
"You should worry more about your life, fool!" Mordred exclaims as he sent another invisible slash, which sliced through the wall cleanly.
"How… how did you dodge that?" Mordred glared at me, unable to believe that I dodged his attacks.
"Unlike Invisibilite, which only sent mere invisible attacks, your new sword slices through space itself, and thus no defense can resist it. Is that it?"
"How did you know!?" Mordred exclaims angrily because he haven't used the sword in public before and yet his secret is already out.
"Because I made that sword." A simple answer, simple sentence, broke him.
"Wha… you… Necromancer!?" I grinned as he said that.
"Correct." I confirmed as I shed my Phantom disguise and revealed my true form.
Author's Note:
And so the Necromancer returns to action.
Generalliam0529: Man, Shadow Gardens been taken L after L. They've lost Oriana, the lawless city, are still fighting over midgar, shadow has no idea whats going on while necromancer does. aAt this rate, the only way I see shadow Garden wnning aythinf is if they are significantly stroner than necromancer (power wies)
Answer: Midgar might as well belong to the Necromancer already with Claude going to sit on the throne.
borregodillon9: Can't wait for the next chapter
Answer: Here it is! Hope you enjoyed it!
A-Yellow-Lizard: Ooh, seems good. Can't wait for more manipulation in the future. Yandere rose is real now. I think Cid might go to Oriana... As always I'm looking forward to the japan arc, it was my fav in the original series and I'm interested on your take on it lol. If I could give double favorites and follows, I would.
Tsurumaki is a vocaloid haha. But no, she isn't a brocon.
Answer: I also look forward to writing the Japan Arc.
BetweenIandGirl: huh... it almost look like the original, but now it is seem like Cid can play with tyrant oriana queen this time.
Answer: Yeah. I can't help but include the scene with the NTR mother since that is a very traumatic scene for Rose even in canon and the Necromancer certainly want her to be traumatized so he can manipulate her.
Receive The Wind Humbly: Finally. A story that actually has a villain who's an ACTUAL villain. So, many fakes on this site. Well author, im very intrested to see what happens next. I wonder if you've gathered inspiration for this MC, from another true villain protagonist novel. Specifically in regards to the webnovel "Reverend Insanity" and the its titular characterMC "Fang Yuan".
Answer: I'm glad you like my villainous OC. I haven't read Reverend Insanity. My inspiration for the MC is actually Cid actually. I simply thought of how the MC parallels Cid in some aspect but quite the opposite in others. Both want to roleplay but they go about it in different ways, Claude actually has more moral (which crumbles slowly as he goes deeper into villainy) than Cid despite styling himself as the villain, etc. Also I wanted Claude to be a villain who's evil because he wants and likes to be, not because of some external sources. He's not a sympathetic villain, he's an unapologetically evil villain.
TheVirtualPug: Then the Phantom reveals himself as a villain as well... Then Cid is revealed as Shadow (to rose) who believes that she has been lied to all this time...
She's gonna have trust issues for sure...
Answer: I'm still thinking of whether she should find out or not, or when she finds out, but yeah, she would be broken.
Guest: With all this talk of war, it is sure to make a certain bald "fucking invincible" scissor man very happy.
Answer: Bald invincible scissor man? Who's that?
zero: It be interesting if Claude took some inspiration from Johan libert from the manga and anime Monster he literally the anti crist.
Answer: I've never read or watched that series though.
Guest : Love that Claude is playing the 'villain has a point' trope here. Shadow Garden is essentially a cult in of itself with their fanatical devotion to Shadow. And referring to someone by a number instead of their names is dehumanizing (though he is one to talk considering he calls his experiments numbers). Also, Victoria curb your enthusiasm.
Answer: He has a point, but he isn't any better. And Victoria is just being Victoria.
Guest: Despite giving him a 7.5/10, I can see that Claude took a page out of Lutheran Barnett's book of manipulation. By killing someone's loved ones and then inserting himself as their savior.
Also, damn beastkin noses always ruining our two chunnibyous' alter ego role plays.
Answer: Indeed. Poor Rose.
And yeah Delta sniffed out John Smith (in canon) and the Phantom in this fic. XD