The Demon Kings Cowardly Vessel - Chapter 320

“What do you mean?” Luca asked with a frown. “Those with the violet markings are supposed to be the weakest of the bunch, no?”

“That’s just what our ancestors wanted everyone to believe, especially those with the violet markings. It’s sort of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Tell them that they are useless for long enough, and they would start to believe it. And after a few generations, they have forgotten their true heritage.”

Turning around, his eyes turned purple, and so did the markings on his body. Just when the boys turned alert, he then lifted a hand, upon which the particles of dirt on the boat started to float up and gather into a ball in his hand.

Juin and the boys were surprised to see this. As far as they knew, these Atlantians should only be able to wield one element – water.

“Earth…” Wolfe gasped. His eyes slightly rounded as he watched the ball of dirt floating on Warrick’s palm. “You can manipulate earth! How’s that possible?!”

“That’s right. Most people who have the violet markings have the ability to use dual elements,” Warrick explained as he flung the ball of dirt out into the sea. His markings turned back to red, and he said, “I only know about it because of Cecile. She found out about my hidden parentage when we were kids and kept it from everyone else. With her mother being Atlas’ direct descendant, her knowledge of the Acronisians’ powers is way ahead of me.”

“Princess Cecile can wield dual elements as well?” Wolfe gasped. Even Luca looked surprised by it.

However, they noticed that Juin’s face remained blank.

“You knew?” Luca asked with a brow raised suspiciously. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

Juin nodded. “I accidentally found out about it, and I thought she’s just a special case. Besides, I don’t think it’s my business to talk about it, given the situation in Arconia.”

Warrick gave him a quick glance before continuing, “This is also why they are hunted to near extinction and beaten down. It’s not so much Atlas’ betrayal that turned everyone against them. It’s the fear that these people might one day decide to take over this world that caused our ancestors to destroy them in the first place. So that no one would find out the truth about those Acronisians, a blanket order was placed not long after Atlas’ departure, and by now, most people have forgotten about this unique trait of theirs.”

He clenched his fists as he continued, “And their fear will come true soon, because I’m going to lead the Acronisians to take over this world.”

This time, everyone looked at the crown prince with surprise.

“You… This is your plan all along?” Juin frowned. “You want to start a war?”

Warrick nodded. There was a conflicted expression on his face as he murmured, “War is necessary.”

“War is never necessary,” Juin said with a sad expression. He had seen those war videos, and the ones who died were always innocent people; those who just wanted to live their lives peacefully.

Warrick placed a hand on Juin’s shoulder and said with a stern tone, “You are someone who has been bestowed with great strength. If you continue to think like a child, you will end up losing everything and everyone.”

He then walked away with Master Shawn following behind him closely.

“What does that mean?” Cyrus asked as he looked up at Juin.

“It means that his thinking is too naive,” Luca explained with a smirk. He glanced at Juin and said, “And Crown Prince Warrick is right… You cannot expect to protect anyone with such a naive way of thinking. War is never necessary? Without the war, how do you think the Acronisians are going to get back what they deserve? If words work, it would have worked a long time ago.”

He then sighed and walked away as well.

Wolfe and Cyrus were the only ones left behind with Juin, who was standing there with a frown on his face.

“Don’t worry too much, Juin,” Wolfe said as he placed a hand on Juin’s shoulder. “You will soon learn everything…”

“Do you think that war is necessary?”

“I think that one has to change their mindset according to circ.u.mstances. Humans can live without war in a peaceful world,” Wolfe said solemnly. He then added with a sigh, “But we are not humans. Whether you admit it or not, we are supernatural beings, and we have our own way of doing this.”

Cyrus nodded. “But it’s ok for you to remain the same. I don’t expect much of you anyway. Just be naive and a little bit dumb.”

Juin raised a brow at Cyrus. “I’m not dumb nor naive.”

“Sure…” Cyrus nodded with a condescending look as he patted Juin on the lower back. “Let’s rest… I’m tired…”

…

That night, Juin climbed to the highest deck and lay down there as he watched the bright stars that served as their roof for the night.

“Your Majesty…” Juin suddenly called out as he watched a shooting star pass by.

“Yeah…” Lucifer replied. He was sitting in midair, watching the people moving around below.

“Do you go to war often?” he asked after a moment of hesitation.

Lucifer thought for a moment and shrugged. “As often as I need to.”

“Why?”

“To protect my people.”

“Can’t you do it peacefully? Don’t you have diplomats who can negotiate deals for you?”

“It’s not as easy as it seems…” Lucifer sighed. “You may want to negotiate, but others may not, and sometimes, a kind king who never raises his sword might as well be the same as the tyrant king. After all, the greatest king is never known for their kindness first, but for the way they govern.”

“Juin,” Lucifer suddenly spoke in a heavy tone, “a king is a leader, and he must lead his people to a peaceful world.

“And if there’s someone or something who tries to stop him or hurt his people, he must get rid of them using all necessary means. Otherwise, in the end, the ones who would be hurt would be his own people. Trying to protect everyone, including your enemies, will only end up in your downfall. Do you understand?”

Juin looked at Lucifer and wondered why did the man’s tone sound so suspicious? It was as if there was something else that Lucifer wanted to say.

“Err… I think so…” Juin then stared at stars quietly for a while as he thought about Lucifer’s words. Suddenly, he asked softly, “Haven’t you regretted participating in a war before?”

The images of mutilated bodies, blood of various shades on him and his sword, his men dying in front of him, and the bloody bodies of countless innocent demon children passed by Lucifer’s mind, but he quickly pushed them out of his head. “No. I did what I had to in order to protect my people… If I didn’t, the numbers of death would be higher.”

“Then…”

“As my vessel, I will teach you this for free…” Lucifer said, turning to look at Juin. “Get strong fast, and one day, if you are ever in a war-like situation, finish it as quickly as possible. A prolonged war is never good for anyone, much less the people that you want to protect.”

Juin blinked, seemingly confused, but he then nodded. He read about this before in The Art of War book. ‘Looks like no matter the races, species, or worlds, this rule of war remains the same,’ he thought to himself as he quickly glanced at Lucifer, who seemed to be deep in thought.

Suddenly, he recalled something important and sat up quickly. He then asked, “Oh yeah, you didn’t tell me about that aura-like thing that I saw. What’s happening to me?”