Building a Kingdom and Conquering the World

98  Changes

Although no physical scar remained from the attack, Henry could sense that something changed within himself. He shut his eyes and began circulating Mana within his circuits, taking it from his heart and directing it through a few paths. However, as soon as he touched the Mana within his heart, Henry almost screamed in surprise, exhibiting some feelings he had learn to hide during these few years.

The Mana stored in his heart had changed. It held no red color, but a brilliant purple hue, like stars. Furthermore, he could feel that his heart has changed to accommodate this energy, something seemed to be connected to it, like tendrils. Each heartbeat was like the march of a thousand soldiers.

The king was taken aback and opened his eyes, observing the drawing on his chest as it gently pulsed and rotated. It appeared almost alive, as if the dragon depicted in the tattoo was attempting to consume itself. Henry couldn't help but feel that it greatly resembled the Tribal Tattoos of the barbarians. However, his tattoo was far more refined, and the process seemed painless, at least for him. There was no need for bone needles, the blood of creatures, specific herbs or even be tied to a rock. Those tendrils on his heart seemed to be part of this tattoo.

Out of curiosity, Henry raised his hand and channeled this newfound energy towards his hands. Despite the energy feeling stronger and fiercer, it didn't cause any discomfort as he circulated it through his circuits, unlike the previous one. And, for the first time since arriving in this world and starting to use Mana, Henry felt no pain.

In a swift motion, Henry twisted his wrist and executed a technique from the Sun God Battle Manual, Fire Sword. Instantly, the same purple fire that had burned within the cave emerged in his palm and began condensing in his hands, forming what looked like the hilt of a gleaming, purple sword.

"Interesting!" – Henry murmured, observing the radiant purple fire. It illuminated the surroundings like the primordial fire birthing the universe, a guiding light amid a raging sea storm.

He was attempting to replicate something he had seen in the memories received when he sat on the throne. Inside those memories, an individual had conjured a brilliant purple sword to strike a colossal white dragon with shining blue eyes that emerged from a massive and thick forest.

This creature was flying towards a village where mothers were trembling while shielding their children and men threw arrows in a futile attempt to strike back the dragon. This dragon did not breathe fire, but an icy breath that froze everything it touched. While watching those memories, Henry considered that this dragon could even freeze an entire sea.

Before the White Dragon could freeze the village, a figure emerged, wielding a sword made of purple fire that seemed to be dancing. And, single swift strike, the man cleaved through the air and seemed to ignite a cascade of purplish flames, forming a giant edge of a blade. This blade was as big as the dragon and gave the impression that it could burn the whole world as it hurtled towards it. The memory vanished as the dragon lost one of its wings, causing it to crash helplessly to the ground."

The unfinished purple handle in Henry's grasp was his attempt to replicate the mysterious man's purple sword - "It's quite exhausting; I can't seem to complete it, not for now at least" - he muttered, opening his hands and dissipating the purple fire.

Despite not feeling the usual pain from the chaotic energy running through his circuits, Henry's heart seemed to lack the necessary Mana's stock to recreate such a technique, even though it seemed to be based on his own Sun God Technique and the Battle Manual. It was still a great toll on his body. Henry let his hand drop as if it was a rock cast into a river, the accumulated fatigue from these last few days was too much for his body, even after he broke through a new Stage.

Leaning against the icy throne, Henry felt the sharp points that had once pierced him pricking at his back, yet he was too fatigued to care. He stood there, inhaling deeply as he channeled the Sun God Technique, converting the raw Mana into the vibrant purple fire, stocking it inside his heart. Strangely, the Technique seemed to function even more efficiently when combined with this fire, as if they were naturally suited to one another. He could gather and transform raw Mana into that purple fire at least twice as fast as before.

"I'll manage to recreate it someday, I just need to be patient" - Henry muttered wearily, feeling the throne's spikes pressing into his back like small horns - "I can't linger here, much time has passed, and I'm unaware of the situation outside. I must hurry. I've already wasted enough time here."

The sensation of the throne against his back seemed to bring Henry back to the present moment. He had been lost in those new, fragmented memories that had flooded his mind and neglected his original mission. He had to get out of here. The king rose decisively from the throne, determined to get out of this situation, no matter the fatigue.

Waving his hands, Henry directed the Mana, creating a translucent, purple layer that coated his arms. It cast a soft light around him - "I will return. I still have so many questions about this." – He whispered, casting a brief glance at the menacing throne.

Henry then began walking back the same way he came, which was quite easy to find since the throne was facing it. This time, Henry seemed to be conscious of the time and the places he had wandered through to reach this point. The throne could only be accessed by a narrow tunnel, through which he had to squeeze himself.

It only took twenty minutes before Henry could see the light coming from the room with the statues. Henry's heart echoed happily, much like a child finding the warmth of a gentle light after traversing the darkness of the night.

"Leier!" - Henry called out upon spotting someone lying on the floor from a distance. He dashed towards her.

 n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om