My (Monster?) Hero Life

Chapter 264: Heavy Is The Crown (6)

Lorget decided to take the plunge. The information that could be hidden behind this door was just too valuable to pass up. Who knew how long it would take them to scour the rest of the palace for even a fraction of what they might find here? However, since it was him making the decision in the face of such a risk, then it was only right that he was the one to perform the task.

"I'm going to take a look. Keep an eye on me from over here. Be ready to intervene if you're needed." Lorget resolutely announced to his squad.

He carefully swam over to the closest ripple. He analysed the situation in the hallway, even though he was already sure that there were no other presences in the area. With a deep breath, he took the plunge! Lorget popped out of a shadow by the wall in the material realm, he came out ready for a fight.

When he stood there for a few moments, and nothing happened, he let his guard down somewhat. He half expected some response since they were on the highest floor and so close to what was obviously an important room. 'Maybe I'm just jumpy for no reason.'

Lorget slid his feet across the floor, in an effort to be as silent as possible. There was nothing but silence echoing in his ears. His own senses went a little haywire as he drew up beside the door. Feelings of emptiness, loneliness and extreme grief washed over him. It was to the point that it was almost suffocating.

The difference in feeling from the Shadow realm to the material realm that this room exuded was like night and day. Over on the other side, nothing like this could be felt at all. It just confirmed to him that this room was hiding a massive secret! He reached out for the handle, as his hand grasped it the feelings intensified!

He grit his teeth against the mental assault, no matter what, he had to find out what was behind this door! The handle turned smoothly in his grasp, not even letting out the slightest squeak. He felt the catch that held the door in place come undone. He took a few sharp, shallow breaths as he expected something to happen. 

However, nothing came. Slowly, he pushed the door open. He held the handle at arm's length so that he could jump back if he had to. Even the squad in the shadow realm who were overseeing his actions felt their hearts begin to race with the tension. 

As soon as the door had opened further than a crack, the devastating emotions that had been assailing, his mind disappeared. As if they were a prisoner, trapped in this room until someone set them free. With the mental pressure gone, Lorget felt even more uneasy than before. However, he had come this far!

Since there seemed to be no other reaction from the room, he quickly forced the door all the way open and leapt inside the room! The light was brighter than he anticipated, forcing him to close his eyes. However, his ears did not detect any sounds. This did not mean much on its own though. However, he also did not feel an aura of malice or anything.

No matter how much anyone tried to conceal it, they always let out a little bloodlust when they went in for their strike. Which was why some of the more adept heroes had been able to react to their sudden ambushes. Lorget was confident that he would have been able to detect something like this.

He slowly opened his eyes, letting them get used to the light. However, before he fully acclimated to the environment, he heard footsteps from behind him! Still, half-blind he swung around to meet the sudden noise! Only to hear loud exclamations from familiar voices. The shapes in his blurred vision finally began to take shape. He suddenly became furious when he realised that his squad had disobeyed his orders and revealed themselves!

"What the fuck do you think you are doing!" Lorget growled at them, only to realise that they were not paying any attention to him.

Instead, they all looked flabbergasted as they stared at the scene behind him with their mouths hanging wide open. Startled by their appearance, Lorget slowly turned around to see what exactly had captured their attention. 'Ah, fuck!' He mentally swore to himself as he too began to gape at the scene.

The room was richly decorated with expensive-looking furniture, it exuded an air of superiority that they had not found in any other room so far. This was also the only room that they had come across that incorporated the same purple patterns from the exterior on its own walls. In the centre of the room stood an ornate, golden throne. Inlaid with expensive-looking purple gemstones.

However, when Lorget's eyes looked at what was sat on the throne, he instantly wanted to get out of there. He knew now that they had trespassed where nobody ever should. However, it shed a lot of light on what might be the cause of the strange situation around the city. Lorget gulped as he backed away from the throne. Bumping into his squad members who were still silently standing behind him.

"Move, let's go!" Lorget hissed at them, awakening them from their stupor. With careful steps, they withdrew their presence from the room.

Lorget grasped the door handle carefully in his grip. With gentle movements, he pulled the door closed behind them. Sparing the image on the throne one final glance in the process. There, the skeleton of a woman with a gold and purple crown rested on the throne. Her exquisite dress was still a vibrant red colour. 

A single tear ran down Lorget's cheek as he stared at what the woman held in her arms. Right there, in the safety of its mother's embrace, rested a baby's skeleton. Swaddled in a rich purple blanket. From the posture of the woman's frame, Lorget surmised that the woman had been grieving for her child when she passed away. Lorget got the distinct impression that something unspeakable had happened in this place. 

'If that's supposed to be the ruler Then who invited our Lord here?'