𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 || 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

Chapter LII: Sunfall

Defy the Fates Pt. 7

ALL WILLIAM COULD HEAR was the rapid beating of his chest as he made way towards the great hall of the Magic Parliament, a trial court where criminals were judged and brought punishment. But it could also serve another purpose, a unique event just like today—the replacement of Julius Novachrono for a new Wizard King. The primary requirement was simple: you have to be a Grand Magic Knight equal to a squad captain to be eligible for the highest rank. And William, who was already set to be Julius’s successor, was one of the candidates for this trial.

Past William would’ve gladly accepted the position without any hesitation.

But now that Solene changed his life?

Becoming the Wizard King was the least thing he ever wanted to have now.

Just as he was about to enter the court, Yami called him, making him stop a few steps away from the door.

“What is it, Yami?” He asked, facing the huge Black Bull captain.

Yami blew a puff of smoke to his face. William fanned it away. “You know, Vangeance, I was wondering why you didn’t help or defend Ambergirl during the Star Festival. Do you really love her?”

“Of course I do,” William answered, sounding a little defensive.

Yami shrugged, unimpressed by his answer. “It seems to me that your love for her isn’t enough to stand up for her against everyone that night. No offense, Croissant Head, but you’re a coward for failing to fight for the person you love. You let her endure all the suffering. Charlotte and I were the ones who brought her back to your base, and I’ll tell you what—she looked like a meteor had crushed her heart. She looked miserable as hell.”

William didn’t say anything to argue. Yami just pointed out the things he’d been consuming for so long. He already hated himself because of it, but now that someone else had been saying it out loud—he might as well never forgive himself.

“Look, if you really want to live a life with her, you should be enough to defy the fates,” Yami said.

Defy the fates.

Could someone like him even do that? Defying fate was like stopping the inevitable, stopping the future from happening. Could he change what was meant to be?

Yami left him there, wondering. He did not notice until the figure stepped in front of him did he realize Nozel called him as well.

William could not speak anymore. He had no energy nor any reason to explain himself to anyone anymore.

“I just want you to know that I am now acknowledging your candidacy to become the Wizard King,” Nozel started, although his face showed the opposite, looking conflicted still. “I disapprove of you getting considered in the first place, after what you have done before.”

“I understand. I would not want to stay any more in my captaincy had Master Julius not told me to stay. Trust me, Nozel. I do not want this position more than you think,” he said.

There was a sudden shift in Nozel’s expression after saying this, as if a moment of satisfaction, a pleasing sound to his ears—perhaps to feed his pride. “That is good to hear, Vangeance, because I cannot have you live the rest of your life as if you didn’t cause the deaths of thousands because of your betrayal. You may have gotten away with everything, but perhaps this is your greatest punishment: if you become the Wizard King, you will be trapped in a world you do not want. You will be forced to remember the sins you committed, and that will forever bind you to your position as the Wizard King. You won’t ever achieve happiness—and that is enough for me,” Nozel said before walking away, leaving William speechless—and miserable.