Enoch examined the bird perched on his hand closely. The bird did the same to him.
It remained still, not daring to fly off into the sunset, but rather staring back at him with its bright red eyes.
[Magical Item Acquired: Angelbird]
[Grade: S]
>Description: A celestial bird which can exist and travel in both the spirit realm and the real world.
>Abilities:
Bodily Exchange ~ When desired, the owner can enter the Angelbird's mind and control it as he pleases. When desired, the owner can swap physical positions with the Angelbird, regardless of it's destination.
>Costs & Risks:
• None
---
Enoch stared at the bird after reading its description and was taken completely aback.
"Why were you in the possession of the Nightmare God?" Enoch mused. "You are a pure creature."
Of course, he did not receive a response from the animal; however, the bird did flap its wings, moving itself from Enoch's hand and landing delicately on his shoulder.
Enoch found himself smiling as he looked at himself in the mirror.
With his new white hair, he and the bird seemed a good match. Especially when contrasted with his dark royal suit which was etched in gold fabrics.
However, to avoid more questions that he was already going to get, he placed the bird back in his soul space for the time being.
How am I going to explain this change in my appearance? Well, at least it makes me look pure, which is the opposite of what my morality path would suggest.
With this said and done, Enoch thought about what to do next.
In the depths of his mind, he could sense the memories of the god he had eaten, waiting as though they were being locked in a chest.
He had no current desire to explore them, as he could feel the danger even before acting. He would wait until he was stronger before making such a decision.
Instead, he decided he would visit his parents and tell them of what had happened, making up a story that suited him.
But first, he wished to check his current status.
Status:
[Name: Enoch Rose]
[Morality: The Shadowed Path]
You have a slight tendency towards evil
Morality Balance ~
—————60%————
[Class: Godeater]
Gods Eaten ~ 1
[Soul Level: Copper]
Soul Progression: 100/100
~AWAITING BREAKTHROUGH~
[Titles]
•Keeper of the Veiled Dream
[Affinities]
•Fire
[Abilities]
•Divine Devour
•The Neverending Nightmare
•Shadow Step
•Kurohono
[Passive Abilities:]
• Dreamborne Will
• Abysall Instinct
[Magical Items:]
• Angelbird
---
My morality Balance has increased to 60%, meaning that eating the god of nightmares has sent me closer to a more righteous pathway.
I expected more, considering it's an evil god that I slayed... I guess because its essence is living inside of me.
And it seems that I've already reached the peak of copper soul, and my body's ready to break through. I'll need to discuss that with my father.
Pleased with what he had read, Enoch took in a deep breath and prepared to exit his chambers.
He was certain he would become the centre of attention.
---
The whispers began as soon as he made his way down the giant hallways of the Rose Family's palace.
It started with whispers from maids, whose cheeks were flushed as they secretly pointed at the young Prince.
His short white hair was unkempt, as it had just grown out of nowhere, yet it gave him an air of elegance even greater than before.
"Y-your Majesty?"
Enoch turned to find the brown haired Gabriel staring up at him, as he held another crate in his hands. The boy's eyes were wide behind his glasses as he examined the Prince in awe.
Enoch, who was unsure of how to feel about the new attention, nodded his head.
"It seems the book of nightmares had more of an effect on me than I thought." He responded with a slight smile.
Gabriel's face suggested that it ran with a thousand thoughts.
"The white hair suits you, your majesty." The boy said earnestly with a bow. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
Enoch almost let out a sigh. Gabriel was a noble librarian with a great scholarly future ahead of him. There was no reason for him to act as a servant.
However, he found that he did actually have a use for the boy at the current moment.
"If you aren't busy, then could you tell Lady Larissa that I wish to meet her for dinner tonight? I would like for her to see—"
"Would like for me to see what?"
Enoch's words were cut off, forcing him to turn and face the source of the voice.
To his great surprise, standing in the hallway before Enoch and Gabriel was a beauty unlike any other.
Her skin was of a golden complexion, as was her long hair, which was currently tied into a bun. She stood the same height as the averagely built Enoch, meaning that the pair were able to meet eye to eye.
Being a noble lady and Enoch's future wife, she was dressed beautifully and was often granted access to the palace due to her noble status.
"My Lady, what brings you here?" Enoch spoke approaching her, taking her hand, and planting a kiss on the back of her palm.
The beautiful lady flashed the prince and white smile before curtseying. "Perhaps I could read your thoughts, your majesty. I knew that you wished to see me."
Her golden eyes then turned to his hair, which she examined carefully.
"Hair dye? I did not know that this was common amongst men." She joked. Being his long childhood friend, Larissa was one of the only people who could mock the prince playfully.
Enoch let out a sharp laugh. "Unfortunately this was not a fashion choice, but rather a sign of great power."
"Oh? Well, aren't I a lucky woman? Perhaps you could tell me about it over dinner tonight?"
"I would love to."
The librarian had long since left the pair alone, as was right for him to do so.
However, Enoch didn't currently have the time to spend with his future wife. So after a few moments of chatter, he said his goodbyes and made his way towards the throne room, where he would confront his mother and father.
As he entered the glamorous room, which was decorated with gold, murals and paintings, he heard the sounds of his father's voice echoing throughout the high ceilings.
"Curse him... Curse him to oblivion!"
King Jacob sat on his throne with his wife beside him, reading from a note that had been handed to him by a knight in red armour.
The knight was only a messenger, who stood nearby with a nervous look on his face, silently praying to the true creator that he would not face the king's wrath.
As Enoch entered the room, his father looked up at him, taking in his son's changed appearance.
His eyes went wide before swiftly sending the knight out of the room, so that the family could have privacy.
Enoch stepped closer to the throne and felt the eyes of the King and Queen boring through him as though he were a painting on the wall.
"Oh my goodness..." Queen Ruth said, rising from her seat and making her way over towards her son. "What has happened to you?"
She reached forward and plucked a hair from her son's head, examining it, making Enoch wince.
The King remained on his throne, squinting his eyes at his son. A moment later, he spoke.
"Keeper of the Veiled Dream" the King spoke. He examined the title of his son and read it aloud. "This is a result of studying the book of nightmares, isn't it? Just what did you see?"
Enoch kept his wits about him, ensuring that his words were perfect and that he did not reveal his secrets.
"A lot, Father. I saw a lot... I've gained powers that I would have never imagined. I've kept my sanity, and all I had to sacrifice was my dark hair."
Queen Ruth smiled at this, but the King's face remained dull.
Have I been caught?
Were my lies too weak to deceive my father?
But Enoch's worries were thrown to the side as the king responded.
"Good. Well, you'll be able to put them to the test soon, thanks to this." The King said grimly, holding up the piece of paper in his hand.
"What is it?"
King Jacob let out a great sigh. "It's a letter from our giant allies in the north. It seems the dragons have broken through their defences, and are heading into our continent next."
Enoch suddenly realised why his father had been so angry before he entered the room. He himself experienced a similar feeling.
"The Dragoni Empire... Doesn't that mean-"
"Yes, son. The Second War of the Roses is upon us." The King spat as he crumpled the piece of paper and tossed it to the side.
"It seems we will have to begin the Mock Noble Battles sooner than I expected."
---
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