Chapter 30: Spectator…

(Earlier today: )

There was a strange cold in the air today. A strange cold that one cannot explain with simple words or descriptions. There was a chill that would run down one’s spine just being in the presence of the atmosphere out there.

The winds weren’t as fierce as they usually are either.

Even from the very top of the Mayn castle, when one looked down at the ground, they wouldn’t see the usual daylife. At least today, the work was slow.

The servants who usually did their work enthusiastically weren’t feeling too well these past few days.

The people from Theocracy were here without a disguise and it was a common practice for the people of the kingdom to be respectful towards them.

Whenever even one of the priests of Theocracy passed by the common people, they would bow out of respect.

There was a reverence in the air when they arrived in the castle. However, by the time the priests and holy knights became comfortable around the people of the castle, the people became a little wary of them.

Not all of the servants knew about the disappearance of their prince. It was announced that he had gone on a secret learning journey and that they weren’t supposed to mention that to anyone else outside of the castle, but that was all.

If it wasn’t about the prince, then, was there some unique reason for the priests and knights of the theocracy to be here?

They did not know the truth. But that was for the best for them.

"Haaa."

Still, watching them be so conscious of the gaze and presence of the priests was something that may have caused this strange silence in the air.

But then again, on top of the priests who were visiting right now, there were also assassins and mages of Elision hidden within the servants.

’They killed those innocent people to take their place. And if not that, they already had spies planted inside the castle.’

The people who were from Elision were either in a disguise of the people they killed or were present in the castle from a long time ago.

It was strange how they didn’t even flinch when they talked to the people they have never interacted with as naturally as the real people.

The strangeness increases when one thinks about the smiles they give to these people, the way they react to their words, the way they reply as if they know everything there is to know about the other party...

It was creepy. But then again, they were demonic beings who had dwelled into the dark magical depths of a world that the pure and living cannot reach.

Which was a good thing, on one hand. But then on another, they were always a step closer to things that they should not dabble into.

They were outsiders and they were given permission to stay inside the castle as guests since they were only looking for the missing prince.

They had work to do, and yet, knowing their nature, the royal family... the crown had them in check.

"And yet things have come down to this."

As he watched from the highest ground of the kingdom’s castle, he could see each and every element that was unknown to the normal eyes.

Through his magical glasses, he could see the grass flowing with the winds, he could see the smiles of his servants, he had been watching his daughter, the fourth princess, closely as well.

She was escorting a guest whose presence was supposed to bring more peace to the ongoing chaotic rumours of the castle’s lockdown.

But now, it was all going to be in vain it seems.

"He’s casting that spell just to please my daughter. That little rat."

He was the ruler of this nation. The sovereign himself.

Even though he did not have his crown on his head right now or clothes befitting a king, he had the Aura of a monarch.

His eyes shined with authority, the subtle distortion of space around him showing his power. He was there, standing tall. An impressive figure, not muscular, but most certainly admirable in every sense.

He looked younger than his age. It was a notable trait among the pure bloods who carry the direct power of the divine blessings of the gods.

To him, the priests who pray to the gods were nothing more than seekers of what they cannot have. To him, the Elision assassins were the same as mosquitos living off of other’s lifebloods.

They weren’t too impressive. In fact, his eyes remained unenthusiastic as the red dome of the ant-like spell spread throughout the land, a targeted curse that only affected those that the caster had selected, a spell invisible to untrained eyes.

He watched as the assassins or Elision as well as the spies that they had planted inside of the castle, all uncovered by the red mage a long time ago, were broken down to their most basic chemical states.

The ants ate everything that made them what they were and now what remained of them were only spherical energy orbs that the red mage will use as he pleased.

"Looks like they got the guest at least." He looked in a different direction, seeing a different party of knights bringing the unconscious lady to the Princess.

Strangely, the girl that didn’t trust anyone or had any particular interest in others beyond her own gains wanted that woman.

"What is so special about her?"

He watched the woman with gray hair, her face unclear to him from his distance. He could see that she used a thin blade, something few people use on this continent.

There was no special Aura to her, no unique vibe that made her stand apart.

"Hmmm."

He was wondering just who or what she was. In fact, the red mage and the princess were bringing her here right now, so it was a good thing for him as well.

Once she’s here, he’ll get to see what she was and judge what to do with her.

"They aren’t fools."

Those careful people who don’t like leaving lose ends wouldn’t just start attacking a royal guest out of the blue like that.

There must be some reason behind it.

There was certainly something that made them wary of her: they wanted her for something, perhaps her swordsmanship, perhaps something else.

She was important enough for them to forget their mission and risk going against the royal family, so they needed to ask her some questions first.

And if things go well, perhaps his daughter will get to have something she wants to keep around herself.