Five days had passed. The monsters attacking the city had retreated to the lake. At the same time, the phylactery had been completed.
Unlike the mithril cubes, the phylactery had a simple design, with runes engraved only in its interior. If not for its silver?black sheen which screamed of the word 'mithril', people would have mistaken it for an ordinary jar.
After obtaining the phylactery, Lark's group immediately set out to the capital. They hired the fastest carriage in city, and would change horses upon reaching the next territory, stopping only to restock their rations now and then.
*** It had been more than two months since the king collapsed. Although the healers and magicians managed to stabilize the king somewhat, he still hadn't woken up.
Inside the administrative office of the king's castle, the ministers and other various officials of the capital gathered.
Everyone gathered here knew the truth of the king's current predicament. They all knew that the king was currently afflicted by the demonic pact running through the blood of the royal family. A curse passed down from generations to generations.
"It's been a week since that item arrived at the capital," said Lord Hais, one of the ministers of the Kingdom. "Isn't it about time we use it to cure His Majesty? ?arious rumors are already going around the capital and the other cities of the Kingdom. The citizens are demanding to know the current state of His Majesty."
"There are already rumors that His Majesty's dead," said another minister. "I'm sure the neighboring countries have already heard what happened to the king. Thankfully, Everfrost is keeping the Great Empire in check—" "—But the Mullgray Pirates have already started gathering their fleets," said another official.
"The port in Aurora Island was finished just recently. I'm confident that the Kalavinka Navy can hold off those damn barbarians."
"Are you stupid? The Kalavinka Navy may be strong, but the pirates outnumber them more than a dozen times? It's only a matter of time before we lose Aurora Island again?"
"What did you say? Are you doubting the might of our Kingdom's navy?"
"I'm just stating the reality? We've lost Aurora Island before and we'll lose it again this time?"
"Enough?" Marquis Carlos snarled.
Everyone immediately shut their mouths. Silence befell the administrative office.
Although Carlos was a mere marquis, he was the closest friend of His Majesty. Furthermore, he was among the prominent figures of this Kingdom—a retired general, a man who once led tens of thousands of soldiers to war back in his prime.
Despite his age, the marquis could easily snap the neck of these bickering officials.
"We're here to discuss the current status of His Majesty. Take your petty arguments somewhere else."
Marquis Carlos looked at the hunched, elderly woman who'd remained silent until now. "Please let us hear your thoughts, Lady Ropianna. There must be a reason why you insisted that we postpone healing the king."
Ropianna took out a parchment from her cloak. "Almost a hundred lives were lost just to obtain the flower," she said, her voice raspy. "His Majesty would surely regain consciousness once he consumed the flower, but it wouldn't cut the root of this problem. The same thing would happen again. A few weeks after this, maybe months, and if we're lucky, maybe a year. But it is certain that His Majesty would collapse again, eventually."
She handed the parchment to Marquis Carlos.
"This is?" Marquis Carlos started reading the letter.
"A letter from Princess Esmeralda," she said.
Marquis Carlos frowned as he read the letter. "They have a way of curing His Majesty?"
"Yes," said Ropianna. "After receiving this message, I asked for a divination from the Water God. I asked God Nereus if this is the correct path."
There was momentary silence. The elderly magician slowly spoke, "And the Water God agreed that this is the best path for the Kingdom."
The officials looked at each other. There had never been a time when the divination of the Water God was incorrect. Although the messages were frequently abstract, when followed faithfully, it would eventually lead the believer to the right path.
"The Princess and her men, along with the Lord of Blackstone Town are on their way here as we speak," said Ropianna.
"Lord of Blackstone Town?" asked Lord Hais.
Marquis Carlos showed them the letter from the Princess. "Princess Esmeralda says that the Lord of Blackstone Town has found a way to sever the king's curse."
The eyes of Lord Hais and the other officials widened for a moment.
First was the Black Famine, and now this? How the hell did that brat obtain such crucial information?
"Ridiculous?" said Lord Hais. "How can a mere lord of a small town know how to cure the curse of His Majesty? It's a demonic pact that's been passed down through the royal family? It can't be broken that easily?"
For some reason, Lord Hais seemed more agitated than usual.
"But the Water God has already given us the answer." Marquis Carlos looked at Lady Ropianna. "The Water God believes that this is the right path, isn't that right, Lady Magician?"
Ropianna closed her eyes and slowly nodded her head.
One of the officials sighed. "The Water God is never wrong. She has already given us the approval. All that's left is for us to wait for the princess group's arrival."
No one could rebuke this statement. If they did, it would be tantamount to questioning the words of a God.
*** After the meeting, Lord Hais immediately went to the castle's dungeon. Clad in cloak and escorted by three of his most trusted men, he went to the lower floors of the dungeon.
Using magic, they moved through the guarded cells and eventually arrived at the prison where Duke Kelvin was being held.
"Do it," said Lord Hais.
One of his men activated his spell, creating a mirage next to the prison gate. The guards didn't notice the group's arrival, and they safely entered Duke Kelvin's cell.
"It's been a while, Duke." Lord Hais pulled down his hood, revealing his face.
Duke Kelvin had gotten thinner than before. He no longer looked like a bloated pig, and his stubble had grown thicker.
"Hais." Duke Kelvin didn't seem surprised to see him. He looked at the oblivious guards next to the prison gate, then at the three men behind Lord Hais. "How's Alvis?"
Lord Hais bowed his head, and the three men behind him did the same.
"His Majesty is still unconscious at the moment. I've made sure that he ingests the toxin every other day. Even that damnable Ropianna and Carlos don't suspect a thing."
Duke Kelvin gloated upon hearing this. He laughed. "Serves him right?
That damn bastard dared to lock me up in this filthy cell? Once my son ascends the throne, I'll make sure to slaughter everyone with the blood of the royal family?"
For a moment, Duke Kelvin looked like a maniac thirsting for human flesh.
Unbeknownst to everyone else, the collapse of the king was a ploy of Duke Kelvin. Despite being locked up in the dungeon, he still managed to pull the strings and ordered his men to poison His Majesty. And since they'd managed to turn the chief healer to the Kelvin Faction, it was never revealed that His Majesty had been poisoned.
Furthermore, the poison used was made from the toxin of an alcavar ringtail turtle. A rare species found only in the ports of the Kelvin Duchy.
Although its toxin easily dissolved in the blood, it wasn't immediately fatal.
But prolonged exposure to it would eventually cripple the body and destroy the meridians.
With the king's body weakened, the curse of Agares used this opportunity to devour His Majesty's soul.
It was a perfect plan concocted by Duke Kelvin the moment he was locked away in this filthy dungeon. He was sure that right now, no one suspected that a prisoner like him was pulling the strings.
"But we have a bit of a problem, Duke."
Duke Kelvin broke out of his fantasy. "A problem?"
"It seems that Princess Esmeralda has found a way to sever the curse of His Majesty."
Duke Kelvin turned grim. "What do you mean? How did that sheltered brat find a way to sever a pact made with a demon?"
It sounded ridiculous. After all, even the seer wasn't able to cure His Majesty. She was capable of halting the progression of the curse, but that was all.
"According to her, the Lord of Blackstone Town is capable of curing His Majesty," said Lord Hais. "And this was confirmed by Lady Ropianna herself after a divination."
The duke's eyes widened. The Princess was one thing, but if even the Water God approved of the method, then there was a very high chance that it would work. God Nereus had no reason to lie to mere mortals, after all.
If the king's curse was severed, then all of their plans would be for naught. Without a doubt, the moment the king was healed, that Marcus brat would have the highest chance of ascending the throne.
"We can't let that happen," Duke Kelvin mumbled to himself. He started biting his lip. After some time, he looked at Lord Hais and said, "Where is the princess right now?"
"We aren't sure, Duke," said Lord Hais. "But judging by the letter, they'll probably arrive at the capital in a couple of days."
Duke Kelvin clicked his tongue. "A couple of days, huh? Listen, I want you to mobilize the Black Midas."
"The Black Midas?"
Duke Kelvin nodded.
One of the nine divisions of Black Midas was sent to kill the Lord of Blackstone Town several months ago. But, for some reason, Duke Kelvin never heard from them since then. Since Lark Marcus was still alive, they must have perished during their attempt to kill him.
"I'll give you command over five out of the remaining eight divisions of Black Midas. Make sure the princess and that Marcus brat never make it to the capital," said Duke Kelvin.
Lord Hais was thrilled.
The Marcus Family was well?known for its military, the Youchesters were well?known for their fertile land, while the Kelvins were known for their hussars and the Black Midas.
The Black Midas were the most prominent organization ruling the underworld of the Kingdom. The organization—composed of nine powerful divisions—dealt with slave trading, human trafficking, prostitution, drugs, and other illegal activities within the Kingdom. Due to their sheer size, and with the backing of powerful officials, the royal family had never managed to cull them even after several generations had passed.
"Give me your hand," said the duke.
Lord Hais prevented his emotions from showing on his face. He held out his hand, and Duke Kelvin channeled his mana into Lord Hais' body.
Slowly, five small insignias formed on the back of Lord Hais' left hand, before becoming faint and disappearing. Each of them represented its respective division in Black Midas.
With this, the members of Black Midas would unquestionably follow Lord Hais' command.
"Prevent the princess' group from stepping foot in the capital, no matter what," said Duke Kelvin.
Lord Hais bowed, a grin forming on his face. "I will follow your command, Duke."
*** After Lord Hais left the dungeon, he went straight to his mansion in the inner district of the capital. He was still shuddering from euphoria. He still could not believe that he'd gained control over five divisions of the infamous Black Midas.
He went to his room and chased out the servants and the guards.
"That moron," he chuckled. "After I kill the princess and the king, you'll be next Duke Kelvin."
Duke Kelvin was the perfect scapegoat. Blaming him for the death of the princess and His Majesty should be easy, especially now that he had the command over five divisions of this underground organization.
He raised his hand over his face and channeled some mana into his hand. Several insignias started appearing on his skin. They looked beautiful, no matter how much he stared at them.
"Let's try summoning some of them, shall we?" Lord Hais licked his lips and channeled mana into the five crests.
Several seconds passed by and he felt an invisible thread connecting him to five different people scattered throughout the capital.
Minutes passed and the five stared appearing in front of him, one after another. All of them momentarily looked at Lord Hais quizzically, but after seeing the crests on the back of his hand, they bowed their heads and knelt silently.
Lord Hais shuddered upon seeing the five people gathered in front of him. Each of these men was probably capable of killing all of the guards in his mansion alone. And now, all of them were under his command.
Five commanders of Black Midas were kneeling in front of him right now. Lord Hais was thrilled just thinking about it.
No wonder Duke Kelvin held so much confidence despite being locked up in the dungeon. If he wished to, he could easily escape prison with the help of these monsters.
These five divisions are mine now, Kelvin.
Although Duke Kelvin still held power over three divisions of Black Midas, Lord Hais was confident of taking care of them once the time came.
Lord Hais cleared his throat.
"I have a job for all of you," he said.
The five men continued kneeling before him, unmoving. As expected of top?notch assassins.
"Princess Esmeralda, her knights, Lark Marcus," said Lord Hais. "I want you to kill these people I've mentioned. Make sure they never set foot in the capital, no matter what. Do you understand?"
"Yes, My Lord?" the five replied in unison.
Lord Hais shuddered in ecstasy. This must be the feeling of someone holding absolute power capable of killing prominent figures with just the snap of a finger.
"Gather all of your men." Lord Hais grinned broadly. "Kill all of them."