THE TRAITOR IS… LYNNE?

Only on the fourth day since his arrival did King finally summon Lynne to accompany him. Before this, Lynne trained restlessly – perhaps for the first time in his entire life – as he decided to follow the Spellweaver Path of Magus. The small, separate space that was brimming with seeming inexhaustible Mana just two days ago was now almost half empty, and had increased Lynne’s reserves exponentially. When he was informed that the King was asking for him, Lynne signed inwardly, but also felt happy. After all, he was tasked by two groups to keep an eye out, but how can he do that if he’s stuck just training all the time?

After quickly dousing himself with water and cleansing, he put on guard’s leather armor and followed the attendant. He was a young lad, perhaps even younger than Lynne, with slightly hunched back and pale skin. He didn’t speak much, and Lynne didn’t bother him. As the young lad led him through the intersecting corridors, it still kept dawning on Lynne just how massive the Palace was. Only after walking for about half an hour with fastened pace did they finally arrive at their destination.

King Linden was a rather handsome man in his early forties, shaven completely, with short, black hair and slanted but perceptive eyes. He was square-jawed and quite tall, his muscles seeming bulging even under the silver armor with golden designs which barely fit him. Red cloak fluttered behind him and a golden crown sat atop his head. Lynne also saw two adorned, white scabbards at each of his sides, hosting some undoubtedly beautiful blades. Knowing fully well that playing fool in front of a Princess and playing a fool in front of the King were definitely different things, the moment Lynne approached he immediately knelt down and lowered his head.

“My Lord, this one answers his summons!” after all, Lynne was still a Noble himself, and courteous behavior was beaten into him by the age of four.

“Oh, you’re the newcomer?” the King glanced backwards and spoke in a deep voice. They were currently standing in front of the wooden doors with two well-armed guards at either side. Above the doors hung a portrait of the King himself. “Hm, not bad. Ella already told me a lot about you, so don’t bother with introduction.”

“Yes, my Lord.” Lynne happily agreed.

“Rise.” Lynne stood up. “Leave us.” he then spoke to the two guards; they suddenly looked at the King in confusion, but one stern gaze was enough for them to bolt away, leaving only Lynne and King in front of the wooden doors. “We’re about to attend the Council Meeting,” the King explained. “Half the people in there helped me get where I am and are my friends, and the other half I know even better than them.”

“My Lord?” Lynne pushed as the King seemed to have begun hesitating with something.

“I need to learn whom I can trust,” the King said at last. “But my eyes are too clouded to discern. I’d like to request your assistance with the matter.” ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME WITH THIS STUFF?!! Lynne screamed internally, but his face still brimmed with innocence. “You can be the mightiest fool, but you were still directly sent here by the Headmaster, meaning that you have some abilities. I have a feeling a major change will occur during this meeting; keep your ears and eyes sharp, and don’t be afraid for a second to stop me if you think I’ve made a mistake in judgment. Even if you are wrong, I won’t punish you.” DOES ANYONE USE THEIR OWN MIND TO FIGURE STUFF OUT AROUND HERE ANYMORE?

Internally, Lynne was beyond pissed off, but he merely nodded outwardly. Now even the King – the guy he was supposed to spy on for the Headmaster – requested he learned about people around him – the exact thing the Guard’s Captain asked him to do. Lynne had terrible feeling about this and just wanted to crawl back to Academy or even live in the slums, but it was too late to back out.

Just as he nodded, the King opened the doors and Lynne followed after him. They entered a rather simple, rectangular room. At the center was a massive, stone table, surrounded by exactly thirty chairs, excluding the one at the far top which was King’s. All thirty people immediately got onto their feet and bowed deeply as the King went by their side and sat on the most adorned chair. Lynne followed silently behind and stopped just a bit behind the chair, keeping up the straight posture with even straighter face.

“Please, sit,” the King said, smiling lightly. “Elder, commence the meet.” he then turned to an elderly, bearded guy sitting at the right side of the King, in the very first chair. The man was bald and wore primitive, brown robes, and Lynne immediately concluded he was from the ‘Holy Church’, off-branch of the Magus Academies that dealt solely with healing magic.

“Yes, my King,” the old man nodded as he spoke, turning towards the rest. “I believe all are aware why we have gathered here today,” he increased the volume of his voice as he spoke, adding in a small trace of commanding. “But what you may not know is this: until some answers are reached, this meeting will not end!” he gave others a few moments to process the information before continuing. Oh boy, this is going to be boring… Lynne thought to himself. “It’s very simple: we have a traitor – possibly even traitors – within highest of ranks of our beloved Kingdom. We are already disadvantaged when fighting against those two Kingdoms,” he even refused to recite their names, and Lynne could discern genuine anger within his voice. It’s probably not him… Lynne had begun examining everyone the moment he entered the room and started drawing initial conclusions. “With someone sharing our biggest secrets directly to the enemy, it is only a matter of time before we crumble. I had personally requested of our King that this meeting be extended to this point because we can no longer simply ‘investigate’ this matter. We need solidified answers and plans of action immediately. My King.” he then lowered his voice and humbly bowed to his King who spoke after him, still seated.

“As Great Elder said, we will remain in this room until answers are reached. I do not care what business you have outside these walls, you will not attend to them unless we conquer the issue. The fate of the entire Kingdom hangs on the balance, and I’m sure your late-night visits can wait a day longer.” Ugh, just how many of these farts actually planned on doing that? Lynne scoffed inwardly as he felt the air grow heavier. “After excruciating four days, I had concluded that the original leak came from one of you,” King’s words sounded out like a bolt of lightning from the sky to the others in the room; even Lynne was caught by surprise, but considering the moment, he immediately recovered and began scanning the entire room. Luckily, the King had lit ensured that the entire room was well lit, and no one could hide their faces. “Which is why I have invited you here. Any questions?” one man in his mid-fifties raised his hand; he wore lavish robes and had large golden necklace hanging around his neck. Lynne remembered him: Count Reilly Woeln.

“Yes, Count Woeln?” the King turned towards the man, still expressionless. While the King was focused on him, Lynne noticed that the Great Elder was inspecting faces of others, just as Lynne was.

“Are we all being held here as suspects?” the Count asked calmly, but his eyes danced in storm.

“Yes,” the King bluntly replied. “I have no desire to play anymore games. Sylar’s Fort is already at the brink of collapse, and if we do not perch out the traitors, we may as well concede the war and flee the Kingdom. You are all considered suspects; whether you are a traitor or not is, at the moment, irrelevant. If you have nothing to hide, nothing will come of it. I understand my actions may shake your trust in me, but put yourself in my position.”

“I wouldn’t dare, my King.” Count Woeln immediately bowed back down and sat into his seat.

“Anyone else?” the King asked. Since no one else raised their arms, the King continued. “First order of business is simple: all of you will describe your efforts in trying to find the traitor, down to the tiniest details. If, by chance, you did nothing – even if you are not a traitor – you’ll immediately be executed on the spot.” the words shook the twenty-nine men even more; only Lynne and Grand Elder remained completely calm. Holy crap, I’m witnessing something probably no one my age has ever witnessed! A bunch of Nobles pissing their pants in unison! However, Lynne understood King’s intent very well. He needed to shaken them, to break down their defenses, and create general unease amongst them. Inevitably, in that atmosphere, people will start pointing fingers. Lynne hadn’t even a shred of doubt that at least one person will die within this room, if for nothing but to prove King’s words and intent. Although brutal, Lynne didn’t have anything against it. “Count Woeln, you begin.” the King turned towards the man who had already began sweating profusely. Having no courage to delay a second longer, he immediately leapt onto his feet.

“Yes, my King! As per your orders, I had focused on the economical branch of Aristocracy. My first idea was to discover whether anyone within it – including members of my family as well, of course – had any connections to anyone within either Elvarheimn Empire or Rolyrhard Kingdom and investigate the connection, however miniscule it may seem. However, after through investigation, despite some people having either relatives or off-hand connections within those two, I had concluded soundly that none of them are traitors, as none of those who had connections would be privy to the information that was leaked. Furthermore--”

“That’s enough, you can sit down Count.” the King interrupted; Lynne furrowed his brows but said nothing. He didn’t like that the King had stopped him midway through. Although Lynne understood that the King wanted to instill some sense of security within actual traitor, it was not a worthwhile gamble to take. “Thank you for your work.”

“All for my King.” Count Woeln sat immediately, joy on his face. So he won’t be the example; I wonder who will?

After Count Woeln, four more men were asked to relay their investigations, and all did so with haste. With some, King would interrupt halfway through, but he let one go throughout the entire report. This, Lynne felt, was a bit more sensible; he was right not to say anything earlier. The King then pointed a finger towards the last chair on the right row, where one of the younger people – but still in his mid thirties – sat. He was relatively handsome and lean, with long, black hair falling down to his waist. He had pale complexion – perhaps by nature, perhaps due to fear – and quite narrow eyes.

“Viscount Tori, it’s your turn.” the King said calmly.

“My King,” Lynne immediately noticed the odd behavior, and it escaped neither the King nor the Great Elder. So, here’s our example… Lynne thought briefly, sighing inwardly. “I’m… I’m afraid I must disappoint you.”

“How come?” the King still asked, despite knowing the answer.

“I… I had not completed the task.” the Viscount said, fear present in his voice.

“Why?” the King asked in a much harsher voice.

“I…” the Viscount stuttered but said nothing.

“Very well,” the King spoke shortly after. “Young Lynne, behead him.” he then got up and handed one of the swords to Lynne, ordering him after. Startled, Lynne could barely contain placid expression on his face; me? Why me?!! You asshole, you sentenced him, you execute him! However, despite myriad of inward curses, he simply nodded as the King went back to his chair. Lynne walked over, step by step, towards the Viscount’s seat; the man’s body began shaking, and tears began streaming down his eyes.

“P-please, spare me my King!” he exclaimed, climbing onto the table and kneeling onto it, smacking his head down kowtowing. “I-I was foolish! I plead to serve--”

“What are you waiting for?” the King coldly interrupted as he spoke to Lynne.

“Yes, my Lord.” Lynne said and then swung the sword from upwards, slashing incredibly quickly.

The blade shimmered through air with strange glint; it was of impeccable craft, Lynne quickly realized. Relatively light for its size, extremely sharp and sturdy. Not anyone could craft a sword like this. The Viscount still pleaded, banging his head lightly against the stone table, leaving behind a bloody mark. With a ‘swoosh’, the blade pierced through the neck of the man without even pausing, and Lynne could barely hold it back from hitting the stone beneath. Blood spurted out, but as most men here were at least Master Magus, they all quickly used air to repel the blood that spiraled towards them. The head fell down and turned forwardly, staring upwards, eyes wide open, bloodshot red. The scarlet of blood quickly dyed the stone table and began flowing like the river. As one of the men got up to clean it, the King merely shouted “Leave it!” - and so it was.

Lynne realized that half the reason he was asked to do this was a test of loyalty, and the other half was that the King himself would rarely execute anyone – especially one of his own people, and he couldn’t exactly ask others here – most of whom were this man’s friends – to do it. It was simply crossing the boundaries. Even while executing, Lynne still managed to sneak a few glances across the faces of remaining twenty-eight men in search for any inconsistencies.

After withdrawing the blade, he walked back to the King and handed the sword back with some regret. That could fetch me at least fifty thousand gold if sold. What a shame… if King knew what Lynne was thinking, he’d undoubtedly vomit a mouthful of blood; after all, this sword was crafted from the most precious steel, a square millimeter of which cost over two hundred gold coins.

Silence covered the room quickly, and panicked faces could be seen from left to right. At last, Grand Elder stood up again as the first one to break the grim atmosphere.

“A minute of silence had passed,” Oh, so that’s why… “We shall continue the meet now.”

“Earl Egen, it’s your turn.” the King spoke solemnly.

More and more men began relaying their investigations, in the excruciating details that caused Lynne a massive headache. The beheading definitely caused a huge storm in their hearts, and none dared to be pensive about what they found out – even if what they found out was a literal nothing. Soon, turn came to an older-looking man, in his early sixties; both his beard and hair were white as snow, but he still dressed in relatively lavish clothes, giving him quite strange appearance. This man had caught Lynne’s attention previously; his reactions seemed far more controlled than everyone’s, and during the beheading, his ‘frightened’ posture seemed to have been more of an afterthought.

“Viscount Mayson,” the King spoke. “It’s your turn.” That dude’s a Viscount? Even if he is involved… it definitely doesn’t end there.

“My King,” the old man bowed deeply, strange glint passing through his eyes. “I… I believe I have unearthed some… disturbing information.”

“Do share, Viscount.” the King spoke calmly.

“Very well,” the man nodded as he continued. “As per your commands, I have investigated adoptive children of all Noble families – including Yours.”

“Hm.” the King nodded; but others were much more startled – their eyes practically screamed ‘please don’t share our secrets’.

“I have found a single oddity,” the man spoke on, ignoring the countless pairs of eyes staring at him intensely. “I have gone back and locked at the records of our past meetings – specifically those after which some information was confirmed to be leaked out to the enemy. During those times, two people could not be accounted for anywhere – not just within Kingly Ring, but other two as well. In addition, third person, although not directly related to anyone, but still a child of the former Lord, was absent during all those times alongside the two. I believe that he may be the information relay within the Kingdom.”

“Names, Viscount.” flame erupted inside the King’s eyes as he listened.

“With grave heart, the names of two who were absent after the meetings are… Arnold Sy,” Hm?! Adoptive son of the current First Lord?! Lynne arched his brow slightly. “And… P-prince Fyire Linden,” No way!! Lynne exclaimed inwardly. “While the third is a son of the former Fifth Lord, a child called Lynne Hyorn.” Oh you lying bastard… however, before more inflated gasps could be commenced, Lynne stealthily blew a small gale of wind in the King’s direction. Just as the King was about to jump onto his feet, he felt the wind press against his neck; only Grand Elder noticed the small gale and he glanced at Lynne, narrowing his eyes. However, instead of erupting, the King calmed down, as he realized there must be reason why Lynne did it.

“I shall summon the two,” the King got up calmly under the judging gazes of others; their eyes seemed to scream ‘how can you accuse us when it’s your own son?’. “As for the third, I’ll ask someone to locate him. If it is indeed them, regardless of their status, they shall be beheaded. You, follow me.” he told to Lynne as he began walking. Lynne followed quickly behind, as he knew there won’t be summoning, but merely questioning. As the two stepped in front of the wooden doors, the King immediately cast a small spell which blocked off others from leaving the room. “Speak.”

“He’s lying.” Lynne said somewhat calmly, still pretending to be slightly terrified by the King.

“How do you know?” the King asked. Alright, watch my bastardly lying skills!!

“B-because I know Lynne,” he spoke, lowering his head slightly. “I-I am ashamed to admit it, but we met a few years back, and would… would occasionally meet up in… khm, those places.”

“And?” although surprised, the King still didn’t see how the young lad knew the Viscount was lying.

“This last leak should have been shortly before I have arrived, correct?” Lynne asked, putting on some confidence.

“Yes, just two days prior.” the King confirmed.

“Contact Headmaster of our Academy,” Lynne said. “He’ll confirm that both of us were training under the same professor – privately – during the last week.”

“Then...”

“Everything else is probably a lie too. You asked me to keep an eye out; my eye saw him.” Lynne said.

“… will Headmaster truly confirm your words?” the King asked in a stern voice, exuding killing intent towards Lynne that could suffocate a person.

“O-of course!” Lynne exclaimed, actually terrified; no wonder he’s the next candidate for the ‘Skyfire Magus’. “I would never dare lie to you, My Lord!”

“… heads shall fly today.” as killing intent moved away from Lynne, the King pointed it at the room. This gon’ be fun!! Lynne screamed inwardly, smiling secretly.