This time, the king’s brother ran along the long corridor to the king’s chambers. He ignored elite guards who saluted and did his best at a dignified sprint. He rounded the final corner and tore open the door to the king’s chambers. The room was kept in pristine condition and, like at the meeting two days ago, the spymaster sat at the king’s side. He shut the soundproof door and began to let out all the steam that had built up in a torrent of curses. When he had composed himself again, he took a seat on a simple stool next to the spymaster.

“Have any of our meetings been less than two days apart?”

The spymaster chuckled and put on a thoughtful expression. “The shortest duration between visits was seven days.“

“Any news from Leonard Avvenci?”

“We have him surrounded. A full squad of elite guards watches the entrance, but … ”

“For the slim chance that we won’t catch him: we have no choice other than letting the prince off the leash. I have read the report about the whole incident at ‘The Olive Branch’. Give that servant that calmed the prince a raise and take his opinion on how to keep him happy. He did a wonderful job back there. Great, we have resolved everything. I have an important meeting with an ambassador.”

Yet, the spymaster put up his hand. “Do you think I would call a secret meeting for that? No, I have much more dire news. About Leonard Avvenci.” When the spymaster couldn’t suppress the primitive urge to wet his lips, he knew that they were in trouble. “Do you want to hear the good news or the bad news?”

“Bad news first.”

“Leonard Avvenci is only a fake persona. I have received messages from my information network about Leonard’s true identity. He has produced some kind of mask that changes his appearance. A servant saw Leonard ripping off a mask which revealed his true identity – Res van Mayford. I have received a report from the council’s head of intelligence and have already sent a copy to you. From it, we can deduce that Res van Mayford is a cover for a cultivator named ‘Sensei’. The incident with the crystal ball must have been planned out. He caused all the powerful disturbances from the power tracker. That monster of a man found a powerful technique that hides your cultivation level. Five days ago, he fought a mid-C-Tier with no powers. Yesterday, he escaped from a council head with a secret technique.”

His mind ran wild with all the implications that brought with it. “How did that bastard live for eight years under our noses as a spy? Are the sources reliable?”

“As reliable as they can get. Now think through all the implications that arise if you combine all the knowledge.“

His mind was racing and sweat was pouring down his forehead like a waterfall. “It is war. The kingdom of Osma. They are mad that we managed to pin down their princess in Trianon. The princess has brought powerful cultivators with her. They somehow got intelligence that indicates that the king will die soon. She might have even more secret cultivators. Shit! They will take part in the king’s tournament!”

The spymaster looked him straight in the eyes. “Correct. They could take over Trianon without even mobilizing an army. Somehow, they have found out that you can form teams within the tournament. They have found a special technique that obscures the powers of their cultivators. There could be thousands of them in the city right now without us knowing. This particular aether user has even found shelter with an Alchemy Association member. We can’t kill his supporter, else we would have to deal with the wrath of the Alchemy Association.“

“How many elite guards do we have right now that could assist the prince in the tournament?” “We have four hundred S Classes: 23 low S+ Classes, 36 mid S+ Classes, 4 high S+ Classes, and the commander who is high S+. As you know, the last S++ class died four years ago. The prince himself may have even reached S+++ Class.”

“Thank you, I needed that assurance. Now, the good news.”

“We don’t know the location of sensei, but he is the leader of a civil movement. The street children called ‘The young revolution’. They are little boys playing at being big and sensei seems to like them. We need to act if we want to save this kingdom. If we kill some of them, he may even appear himself. It is a risk worth taking.”

The king’s brother waved dismissively. “Do it. That should take care of the problem. Don’t you dare kill sensei. We need more information. I trust all other information networks will work with increased speed. Ahh yes, torture his family for information. They must have been in on it all.”

His mood had lightened and he began to whistle the tune of a lullaby as he left the king’s chambers