Year 3717, 17th of Sectu, Ferasi Royal Palace.

Eliot looked up from his book as the door to his room opened and a huge man stepped in. Raven directed a deep bow in Eliot’s direction and greeted him.

Eliot nodded and placed his book by his side, “How was it?”

“Sadly, he was unable to move the demon” Raven replied.

Raven was a man who worked for the King to people in the royal palace but to Eliot, Raven was one of his. He’d known the man since he was a child and respected the man. He was glad when Raven finally agreed to be under his faction.

Raven was an accomplished warrior and even though they’d faked his death, Eliot didn’t dare discard him or belittle him. The man’s worth was much more than his rank.

Eliot was the crown prince but he knew his meagre rank was a stumbling block. The nobles did not want the face of the Kingdom to be some mage. Even if he was an advanced one. Eliot couldn’t advance in rank naturally like his sister.

He was born with crooked Ki paths like his sister and father and he also had a huge mana well like them. However, his mana channel that was his elven diamond wasn’t up to par. He ranked up using mana crystals and results from his experiments.

But because of his situation, he needed whatever support he could get.

“I didn’t have high expectations in the first place but this result is quite dampening”, Eliot sighed.

“I’ll try with the semi tomorrow” Raven replied.

Eliot nodded, “Do that. And were you careful?”

“Yes. Nobody saw me enter here” Raven said.

Eliot smiled satisfied. Raven was his hidden card for now as people didn’t know they were actually allies. Of course, if Jewel knew about Raven deceiving her, she would slay him where he stood but that was a risk Eliot was willing to take.

“Good. Brief me on what happened when I left the dungeons”

Raven gave a quick overview and when he stated that Abigail was going to aim for the throne, Eliot’s face fell.

He remained quiet for a while then eventually sighed and massaged his head, “I knew this day would come. Quite late if you ask me”

“Your Highness, with the matter of Abigail…” Raven began.

“No” Eliot shook his head, “I’ve prepared for this and I’m glad to see my preparations aren’t in vain”

“Your Highness…”

“Raven” Eliot said coldly, “I’m not changing my mind”

The huge man nodded, “I understand”

Eliot nodded, “This is a good time to see which nobles are actually loyal to me”

“Yes. I will send the message out” Raven replied.

“Good. Is there anything else?”

“No, Your Highness”

Eliot gave him a brief smile and gestured to the door, “You may leave”

Raven nodded again and briskly left.

***

Year 3717, 20th of Sectu, Ferasi Royal Palace.

Bouts of laughter could be heard from inside the throne room. King Alejandro chuckled and shook his head, “Did that really happen?”

A girl looking to be of age 13 or 14 sat opposite him, sprawled on the floor. Her eyes were deep red and her brown hair formed a blanket on the red carpet of the throne room. She wore a purple gown that made her look even more childish and she looked like a smaller version of the queen Bithrya but the usual viciousness queen Bithrya exuded was replaced by playfulness with this child, “Yes” she replied with laughter in her voice, “I too didn’t believe it”

Alejandro’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he spoke, “See? I told you. You two would match very well”

“I’m not interested” she sing-sang, “I even made my body look like a child’s to remove their interest”

“Oh? I’m not talking about their interest. Aren’t you interested in him?”

“Huh? No!” She replied defensively, “Where did you get that idea?”

“He resembles me” Alejandro continued teasing, “Isn’t men like me your type?”

“This little boy,” she growled, “Do you want to die?”

“Are you angry? Aunty~” Alejandro burst out laughing.

“Aunty?!” she got up on her feet, “Today, I’m not letting to you off. Come here!”

Alejandro had already at some moment sprang to his feet and bolted away, “No~”

She laughed and bolted after him. The two engaged in some stupid play, jumping around and with their speed it was actually impossible to catch sight of them.

Suddenly the right side of the throne room caved in and one could see Alejandro embedded in the wall.

“I really want to show this sight to the nobles” The girl burst out laughing at her handiwork.

Alejandro easily removed himself from the wall and fixed his arm back in place, “That hurt, really. Sister-in-law, are you trying to kill me?”

“I don’t think so?” she tilted her head and skipped back to the red carpet proceeding to resume her previous position, “Where is Bithrya? Her older sister came and she can’t even say hi”

“She’s busy. The church is still fussing around”

“Ah” the girl exclaimed, “I forgot”

“Says the one who caused this mess” Alejandro complained.

“Hey! Don’t push all the blame on me. Who ordered this?” she asked wide eyed.

Alejandro shrugged.

The girl rolled her eyes, “I didn’t hit you hard enough”

King Alejandro just laughed at that. He walked back to his seat and sat down. Then his aura playful atmosphere suddenly changed.

The girl sighed and the hair on her head began to recede until there was only a shiny scalp left. She waved her hand and a fox mask appeared in front of her and she wore it, “Why is he coming here?”

“I sent him to do something” Alejandro answered coldly. It was as though their previous interaction never happened.

Jewel clicked her tongue and waved her hand again. Her purple dress disappeared and she was now wearing a black leather uniform. She walked briskly towards Alejandro’s side and bowed her head, frozen in that position.

The huge golden doors slowly slid open and in walked a huge man. He wore obviously enchanted full body armor and his face was covered by a helmet that only showed his eerie white eyes.

He knelt down a few feet away from the throne, placed his hand in front of his chest and bowed saying in a loud voice, “Raven Inagon of Tova. Reporting”

“Raise your head” King Alejandro ordered and Raven obeyed, “Is it about time to give you a new name?”

“Not yet, Sire. My mission isn’t finished yet” Raven replied. He glanced at the barely noticeable female beside the King. Jewel was like a statue just stating there with no presence. If she truly hid herself, he’d be hard pressed to actually find her.

He had to admit, between the two of them, even though they started serving the Kingdom around the same time she had done more for it. Her existence itself was a mystery though. The commoners didn’t know she existed and the nobles that did were very respectful to her. Even though they didn’t know how she looked.

Raven didn’t either. The previous King never revealed her identity and the current King did the same. Princess Abigail most likely didn’t know too. He was curious but somehow he knew that trying to find that out would only be stirring a hornet’s nest.

The King only nodded in response to Raven’s reply.

The throne room was quiet for a while then the King spoke again, “And Prince Eliot?”

“I acted according to your orders but it would seem Prince Eliot will not go down without a fight, Your Majesty” Raven replied respectfully.

“Oh? He’s grown bolder over these years. Is he planning a civil war?”

“I believe so, Your Majesty”

The King stroked his beard, “Well, that isn’t bad”

Raven’s eyes widened in surprise.

The King only gave a vicious smile, “The Kingdom is too peaceful. We need something like this to give some excitement, don’t you think?”

“Then… you knew Prince Eliot would…” Raven spoke as the thoughts formed in his mind.

“Of course I predicted it. Abigail wouldn’t be a good queen if I simply handed her the throne on a platter” King Alejandro spoke frankly.

“But this… lives of the people…”

“Will change” King Alejandro said boldly, “The people in my Kingdom simply sit back and allow the rulers to do whatever they wish. They do not argue with the rules even if they hate them. How are they better than puppets?”

Raven couldn’t find the words to say.

“If a civil war breaks out, the people will finally pay attention to the business of the Royal family. They shouldn’t expect their lives to go sweetly when they do nothing” Alejandro said.

“The citizens do pay attention to the royal family, Your Majesty” Raven couldn’t help but say.

“No. They don’t” Alejandro shook his head, “They pay attention to the laws we make. If things continue from here, the Kingdom of Ferasi will simply be ruled by the whim of one person. If the people simply sit and accept what they’re given, what do you think the result will be?”

“Sire” Raven said after some contemplation, “Perhaps there is another way to make the citizens pay more attention to their rulers----”

“There is” Alejandro cut him off.

“Then…” Raven began

“But it’s not bloody enough” Alejandro grinned.

Just by his side, Jewel couldn’t help the grin that spread under her mask.

“Your Majesty!” Raven was shocked.

“A different topic please” Alejandro waved his hand, not really caring about Raven’s opinion in the matter.

When Raven realized that, he once again affirmed how much Alejandro had changed from when he was just a prince. Raven finally decided to just open one eyes and close the other to this matter. Perhaps Alejandro wanted a change of pace and was achieving it by sending his children to war.

And perhaps he didn’t really care that Mayenne was killed like he claimed.

But Raven decided to ignore all that. For reasons only he knew.

“The demon finally changed back to its semi form” Raven said, changing the topic like he was asked.

Alejandro grinned widely at that, “Finally! Have you moved it?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. My men are currently moving it to the lab” Raven replied.

“Wait. Why did the demon change back?” Alejandro suddenly asked.

“That… actually I don’t know. I came back and saw her in her semi form. I hadn’t yet called any of the prisoners to meet her again so it was a surprise”

Alejandro narrowed his eyes, “Something is suspicious. All the prisoners met it and there was no reaction right?”

“Yes, But earlier today her demonic transformation was loosened and she was back in her original form” Raven replied.

“Raven” Alejandro called coldly.

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

“Who is ‘she’?” Alejandro snarled.

Raven’s eyes widened and he bowed, “Sorry. It was a slip of tongue. It won’t happen again”

Alejandro glared coldly at him then withdrew his gaze, “Go back to the colosseum now. Something is definitely wrong here”

“Yes, Sire” Raven bowed even deeper and wore his helmet. He got up and began to walk backwards.

Suddenly somebody burst into the throne room screaming “Sire!”

“What are you doing?! How dare you! You have no respect for the throne!” Raven immediately responded with rage, releasing his aura.

“Let him be” Alejandro waved his hand for Raven to calm down, “What is it?” he asked the now frightened soldier.

“T-The l-left s-side of t-the k-king-kingdom is on fire” the soldier stuttered as his body trembling after experiencing Raven’s aura.

“Oh?” Alejandro actually smiled and turned to Raven, “It seems we’re too late. This problem is your fault. Go fix it”

“Huh?” Raven was stunned.

“The prisoners are escaping, idiot. You’re really only good for the battlefield” Jewel condemning voice could be heard.

Raven’s face changed as realization dawned on him. He gave a hurried bow and flashed out of the throne room.

Alejandro looked at the soldier who hadn’t made any movement to leave, still reeling from the aura and sighed inwardly. He waved his hand and a small wind flung the man out of the throne room and the doors closed with a bang.

“You didn’t have to hurt the poor soldier” Jewel commented.

“He’s fine” Alejandro muttered half-heartedly.

Jewel shook her head, “How did he handle this really? I told you Raven is not suited for jobs with finesse like this one. I should have handled it!”

“But that’s why I let him handle it” Alejandro smirked.

“Huh?” It was a rare sight to see Jewel confused.

“I can’t have Abigail being aimless you know” he gave a grim chuckle and watched with his mana sense as realization dawned on Jewel’s face.

“You…” she began then shook her head after thinking through it, “Well, it’s your Kingdom. Do what you want with it”

Alejandro laughed, “Don’t be mad. I just didn’t want to destroy your track record”

“What track record?” Jewel scoffed.

“If it was you, those prisoners would be stuck there for eternity. That’s how you work. I can’t have people thinking you fail once in a while if you let them go” Alejandro said.

“But, you’re fine with freeing that half-demon? I though you wanted to study it?” Jewel asked.

“I did but I feel like it’s a shame”

“What is?”

“It’s the first of its kind. I’m curious just what a half-demon can do” Alejandro smiled, “Killing it now won’t let me learn anything new”

Jewel didn’t reply to that.

“I thought you would be more furious” Alejandro commented.

“Why?”

“I heard people who participated in the Great War loathe demons”

Jewel said nothing to that.

“Tch” Alejandro clicked his tongue, “You, father, The church. I never hear specifics about the war against demons. What exactly happened back then?”

“Haaa” Jewel let out a long breath, “You’re bored”

“Of course,” Alejandro nodded to that, “Which other warlock do you see idling his time away ruling a Kingdom”

“You could have just handed the throne over to Abigail years ago like I said” Jewel pointed out.

Alejandro turned to her, “And let her be your puppet? What do you take me for?”

Jewel removed her mask and burst out laughing. She walked with quiet steps towards the red carpet and Alejandro’s eyes followed her, “I’m hurt. You have such a scary image of me”

Alejandro gave a fake laugh, “Hurt, my ass. I haven’t forgotten what you did to me years ago”

“Oh my. You hold a long grudge” Jewel grinned.

“Anyways” Alejandro changed the subject, “Now that she’s seen what you can do, she’ll be more wary of you”

Jewel just gave a small smile, “Well, I played along because I plan to leave anyways. It’s gotten boring”

Alejandro was stunned for a second then sighed, “I knew that went a bit too well. You followed every one of my instructions”

“I’m your servant, Your Majesty. I have to follow your instruction”

“Who are you acting for, Sister-in-law?” he scoffed.

Jewel gave a soft laugh.

“Where are going to?” he asked

Her eyes turned reminiscent for a second and Alejandro barely caught it, “I’m meeting friends”

Alejandro turned silent then eventually said, “Which friends?”

Jewel narrowed her eyes at him, “Don’t poke too much. You’ll get hurt”

He nodded. What could hurt a warlock like him was debate-able but he seemed to accept what she said. He wasn’t immortal after all.

“Don’t die” He finally said after some contemplation.

Jewel smiled and began to walk away from the throne room, her back facing him. She stopped before opening the golden doors and muttered, “Like you care”