Disciple of Madness

Running a kingdom was the same as running a business. Just like how a bussinesman would prioritise the interests on his own company, a king has to prioritise the interests of his own kingdom.

Not the people. But the kingdom.

The words rang out in his ears as Prince Malcolm read through the scroll for what might have been the fourth time.

Every time he read the contents, he felt a blistering crack somewhere within him.

"Would you still say the same words after you read this, father?" His voice rose an octave, as he instinctively crumpled the edges of the scroll.

He spoke to none but still he continued, unable to keep his growing anger in check.

"This is all your fault, father. You said you had the kingdom in your control. Then...

Why is your own nobility conspiring against you??!!"

He slammed down his palm on the desk with a whacking sound.

He looked at the scroll.

It read: Your Highness, I hope this scroll reaches you in the nick of the time. A sensitive piece of information has recently come to me. Tonight, at the Earl's estate a meeting is being held. The concerning fact about it is the possible "anti-kingdom" elements that would be the central topic of it. In case, Your Highness decides to do something about it, I have sent a new invention of mine attached to the scroll. On putting the crystal in your ears, you shall be able to hear all noises within a radius of 100 metres.

With regards,

Penny

His eyes shifted to the small crystal, the perfect fit in his ears. He had already tried using it.

And as the scroll stated, he was able to hear every single sound in his surroundings. Not only that, he could even single out the direction from where he wanted to hear.

The rest of the sounds would be cancelled out unless he decided to hear them.

Prince Malcolm stood in his room, trying to pick up his courage. Earlier today, he had straight up claimed the power node. But contrary to his expectations, he wasn't able to cross the Elite mark.

But he was close.

And now he felt stronger. At least string enough to matter in the chaos that might spill tonight.

He understood what Penny expected him to do.

And as a crown prince, it was his duty to stop a rebel from ever taking roots.

"Royal Commander, prepare whatever forces you have. We have few potential criminals to arrest."

∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆∆

At the Earl's estate...

Surrounding a round table sat the most important people of the Woodrock City.

At the chair facing the door, sat a rough looking man. The luxurious clothes adorned by him couldn't smooth over the malicious intent that seeped out of his bulky body without any control.

He was Earl Shyam Rosemburg. The owner of the Shyam Builders.

He was picking his teeth with a toothpick, probably after what might have been a lavish dinner.

Pausing, he asked in a languid tone. "It's nice to see you all, crime partners. So any idea why this meeting is even happening?"

Matthew Colde thanking the Earl in his mind on breaking the silence, replied in a composed tone.

"Are you pretending, good earl? We have long known the very reason why the Seats had been helping us all along."

"To make the kingdom a puppet to them?" An elderly man offered. His hands wrapped and smoothed over the long white beard reaching his chest.

The Manager of the Evenstar Bank branch at the city.

Shyam picked up the glass of wine from his table as he asked, "So what do we do? The Duke still hasn't said anything and if that Seat 2 demands something which we can't do without Cornstar's jurisdiction...we are doomed."

A merchant from their guild offered. "Maybe ask for another meeting with the Duke?"

Matthew replied. "Nah, those guys don't move much. He won't agree."

At that moment, a sudden wave of death intent flooded in the room. Each of them stopped as their heads mechanically moved towards the door.

The door opened.

A completely hooded figure, wearing an oversized red cloak entered the room. His face wasn't visible to any of the occupants of the room.

Not that they needed to see it.

Obviously they were curious...

But who in their right mind would dare to ask a Seat to show their faces? They were notoriously evil.

And seeing Seat 2 in front of them and the deadly murderous intent emanating from him.

One that could only come through tons of massacre, they were reminded once again why even the empires feared the Seats.

He stepped into the room. Along with him, his aura spilled into the room like a suffocating web of shadows.

These shadows moved, entangled with each other and sometimes... whispered something in ancient tongues long forgotten and buried in the past.

Every single person in the room stood up, almost mechanically.

Not out of dignity neither out of respect.

But out of fear.

A primal fear. One that could only be felt when in front of a presence where a wrong twitch in your muscles might lead you to death.

Shyam rose hurriedly and exclaimed in a greeting.

"Welcome to my humble estate, Seat 2! Would you like some wine?"

Seat 2 didn't reply but everyone felt his gaze shifting towards the glass full of wine.

They heard a smarling noise from beneath the hood as the man asked.

"Matthew, don't you know I don't drink that disgusting shit?"

Matthew felt his hairs rise on his back and his breathing,a little ragged. Composing himself as much he could, he gave a slight bow and turned to Earl Shyam.

"Seat 2 doesn't like wine. He isn't a drunkard nor does he smoke."

Shyam made a shocked expression that almost looked like questioning Matthew's credibility for not informing him beforehand.

He quickly moved away the glasses.

They all say down surrounding the now clean table.

"Let's commence the meeting."