Chapter 132.The Elf Who Stole The Life Elixir
''It is saddening that we lost Sir Bradley and the Shadow Mistress there. Countess Minerva alone couldn't have done it. We also had to fight a hostile wyvern which the necromancer had tamed somehow.'' The Court Mage added.
Whispers rang out all over the hall. Advisors climbed up and told the King about what they thought of this. Almost all of them suggested that the checking of nobles should be stringent.
''If only the church had helped us…'' Ivan sighed. His words sparked some urgent concerns.
''What could be the cause for Sir Archbishop's leave…?''
''I wonder if there are more threats in the kingdom now…''
The King stretched his palm forward, beckoning his subjects to calm down. He looked at his son and the Court Mage.
''Arise.''
Both rose from their kneeling position. Suddenly, Splennar did another surprising thing.
He bowed toward the tall Court Mage and apologized, ''I am sorry, Sir Ivan. Because of my recklessness and insistence to come along, you all were put in more difficult situations.''
He looked around with a serious face and bowed to his father. ''I have been foolish, Your Majesty. We lost so many of our forces because Lord Bradley had to shield me from those undead. Maybe things could have been different if I wasn't there.''
The looks on the royal guards and the nobles' faces were worth remembering. However, the queen's reaction was probably the most precious.
Sophia covered her open mouth with her palm and blinked thrice. The surrounding princesses seemed confused by their brother's behavior.
These three beautiful, sheltered girls were respectively 16, 21, and 22 years of age. The older ones had already been married off.
''I shall accept any punishment deemed fit for me.'' Splennar continued his act.
''Heh.'' The 2nd Prince chuckled disdainfully. Roland Phillips was the step-brother of Splennar, a son of the first queen. He was a 3rd Circle Knight as well as a 3rd Circle Mage at 72 years of age.
Quite old, indeed. He was offered a large piece of land as well as the title of a Duke multiple times, but he rejected it in hopes of someday inheriting the throne. As the 1st Prince was already dead, Splennar was his only competitor.
Once the current king stepped down, he would surely win the fight for the throne. Roland had actually incited his step-brother to go on this mission. Seeing Splennar come back unharmed irritated him. The 2nd Prince looked in his father's direction.
Averon showed little change in his expression and spoke to his son standing below. ''It is good that you have now learned to be responsible for your actions. That trait is something better cultivated early, my son.''
The King stood up while the others smiled in surprise. This was the first time Averon had called the 3rd Prince as his son in public. It appeared the King was pleased with Splennar's honesty today.
''Although you deserve to be punished for your actions, the fault is mine as well. I didn't foresee that the necromancer wa-''
Suddenly the hall's door violently opened and the aura of 4th Circle beings took over the interior. Everyone looked as five people entered.
Two were wearing dark green capes and lightly hovering over the floor. The rest wore silver silk dresses and walked confidently. They were elves, all at the 4th Circle.
Two elite elven mages, two rangers and one sword meister. The people inside the hall were mesmerized by their beauty. Some recognized who these elves were while others curiously turned their heads.
''Issac!''
Averon's frowning face turned into a smile. He waved at the Royal Knights who were about to withdraw their weapons, telling them to halt.
The King walked down the throne's raised platform and went to meet the tall, white-haired elf in the middle.
''My friend, what brings you here?'' He asked.
However, the elf didn't speak. He simply turned to one of his mages. A female elf on the side took out a large wooden bowl.
''We should talk about this in private, Averon,'' said the white-haired elf, showing the bowl full of clear moon water.
The King looked at it and saw the image of a white gourd reflected in the moon water.
''The is?'' He asked in elven language. Other than Averon, no human here knew it.
''It is our treasure.'' Issac leaned forward and whispered. ''We had entrusted it to a noble in Karsuda. I suspect that necromancer may have been looking for this. William Dorstone is dead.''
Issac was the leader of the elven tribe living in Karsuda. After stealing the Life Elixir from the Elven Queen's chamber, he was exiled from the Darknight Forest.
Fleeing all the way to Grimbow with the then elven princess and his supporters, he had settled in Moonlight Forest.
Because of the special quality of that white gourd, the Elven Queen would be able to sense the Life Elixir anywhere if any elf touched it. While fleeing to Grimbow, Issac had a human slave handle the gourd.
After reaching karsuda, the treasure was passed to William Dorstone who proved himself to be reliable. At that time, Issac did not trust the royals who were just as powerful as him and his forces.
''I know you have sent a team to kill that necromancer…'' Issac stared at Averon with his blue eyes. It was clear what he was implying.
''Everyone may leave now, except Ivan and Splennar.'' The king said, switching to human language. There was a burst of authority in his tone.
Sensing the seriousness, no one dared to ask any question and silently exited the hall. The Royal Knights saluted and went to their posts while the nobles put on skeptical expressions while leaving.
Once even the queen, princesses, and ministers had left, the king turned to the Court Mage and the 3rd Prince.
''Come with us.''
Along with the elves, the two who had just returned from Karsuda followed Averon to a more secretive place. They had a bad feeling about this.