NOVEL NEXT Chapter 107: Conspiracy
In the meantime, as the battle between the two young warriors had ended, another person at the highest tier of the underground arena was also celebrating.
He was partially concealed in his room, and only his shadow could be seen.
He was Prince Helcurt of Phyrexia, a kingdom in the south.
He was also young, about 15 years old,d with long black hair tied into a braid… He seemed just like a normal nobleman at first but his fingers were adorned with rings that could emit mana.
Indeed, his attire wasn't that close to a knight but closer to a magician, as he doesn't have a sword, even a ceremonial one.
Nonetheless, he was wearing a tailored obsidian coat that marked him as nobility, though none in this den of fighters would recognize him.
Phyrexia's princes did not announce their presence light,y and he had entered this kingdom secretly after all.
Beside him stood his retainer, Veylis, a stoic man. His hands were clasped behind his back and like a statue, as he was almost unmoving.
"That boy," Helcurt murmured. "The one with a strange sword technique… Who is he?"
Veylis didn't hesitate. "Hayden Gray. Nine years old. Elite Squire of Dawnspire Academy. Recently defeated Laxus Stormcrest in single combat."
Helcurt's lips curled into an intrigued smile. "Nine? And already wielding Aura like that?" His gaze flicked to Claire. "And the girl?"
"Claire Solstice. Top duelist of Solaris Academy. A fire-enchanted rapier specialist."
"Mhmm…"
Helcurt exhaled as he drummed his fingers against the armrest. "Fascinating. Both of them."
Then, his smile turned greedy.
"I think I'll take the boy."
***
Phyrexia was a land ruled by magic and blood. Its aristocracy, a cabal of mage-lords, thrived on the subjugation of the physically gifted—warriors, laborers, anyone whose strength could be harnessed for their empire.
However, all of this was done internally. They had never outsourced those physical laborers, talents, or people outside the kingdom.
And right now, Phyrexia was running low on slaves.
The tournament, with its gathering of the kingdom's finest young warriors, was the perfect hunting ground. Of course, this was only the western part of the Austere Kingdom, but still, they knew that they would find good seeds here.
After all, if they tried this in the central part of the Kingdom, there was no way they would be able to pull this off smoothly.
Only in places like this, with a smaller number of Magicians could they operate.
At this time, Helcurt rose from his seat as he turned toward the exit.
"Gather the others. We have preparations to make."
Veylis bowed. "At once, Your Highness."
***
The Silver Quill Inn was a deceptively quiet establishment, its upper floors reserved for those who paid more gold.
Clink…
Helcurt's private suite was already occupied when he arrived.
There were eight two-circle mages—adepts of combat spells and enchantments—who stood in formation along the walls.
At the center of the room, seated at a table with maps and scrying orbs, were two three-circle mages.
One of them was Magister Orhan, a skinny man with hollow cheeks, but instead of being seen as weak, he definitely looked more intimidating.
Finally, there was Magister Sheena, a beautiful woman with golden eyes. Unlike Orphain, who didn't care about appearances, she clearly knew how to look better.
Both rose as Helcurt entered, bowing deeply.
"Your Highness," Sheena said. "The reports are in. The tournament's final matches conclude in three days."
Orhan tapped the largest map—a detailed layout of the Lirandel Grounds.
"The wards are strong, but not impenetrable. Once the closing ceremony begins, the crowd will be distracted. That's when we strike."
Helcurt strode to the table, examining the plans. "And the targets?"
Sheena smirked. "Priority acquisitions: Clair Solstice, Ulysses Montclair, Trina, Adrian, Jethro, and Haien… Secondary targets: any other promising squires that could reach the top 24."
Well, they also couldn't bring a lot of young squires with them. So they have to choose the best quality among them.
After all, they would need Slave Aura Knights or those with the potential to become Aura Knights to serve their young magicians.
"You have to add Hayden Gray to the Priority Acquisitions… I think he'd be a great servant." Helcurt said as Sheena and Orhan nodded.
"We will do so, your highness."
They also heard about Hayden but thought that he would just be a secondary target. However, now that the prince had spoken, they could easily adjust the list.
They could only think that the prince had seen Hayden in action and wanted him.
Helcurt's fingers traced the edge of the map and asked. "And the diversion?"
Orhan smiled as soon as he heard this.
It was one of his projects after all.
"Yes… A Voidflare Bomb has been arranged, Your Highness... Once detonated, it will cripple the arena's mana cores. No teleportation, no reinforcements. Just chaos. I also arranged something for the Magicians in the town to be very busy. We will have about 20 minutes to capture all the slaves or students that we need as for the Aura Knights, they would be dealt with by all two-circled Mages."
The plan had already been arranged.
Helcurt leaned back on his seat, satisfied with everything so far...
"Good. But remember—Hayden Gray is mine. I want him unbroken."
Sheena arched a brow. "You intend to tame him yourself? Isn't it better to send him to Sir Van's Tower first?"
Helcurt's eyes shone as he heard the question. "Oh, I don't want him tamed. I want him angry. A beast on a leash is predictable. But a storm in a cage? That's power. Once he realized the gap between magicians and aura users, he would be the one begging to be tamed."
The mages exchanged glances but said nothing.
The prince's whims were law.
It seemed that the Dawnspire's prodigy would learn that firsthand.
***
As the meeting adjourned, Helcurt stepped onto the inn's balcony, overlooking the town.
"Enjoy your grand competition while it lasts… Soon, you'll learn what true power looks like."