Tale of a Hedonistic wizard-Chapter 442: Angus, traitor?

Alaryc wasn’t just any student; he was a heaven’s child, a beacon of potential, and his disappearance was a blow that many feared would have dire consequences.

The Wizard Lord, Badock, a stern and calculating man with decades of experience, had placed the tower on high alert. Diviners searched tirelessly, scrying for any trace of him, but the Serpents’ trail remained maddeningly elusive. They were able to discern who kidnapped him.

The Ministry of Magic, already stretched thin with other critical cases, found itself overwhelmed. The sudden re-emergence of the Serpents was an unanticipated and catastrophic complication. Their operatives, the Arcnytes—an elite force of magically trained wizards and witches—were deployed to counter the threat.

Among them were Veronica and Ewen, two of the ministry’s most skilled agents, accompanied by their formidable captain, Edward. Known for his tactical brilliance and unflinching resolve, Edward had quickly become a cornerstone of the ministry’s operations. The trio was relentless in their pursuit, following faint leads and rumours in hopes of uncovering the Serpents’ plans.

-

As the chaos unfolded across the land, the Empire’s top brass convened within the grand palace of the capital city.

The hall where they gathered was an imposing space, its towering marble columns adorned with banners of the Empire’s sigil.

At the head of the table sat Emperor Zenumus himself, a commanding figure with piercing eyes that seemed to see through every soul in the room. His aura demanded respect, and none dared to speak without his permission.

Seated to his right was the Minister of Magic, Arthur, whose worn features belied his sharp mind. Beside him sat the Blade Sovereign Gawter, the Empire’s supreme general, a stoic and battle-hardened warrior who had led countless campaigns.

On the Emperor’s left was Wizard Lord Badock, his presence a stark contrast to the others—calm, calculated, and enigmatic.

The Emperor’s voice cut through the tense silence, his tone grave. "You all know why I called this council. The Bande de Serpents have resurfaced, and their actions threaten the balance of the world. But that is not the only reason for our urgency."

The Minister of Magic furrowed his brows. "Your Majesty, the calamity they’ve unleashed is already a crisis of unprecedented scale. What could be more urgent than this?"

The Emperor leaned forward, his expression dark. "It pains me to say this, but we have to keep the details of this meeting a secret until we find him, that is, my brother, Angus."

At the mention of the name, the room grew heavy with unease. Angus, the enigmatic sibling of the Emperor, was a name shrouded in mystery and controversy. Few knew the full extent of his capabilities or intentions, but his reputation was enough to send a chill down the spine of even the most powerful individuals in the room.

The Blade Sovereign’s voice was measured, but there was a hint of trepidation in his tone. "Your Majesty, is it true then? Has he been sighted?"

The Emperor nodded. "We believe that he may have been linked with the serpents."

Wizard Lord Badock’s expression darkened, his fingers steepled in thought. "If Angus is with the Serpents, then they’ve gained more than just a powerful ally. They’ve gained a strategist, a manipulator, and perhaps the only man who can rival our own forces in sheer cunning."

The Minister of Magic spoke cautiously, his gaze shifting to the Emperor. "Your Majesty, what do you propose? If Angus is true with them, we’ll need more than our armies and Arcnytes. This is a war of minds and magic."

The Emperor’s gaze hardened. "We must act swiftly and decisively. We cannot allow Angus or the Serpents to gain any more ground. I want every resource at our disposal—every soldier, every mage, every ally."

The mention of Angus had already sent ripples of unease through the room, but there was something darker in the Blade Sovereign’s expression as he exchanged a glance with the Minister of Magic. The air was heavy with unspoken tension.

"Your Majesty," the Sovereign Blade began carefully, his deep voice echoing off the marble walls, "if Angus has aligned with the Serpents, then it stands to reason that their goals are far more ambitious than we had assumed. The recent kidnappings, the rumours of chaos rituals—they are all pieces of a larger puzzle. One we cannot ignore."

The Minister of Magic leaned forward, his aged features taut with concern. "Your Majesty, if I may," he said, his voice carrying the authority of decades of experience. "There’s something I’ve been investigating—a pattern that’s been emerging for years. The children who were taken are not ordinary. They are what we call the Children of Chaos."

The Sovereign’s brow furrowed deeply. "Children of Chaos? Explain."

The Minister nodded gravely. "It is not a term I use lightly. These children are born under specific circumstances—moments when the veil between our world and the realm of chaos grows thin. They are rare, but they are marked by a latent connection to chaotic energy. Throughout history, such children have often displayed unusual talents, immense magical potential, or even dangerous unpredictability. Most of them are unaware of their nature, as the chaos within them remains dormant. But when triggered..." He paused, glancing at the Emperor, whose expression remained inscrutable.

"When triggered, they become catalysts," the Minister continued. "Sources of power that can be harnessed. Or corrupted."

The Sovereign Blade’s expression hardened. "And you’re suggesting that the Serpents are targeting these children to... what? Use them as weapons?"

The Minister hesitated, his eyes dropping to the polished table. "Not just weapons. Sacrifices."

The room erupted into murmurs, disbelief rippling through the gathered officials.

Wizard Lord Badock’s expression darkened, his sharp gaze locking onto the Minister.

"Sacrifices?" Badock repeated, his voice edged with scepticism. "You’re telling us that this group—this Bande de Serpents—is abducting children to sacrifice them? For what purpose?"

The Minister took a deep breath. "For resurrection. Specifically, the resurrection of the Phantom of the Chaos God."

A stunned silence fell over the chamber. Even the Emperor, who had remained composed throughout the discussion, narrowed his eyes slightly at the Minister’s words.