Chapter 134: Chapter 134 - The Capital(Part 2)

Point-of-View: Aries Velenet

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"Mistreatment of innocent people? Whatever could you mean, Commander?" Inquired the Crown Prince, Drakkar Dianus.

The oldest of the King’s children at forty-eight years old, and next in line for the throne. He had beautiful, silky jet-black hair that framed his face and went halfway down his neck, brilliant light green eyes and a short chin beard.

While the current King has remained mostly neutral and indifferent towards the treatment of Commoners, Prince Drakkar has been actively encouraging their mistreatment and abuse.

However, I have no proof of that, so I won’t mention it. I’m not so foolish as to jeopardize myself with baseless accusations, even if I know it to be true. That said, I won’t hold back on speaking my mind...

"This has been an issue plaguing our nation for a long time, but it has gotten worse in the last decade or so. Many innocent Commoners have been enslaved and abused under false pretenses and accusations, a gross abuse of power by the Nobles responsible," I responded, having no intention of backing down.

"Now, that is quite a serious accusation against our fellow Nobles, Commander. Perhaps you ought to consider taking back your words, hm?" Inquired Prince Drakkar with a slight smirk, before his father could respond.

"Very well, I am considering it. I have considered it...and I stand by what I said," I replied with a smile, earning an irritated twitch of an eyebrow from him.

As Crown Prince, he holds power second only to the King, so most Knights don’t dare defy him...but I won’t let him control me so easily.

"I understand that you have been investigating several of the enslavement cases, freeing Commoners whom you concluded did nothing wrong and were falsely accused, yes?" King Bronne asked me.

"That is correct, your majesty. I was granted the great honor of being elected as the Knight Commander of our great nation...I believe that it is my responsibility to see that justice is carried out for all our people, those who take advantage of their power must be held accountable for their actions, I believe that to be true Nobility. All I seek is to enforce that notion. Anything less would dishonor my position, and those who support me," I stated firmly.

"Hm, I cannot deny that your leadership has been highly efficient and effective, the Knighthood had been lacking in discipline under your predecessor, Jasper Duralles. I have no complaints about your methods as Knight Commander.

There are three matters of concern, however...first, the boy who escaped the capital three years ago, it is unacceptable that he still roams free. And second, we have had incidents where Noble families have been killed, with the exception of young children, a regular occurrence that has been going on for nearly five years now.

And finally, the pressing matter of the two who invaded the capital a week ago...a Commoner traveling with a previously unidentified Demonic Grade Monster, which you reported as a Half-Demon and Half-Dragon King, as the Monster itself declared being the offspring of the Demon Lord Satan and the Plasma Dragon King Frielektra, according to your report."

"Regarding the first matter...I offer my most sincere apologies, your majesty. The boy has dropped off our radar, we had no leads as to his whereabouts for a while, but recently, Lieutenant Tayn Regerelle encountered him outside of Kieph Town.

I was unaware of the operation to keep the Adventurers there in check by releasing Monsters around the town until the two Lieutenants in charge of that task were attacked, and one of them killed...however, a Frost Dragon was released before Lieutenant Baldwin perished, a Catastrophic Grade Monster...in all likelihood, that boy is now dead.

As for the second matter, we have determined that the killings within the capital have been committed by a pair of Commoners, likely rogue Adventurers. We are on their trail, and have narrowed down their most likely targets.

And for the final matter, I must apologize again...that Monster is far too powerful for any human to defeat. The blue flames, they were far more intense and deadly than I could ever have imagined...she could conceivably burn the entire city to ashes if she so desired," I remarked grimly.

"I suppose that is to be expected of a creature born of two of the most dangerous Monsters in existence. No matter, we have a countermeasure we can use. I shall get back to that...regarding these two Commoners who have been plaguing our city for the past five years, make sure that you deal with them as quickly as possible. I will not have my citizens live in fear for their lives. I must ask, on what basis have you narrowed down the list of their potential targets?" King Bronne asked me curiously.

"Well...I realized that they have only been targeting Noble families who are heavily involved in enslaving and abusing Commoners, they are not attacking indiscriminately," I explained in response.

"Aren’t those the very Nobles that you condemn? Quite the coincidence, is it not? Hm, I must ask...why exactly did the Monster and it’s Commoner companion spare your life, Commander?" Inquired Prince Drakkar with narrowed eyes.

I definitely can’t tell the truth about that...

"The Commoner said this to me before he left...’by letting you, the Knight Commander live despite killing everyone else we fought, we can sow seeds of suspicion and mistrust towards you. We don’t have to burn this place to the ground to destroy the capital, we can just as easily have you rotten Nobles tear each apart while we watch on in amusement’...that was what he said," I informed them...I do feel quite guilty for lying so blatantly, but it’s for the best.

I’ll likely be executed if I confess that they spared me in exchange for information, so I had no choice but to lie.

"Then we will not give this vile thug what he wants," Declared the King with a determined look on his face.

Good, looks like I was convincing enough...I was quite terrible at lying before, but recently, I’ve realized that, sometimes, deception is a necessary weapon.

"Hm, seems like an awfully convenient excuse," Frowned Prince Drakkar suspiciously.

I really don’t like him.

"Enough, we will not play into their hands so easily. More importantly...you reported that this Monster seducer was here looking for the same boy who escaped three years ago, isn’t that right?" Inquired King Bronne.

Uh, Monster seducer? Well, come to think of it, those two did seem pretty close...

"Yes, your majesty. I told him nothing, of course. However, when he described the boy’s appearance and I recognized the description, he noticed my reaction. It is possible that he and the Monster have remained in the capital because they are looking for the boy...that would also explain why they have not attacked recklessly, instead choosing to act covertly.

And as I included in my report, there was also another person he was looking for...he did not give a description, but he mentioned something along the lines of ’a runaway prince recently recaptured’," I recalled.

"Hm...I suppose if you heard that much, I might as well tell you. Only a select group of Knights are aware of this fact...almost thirty years ago now, one of my sons, Rhyle, the Prince third in line for the throne at the time, abandoned the capital. And a little over five years ago, he was found and brought back.

The boy who escaped three years ago, was the son he had with a Commoner woman. As you said, he likely perished against the Frost Dragon, but we must confirm his death and assume that he survived until then. The one who came here with the Monster looking for the two of them, he must have some connection to them," Frowned the King with a look of concern.

Huh? Wait...wait a second, did I understand that right? No...no way...

"Forgive me, your majesty, but...does that not make the boy your grandson? Royal blood runs through his veins?" I inquired, struggling to believe it.

"Tch, Royal blood tainted with the blood of a Commoner...I cannot think of anything more vile," Growled Prince Drakkar in disgust, before adding, "That is why the decision was made to allow former Commander Duralles to enslave the boy, as it was reported that he possessed impressive combat capabilities...for a Commoner, of course. Allowing such an abomination to kill him and his family, and then escape the capital, was the height of incompetency on the part of the late former Commander."

"If I may ask...his father, the Prince, where is he now?" I asked the King.

"Unfortunately, he has been uncooperative and defiant towards us following his capture, so we have had no choice but to keep him locked away in the underground dungeon. Now, regarding the underground dungeon on a different note, and getting back to the countermeasure against the hybrid Demonic Grade Monster...we have a powerful Demon sealed away in the deepest depths of the dungeon.

I am rather hesitant to resort to this, but we possess a Magic Item that should be capable of controlling this Demon...we shall use it to kill the hybrid. And I have decided that you will be the one to hold the reins of the Demon and command it," Remarked King Bronne.

This...seems like a bad idea that could easily backfire. But objecting to the King’s decision is a crime, and that aside, it’s true that we don’t have any other defense against that Monster girl.

"Very well, your majesty, I humbly accept this responsibility," I replied as I bowed my head.

The captured Prince, that boy being related to the Royal family, the Monster girl and her companion, trying to control a Demon...I’m a bit overwhelmed by all this. And I don’t know how to feel about it, I’m...I’m just so conflicted right now...

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