"Good. You can interrogate her. In the meantime, I'll take a little trip to the Death Domain and complete the Kingship Trial," Ryder expressed his eagerness to finish the trial.
Since they had received no information from the girl, it was useless to ask about it. It was better to focus on the trial, which needed him to go to the death domain.
"Did you not listen? If you go there, it would be risky. In Kingship Trials, you can't take anyone with you. You'll have to go all alone. And if they find you, they'll imprison you in the better scenario or kill you in, the worse case. This is not the right time." High Duke Oris shook his head.
"No sane person would go to Death Domain at times like this," High Duke Magna chimed in.
"That's exactly what I'm thinking. And that's that they'll think as well," Ryder said as he stood up. He walked to the center of the hall and faced the High Dukes.
"Do you think the people in the Death Domain don't know about the Kingship Trials? They know I would have Kingship trials. If I do it in the future when everything is fine, it would be much riskier for me," he explained.
"When people start dying, they'll suspect the Kingship Trial of ours. But if we do it now, it would be different," he continued.
"Even they wouldn't think that I would be stupid enough to enter their land when we possess one of their own and when the relationship between the two places is so tense," he alluded to the High Dukes.
"Furthermore, there is one more element of interest," he further said.
"The Vampire King… He has a little skirmish with the Death Domain now. Their first suspicion would be on him if something happened there now. By the time they know it was me, I would be back here."
"How is my plan?" He asked.
"This is somewhat clever, but still, the risk is still high," High Duke Eston said in concern.
"You should get stronger before you attempt the Kingship Trial," High Duke Oris suggested.
"I am strong enough. And I believe I can do it now. Do you really wish to stop me? This is the perfect opportunity," Ryder insisted.
Even after saying all that, he was sure that they weren't going to agree now. There was definitely some risk, but this was something he must do.
There was a Fragment of his Bracelet of Immortality in that place. While doing Rale's quest, he could get that. He didn't want to delay that any further.
That was why he decided to pull out his hidden secret card that he knew was always successful. He was sure after he used this, he was going to get permission.
"I talked to my Master about it as well. He said it was the right time for me to go as well," he said.
No one was going to call him a liar or doubt his words. So, of course, they believed him. However, this only meant that Salem himself allowed it.
If their Emperor allowed it, who were they not to allow it. They were stuck between a rock and a hard place. They didn't wish to allow Ryder since it was risky.
Simultaneously they couldn't say no, or it would be disrespectful to Salem. It would imply they didn't trust his decision which they didn't want to do.
They could only agree.
Ryder waited patiently for their response, but he was already sure that it was going to be a yes. He had no doubt about it.
All the High Dukes gazed at each other as silence ensued in the place.
"Fine. If His Majesty thinks it's a good idea, who are we to refuse," High Duke Magna said after some time. It was obvious that he didn't wish to give the permission, but he had no choice.
"You can go," High Duke Oris said.
"Who are we to stop," High Duke Mila also agreed.
"I agree as well," High Duke Eston also affirmed.
"When are you planning to leave?" High Duke Oris asked.
"I will go today. In the evening would be the right time to leave. In my absence, Miku and Rale can handle everything here regarding the recruitment," Ryder answered softly.
Rale seemed like he wanted to say something, but he controlled himself.
"Alright. I'll leave you there personally before I come back. I'll tell you everything you need to know about this trial as well," High Duke Oris said as he stood up.
"Alright. You handle it," High Duke Magna agreed as he also stood up.
He walked over to Ryder. "I wish you all the success. I'll see you when you return. I'll take my leave now."
After saying that, he left.
High Duke Mila and High Duke Eston also wished Ryder luck before they left. They did spend a little more time than High Duke Eston, though.
This trial was something where Ryder needed to go alone. He couldn't take any person with him even if he wished. So Ryder only needed one person to transport him to the Death Domain. They couldn't do anything but waste time here even if they stayed here.
High Duke Oris was already the best choice since he could Teleport him straight to the Death Domain, and he also knew all the things about it.
"You can also go back for now. Send Marais Kaia back. You can come in the evening. I'll be ready to leave by then," Ryder told High Duke Oris after everyone else left.
"It's fine. I can wait here and help you prepare," High Duke Oris replied as he shook his head. "I can send Kaia back after I come back from Death Domain."
"It's fine. I don't need much preparation. I'll mostly rest and collect my energy. So you can go for now," Ryder rejected the offer. He wanted his privacy during his last few hours since there were a few things he couldn't talk openly about if High Duke Oris were walking beside him all the time.
High Duke Oris gazed at Ryder briefly for some time. He ultimately nodded his head.
"I'll be back in the evening," he said before he departed as well.
Ryder watched High Duke Oris leave. After High Duke Oris left, he asked Rale to close the door before he walked back to the throne.
"I know what you're thinking. And yes, I lied. My master didn't come here. He is right where I left him," Ryder told Rale and Miku.
'…dead,' he added to his statement in his head.
"I used him as an excuse to deal with the matter of missing maids," he continued.
