Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Josh Edward gave a surprised look, but quickly shook it off. He beckoned the butler to leave. Then he stood up, holding a glass of wine in his hand. “You’re young but talented. The Magus Tower relies on you. The empire relies on you. Let’s drink to the empire!”
“To the empire!” All the magic casters rose and drained their glasses in one gulp, their eyes shining with fanatical confidence.
“It’s getting late. I’ve arranged rooms for you. I’m sure the girls there will give you a good night’s sleep.”
“Thank you, my prince.”
“You’re too kind, my prince.”
“The empire will thrive when you become the king one day, my prince.”
They all started kissing up to him.
Josh waved his hands. “I’m just the second prince. My brother, the first prince, will become the king. You should go now. Don’t make the girls wait.”
After they left, the smile on his face was replaced by a look of disgust and contempt.
The butler walked in. “My prince, the messenger is now waiting outside,” he said with his head bowed.
“Take him to the study, and don’t let anyone come near the house,” Josh said coolly. He put the glass on the table abruptly, spilling the wine.
“Yes, my prince,” the butler replied with his head lowered even more. The second prince might look respectable and decent to others, but he knew exactly what kind of a man he was.
In the quiet study, whose doors and windows had all been shut, stood the second prince, who was staring at a painting on the wall. The messenger, a tall middle-aged elf, was watching him, sweating nervously in the dim light.
The second prince was only around 30, but he was giving off such aura of authority that it made the elf feel like he was standing before his queen. He had been standing in this room for some time, but not once did the prince as much as glance at him.
“What does she want?” Josh asked drily, turning to look at another painting.
“Lady Helena wanted me to give you this letter,” the elf answered quickly, and pulled out a letter. The envelope was dark green, with vines crawling all over it. Nothing was written on it, though.
“Put it on the desk and leave,” Josh said, without looking at him.
“Yes, Prince.” He put it down carefully on the desk with both hands, took two steps back, turned around, walked out, and closed the door quietly. He breathed a long sigh of relief and wiped his forehead, his back soaked with sweat.
Josh turned around after he heard the door shut. He picked up the letter. The vines shone with a green light, and then withdrew into the envelope.
He tore it open and emptied it on the desk. A black seed and a light green piece of paper came out.
He took no notice of the seed, but picked up the paper. His brows furrowed as he read. The room was deadly quiet.
After a while, the paper started burning in his hand, and so did the envelope and the seed.
“Seems I underestimated this Snarr. He can even use such ancient magic as time magic. Alex, I knew you’re still alive!” Josh said, clenching his fist. His voice was as cold as ice, his face hideous with rage.
Suddenly, a gust of wind sent scraps of paper off his desk, making them fly randomly around his dark face.
Josh snatched a piece of paper, and then the wind stopped suddenly. The other pieces fell down quickly onto the floor.
I have to bring my plan forward. His calm expression returned, handsome and still, betraying nothing. He sat at the desk and picked up a quill. “Dear Irina, I’m sorry I haven’t written to you in a while…” he wrote.
When he was done, he put the letter in a blue envelope, on which he wrote, “To Irina.”
Then he thought for a moment, and took another piece of paper. He wrote, “Dear Lady Helena, I will help you with your plan. Please don’t forget what you have promised me.”
…
On the southwestern frontier of the Roth Empire, a young, strong, and handsome man in golden armor was sitting in the high seat in the bright command tent. He stood up and smiled, holding a bowl in his hand. “Let’s drink!”
His officers held up their bowls. “Thank you, my prince.”
“You’re so kind to have us here, my prince!” an old man said, looking at the prince with appreciation.
A guard came in hurriedly. “Quine has come back, my prince. He has something important to tell you,” he whispered in his ear.
Sean Edward’s eyes went wide. He nodded, and beckoned the guard to leave. Then he smiled at his men. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said, and walked out.
His smile was gone as soon as he was outside. “Send him to my tent,” he said to the guard, and walked towards a big tent.
A short while later, a young man wearing a silver mask and black tights entered the tent. “I have investigated for a half year, my prince,” he said quietly in a hoarse voice. “Among the several generals you had me look into, General Simon is the most suspicious. You know, he retired and went back to Rodu. After that incident, he disappeared for a while. He told me the reason for his disappearance, but I found what he said is not true.”
“Simon?” Sean murmured to himself. Then a smile touched his lips. “He was Alex’s right-hand man. Maybe he was involved in Alex disappearing.”
