Chapter 206 (1/2)

Chapter 206

Chapter 206: Brother’s Consent

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The unexpected deaths of Rahdeas and Uto would be enough to cause a mass panic within the echelons of noble fa in the castle and out in various fortified cities Having two ures of the enemy side in the Council’s palms created a certain semblance of power and control to the people of Dicathen

To prevent chaos, the Council did what countless leaders—regardless of time, race, and world—do when faced with setbacks They covered it up

Gentry, Albold, and I all had to be questioned by the Council since ere the ones present at the scene

Because of the black spikes left skewered on all three corpses almost like a postcard, it was obvious that it couldn’t have been done by any one of us Still, a majority of my day had been taken up by this Eventually, Gentry was left to grieve over his assistant that he apparently cared very uard duty so he could be sent back to Elshi+re Forest to assist as a soldier

As forin front of Virion in his private office as he sat behind his desk with a grim expression

“Cynthia Goodsky died this way as well, right?” I confirmed

Virion nodded, his eyes unfocused

I continued “You must be worried about everyone’s safety Three people have been killed in thecastle that has existed from ancient times”

“Do you think I’d allow people to still be here if I orried about their safety?” Virion retorted “I’m not in the mood for tests, Arthur I know you noticed as well It was the saood that you realized,” I smiled

No one had infiltrated the Castle—no ht over it, it just wasn’t possible The layers of defense that one would have to go through in order to reach the insides of this castle, only to kill two prisoners just didn’t add up If I was sent on a mission to infiltrate this castle, it’d be much simpler to assassinate as much of the Council as I could It just didn’t add up, which led me to the answer that the attack had to be done from within

Not within our side, but within Rahdeas and Uto’s bodies Just like Cynthia, who had a powerful curse embedded inside her, it made sense for Rahdeas and even a retainer to have that as well in case they were caught From how the black spikes seemed to almost ‘bloom’ out of Rahdeas and Uto’s bodies, I felt that their curse had been activated

As for the Shester—Gentry’s unfortunate assistant—it seeed into not just his body but his extreht in the explosion of spikes that shot out from within the two prisoners

That had to be the case, it doesn’t rona had made it clear that the whole point of this as to take over this continent with as little casualties as possible so that he could conquer and utilize the resources—living and nonliving—available here to strengthen his power and becoh to attack Epheotus head on Dicathen wasstone for him so wouldn’t make sense for him to only kill the prisoners if he had the power to send someone inside the castle

Does thatiht after telling me that poem This led me to think whether Rahdeas purposely said in the form of a poe a curse where she was restricted to reveal or even think about revealing anything relevant

Forcingspeculations in my head, I spoke “Any plans for what to do next?”

“For now, consolidating the priorities of the councilmembers come first They were already restless after the attack on the southern borders of the Elshi+re Forest, but even this…” The old elf let out a breath that seemed to contain a bit of his weathered soul “To be honest, Arthur, I’m at quite a loss at the moment This war… the scale is so unlike any war this land has faced, yet—”

“Things have been too quiet,” I finished “I agree Even with the death of Uto and Rahdeas, I feel like so is about to happen I’rew quiet as both of us h “Well, no use worrying right now There are things that must be done Arthur You’re on standby as of now, correct?”

“Yes General Aya is currently stationed in Elenoir, General Mica is assisting in the investigations of the radical group in Darv, General Varay is helping with fortification of hout the western coast and General Bairon, I believe, is scouting the northern ranges of the Grand Mountains for any signs of retainers or Scythes since there was that base we had cleared out nearby,” I reported I had wanted to help out but because the Alacryans have been so quiet despite the seely random attack on the outskirts of the Elshi+re Forest, there was nothing that needed my attention

“Okay For now, stay in the Castle and get used to your new core You’ll be sent out i unusual so I need you to be in top condition,” Virion declared

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I turned to leave when Virion’s voice called out fro back at the commander over my shoulder, I responded “Yes?”

He s, but as a lance, don’t you think you should go around dressed a bitdown to see the loose shi+rt and dark trousers I had on, I let out a chuckle “Perhaps I should”

Returning to reeted by not only Sylvie, but byin front of my room, I could hear faint mutters from a voice that sounded like my sister

“have to help me, okay? Promise?”

Sylvie

Opening the door, I was greeted by Ellie andon the ground with his giant head propped up on top of edhis eyes

“H-Hi, Brother,” reeted me with a simple wave of her hand

That’s not suspicious, I thought

‘You’re overthinking,’it more suspicious

“Anyhat happened for you to be gone for so long?” my sister asked, a bit upset that I hadn’t had the chance to really spend tis that I had to attend,” I said vaguely “Anyway, I’m free now”

Ellie cocked a brow “Does that mean you’ll finally spend some time with your precious sister?”

“Yup, if you’re okay with the training ground that is Sylv and I both have things to test before an actual fight”

“Of course that’s okay That’s exactly what I was about to suggest!” ainst the wall beside her

After changing into a h-collared military tunic that covered the red scars on my neck, and a more fitted pair of trousers Compared to the rest of the lances, I was dressed rather casually but at least I didn’t look like so asto cut it?” Ellie asked with distaste as I was tying ed “When I feel the need to”

We uarded by pair soldiers arguing over so you that it’s not the—General Arthur!” The armored man on the left clicked his heels and saluted while his coht side of the entrance did the saes practicing inside Would you like us to clear theht asked as the two of them opened the entrance

Because of the sheer power that can be generated fro room was completely emptied and walls were additionally fortified when a lance ca isn’tin afteras we stepped into the loose earthen terrain

The large room was lively with various nobles in well-adorned robes and tunics around uardians oversaw and gave pointers to their students The ones training here were all of status with privileges that extended fros within the ar able to live and train in the Castle meant that they were safe, a luxury that only the top houses and fae entrance open, a few turned their heads my way and the private instructors and adults all i in respect, they quickly shushed their children when soer ones asked who I was

A woman that looked a few years older than my mother walked up to me with an amiable smile “It’s an honor to see a lance like this If you are here to train, I will take son and his friends elsewhere to learn”