Chapter 206 Royal Family’s Ally

Alaric maintained a careful watch on the two unconscious beauties floating beside him as he soared away from the Royal Palace. He periodically reinforced the sleeping spell, ensuring that Queen Margaret and the Royal Consort Josephine remained in a deep slumber.

‘Can’t have them waking up mid-flight and causing a scene,’ Alaric thought, a chuckle escaping him. ‘Not yet, anyway.’

He flew for a considerable distance, far enough to be well outside the immediate vicinity of the capital. Spotting a secluded, overgrown ruin nestled within a dense patch of forest, he descended and gently laid the two unconscious women down within its shadowed confines. He cast a powerful concealment spell over the ruin, making it virtually undetectable to casual observation or even magical scrutiny.

‘Safe and sound… for now,’ Alaric mused, a satisfied smirk on his face. He had no intention of staying with them; his next move required him back in Eryndal.

With another burst of speed, Alaric turned and flew back towards the capital city, his mind already focused on the next stage of his plan. He bypassed the Royal Palace entirely, instead heading directly towards the areas where the rebellious citizens were still causing unrest.

‘Time to play the hero,’ Alaric thought, a hint of cynicism in his mind. ‘Gotta maintain appearances, after all.’

He descended upon the rioters, his presence immediately drawing their attention. They were still a disorganized mob, their anger fueled more by fear and rumor than by any real strategy.

“What is this?” one of the rioters shouted, pointing at Alaric. “Another lackey of the corrupt Royal Family?”

Alaric simply raised his hand, and a wave of magical force swept through the crowd, knocking many of them off their feet. They weren’t his primary target, just a means to an end.

‘Need to find their leader,’ Alaric thought, his senses scanning the crowd. He focused on the individuals who seemed to be directing the others, their voices carrying a note of authority. It didn’t take him long to identify the most vocal and influential figure, a burly man with a fiery gaze and a crudely fashioned banner bearing the symbol of the Radiant God’s temple.

With a swift application of binding magic, Alaric easily subdued the rebel leader, who struggled in vain against the invisible restraints. The other rioters, witnessing Alaric’s power, quickly lost their remaining courage and began to scatter in fear.

‘That was… remarkably easy,’ Alaric thought, a hint of disappointment in his mind. He had hoped for a bit more of a challenge.

He levitated the bound rebel leader and flew directly towards the Royal Palace, landing in the inner courtyard once more. The royal guards, who were still in a state of heightened alert due to the earlier breach, were surprised to see him return so quickly, and with a captive in tow.

“Master Steele!” the captain of the guard exclaimed, hurrying towards him. “What is the meaning of this?”

“I have dealt with some of the rabble causing trouble outside,” Alaric said, presenting the bound rebel leader. “This appears to be one of their ringleaders. I thought it best to bring him here for proper… judgment.”

The captain’s eyes widened in surprise and gratitude. “Master Steele, you have our sincere thanks! This will surely help to quell the unrest.”

‘Exactly what I was hoping for,’ Alaric thought, a smug inner smile.

By presenting himself as a savior of the Royal Palace, he was effectively diverting any suspicion away from himself regarding the disappearances from the harem. Why would he help capture the rebels if he himself had orchestrated a far more significant breach and abducted members of the Royal Family? It simply didn’t make sense.

Even if the Archmage were to investigate the disappearances with her considerable magical abilities, she would likely focus on external threats or internal treachery within the palace itself. Alaric’s actions against the rebels would serve as a perfect alibi, a carefully constructed smokescreen.

Meanwhile, within the Royal Palace, the Archmage was indeed leading a frantic search for the missing Queen Margaret and the Royal Consort Josephine. Her powerful magical senses were deployed, scanning every corner of the Sunken Pearl Palace and the surrounding grounds.

“The Queen… gone?” the Archmage, a stern-faced woman with an aura of immense power, repeated, her voice filled with disbelief and anger. “And Josephine as well? How could this have happened?”

The maids and servants of the harem were in a state of utter panic, their tearful accounts offering little in the way of concrete information. No one had seen anything suspicious, no forced entry, no signs of struggle. It was as if the Queen and the concubine had simply vanished into thin air.

‘This is… perplexing,’ the Archmage thought, her brow furrowed in concentration. She cast several powerful divination spells, attempting to track their magical signatures, but found nothing. It was as if they had been completely shielded or transported to a location beyond her immediate reach.

She personally led a large contingent of royal guards and palace mages in a thorough search of the entire palace complex, leaving no stone unturned. They checked every room, every hidden passage, every secret chamber, but there was no trace of the missing Queen and concubine.

The Archmage even extended her search beyond the palace walls, her keen senses probing the city for any unusual magical activity or any sign of the missing women. But the capital was still in disarray due to the revolt, making it difficult to discern any specific anomalies.

‘This was not the work of those pathetic rioters,’ the Archmage thought, her frustration growing. ‘This was something… more sophisticated. Someone with considerable magical skill.’

Despite her extensive investigation, the Archmage found no evidence to suggest Alaric Steele’s involvement. He had been seen dealing with the rebels, actively helping the palace. It simply didn’t fit the profile of a kidnapper. The disappearance of the Queen and the Royal Consort remained a baffling mystery, a source of deep concern and intense investigation within the Royal Palace.

~~

Archmage Priscilla, her face etched with concern, immediately took charge of the investigation into the disappearance of Queen Margaret and Royal Consort Josephine. Her priority was twofold: to find the missing women as quickly as possible and to prevent widespread panic within the palace walls. News of the Queen’s abduction could easily trigger further unrest and destabilize the already fragile situation in the capital.

“Discreet inquiries only,” Priscilla instructed the palace guards and mages who were assisting her. “We do not want to cause unnecessary alarm. Let it be known that the Queen and Royal Consort have retired to their private chambers and are not to be disturbed.”

‘A flimsy excuse, but it will buy us some time,’ Priscilla thought, her magical senses constantly probing the palace. She began a systematic, yet subtle, check of every individual within the Royal Palace. Her arcane senses allowed her to perceive subtle magical residues, emotional imprints, and any hint of deception.

She started with the maids and servants of the Sunken Pearl Palace, questioning them gently but thoroughly, her gaze piercing beneath their nervous exteriors. Their fear seemed genuine, and none of them displayed any signs of involvement or knowledge of the disappearances.

Next, she turned her attention to the royal guards stationed within the palace. They were loyal and disciplined, and Priscilla’s initial assessment found no indication of treachery among them. However, she made sure to scrutinize each one, her magic subtly probing their minds for any hidden secrets or unusual activity.

‘Nothing here,’ Priscilla thought, a frown creasing her brow. ‘This was not an inside job, at least not by anyone obvious.’

Her gaze then fell upon Alaric Steele, who was currently engaged in a seemingly casual conversation with the captain of the guard in the inner courtyard. Priscilla approached them, her movements graceful and silent.

“Master Steele,” Priscilla said, her voice calm and composed, giving no indication of the turmoil within her. “I understand you were instrumental in quelling some of the unrest outside the palace.”

Alaric turned to face her, offering a polite bow. “Archmage Priscilla,” he replied, his expression one of respectful deference. “I merely did what I could to assist the Royal Palace in this… trying time.”

Priscilla studied him intently, her arcane senses subtly examining him. She probed for any lingering magical energies that might link him to the disappearances, any trace of a sleeping spell or any unusual emotional residue. She delved into the surface layers of his mind, searching for any flicker of guilt or deception.

‘He seems… genuine,’ Priscilla thought, her senses finding nothing amiss. Alaric’s magical aura was strong and vibrant, but it held no trace of the specific magic used to incapacitate the Queen and Josephine. His surface thoughts were focused on the unrest in the city and his upcoming meeting with Princess Griselda.

‘He certainly possesses immense power for his age,’ Priscilla mused, acknowledging Alaric’s remarkable talent. ‘But I find no evidence to suggest his involvement in this matter.’

She engaged him in a brief conversation, asking about his experiences at the Demon Fortress and his assessment of the current situation. Alaric answered her questions readily, his demeanor open and helpful. Priscilla found no inconsistencies in his story, no telltale signs of a hidden agenda.

‘If he is involved, he is remarkably skilled at concealing it,’ Priscilla thought, a seed of doubt still lingering in the back of her mind. But her initial magical assessment yielded nothing suspicious.

After a few more minutes of conversation, Priscilla excused herself, her mind already turning to other possibilities. If the Queen and Royal Consort hadn’t been taken by someone within the palace, then the threat must have come from outside.

‘The rebels?’ Priscilla considered. But their capabilities were limited, and breaching the inner sanctum of the Sunken Pearl Palace without leaving any trace seemed highly unlikely.

Her thoughts then turned to the forces of the Radiant God’s nation. Their sudden arrival and their growing influence in the capital were certainly suspicious. Could they be involved in the disappearances? Perhaps as a way to further destabilize the kingdom or to gain leverage over the Royal Family?

‘It is a possibility that cannot be ignored,’ Priscilla thought, her gaze hardening. She decided to shift her focus to the activities of the Radiant God’s forces within the city. She would dispatch her own agents to observe their movements, to listen to their conversations, and to search for any clues that might lead to the missing Queen and concubine.

Priscilla also ordered a more thorough investigation of the breach near the Dragon’s Ascent Palace. Perhaps the intruders had managed to slip into the Sunken Pearl Palace during the ensuing chaos. She instructed her mages to examine the area for any lingering magical signatures or footprints that might have been overlooked in the initial search.

‘We must find them,’ Priscilla thought, the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. The safety of the Royal Family was paramount, and the disappearance of the Queen and a Royal Consort was a grave matter indeed. She would not rest until she uncovered the truth and ensured their safe return. Her investigation was only just beginning, and she was determined to leave no stone unturned in her search for the missing women.

~~

Alaric knew that to solidify his position within the Royal Palace and further deflect any potential suspicion, he needed to appear fully committed to restoring order. The disappearance of the Queen and the Royal Consort was a delicate matter, and any perceived lack of focus on the more immediate threat of the rebellion could raise unwanted questions.

‘Time to play the loyal subject,’ Alaric thought, a strategic glint in his ruby eyes.

He addressed the captain of the royal guard. “Captain,” Alaric said, his voice firm and decisive, “these rebellious citizens are a blight on the capital. They must be dealt with swiftly and decisively. I will take it upon myself to quell their uprising.”

The captain’s face lit up with relief. “Master Steele, if you would be willing to assist us, we would be eternally grateful! Our forces are stretched thin.”

‘Easy enough,’ Alaric thought. He had no real desire to waste his time on these insignificant rebels, but the appearance of action was crucial.

Without another word, Alaric left the Royal Palace and descended upon the remaining pockets of rebellious citizens. He moved with swift efficiency, his powerful magic making short work of their makeshift defenses and their poorly organized ranks.

“By the power vested in me by the King,” Alaric boomed, his voice magically amplified to carry across the city, “I command you to cease your rebellion and return to your homes!”

Many of the frightened citizens, seeing the immense power Alaric wielded, immediately heeded his words and began to disperse. However, there were still some hardliners, those most deeply swayed by the rhetoric of the Radiant God’s temple, who refused to yield.

‘Stubborn fools,’ Alaric thought, a hint of annoyance creeping into his mind.

He focused his magic, targeting their makeshift bases of operations. With precise blasts of energy, he destroyed their barricades and strongholds, leaving them exposed and demoralized. He personally sought out their remaining leaders, those who continued to incite violence and spread dissent.

Capturing them was a simple matter for a Grandmaster Mage of Alaric’s caliber. He used binding spells, illusions, and even a bit of subtle mind magic to subdue them and ensure they could no longer cause trouble.

One by one, Alaric returned to the Royal Palace, presenting the captured rebel leaders to the grateful royal guards. “These individuals were the primary instigators of the unrest,” Alaric declared each time. “They should be placed in the Royal Dungeon to await the King’s judgment.”

The guards were overjoyed by Alaric’s swift and decisive actions. The rebellion, which had threatened to plunge the capital into further chaos, was being quelled with remarkable speed thanks to his efforts.

‘They’re practically showering me with gratitude,’ Alaric thought, a smug inner smile. ‘Just as planned.’

News of Alaric’s heroic actions spread quickly throughout the Royal Palace. Servants whispered his name with awe, guards saluted him with newfound respect, and even the higher-ranking nobles expressed their admiration. He had become the savior of the capital, the man who had single-handedly crushed the rebellion.

‘This is going even better than I hoped,’ Alaric mused. He had successfully diverted suspicion and ingratiated himself with the Royal Palace.

With the rebellion quelled and order restored to the capital, the time came for Princess Griselda to fulfill her promise. A small, private wedding ceremony was arranged within the Royal Palace, attended by a select group of nobles and members of the Royal Family.

Princess Griselda looked radiant in her wedding gown, her initial nervousness replaced by a genuine happiness as she stood beside Alaric at the altar. Alaric, for his part, played the part of the devoted groom perfectly, offering her a charming smile and a reassuring hand.

‘Another step closer to consolidating my power,’ Alaric thought as the vows were exchanged.

Soon after the ceremony, the newly wedded couple prepared to depart the Royal Capital, their destination the Steele Family’s territory. King Thaleon, still reeling from the recent events and grateful for Alaric’s assistance, bid them a fond farewell, expressing his hope for their happiness.

As their carriage made its way out of Eryndal and into the surrounding countryside, Alaric subtly directed their route. He feigned a desire to take a slightly different path, one that would bring them closer to the location where he had concealed Queen Margaret and Josephine.

‘Just need to make sure my little secret is still safe,’ Alaric thought, his senses reaching out.

As they passed near the dense forest where the ruins were located, Alaric discreetly focused his magical senses, checking the integrity of the concealment spell he had cast. He was relieved to find that it was still holding strong, effectively masking the presence of the two unconscious women.

‘Excellent,’ Alaric thought with satisfaction. ‘My little birds are still safely caged.’

He had no intention of bringing the Queen and the Royal Consort with him just yet. He had more intricate plans for them, plans that would unfold in due time. For now, their secret captivity served his purposes perfectly. He merely needed to return to this location later, when the time was right, to retrieve them. To ensure their continued secrecy, he subtly reinforced the concealment magic and erected a simple magical barrier around the ruins, just as an added precaution.

Princess Griselda, who had been enjoying the scenic countryside, noticed Alaric’s slight shift in demeanor and the subtle magical energy that flickered around him. She looked at him, her brow furrowed with confusion.

“My lord,” she asked gently, her voice filled with curiosity, “is everything alright? You seemed… distracted for a moment.”

Alaric offered her a reassuring smile. “My apologies, my dear,” he said smoothly. “I was merely… ensuring our journey is safe from any lingering threats. The kingdom is still in a precarious state, after all.”

Griselda nodded, accepting his explanation without question. She was still getting to know her new husband, and his occasional displays of magical power, while sometimes startling, also filled her with a sense of security. She had married a hero, a powerful mage who had saved the capital. She had no reason to suspect the intricate web of secrets he was carefully weaving around them.