Chapter Twenty-Two

John watched as the blade came out of the saber and lit the room up.

He stared at it before standing and waving it around. "I was not expecting a natural silver." He swung the silver blade around for a few moments turning it off and leaving the silver crystal in.

"I guess the skill works then. I wonder if the prince has thought about my offer..."

He changed into some robes he bought using silver. The robes he now wore were white and brown.

He walked out of the inn and people stared at him, as they'd never seen his kind before. His deep red skin reflected the sunlight and made him radiate an air of peace.

As John continued walking, he bumped into a guard. "I'm sorry, sir. This area is off limits."

"Why is that?" John asked.

"A man was murdered last night. The princess is investigating it right now."

John placed his hand on his chin as he looked over the guards shoulder. "My name is John. I'm a Jedi Knight sent here by the order." He spoke loud enough to where the princess would here him.

Sandra immediately ran over and stared at John. "You're a Jedi?"

John nodded. "Jedi Knight John at your service."

She looked him up and down a few times before seeing his lightsaber. "You're weapon... I thought Jedi were pacifists."

"Defenders of the peace, princess. May I inspect the scene?"

She nodded and allowed John in. He began to stare at the body with intent. "Are you sure he was murdered?"

"What do you mean?"

John pointed to his face and then his hands. "His face is bruised badly, like he was in a fight. He could've been ambushed, but I don't think any random murderer would take his hands."

Sandra nodded. "I was thinking that could be the case. The Jedi certainly are wise."

John shook his head. "Even the wisest man can have wool pulled over his eyes. It's why we stay out of politics."

The elf grinned before the expression faded. "I have another matter to speak about with you, if you will come with me to meet my father."

John's eyes widened for a moment. "The king? Is it that bad?"

She nodded. "I'm not sure. Let's go." John nodded seriously as he climbed into a carriage with her and her guard.

'That was much easier than I thought.'

A few moments later, the carriage pulled into the castle and they stepped out. Sarah brought John to the king's chamber, and even though he looked strange, the kings men didn't stop him.

"Father, I've brought a Jedi Knight."

The elderly king turned towards his bowing daughter. "Thank you, daughter. Although, I would like to know how you got here so quickly?"

John shrugged his shoulders. "I was in the city when I received a message from my master, Tamet Menall. It also may have been his last message." John looked down sadly at the ground, before raising his gaze to meet the king's.

"Your highness, I regret to tell you, but the order cannot get involved in politics."

"But you said your keepers of the peace!" Sandra exclaimed.

"That's true, but this conflict has nothing to do with us. If we join one side, the other side will not allow us to live in their territories. I hope you understand." John slightly bowed before turning and walking out of the room. A guard guided him to the gate and let him out,

'Now that should take care of that. Whoever killed that Jedi last night was really helpful.'

John went back to his inn, taking his time along the way to take in the city.

'It will really suck when these building get destroyed in the coming conflict.' He thought. He stared at the somewhat modern looking buildings and sighed. 'I can build something better in their place.'

He walked into the inn and out on his armor and helmet, covering it by his black robe. He waited for night to fall before slipping back into the castle.

He waited for the prince to leave his father's chambers before walking in, mind-tricking the guards to go away.

"I heard a Jedi contacted you, King." John spoke softly.

The king's eyes went wide as he stared at John. "Sit-" He began to choke as John raised his hand.

"I want you to know your country will be in good hands. Your son will take your place once your daughter is out of the picture."

The king's eyes started to lose there light as John pulled out a knife from the castle's kitchen and shoved it into the kings heart.

"Goodnight, King Mac." John jumped from the window, being sure to close it with the force before he decided to return to the temple.

He made sure to tell some guards of the princess' plot after mind-tricking them, and they rushed to the King's chambers.

The princess stood with her mouth agape over his body. "I know how it looks, but-"

"Traitor!" The guards grabbed the princess and quickly threw her into the dungeon. "The senate will decide your fate."

They spoke to the prince, who was shocked, and the princess was executed a few days later when she was found guilty. This left Prince Malcor as the only successor to the elven crown.

———

John arrived at the temple a few weeks later, climbing off the carriage, he was greeted by his 10 apprentices kneeling.

"Welcome back, master. How was your six month retreat?" Chris spoke without looking up.

John looked at his apprentices and smiled under his helmet. "It was fine. The Elf 'Democracy', although they had a king, will be in turmoil soon."

"Had a king?" Chris was the only one to rise off the ground.

"He... sadly passed away. He was murdered by his daughter." John said. "Anyways, how is their training?"

Chris looked to the eight, along with Charlotte, who all stood up. "It's going well. They're all very promising. I believe Cecile is the most powerful as of right now."

John looked between all the students before dropping his gaze on Cecile. "This is her?"

"Yes, Master."

John continued to stare at her before he walked past all of them. "All of you, come with me."

He led them to the seventh floor, and as he did, a message popped up.

[Would you like to claim the gold from your apprentices over the last six months?]

'Yes.'

[Gold claimed. 133,000 -> 497,000]

John watched the number rise and was shocked. 'Even if I'm gone for an extended period of time, the gold will pile up. Is there a limit to how much can pile up in one temple?'

[Gold Storage of Temple: 1,000,000]

John smiled as he and the others walked into the mediation room. 'Build two more furnaces.'

[Are you sure you want to build 2x Synthetic Crystal Furnace?]

'Yes.' The two furnaces slowly appeared in a ghostly state next to the completed furnace.

[Gold Decrease: 497,000 -> 297,000]

"Once the other two furnaces are complete in 3 days, you eight will begin to take turns by dueling, and will try to create your own Kyber Crystal."

"It will not be easy. The cost is that you will need to throw 25,000 gold into the furnace."

The eight kids had their eyes wide open and their mouths agape.

Cecile was the first to speak. "Master Thane, does that mean we'll be able to build our own lightsabers?"

John turned to her. "Yes. I don't have enough pieces for all of you, but I will soon."

"What does that mean, Master?" A boy next to Charlotte asked.

John stared at him for a moment. "We're going to raid the Jedi temple."