Chapter 33

(Ashborn's POV)

"Let's get going already." I told a group of men.

"Isn't it exciting? 6 strongest mages on the whole Dicathen." Elijah started fanboying over Lances.

"And you also live with an S-Class adventurer under the same roof." Joked Arthur making everyone except me laugh.

"So right now you are going to some artificer right?" Father asked when we approached the carriage. Arthur and Vincent just nodded to him.

"I have a few things to do, so I'll meet you at home. Don't cause too much trouble." With this said father stepped into the carriage and soon left.

After father's carriage left our sight, Vincent stopped the public carriage, and we also stepped into it.

"Please take us to Gideon's facility." Vincent told our destination to the driver who moved the carriage and after about 30 minutes of driving, we could see Elixirs and Artifacts shops.

Arthur and Elijah were both staring out of the window, looking at every shop that we passed by.

"This is the part of the city where most of the artificers gather. There are a lot of gadgets and aids for mages if you want to check it out later." Vincent told us. Obviously, it was meant for two other boys.

Vincent's words took Wlijah's interest and he requested to stop at some shop. He wanted to look around and maybe even boy something, we didn't stop him and let him go. Arthur even made Sylvie follow Elijah.

An hour later, we saw a wide single-storied building. Buildings similar to this were rarely seen in clustered cities such as Xyrus.

"We are here!" The driver announced as we got out of the carriage and made our way towards the front door of this fairly large building.

Vincent knocked on the door and some man dressed as a butler opened it.

"Greetings. Master Gideon isn't ava- Ah, Hello master Vincent, please come in." He greeted us and later motioned us to step inside.

To say that building from inside was awful is an understatement. Everything here actually stinks, smells of a lot of chemicals, and unwashed clothes that were thrown around made this place look like a trash-site, more than a workplace of the artificer.

Judging from the actions of the butler, it seems that this artificer is anti-social and doesn't interact with unimportant people.

"Himes! I've told you not to let anyo- Oh it's you, Vincent. I see you've come to bother me again." From the corner of the room, we heard the voice of some man.

When I looked at the person, I saw a skeleton. The man had pale skin, his long hair seemed to be struck by lightning and there were dark bags under his eyes. Even his clothing was dirty as the room itself.

"Haha! As welcoming as ever Gideon." Laughed Vincent awkwardly and gave his acquaintance a smile and handshake.

Small talk between 'elders' took not much time. They discussed things that were already mentioned in the announcement, but Gideon still slipped some information. Arthur used this chance and without saying anything took large parchment. He started making some sketches.

Apparently, it was a blueprint of a ship that worked on steam. Of course in a world where everything heavily relies on magic, this is a breakthrough in science.

But I myself still prefer magic. Since it can be used anywhere and everywhere...also because unlike others I have enormous mana reserves.

"T-This is..." Gideon's sleepy eyes widened at Arthur's blueprint.

"Of course... Why didn't I think of this? There was this solution as well!" His hands started shaking as if holding something too precious in his hands.

"I feel like something's wrong." His eyes narrowed. Of course, Arthur left out things so Gideon couldn't just copy them without payment...

"Yup! Can you show me some of your most precious artifacts? Uncle Vincent told me you make some of the best!" Arthur answered and put parchment in his robe.

Gideon understood Arthur's intentions, His butler brought a whole lot of artifacts and some jewelry, but Arthur didn't take any interest in them.

"Himes, can you bring me the pendants?" Seemed that the skeleton wasn't meant to give up. He made a butler bring some pendants.

Butler bought two boxes and when Gideon opened it.

'Phoenix.' When boxes were opened you could easily guess the nature of the pendant. For humans, Phoenix is a symbol of life, but to me, it's just a beast that can preserve life.

I got a slight idea why Arthur got interested in them.

"Hm, those were made for the Royal Family?" I was left out of the conversation so I asked Gideon questions again.

"Yes, wait there was another brat all along? This one seems older." I could see Arthur's eyes twitching.

" We are twins. Anyway Arthur, you can take them. I have something to do with the king so he owes me a whole lot of things..." And since I'm going to do everything on my own.

"I also have something prepared for you. I have a key that will help you improve development in artificing." I said and he got intrigued. I can see this in his eyes.

"Runes. First rune, one that absorbs mana." Yes, that was it. Alacrya used runes in many ways, even forcefully awakened mages. So who said that I can't use them?

"Runes? Well, I guess. Then what?" Gideon asked, for a demonstration I showed him my index finger.

I channeled my mana through my finger and just wrote a simple circle symbol. It didn't have color at first but after absorbing ambient mana, the symbol glowed bright blue on the desk.

"How?" Gideon looked dumbfounded.

"Humans can absorb mana. In our case, humans are vessels while mana is liquid we are pouring in it. The principle in the rune is the same. I'm leaving this rune here, examine it all you want." Gideon's eyes sparkled.

I didn't have time to create other runes which normal mages could use, So I just gave a genius artificer key. Later he will most likely discover how to create runes...

The next step was to visit the council. They are doing so-called "secret" operations behind the backs of citizens, but in reality, even Arthur learned about them from some Artificer. Cautiousness was always an option when you know that different continents can spy on you, without you noticing anything. Then they have zero problems with duplicating secret technology for themselves.

I quickly made my way out of the large building and sank in the shadows. Kaspian was doing his usual job in the guild today, so I appeared right next to him in the office.

"Kaspian, council meeting." Seeing my serious expressions he nodded and stood up.

I created a teleportation gate to the Council Room. Kaspian and I quickly went through and came out of the council room. Some maid was tidying the round table, so Kaspian made her notify Glayders saying that it was an emergency.

"Mr. Ashborn may I ask what is the reason for the emergency?" Kaspian asked me while we were waiting.

"I'm disappointed." He immediately shut himself and didn't speak further.

After some time of waiting, Blaine and Priscilia burst through doors in council.

"Take seat, both of you." I told them, more like commanded, but they took seats anyway.

"Alert council members, I want them here. Do it fast." I told Blaine.

"Wha-" Blaine couldn't finish as I interrupted again.

"Do it." He just took out a communication scroll and called other leaders, he just quickly asked them to come because of an emergency.

'Emergency this emergency that... Good excuse.' I mentally noted.

"Mr. Ashborn, what is the reason for arranging council meeting?" Asked Blaine.

"I hate repeating myself. I'll do it when everyone is present." Quickly denying his question we started waiting for others.

Teleportation Gates being always functional because of the alliance was a good decision on their part. After a few hours of waiting both the King and Queen of Elenoir and Darv entered the council room.

"Why the sudden summon Blaine? I was on my way to Darv..."Asked king of Darv.

"I myself don't yet know." Blaine answered and pointed at me.

"What is kid doin-" Dawsid said out loud, but when he met with a scared expression of Blaine, he shut himself.

"Hm, Virions isn't here... Only competent king and isn't attending." I closed my eyes and concentrated on sensing Virion.

Luckily, I had left soldiers in Elenoir. They were protecting Arthur's gi- Future girlfriend.

"Found him." I opened my eyes and glanced at the curious-looking people present in the room.

I sank in my shadow and when I popped out, I popped into the Royal Castle of Elenoir. Finding Virion wasn't a hard task since he was standing right in front of me. I put my hand on his shoulder and sank in shadow again.

"I think I'm getting older. I'm hallucinating, and I'm in the council room..." Muttered Virion.

"Father?!" Alduin cried out.

"Damn, these aren't hallucinations."

"Now since everyone is present, I'll keep it brief." I addressed everyone and again took my seat.

"Monster brat?" I ignored Virion.

"Most of you are confused, I understand. But I don't care, so just take a seat, be quiet and listen." I commanded them and seeing Blaine nodding to them, they did as supposed.

Posing themselves as leaders of countries, if they can't adapt to the situation they are worthless.

"There aren't enough sea-" said Dawsid, who couldn't find a seat.

"I said quiet. If there aren't enough seats you have legs, keep standing." I glared at him, which surprised him.

"Do you even know who you are talking to?!" Dawsid shouted.

"I said, quiet."

[Ruler's Authority]

If a person doesn't like standing, I don't care. Kneel, but you shouldn't interrupt when I'm discussing the future of their continent.

"I'm disappointed in your actions. I never gave permission to use my title like this. I don't remember you asking me Blaine? I may say that I will support you, but this is totally different." I said and Blaine looked down and kept quiet.

"Then again, even if you used my name. Your actions are predictable, unnecessary, and unbeneficial at all. You tasked artificer Gideon to build new types of ships that can sail across oceans for a long time. And you should understand, this information was lured out by my brother from Artificer Gideon."

"What are you going to do next? Don't tell me you will just send out these ships in sea like that? You already knew that another continent was developed enough to produce Artifacts that are far beyond the capabilities of any artificer in Dicathen could replicate." I talked to them as if I was a teacher.

"And what are your Six-Lances doing?" I asked.

"They are all stationed in one place waiting for orders..." Answered Alduin, even Virion sighed from disappointment.

"Six strongest mages of Dicathen are without any missions. While I understand, that Beast Glades are blocked, this doesn't mean they don't have any job. There are quite a lot of rats in Xyrus and maybe even in other cities." I hinted to them and Virion already understood the meaning.

"So they are already here." Said Virion so everyone could hear.

"They are already here, without any of you even realizing. They are probably plotting something and building their foundations here, so now, do you think that Lances shouldn't have missions? I will also warn you...

The saddest part in betrayals is that it never comes from your enemies." I shot quick glance at Dawsid who was still standing. I had quite an experience when it come to betrayals, maybe this is the reason why I was doing everything alone?...

Since bringing up the topic of spies, Dawsid's heartbeat was abnormally high. It was clear that he feared something.

'Uto keep an eye on him. If necessary kill.' I telepathically told my soldier.

'It shall be done, my king.' Uto replied and went into shorty's shadow.

"Kaspian, make Lances command Gendarmerie Branches in major cities. Also, cancel EVERY activity in Beast Glades. Don't make hasty decisions, and be careful. Because, if you have my support, doesn't mean that I will take any actions that I didn't sign for." And like this, I teleported away from the council room.

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Phew damn, I'm publishing more chapters when I'm sick than when I wasn't... Haha lol.

Anyway, that's it. I'm tired of writing on phone, so I will rest a little.

Discord: https://discord.gg/jX4rWv8FQU

Second FF: https://www.wattpad.com/story/284711075-tbate-severing-fate

CYA