Chapter 24 - The King

Theo spent the next few days in the academy. He avoided practising the spear and as well as other students.

He would stay in his room as soon as he completed his daily quest and his classes completed. He noticed the people Caleb sent to observe him has reduced significantly.

He could sense that there is only one low level guard left following him.

This shows that they have confirmed Theo to be unrelated to Max's escape and was only being observed as a precaution.

It's been a few days since he checked up on Max so he went to the bathroom which was the only place he couldn't be seen. Quickly changing his clothes and disguise, Theo tore the teleportation talisman paper and teleported straight to Max's room.

Surprised by the sudden visitor, Max jumped up with a defensive stand. Realising that who it was, he finally relaxed.

As Theo couldn't spend too long in the bathroom with the guard observing him. He asked Max immediately, "How's your stay? Do you have any plans going forward?"

"The food and everything is alright. It's better than being in a cell. I hope to save my father and clear my name but I don't know where to begin." Max said. "I'm sure Caleb is keeping my father locked in his room and keeping the public from knowing the King's real condition. I hope to find my father's loyal subordinates and shadow knight guards. They would be able to help me and save the king as well as expose Caleb."

Nodding his head, Theo understood that as of now, his best plan of action is to find and cooperate with the King's loyal subordinates.

"Do you have any method to contact them or their hideout?"

Max thought for abit then shook his head in dejection. "I rarely come in contact with them. I've only met a few of them in my father's presence once in a while."

"Think of a way we can contact them, I'll return when I have the chance." Theo then tore the transportation talisman paper after speaking leaving Max alone.

Returning to his bathroom, he took a quick shower after changing his disguise. 'It must be tough for a 12 year old with all this happening to him' Theo thought, sympathising with Max as he showered.

Before dinner, the boarding staff passed Theo a letter sent by his family back in the Ashwell territory.

Having heard what happened in the capital and what was going on, they asked if he was doing alright and that he could return anytime taking a break from the academy until everything settled down.

Theo wrote back that he was doing well and he would be continuing his studies in the academy. He informed them that he'll be returning soon for the school break.

In the palace, Caleb was speaking to the weak but still alive king who is laying in bed with a pale face.

"Tell me where it is and I'll let Max off." He said.

"Bastard" The king looked at Caleb with hateful eyes.

"The throne is already mine, I'll hunt Max down like a dog and execute him in public... Unless you tell me where it is." Caleb said in a forceful tone.

"It's not yours and will never be. You are a bastard that whore had with someone else." The king said spitting at Caleb's face. "The throne doesn't belong to you, you will never find the key."

"I'll give you some time to rethink your answer. I'll find Max and have him tortured in front of your eyes if that's what it takes for you to tell me." Caleb left the King's room after that.

Outside the King's room, as soon as Caleb's knight closed the door a hooded figure appeared out of nowhere next to him. "Our patience are limited, use every method you can to make him talk. If you can't find and use the other prince soon. Use torture on the king if necessary."

"I have all my men searching the capital and have his picture posted all over the kingdom. Rest assured we'll find him soon Sir." Caleb replied respectfully.

The hooded figure then dissapeared.

Caleb then asked his subordinates, "Any progress?"

"We have yet to find a trace if the prince. However, as for the throwing knife, the king seem to have been investigating it as well some time ago. Apparently he had his men asked for its origin with two of the exact kind of throwing knife we found on the prince." The subordinate informed. "We still haven't discovered where the king found the two throwing knives he got."

"Looks like there's more to tell with the knife. I'll see what I can squeeze out of that old man on them." Caleb then ordered his subordinates. "I want you to ask every blacksmith, weapons dealer, auctioner, anyone who deals with weapons and find where it came from."

Caleb then returned to where the king is locked up while holding a throwing knife.

Seeing Caleb return, the king ignored him and kept his eyes closed.

"What can you tell me about this knife." Caleb asked the king while holding the only clue that could lead to Max at the moment.

Seeing the familiar throwing knife, the king was slightly shocked. 'Is he still in the capital? Why?'

"I don't know what you're talking about. How should I know?" The king replied with a stoic expression.

"I was told that you were investigating it a while ago. Why were you investigating it and where did you find it?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"Unless you want your stay in your own room to be more uncomfortable than it is, I suggest you tell me what you know about this knife." Caleb threatened.

Realising that he himself actually didn't have much information, the king sigh, "I'll tell you what I know if you tell me where you got it from."

Seeing how the king didn't seem to realise that it is related to the prince, Caleb replied, "It was found among Max's belongings."

'what? Max knows the expert?'

knowing that it wouldn't make much difference if Caleb knew, the king answered, "During an assassination attempt on Max when he first entered the academy. It was stopped by someone. We didn't get to find out who, all we found is two throwing knives exactly like the one you're holding among a pile of dust and soil which used to be the assassins. That's all I know. We weren't able to find out anything on the knives."

Getting the answer he wanted, Caleb finally left.

Finally alone in his room, the king laughed. "Aahahahhahah, he must be protecting Max. Why didn't we realise that earlier. With him, Max should be safe."

Relieved, the king suddenly though, 'Why is he protecting Max though? Who is he and where did he come from?'

In the crown prince's office, Caleb could be seen sitting with his elbows on the table and hands in a fist in front of his face thinking.

'Max seem to be protected by an expert. Is it because of them? No if it was he would already be barging into the palace saving the king while killing me and the others.' Caleb thought that from what it had been described of the failed assassination months ago, the helper is someone so strong that they might not be able to win against as well.

They don't have to the ability to turn humans into dust and soil in a blink.

Caleb drowned in his own thoughts, 'As soon as I fine the key, the king can be killed off. Then I will finally be able to take over the throne officially.'