129. Royal Shadows

After Nytri left with her guards, the king remained in the room with Benjamin. Benjamin is sitting before the king and the king resting his head on his hand staring at Benjamin.

NOTICE: PERSPECTIVE SWITCH TO BENJAMIN

Benjamin sits straight looking at his father, his father leans back on his seat and sighs. "Benjamin." His father speaks and Benjamin responds, "Yes father?"

"Benjamin," The king speaks, "Do you know why I suggested an alliance with a kingdom we have not heard before?"

Benjamin shakes his head, "No father."

The king rubs his beard, "What do you think of Azuria and its princess?"

"I think Azuria is made up," The king listens to Benjamin and he continues speaking, "There have never been news of such a kingdom existing. If it had a god as Princess Nytri said then it would have been mentioned by our gods when we started exploring those regions. Clearly the gods have no issues moving in and around the unexplored regions, that is why I find it hard to believe such a nation exists."

The king nods at Benjamin's words and he continues speaking, "As for the princess, I admit she is indeed beautiful. Maybe the most beautiful lady I've ever seen." He grins then he stops, "But there's something about her that caught my attention."

"And what was that?" The king asks.

"Below her neck is a scar." Benjamin points at his part, "It's barely noticeable but it's there. Rarely do royalty have scars on their bodies unless they get injured from training or battle." He looks down, "But a scar right below her throat…..it's almost like someone tried to kill her." He looks at his father, "If a nation like Azuria did indeed exist, I doubt they'd deliberately harm their princess."

"So, she was attacked by outsiders," The king speaks and Benjamin nods. The king keeps speaking, "For a princess to be attacked must mean the nation has an enemy, yet no knowledge of Azuria is known. Not even war or skirmishes. And from her words, Azuria should have more than enough military power to repel monsters and prevent the princess from getting hurt. This means the nation never existed."

The king smiles at Benjamin, "You came to these conclusions from a scar on her? Impressive. So, can you figure out why I still asked for an alliance?"

Benjamin rubs his chin and thinks hard, "Could it be because of the princess' beauty?" Benjamin speaks.

The king shakes his head, "No but that is a part of the reason. The reason is power. Even if Azuria is a fake nation, the princess' guards aren't a joke. Not even the historian."

Benjamin tilts his head, "Is it because they are like the rumors of the dungeon dwellers?"

The king leans forward all serious, "The one known as Kael….not once did he even gaze at us. It was almost like he regarded us as insects. I used appraisal on them but it did not work, it's almost as if there was nothing to appraise."

Benjamin is taken aback and rises to his feet. "That must mean their levels are too high to be seen!"

The king nods, "Yes, so even if Azuria is fake, we can assume that the people belonging to that group aren't weak." The king brings a paper and hands it to Benjamin, "I want you to investigate them. This letter is to the Shadows, they will help you in your investigation of princess Nytri and her guards."

"Yes father." Benjamin takes the paper.

"Good luck son." The king speaks and leaves the room.

Benjamin sends mana/EP into the paper and it glows, smoke comes from the paper and it burns to ash. In a few seconds a shadow appears in the room bowing before him. Benjamin speaks to the shadow, "My father has given me a mission and you are to aid me." The shadow flickers and Benjamin keeps speaking, "Follow princess Nytri and report to me any information you find."

"Yes, your highness." The shadow speaks and vanishes from the room

NOTICE: PERSPECTIVE SWITCH TO ROYAL SHADOW

The shadow royal runs along the roofs observing Nytri and her party, they enter the adventurer's guild and submit the parts of the quest. They shadow royal remains outside observing them, he follows them as they head outside the city.

The shadow royal hides behind a building then a second shadow joins him, "Good, you've arrived."

The second shadow royal (Shadow 02) bows, the shadow royal (Shadow 01) looks at Shadow 02 speaking, "Let me brief you on the situation. Princess Nytri and her guards came to the guild after leaving the royal castle. It appears they received a direct request from a noble, princess Nytri wasn't pleased to hear the name of the noble." He turns to look back at Nytri still speaking, "It appea-" His face goes pale immediately and he hides back.

Shadow 02 is surprised, "What's the matter?"

Shadow 01's thoughts, "No way!....it's impossible! How did she know?!" when he turned to observe Nytri, he actually made eye contact with her. "She was looking directly at me." He turns to Shadow 02, "Be cautious, it appears our targets this time aren't so simple." He goes back to look at Nytri and he sees her waving at him all the way from outside the gate.

"Tch," Shadow 01 speaks, "Let's move from here. Make sure to not be seen no matter what." Shadow 02 nods and follows Shadow 01. They run towards the alley to observe Nytri from another direction in hopes of not being seen.

NOTICE: PERSPECTIVE SWITCH TO NYTRI

Nytri's thoughts, "If you're going to hide at least don't mention my name." Nytri looks ahead as she's being carried by Kael on his shoulders.

Eryndor rubs his chin in confusion, "Nytri, I'm curious. Why did you react that way to the direct request Liara gave us?"

Nytri sighs, "It's from that bastard father of mine." Everyone freezes, Nytri keeps speaking, "It appears he doesn't know I'm still alive."

[AU:INFO

- Shadow Royals will be spying on Nytri on times they can.

- Shadow Royals are the best spies and assassins of Mirthendom.

END]