Chapter 25 The Demon Hides in Plain Sight

"I've never seen a baby who could do all of those…" The first maid glanced around to make sure no one was listening. Seeing the hallway empty, she leaned closer. "…Could he be possessed by a demon?"

The second maid gasped and quickly stepped back. "Mind your words. Are you tired of living? If someone hears you say that—especially the Empress, you'll disappear before nightfall," she whispered the last part.

"But think about it," the first maid whispered. "He reads like a scholar. Talks like a noble. His eyes… they're too knowing for a child."

"Or maybe he's just blessed," the second maid snapped. "The nobles sometimes produce gifted children. We're in a palace, not a haunted temple."

Kaelith, still surrounded by books, let out a quiet sigh. Of course, he heard every word. His senses had always been sharper than normal. Their suspicion didn't offend him. It was fair, considering how strange he must seem to them. But it also reminded him of just how exposed he was here. No matter how quiet he stayed, his very existence was starting to attract whispers.

He picked up another book and flipped through the pages slowly, eyes narrowing. 'This is pointless. I'm trying to rebuild a fortress using sticks. These books are nothing but fluff.'

"What's the point of being reborn if I'm shackled like this?" He muttered under his breath.

He closed the book gently and stood. His little legs wobbled for a second before finding their strength. He looked around the shelves, annoyed. His mana stream remained sealed, his body still too weak, and time was slipping away. If he didn't act soon, someone else would make the next move.

Behind him, the maids panicked as he began dragging a heavy stool toward the top shelf.

"What are you doing, young master?" one of them rushed forward.

"I'm not finished," he said without looking back.

"But…"

"I said I'm not finished."

His voice was soft but cold, too mature for a child. The maid froze mid-step. There was something about his tone that sent a chill through her bones.

Kaelith climbed up, retrieved a dusty black book with silver edges, and jumped back down without waiting for help. He dusted it off, then opened it. His eyes scanned the opening rune drawn in blood-red ink.

Finally, something worthy.

...…

Meanwhile, across the empire in the capital's Mage Tower, chaos brewed beneath the surface.

A group of mages sat around a wide round table. Both the Emperor and the Empress sat at the high table.

"So we've been tricked. Again."

A mage slammed the false report on the stone. His long white hair cascaded down his back. His brows were white and his face wrinkled. He was known as the High Mage Orion, the oldest mage alive.

The other mages in the room exchanged uneasy glances.

"They say the cursed child was spotted near Northhelm. But the trail ends in the Land of Skulls. That place eats men alive. If we enter that land without reason, it could start a war with Northhelm."

A younger mage with trembling hands muttered, "But what if the boy really is there? We've already lost too many leads."

High Mage Orion's eyes narrowed. "I'd rather lose a dozen more than walk into that death trap unprepared."

At the back of the room, another old man in silver robes leaned on his staff. "There's something deeper at play. I've seen too many misdirections in this case. Someone wants us to move recklessly."

Empress Agnes sat silently in her high seat, her long robes cascading around her. She tapped a finger against her armrest. "We must not act recklessly. A power is at play here. If we go now without the invitation of the Northhelm, we risk offending them, and not to talk about the danger that lies in the Land of Skulls. We should take our time to plan. This will only leave us wounded, breaking trust with our allies and sacrificing our men's lives."

'If you all go now, you would all die because it is clear as glass this is a scheme. Because the real demon child is in this palace, bearing the Emperor's last name. But if I let them go… that will take their mind off my son.'

High Mage Orion frowned. "Shall we send scouts instead of the main force?"

Emperor Dimitri's brows furrowed. His hand clenched around the armrest. He wanted them to go now, and kill that child. He did not want to wait any seconds longer. He needed to make a name for himself; only then can he finally live away from his father's shadow.

The Empress shook her head. "No. That's what they want. They're testing how far we'll go. What we need is the right information, not corpses."

"So what do you suggest we do?" Dimitri asked with clenched teeth. Irritation dripped from his voice.

"We wait." Agnes straightened her back.

...…

Back in the hidden stronghold of the Al'Morthals, Phoebe stood at the edge of a tall balcony made of rocks, overlooking a courtyard of masked figures training below.

Her eyes narrowed.

"Do you think the Emperors will fall for the trap?" she asked calmly.

Rock appeared behind her, arms crossed.

"They already have," he said. "They sent scouts two days ago. They'll walk right into the cursed fog surrounding the Land of Skulls. We've been feeding false clues to every one of them."

Phoebe turned, a dark smile spreading across her face. "Excellent. Then it's time we shift our attention to the real game."

Rock raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"We can't keep hiding Daemien. If we want him to grow into the strongest mage, we need to give him challenges. Make him adapt. Not just teach him spells."

"You want to put him through trials?"

Phoebe's eyes gleamed. "Yes. Nothing fatal, of course. But enough to sharpen his instincts. He has the demon's soul, but he's still a baby. We need to mold that power before it grows wild."

Rock was quiet for a moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. But what about the Raven?"

Phoebe's smile faded. "Her training is progressing faster than expected. The House of Whispers said she has remarkable adaptability. Her mind… it's too calm for a child her age."

"Do you think she would make it out before the intended years?"

"I'm not sure, Rock. But I'm not taking chances. If she comes out earlier than expected, we can't let her meet Daemien. We both know how dangerous that bond can become."