King Gryndor P.O.V.

The last few months had me considering investing a decent amount of my own wealth into Luna. The royal healer had told me that my headaches were psychosomatic or something like that, essentially I was doing this to myself, so there was nothing to heal but like her recent discovery with poisons she might be able to find something with enough funds.

A single glance at my desk was enough to double the strength of the pulsing in my head. Dozens of letters stood there, all of them from some of the highest Dukes and Viscounts in the kingdom, all of them clamoring about favoritism and their own share.

Much like all things as of late they all tied back to Ajax. The kid’s first reward of getting access to the dungeons in the Empire wasn’t something anyone looked at too closely, it was the first time it had happened and technically it was all handled by the Goldmancers on the logistical level, a few people were upset a Baron had gotten two slots in the less important dungeon but it wasn’t that hard to swallow considering the circumstances.

The delves into the Republic were something nobody could complain about. Not only were there plenty of spots, so many that all of the most talented people in the kingdom had gotten a chance to go, every important noble had managed to secure a spot if they had a very promising fighter. It was what came after that kicked off this shitshow. Even worse, I was still traveling back when it started so I couldn’t snuff it out before it grew too large.

If there was a saving grace it was that the people Ajax had chosen to take with him from our kingdom were connected to the three Archdukes and that the young Manashaper’s relationship with Ajax was well known in the capital’s social circles.

On a more bittersweet note my son and the rest of the convoy had been repeatedly attacked during their trip through Deepwood. While they hadn’t always escaped unscathed nobody had died yet and with every attack that managed to break through the escort they were followed by, it meant a larger and larger payday for me from Deepwood.

WIth what they had endured so far I would receive more than enough of a variety of resources that my initial plan of having Ajax be a simple Duke with a large manor in the capital was changed. On his return Ajax would become a landed Duke, more than that I would see to it that his lands would include the city of Lessis, the dungeon and its surrounding mountain range.

This would give them enough space to grow and expand. More than that with access to a dungeon so close to home and away from most prying eyes it would be a while before anyone would suspect Ajax’s ability to predict floor themes. The one worry I did have was that having them so close to a dungeon could lead to an orchestrated dungeon break in the near future could wipe them before they had a chance to properly settle.

“Your Majesty!” the door to my study was flung open and both of the guards stationed outside it were securing my head of intelligence.

“What is it?” A cold chill went down my spine as I knew the man was one who respected social obligations. For him not to knock and wait it meant something dire must have happened.

“It’s your son, Your Majesty.” The man struggled to wave his restrained arm which grasped a communication device that was pulsing with mana. “Someone else is using his communication device.”

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My blood ran cold. It took every ounce of my social skills to get both my fear and anger under control. The device wasn’t sophisticated enough for us to tell who was using it, in fact I couldn’t even tell if it was my son or not but my head spy had a high enough Perception and skills that he could tell minute differences and the person on the other end was not my son.

This was not a situation in which I could show weakness, perhaps the elves were considering the remunerations they would need to pay too much and they wanted to negotiate them with my son capture but I would not let that stand.

“Who are you? And my son better be alive!” My voice wasn’t as controlled as I hoped, thankfully it was the anger and not the fear that showed.

The whole room went silent as we all waited for an answer. With every second that passed my anger died as fear took over, fear and a good amount of guilt for sending my son out there. “I’m Baron Ajax Hearthbound, Your Majesty. The prince should be alive and well.”

The words killed my anger and put most of my fears to rest but I had to know more. “Ajax, why do you have my son’s communication tool? Was he captured?”

Over the next five minutes Ajax explained what my son had discussed with Arianwyn and Elara inside the dungeon, during that time my other son and heir had also joined us and we couldn’t help but trade guilty looks as Ajax explained the reasoning behind him getting in touch with us so quickly.

“I hate to say it but he was right.” my heir said with a sigh. “A chance to look less warmongering by giving others a chance to catch up with Ajax early, I’d have jumped at it.”

A single glance was enough for all of us to agree we would have mishandled the situation without this early warning. That being said this wasn’t the time to discuss this, it would be debated over the next few hours at length but there was no reason to have Ajax burn through his mana as he waited for that.

“Other than that, how have you been following the assassination attempt, I heard they got quite close.” The question was one I asked both as a king worried about a very important future asset of the kingdom but also as an old man who looked at Ajax as somewhat of a nephew. Our families might not yet be tied together by marriage but considering how small his family was and how close he worked with us over the last few years I had developed a fondness for the boy.

The answer that came was entirely unexpected and plunged the room into silence as all of us sat with baited breath as Ajax detailed the latest attempt on his life that happened no more than minutes ago.

This was simply too much. The discussion about Sylvanthal’s offer would have to wait for a few hours. As soon as my talk with Ajax was over I would be sending Deepwood’s new queen a very pointed message containing a barely veiled threat about the safety of my people in her kingdom.

Ajax hadn’t even finished speaking and I was already drafting the message in my head.“Try and bring back the arrow.” The words of my head spy brought me back to the present. “That along with your newest discoveries into poisons will let us take a big leap forward when it comes to the field.”

“I’ll do my best.” Ajax responded, but from the tone he said it with I knew exactly what it meant, he’d pass the negotiation off to Annabeth Goldmancer. Good, those particular bastards deserved everything she would dish out and more.

With that Ajax cut off the connection and the room was silent once more. “At least you won’t have to worry about his safety for a while once he returns if he brings back that arrow.” My head spy chuckled. “And knowing young Ms. Goldmancer I am confident we will have it.”

My head spy was right about Ajax’s safety. Dark as his humor might be about half of the assassins that worked under him were all psychopaths. Seeing as they had no emotions we trained them from an early age with a deep sense of loyalty and a code. Ajax pushing the field of poisons this far would have them all bound to repay the favor. In fact I might need to make sure none of the other nobles try anything out of jealousy once he returns since my own assassins might just react once the catch wind of it.

“I thought we couldn’t get headaches once our stats got this high.” my heir said as he massaged the bridge of his nose.

“Perhaps we should have someone check the breakfast we had.” I nodded in agreement. “That or it might be genetic.”

“Should we discuss the Sylventhal offer?” my son asked as he retook his seat.

“Gather our strategists.” I shook my head. “We need to take into consideration how all the other friendly nations would react to such an agreement.”

“You’re leaving this up to me?” My son was slightly surprised as I stood up and went to exit the room. “I won’t disappoint you, father!”

“I trust you and it should be you who makes this decision, you’re the one who’ll have handle the fallout.” I nodded towards him. “I’ll join you shortly in an advisory position but first I have a message to send to Deepwood.”