Chapter 22.5:

Meanwhile in Morthryga’s royal palace, Willox

The sixth-floor corridors of the royal palace were empty and silent, soft light from the chandeliers casting gentle glows across the marble floors. Axel walked with measured steps, his usual relaxed demeanor replaced by wariness. He knew this meeting could prove tricky.

Fighting an archdemon wasn’t something he had expected - and for it to be for after the calcite? That couldn’t be a coincidence, especially considering Luca had encountered a different archdemon as well.

At first, he thought they were coming for him. It wasn’t unusual for hellspawns to seek revenge against him for their fallen, but this time he was wrong. They were after the calcite. But how had they found out about it? Who leaked the information? Only a handful of people knew what had been stolen from the treasury.

He also had to obliterate Vedem completely because of the archdemon’s servant – the rotund demon. He’s managed to slay the archdemon’s entire force, but Adar and that demon’s magic, combined with that turret of theirs, proved too tricky. Instead of taking risks, Axel unleashed his most powerful attack and leveled the village.

Lying to Alaric filled his heart with fear. Every instinct screamed at him to rethink this strategy, to come clean. But he knew there was no other way. Alaric Belton was a hero by title alone - nothing more. If a simple thief could look him straight in the eye and stand his ground and fight, what excuse did Axel have?

At the end of the corridor, Alaric stood by a large window, looking out over the city. His presence was imposing, not just because of his absurd height, but because of the calm, almost serene nature of his minimal movements.

Axel’s heart pounded as he approached, mentally preparing for the conversation ahead.

“I thought you were in your palace chambers.” Axel said, trying to sound casual. “But the guys downstairs told me you were here.”

Alaric turned his head toward Axel, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he returned his gaze to the window, ignoring the Dragon’s words completely.

Axel tried a different approach. “Have you seen Leon lately? I haven’t been – “

“Axel.” Alaric cut him off, his tone cool and detached. “You bring news, I suppose?”

Axel took a deep breath, choosing to address the most pressing issue first. “I encountered an archdemon.” He said carefully. “And he was after the stone as well. I had to resort to...extreme measures to defeat him.”

Alaric’s gaze remained fixed on the city, his expression unfazed. “The stone, Axel. What about the stone?”

Axel hesitated, feeling the weight of Alaric’s words. “I’m still searching.” He lied, keeping his voice steady. “That’s how I ended up fighting this archdemon. He was on the trail as well, and – “

Alaric raised his hand, cutting Axel off. Axel knew better than to continue.

The leader’s expression remained unchanged, but the atmosphere shifted, and an unsettling chill sent a shiver down Axel’s spine.

“Axel, do you love our kingdom?” Alaric asked suddenly, his tone casual.

Axel nodded cautiously. “Yes. Of course.”

“And what about the capital? Are you from here? I always forget where you’re from.” Alaric continued, his eyes narrowing slightly as he kept his gaze on the city.

“No. I’m not.” Axel replied. “I’m from the western area. Viloros.”

Alaric nodded, clearly feigning to recall it just now. “Ah, that’s right. Illen.”

The mention of his ancestors’ kingdom sent another shiver down his spine. Alaric had never brought it up before.

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“Anyway,” Alaric continued, his tone calm. “How do you feel about the people of our kingdom, Axel?”

Axel straightened slightly, trying to project confidence. “I want to keep them safe. That’s why we’re the heroes of the kingdom, right?”

Alaric nodded, his gaze cold and distant. “Right.”

There was a brief, tense silence, and Axel felt the need to fill it. “Is there a reason for all these – “

Alaric interrupted him again, his voice calm and measured as he continued staring out the window. “Sometimes, even the smallest of actions can lead to great consequences.” He pointed toward the eastern gates visible from the window. “Let’s say someone attacked the eastern gates. What do you think would happen?”

Axel followed Alaric’s gaze. “Who in the world would be crazy enough to do that?”

Alaric shrugged. “Let’s say Yungdan tries his luck.”

“You mean Yongdan?” Axel corrected him.

Alaric shrugged again, his expression indifferent. “Does it matter what his name is?”

Axel nodded, even though the idea of Kase suddenly declaring war on Morthryga seemed non-existent. “I assume you mean if none of us is around when that happens?”

“You assume correctly.”

“Then it could be disastrous.” Axel said.

“Correct.” Alaric replied, his fingers curling slightly, making a crushing motion, as if squeezing the very gates between them. “If the eastern gates fell,” he began. “The invaders would pour in. And if they aren’t stopped within, say – ten minutes - they’d breach the gates and reach Saint Dalton’s Health Sanctuary.” He pointed to the large building near the gates. “Did you know it houses around four hundred people daily? Each undergoing their own personal treatments.”

His fingers mimicked the act of crushing again. “It, and everyone inside, would be doomed.”

Axel felt a chill as Alaric continued, pointing out various parts of this area of the city. “The eastern market square, bustling with life. The local school and kindergarten filled with children.” His voice was eerily casual, his fingers mimicking the crushing of each place. “All doomed.”

With each point of interest Alaric destroyed with his gestures, Axel’s unease grew. The way he spoke so casually about destruction and loss of life was deeply unsettling. Alaric’s gestures, though simple, carried the weight of his true capabilities – his terrifying power.

“Ten minutes would be enough to cover just about two kilometers from the gate.” Alaric continued, his tone almost thoughtful. “Only ten minutes, and two meager kilometers, and yet so many innocent men, women, and children would die. All because the eastern gates fell. Just one gate out of the twelve this city has, and the consequences would be devastating.”

Axel understood where Alaric was going with this. The message was clear - his failure to retrieve the calcite could lead to similar devastation. But by whom? Were the invaders in Alaric’s hypothetical scenario really from Kase? It seemed more likely that Alaric was referring to himself. The calm, almost bored tone in his voice made it clear how little he valued human life.

“I understand.” Axel nodded, his voice steady despite the dread building inside him.

“Good.” Alaric answered coldly. “Then get the stone already.”

“You make it sound like if the stone isn’t returned, calamity awaits,” Axel said, mustering the courage to speak, hoping that Alaric might reveal something, “but you’re yet to tell me what’s so special about it.”

“It is not your concern.” Alaric replied, his voice devoid of emotion. “Your task is to retrieve it. Nothing more.”

Axel’s heart pounded, his mind racing. Alaric’s calmness was unnerving. “Regardless, we need to be prepared for more encounters with archdemons. Perhaps a new war is upon us. The demonic breaches are one thing, but the appearance of archdemons is a whole different level of threat. This is bigger than just one thief and one stone.”

Alaric dismissed the concern with a wave of his hand. “Archdemons, demons, regular hellspawn – those are just distractions. The calcite is your priority.”

Axel clenched his fists. Alaric’s utter lack of reaction to the appearance of an archdemon - the first in so many years - was maddening. “I had to blow up an entire village to defeat that archdemon.”

“The village is irrelevant.” Alaric said, his tone icy. “I’ll say it again, your priority is the stone. Nothing else matters.”

“It was empty.” Axel said, testing for any sign of a change in Alaric’s expression. “The village. In case you were worried that there were casualties.”

It was subtle, but Axel could’ve sworn he saw Alaric smirk. “I was. Thanks. You know me too well.” After a brief pause, Alaric waved his hand dismissively. “You’re dismissed.”

The conversation was over, and Axel suddenly realized that Alaric never made eye contact with him throughout its entirety.

As he turned to leave, Alaric’s voice stopped him in his tracks. “You know, Axel, the only reason I sent you to find the stone instead of doing it myself is because I wanted to give you a chance to save those two’s lives. But even my patience has its limits. If you don’t return it soon, I’ll have to retrieve it myself. You understand what I’m implying, don’t you?”

A cold sweat broke out on Axel’s brow. “I understand completely.”

He left, his mind racing, while Alaric remained, still surveying the city of Willox under the early morning’s rising sun.

“Do you really trust him to bring the stone back?” a familiar voice asked from the shadows.

Leon emerged from the corner, approaching Alaric.

“I don’t. And I know he won’t...I’ve already seen it.” Alaric replied calmly. “But that’s fine. Everything is coming along accordingly.”

Meanwhile, Axel descended the stairs quickly, his heart pounding. He knew he needed to head to Lind immediately, but a thought gnawed at him - if Alaric truly suspected something, he might send someone to follow him. Waiting a bit would make his journey seem more casual.

As his thoughts spun, a female voice called out to him.

“Sir Bane, could we please speak in private?" the princess’s voice was nervous.