Rodderick together with the prince were forcefully dragged to the Earl’s office and were currently kneeling on the floor in front of Edeus. Ember and Barth who were also collaborating with them were not spared either.

Edeus was pacing back and forward while giving them all a piece of his mind.

“I hope you are happy Adrian, just as you wished, Dorhem is going to war. How many people will die so you get your revenge, I wonder?”, Edeus anger was easily transmitted through his voice.

“Please, sir Edeus, calm down. We should redirect our efforts into dealing with the incoming battle”, The Earl stated from behind his desk as he wiped away the sweat in his face with a white handkerchief, he was awkwardly watching at the scene in silence.

However, the growing concern became too heavy and couldn’t stay in quiet any longer.

“Sir Edeus, I’m formally requesting you to join the fight, we need your strength to save as many lives as possible”.

“Forgive me, Earl Ribbon, but that won’t be possible. I’m only here to take prince Adrian back. We will be leaving in the morning.”, Edeus said, his stare remaining with Adrian.

“B-But, sir Edeus, please! We need you!”, Ribbon heart sunk, this was the worst possible scenario, without Edeus Dorhem may truly fall to the enemy. Was this his punishment for losing the princess? Was the crown set on abandoning Dorhem?

“I’m not going back”, Adrian stood up defiantly and looked up at Edeus, arms crossed.

“You can bring me back today, but you won’t keep me in the capital forever, eventually I will come back.”

“Hpmh! Then ill just lock you in your room until you grow some common sense”

“For how long? You can’t keep your eyes on me forever, eventually I will have to fulfill my duties as a royal and go to the front lines.”, both mages kept verbally attacking the other without any intention of backing down.

“Foolish child, they call me the jailer mage for a reason”, Edeus stood tall staff on hand looking down at Adrian with a smug smile on his face. He knew there was nothing the prince could do. Things would be done as he ordered, and that was the end of it.

Adrian then rose his hand to Edeus face and a ball of fire exploded.

“Wha?!”, The act took Edeus by surprise but the explosion was quickly warded off by a magical force field he erected in front of him.

He waved away the resulting smoke with a gust of wind and saw the prince rushing out towards the window, Barth reacted quickly and ran after him.

“Fool!”. Edeus raised his hand towards the escaping prince and the walls merged together closing the window, leaving Adrian without a route for escape. The prince quickly turned towards Edeus and raised his hand again, however, from behind, parts of the walls turned to mud and extended towards him enveloping in embrace.

“Arggh!” The prince tried to shake the mud away, however, it started hardening becoming solid steel. Barth, upon seeing this turned back and aimed his sword at Edeus.

“Let go of the prince, Edeus, you are overstepping your position”, he said, in a threatening tone.

“No Barth, you will stand down, you are a disgrace of a royal guard, putting the prince in danger.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“So be it.”, Stated Barth, without backing down. He raised his sword over his head.

“Stooooop!”, The earl got between them, with a terrified look in his face.

“Gentlemen, this is not the time for this. Why are we fighting among each other? The real threat is out there, ready to devour every person living comfortably in this town”.

Rodderick then rushed towards the Earl and stood with him. “Edeus, please! Help Adrian, not just for him, but for everyone in this town, if you don’t many people will die!”, he pleaded with his teacher, his fragile tone still managed to deliver every word he wanted as he looked up at his teacher with teary eyes.

“No”, Edeus’ answer was dry and cold. There was no space for negotiation.

Ember walked behind Edeus and raised her staff towards him.

“…”, Edeus looked at the witch from the corner of his eyes, without letting Barth out of his sight.

“What now, are you joining them, Ember?”

“Kihihi. I’m sorry Edeus, I have a weak spot for Ricky. Look at him, pleading with tears in his eyes, doesn’t it make you want to jump into action?”, she said cackling with a crazy smile on her face.

Adrian then bent the steel cage that was trapping him and freed himself.

“Everyone…”, he looked at his allies standing up for him.

“It’s okay prince Adrian, we don’t have to win, we only need to give you enough time to escape.” Said Barth with a voice full of confidence now that Ember had joined the fray.

“Enough. You win”, Edeus said, sighing in defeat while lowering his staff.

Rodderick smiled in joy, but it was quickly shut down when he saw Edeus angrily stare down at him. [Ugh…]

Remorse filled his heart, he went and disappointed his teacher. He felt it was for a good cause, but gaining Edeus’ animosity didn’t feel right, like he had spit on the face of the person who took him under his wing.

“Does that mean, you will help us against the demons, sir Edeus?”, the earl asked, relieved that things didn’t escalate.

“No, Ember and Barth will. I will stay in here with the prince to ensure his safety. This is the best deal you will get”.

“Thank goodness”, The Earl sighed in relief. Edeus wasn’t willing to participate in the fight himself, but he was still able to recruit a witch and a royal guard. If things went terribly wrong, Edeus was going to be at his office, perhaps he would jump in too. After all, despite his cold pragmatic attitude, Edeus was still one of the kingdom’s swords, someone who fought for all of humanity.

“Isn’t that good, prince Adrian?”, the Earl turned to the prince and smiled. It was thanks to him that these powerful fighters were here to defend Dorhem, he couldn’t help but feel gratitude towards the young prince despite causing the demonic attack.

“…”, however, the prince responded with a icy cold stare towards him. Ah, of course.

He was being foolish. The prince must hate him, after all, his sister death was his responsibility. The Earl’s joy died in an instant, turning his smile upside down.

“If you don’t mind, we will be using your guest rooms, Earl Ribbon”, Edeus said, still in a bad mood.

“Of course. This way”.

….

It was now night. Rodderick and prince Adrian were sharing a room in the Earl’s house.

Edeus was just outside the door, possibly making sure they wouldn’t attempt to escape at night.

Despite his small diplomatic victory, Rodderick was feeling tremendously depressed. But that wasn’t his only worry. The scouts confirmed the army of 500 demons would arrive at Dorhem tomorrow. Once he woke up, the town would be engulfed in war. He was afraid.

“Thank you Rick.”, while he was being consumed by bad thoughts, Adrian’s word woke him up from his stupor.

“Huh? Oh.. Don’t worry, I’m just doing what I think is right.”

“Still, not anyone would stand up against Edeus, the jailer, not for someone they barely know, at least.”, Adrian said, smiling.

“It’s nothing, really.”, Rodderick said humbly.

The prince was acting natural, It made Rodderick wonder how he could stay so calm under a situation like this.

Was it because Edeus was going to watch over him? That didn’t seem to be the case, after all, the prince had the intention to join the fight personally.

“I can’t sleep at all…”, he complained, looking at the dark ceiling above him.

However, despite his words, Rodderick found himself drooling in deep sleep just moments after that.