Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

Chapter 258 Betrayal in the Union?

King Aleksander Verall von Arcadios sat on his throne. Though the presence he exuded was one of power and strength, upon closer inspection, one would see worry lines creasing his brow. They would see the small beads of sweat forming. They would witness the pallid nature of his skin.

From a far enough distance, King Aleksander looked as regal as ever. As such, the messengers delivering him notices from Lucius's escapades in Aedrider were unphased by the impact their words had on the King.

Silence hung in the air while Aleksander processed the information. He had just learned that Lucius's group was attacked, and one of their number was kidnapped. Specifically, it was the Gray Wolf who seemed to be rather close with the young man.

Aleksander was already not enthused by the idea of sending Lucius on a mission to Aedrider. With his destructive tendencies, he was worried about how his behavior might reflect on Arcadios. Even though he was a citizen of Eroa, it was Arcadios who sent him on his way.

To make matters worse, the young man went on a small rampage and almost destroyed an entire inn out of frustration. A future where someone of his rank were to advance shook Aleksander to his core.

At only Intermediate Rank, Lucius could contend with Advance Rankers and some Master Rankers. On top of that, he had an attack that was capable of severely injuring a King Ranker. Though much of the information about that skill, save for its overwhelming power and its name, [Overcharge], was unknown.

It likely had many limitations for him, but it would not be long before those limitations were pointless.

Aleksander waved his hand to dismiss the messenger. The moment they had left the room, he stood and exited the throne room from a side door behind and to the right of the throne itself. This was his private entrance into the room that was saved for his use and the use of his wife.

The only person that was allowed entry besides them was his steward and that was only when accompanied by the King or his Queen.

"What are your thoughts on the matter, your highness?" His steward asked.

"I think we predicted something like this to occur. However, there is nothing we can do for the moment but sit and watch. How are things going with our... guests?"

"Wisteria Concord. Can they be trusted? Surely you've heard about the historical revelation that Lucius Kane dropped at the academy before leaving? The history behind House Kane. It is said that they gave up rights to the lands that eventually became the Wisteria Concord. if they did not do that, the country as it is today would not exist.

Did they know?" Aleksander questioned.

The more he thought about it, the more he was concerned for the truth. Did the Wisteria Concord still hold loyalty to their founding house? Surely not... surely, they would not... but they could, and they would. Wisteria Concord is well known for its information gathering, after all. Who was to say that they haven't known this entire time and were waiting for the return of House Kane.

Or maybe in learning House Kane still existed, they shifted their loyalty?

"Investigate them. I don't care about the cost. I want our best. I want mercenaries. I want information brokers. I want to know everything about the Wisteria Concord.

We need to know where their loyalty lies." Aleksander ordered.

"As you wish."

"That's it." Aleksander muttered as the steward bowed and ran off to complete his orders. "Prophecy or no, Lucius is done if he took the Wisteria Concord from the Union. If they betrayed us for him, then anything we do is retribution and not betrayal."

The echoing clicks of his footsteps through the hallways began to unsettle him. Aleksander felt as if there were eyes on him. He turned around carefully, but no one was behind him. Aleksander hurried to race through the hallway. As he turned to face the original direction he was headed, he saw a glimpse of long, flowing black hair and the tips of long, elf ears.

"Guards! Guards! Intruder, intruder!" Aleksander shouted while drawing his sword and backing away from where the elf disappeared. Guards ran to his position, but no sign of the elf appeared again. "The castle, turn every stone. Find that elf with long black hair.

Find them, now!"