Chapter 132: A Master of Disguise (1/2)
The ritual would happen in a 'sacred place' far from the city, and Nikolai had to visit it beforehand. So, he left the mansion and looked around for a carriage that belonged to the royal family. Nikolai found a few waiting beside the stables.
”Hey, I want a carriage to take me somewhere outside the city,” Nikolai found a group of people working inside, either repairing their carriages or cleaning them.
”These are carriages belong to the Rosian Royal Family, not your bestial race,” one of the drivers sneered as he looked at Nikolai. ”Even if you try to hide your head, I can tell you're a beastman with a glance.”
”Calm down, detective of the century,” Nikolai took out the badge and showed it to them. ”I am a human, and I carry the badge of the royal family.”
”I... have never seen you here,” the man stared at the badge with wide eyes. ”We'll need to ask her highness for permission before we allow you to take one of the carriages.”
”Is that a part of the procedure?” Nikolai squinted his eyes. ”Then, I guess this badge is useless.”
”That is...” the driver grew more hesitant about the matter until some old driver stepped forward. It was a hunched man with a beard and an ugly crooked nose.
”I will take him,” the old driver said before he started walking to his carriage. ”He has the badge, after all. Do you want to be punished by her highness? Let's go, good sir.”
Nikolai squinted his eyes at the man before following after him. The rest of the drivers didn't say anything, but everyone knew that the princess was too kind to punish them severely. However, if Master Edward learned of their disrespect, he might even skin them alive.
The carriage was quite luxurious, and it had a small sliding window that opened to the driver's seat. As the carriage took the streets, Nikolai opened it and leaned back on the chair.
”You found yourself quite the disguise, Master Edward. Are you also interested in the Vyxas Ritual?” Nikolai said as he looked at the driver with a smile.
The hunched man didn't reply but simply turned to look at Nikolai. His closed eyes parted to reveal the eerie blueness of Master Edward's eyes. His mouth revealed a creepy smile.
”You are sharper than I would have liked, boy,” Master Edward's voice came from the man, grumbling. As he said that, the man disappeared into red smoke that got into the carriage and manifested into Master Edward. ”Don't worry,” he said as he cleaned his glasses. ”I'm controlling the horses using my mana.”
”You have quite the elements, Master Edward,” Nikolai glanced at the horses and saw red marks on them that kept them in line. ”Why would a man, as busy as you, work as a driver?”
”I have many occupations and a lot of identities,” Master Edward wore his glasses and adjusted them. ”I never thought that a tiny shrimp would see through one of them.”
”Her Highness told me about your hobbies, and I concluded the rest when you stepped up to help me. Are you also interested in the ritual?”
”No, it's a boring one. I just want to see what you are going to do without being watched, but you ruined that for me.”
”It won't be any different,” Nikolai said with a smile. ”Are you still going to accompany me to the ritual?”
”I'm not that interested anymore,” Master Edward yawned, and Nikolai almost showed his relief. ”However, I'll do it as a punishment for ruining my fun.”
Nikolai stared silently at the bored strategist before he let out a genuinely tired sigh. The strategist seemed pleased with his attitude and began whistling his happy tunes.
”Answer a question of mine, Master Edward. If I stayed quiet when the princess asked me, would you have threatened me to stay?”
”That's such a rude thing to say. What would others think if they hear you?” Master Edward raised his hands in an innocent act. ”I never threatened you. However, if you are mean convincing you to serve my disciple, then the answer is no.”
”No?”
”I knew you were interesting the moment I saw you on the roadside because I could feel the residue of chaotic mana around you. You were fighting something powerful, and I suspect that it's the sea serpent that was slain a few days ago.”
”As a strategist, you should know that strength is common, not a rarity.”
”You look seventeen,” the king's brother judged correctly once again. ”If you were indeed that powerful, then you'd make a fine personal knight for my disciple. But then I got to see that you were more than stats,” Edward smiled. ”You are what my disciple lacks.”