116 Arnoles Demands (1/2)
In the carriage, Prince Leo showed an evil smile. ”That was too easy! People will believe anything, they're so gullible!”
”A few paid voices is all it takes to incite a mob,” added Arnole, keeping a now emotionless face. ”You'll stay in the carriage for now. Don't come out no matter what, understood?”
”But master--”
”Understood!”
”Yes, master,” sighed the crown prince, afraid to anger Arnole.
”Soon we'll be at the association building. This will be the trickier part. If you join the discussion, there's no telling what trouble you'll cause after some simple taunting,” said Arnole. ”I'll handle it all from here. You've just got to maintain your image, got it?”
”I will, master. I won't let you down,” answered Prince Leo.
The carriage stopped, putting a smile on Arnole's face. ”Now, it's time…”
The sorcerer stepped out and approached the association building's entrance. Finding it locked, he knocked gently first and then loudly after there was no reply.
”This is Arnole, the chief officer of the Royal Court! I've come in search of an audience with King Leodoro!”
A series of locks was unbolted and the front door opened, revealing a large, muscular man with a bald head and a black beard. ”What do you want, Arnole?”
”Branch Chief Zariff, I'm seeking an audience with King Leodoro and yourself. May I come in?”
Zariff eyed the carriage and the guards around it. ”You can come alone. Follow me.”
Arnole was allowed entry before the door was shut and locked again. The two high-leveled men took the stairs to the conference room. No one was in there at the moment and all signs of their plans were no longer in the room. ”Wait here, I'll be back with Leo.”
After a few minutes passed, Zariff walked back into the room. Behind him was King Leodoro and one other person, Jack.
”I don't believe Jack's presence is needed. He can be dismissed,” stated Arnole.
”If you want to talk to me, then you'll have to permit him joining the conversation,” replied King Leodoro, making his stance clear.
”So be it,” Arnole chuckled as the others took their seats. ”How're you liking your stay, your majesty?”
”Cut the crap Arnole, we already know about the announcements you've made,” stated the king. ”Why are you here? We don't want to waste your valuable time.”
”I came to escort the king back to his castle, do I need any other reason?”
”I've no duties at the moment waiting for me at the castle, therefore I'll stay here a while longer,” replied the king.
”Actually, you're needed urgently. After everything that's happened, you're needed to help prepare your son, the crown prince, for the thrown. Also, I'm sure the people want to hear your reasoning for abandoning them during their hour of need yesterday.”
”The Magic Corps was just as capable to act quickly, but you didn't do so. I don't see why the Adventurers Association has to bear the full blame,” interjected Jack. ”In my eyes, you're just a hypocrite with a higher level that thinks he can walk all over anyone with a lower level than you. Am I wrong?”
Arnole's smile widened until he began to laugh. Soon his laughter was uncontrollable and sporadic. It took a minute for him to calm down and reply. ”Fine, since you want to talk that way.”
The sorcerer raised his arm and cast silence over the room, keeping out nosey ears and erasing any means of recording their conversation.
”I'm guessing he's informed you of how he's lost control of his precious Royal Court. Having said that, you probably know that we also helped those goblins and trolls. That doesn't matter and is too hard to convince the public, especially after what happened yesterday,” explained Arnole. ”I want the Reinolt branch of the Adventurers Association to dissolve and I need the king to return to the castle to soon pass on the crown to his son. Is that clear enough for you to understand?”
”Hmph!” Zariff grunted, showing an ugly face.
”Loud and clear,” said Jack. ”In other words, you want us to succumb to your demands without any resistance and hand the city over to your puppet dictator?”