Chapter 331 - Promise (2/2)
The emblem of alchemy always held the alchemists' grades written to give tough jobs to people of worth.
”Sure,” reached inside the suit-jacket, ”-here,” shiny and well kept, turned on its backside, *Staxius Haggard: S-Ranked.*
”Oh…”
”You seem disappointed,” laughed Harold, ”-did he not have the adequate grade?”
”Not really,” turned to her peers, ”-it's S-ranked.”
”S….”
”Yes, S ranked, for those who don't understand. To be certified, one must have C and above. Scoring A+ is the best one can get. As for the S ranking, that one is given by the Master Alchemist. He has to review thy papers and have a council with other masters to decide.”
”I know of only five people with the rank. They all work in the Cobalt Unit,” turned Timothy in awe.
”Yes, yes,” aloof, ”-this isn't the time to get excited about my rank. We'll go on a quest tomorrow. Be at the ready,”
”You mean we get to fight?” laughed Tony.
”That's right, return to the castle, rest, eat a good meal; we'll meet tomorrow. As for those who signed up to be a trainee mage; we've reached 13 days so far. If you are to come tomorrow, the journey might last another week to a month, it all depends. Therefore, all who want to return home, inform Serene.”
”Thank you, majesty.” Cheerful, the students headed to the door with a lot of chatter. Giving a standoffish stare, Eira followed suit.
”I must admit,” stood Intherna, ”-alchemy is quite the subject.”
”Yeah, well, it's thanks to said subject that I'm able to bound souls and give life anew.”
”Where are you headed now?”
”To the castle, I have to gather a few weapons and armor for tomorrow's expedition.”
”Where are you headed though, for the supposed quest.”
”No idea, I'll decide once at the guild.”
”Whatever,” she approached, ”-I'm going to shadow you wherever you go.”
”Do what you want,” closing the door, they headed for the castle.
Shy of the entrance, Ruslan walked nervously with the old sage. Bound to listen to the orders of Xula, it soon turned to chaos. Maids ordered by Youst were asked to not stand in her way. Rosetta took extra care of Lizzie; scared of what could happen, the second princess was a priority.
”Majesty, are you sure this to be wise?” asked Ruslan with sweat pouring out the forehead.
”Yes,” she turned with a glare, ”-are you going to oppose my orders?”
”But Majesty,” interjected the old sage, ”-if the mine is ordered to be closed. There's no way we'll be able to run the state. Arda relies heavily on its gemstones – if we don't do something quickly, taxing our still recovering people will become an only viable option.”
”I don't care, people should be able to fend for themselves.”
”What about the protection of our people, will you dismiss the Royal guard?”
”Ruslan, are you my councilor or not, thy job is to find a way to make my decisions work.”
Stopped shy of a balcony, ”-I have an idea,” she turned, ”-why not have the adventurers be posted as the guards around the province. Wasn't the whole point of their coming to ensure our people's safety. What of it now, tis the guards who are still killing monsters out in the further villages.”
”I'm afraid that is out of our control,” said Ruslan.
”Out of your control?” she laughed.
”What is this I hear of stopping the mine,” cold and direct, a voice came down the hallway.
”Blood King,” bowed Ruslan for he was sworn to him.
”This isn't of your concern,” turned Xula with a glare of which her eyes locked with Intherna, a girl as pretty as Venus.
”I beg to differ,” he approached weapon in hand, ”-Ruslan, care to explain what is going on?”
Checking on the queen for answers, she stared away without a care.
”Majesty, its that the queen has decided to stop the mine project and bring all the guards' stations around the country to the capital. A premonition came to her, is the reason, she's scared that war may break soon.”
”Is that the reason?” he asked monotonously.
”Yes,” said the sage filled with shame.
”What about her majesty, how do you think of bringing more funds?”
”Selling our weaponry,” she smirked.
”I see,” he breathed, ”-to whom?”
”Anyone who wishes to buy.”
”MAJESTY,” voiced the sage, ”-if you do that, there will be no way we could defend against monsters let alone a war.”
”Why not, isn't that the job of adventurers?” hurtful on purpose, the queen tried to make the king seem incompetent.
”Ruslan,” uninterested by her provocations, ”-have the mine resume their work. Phantom will purchase the land for 200,000 gold. I'll make sure that the workers are paid fairly. If the queen wants to sell, then I shall buy it. Have an invoice on how much weapons she wishes to sell; I'll purchase to hand out as compensation for the protection of our people. As per the contract, Queen Shanna signed to the leader of the nightwalkers, we agreed to join the council under the agreement that we'll have full control on what we wish to do. Thus, I'll take control of the weapons manufacturing and the lands under Arda's control. Have the minister readied for an audience, I'll be there in two hours,” menacingly, ”-if Queen Shanna has more demands, do take it to Serene. Making sure that the people don't suffer on a childish tantrum is my responsibility as the monarch of Arda.”