Chapter 721: True Demonlord [52] (1/2)
'Weird, I thought I sensed a familiar aura.'
”Master,” whispered Mammon, ”-a large magical circle has been activated, we're the target.”
”Also, the thing about the familia, Vermillion, Saku, and Yonak have allied under the same banner. Look yonder,” Asmo pointed with a flick of the brow.
”Greetings, Igna Haggard,” said a lady bearing the well-trained physique of a warrior and the face of an angel. Latter being an accurate description of which was, fair unblemished skin, light blond hair, blue eyes, and vailed by a white and blue outfit, ”-you might not know who I am,” she inched closer, ”-but I know who you are.”
”Might I have the honor of knowing thy name?”
”Haruna Conla, a beautiful maiden hailing from the noble family of Conla, close acquaintance to the imperial family of Iqeavea, and the niece to Amsey, my uncle is a very nice person, I've never thought ill nor ever thought this pitiful continent to play him such trouble. Since we're both in the same boat, I'll give a word of advice; the three families aren't ruled by the godfather, no, rather, I hold the reins, for now, there's no telling what could happen.”
”The Magical circle,” he interjected, ”-you're doing?”
”No, I'm a harbinger of the shadows. Let's continue the conversation later,” she smiled and left.
'Mannerism, composure, a strong personality, she's cut from the same cloth. One who's grown up with power, and knows how to make the world go her way, she's going to be trouble. Holding the leash to the mob,' before more questions formulated, Éclair sent files on her, '-Duke in the Iqeavian hierarchy, her stories like mine, in a weird way. An ancestor rose from peasant to lord, earn fame in the battle of mages, and inducted their blood to be pure and noble. She went off from the family, fought in proxy wars, earned a reputation, returned home, and became a successful businesswoman; leader of a Mercenary band; Enox.'
”Master,” a curt elbow returned consciousness to reality, ”-guests…”
”I apologize for spacing out,” he smiled, ”-Lady Jula, Odgar Codd, glad you could make it.”
”Obviously we had to come,” said she shining in her formal wear, ”-the invitation came from one of my trusted comrades. Congratulations and may God bestow great fortune.”
”Likewise,” added Codd, ”-let's go,” said he to Jula, ”-the line of guests has grown big, we shouldn't waste time.”
'Did the representative of the mobsters arrive or leave?'
”Master,” said a whisper, ”-guards to the east have detected strange activities. Shall I send a team to investigate?”
”Yes,” he firmed whilst greeting guests, ”-capture any acting suspiciously. Have someone investigate the magical circle; my gut's screaming scheme. Find out who is responsible.”
”Understood,” nodded Kul, ”-I'll get right on it.”
'We've covered the land, there's no easy way to sneak in. Even if they were disguised as guests; my detection spell should have activated. Unless we're against an entity with greater dominion, there's nothing to worry about.'
The Imperial family, hidden underneath a concealment spell, parked to the side and ambled up, ”-Igna,” said Eira brazenly, ”-I missed you,” an exchange of kisses ended in a soft embrace.
”I missed you too,” he nodded, ”-welcome to my new endeavor.”
”The place's rather impressive,” added the Emperor.
”I appreciate the thought, emperor.”
”Drop the title, similar to Eira, I'm also family, please use brother or a familiar nickname, formality is good and all, still, family mustn't be foreign.”
”Very well,” he nodded, ”-brother-in-law?”
”Sounds formal still, there are no arguments I suppose,” and exhale displayed a glint of joy. The couple moved on inside,”-Good to see my son smile,” said lady Kirr Sultria.
”Pardon me, my lady?”
”No worry, son. I suppose you wouldn't know anything about Loftha's sudden change in persona, would you?”
”I apologize, I don't understand the question?”
”Worry not,” her suspicious gaze turned grin, ”-the rambling of an older woman.”
”I beg to differ, my lady, you look and have the charm of a younger woman, I ought to tip my head towards thee who art most becoming of the feminine gender.”
”Little silver tongue,” she chuckled, ”-the complements the most outrageous I've heard in a while, a little hint of sarcasm thrown in the mix, I like it, well done.”
”Worked the charm on our mother?” said Amber.
”Sister Amber, I never thought you'd come.”
”Well, here I am,” her arms crossed, ”-the amount of people is very telling of thy status. I've spotted a few nobles and politicians as well. A gathering of such proportion is going to be either a huge success or a disaster.”
”Hey, Igna,” hailed the brothers, ”-don't take big sister's word to heart, she's worried about you and the event. Kind of reflects onto us, the abundance of luxury is sure to speak of thy prestige.”
”Xyra, Hyde, enjoy yourselves.”
”Will do.”
”Master, I've sent a replacement to greet the other guests. Those of influence have already arrived and are inside, leave the pleasantries, there's a particular matter I wish to discuss.”
'What's happened now?' the task was left to Asmodeus and Mammon, '-the magical circle, what's become of it?'
”Welcome back,” said the butler panted inside a dark surveillance room, ”-we're in big trouble,” a camera panned onto a large circle, ”-it wasn't noticeable before, the magical circle is for Arga, the spell of total destruction.”
”Why isn't it activated,” the crystal white pupils shone, ”-I understand, the spell requires a catalyst, the trigger's either a living being or an object. I doubt tis the latter; someone must have used it when they arrived. Speaking of guests, have the Vermillion, Saku, or Yonak made any appearances?”
”Yes,” replied Éclair, ”-you greeted them passionately,” footage of a few minutes' prior played, ”-see, representatives of the families. Afterward came the lady, what's the matter, master?”
”A talented spellcaster's infiltrated the party and passed through my barriers. This is a great plot for a thrilling story, here,” dropped into the seat, ”-the barrier's set to activate, what's the catalyst? Most likely the death of someone. However, the way it's constructed, said spell is made to activate at 19:00 sharp, they used concealment to rewrite part of the circle, hiding the true intent in plain sight.”
”How can you be so brazen?”