Chapter 1633 - Royal Demands (Part 1) (1/2)
”If you add the fact that the last year you invited no official of the Kingdom to your birthday, that you held a private party instead of a gala, and that the Overlord of the Desert visited your home, you can understand why your standing in the Court has become precarious.” Brinja said
”That's not true. I invited the Ernas.” Lith replied.
”It would have mattered only if Lady Jirni and Lord Orion attended.” She said. ”But the only Ernas that came to your party are the very same that turned their backs to the Kingdom shortly after you did and followed you in the fold of the Emperor Beasts.”
”After that, you left for the Desert for over a month now and you even brought Friya Ernas with you. After I just connected the dots for you, are you still surprised that the Royals feel the need to make sure that it's still worth investing in you?”
”Point taken.” Lith nodded.
'Fuck me sideways. Between my apprenticeship with Faluel, becoming a Tiamat, and breaking up with Kamila, I've sealed myself in a bubble. Even if Mirim was still alive, it would be just a matter of time before it burst anyway.'
”I want to be honest with you.” Brinja snapped him out of his reverie. ”If you plan to permanently move to the Desert, feel free to refuse this mission. If you or your parents plan to live here, however, you must take it.”
”Do you want to discuss the matter with them before giving me your answer?”
”No. I accept. I have one question, though. Is my situation really so bad that the Royals need to threaten the safety of my parents? I destroyed the lost city of Kogaluga recently. Doesn't that count for something?” Lith asked.
”That's one of the reasons we are having this conversation in the first place.” Brinja replied. ”As I said, the Royals hold you in high regard. The problem is that the Kingdom's forces are spread thin.
”Fighting the undead, searching for Thrud, dealing with the famine in the north, and protecting those who received the Balkor cards are all tasks that can be entrusted only to powerful mages with years of field experience.
”The attack on Zinya Yehval and on your kids has cost the lives of dozens of members of the Queen's corps. Now that you have left Lutia, there is no point wasting good men to protect a backwater small city if there's no return.
”Not after the disappearance of the lost city of Huryole. I swear to the gods that I can't believe that the Ranger who succeeded you managed to lose something that big.”
”The what?” Lith dropped his cup in shock, but a single strand of Spirit Magic was enough to keep it afloat without spilling a single drop of tea.
”You heard me. Huryole is gone, leaving behind a crater and a set of perfectly working arrays that failed to register anything worthwhile. It's as if the entire city just walked away.” Brinja shuddered, thanking the gods for the lack of lost cities in the Distar region.
'Shit! The Royals know that Huryole is actually the Golden Griffon academy, one of the legacies that Arthan the Mad King left for his heirs. Its disappearance means that Thrud got there and she's probably going to collect the remaining gifts of daddy dearest.
'It's no wonder that the Royals feel antsy and want to put me to the test. They need to know if they can rely on their Archmages or if they will run away the moment the situation gets dire.
'If I'm right, then Manohar and Vastor will receive a similar mission. Marth can't move without compromising the safety of the White Griffon.' Lith thought.
”Your mission is to recapture several cities in the Nestrar region.” Brinja put her communication amulet on the table and pressed the blue gemstone at its center.