Kingdom's Bloodline, page 48
...
The old man in black, Morat Hansen, no longer spoke.
For the first time, Yodel noticed the eternally mysterious and weird-looking Morat, appearing alarmed and… afraid.
"A new Mystic?"
After saying that, Morat took a huge step back. Suddenly, he looked up!
'It is working!' Yodel thought to himself.
Morat knew too many secrets including the Mystics. However, it was because he knew too much that he was more likely to be distracted by these things. He missed what Yodel really wanted to hide, for instance, the communication between Asda and Thales.
It was just like the current situation.
"Impossible. The birth of a Mystic needs…" Morat looked shocked. He held his walking stick tightly and stared unwaveringly at Yodel's mask as though he wanted to break the Purple Crystal Drop with that look.
"Who is it?" Morat's eyes seemed frenzied.
"Who is the new Mystic?"
Morat stared at his son like a poisonous snake with sharp pupils.
"You know how serious this is?!" Morat frowned and focused his gaze. He started breathing faster and held on to the cane even tighter. "The new Mystic. Before that thing… Get rid of it."
Yodel regulated his breathing. Breathing, an easy thing for supreme class masters, right now, seemed very difficult.
'Thing. What thing?'
The figure of the boy with black hair and grey pupils gradually appeared in his mind.
"They would stay with you… I will go alone." The stubborn boy with the determined look at Sunset Pub vaguely appeared before his eyes.
Yodel gently clenched his fist as Morat slowly narrowed his eyes.
"Asda did not mention or know his name." Yodel carefully selected the true information and organized it into words. "After that, I sealed Asda."
'The man really did not know Thales' name. I am not lying,' Yodel told himself.
Morat did not speak and only gave Yodel a weird look.
A few seconds later, Morat turned his eyes away.
"Very good. You did not lie," The man said affirmatively with a solemn expression.
"However, this is very bad. Precisely because you did not lie," Morat added gloomily.
Yodel relaxed, feeling that he got away.
"Now, let us see that Sir Thales, as according to His Majesty's command." Morat hid his gloomy and solemn expression. Once again, he displayed an ugly and terrible smile as he walked towards Mindis Hall.
Yodel's breathing suddenly stopped.
Morat stroked his cane as he exposed his few remaining teeth. He turned around and laughed. "I am sure you do not mind me asking that boy about what really happened at Red Street Market, and also about the so-called new Mystic.
"Do not misunderstand. This is just a professional habit, just... to see if you are hiding anything."
Yodel looked up, his eyes were filled with an intense expression as Morat laughed happily.
Chapter 45: Morat Hansen (Two) |
In Mindis Hall, the guards invited the visiting guests to proceed to the second floor of the reception room. Then, they closed the door in an orderly fashion.
"Say what you want to say, and then leave." In the hall fully illuminated by the Everlasting Lamp, the old man in black looked at Jines, who was standing in front of Thales and was currently speaking to him harshly.
Thales calmly gazed at the old man leaning on the walking stick as though he was about to collapse. The old man was looking at everyone with suspicion.
"Still so cold, Officer Bajkovic?" Morat's old and hoarse voice passed through Thales' ears from the other side of the spacious hall. It was very unpleasant and indescribably strained. The man then mockingly said, "After all, we have cooperated more than once."
Jines sneered. "Cooperated? Who would cooperate with a poisonous snake? It was His Majesty's command and I had to comply with it at that time."
Morat shook his head regretfully as though he was really sad. "How disappointing. I had thought that we fought on the same side. You know, I have always imagined you as my daughter."
In between his words, Morat's eyes gleamed. "You know, the biological daughter I personally raised up."
Morat stressed on the word 'biological'.
Thales was surprised to see the expression of the usually proud Jines suddenly change. It was as though she was being grabbed by the throat.
The proud and imposing female court official immediately turned around so that the others could no longer see her expression.
"With all due respect!"
By the side, Gilbert interrupted the conversation and solemnly bowed. "Lord Hansen, you know all too well the importance of everything here to the Kingdom. Please leave out unnecessary probes and pleasantries."
Thales was even more surprised to see Gilbert, who always had manners befitting all occasions, appearing to become angry.
Gilbert's eyes had a dazzling gleam and his words were sharp. "We all know that you are the Chief of Secret Intelligence. You are in charge of the Kingdom's Secret Intelligence and you have contributed greatly for Constellation. That is why you came earlier than planned to meet the future 'king'. In that case, let us not delay further — This is Sir Thales."
Gilbert had specifically said the words 'Chief of Secret Intelligence' and 'Lord'.
Thales suddenly realized that the former was for Thales' ears while the latter was a warning to Morat.
'The biggest boss in the gathering of intelligence.' Thales filed this information in his mind.
The atmosphere surrounding the room was not too good.
Gilbert respectfully took a step back, exposing Thales before Morat's sight.
Morat gazed at the boy, who was now in everyone's full view.
At that moment, Thales felt as though the man's pitch-black eyes had some kind of magic. It was like the eyes could penetrate through him.
Thales even had the feeling of not being able to breathe.
Morat slowly walked forward while tapping on the ground with his walking stick, creating an ominous rhythm in the process.
*Tap...Tap...Tap*
Behind him, the Masked Protector Yodel also stepped forward slowly.
"This is far enough," Gilbert said coldly.
The sounds of Morat's footsteps and walking stick continued. He gazed unwaveringly at Thales, but he continued to walk forward. His hoarse voice was then heard. "Count Caso truly deserves to be the Royal Family's most trusted chamberlain. I really admire your loyalty to the Lord, whether it was to the previous king, or to his 'successor' now."
Thales noticed that the word 'successor' was heavily stressed.
The moment Morat's voice ceased, Thales suddenly felt the imposing air on the sharp-tongued Gilbert vanishing.
Gilbert frowned as if he was thinking about something that had gone wrong.
The well-spoken and quick-witted former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Count Caso ended up gritting his teeth. He no longer spoke, bearing with Morat's approach.
Thales felt cold sweat flowing down his back as he saw the old man in black closing in on him.
'What is his role?
'With just a few words and a heavy tone, the powerful Jines and the shrewd, experienced Gilbert retreated without a sound?'
"So, this little gentleman," Morat said with a wrinkly smile. He sounded warm before coldly asking, "It must have been difficult, escaping from Red Street Market and the Mystic."
'Mystic?'
Jines and Gilbert both lifted their heads. They looked at Thales in surprise when they heard this.
Thales' heart shook violently. He instinctively looked behind Morat. The secret guard was standing there silently. However, Thales was acutely aware that the guard seemed somewhat stiff and tense.
'Yodel. Did you tell him everything about my secret?'
Morat laughed again. The eyes on his wrinkled face were sharp. "In fact, there are some minor questions I want to ask you… privately."
Thales gulped.
"No. Thales cannot be with him alone!" Jines was the first to react. She then glanced grimly at Gilbert, as if asking for help.
Gilbert looked at Morat with a foul expression as well. "Sir Thales has a respected status. He has the right to choose whether he is to be accompanied by his retinue when coming into contact with the Kingdom's Chief of Intelligence."
Thales frowned and looked at Morat.
'What does he want to ask me?'
This time, Morat leaned on his walking stick respectfully and bowed politely. He then said, "Of course, of course. Whether or not he wants to talk to me is also his choice."
"After all, he will become my king in the future, assuming my old bones could live that long."
Gilbert glanced strangely at the Black Prophet, seemingly suspicious of why the Chief of Secret Intelligence was being so friendly. Only Jines' expression changed as she looked at Thales.
Thales felt relieved.
However, just as Thales was about to say that he was not feeling well that day, Morat's said something which made him pause.
"In fact, I would also like to report some things to you in private."
Morat again bowed submissively.
When the old man looked up again, he had a smile on his face. "For example, things about three children from the Lower City District and a young bartender... According to the information I gathered, the Brotherhood is dealing with a matter regarding an escape of its members from the Brotherhood..."
At that moment, Thales clenched his right fist.
'Three children from the Lower City District?
'Young bartender?'
Thales' pupils contracted.
'Sinti, Ryan, Coria and also… Jala.'
"Very well!"
Thales ignored Jines' anxious expression and Gilbert's surprised look. He took a step forward and resolutely said, "Let us talk privately."
Morat, whose face was crowded with his smile and wrinkles, turned to the side and said, "Then let us move to the study."
At this moment, someone's voice shot into the air.
"Discuss it here."
Thales turned around in surprise.
The one who spoke was the man standing behind Morat. It was Yodel, who had been silent throughout the entire night.
The hoarse voice came from the strange, masked man. "We can leave. Only by doing this can I ensure his safety."
Morat seemed to be stunned for a moment as he turned his head and frowned.
After Gilbert snapped out of his stupor, he exchanged a glance with Jines. The two then nodded with determination. "Just discuss things here."
*Thump*
Morat leaned on his walking stick and turned around to look at Yodel.
"Why does everyone assume that I, who have served Constellation for decades, would endanger its only heir, the blood of the Kingdom?" Morat's eyes turned cold, but an unpleasant smile immediately formed across his face.
"Fine. Let us discuss here then."
Yodel nodded slightly. He then loosened his grip on the Supreme Sword that he had been holding the entire night.
"But you better not play any tricks, shadow attendant." Morat smiled at the masked guard. He then pointed at his head. "I will know where you are no matter where you hide."
Thales clenched his fists as he saw Morat's strange smile.
Chapter 46: Imminent Disaster |
Yodel, Gilbert and the worried Jines—who kept turning her head back—silently left the hall with different paced footsteps.
In the hall filled with Everlasting Lamps, Thales could be seen sitting at the host's seat. Morat was sitting at a distance behind the banquet table.
The place was silent.
But there was nervousness in the air.
Thales pretended to relax his shoulders, and he gave a smile that he usually carried while he was a beggar.
However, he still felt the biting gaze of the old man in black clothes, which were trained unwaveringly on him.
Thales felt uneasy from the abnormal atmosphere. His mind grappled firmly with the little information available.
'The Chief of the Secret Intelligence Department.
'Chief of Intelligence.
'Black Prophet.
'Poisonous snake.
'He also knows about my previous identity as a beggar as well as Red Street Market and… the Mystic.'
Morat seemed to have lost his patience. He abandoned his soft demeanor and spoke harshly in an extremely sharp voice, "I will get straight to the point, child. I just want to know about the night you escaped from Red Street Market and what the Mystic said to you when you met him."
'How did he know that Asda talked to me? Did Yodel betray me?'
Thales' brain was spinning quickly, but there were too many variables and too much information to deal with.
'What did Yodel say to him? How much did he say?
'How much does Morat know about Asda, about Blood Bottle Gang and about my mystic power running out of control?'
Thales' apprehensive mind came to a conclusion. 'Whatever happens… I have to first ensure my own safety.'
Since that night Quide came to the sixth house looking for his hidden copper coins, the beggar and heir, Thales had been accustomed to his involuntary, precarious, and lonely fate. He had always tried his utmost to survive.
Thales expressed doubtful excitement. He then said, "What?" Oh, that Mystic! You are talking about the legendary boss of Blood Bottle Gang?"
Morat gently narrowed his eyes, looking puzzled and hesitant.
Thales then held his head, as though he was recalling the incident. "I remember that there was confusion everywhere that night. The boss of Blood Bottle Gang said—"
However, things did not go as he expected.
"Child!"
He was interrupted.
Morat was expressionless as he leaned against his walking stick. His voice resounded in Thales' ears.
Morat's eyes widened and he looked straight into Thales' eyes, causing Thales to feel a chill run down his spine. "You have an innate talent for lying and acting. However, what I want to ask you is about… your old friend, Asda Sakern."
Thales was startled.
"I will ask again. What did Asda say to you before Yodel appeared and sealed him?"
Morat's eyes seemed to burn as he waited for Thales' answer.
Thales, who had been interrupted, stopped and lowered his head.
'What does he know? Does he know that I met Asda? Did he see through me?
'Either way, this is not good.' He felt apprehensive.
Thales tried his best to calm down. 'This old man… is probably the most difficult person I have ever dealt with. However, since he is asking me about this, he must not know about what Asda said to me.'
Thales gritted his teeth. 'In particular, he does not know that I am the same kind as Asda.'
In spite of that, Morat's following words once again smashed his thoughts into pieces.
"Let me remind you again, boy." Morat laughed unpleasantly.
"Did Asda not find a newly born Mystic?"
At that moment, Thales felt his heart turn cold in fear.
The boy thought in alarm. 'Yodel… What did Yodel tell him? Why is he so certain?'
"Hahaha." Morat broke out in a strange laughter. "People fear me for a reason."
The old man moved forward step-by-step with his walking stick and approached Thales.
At that point, Thales had the urge to escape.
"I am a Psionic. Although I do not like this ability, it helps me a lot."
A discouraging thought flashed through Thales' mind.
"There is no need for you to lie anymore concerning the Air Mystic.
"I can clearly see into your mind. Asda, that handsome, pretty boy clothed in blue. My god, he is still so young!"
Morat's words were like a hammer hitting Thales' chest.
However, the engrossed Morat was not done. His words made Thales shiver as he uttered his words one after another.
"What is that in Asda's hand, a blue ball? I can see three balls of flesh there. He still likes to squash humans into little meatballs, eh?
"Why is it so dark around the both of you? Where exactly are the both of you?"
Morat looked pleased as though he was reading an interesting travel log.
Thales' mind turned blank and he instinctively trembled.
'Clothed in blue?
'Handsome, pretty boy?
'Blue ball?
'Squashed human flesh?
'A dark location?
'How does he know this? How could he have known this?'
Thales even felt his breathing hitch.
Morat looked very tired. He lowered his head and rubbed his nose. "Ah, it is really strenuous to use this ability. I cannot use it so often."
He then lifted his head and laughed, revealing an ugly and wrinkled smile. He looked at the now pale Thales and said, "That is why the others call me the 'Black Prophet'."
Thales was so shocked he was speechless. Morat then opened his mouth and said the most malignant thing to the boy.
"That is right, child.
"I can read minds."
This time, Thales truly felt that he was facing an imminent disaster.
...
"What do we do now?" Standing at the corridor on the second floor, the first-class, female official, Jines looked at the two men in front of her with a dreadful expression. "You all know of Morat's ability and capability. He uses secrets, information, scandals and everything you can think of to control anybody he wants to control."
Jines took a few steps and added scornfully, "Are you going to just let that child… He is very smart, very mature and he has potential… but that is the Black Prophet in there with him!
"The omniscient Black Prophet!"
Gilbert said in a serious tone, "I am aware of his ability. Without the help of the Secret Intelligence Department, how could we have managed to sign the Fortress Treaty?"
"Yet, you still allowed him… That bastard Kessel. What is he thinking?" Jines angrily slammed down on the railings with her palm. The huge force caused a dent in the railings, which were made out of cedar wood.
At this moment, Gilbert frowned and turned around.
