Trojan was in his room, sitting there in deep thought as he waited for Domino.
Things had become a lot more complicated. So much so that even Trojan found it difficult to dig himself out of the hole he was put in. When a rumour is spread, it was difficult to change the public opinion on the matter unless he presented every single detail and carry out the necessary judgement.
All the preparation Trojan had done to counter the assassination of the Royal Family felt redundant. It was a waste of time because of that rumour that had spread. But Trojan stopped to think about it. If the King already knew about the rumours and the revolt of the people, why did he still have someone watch over Trojan? Why did Alastor need to stop Trojan from doing anything suspicious?
The King was wary, even with the reputation of Trojan dragged through the dirt, he still needed to preserve his own reputation. If noble families received a letter claiming that the Royal Family was going to kill them, the Royal Family would be discredited.
Whether by luck or by will, the rumour had spread just a day prior, convenient for the King. His main competitor, Trojan, was out of the equation. Even with Trojan weakened, there was still the ever looming threat of Duke Phoenix getting himself involved and trying to take the throne for himself should the Royal Family ever face a crisis.
The King had to make sure that Trojan could not do anything to ruin his reputation, so he suggested that Trojan remained in the Palace where Trojan would be unable to do anything. It was just a more complicated prison for Trojan.
Trojan did not mind it, in fact, the rumour may have saved his life. Trojan's real goal had never been to become King, he had only taken those precautions to ensure his survival. Now that his focus was elsewhere, Trojan could focus on other matters.
A gust of wind in the room followed by Domino's entrance. Domino stood there, looking more tired than before.
"The staff have evacuated, my lord," Domino reported, a stack of paper in his hands.
"Do you need sleep? Or is it alright if you start your report now?" Trojan asked.
Domino glanced behind him and shook his head, telling Trojan, "It is fine."
Domino handed the papers to Trojan before stepping back and starting. "I have done some research on the site of the accident. As previously mentioned, the entire town was burnt to the ground in order to summon the Phoenix."
Trojan flipped through a bunch of papers that described the scene at the site. There were even a few sketches.
"Following this, I have tried to search for any clue that would lead us to the culprit, but unfortunately, it appears that the culprit was rather smart," Domino continued. "I was unable to find the culprit of the accident, and it may be close to impossible to find him."
That was worrying. Trojan's reputation and life was at risk if he was unable to find the culprit. Trojan sighed and put the papers aside, saying to Domino, "Well, if that is all, you may go to sleep now."
"There is more, my lord."
Trojan raised an eyebrow, not expecting Domino to have more information. He knew Domino was someone to do their job, but he never knew Domino was so passionate about it.
"I have discovered more information regarding the Phoenix," Domino said.
Of course, information on the Phoenix itself. It was a bargaining chip for Trojan. Trojan may have been under pressure by the peasants and his life may be at risk, but if he was allied with Duke Phoenix, it may be possible to change the situation. Trojan listened attentively.
"My lord, I have found out three pieces of information about the Phoenix, or rather, three hypotheses," Domino said.
"What are they?" Trojan asked, curious.
"The first, there has to be a criteria to be fulfilled for the Phoenix to be able to exist," Domino started without hesitation. "I am unsure of what exactly that criteria may be, but judging the fact that the Phoenix did not last, it is very possible that something was not fulfilled."
Phoenixes were known to be immortal birds although no one had actually seen one before that one appearance. They were known to be immortal, unable to get sick, unable to get injured, unable to age. The Phoenix that day had appeared briefly and disappeared almost as fast, which seemed unusual for an immortal being.
"My second hypothesis is that the Phoenix is attracted to something within Inner City," Domino continued.
Trojan vaguely remembered Domino telling him that the Phoenix had been flying in the general direction of Inner City. It might have been just as Domino suggested, but it could very well also be a coincidence.
"Any idea on what it could be?" Trojan asked Domino.
The mage shook his head before he continued, "My third hypothesis is that the Phoenix was an experiment. An experiment by the culprit to test the limits of knowledge."
Domino shifted, shifting his staff slightly to cancel the incoming spell to eavesdrop. Even at that time, Alastor was trying to keep an eye on them. Every time Alastor attempted to use the spell, Domino countered it.
"Never before in history had a Phoenix been summoned, never before had humanity seen a Phoenix rise into the sky," Domino explained. "Because there was a prophecy by those that learnt of the Phoenix; that the Phoenix would lead to our deaths."
"What? Is it going to go on a rampage?" Trojan asked.
Domino shrugged. Even the mage was unsure of those minute details. Domino approached Trojan, his voice dropping.
"My lord, do you understand the severity of the situation?" Domino asked, his voice almost at a whisper. "Few people have knowledge of how to summon a Phoenix, and even fewer people have the influence to do so."
"What are you getting at?"
"My lord, perhaps you have been blinded by your goals," Domino said. "It is very possible that the person that had caused the summoning of the Phoenix is Duke Phoenix himself."
Trojan stood there, contemplating the idea. The more he thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Trojan had been desperate for the support of Duke Phoenix, he had never once thought Duke Phoenix to be his enemy.
But Trojan was a sly man, he could twist it to his favour.
"Go to sleep, Domino," Trojan told his mage. "You've done well."