"Didn't I tell you that you are currently being punished?"
Algis' hasty steps stopped. Slowly he looked back and found his father, the king of Emperatriz. The pressure generated from that man's gaze alone made anyone tremble in fear. Especially when he has made a decision. Until now most people have never disobeyed. The only one who always does that is Algis.
"I have a reason to be here, Fa… Your Highness!" Algis quickly realized that right now what was in front of him was the king, no longer a father who loved his son.
King Emperatriz let out a rough breath. He shortened the distance between himself and the stubborn crown prince. "Do you want your sentence to be added before you realize the mistake you've made? Do I need to retract my decision by letting you choose your candidate for the crown princess?"
There were many things today that surprised Algis. One of them is this. He turned to Borneo who clearly wouldn't be able to help him one bit. His hands clenched tightly against any form of defiance. He only needed to send Adelman a message, asking what he wanted.
"I will continue the punishment after this Your Highness. However, I stopped by the Varden Fortress and should have thanked you."
"That's not the only thing that makes you stubborn, is it?"
Algis was surprised again and raised his head to be able to see what his father meant clearly. When he managed to look at his father, Algis knew that the king already knew about the new magician he had found among the knights.
"If His Majesty meant the talented person I found, he insisted on staying in the Varden Fortress helping General Adelman. I do want to know how it is, but not just about him."
Algis will one day become king in place of his father. He should not pay too much attention to someone to deliberately find out about that person.
"Return to your palace, Prince Algis! You are not allowed out until I lift the ban."
Algis looked at his father half pleadingly. Just a message after that he will return quietly. But the Kniatz king of Emperatriz didn't look at him anymore. The king just passed his son without even turning his head.
"Borneo, escort the Crown Prince back to his palace!" One of the nobles who were behind the King stopped briefly to give orders to Borneo.
Algis does not need to be delivered. He knew the palace like the palm of his hand. He knew every secret passage, hidden room, and place of treasure hidden by the previous kings. He only needed the contents to send a message to the Varden Fortress. With the king being where the magicians were right now, Algis didn't stand a chance.
Algis left Borneo which was still standing in front of the royal entourage. He walked swiftly through the halls to a foyer overlooking the garden. He faintly heard someone calling him. However, Algis thought that it was just a game of his ears.
"Algis! Algis!"
The call was clearer when Algis reached the end of the garden, soon he would see his palace. Another scream made Algis inevitably stop and wait.
"Didn't you hear me?" asked Algis' younger sister, Adelelain.
He heard it a little but thought that it was just an illusion. "I'm sorry, Adel, I'm having a lot on my mind!"
"Is this about Adriana? Can't he be picked up yet? I begged Father to send knights to fetch him too, but Father said he would take care of everything."
"Yes, Father has taken care of everything!" Algis didn't need to tell Adel what had happened. He hopes that his sister lives happily without having to be disturbed by the intrigue between the nobility and royal politics.
"I'm grateful!" Adelelain's face looked pleased. "May I meet with Adriana after things have calmed down?"
"Of course!" Algis saw Borneo approaching them. "I must return to my palace now. We'll talk later, okay?"
Adelelain nodded. When she finished speaking, her nanny warned the 17-year-old daughter not to run like that in front of anyone again.
Algis did not wait until Borneo arrived where he stood. He was angry at the maid who listened to other people more than herself. Shouldn't a servant listen to his master?
Borneo arrived at Algis with great difficulty. Algis' steps didn't slow down at all when that happened.
"Your Honour! His Highness the Crown Prince!" Borneo called Algis even though he already knew that he was being ignored.
Finally, Algis stopped and waited without turning around.
"What is it? Isn't my order so insignificant that it can be ignored?"
Algis wants to see how Borneo's expression is now. Will the man serving him regret it? Or not at all.
Algis knew that he was guilty of ignoring the king's prohibition. He shouldn't have gone to Freifau alone to pick up Adriana and only sent trusted knights. However, he wanted to see Adriana immediately. If you don't go to Freifau, you certainly won't meet potential people either.
"Marquess Demian said that His Majesty the King is also interested in Cyril. That's why His Majesty will be taking your place to ask about Cyril."
"I don't care!" replied Algis quickly.
He resumed his footsteps immediately. In his heart, he was grateful that his father, the king, also provided help to Cyril. He couldn't wait to see what Cyril's abilities could do in the future. Algis already has many plans to be able to develop Cyril's abilities.
***
As soon as the message from the palace reached the Vander Fort magic research room, Destin Glotto, deputy general Adelman immediately sent his aide to inform their general. Not long after waiting, Adelman was seen walking hastily toward the witches' room.
"The message from the palace has arrived?"
"Yes, General, just now. I immediately had the adjutant summon you!"
Desnin took a step back from the front door letting his general enter first. After him, the aide who was sent also went inside but didn't necessarily follow the footsteps of the masters near the table of the magicians. He was at the door, waiting quietly for further orders.
"What's the message from the palace?"
The wizard in charge of translating the message code handed Adelman a piece of paper. The message came from the king, not the crown prince.
I am very grateful that you managed to suppress the black beast's explosion. My son is very worried about one of the knights who was left with you. He is currently serving his sentence for not listening to what I have to say. I await news of the knight.
Aldeman returned the paper the wizard had given him. The king had heard about Cyril. He felt angry at himself for not being able to hold back that stubborn boy. He will receive punishment for not being able to protect a talented person who could someday become a power for the kingdom.
"Is there a return message we should send back, General?" The magician in charge of translating and transmitting magic messages asked impatiently.
"Yes, tell me that I failed to protect that child!"
Deputy General Destin looked surprised by the contents of the message. "General Adelman, that kid could still be alive somewhere! I heard stories of knights who went on a search when they found no sign of assault during the search process!"
Adelman knew that such a possibility existed. However, he couldn't say that the possibility was only slight. What if Cyril had been eaten by a black beast until nothing remained. Adelman could not give hope that later it could be in vain.
"Send a message as I said!" Adelman confirmed his decision.
Destin has no right to oppose any more than this. He repeated the order Adelman had given the wizards. Then Destin quickly followed Adelman out of the witches' room. Of course, after making sure that the desired message has been sent.
"What about the injured knights?" asked Adelman.
"The healers have done everything in their power. However, there aren't any healers with fantastic abilities, General, so all they do is speed recovery!" said Destin giving the report.
"Are you able to gather some soldiers?"
"Of course, General!" Destin exclaimed. "Is it for the search for the knight that caught the attention of the missing His Majesty the King and Crown Prince?"
Adelman shook his head. "There's something I want to confirm myself."
Once again Destin could only hold back his curiosity. He couldn't force Adelman to tell him something he didn't want.
"Don't worry! I will bring our knights home safely!"
The way Adelman calmed Destin worried him even more. He nodded and turned around to carry out Adelman's order to gather the knights who could still serve.
Adelman stopped in his tracks and looked back. Had Destin asked what to do with the knights, Adelman would have told him. However, Destin is still like all those years ago not questioning anything. Because of Destin's attitude, Adelman didn't want to say anything either.
"You were there!" Adelman shouted at a maid who was not far from where he stood.
The maid trotted over. "Yes, General?"
"Tell my aide to prepare battle gear! I'll be out in a bit. Also, tell the stablekeeper to get my horse ready as soon as possible!"
The maid lowered her head and galloped away ahead of Adelman.