Standing in front of him were two strong and burly men glaring down at him.
Mithridates who was still on his knees after all the crawling he had to do, quickly shot up, brushing the dust on his clothes and fixing his posture.
"Gentlemen." He said after clearing his throat.
The two knights were actually Germaine Laval and Neeve Keneth, two of the strongest (physically) knights of The Silver Tiger Legion, stared down at him and two looked at each other before Germaine nodded his head.
"Sir Albrecht, this is a prohibited area. No one is allowed to pass." Neeve said sternly.
Mithridates frowned and looked between the two and assumed that they were royal guards. According to the blueprints he had received from Mr.F, there weren't suppose to be anyone guarding this part of the castle. So why were they there.
"So you know who I am." He said.
"Of course we do. We are trained to recognize every person who has ever been inside the palace." Germaine said.
What he said wasn't a lie. Every royal guard had a duty to remember every face they came across in the palace. This was to keep the castle secure in case of intruders and was also a form a training.
Germaine and Neeve weren't royal knights, but they were good at recognizing people. They had been sent pictures of what Mithridates looked like and given their great memories, recognized him right away.
Even if they hadn't remembered him, they knew that the person they were looking for would be coming through the secret tunnels in the castle.
"R-right. My apologies but I seemed to be a little lost. I was trying to make my way towards the great hall."
"They great hall? There is currently a meeting taking place right now. Have you requested an audience with the King today?" Neeve asked.
"Yes, but it seems I've got the days mixed up. I apologize. I'll go back to the main hall." He said before turning back.
Germaine stoped him from going back. "Apologies Sir Albrecht, but given how you came through the secret tunnels which isn't permitted by anyone, I am afraid we are going to have to ask you to come with us."
Mithridates froze in his tracks.
He couldn't afford to get caught like this, not with their plans just starting. He didn't want to have to use this in case of an emergency, but he had no choice.
He took out a teleportation stone and quickly threw it to the ground before mumbling his desired location. He then vanished.
The two knights made no attempt at chasing after him.
Everything was going according to plan. They were however surprised that he had a teleportation stone on hand. They were incredibly rare considering how expensive they were. Only the richest of nobles could afford to get one and even then it wouldn't be easy to get their hands on such a rare item.
They concluded that the person backing Mithridates had to be extremely powerful. This incident only supported their theory that Duke Ferdinand was involved.
They quickly sent a transmission to Akae the leader of the shadow knights and were instructed to return.
Mithridates who was in a panic quickly transported himself to a secluded place near the palace and sent a transmission to Mr.F.
"What is is Mithridates?" Mr.F asked, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
"I am sorry to bother you Mr.F but there's a problem. The secret tunnels are currently being guarded. There weren't suppose to be any guards there. There's no way for me to enter through there." He said in a panic.
"Why are you the one infiltrating the palace. Wasn't Matthias suppose to be in charge?"
"Matthias is currently with the Military Police's leader and is working hard on his manipulation. He won't be able to work on two tasks at once."
"What? Then you decided to do the work yourself? You have to infiltrating experience, you could get caught so easily." He yelled.
Mithridates flinched at the sound of his voice. He was growing more and more frustrated with his boss. What the hell did he expect him to do?
"What did the guards look like? I'll contact them myself and ask them to leave their post."
"They were both tall with muscular builds. One had light brown hair with tan skin and the other, had long blue hair and piercing gold eyes."
Mr.F frowned while hearing his description of the knights. From his memory, he didn't know any royal guard with those physical attributes. Had his brother appointed new guards without his knowing?
"That idiot brother of mine probably hired new guards haa. Aright, we will proceed with plan B. Sent some agents to the southern part of the palace. We will enter from another passage that will lead you directly to the great hall."
As Mr.F was divulging their plans, Mithridates was unaware of the fact that a listening device had been planted on his person and their entire conversation could be heard in the meeting room.
Every person in that room had heard Mr.F and Mithridates conspiring against the King. The spy that had been planted inside the room to stir up some conflict quickly stood up and made in attempt at fleeing the room. The King then instructed one of his guards to apprehend the man.
Meanwhile, the shadow knights had been stationed outside the palace went into action and subdued anyone who had ties with the Syndicate as well as some of Duke Ferdinand forces.
Donellan made his way to Duke Ferdinand estate in order to arrest him.
Opening the door and seeing the royal knights as well as the leader of the MP at his door, Duke Ferdinand gave them a confused look.
"Um, can I help you guys?" He asked innocently.
"Duke Ferdinand Killian of Novellus you are under arrest for treason." The MP leader declared.
"W-what? Sir Douglas, what do you think you're doing?" He said looking at Douglas incredulously.
Douglas was suppose to be under Matthias' manipulation. Why was he here and arresting him no less.
"I am now of sound mind thanks to Earl Grey over here." He said pointing towards Donellan.
Ferdinand followed his line of sight and his eyes turned dark.
"I didn't know you were unwell Sir Douglas but I am glad you are alright now.?" He then turned to face Donellan, his voice as calm as ever. "So, why am I being accused of a crime I haven't committed?"
"I really admire how calm and collected you are being Duke Ferdinand, or wait should I just call you Ferdinand now?" He mumbled to himself but his words were clearly heard by Ferdinand who was trying his best to suppress his anger.
"Although I pale in comparison to your might Earl Donellan, I still outrank you. Referring to me in name alone is an act of insubordination." He said through gritted teeth.
"Oh? My apologies, you've most likely not been caught up with recent news. As of this moment, you Ferdinand Killan of Novellus are under arrest and by extension, been stripped of your status. Therefore me addressing you by name is no longer considered an act of insubordination." Donellan said casually.
"Again, what crimes am I being accused of? This is news to me?"
"Sir Ferdinand, let us not waste any more of our precious time and cut to the chase. You know you've comitted the crime, so why deny it? Do you seriously believe we would come here and arrest you on false charges? Let's stop playing dumb."
Donellan then gestured for Sir Douglas to tie him up and carry him to the carriage.
"Do you seriously think you can get away with arresting me a duke and a Killian at that?! Do you think my brother the King will allow for such nonsense to happen?" Ferdinand snapped.
"Yes, yes, you will see your brother very soon, you can answer to him then."
Duke Ferdinand alongside Donellan were brought to the palace where King Asmodeus awaited their arrival. When entering the palace, the officals of each country as well as the elder's stood inside the palace waiting.
The one's who were clueless and unaware of what was going whispered asking people what was happening.
One offical spoke up recounting what had happened in the Great Hall. They overheard Duke Ferdinand conspiring with the Syndicate, exposing their plans to overthrow the King.
Since the throne room was large and mostly quiet, their voices carried throughout the room, and everyone heard the official's response.
Ferdinand who was about to ask his brother to immediately arrest Donellan for the false arrest grew pale.
What? Their conversation was being recorded? But how? No there's no need to panic. There's no evidence that the person speaking to Mithridates was him. All he needed to do was deny.
"B-brother-" He started to say but was quickly cut off.
"There's no use trying to deny the situation. Mithridates has already confessed to the crimes and you have been named the ringleader of this operation." He said in a grave voice.
Duke Ferdinand shot his younger brother a dirty look. From the moment this man came into his family, he knew they would never get along. Asmodeus and Ferdinand were brother's, but only in name, at least that's how he considered him. Asmodeus was the late King and Queen's biological son.
They had a hard time conceiving a child and so in desperation, they adopted Ferdinand from a neighbouring land who belonged to a once noble family. He was happy that he no longer needed to live a life of poverty and happily decided to join the Killian family. They spoiled him rotten and treated him with care. Not once was he left wanting for anything. He was treated as the next heir to throne and studied diligently to succeed his father.
It was when Ferdinand was 15 years old when things started to change. The queen was pregnant after so many years and now a son with royal blood was finally born into the family. The King loved his oldest son and still intended on making him King, but the elders were against the decision. They argued that now that there was someone with royal blood in the family, Asmodeus was next of kin and would therefore inherit the throne.
All those years of working and studying had come to naught. A child, who had the same blood of the King running through his veins would inherit the throne. Ferdinand was furious. He resented his father, the elders as well as his younger brother. He vowed to never forget this humiliation.
Ferdinand in his older years tried to find any means he could to take the thoron for his brother and become King. He decided that it wasn't enough to take the throne. Ferdinand wanted to take the entire continent and rule as the previous emperor had. And so he came up with a plan. One that he knew was a long shot but decided to go forth with it anyway. He thought it was unfair, that the system was flawed and that anyone who had the capabilities to rule over a kingdom could take it.
He believed that Asmodeus was underserving, and didn't regret his decision. His true feelings were clearly shown on his face. There wasn't an ounce of regret on his visage.
Asmodeus who stood before him sighed. He would've never thought that his own brother would want his demise. But he should've known this. He always knew Ferdinand was dissatisfied with him.
"Do you admit to your crimes Ferdinand?" The King asked.
Ferdinand looked up at the King, looking him directly in the eyes. "Not for a second. I did all of this for the good of the Kingdom."
Gasps could be heard in the room. Ferdinand looked around and spoke out once again.
"This system is flawed and I only strove to fix it. The man who you call King is underserving of his title. The only reason why this Kingdom is even remotely decent is because of that man over there." He said while gesturing to Donellan who stood on the side observing the whole situation.
He remained expressionless even with all the attention directed towards him.
Whispers could be heard inside the throne room, some expressing their agreement with the statement, while others denied his claims.
The elders who were seated on the side, started to get angry. One of them stood up to voice his opposition.
"Nonsense! A criminal has no right to speak. Even if you are our King's family, you have to right to speak of him in such manner. Know your place!" One of the elders yelled.
"Ha! Know my place? Elder Derius, are my words really false? Is it not true that every single conflict we have, wether it be in our Kingdom or with other's is not resolved because of Earl Grey?"
"What actions has our beloved King done on his own to benefit the kingdom? Absolutely nothing. If it weren't for his dog, Novellus would be in ruin!"
Arguments erupted in the room and Asmodeus who was exhausted from all the noise could no longer contain his anger.
"ENOUGH! Duke Ferdinand Killian of Novellus, you are hereby revoked of your noble status, and will be imprisoned until your sentencing has been decided. Guards, take him away!" He yelled.
Duke Ferdinand was taken away but there was a certain unease in the room. Without wanting to, all eyes were glued on Donellan who seemed indifferent with the current situation.
King Asmodeus then turned to the crowd to dismiss them and then directed his attention towards Donellan.
"I'd like to have a word with you Earl Grey." Is all he said before leaving.