K-Kavest is a human? My body shook from the throne at this crazy revelation.
Why the hell was this ancient mage serving monsters?
"Why do you serve me?" I asked, genuinely.
"Perhaps because I agree that humans are too vile to live. Please do not take my views to be too radical. I'm just ambitious, your Majesty."
Ambitious. He was perhaps not lying.
If he was plotting for something, after centuries of loyalty, what could it be? Does his invisibility has something to do with him being a human?
Perhaps...
On another thought, the history Kavest told me seemed to be very biased towards my side. I will have to study more on history. Even with a few fabrications, I believe that the story was very interesting.
Saint Alief and Faidan Mairalas, two counterparts... It's almost like the 'Hero and the Villain' type of stories of the old man!
"Do you suggest that taking actions against 'adventurers' should be our first priority now?" asked I.
"Yes, your Majesty. Because of your disappearance for years, the royalties are thinking that your hold of Astagha has weakened very much. Some even think that you have died. Therefore they wish to make use of the opportunity. That must not happen."
A very reasonable answer. From what Kavest told me a while ago, I believe they call the Forest of Astagha a dunegon. These are places adventurers come seeking treasures and defeating monsters of all kinds. The treasure here is referring to me, right? An arcane?
Oh.
"Where is the Arcane of The Shadow of Sun?"
I almost forgot about that thing.
"Your Majesty, not all Arcanes have senses like you. Most of the Arcanes only gain senses after accommodating its consumer's soul."
Woah. I thought the consumer accomodates its soul instead or whatever. Arcanes really have a whole science working behind it.
"Tell me, how did my Mother Tree rule Astagha?" I needed a better priliminary understanding of how a King works.
"Your Majesty, how should I address your Mother Tree?"
"Just call it 'Mother'"
"Alright. Your Mother had a council of spirits and strong monsters. However most of the members of the original council have either been hunted by humans or left the Forest after your death. If you just wish, your Majesty, I can send a party of spirits to invite them back."
But I do not know any of them...
"There's no need of that yet. Tell me, can we make the council from just the spirits or monsters we currently have in Astagha?"
"That might not be just as efficient. Only three or four others here have strength comparable to us. Others are frail, your Majesty. Again, strength is not all. I know many loyal companions of you, who are more cunning than anything. They will benifit you greatly."
He is pushing me to give the permission to him, so that he can invite people he knows and rule Astagha. I fear, my old man once explained the concept of a Puppet King. A king who holds no real power but is only manipulated by his own council members.
I do not trust this Wizard Kavest. I am firm on the belief that he had intentionally disrespected me when he made the throne high so that I am required to ask him for help. And the fact that he is invisible, even though I am not inquiring him of it, I am sure he knows it. He is sinister, and very much so. The tale centuries of loyalty which he is telling me, I yet cannot trust him. Who knows!
Perhaps because I was extremely strong back in the days that he could not harm me. But then, why did he do nothing in the last two years... In any case, I can not remove my suspicion on him.
"No. Do not invite anyone." I answered after much thought, in a very selfish manner. This was entirely just because I do not trust him. "Those who are going to serve me are going to serve me by their own will."
Kavest, ironically stayed quiet for a few seconds before replying, "As your wish, your Majesty."
"Form a temporary council just with the current population of Astagha now. You said that more and more spirits from all over the world would be coming over by my attraction, right?"
"Yes, your Majesty. But we do not know how long they might take."
"Fine, carry out my first order. I will call you again when I need. Where can I find you?"
"I live in the Sun Cave of Astagha, which is far from here. But it does not take more than a minute to come here. If you inform Mar Hast, I will rush to your service."
"Well."
"Then I am excusing myself, live long, great Majesty."
Saying that, as I watched nowhere, I could still sense that an evil aura had finally disappeared.
Being an apple myself, I did not consider many of the things I might require to live on. For example, I was hungry as hell. What do apples eat exactly? Perhaps, since I look like a cat too, I eat what cats eat.
"Mar Hast!" I called sitting on my throne.
"I am here, your Majesty." a deep and profound voice rang from out the entrance of my lair.
"Get me fish. I am hungry."
I do not know if that was a kingly thing to ask.