THE KINGDOM OF MAECENAS is one of the most prominent country in the continent of Light. Maecenas is a Kingdom that was benevolent enough to let the other races live within their borders with harmony, free from all sort of prejudice. Beast folks of the mountain tribes are treated equally, as well as the Elves of the Elven kingdom. Slavery was naturally banned in this country and a severe punishment are given to those who were caught.
The capital of Maecenas, Altruist, is a prestigious city protected by a circular wall around it. With the diameter of about 45 kilometers, Altruist city is big enough to accommodate hundreds of thousands of residents—or maybe even more than that. Four gates were placed at different major directions (North, East, South, West) of the great outer wall, while another two before the secondary fortress—the inner wall. Before entering the Castletown, a circular river needs to be crossed via bridge or boat. A single bridge was built for this. It is so to ensure the safety of the Royal Family.
It was a three-way security. Two inner and outer circular walls, and a river boundary.
The Gates were made with strong metals and were heavily protected by royal guards. The wall itself was thick enough to width fifteen meters within the height of twenty meters. Invasion is most likely to fail in the face of this great protection. Four Watch Tower armed with sixteen Wyvern-Slaying Crossbows, eight Anti-Dragon Artillery, and multiple archer posts. To call the entire outer wall a fortress would never be an exaggeration.
The city in itself was a beauty to behold. Paved roads and pathways were all over the aspect of the city. Almost everything in this metropolis was made with stones and bricks. Though, there were establishments made with expensive woods, those are thru solely with the owners' preferences.
Shopping district and the market places were clean. Industrial district was also preferable than most other countries. Nearly no rubbish can be spotted around the public areas. Residential areas in which divided into two sides (Commoner's District and Nobles' District) are safe, and patrols of royal guards were nothing but respectable protectors.
However, the most prominent establishment in this country is the existence of the Royal Academy "Artemis". A place where all the foreign and local students mingle and study the arts of Magic and Swordsmanship, Machinery, Finance, and Politics together regardless of rank and family status. A place for all to grow. The most luxurious academy in the continent of Light. This was just an exemplar symbolism of the Maecenas kingdoms' wealth.
However;
Amidst of these wealth and beauty of their domain, the Royal Family in the current moment were all having a frantic look on their faces. Far from their former visage, the king, queen and the princes are in the mercy of despair. As if a thief of sadness had thieved them of their joy, no smile nor hope was left in their features.
The cause of this was the abrupt kidnapping of the second princess.
Gloom penetrated the dignified walls of the royal palace. The once cheerful atmosphere is now nowhere to be found. All here was the most deafening silence since this morning.
The long dining table was made to look most appetizing. Various dishes of different countries were laid there for the meal of the ruler of this kingdom. Nevertheless, despite the allure of the foods, it was left untouched. The tea served had gone cold and the foods were as well. No one was in the right mood to even look at it, better yet to take a single bite.
"Father! Allow me to do it! Please allow me to make a move! I will mobilize our most elite troops in search for my beloved sister!"
The first to break the silence was the third prince. He had a short spiky blond hair, and beautiful blue eyes. He was known as a person with short fuse and that description was exactly the nature of this boy. He was hot blooded and is easily provoked. However, he was a doting brother and among the boys in the siblings, he was known for having the most favor to his little sister. He goes by the name of Lucas Altruist Maecenas.
"Calm down, Lucas. That kind of action was most exactly what the enemy are expecting us to do."
Adjusting the rim of his eyeglasses with his index finger, the second prince reprimanded his younger brother. His name was Marcus Altruist Maecenas. In contrast from his little brother's short temper, Marcus was known to be calm and levelheaded and the most intellectual type among of the three princes. His hair was neatly brushed to one side and his bangs was long enough to cover his left eye. He shared the same hair color and eyes with Lucas.
"How do you expect me to be calm if I know that my sister is in dire situation! If something happens to her… If something…"
Lucas bit his lower lip struggling to find the right words to convey his concern. While his eyes were lowered at the table, he felt a tap on his shoulder,
"Marcus was right. I know how frustrated you are, Luke. I am too. But being rash won't solve anything.'
"Andrew…"
Andrew Altruist Maecenas; the crown prince. He always sounded detached and his positivism made him look like he had never been visited by problems before. But today, his demeanor was different. His playful attitude was nowhere to be seen. He was obviously shaken with the sudden disappearance of his youngest sibling.
Andrew was a peculiar person, but he was always reliable. His other brothers trust him for his good judgement and rational decisions. With his long hair braided in a low pony tail, he shrugged to try to play it off.
"Heck, it won't even be a surprise if our tomboy little princess would be back even before we know it."
He smiled jokingly, but obviously it was strained and quite forced.
"Dear…"
Tears started streaming from the eyes of the queen, creating a silver line down her cheeks. She was looking down beholding all weak. Her voice was pleading for the king to do something about this predicament.
"I need everyone to calm down first and listen to what I am to say." the king finally voiced.
The king and queen were already in their fifties. They do look a decade younger, but their age was the proof of their vast experience.
"We cannot let any of our troops march in search for our beloved Andrea." the king begun.
"But why is that?!" Lucas quired with voice filled with impatience.
"You are being rude to father, Luke." Andrew reprimanded in a lowered tone.
Sensing that he really did something impolite, Lukas bowed his head and apologized immediately, "Forgive me father. I—I was just…"
The king only raised his hand to stop Lucas from saying any more. He smiled and looked at his child fondly, "I am pleased that you so much care for your sister. But I ask of you to ease your heart for now."
"Y-yes, your highness."
Seeing him regain his composure, the king continued his words, "panic will happen if we suddenly locked our gates and let our soldiers take their arms. I worry for my dear daughter, but I, we cannot have our people bear the burden."
"That is a valid worry, Your Majesty." Marcus nodded to affirm his father's claim.
"True. If the people noticed that we had our soldier mobilized, they will start to fright. In the midst of that panic, even the abductors will get alarmed. And if that happened…"
"Searching for Andy will be much tougher..." The one to finish the sentence of Andrew was Lucas who raised his face in realization.
"Exactly," supposed the king. "If we wanted to save little Andrea as soon as possible, not making a big move will be our best bet."
"But then, what should we do?" asked the queen timidly, tears still spilling out of her reddened eyes. The king nodded to her in response. He then shifted his eyes to the door.
"Sylvester," the king called and as if on cue, the door to the dining room opened. From there, an aged gentleman in a suit entered. His white hair was brushed up neatly, fitting his butler suit to the brim. A perfect gent. Sylvester von Curt, the head butler of the royal family entered with a scroll in hand.
"That is?" Andrew asked tilting his head slightly to the side.
"That is a royal decree. An official request that I had prepared to hire the most skilled mercenary in our country."
"?!"
All the eyes of the princes went round by their father's words, stunned. Unable to contain his doubt, Marcus abruptly asked,
"Father, you mean to use a royal decree to request aid from the Mercenary guild?! That's—"
"I know," the king cut Marcus's words before even he could finish, "an official request will be enough to make the Mercenary guild move. However, I want the best man to accept our behest. This is not just a simple request. The life of our beloved Andrea is in the line. I need to be sure that the person who would handle this job is the most trustworthy. I cannot make a single mistake for this."
All were left speechless by the king's careful decision. Knowing that everyone now understood clearly where he was coming from, the king signaled Sylvester to continue the discussion.
"An official summon was already sent and a reply from the most prominent Mercenary guild, the Raven's Guild was received. Tomorrow, one of their best members will head here to adhere the decree. That person will be briefed of the situation and will be told to handle the case with utmost clandestineness."
Sylvester moved his arm like a sweep to the air, and there an image of a boy was revealed to all that's present.
"You mean to send a boy to rescue our Andy?! You've got to have a better explanation to this, Sylves!" Lucas bellowed.
It was only understandable. That reaction was not really misplaced anger. How can they possibly entrust the safety of their beloved family to a boy? Andrew and Marcus were also feeling the same. The queen, of course had the same anxiety of the three. Only the king remained silent and calm.
"Lucas," the king softly said, and Lucas abruptly tried to composed himself. "You may continue, Sylves," the king voiced.
"Yes, my king," Sylvester bowed then he shifted his gaze to the boy casted by the image projected by light magic and went on, "his name was Gier. A member of the 'Ravens'. He had joined the guild in his young age, but despite that, he was hailed as the best mercenary there was. His track record were his quick mission completion and hundred percent success rate. He was famed enough to receive a tittle from the guild master himself."
"A tittle?" Andrew asked, a crease was formed on his brows with his frown. Sylvester nodded to his question.
"If I remember correctly, a tittle is only given to the members recognized by the guild itself, or was I wrong?" Marcus asked. Sylvester shook his head.
"No, you are right, prince Marcus. He was given a tittle to fit his image within the guild."
"Hmph..." Lucas gave a skeptical whine, looking at the image projected, it was a boy with black hair, black pupils and normal build, the lower part of his face was obscured by a red scarf, "and so? What tittle was he given? 'Errand boy, Gier?'" he added with a mocking laugh.
"No, prince Lucas," Sylvester replied coolly, "the tittle he was given was… 'Gier… The Child of Death.'"
"!"
All were briefly stunned, unable to digest the words of Sylvester for a moment.
"That... can't be, right?" Andrew mumbled, gulping his own breath.
"Yes… I mean, a boy that young? He looked like he'd never even entered the academy yet." Marcus said, adjusting the rim of his glasses with a shaky hand.
"Poor boy," lamented the queen, "what life had he lived all this time?" it was not sarcasm nor insult, the queen's kind heart spoke her concern.
"Is that it? He almost died several times, but survived? So, he was given such kind of title? That would make sense."
"In mercenary's gild, your highness Lucas, age does not define the skills of their members. Not a single soul had lived to tell tales when this boy, Gier, took a subjugation mission. Thus, gaining the tittle of the reaper."
"W—what load of bull! Even if you said that, Sylvester, that information was rather full of doubt!" Lucas insisted, voice slightly quivering.
"I understand that young prince Lucas is skeptical," Sylvester said solemnly, "after all, it was your beloved sister's and the princess of our kingdom's safety that he would shoulder. But I assure you, prince Lucas, the Ravens will never send someone that would sully their name and reputation as the 'Shadow of the Kingdom.' Especially when they were issued an official Royal Decree."
Lucas swallowed his breath sensing the intensity of Sylvester's words, "A-alright then. Whatever. As long as he takes my sister back safe and sound, that's all I wish for."
"Indeed. That would be our only wish."
"Yes. Nothing more but the safety of Andrea." Andrew and Marcus agreed.
"Very well, Sylves. Have him receive the most hospitable welcome tomorrow as he come. Bring him directly to the audience chamber. Call upon all the ministers too. We need them to hear this as well."
"Is it really needed for the ministers to be summoned as well?" Andrew asked, a little bit puzzled. This matter should only be kept secret to the core member of the Royalty. None of the ministers should be inform of this case. Normally, that is.
"I have to know. I have to confirm that none of them was involved with the case of abducting my sweet daughter." the grave tone of the king brought all to halt and held their breath. It was a rare occasion seeing the king angry.
"Yes, my lord. I will do as you will." Sylvester bowed reverently. "However," he paused and raised his sight.
"What is it?" the king gave a confuse look to Sylvester as who was quite shifted into bad mood.
"You all should eat properly, your highness! What king is there to hunger himself! I will not stand for this!" Sylvester bellowed. His angered voiced made the three princes bucked to their seat,
"Ah!" Andrew exclaimed.
"We're in for a long lecture!" said Marcus with a blue streak on his forehead.
"C-can I escape, somehow?!" Lucas murmured trying to find his opportunity to run.
The king sighed, "You are right. If Andrea found out that we had skipped our dine she would be fuming."
"Fufu," the queen giggled, "you are absolutely right. That girl was quite a tomboy but she's really strict to us when it comes to food." they all laughed lightly.
"Alright then! Maids, take this cold food and replace them with new ones. We will eat the best meal there is." with Lucas' sounding voice, the maids of the royal palace come in drove and took away the untouched meal which had gone cold. Not long it was replaced with steaming hot dishes. The family shared this warmth.