Chapter 64 - Chapter 64: Ailing queen

I secured the mid-level spider and moved it with levitation from gravity magic. "What kind of skill is that?" the talon asked. "Exactly what I was going to ask. There is no air below the spider so how are you lifting it?" Nathan asked. It was impossible for them to understand gravity. Zari who also taught me this technique, did not understand what was happening either and thought this ability was tied to strong beliefs. Her thought process was that believing in your self was the ony prerequisite required to use this ability. However, I had more than a common understanding in forces in general and in particular gravity was relatively easy to understand in its simplified form. "This is an ability that bends the laws of this world. I could explain it to you but in order for you to use it, you need immense strength. About 50 to 100 times your current strength." I said. I had learnt this gravity magic from Zari and found it extremely difficult and tiring while I had mana reserves of around 100,000. Anyone weaker than that was unlikely to perform it. "Old kid. How dare you say that you are 100 times stronger than us?" Nathan asked. They didn't know I was a dragon and that presently I boasted around 20 million mana reserves. This meant that I was between 10,000 and 20,000 times stronger than they were but I did not mind letting that go. "I am the White Eagle after all, of course I would be stronger." I said with a smile. "Sir, what are you planning to do?" the Dark Talon asked. I understood immediately where he was coming from after suffering such a humiliating defeat. "Today I am going to meet the king and explain the situation. In the near future, I am going to mobilize all troops from the three kingdoms and have them start large scale training. We are going to hold real battles with more spiders that I capture. I need the troops to learn more about the enemies and come up with their own countermeasures." I said. "Do you mind if I begin the troop's preparations right away?" the dark Talon asked. "No. inform the other Talons and have them assemble here in three or four days' time." I said. The Dark Talon left immediately, perhaps this was because the decisive loss against the mid-level spider opened his eyes to the level of threat we were facing. "Total mobilization? The other kingdoms will not take this well." Nathan said. "Probably. That is why I am hoping father will convince them once I show him the spiders." I answered. Although I was the head of the military, the civilian sectors such as agriculture and logistics were not part of my docket. Declaring a total mobilization without the support of the heads of state was very risky I fact, it almost destroyed the White Eagle system as countries pushed to have more independent militaries. The success of my predecessor as White Eagle in subjugating monsters calmed down this rhetoric for a short while. Once my predecessor passed on, the rhetoric began appearing again until a new White Eagle, me led the subjugation of monsters end negotiated with the emperor dragon for the end of the war. This achievement calmed down the cessation rhetoric for a few months but they were now appearing again. The Kingdom of Midrain which was northeast to the kingdom of Capel was responsible for this rhetoric. Their children started military training at earlier ages and they had developed the most powerful human army in the island. Their land was also fertile and blessed with precious minerals which made it very wealthy. This was the reason they thought self-sufficiency was the best result for them. As such, this was going to be a diplomatic landmine. It was soon and I began preparing to travel to the castle. I had sked Nathan to find me a merchant's carriage from one of the family's business to carry the spiders to the palace. Originally I thought about flying there with them but I doubted that mother would appreciate such disregard for protocol. "Nathan, let's go. I need an extra hand." I said. The spiders were covered with a large cloth and it was impossible for anyone to suspect anything. Nathan and I rode t the front of the carriage like coachmen and rode to the place. On the way I stopped by to greet the populace who were excited to see me. I casually waved and received countless gifts such as fruits and ornaments which I was grateful for. At the palace gate, I was not instantly recognized due to my white hair but it was all cleared when Nathan came into view. "Captain!" the soldier said. I looked at Nathan and saw him gently nod his head as a dignified soldier. What a great actor? We were allowed inside and I turned to Nathan. "You are the captain of the royal guards?" I asked. "Yes. The other one was too embarrassed after failing to subjugate your pets. He decided to ask for permission to retrain himself which the king allowed." Nathan said. I remembered the incident where I had some of Pitch and Alpha's followers challenge the royal guards when I brought them to the palace for the first time. The royal guards were defeated in a very spectacular fashion. Before we got to the front of the castle, I saw figures running towards me. It was Alpha who was running at full speed with his followers. It seems mother did not leave them behind at the village. "Master, you are back." Alpha said. I got out of the carriage and began to pet their furs. A short while later, Pitch landed on top of the carriage and began trying to tear it open. "Hey Pitch. Don't worry I am here." I shouted. "Master?" He said as he looked at me. He came down and I gave him some head pats. This three species, Wolves, foxes and crows were very large in comparison to their normal sizes. "Master? Have you grown stronger?" Pitch asked. He was indeed a very intelligent bird. "You could tell? Yes I have grown very strong." I answered. "Master, why did you carry such dangerous monster?" Pitch asked. "To show it to the others so they become careful." I said."So this was why Alpha and the others were going crazy." Mother said as he climbed down the stairs to the entrance of the palace. I went over and gave her a hug. "You new hairstyle looks very interesting." Mother teased. "Of course, I took your genes." I gave a witty response. She laughed a little and said. "You rascal, I am not that old yet." We talked a little more where she greeted Nathan and welcomed us in. "I will take the carriage behind the castle." Nathan said. "What is in that carriage?" mother asked. "Trouble." I answered. Mother understood that there was more to the subject and it was not the appropriate time yet. I entered inside the castle and went to the lounge area. "Your father will meet you shortly. I am going to prepare some food for you." Mother said. There were a lot of servants but mother chose to handle this task personally which I appreciated. We began talking as she was preparing ingredients for cooking and through her, I learnt the current state of affairs. The Queen was sick and before she was bedridden, she went to oour home in the village to ask mother to become the step mother to her son. She was now in a very critical condition and healers from all over could not find a treatment for her cure. "I can look at her and see if I ca heal her." I said. "What she has is a hereditary sickness where it is thought to be some sort of curse on the family." Mother said. Curses, a sixth generation derivative of life magic. Not anything impressive for me who wield one of the two branches of Life Magic but lethal to normal humans. "If it is a curse then I believe I can break it." I answered. "You can help mom?" I heard a tender voice ask. It was the crown prince who was almost eight years of age. "My son, can you do it?" Father asked following behind the prince. He was not in his usual jolly mood and I could see it was weighing heavily on him. "I believe I can." I said as I stood up to greet my half brother and father. After some random talk, he asked me to follow him to the royal chambers where they queen was sleeping. I took a look at the queen and tried the most obvious method of releasing my draconic aura lightly on her body. Her dark veins began to disappear from her body and she was no longer shaking unconsciously. I released small volumes of draconic aura until I was satisfied with her results. I then used Life manipulation magic where I transferred some of my life force to her by touching her hand. Her eyes twitched a little which father counted as great progress.