Chapter 191 - Dark Magic and Pure Spirit

"What are they planning to do with the elixir that has dark magic?" Vaughn became more curious when the Duke revealed the information.

"Didn't you say that it was a strength-enhancing elixir? Were the test subjects soldiers?" Zenia asked worriedly.

"I think they are. When they took me there, I was knocked unconscious with a certain magic spell. When I woke up I was already in a place that looked like a military camp."

Zenia and Vaughn looked at each other.

'Is it the location of the Left Minister's private army?'

'It should be.'

"Could they be trying to produce an army of super soldiers? Is the King of Prazia trying to subdue the citizens or…," Zenia looked at Vaughn, "He is already planning an invasion?"

"I don't really know. If I'm not mistaken, those soldiers have been training for a long time already. However, they have a problem with maintaining their stamina and strength. The strength-enhancing elixir intends to make them retain their strength and stamina for a long time. But, the effect could only last for eight hours, and they are not allowed to take another dose within the next eighteen hours."

"Is that the reason why they resort to using dark magic? They could not find a way to extend the effect of the elixir?"

"The man, named Azer, was the one who contacted me and also the one who taught me how to practice dark magic. I'm still not well-adept in using it, but I already tried combining science and dark magic. It was not perfect, but I liked the result of the first few trials. I was surprised when he told me that his master wanted me to help them. I told them that it was still in the experimental stage and may yield a devastating effect on the test subject, but they insisted."

"Are you helping them now? Are you frequenting their base?"

The Young Duke shook his head, "No. I've only been there twice. I tried to stay awake on the second time that they took me there, but their magic was too strong. I passed out before entering the main gate, but I learned that they were using their dark magic to conceal the base from everyone."

"Have you seen their master or recognized someone from Tissuria?"

"No, their master did not come that day, although he was the one who made me come. Some of the soldiers are from Tissuria, and I heard that one of the high-ranking officials of the base is also from Tissuria. I have never seen him in the last visits that I had."

"How long do you intend to stay here?"

Duke Gordon looked at Vaughn, "Gentleman if you can help me get out of this place, I will be indebted to you. I will help you in any way I can when you need me to. I already refused their  invitation , but they don't want to let me off. The method that I'm using had no effect on their soldiers, yet they are forcing me to improve it. I may be free to roam around, but they don't allow me to go back to Tissuria. I don't know for how long I can hide my presence using the dark magic, but I know that they won't let me roam free again."

"Tell us everything that we want to know later. Right now, we still need to meet someone. We will transfer you to our place of work so we can always look after you. We won't let anyone get to you."

"Thank you, Young Madam. I will never forget this kindness for as long as I live."

"I'm just curious, why did you try to learn dark magic? The mere name alone should stop you from trying to learn it."

"Young Madam, curiosity truly kills a cat, and I learned it the hard way. It just started as a simple curiosity, and it was too late when I noticed that I was already hooked. I traveled all around the continent just to find someone who could satisfy my curiosity and hoped to find a way to end my fascination with dark magic. I found him, and just look at the state I am in right now."

Zenia wanted to say something more as she opened her mouth but decided that it was no longer necessary. She was sure that the Young Duke had learned his lesson.

Vaughn stood up, "We will fetch you later in this place so don't go anywhere else," he took Zenia's hand and helped her up.

"I understand. May I know the real names of my savior?"

"You will… in due time. Right now, you are still someone suspicious. I know you understand."

"Yes, Young Madam. I understand."

Vaughn pulled Zenia's hand gently and led her out of the door. Duke Gordon and Rodham just looked on.

"Will they help us escape from here, Young Duke?"

"They will."

"Do you know who they really are?"

"I'm still uncertain, but I know that they are people you should not mess with."

Clomp! Clomp! Clomp!

The sound of rushing, heavy footsteps could be heard from the outside. The soldiers of King Odhran were at it again.

"Hurry, find people with pure spirit and take them back to the palace."

The people of Prazia could do nothing to stop their King from giving out such an order. They had no idea why the King kept searching for people with a pure spirit, but they were glad that the little children were spared. 

They were told that those with pure spirit could gain a lot of benefits, but they never heard from them again. Even the relatives of those people were kept in the dark. They had a hunch that they would never see their relatives with pure spirit ever again. 

"Young Duke…"

"Don't worry, they will never find the Young Madam. These soldiers possess ordinary magic. People from Ishelon and Tissuria have the innate ability to resist that kind of magic. It's a good thing that the King of Prazia is not using those people with dark magic to search for the ones with pure spirit."

Duke Gordon and Rodham remained seated and ordered more food. The soldiers did not bother with Rodham and the Young Duke when they entered the restaurant. The duo heaved a sigh of relief when the soldiers passed by their table, and picked up the man in the adjacent table.

After the soldiers had gone, Rodham reminded the Young Duke, "Your Grace, we need to think of another way to escape from here in case the Young Madam does not go back for us."

"They will come for us, don't worry. I believe that the Young Madam is someone who put great value in her words."

Vaughn and Zenia were almost late when they arrived at L'Amour du Chateau. Madam Bisset was giving the workers some instructions when they arrived. Zenia believed that the one managing the family business was the Madam. She seemed to be more domineering than her husband, but she was aware of her boundaries and limitations as a woman. In Prazia, a woman was expected to treat her husband as her master that she should obey at all times.

"Good afternoon, Madam Bisset. I hope that we are not late," Zenia greeted the Madam and flashed a warm smile.

"You're just in time…"

"My name is Mina Pernen, Madam Bisset, and this is my husband Renar Pernen."

Vaughn couldn't believe that his wife would come up with such names. He did not know if he wanted to laugh or cry.

"Ah, Mina and Renar… What lovely names you have. Do you have any children?"

Zenia pretended to be sad when she replied, "It is unfortunate that we were not blessed to have a child. There will be no one to inherit our good name when we die."

Madam Bisset felt sad at Mina Pernen's story. The Madam was blessed with three daughters and a son. She wanted to tell Zenia about her children but doing that after knowing that Madam Pernen did not have a child could be considered ruthless.

"There are many couples here in Prazia who do not have children of their own. Did you consider adopting a child? Many families here do that."

"I and my husband had decided to just spend the rest of our lives together without any child. We plan to travel the entire Maecaea. If there are other places beyond our continent, we would like to explore them too."

"The way your mind works is truly delightful, Mina. I never thought before that there will be other places outside Maecaea. Now that you mentioned it, I'm curious as well."

"I hope we can travel together, Madam."

Vaughn remained silent the entire time. He just kept listening to the conversation between the women. He was quite surprised to learn that Zenia actually had such an idea. He knew that it was possible to have other places aside from the Continent of Maecaea, but he was not really interested to explore beyond their continent. 

Madam Bisset ordered someone to take Zenia and Vaughn to their room. They were also given a special tour of the whole place. There were twenty-one people currently employed in the inn, including Vaughn and Zenia.

Vaughn and Zenia got separated when Zenia was taken to her work area to learn how things worked in the kitchen. The head cook already knew that Zenia was someone who would teach them new dishes. At first, the head cook wanted to protest but the Madam told her that she would be the one to judge the new recipes that Zenia would cook. 

Madam Bisset also gave the head cook the authority to choose the dishes, which Zenia would present, that their customers would love. Upon hearing the Madam's explanation, the head cook no longer made a fuss.

Vaughn was taken to the stable. Thunderbolt was already there. He looked around, and he liked the set up of the stable. He was planning to do the same to his stable.

The manager of the stable introduced Vaughn to everyone and all of them seemed to be difficult to get along with. None of them seemed to welcome Vaughn at all, including the manager. Vaughn sighed.

'I hope my wife is not having a hard time.'