Chapter 307 - An Argument with Closed-Minded Person

"That's why I want to proceed with the plan so when trouble comes my way it's already good as solved. I fear that when they formed an alliance with the other continents, it's already too late for all of us in Maecaea. I'm sure that Dark Magic Lord will say something outrageous and even enraged the leaders of the other continents to go against Maecaea so they can establish an alliance with them."

"I'll say this again, it is impossible for Dark Magic Lord to find a way to break the seal. You are just giving yourself unnecessary trouble."

Zenia was about to say more when Vaughn held her arm and shook his head. Zenia looked at his eyes and nodded her head in the end.

"I hope you will not regret your decision," she turned her gaze toward the Chief Elder and said, "Chief Elder, thank you for your hospitality and everything that you have done for us. We will take our leave early in the morning. I will send you something in four days."

Vaughn held Zenia's hand, and they walked out of the room. Chief Elder did not stop them and only watched the departing figures of the couple.

Chief Elder turned to look at his master and said, "Master, why don't you want to help them? You can easily sense the whereabouts of the true heir with your power."

Master Mardox looked at Chief Elder, "If you have the ability to sense the true heir, are you going to help them?"

"I might. Madam's words make sense after all. We don't know what King Odhran and the Dark Magic Lord are planning, but we know for sure that it has something to do with breaking the seal and visiting the other continents. There is a huge possibility that they will try to form some kind of alliance with the other continents to bring harm to Maecaea."

"That might be true, but we are not certain. Let's wait and see for a while. Knowing Odhran, he will not act hastily. He still holds the power and authority to command the soldiers of Prazia. The Dark Magic faction needs more men to overthrow the current reign. Marquis Quivel is not someone who would let his efforts go to waste. I will keep the half-sphere for now. Although your chosen guardian for the half-sphere is perfect for the job, he is still very young to take on the responsibility. Those men will certainly return again."

* * * * *

Zenia was still fuming when they returned to their temporary home. There was nothing worse than having an argument with a closed-minded person. She never thought that she would meet someone like Master Mardox, who was so difficult to deal with.

Zenia went to the swing while Vaughn went inside the house to retrieve something. He put the doc.u.ment on the table and smiled. He was certain that he could put Zenia's mind at ease when she saw the content of the doc.u.ment.

The gentle breeze seemed to help push Zenia's swing. It was already late in the afternoon, and the sun gave off the right amount of warmth that Zenia always loved. She was glad that there was a swing in their temporary home. It somehow calmed her down.

She was about to kick off her feet to make the swing go higher when a hand prevented her from doing so.

"Allow me," Vaughn's voice was calm and gentle, and it made Zenia feel at ease.

She nodded her head and did not utter a word. Vaughn pushed the swing, and Zenia felt that her feet were raised way above the ground. The gentle, warm breeze was touching her skin and made her much calmer. The unpleasant feeling brought by the argument that she had with Master Mardox was slowly leaving her. She wanted to savor the moment that she had at that minute with her husband.

Zenia closed her eyes and held on the swing as she let Vaughn push the swing higher. It really lifted her spirit, and she felt she was among the clouds that were drifting slowly above her head. She truly wished that Master Mardox would see her point and accept it wholeheartedly. But, she was also aware that there were people who were not willing to welcome change. For them, going through the usual routine was the best way to preserve their peaceful existence.

Zenia sighed, 'Master Mardox, why can't you see that your beloved Maecaea will soon fall into ruin if you keep refusing to accept that fact that the other party could've already found out a way to fulfill their wishes.'

Vaughn could feel Zenia's thoughts, and he also knew that she became more relaxed when she sat on the swing. He just hoped that the doc.u.ment on the table that was waiting for their return would be enough to banish Zenia's anxiousness.

* * * * *

Onboard the ship to Prazia, the two men who failed to get the half-sphere from Shadora were drinking while discussing some things. 

"Is it alright to leave Shadora without getting the half-sphere or finding Dantes Astoria?" 

"There's no helping it. I wonder who that person was at the time. He was emitting a very oppressive aura that I had no other choice but to flee. If not, I may have lost my life back then."

"Is he a magic wielder?"

"No. But, I'm sure that I have felt that presence somewhere before. I just couldn't remember where and when, but it was a bit different too so I couldn't really tell if I encountered that man before."

"What do you think that man is doing in Shadora?"

"Who knows? He could be a mercenary or a knight hired by the temple. Perhaps, he was a mercenary that I encountered before that's why his aura is very familiar."

"What will you tell the Dark Magic Lord and King Odhran?"

"The truth. It is best to just tell them about what happened in Shadora. Our mission is not totally a failure."

"That's true. We still gathered the metals that King Odhran wants us to retrieve. Do you think the Dark Magic Lord found a way to fulfill his goal?"

"I'm not sure, and I don't want to concern myself much with their business. It is enough that I am well-compensated for the job that they require me to do."

"Why did you join them anyway?"

"They offered something that I could not refuse at the time. I really had no other choice but to join them when they threatened my family."

The man looked at his companion in disbelief, "I thought you said you don't have a family."

"That was before, now I really don't have anyone that I can call as family. But after I've lost them, my life became meaningless. At least I still have some use in the Dark Magic faction."

The other man no longer asked anything and just kept quiet. He already knew that his companion was once known as the invincible thief of Prazia who never failed to accomplish his job. The assignment in Shadora was his third failure. Most of his jobs were commissioned by influential people, and he always kept them confidential.

When the Dark Magic Lord caught him, he was forced to work for the Dark Magic faction and King Odhran. He thought that a certain group that he had offended before was the one who eliminated his family. What would he feel when he learned that the ones responsible for the death of his family were the very people that he chose to serve?

They would reach Prazia soon, and the duo would surely face a punishment that would nearly take their lives.

* * * * *

Odette was slowly getting used to her life in Prazia. Nothing had changed much since she was still living like a princess, except she could not reveal her identity yet. King Odhran told his concubines that Odette was his niece who came from a distant kingdom. 

No one believed King Odhran's lies, but they had no other choice but to accept the truth that the King of Prazia wanted them to believe. The Dark Magic faction was on the King's side, and everyone in Prazia was powerless against them. Those who opposed King Odhran openly were buried alive. 

The Dark Magic faction instilled fear in the hearts of the people, and the soldiers' brutality made it worse. Other kingdoms thought that Prazia was peaceful, and the people were disciplined. Only those who had been there for a long time, like Vaughn and Zenia, knew the whole truth.

A messenger delivered a letter to Odette. It was from King Odhran. She opened and read the letter. 

[My dear Daughter,

Please bear with it a little more and everything will soon be ready. We already gathered the finest metals of Prazia, and I will take you on a voyage soon. I am still determined to grant any wish that you have in mind as long as I can fulfill it within my abilities.

I hope you can forgive me for not summoning you at a much earlier time. Please understand that my reign was very unstable during that period. I just gained a powerful ally and my reign is getting more stable.

How I wish that your mother is with us today, and I know that she will be proud of you.

Until then, take good care of yourself, my daughter.]

The letter was still not signed, and the content was almost always the same as the other letters that she received from King Odhran. Odette smirked at the content of the letter. She still could not bring herself to respect the King of Prazia. In her eyes, he was nothing but a pathetic fool who always relied on the strength of an ally. But, she admired his calculative mind. Otherwise, how could he gain such an ally without suffering any losses?

During her short stay in Prazia, she already heard so many things about King Odhran and the Royal Family of Prazia.

'Is there a chance that I have magic within my body?'

Odette knew that it was impossible, but she was hoping that she had it in her. If she had it, she could easily get rid of Zenia and put Vaughn in the palm of her hand.