Chapter 671 Plans for the Future

Once everything had been squared away with Alaric and the arduous training he would receive from Marcus, it was time for them to part ways.

“Again, I thank you very much for looking after Lilia while I was busy and during such a tumultuous incident.” Marcus said outside the front entrance of the Skalbeck estate.

In turn the viscount and Bianca told Marcus that it was no problem and again that Lilia had helped protect them far more.

“Now we must be off. I have duties to attend to and in the wake of what happened, and I imagine that the kingdom will be in a uncertain state for some time.”

With that Marcus and Lilia left in the carriage that had been waiting for them.

However, as they were leaving, Marcus gave Clarisa an order she had not been expecting.

“Clarisa, we are not heading back home. Take us to the royal castle. There is something that I have to do there.”.

Upon hearing this Clarisa turned around taking her eyes off the road uncharacteristically and with a look of confusion on her face.

“Lady Irene, I understand that you were working at the castle before the incident that happened yesterday, but I believe it would be best and understandable if you took a few days to recuperate. Certainly, at the very least we would need to take Lady Lilia home first. I believe it would not be best to drag her through whatever is happening, which would be too much for a child.”

Seeing the adamant way that Clarisa was trying to avoid them going to the castle, Marcus was quite caught off guard.

Normally she just followed any orders he gave or may slight critiques, but never had she tried to change his direction completely.

Nevertheless, he had to return to the castle, and he needed Lilia with him since it pertained to her as well.

“I am afraid that will not be possible Clarisa. I am sure that you know that Lilia and I have our secrets, and this pertains to one of the upmost importance. We need to go to the castle posthaste and there is no room for debate.” Marcus said with a stern expression that offered no dissent.

“Understood Lady Irene. I will change course to the castle.” Clarisa said with a blank expression and a bit of harshness in her voice.

It was clear that she thought this was the wrong move, and that it would only put undue pressure on them. But after what happened there was something that he absolutely had to speak about with his closest friends and family.

“Lilia before we arrive there are a few things that I need to discuss with you first.” Marcus said once they had traveled a fair distance from the Skalbeck estate.

Nodding her head, Lilia turned her head towards Marcus and listened attentively.

“To start, what happened is likely only the beginning of more problems of a similar manner. I am certain that there are more of those in the kingdom that cling to demon’s honeyed words of power.” Marcus said with a grim expression.

He then told Lilia about his experience cleansing their current estate and the memories he saw of nobles sacrificing children to try and summon demons.

“When I witnessed all of those nobles dying in the memories of that poor boy, I had figured that all those trying to make deals with demons had perished. I was certainly wrong, and it appears that those that are actually successful in making some deal still lay hidden in the kingdom. After this failed attempt, I suspect that they will remain dormant for some time to regroup and make knew plans, but I find it likely we may have to face a similar situation again.”

Hearing this Lilia became downcast as she never wanted to be caught up in such a scary fight where things were so chaotic, and many people were being killed by inhuman beings.

“That is why we have to prepare. I have gotten too lax with my currently level of power, which while well above the average, is still far from the top. To remedy that we are going to have to increase our efforts to get stronger. To that end, we needed to challenge that special dungeon in earnest and claim what rewards we can from it.”

Lowering her head even more and holding in her fear, Lilia honestly never wanted to go to that place again.

It forced anyone who wanted to go through it to face their greatest weaknesses, whether they be physical, mental, or emotional. And only those that could grow from the experiences and become stronger while not breaking would truly reap the rewards from the harsh dungeon.

Still, Lilia knew just how fast one could grow from fighting through the challenges on each floor of that dungeon.

“I see. Is that why you were so adamant about training Alaric this spring? Do you plan on taking him into that dungeon as well?” Lilia asked with concern in her eyes.

“Yes, that is what I am going to do. If Alaric wants to be strong and stand by your side, he will need to brave the special dungeon as well. Though before I continue with this, I should ask you if this is what you want?”

Sighing Lilia was not sure what exactly to do here.

She did want to get stronger, and she wanted Alaric to get stronger too if he wanted to. But she really did not want to head back to that place and expose Alaric to its cruelties.

Still, he had shown much determination when asking Marcus for help, and if he was doing all of it to catch up to her, Lilia felt it would be disrespectful for her to refuse him.

“I am ready to go back. It has been nearly a year since we took our first steps into the place, and I know that there is much for us to gain from it.” Lilia said with a look of resolve.

Seeing this Marcus smiled, happy to see that she was doing her best to get past the traumatizing experience she had faced.

“I am glad to see that you are up for it. I imagine that it will be a difficult situation for all of us, but we need to be ready for another attack like the one that happened yesterday. We cannot just hope to rely on those from generations before us who are currently the strength of the kingdom. If we get complacent, next time a monster, beast, or demon we cannot handle will get the best of us.”

After saying that the two of them sat in silence as they made their way to the castle. Both of them embroiled in their own thoughts on the matters at hand.

When they arrived, Marcus was promptly brought to a meeting room. And as he had asked, Mrazivý had gathered both James and Lyra despite how hectic things were right now.

“So, what is it you wanted to talk about?” Lyra asked, starting off the meeting.

“It is time that we all focus on preparing for the future. And to that end I believe it is time we head back into the special dungeon.”