Legend of the Arch Magus: Curse of Agares

by Michael Sisa

  The two men kneeling on the floor bowed their heads, before disappearing from sight.

  “Enter,” said Lord Hais.

  The butler entered the room, bowed his head, and relayed his message. “My Lord, it seems that the princess and her men have arrived at the capital.”

  Lord Hais stiffened. A bead of sweat flowed down his forehead. “H-How… Since when?”

  “I believe they arrived a couple of hours ago, My Lord. They’re currently at the king’s castle.”

  Lord Hais lost strength in his legs. He sat on the couch and stared at the carpeted floor for a moment. “If the princess safely arrived at the capital… then it means…”

  It meant that Black Midas failed.

  “My Lord?” The butler shot a worried gaze at his master. “Are you feeling unwell? Should I call a healer?”

  Lord Hais shook his head. “N-No, I’m fine.”

  He started collecting himself. Even if Black Midas failed to assassinate the princess and her men, it did not necessarily mean that his involvement in the assassination had been revealed to everyone else. After all, all members of Black Midas were bound by the oath of silence. They would not divulge information regarding their master, no matter what.

  Lord Hais stood up, fixed his garb, and breathed in and out. “Ready the carriage. It’s been some time since I last saw my beloved niece.”

  Lord Hais had decided. If all else failed, he could just pin all the blame on Duke Kelvin.

  CHAPTER 20

  The arrival of Lark’s group caused a bit of an uproar in the capital. It was unavoidable. After all, the crystal horses and the carriages riddled with arrows stood out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, Parzival was a well-known knight in the capital. Using his authority, they easily bypassed the checkpoints and arrived at the king’s castle.

  Word regarding their group must have gone around, since by the time they’d arrived at the gates, several people were already waiting for them at the entrance. The retired General Carlos, the Seer of the Kingdom, Lady Ropianna, Priestess Thea of the Temple of the Water God, and a dozen royal guards silently watched as Lark’s group disembarked from their carriages.

  Some of them stared at the crystal horses in bewilderment, while some furrowed their brows as they looked at the arrow-riddled carriages. When the knights brought out the captured assassin, the faces of everyone tensed for a moment.

  “What happened, Princess?” General Carlos hurriedly tried supporting the princess as she got down the carriage.

  “Andrew, he’s dead,” said the princess in a low, trembling voice.

  General Carlos’ eyes immediately darted toward the opened door of the carriage. Inside was a body wrapped in cloth.

  After General Carlos retired, he became one of the instructors of the knights and the soldiers of the capital. Andrew was among his students. A quiet squire back then. He couldn’t believe that the knight had perished at such a young age.

  “Black Midas,” said a young man with short, silver hair. General Carlos immediately recognized him. He was the hero who defeated the Ghost of the Empire. “They attacked our group while we were on our way to the capital.”

  Lark gazed at the assassin kneeling on the floor for a moment. The assassin was looking at the ground blankly, with drool dripping from his mouth.

  “Black Midas,” mumbled General Carlos.

  Even when Carlos was still a child, that assassin group had been ruling the underground syndicates of the Kingdom. Their reach was vast and it was impossible to trace which high-ranking officials were backing them up.

  Black Midas seldomly fail in their assassination attempts. General Carlos was simply glad that the princess had returned unscathed from this ordeal.

  “More importantly,” said Lark, “can I see His Majesty?”

  Judging by the memories of the assassin, the king collapsed because of the poison fed to him daily.

  General Carlos looked at Lady Ropianna. The hunched, elderly woman bobbed her head. If the seer approved of it, this must be the correct path to take.

  “Follow me.”

  General Carlos ordered the royal guards to make way, and he started leading Lark’s group toward the king’s room on the third floor of the castle.

  The castle was vast, and it would take them a couple of minutes before arriving at their destination. Lark looked at the elderly woman walking next to him. He noticed that she was using magic to lift her feet momentarily as she walked, thus reducing the stress on her frail body. It was a simple but practical use of magic. Although it looked easy at first glance, one would need fine control over mana to apply this technique to everyday life.

  Noticing Lark’s gaze, the elderly woman looked at him and smiled, forming numerous wrinkles on her face. She said in a raspy voice, “You must the infamous war hero, Lark Marcus.”

  War Hero? Lark did not know that such a title was starting to spread among the people after his victory against the Empire in Yorkshaire City.

  The elderly woman continued, “Oh my, I haven’t introduced myself yet. Forgive me.” She chuckled. “Ropianna Aria, one of the royal court magicians of the Kingdom.”

  Hearing the woman’s last name, Lark glanced at Chryselle. For a moment, he wondered if the two were related to each other. But judging by their indifferent expressions, having similar surnames must have been a mere coincidence.

  “Lark Marcus, Lord of Blackstone Town.” Lark bowed his head. “I’ve heard from Parzival that you took out the high-grade mana stone from a family heirloom. Thank you.”

  Lady Ropianna shook her head. “Protecting the royal family is my duty. We should be the one thanking you instead. Coming all the way here from the eastern wilderness…”

  Lady Ropianna looked at the leather bag carried by Lark. “I take it that the phylactery is complete?”

  Lark smiled. “Yes. The blacksmith did a great job creating it. Let’s just hope it’ll be enough to contain that thing.”

  Lady Ropianna was the one who’d received Parzival’s letters, and she was also the one who’d given her approval to fully support Lark’s plan. She knew that if the phylactery wasn’t strong enough to hold the fragment, they would eventually find themselves face-to-face with that legendary demon.

  They finally reached the room where the king was resting. Upon seeing Lady Ropianna and General Carlos, the guards made way and opened the door.

  Standing inside the room was the Grand Chamberlain and the chief healer of the capital. An old man, who reminded Lark of a withered tree, was lying on the bed. It’d only been a couple of months since he’d last seen His Majesty. For him to be reduced to such a state—If they delayed the treatment any longer, he would die soon at this rate.

  “Ah, General Carlos! Lady Ropianna!” The Grand Chamberlain had large bags underneath his eyes. His eyes darted toward the princess and Lark.

  Lark scanned the room. He said, “Pardon me, but are you the chief healer? The one in charge of treating His Majesty?”

  The chief healer, a man in his mid-fifties, was surprised by the sudden question of this unknown guest. He stared at Lark for a moment before nodding his head. “That’s right—”

  Without warning, a bolt of lightning shot out of Lark’s fingertip and struck the chief healer. Although Lark purposely reduced its strength to avoid killing his target, it was enough to render the chief healer immobile for a moment. He knelt and started gasping for air.

  General Carlos instinctively pulled out his sword and pointed it Lark’s neck. “You dare use magic before His Majesty?”

  Although the general was old and retired, he held the same gaze as a ferocious beast.

  “The king’s being poisoned by that bastard,” said Lark. He ignored the blade pointed at his neck and cast another spell. Vines grew from the ground and ensnared the body of the chief healer.

  Everyone in the room looked at the chief healer after hearing Lark’s remark. They noticed that the chief healer was aghast, as though he couldn’t believe how La
rk found out. What an amateur. His face revealed his thoughts in an instant.

  “Alcavar ringtail turtle, was it?” said Lark. “Its poison isn’t immediately fatal, but when taken in large amounts, it’ll cripple the body and destroy the meridians. No wonder the curse of the royals started acting up now, of all times.”

  The chief healer’s body trembled.

  “Treason is a crime punishable by death,” said Lark. “Your wife, children, grandchildren. Everyone down to the fourth generation will be executed. Even if the crown is lenient, burning by the stake should be enough to rectify your mistakes.”

  Lark looked at the elderly woman using the corner of his eyes. Noticing his gaze, Lady Ropianna creased her eyebrows and nodded her head, confirming Lark’s words. She was surprised to hear that His Majesty had been poisoned. Furthermore, that it was done by the chief healer himself.

  After hearing that even his grandchildren would be executed, all thoughts of denying the accusation escaped the chief healer. The man was obviously not used to threats like these. Still bound by the vines, the chief healer pleaded, “My grandchild is only five! He’s innocent! Everything’s part of the plan of Lord Hais. If I didn’t poison His Majesty, he would have killed my family.”

  Although they weren’t sure if the reason for the chief healer’s betrayal was true, the fact that he’d admitted to the crime was more than enough. Furthermore, he gave out the name of the one behind this ploy.

  “Lord Hais?” The Grand Chamberlain couldn’t believe what he’d heard. That minister was among the pillars of the king’s faction. He was among the nobles His Majesty trusted the most.

  “Aldur! You fucking traitor!” snarled General Carlos. “His Majesty trusted you! Even if you somehow manage to avoid the death penalty, I’ll personally make sure to feed you to the myrmekes!”

  Being subjected to the retired general’s glare was enough for the chief healer to tremble non-stop.

  Lark took out a vial from his pouch and handed it to Lady Ropianna. “This should be enough to detoxify the body of His Majesty. Luckily, they used a weak toxin.” Lady Ropianna looked at the red liquid sloshing inside the vial. Seeing her curious gaze, Lark said, “Middle-grade healing potion.”

  Lady Ropianna and General Carlos looked at each other. The two of them had been trying to find ways to cure the king for quite some time now. Several months ago, they’d heard of a mysterious potion circulating in the black market. A miracle medicine which originated from the eastern part of the Kingdom.

  A single vial cost a hundred gold coins, and according to their intel, it was more potent that the ones produced by the alchemists of the royal family. Large wounds would heal in a rate visible to the human eyes; the potion’s ability to heal was even better than the most expensive medicines sold in the capital.

  Unfortunately, the supply was scarce to the point that they failed to get their hands on it even after offering triple the amount. This was to be expected, since Lark made sure to produce only four to five vials of those potions each month. And when Lark went to the front lines to participate in the war, the production of these middle-grade potions stopped.

  To think that they’d get their hands on one of those potions now, of all times.

  Lady Ropianna opened the vial, dipped a finger inside and licked the liquid on her finger. After confirming that it wouldn’t harm those who consumed it, she carefully administered it to His Majesty.

  After a minute, the king’s skin started regaining its healthy color. Although he was still emaciated, he no longer looked like a withered twig. The middle-grade potion would do nothing to halt the curse, but it was more than enough to neutralize the poison from His Majesty’s body.

  Lady Ropianna carefully studied His Majesty for a moment, before casting several healing spells on his body.

  To Lark’s surprise, he didn’t recognize more than half the spells the seer used to heal His Majesty. They were probably no stronger than third-tier healing spells judging by the flow of mana, but the mere fact that it was the first time Lark encountered them made him wonder of the other magic people used in this timeline.

  He decided that once given the chance, he would study the magic in this Kingdom. Some people might glorify him to be one of the strongest magicians to have ever lived, but Lark never considered himself omniscient in magic. He knew that even if he spent hundreds of years studying, it’d be impossible to learn everything.

  The king finally opened his eyes. Seeing this, the princess shouted, “Father!” and went to his side. She grasped his hand, and repeatedly mumbled, “Thank God! Thank God!”

  “Esmeralda?” The king felt the firm grip of his daughter. “What are you doing here?” The last he remembered, she went to Blackstone Town under the pretext of a ‘cultural exchange program.’

  The King’s eyes scanned the room. He gazed at the chief healer bound by the vines, General Carlos, the Grand Chamberlain, the priestess of the temple, the seer, and finally, Lark Marcus.

  “Ropianna,” said King Alvis.

  “Your Majesty.” The hunched, elderly woman bowed her head. “I’m glad you’re finally awake.”

  “What happened here?” asked King Alvis, his voice weak.

  Lady Ropianna deliberated for a moment if it was wise to tell the king everything, when he’d just woken up. But after some thinking, she decided to reveal everything that transpired.

  The king listened silently as the seer told him everything she knew. After she was done, the king sighed and looked at the chief healer.

  “Aldur,” said King Alvis. “Why?”

  To the chief healer’s surprise, the eyes of the king held no anger, only sadness and regret. The eyes of someone who’d been betrayed by a very close friend.

  Under normal circumstances, the chief healer would have tried making excuses at this moment, but after seeing King Alvis’ gaze, he simply bowed his head and closed his eyes. He mumbled, “I’m sorry.”

  Silence befell the room.

  After some time, General Carlos spoke, “Your Majesty, regarding Lord Hais…”

  “Let none of this leak to the outside,” said the king. “We do not know who our enemies are, right now. Invite all the ministers, government officials, royal court magicians, and nobles to the throne room, including Minister Hais.”

  “Understood.” General Carlos saluted.

  “Let’s see what my friend, Lord Hais, has to say,” said the King.

  He sounded lonely, as though he’d lost a member of his family.

  CHAPTER 21

  The moment Lord Hais arrived at the king’s castle and disembarked from his carriage, he was immediately seized by several soldiers.

  “What’s the meaning of this?” snarled Lord Hais. “Unhand me at once!”

  A familiar raspy voice replied, “We’ve just finished talking with the princess’ group just now, Minister Hais, surely you understand what this is all about?”

  Lord Hais’ eyes widened and he immediately understood. His worst fears had come true. But how did they pry the information out of those assassins? How did they bypass the oath of silence binding them? He furrowed his eyebrows, trying to feign his innocence as much as possible. “Yes, I heard that Esmeralda has returned. That’s why I immediately rushed here to the castle.” He glared at the guards holding him down. “Only to be mistreated by these imbeciles!”

  The guards momentarily shrank from his glare, but they didn’t release him regardless.

  “Ropianna, this is a transgression! A crime against a minister of the Kingdom!” Lord Hais continued glaring at everyone around him. “Even if you’re a royal court magician, you will not escape punishment!” Lord Hais started dishing out threats, but the elderly woman simply stared at him, unperturbed by his words. Her eyes were filled with disappointment.

  “Take him to the throne room,” said Lady Ropianna.

  “Yes, Lady Magician!”

  His hands cuffed and his magic sealed by the royal court magician, Lord Hais was taken to
the throne room.

  To Lord Hais’ surprise, the throne room was already half full by the time he arrived. All of the remaining ministers of the Kingdom, nobles from different factions, royal court magicians, various officials of the capital, and even the retired General Carlos were already inside. Judging by their surprised faces when the guards brought him in, they were still in the dark about what was going on right now.

  General Carlos, clad in plate armor, nodded at Lady Ropianna. It seemed that in this room, only these two knew what was going on at the current moment.

  Murmurs filled the throne room as everyone looked at Lord Hais. He was forced to kneel on the floor, his body tied with chains and with magic.

  Although some nobles friendly with Lord Hais started to protest against his current treatment, none of them dared to forcefully ask for him to be released, especially after seeing the glare of the retired general.

  The buzz continued, until the gigantic double doors of the throne room were opened, and Viscount Lakian, the Grand Chamberlain of the King, entered. He tapped his staff against the ground. Silence befell the throne room at once.

  “The embodiment of God Nruz. The Heart of the Sun. His Majesty, King Alvis Lukas VI has arrived. Everyone, show your respect.”

  Everyone in the throne room was struck speechless when an emaciated old man started walking toward the throne. He looked ill and weak, but his every movement was the epitome of the word regal.

  “K-King Alvis?” whispered one of the nobles.

  Everyone knew that the king had collapsed and hadn’t woken up yet. They hadn’t expected to see the king here, awake and walking.

  The first to kneel were the retired General Carlos and Lady Ropianna, followed by the royal guards. Seeing this, everyone else followed suit. The sound of the king’s footsteps echoed in the throne room.

  Behind the king, the princess, and her knights, several other unfamiliar faces followed behind.

  After the king sat on the throne, he spoke, “Everyone, rise. You may raise your heads.”

  Everyone stood up and looked at the king sitting on the throne. Now that they’d taken a careful look, it was indeed King Alvis. There was no doubt about it.