Chapter 83: Secrets And Death
"You're expecting me to buy the drugs?"
Senior Beldon rolled his eyes. "I'm sure you have the ability to find these drugs considering you were able to off the Headmaster, but do remember to check the dosage as the compound might be dangerous for the ground in the long term."
"Is that all?"
"Oh, and one more thing..." Senior Beldon said as he cleared his throat. "Do make sure that you catch and kill the Callarus worm as quickly as you can, alright?"
He looked at Claude, and his gaze was serious. "The Callarus might look like an easy target, but if you play around too much and not let it bore a hole for hibernating, it will get angry.. And I'm positive you're not going to like it getting angry!"
"Hmm, I guess I can give it a shot," Claude said as he placed his hands on his chin and began thinking. He felt like it was a fresh idea when he thought about it. "Thanks for the information, Senior Beldon. I appreciate your help."
"Just don't make a mistake and put yourself in danger, alright?" Senior Beldon lightly smiled at his junior brother, who nodded his head in response and walked forward.
"By the way, now that our master and our fellow faction members are dead, what are we supposed to do?" Claude asked.
Senior Beldon scratched his head and spoke, "Well, Third Elder said that he'll introduce us to his own faction and we can join them, but I'm guessing we'll have to wait until the merging of the three academies for that to happen.."
"I see," Claude nodded his head and continued walking.
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Valley of the Dead. Camp of the Dazearyn Army.
From the look on the Emperor's face upon reaching his army's campsite in the Valley of the Dead should have told Commander Selvig all he needed to know about the mood of Gilbert Gottfried and his subordinates, as well as what level of anger he could expect from him.
Gottfried seemed less than pleased from his meeting with the Argrian General on the border, and was visibly angry. The reason for his displeasure wasn't known, nor did the soldiers seem to care about it. From their experience serving the Emperor, they had understood that as long as they stayed out of the Emperor's way, they could all be safe and alive.
"Welcome back, your majesty," The Commander snapped off and bowed his head to the Emperor and said "The beverages and exotic dishes that you had ordered has been made by our talented chefs and are waiting for you in your tent!" The commander then stepped aside and gestured toward the giant tent that stood almost fifty feet away. Gilbert Gottfried, who was beyond angry, still managed to give a nod to the commander without blowing up.
"Commander Selvig, bring me the leader of our intelligence agency. I want him right now," Gilbert Gottfried ordered his commander and headed towards the tent.
"I'll make sure someone gets him, your highness," Commander Selvig replied and waved at a soldier standing beside him, who nodded his head and went off to find the person whom the Emperor was asking for.
"That was close," One of the soldiers let out s heavy sigh as the Emperor left towards his tent, relieved by the fact that he wasn't the target of the Emperor's fury.
"I feel bad for the leader of the intelligence agency though," Another soldier, who was standing next to him shook his head, sympathetic towards the leader of the intelligence agency.
"Forgive me for being rude, your majesty, but may I ask what exactly happened back at the Valley of the Dead that seemed to have worsened your mood today?" Commander Selvig turned to Emperor Gilbert Gottfried as they walked towards the tent.
"It seems that our intelligence team has made a mistake, Commander Selvig," the Emperor said, as he continued walking, "The information we have on the country of Argria seems to be outdated by a few weeks, or even months."
"What? How on earth is that possible?" The commander couldn't help but accidentally blurt out his thoughts. "What's different from the information that we received?"
"Well, for one, they say that the throne has been claimed by a new king, someone who is of Royal blood," the Emperor reached the entrance of the tent as he spoke, and the two guards standing in front of the tent immediately bowed their heads, showing their respect for their ruler.
"What? But I thought the King and the Queen didn't have any children," Commander Selvig followed the Emperor and entered the tent as well.
"They seemed pretty confident. I doubt it's a lie." the Emperor replied, and immediately saw the Commander's eyes change. "Well, it could also be that they are confident that their lie cannot be exposed. Or maybe there's something going on that we don't know."
Inside the tent was a golden throne and a giant table, which was filled to the brim with various dishes and drinks and fruits of all kinds. The Emperor walked towards the throne and sat down while the Commander grabbed a glass filled with wine and handed it to the Emperor who took a gulp from it, "This is really good. I like this..."
"My men picked it up from one of the finest of wineries, your majesty. I'm happy that you enjoyed the wine," the Commander bowed his head, thanking the Emperor for his kind comment.
"Guess I'll take your word for it." The Emperor took another gulp from the wine after he finished speaking. "Regardless of what the motives of the Argrians are, the fact is that our intelligence team made a mistake. And you and I both know I don't tolerate mistakes. Not in my army."
"Let me go, I can move on my own, alright?"
Right then, a voice was heard from outside of the tent, and both Emperor Gottfried and Commander Selvig turned their heads around to look at the entrance of the tent.
"I guess our guest for this evening is here.." the Emperor spoke with an indifferent voice.
Whoosh!
As soon as Emperor Gilbert Gottfried finished speaking, a body was flung through the entrance, and landed on the floor on their back with a loud 'thud'.
Two men walked into the tent, immediately bowing their heads in front of the Emperor, showing their respect. "Your highness! We have brought the head of the Intelligence team, Roman Rodriguez, as per your request!"
The Emperor nodded his head and waved his hands in response, and the two guards bowed once again and walked out of the tent, leaving the man on the ground all on his own.
"Oww.. That hurt.." Roman Rodriguez said in an annoyed voice as he slowly got up from the ground, only to realise that he was in the Emperor's tent, and in front of him was Commander Selvig and the Emperor himself.
"Y-Y-Your M-Majesty! I-I'm so sorry about the ruckus that I made! I just-....I-I didn't know..." the man was so scared that he couldn't even form proper sentences.
"Silence! You dare talk without showing your respect to your ruler?" The commander's eyes narrowed as he spoke coldy, which made Roman be unable to help himself from turning pale, and he hurriedly knelt on the floor. "Your majesty, your subject had absolutely no such intentions! Glory to the Emperor! Glory to the Empire! Please forgive me for my actions!"
"Rise," the Emperor said indifferently, with a tone that didn't carry any feeling.
"Thank you, your majesty." Roman Rodriguez stood up and let out a heavy sigh.
Emperor Gilbert Gottfried's eyes narrowed as he indifferently said, "Roman Rodriguez of the Intelligence team. Did you know that the information that you handed forward was outdated?"
A moment that drifted into an uncomfortable silence. Roman Rodriguez broke it. "W-What? I d-don't understand?"
"Did you or did you not know that the information that you had handed forward about Argria was outdated?" the Emperor asked again, this time more dryly.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about your majesty," Roman, who was still scared, stuttered as he spoke. "I don't understand… How can the information that we collected be outdated? Our sources are reliable and-"
"Stop!" Before he could continue his words, the Emperor raised his hands to silence him, and he immediately shut him mouth. The Emperor stood up from his throne, and walked towards Roman and merely said, "I got everything I needed to know."
"Wh-What do you mean your maj—" Those were the only words he managed to get out before the Emperor's hand quickly grabbed his neck and clenched down hard on his windpipe.
"G-Guagh..." Roman, who realized that he couldn't breathe properly, began flailing around, his eyes bulging and his face beginning to get red.
The Emperor looked at his face with an indifferent expression as he clenched his neck even harder.
Pop!
Not much of a sound. Hard to hear at all, but Roman Rodriguez's head had burst like a balloon, leaving a pool of blood on the floor and on both the Commander and the Emperor.
"Terminate the intelligence team and build a new one," The Emperor said quietly and turned his gaze towards the Commander. "And make sure that you investigate each and every one related to the Royal Family. They're hiding something, and I want to know what!"