Chapter 194: Scoop
Angelina and her companions walked into the hall, finding places to sit. Eradarin initiated the conversation by saying, "We thought about visiting the ruins again, like we usually do."
Angelina sat on the sofa, her arm resting on the handle, as she contemplated Eradarin's suggestion.
After a brief moment of thought, she spoke, "Eradarin, I have to return to the spire, and I might be occupied for the next few days."
Bruna, who was curious, inquired, "What happened to Jaegar? He seems to be quite badly hurt."
Angelina turned her gaze towards Bruna and replied, "Just some school duels that got a bit out of hand."
Angelina questioned, "Do you know about Ember Wolves?"
"How do you know about them?" Bruna asked.
Angelina acknowledged her surprise with a nod and continued, "One was spotted near the Cledwarys Academy. Do you think we can find someone from their tribe if we want to? I know they tend to stay hidden from the outside world, making them nearly impossible to locate."
Bruna, impressed by Angelina's knowledge, offered her insights, "Ember wolves are ferocious beasts, born for hunting, like apex predators. Once they set their sights on a target, they won't give up easily.
But why would an Ember Wolf venture so far from its pack? The North Glaciers are almost halfway across the world from the Cledwarys."
Angelina pressed further. "Do you think you can trace them by their movements?"
Bruna, recognizing the gravity of the situation, sighed, "No, they are stealthy and light on their feet."
Angelina expressed her gratitude, saying, "Alright, thank you."
The conversation continued for a while, and then Eradarin and the others left the farmhouse, leaving Angelina in contemplation.
Two weeks had passed since the incident involving Jaegar and the announcement of his death.
Surprisingly, he had recovered at an astonishing rate, like he had some regenerative abilities that were nothing short of extraordinary. A normal person would have stayed on the bed for at least a few more days.
While his right shoulder wound and the scar on his abdomen were still visible, the progress he had made was remarkable.
Angelina had taken it upon herself to nurse him back to health, ensuring that he received the care and nutrition he needed. She spared no expense when it came to his recovery, even providing him with dragon meat, a costly delicacy known for its revitalizing properties.
Angelina had hunted the dragons herself and had a substantial supply of their meat at the spire, making it readily available for Jaegar.
After devouring a hearty meal, Jaegar jokingly remarked, "I think I'm going to bloat up like a pig."
Angelina, a skilled cook, had prepared the dragon meat for him, and he had developed a deep appreciation for her culinary talents. "Young boys should eat more to stay healthy, and I can cook as long as you eat," she responded with a smile as she sat beside him, her warmth and care providing comfort during his recovery.
Jaegar had already devoured a quantity of food that could have satisfied several people, a proof of his rapid recovery.
"Do you think I can go back to the academy?" asked Jaegar, stretching his left hand.
Angelina said, "I actually forgot about it.
Yeah, you should go back and show them you aren't dead."
Jaegar was surprised that she was letting him go. He thought she would want to make him stay for a few more days, not that he was planning on staying.
"Thank you, I will visit again."
Then Jaegar left the farmhouse, and he was on his way to the academy.
After he left, Angelina went to the spire. She ordered a few of the coven witches to keep an eye on the academy and on Jaegar too.
She started looking more into Agatha and the emberwolf, Ellamaria.
*
Agatha and Ellamaria, having successfully completed their clandestine mission in the forest, retreated into the shadows. Agatha's confidence in her work was unwavering; she knew that the imperial capital would fill with news of their prince dead.
Little did she know that the consequences of her actions were about to reverberate far beyond the quiet forest.
As they returned to the towns, Agatha was met with an unsettling revelation.
Posters with her likeness adorned the walls, declaring her a wanted woman. The shock of discovery gripped her, for she had kept her identity concealed from the prying eyes of the outside world for ages.
The burning question lingered: How had they known about her? She thought she had concealed herself, and the two people who came at the end would have died in the last energy blast she cast along with Jaegar.
The reason wasn't mentioned, but there was a bounty placed on her head.
Fearing the tightening noose of pursuit, Agatha and Ellamaria retreated into hiding once more.
The duo sought refuge in the shadows, hoping that the fervour surrounding the wanted witch would die down with time.
Little did they know that their sudden infamy had reached the bustling heart of Scroartint Central City.
*
Scroartint Central City stood as a beacon of commerce, trade, and cultural diversity. A melting pot where races mingled freely, it was the epicentre of major businesses and the headquarters of the influential mercenary guilds. The commerce and trade present in the city attracted people from all walks of life, making it a vibrant and bustling hub of activity.
Its reputation as a center for innovation and opportunity had spread far and wide, drawing in both marketers and mercenaries alike. The city's streets were always filled with the sounds of merchants haggling, musicians playing lively tunes, and the aroma of exotic spices wafting through the air.
The city's streets were always bustling with activity, filled with merchants haggling over prices and adventurers boasting of their latest conquests. It was a place where fortunes were made and lost, where power and influence could be bought and sold.
The empire's knights, stationed to maintain order, kept a watchful eye on the city's bustling activities.
The city's mayor was a diplomatic figure skilled in navigating political intricacies.
In the heart of bustling Scroartint Central City, within the walls of a newspaper office, a woman named Ms. Weston found herself engrossed in a captivating discovery.
Dressed in a sharp office suit and donning glasses, she projected an air of professionalism as she carefully examined a photograph of a young man. The image portrayed a soccer sensation and the victorious contender of the winter carnival.
As Ms. Weston contemplated the potential significance of her findings, a man named Charles approached, inquiring about her focused attention. "What are you looking at, Ms.Weston?"
With a pen in hand, she revealed her thoughts to him: "Charles, I believe we've stumbled upon an item that could make headlines and bring us significant acclaim."
Charles, a thirty-year-old man of curiosity and confusion, sought clarification. "Ms. Weston, I'm struggling to grasp what you're suggesting. What have you found?"
Patiently, Ms. Weston directed Charles's attention to the photograph on the board, pointing at the young man. "Do you know who he is?"
Failing to get an answer, Weston continued.
"He is none other than the youngest prince of the empire, and I've come across some intriguing news about him."
Perplexed, Charles probed further, "What news could that be?"
With a calculated tone, Ms. Weston unveiled the startling revelation, "He is reportedly deceased, and there has been a conspicuous absence of any news regarding his demise."
The revelation hung in the air, casting a shadow of mystery over the unsuspecting city. The newspaper office, once a hub of routine reporting, now held the potential to unravel a secret that could shake the very foundations of the empire.
Charles, grasping the implications of the revelation, quickly assessed the potential risks. He understood that meddling with the affairs of the imperial house could lead to severe consequences, and discretion was of utmost importance. Voicing his concerns to Ms. Weston, he cautioned, "Ms. Weston, you realize this involves the imperial house.
It might not be safe for us to publish such news if the main house wishes to keep it concealed."
Mabel Weston, undeterred and calculating, flashed a confident grin. "We merely need to disseminate the information to the world. Once it's out there, they won't dare to come after us."
While Charles harboured reservations, he couldn't deny the allure of the potential scoop. The newspaper's survival was hanging by a thread, and the promise of a breakthrough story was a tempting prospect.
Reluctantly, he consented, aware of the risks but swayed by the potential rewards.
Mabel, seizing the moment, outlined the next steps. "Now, Charles, delve into the young prince's story. Visit his academy, inquire, and unravel the truth behind his alleged demise. We need the details before we set the wheels in motion."
With the fate of their newspaper precariously balanced, Charles embarked on a journey to unearth the hidden truths surrounding the youngest prince of the empire. He knew the risks, but he was tempted by the reward if the story broke out and their paper would be the next big thing in the central city.