Blood Elf Monarch

Chapter 276 - Investigate

Caerleon City

The last three months, the citizens of Caerleon were dazzled by the series of many shocking things they had the chance to witness in their lifetime. It all started from the sudden death of their mayor, who was quickly replaced with a new one named Tristan.

From then on, the events spiralled out of control and they couldn't do anything but being dragged by it.

On the first day the man came, he promised that he would solve the problem that had plagued their city ever since. Naturally, most of them thought that this newly deployed mayor was having a little bit of a problem in his head when they heard the so-called promise.

But then, their reality was immediately put into test as a sequence of events swiftly came barraging into their lives in the following days; the war against the barbarians, the Caerleon's adventurers massacre, and the invasion of the orc hordes.

The citizens of Caerleon quickly found themselves living under constant fear of losing their lives. It even led many to move into other towns which they thought were much safer than the current Caerleon. 

Those who escaped indeed received respite, but at the cost of starting everything over in a new and foreign environment.. Meanwhile, those who decided to stay and brave through the violent storm, they discovered that the last few weeks things had changed to a better direction.

On this particular day, a fat-looking elf was seen walking down the street of the southernmost city of Arcadia. He was also one of those people who lived under constant fear the moment he arrived at this place. In fact, the fear was even worse as he was actually forced to come to this place, or rather, kidnapped.

But now, as he walked through the streets of the city, he could see those angry faces seen on the masses were no more. It had been replaced with smiles and vibrant laughter.

As he continued the aimless walk he was currently going through, he noticed several women looked toward him while throwing out winks. At first, he was surprised and then elated by it. However, it soon died down when he realized those winks were actually sent to the new vice head guard of Caerleon City who was currently walking next to him.

"Following my buddy Tristan was the best choice I ever made in my life!" said the Caerleon's newly promoted vice guard while returning smiles and gestures to the many ladies at the street.

"Buddy, huh? How unexpected.. Let me hear you call him that exact word later when he returns." The fat-looking elf's words caused the busy man to turn his head immediately, mercy written on his face. 

The lance-wielding adventurer Seth, who had been following Tristan, quickly cooled his expression as he coughed and let out a sheepish grin, 

"Even if he doesn't think of me as one, at least he is to me! To be honest with you, I have seen his greatness since from the first time we met!" said the man proudly

Hearing the shameless reply of his walking companion, Uriel decided to ignore the former because his ears couldn't afford to hear any more of the bull. After making rounds across the city that was trusted to his hand, Uriel immediately made his way back to the town hall.

For him, now that the hard work was done, time to once again enjoy a good day of peace and quiet with a cold drink and massage by beautiful ladies.

Just when he was laying down closing his eyes, It was at this exact time that a flying object suddenly came hovering over the city, causing everyone who caught a look of it to be surprised.

Recognizing the object, Uriel quickly ran toward the direction where the flying object landed, which was just outside of Caerleon City's wall on the north. A few dozen guards were seen running towards and crowding the northern gate because of the flying object. Many became alarmed by its arrival and unknown origin, but Uriel quickly calmed them down and ordered them to open the gate.

The moment the order was issued, the northern gate was quickly opened and everyone there had the chance to clearly see the object they were wary of. It was a ship, a flying ship colored in black and giving off faint sheen.

The ship was the means of transportation that the Kingsblade had been using for quite some time now, and its appearance usually came with urgent matters that needed to be delivered in the shortest possible time by the King.

Uriel quickly came out of the northern gate accompanied by Seth and Gazef who had just arrived.

When the back door of the ship opened, Uriel was given the shock as he saw who had come. Among the dozen white-uniformed Kingsblade members stood the Arcadian King himself. King Callan, the ruler of Arcadia, had visited Caerleon City, bringing his trusted confidant, the old-looking man with white beard, Tobias the Great Wizard.

Everyone on the scene recognized the Arcadian King and they immediately knelt to welcome him. As for Uriel, he gave a deep bow to the latter.

"Welcome to Caerleon City, King Callan, Your Majesty, what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Seeing Uriel, Callan calmly spoke with a faint smile hanging on his face, "Hello, cousin. I came to check on the city. So, please show me around."

Upon hearing it, Uriel planned to lead the Arcadian King and his envoy directly to the town hall. However, it was apparent the king had another plan as he decided to take a look around the city first.

King Callan eventually did his own round throughout the city. He visited the training ground, took a look at the market, inspected the newly-built blacksmith, and most importantly, he walked around while observing the people on the street. He was also surprised to see dozens of Forlorn elf stationed to defend the city.

Along the way, Uriel asked the Arcadian King questions, but the latter seemed to be occupied by something as he only gave nods in reply. Realizing that the other party was in deep thought, Uriel decided to just follow him around.

After walking through a few streets in the city, Callan seemed finally satisfied as he said, "Alright. Let's make our way to the town hall."

Several minutes later, the group arrived at the town hall, and the Arcadian King started calling names to be summoned before him, several of them. Among them were Gazef, several people working under the previous mayor's rule, those who had been working with Uriel, and also the mines' previous owners.

When he heard the people the Arcadian King wanted to see, Uriel actually had a bad feeling sprouting within. However, there was really not much he could do. Therefore, he just sent his subordinates to bring all of them to the town hall.

Later on, the fat elf could only stand there, listening as the Arcadian King began questioning these people one by one. His bad feeling was true, but there was nothing he could do.

With Tobias' existence standing next to the king, no one could escape from telling the truth. Callan even ordered them to hold the God stone to make sure none of them were under any of Tristan's influence.

After hours of questioning, Uriel was the only one left in the room with the Arcadian King and the Great Wizard.

Looking at the former, Callan asked, "Tell me, Uriel. Why are you helping him?"

Immediately, Uriel said that was because he was kidnapped. From the words he spoke, it seemed his actions of helping the blood elf was done against his will.

Tobias the wizard calmly said "Being kidnapped is true, but no, My King. He was completely willing when he helped the Blood Elf."

Uriel realized he had messed up when Tobias even chose to use his ability to discern his words. Previously, he didn't realize how much interest the Arcadian King had to look into this matter. Therefore, he quickly tried to remedy the mistake.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. The truth is, he promised me a large sum of coins. That's the reason why I am willing to help him. You know how much I like coins.."

The Arcadian King maintained his silence for a second before saying, "Yes, your greed has always been what stunted you from improving, but I've known you for 50 years, Uriel. You wouldn't go to this extent just for some coins."

It seemed there was nothing that could go past this astute ruler. Understanding that, Uriel eventually told him the true reason. At first, it was started because of amusement, but it gradually changed.

"He is brash and hard to deal with, but strangely, I find it exciting to follow his lead. That is the truth."

A look of astonishment appeared on the Arcadian King's face when he heard Uriel's answer. He was so surprised that he asked Tobias twice if his analysis of Uriel not being under Tristan's weird magic was correct.

"Yes, Your Majesty. None of the people we talk with today are under any influence whatsoever."

The Arcadian King once again fell into deep thought, and this time, Uriel braved himself to say what he wanted to tell the other party.

"I really think you should try to know him better, Your Majesty."

Callan turned to Uriel, his gaze calm. "Yes, we shall. In fact, I believe he should be here any time now"

Uriel was surprised by the reply, and before he could ask what it exactly meant, a commotion occurred.

RANG!!!

Loud sounds of alarm were echoing throughout the city, and it came from the south.

Uriel as well as the two quickly made their way to the southern gate. 

Standing on top of the walls and looking at the sight in front of him, Uriel took a deep sigh, he realize his day of peace would not be available for quite some time.

Far into the distance, scattered throughout the horizon, ten thousand orcs, the blood warrior hordes were approaching Caerleon City.