Tale of a Hedonistic wizard-Chapter 452: A traitor

After Alaryc had been escorted to the medical hall of the tower, Badock turned to Angelina and then onto Jaegar. He recognized the young prince immediately; after all, he had been a regular sensation in the newspapers.

"Where did you find him?" he asked Angelina straight away, as his gaze turned to her. His expression was stern as he regarded her with no respect. In the past, he had never even dared to raise his voice in front of her. But now, he was rather arrogant.

And the reason being Angelina’s condition, even a normal low-level wizard could tell she wasn’t as strong as she was in her past. There seems to be something wrong with her arcane energy flow, like a disturbed stream of water. Though she appeared well, she hadn’t healed fully.

Badock had come running as soon as he heard that Alaryc was here, and he was brought in by Angelina and Jaegar, and he had come not before sending news to a few people.

Angeline replied, ignoring his rudeness, "In the Gravarane forest, we were late, and by the time we reached there, he was already in that state."

"Do you have any idea of what’s happening right now?" he asked.

Angeline nodded. "Those serpents have started moving, and they are trying to resurrect the chaos god."

Badock stared at her and then turned to Jaegar and simply said, "Seize him."

Tower Guards moved to surround Jaegar, their staves raised. But Angelina was faster, stepping between them and Jaegar, her own power crackling in the air around her. She may be weak, but she still was stronger. After all, she had reached a peak of the arcane witchcraft.

"What is the meaning of this, Badock?" Her voice was soft, but it carried the weight of her authority as the strongest witch of humanity.

Badock’s laugh was harsh. "In these times? The Serpent’s influence reaches further than you know, old friend. We cannot risk—"

"Cannot risk what?" Angelina’s eyes flashed.

"Them getting hold of the boy," he said, still looking at Jaegar, so was Jaegar, with a stoic expression. But he was concerned about Angelina.

He was more or less expecting them to resort to this means.

Angelina, still standing before Jaegar, said, "He is not a weak boy like your prodigy."

Bodock’s brows shot up, and he was about to say something, then a portal opened up in front of them. A swirling arcane something, formed up.

A middle-aged man stepped out of the portal.

"Arthur! What are you doing here?" Angelina turned to him as she was surprised to see him.

"Lady Angelina, what Badock is saying is true. We cannot let the boy be roaming outside." Arthur said as the portal behind him closed.

"You are involved in this; you seriously think you can imprison the boy. You people are underestimating him," Angelina said with a prideful tone.

Jaegar saw Arthur, and while he was pondering about him, he felt another presence, and it was coming towards the tower.

"And that makes him more dangerous than ever." Arthur’s voice cut through the tension.

The arch-wizard’s presence seemed to dim the very torches along the walls.

"Think, Angelina. If the Serpent’s agents were to capture him..."

"So you are going to imprison my boy and keep them from getting to him," Angelina’s power flared brighter, though anyone who knew her could see the strain it caused her. The wounds from her past battles had never fully healed.

"It is how we survive." Arthur moved to stand beside Badock. "The boy must be protected at all costs. You know this."

"You mean imprison him."

Heavy footsteps announced another arrival. Jaegar turned to the entrance and watched the man coming.

Gawter, the Blade Sovereign, strode into the chamber. The Empire’s guardian took in the scene with eyes that missed nothing.

"Stand down, all of you," he commanded, his voice resonating with authority. "Lady Angelina speaks truly. I know Jaegar’s reputation—he is no threat to us."

"With respect, Gawter," Arthur said smoothly, "this is a matter of magical security."

"The Tower’s protocols would have us turn away every ally until we stand alone against the darkness," Angelina cut in. She swayed slightly, the effort of maintaining her defensive stance taking its toll.

Badock noticed her weakness. Although she had been healed, her injuries so had been so severe that it didn’t heal. It could take some time and rest to heal.

"You’re not fully recovered, Angelina. Don’t force us to take action that would harm you."

"I won’t let you imprison my boy."

"There’s more," she said finally, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Something you all need to know." She straightened herself, pulling away from Gawter’s support despite her weakness. "It’s about Angus."

Badock’s eyebrows rose slightly. "The Emperor’s brother? What about him?"

"He’s one of them." Angelina’s words fell like stones into still water. "Angus is part of the Bande de Serpents."

The reaction was immediate. Arthur took a step back as if physically struck.

Badock’s face drained of colour. Even Gawter, the unshakeable Blade Sovereign, went rigid with shock.

"That’s impossible," Arthur breathed.

"A traitor," Angelina cut him off sharply. "I saw him with my own eyes."

Badock gripped his staff so tightly his knuckles went white. "Are you absolutely certain? This accusation—"

"I know what I saw, Badock. He wasn’t there under duress or as a spy. He was giving orders. They... they obeyed him."

Gawter’s hand had moved to the sword’s hilt, his face a mask of controlled fury. "This explains why you were so quick to defend Jaegar. You knew he’d be implicated by his father’s actions."

The great doors of the hall burst open as a man came inside hurriedly.

"My lords!" The man gasped for breath, his eyes wild with panic. "The Black Hounds... they’ve turned! The entire legion has declared against the Crown!"

"What?" Badock stepped forward. "Speak clearly!"

"They seized the barracks at midnight. When the City Guard tried to intervene, they..." The messenger swallowed hard. "There was fighting in the streets. The legion has fled the capital, taking their full armoury with them. They’re moving east, toward the forest Lands."

Angelina closed her eyes briefly, as if in pain. "Of course. The Black Hounds were Angus’s personal command. He’s been preparing this for years."

"The capital is vulnerable," Gawter said grimly. "And with Angus knowing all of the Empire’s military secrets..."

"This changes everything," Arthur muttered, beginning to pace. "If Angus is true with the Serpents, then we are going to have a talk with the emperor." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Everything is compromised," Badock finished. He turned to the messenger.

A heavy silence fell over the hall as the full implications sank in. The Emperor’s brother turned traitor.