The Kingmaker System-Chapter 153 - 152. Something Sinister (2)

Three days had passed after the dinner meeting with Lord Devil and I couldn’t help but feel annoyed. It was night time and I hadn’t eaten since all day as I kept thinking and looking through the maps in front of me.

"Is there something the matter?" Roan asked as I sat in my office without doing anything and probably giving off the angsty vibes.

"Yes, a grave one." I answered making him frown.

I stood up from my chair and he followed suit.

We stepped out of my office and I walked up to the backside of my mansion. I could sense around twenty or so assassins who were stationed around for the protection of the territory.

It was almost night time and Oasis’s night activities had begun. I and Roan walked through the streets, the people around greeted me while I passed by before I reached in front of the book store in the town which had the name Lair of Tales.

I entered the town hearing the bell attached to the door jingle and the girl inside to lift her head from the book that she was reading.

"Master? Good evening," she greeted me with a smile.

She had her black hair braided and flowing down her shoulders with her gray eyes sparkling with her innate intelligence.

I walked up to the stairs that would lead to the second floor giving her a glance and she nodded once understanding my gesture.

She followed me along with Roan up the stairs till we reached at the sitting area with tables, chairs and bookshelves lining the large circular space.

It was a cozy space for the readers with proper lighting and comfortable seats that I had prepared right above my secret room.

I walked up to the last shelf which was beside a small statue which had a magic stone embedded into it, it was like a sensor. This room was only available for me since I was the only one who could open the door from this place.

I infused my mana into the stone and the shelf in front of me slowly slid behind by a few inches before it slid to the side revealing a door. I walked ahead and the two followed me as I opened the door and walked down the stairs hearing the shelf moving back to its place.

The winding stairs ended up bringing us to a room which was lit by mana stones and had an office with various secret documents, two couches and a table along with a desk, chairs and a large comfy chair for me.

I walked over and took my seat looking at Rose and Roan who stood in front of me.

Rose was Enora’s daughter but unlike Enora, she had more interest in absorbing knowledge and running the bookstore which was the main base of the intelligence network situated in Oasis.

Rose was the manager of this place and also the kind of person who could gather information with ease.

Enora wanted to change her ways because of her daughter who wasn’t like her but since they didn’t have any other means of livelihood and Enora was an ex-mercenary turned assassin they had no other way of living until I found them.

"Rose," I spoke up.

"Yes, Master?"

"Have you recently heard of some disturbing events going around across the kingdom?" I asked.

Her eyebrows twitched as she spoke up, "There have been various events going around the kingdom, Master. May I ask what nature of events you are mentioning?"

I sighed, "People disappearing or being found killed mysteriously and brutally."

I saw as the comprehension settled over her features and she started talking, "I have received the reports of such happenings going around in the towns of Lozar, Borkshire and Crigston. It has been happening since the past one month but, the ones who disappeared were either homeless or criminals or drunkards so..."

"So, there was no deeper investigation." I concluded and she nodded.

"I don’t quite understand, why is it an issue if the troublemakers of the town are disappearing?" Roan asked.

"Troublemakers or not, people are disappearing, Roan and that is an issue." I said.

"I shall send a word for further and deeper investigation of the matter." Rose said and I nodded.

"Get me a proper report in three days. And if there’s any foul play then ask them to not get involved and tell me first." I instructed.

"Yes, Master."

"Is there something that’s on your mind regarding this specific subject, Master?" Roan asked.

"Yes, I’ve... got some information and I just need to confirm it before I can take any action on it."

"What..." Roan and Rose exchanged a cautious glance before he asked, "What kind of information?"

"I can’t tell now. Let the reports confirm it and then you’ll know."

The two remained silent for a long moment as I sat in my chair with the thoughts and possibilities running through my mind as I recalled the conversation that I had with Lord Devil.

If this information was accurate then he and I would have a common enemy to take care of.

"If you can take care of this matter then, I will be your loyal ally, Lord Dragon." I recalled his words and couldn’t help but feel slightly at conflict since this matter was bigger than what it looked on the surface.

I stayed in my private office for a while and walked over and lounged on the mattress that was placed in the room just a door away with a bookshelf filled with books on ancient magic.

All those books were a gift from Silas and since I couldn’t put them just anywhere I had made a special place for them.

This place had taken a lot of time to be built especially with the indoor secret space. I had gotten the idea of it from Mordino and had it implemented here.

The winter would begin from next month and the temperature would start to drop rapidly at nights along with the dusk. But unlike here, Frosthail would already be in the embrace of snow, it was on the silent nights like these that I couldn’t help but recall my time at Frosthail.

The snow-covered place which was as quiet as a graveyard at times but was filled with people who had the iron will to fight against the harsh nature and create a home for themselves there.

I was at Frosthail for almost four months for aiding Davian and protecting Frosthail but now, nor I, neither Davian were at Frosthail. Davian had volunteered to go to the war alone while he asked his father to stay back since it was necessary for someone to be there and protect Frosthail’s citizens.

"Happy birthday, Reina." I mumbled as the clock hit midnight.

[Defender of Divine Glory wishes you a happy birthday.]

[Goddess of Wisdom congratulates you for completing a year in this world.]

[Giver of Gifts wishes that you will celebrate your next birthday with all your loved ones.]

"Last birthday was better." I muttered staring at the ceiling.

Everyone were with me last year celebrating my birthday but now most of them were at the battlefield or busy. I couldn’t help but wonder if the boys were all right or not.

Their surroundings wouldn’t be as comfortable or warm or even safe for that matter.

I released a sigh and decided to wait patiently.

There wasn’t going to be a party for my birthday since Rune wasn’t here. I didn’t want any celebrations without my brother.

I returned home before it was dawn and found Dad already in my room sitting on the armchair. He must have waited for me for quite some time as he had ended up dozing off right there.

I removed my earstud and placed it on the vanity table before I walked up to him and noticed the small box in his hands. I used telekinesis to gently make him levitate in the air before brought him up to the bed and slowly lay him down without stirring him or waking him.

I took the box from his hands and sat down on the armchair looking at it. I opened it and saw a silver necklace with a clear crystal with the petal of purple rose in it. It was simple but elegant.

I brushed my fingers over the clear stone and my eyebrows jumped as I noticed the mana that was infused in it.

I almost chuckled as I realised that the pendant was infused with protective spell and the mana didn’t belong to Dad or even Silas but it was Rune’s.

"So, he sent me a birthday gift."

I heard a soft groan before I saw Father stirring in the bed before he woke up and looked around his surroundings disorientedly.

"Good morning, Father." I smiled making him look at me.

"Reina? Why am I in bed?" He mumbled before he got down and walked up to me.

"Ah, you already have it." He said rubbing his tired eyes.

"Did Big Brother send this?" I asked and he shook his head.

"He already prepared it before leaving, he told me to give it to you first thing on your birthday and here," he pulled out an envelope from his vest and handed it to me.

I took it and noticed the words on the envelope.

"For Reina,"

I smiled as I opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

"Happy twelfth birthday, Reina.

I know I’m not with you at this moment to wish you in person but know that I am thinking of you all the time.

I wish I would return to your side as soon as possible with the achievements that would make you proud of me. I know even in my absence you would engage in dangerous things and since I can’t be around you so, I chose this gift for you.

I saw this when we came back from the Isle Rosa but I wasn’t able to give it to you since I was still learning how to infuse mana into other things. But thanks to my training at Eldarf, I managed to learn it and then I charged this pendant with my mana as a protective spell so, that you could avoid the harmful magic spells.

I know you are too strong to rely on this pendant but, it will put me at ease if you wear this.

And, happy birthday again, may all your wishes come true and all the happiness in the world come your way.

Your loving brother,

Rune.

P. S. Eric also wishes you Happy birthday. (He saw me preparing your gift.)"

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