Embers of Sun and Flame: Before We Have It (Fuegoleon x OC)

Chapter 44 Lie to me

Time passed, during which life continued, and suggestions were presented and submitted. But the time felt far longer than what it was; the weeks, felt like months. Long days, and endless hours that seemed to go nowhere and offer no solutions. Which didn't mean that the Captains wouldn't have needed to make decisions.

And that meant a new meeting.

"There have been rumours about a new Wizard King," Charlotte stated as each of the captains sat down around the table.

"It was to be expected," Fuegoleon replied. "No one has seen Julius for a long time, and they're expecting him to make a statement as the Wizard King. And because no statement about the latest events has been made, by the Wizard King, they're making assumptions."

"Rumours are nothing new, and we shouldn't make rash decisions just because they happen to be more accurate than most of the time," Nozel continued, to which Charlotte nodded. Noble circles were indeed more than familiar with gossip, which most often was out of ill intentions and malice, and miscommunication on others. Nothing to take seriously in any case.

"And when Julius comes back-" Rill begun, but didn't get to finish, as Marx spoke on top of him.

"He won't."

The room... fell silent. Everyone turned to look at Marx who stared in front of himself with a prominent frown and tired eyes. Even more tired than usually. But not quite lost, not quite, but... almost.

"I have used a considerable amount of time during the last weeks to scour the kingdom for Julius and Damnatio... And found nothing."

The silence... continued. No one had anything constructive to say. None of them wanted to say what crept up on them from the depths of their thoughts. Instead, they listened as Marx continued.

"Which means that they were either killed or abducted..."

A logical statement, but the fact that it was logical, made it all the more terrifying. Because who could have, even with that window of opportunity when the majority of the Kingdom's most powerful mages were out on a field of battle, managed to take them both? Julius was weaker due to still having only one page from his grimoire, but Damnatio was still a fully fledged mage. Not to mention that they had both been in the heart of the Capitol, as they disappeared. And... Marx had spoken with Julius only a moment prior to him having gone missing. Thus, whatever had happened, had taken place after the battle had been won, and before they had returned. It meant possibly more than one person. People who could move in the castle walls, without being noticed. People who were strong enough and knowledgeable enough to take the two.

"I have ruled out everyone in this room, along with Owen, to be the culprit, because of where you were, your affinities and motives that you might possess..."

Another statement. A logical one. They all were in a position where they were, objectively, on that short list of people who could fit the description.

"I'm uncertain about the law department, because Damnatio was supposedly working on something, of which he didn't discuss with anyone, but it involved going through records in the Royal Archives..."

An unsettling statement, because it could mean a wide variety of different things.

"And it's possible that whatever he was researching is the reason as to his disappearance. Of course, it is possible that he disclosed this information to Julius, which made them both a potential threat. But Julius, as the Wizard King, could be considered a threat simply for his title."

The people around the table gave a nod. Just one, but they did.

"Furthermore, since those of you who were appointed as viable candidates to be the next Wizard King, have all rejected the offer, I propose that I assume the position of taking care of the paperwork, which would belong to the Wizard King. Meaning that I wouldn't hold the title, nor would I introduce myself as such, but I would make sure that Magic Knights remain functional. In essence, I would continue my work as it was prior to Julius' disappearance, but wouldn't need to locate him to sign documents. And as a note, I would sign papers as 'Office of the Wizard King', as long as you approve of this."