Journey to Freedom: Hell Rising

Chapter 3

After delivering his speech to the nation, the consul retired to his beautiful palace outside the New Shizuroba. The residence was located on a hill north of the city, it was small but nice looking, containing oak entrance doors, two towers with gold tips and many wonderful windows. The entrance part was surrounded by a huge green garden with flowers in shades of blue or red and trees of various types. There was a small fountain in the middle of the garden. The palace was guarded by hundreds of soldiers because Kasprov was afraid that one day angry supporters of the previous government would burst into it and show him no mercy. Several people publicly raised slogans against the consulate's rule for which they were arrested and sometimes taken to the north of Hakachi, so there must have been many more such units in the underground. This thought terrified Adam Kasprov but he really appreciated the gift the king gave him.
When the consul was entering his property in his carriage, he noticed the guard commander heading towards him. The soldiers defending the palace were dressed in silver armor and navy blue, not too long capes. To defend the residence, they used double swords, which they wielded very well. The guard commander could be recognized by the fact that his cape was long, unlike the others. The soldier approached the consul who was leaving his carriage.
- Did something happen while I was away? - the consul asked and then sighed, touching his forehead with his hand.
The guard commander looked at Kasprov with wide eyes, trying to gather words because he didn't know where to start.
- What's the matter? - the consul asked irritably.
There was a moment of silence.
- His Majesty's Wizard Naer Parak has come to visit the Lord - the soldier said these words while looking down, stressed.
- What is he doing here? - Kasprov leaned against the carriage behind him, concerned.
- I don't know, sir. He told me to tell you that he will be waiting for you in the back garden - the commander handed over.
The consul took a deep breath.
- Understood, I'm coming now - Kasprov began to head towards the back of his residence - thank you for the information - he said to the guard commander before he left.
The consul was walking through his small forest along an earth and stone path, looking at the nearby hills covered with green, short grasses and parts of stones. He had no idea what could be the reason for the visit of the wizard from Hakachi and he was slightly worried. In the back part of the garden, nature was wilder than in the entrance part. The green, dense crowns of leaves of tall, mighty oaks and pines covered the view of the clear sky on which the sun was blazing, but the rays did not penetrate the green shield. Once someone entered the garden, it was starting to get chilly. In the middle of this small but very dense forest there was a pond surrounded by tall grass. Next to this water tank there was a quartz table with two chairs, on one of them sat a man dressed in a black coat and fedora which covered his eyes, in his hand he was holding a white cane with metal parts on both sides. Standing next to him was the black horse he rode here on. This man was Naer Parak, royal wizard of Leopold the Invincible and Harold Gusman's greatest rival. A quiet old man who knew his place in the line, he was deeply respected by the king and his associates. Kasprov, seeing him sitting alone by the pond, decided to approach him after a moment's thought.
- Sorry for coming in here without warning - the wizard said without looking at his interlocutor.
- His Royal Highness sent you? - Kasprov asked, uninterested in what Parak had just said.
- Partly. I volunteered to deliver this message because I never had opportunity to visit this garden - he said, looking around at the trees but still not looking at the consul's face.
- The public has already been informed of their support for the empire - Kasprov stated.
- Yeah, that could have consequences.
- What consequences?
- King Leopold would like to warn you about the potential growth of movements opposing the consulate's rule due to the lack of troops.
- Ha! Our army is still strong! - Kasprov replied sarcastically to Parak. - Besides, who would attack? The country is developing well and the enemies of the homeland have fled away! - The consul continued boasting.
- You underestimate the power of attachment to the nation, and it is a very, very powerful force - Naer lectured Kasprov because he didn't like his way of thinking. - People will fight and die for their values ​​whenever they see an opportunity - he finished his thought, looking at the pigeon eating worms from the ground.
The consul was beginning to understand what the wizard was talking about, even though he didn't want to.
- Harold Gusman is ALIVE and still on Azuma Island - as Parak uttered these words, dark clouds covered the sky and a cold wind blew through the entire garden.
Kasprov was afraid of Harold Gusman and potential insurgents in the country because he was not a Conqueror but a man who managed the country thanks to the support of the elites. He didn't know how he would deal with such a situation.
- Be ready - Parak roused the consul from his thoughts and fear. - Prepare the remains of your soldiers, while our army will be waiting right at the border, all you have to do is tell us that you need help - The wizard explained the situation while carresing his horse's head.
- Thank you, I understand - After these words, the consul was relieved.
- Just remember, the king will expect something from you in return - Naer interrupted Kasprov's joy. - When someone loves, he will take advantage of every opportunity - The wizard recalled his words from a moment earlier.
- What will you want in return? - The consul tried to understand Parak's warning.
- This will depend on the amount of help - The wizard took his magic staff and stood up. - Good luck, Adam - Naer turned towards the consul for the first time during this conversation, he got on his horse and began to drive towards the gate at the entrance of the garden.
Kasprov looked at the wizard several times and when he finally disappeared, he crouched under the tree. He noticed that the pigeon was still eating worms from the ground, rain began to pour from the clouds.