Edmonte's Story, Kazen II Kad [interesting books to read in english TXT] 📗

find ourselves a table and you can tell me what is going on,” I said when I finally got my rationality back. Thus, we went to the dining area of the inn, chose a table and continue with the conversation.

Master Zhou told me that a few weeks before the late arch mage taken ill, members of the associate committee and a few officials from the Council of Advisors of the Soparto Kingdom were having a discussion about the future direction of the Magus Association. One of the agenda of the discussion was the appointment of the next chancellor. Of course, knowing the late arch mage, he nominated me as a candidate, stating out the all duties that I had been doing for the Magus Association. Except for the late arch mage (and presently Master Zhou), nobody had ever meet me so the members of the Council of Advisors were skeptic about my appointment and wanted my representation in person. The Magus Association committee wanted to send someone to get me then, but Arch mage Hirscher fell ill, and died, and only after the mourning period that they have the time to send someone to get me.

“I couldn’t be the only candidate for the chancellor. Who else are nominated?” I asked after hearing Master Zhou’s account. I could see the elementalist grimaced a little when I brought up the question, as if he did not want to tell me about the matter. Curiosity engulfed me then.

“Master Irving, Mistress Thora, and Viscount Graham,” he answered. “Master Irving is now the new Arch mage of Soparto Kingdom; Mistress Thora currently overseeing Magus Association’s matter while waiting for your appointment approval; while Viscount Graham is a non mage and one of the council of advisor.” I had no problem with Master Irving and Mistress Thora; both had the rights to the seat of chancellor as Master Irving was the former arch mage aide, while Mistress Thora served as Vice Chancellor of Magus Association since the opening of the institute. I suspected Viscount Graham was put as candidate for his own agenda, or probably members of the Council of Advisor wanted the post for their own agenda.

“If that’s the case, can I rescind my nomination?” I asked outright. I still did not like the idea of travelling to Islandville of Soparto.

“What?” Kash blurted.

“Why?” Luciel asked.

Master Zhou remained silent. Then abruptly, he put both his palm on the table and bowed until his forehead touched the table. “Master Edmonte, we beg you to reconsider,” he began as we were shocked by his action. “It was the late Arch mage Hirscher’s will that you took the helm of the Magus Association once he stepped down from the chancellor’s position. He made no secret of it and everyone in the Magus Association knew about it. He knew you would not agree to it if he told you outright so we have been discreetly giving you a chancellor’s duties in the guise of getting advice. In fact, for the last six months, you have been doing most of the chancellor’s duties with the late Arch mage Hirscher as your proxy. We apologize greatly for deceiving you but we really need you to head the Magus Association.”

I had no idea how should react with this confession. Should I be angry for being deceived all these times? Should I be sympathetic? Should I just pretend that I had not listened correctly?

“Master, this mage is causing you distress. Shall I do something to him?” Iris offered as he positioned herself above the elememtalist. I could see Kash’s horned-wolves growling as they keep their eyes on my guardian-demon.

“No, love, and come here,” I thought as held out my arm for the majestic butterfly to perched on. It was only then I realized I erred. “Damn,” I muttered, amid the looks confusion from the others, and a chuckled from Kash. “Shut it, Kash,” I said, only to bring more chuckles from the mercenary.

“What’s so funny?” Luciel asked in interest.

“I’m just interacting with a wandering spirit,” I said, and changed the topic, “Anyway, with there other candidates; I believe my ascension to chancellor won’t be that smooth. I believe there are objection, yes? That’s the reason behind the candidacy in the first place, right?”

“Correct. When all the candidates present, the voting system among the members of Magus Association take precedent and the candidate with the majority of votes win,” Master Zhou explained. It was a rational way to do when there was more than one candidate for a post. Looking it the other way, there was a possibility that I might avoid being seated with the chancellor post. I did not care who won, as long as it was not me.

“When is the election taking place?”

“The election is on the first week of Summer Solstice. King Salvatore of Soparto Kingdom gives the Magus Association some time to search for you, with the promise that you will be present during the election.”

I had not missed that he stressed the later part of the sentence. Like it or not, I need

to go with them to Soparto. “I still have time then to get on with my usual business,” I conclude, as Summer Solstice would be four months away.

“So, are you coming with us?” Kash repeated his offer.

“No, thank you,” I refused politely. I did not want to get in any other mission Master Zhou was sent to. “Of course, if you need my help, just seek me out. I’ll probably be in Bedin next week.”

“Okay. Then see you around, Ed,” Luciel and Kash said.

“Until next time, Master Edmonte,” Master Zhou said.

I believed that we would not be seeing each other again soon so I did not mention about the chance meeting with the mercenary, trooper and the agents from Magus Association to my apprentices and Sir Barth. I also put that matter at the back of my mind. As scheduled, we spent a week in Kyrun where I divided my times between teaching my apprentices necromancy and clients who seek necromancy skill. By the end of the week, we began our journey to the capital city of Estrey Region, Bedin.

Chapter 7: Pain & Gain

The journey to Bedin Capital City should have taken four to five days, and sometimes it might take longer than that for us because we actually not in a hurry to reached our destination and there were bountiful spoils from the forest that could be used in necromancy techniques. Thus, while Sir Barth stayed at the camp, my apprentices and I went around the nearby area collecting herbs and the like. We were well into an hour of collecting the herbs when Iris informed me about visitors at the camp. I bade Gaby and Theo to continue what they were doing while I went back to the camp.

My visitors were a pair of troopers, and Sir Barth was serving them refreshment when I came by. “Oh? We have visitors?” I feigned surprised.

“Master Edmonte, they want to meet you,” Sir Barth informed. He introduced the troopers as Lieutenant Regan and Second Lieutenant Michael. “They said they have a letter address to you from the Governor General of Estrey Region,” the knight mage added as he handed me a leather bound parchment.

Okay, this was really intriguing. It was uncommon to have a general member of the public to receive letter from the governing authority of Estrey Region. Unless it was a warrant letter but that usually come with the use of force and the two troopers here did not make any move to do likewise. Anyway, I took the parchment off Sir Barth’s hand, unrolled the document and read what was written on it.

“What did the letter say?” Sir Barth asked.

“Nothing much; it just tells me briefly that the governor general invited me to join a discussion they will have with the agents from Soparto Kingdom. The discussion will be held at Octagon Palace in Badin City as soon as I am available,” I said.

“Ho-ho,” Sir Barth remarked. “Will you join?”

“Do I have a choice in the matter?” I asked this of the trooper.

“Governor General Endo would appreciate your presence in this discussion since it seems that you are familiar with agents from Soparto Kingdom named Master Zhou Li Men, an Elementalist Mage,” Lieutenant Regan said. I had no idea where the governor general got that information. As much as I knew, it was still disclosed within a small group of people only. I wondered if Luciel mentioned it to his superior when he made a report.

“Can I ask what this discussion is all about?” I need to ask. Of course, I had vague idea what the discussion would be about, but I need the clarification.

“We’re sorry, Master Edmonte. We are commanded to give the letter to you and get your reply,” Lieutenant Regan told, apologetically.

“I see..,” I said simply. Nevertheless, in my mind, I sent commanded to four of my butterflies, “Four of you, two on each man, follow these men.”

“Yes, Master,” the butterflies replied in my mind.

I wrote a simple note to say that I would be attending the discussion and give it to Lieutenant Regan. To my surprised, Lieutenant Regan gave the note to 2nd Lieutenant Michael, who bade farewell to us and went on his way. When I looked the trooper for explanation, he said, “I’m to be your escort and to make sure that you attend the discussion.”

I was quiet baffled by the trooper remarks. “I’ll have you know that I never miss any of my appointments,” I exclaimed. “Whatever, I’m getting Gaby and Theo,” I said as I went away from there.

Half an hour later, we were on our way to Bedin City.

Our entourage was met by a pair of trooper as we came by the Southern Gate of Bedin Capital City, who informed us that they would lead us to our accommodation. We followed them to a prestigious inn that I would not have dream entering with my meager earning, and we were even put into our own rooms – my apprentices’ room to my right and Sir Barth would occupy the adjacent room. I was told that Master Zhou also stays there but he was currently at Mecor Headquarters. It was not my business to know what the elementalist need the mercenary corporation for but anyway, the discussion was schedule to be held by tomorrow