Supreme Magus novel Chapter 1086

Chapter 1086 Internal Strife Part 2

"As for the creature, I agree that its behavior is odd, but no more than that of the other members of its kin. Like Mage Ernas reminded us, the same happened at the Laroxya mines.

"After being discovered, the creature fled without harming any of the workers. Whether you consider Mage Ernas’s testimony convincing or not, Archmage Deirus, she is innocent until proven otherwise." Queen Sylpha glared at Velan until he took a step back.

"I find her report as believable as it’s suspicious the fact that the traitorous Great Mage Nuragor was your pupil, Velan. There’s no doubt his loyalty lay with the undead.

"We’ve traced all the conversations and movements prior to Kallion’s death. Several persons confirmed to have witnessed him displaying abilities only a thrall could have and after searching his apartments, we’ve discovered enchanted items belonging to the Dusk Court.

"On top of that, several survivors witnessed Great Mage Nuragor fighting alongside the undead during the coup. Tell me, Velan. Did Kallion change overnight, are you so incompetent that you failed to notice you were raising a snake in the grass or were you part of his schemes?"

The Queen had privately interrogated Wyra and Rotha, the two surviving members of the Crystal Shield guild who had heard Kallion speak on behalf of both Deirus and the Undead Courts.

Unluckily, their testimony was even more useless than Phloria’s in a court of justice, but that didn’t mean the Royals would let things slide easily.

"When I met Kallion Nuragor, he was just a brilliant youth eager to serve his country." Archmage Deirus kneeled in a sign of contrition. "Maybe I trusted him too much because he reminded me of my lost son, but I would have never taken him in if not for the many letters of reference the Association wrote him."

His attempt to use Yurial’s death to solicit sympathy made every parent in the room want to puke and put Kwart in a bad spot.

"The Association has indeed many responsibilities, Velan, but it was you who took him as an apprentice just like it was you pushing for him to become a Great Mage. Do you deny it?" King Meron said.

"No, your Majesty. I failed to see Kallion for what he truly was and there’s no excuse for it. I’ll accept any punishment you see fit." Deirus said.

’I failed to see that he was an incompetent fool. How could he possibly be so stupid as to gloat before completing the deed? More importantly, what the heck happened to the two armies I sent there?’ He actually thought.

The Undead Courts had conducted their own investigation as well, finding no plausible explanation for the slaughter of a battalion strong of 500 elder undead.

’I had invested a lot of resources into Kallion and his Nuragor household. Yet after falling for Jirni’s trap and losing the Blood judgment, the Nuragor household was already crippled.

’Now that they have lost the only Mage in their family and are branded as traitors, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Nuragor disappear faster than the Deirus. Kallion destroyed my reputation and my relationship with the Undead Courts in one fell swoop.

’I can only lay low until things settle down and use that time to plan for my next move. Taking on the Ernas now that my entire faction is under scrutiny would be suicidal. I must cut my losses and pin the blame to useless idiots like Kwart.’

"Archmage Deirus, because of all the services you rendered to the Kingdom in the past, you’ll not be arrested nor will your assets be frozen. However, until a thorough investigation has completely cleared you of all suspicions, you are hereby forbidden to leave the country.

Jirni inwardly curled her lips in disgust, angry with Deirus for not leaving any trace she could follow and with herself for having yet to find a weakness she could exploit. Deirus loved no one and was already dismissing his lands bit by bit over time. _{freēwēbnovel.com}