"W-what?! It can't be!" A minister blurted, unable to hide his apparent disbelief.
In the courtroom, the king personally revealed Tharon's death, sitting on his throne with narrowed eyes, his lips pursed as he observed the minister's reaction.
Charlie sighed. "It is unfortunate, but it is the truth. With Minister Tharon dead, the position of Minister of Social Security is left vacant. We'll need to fill that before the rebellion worsens."
A heavy silence hung in the room. Most of the ministers lowered their heads, pondering his words, while others had already done so after hearing the news.
It had only been yesterday that the minister was suggesting killing off the rebels who were causing trouble in Dimrath, and now he died thanks to those very rebels.
It was an irony, but it wasn't amusing in the slightest.
If the public found out that the rebellion ended up affecting the inner circle of the nation, all hell could break loose.
"Your majesty," Zephiloth spoke, his voice low, "how did you find out about his death?"
Charlie turned to the elderly elf, having expected this question. "I found out thanks to one of my spies, who had been keeping track of the rebels for quite a while."
Multiple gasps reverberated throughout the room. "I didn't know his majesty already had spies among them!"
"He's already a step ahead of them!"
"As expected of his majesty!"
Multiple praises came his way, but not one managed to ease the heavy burden in his heart. Losing a minister, one who should've had extra protection due to his position, was something he could never forgive himself for.
What hurt more was that the blast that killed him had been caused by not only Satim's attack, but also his own. It drove him to a guilt that threatened to eat away his sanity.
"Moving on," he continued, his voice silencing everyone in the room, "who should we appoint in the position Sir Tharon left behind?"
The atmosphere made it seem like the entire room itself was thinking deeply. Tharon's position was extremely important, especially in these times. And now, that position was left vacant.
Tharon had been the minister of Social Security for over 20 years, showcasing his capability through his sheer wit and impressive — although unorthodox — methods.
Perhaps that was the reason why he was targeted in the first place. Tharon must have been seen as a threat, considering how his management and ruthless mindset were renowned throughout the capital.
"I'd suggest his elder brother," Zephiloth suggested, "he has clearly showcased a level of wisdom often better than that of Tharon. Even the deceased minister himself regarded him as a wiser man. It was abnormal for him to say something like that, considering his cocky nature."
Everyone thought over the elf's words. Tharon's brother, Jarmiah, was known to be a scholar who sought the pinnacle of knowledge to reach a higher level of existence.
He could be considered a great option. He had written several works regarding the understanding of society and the dangers life had to offer. Many people, including Tharon himself, had grown their understanding of these topics from his works.
"That may be plausible, but that won't do. Jarmiah may have excessive knowledge, but his decision-making skills and quick thinking ability are lacking. He's not suitable for a position that requires zero hesitation and time to ponder over everything."
Upon the king's words, everyone's expressions fell grim. There weren't many people who could replace Tharon, and even his elder brother was not a suitable candidate; they had even fewer options.
"Your majesty, I have another candidate in mind," Lynera blurted, her chocolate-brown eyes darting towards him.
"What is your proposition, Miss Lynera?" Charlie asked, his eyes narrowed.
"My younger brother, Terhun De Voldero, is perfect for this position. His social intelligence is far greater than that of an average social security officer, and he's also in the Social Security that used to be under Minister Tharon. I believe that this would be a perfect promotion for him."
"I understand your love for your brother, but putting family first on such a crucial matter is not professional in the slightest. In fact, this is a grave form of selfishness I didn't expect from you," a minister remarked, stroking his grey beard as he did so.
"If you think I am recommending my brother's name because I am being biased, then you are horribly mistaken, Sir Makil. If I were biased, I would want my brother to serve in the army instead. However, I know very well that he can bring great success to the Social Security Department of Aethelgard." Finishing her words, she turned her gaze to the king.
"Miss Lynera is correct. I have observed Tehrun De Voldero myself, and even Tharon himself acknowledged him. Plus, we can't forget who his father is..." The king continued on her behalf, bringing a smirk to Lynera's face.
Karun De Voldero was a renowned and respected individual throughout the whole kingdom. There existed not even a single person who didn't know him. His contributions were too numerous and crucial to ignore.
"All those who are in favour of appointing Tehrun De Voldero as the Head Minister of Social Security shall raise their hands." Upon this, the king and everyone else in the room raised their right hand.
"All opposed?"
All hands descended in denial. No hand stood up to support the opposition.
If even the king thought of this as a good decision, then it's best not to argue...
"Very well, Tehrun De Voldero is now hereby the Head Minister of Social Security. Miss Lynera, summon your brother here immediately. The rest can leave. This meeting is adjourned," the king declared, prompting every minister to get up and exit the courtroom, leaving the king alone in the room.
***
"You didn't have to visit me here, Sir Revan."
"I absolutely did, Vekas. I was getting bored," Revan retorted as he took a bite out of the roasted chicken breast that Vekas made.
Looks like he is just a glutton in general...
"Hmm! I'm surprised to see how good you are at this," Revan commented, a huge smile spreading across his lips.
"Haha, you shouldn't be. After all, I had already told you about my cooking skills back when I was explaining my backstory."
"Still, I didn't know they were that good! You should become a chef as well."
"I'll stick to being a general," he replied with a wry smile, "but more importantly..."
His smile retracted, and his brows furrowed. "Back when we infiltrated the hideout, they were expecting us. I suppose it was because of the guy whose trail we followed, correct?"
"Mhm!"
"Are we sure that those guys didn't send that person to the other hideouts?"
He swallowed another bite of his chicken breast. "That person? Nope. He died alongside everyone else over there. I saw his corpse lying there like a carpet."
"But what if they sent someone else? They could've made sure not to let us think that the information is widespread in case we survived..." Vekas's lips pursed, his head lowered in contemplation.
"That could be possible... but no. It's not true." Vekas turned to Revan, who had spoken with a tone that was normally used to note the weather.
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I am not a dumbass," he replied before taking another bite whilst lying on his side, his free hand keeping his head elevated.
"You see, after we all went our separate ways, I tracked down the guy who ran away in secret, considering how I had noticed him running away during the chaos. After tracking him down, I jumped on him, had a scuffle just cause I was bored, and then killed him. He couldn't alert anyone about what just happened."
"Wait... so you had already anticipated this?"
"That's correct! I mean, who wouldn't?" He laughed, eating the last of his chicken breast as he did so.
"I see... but they also could've simply alerted the other rebels using [Thought Discussion]. I'm pretty sure that every single person we encountered in that hideout had it."
"True... but did you not notice the isolation barrier there? [Thought Discussion] can't be used when it's in place. Not only that, but after analysing it, I found out that the barrier wasn't put on recently, which means that it wasn't dispelled simply to reveal your survival or the king's arrival."
It was clear that Revan had done his research and had already taken measures against anything that could have cost them. Vekas recognised that and decided to also respect it.
"I see... thank you for that, Sir Revan. We would be really screwed if that info were to be leaked."
"Nah, don't mention it. I can't ruin something so entertaining, now can I?"
"Perhaps..." Of course, Revan had made it clear the moment he had found Vekas and Augustus after the attack on the general's chambers that he didn't particularly care about them or anyone else.
He was a man who followed his own whims and desires.
"By the way, don't you find it suspicious?" Revan suddenly spoke as he lay down, leaning his back straight on the rocky ground.
"Suspicious?"
"Yeah. Why would Augustus want to join the rebels just to spy on them? I mean, didn't he and Sierra plan to assassinate King Charlie's daughter?"
Vekas stiffened. It was a worrisome thought indeed. It had only been a week since that incident had happened.
"I had asked him about that, and he said that he actually liked his majesty, so he didn't want his regime to end just yet."
"If he likes him, then why try to assassinate his daughter?"
"I asked that, but he simply replied that I knew the reasoning, referring to what he had told us back then about Princess Sofamy hurting Sierra's family and all... something's off..."
"Orrrr, maybe he's helping the king because he's gay and that he actually likes the king."
Vekas blinked in puzzlement. "Huh?"
"I mean, think about it. He might be all-in for assassinating the king's daughter in order to annihilate all his lineage that was born from his wife before eventually killing the queen and taking her place as the king's beloved."
He gasped, sitting up. "It all makes sense! Don't you think?!"
Vekas's mouth was left hanging open. For some reason, that theory sounded... logical.
No, no. I refuse to acknowledge such a ridiculous theory.
"Why do I feel like you are doubting me, Vekas?"
"A-ah! No, you have a great point, Sir Revan. I just don't think that this is a feasible possibility. I mean, even if he sees his majesty romantically, isn't this plan you suggested obviously retarded? I mean, it's a clear fail since the king wouldn't want to be with someone who killed his previous wife and daughter..."
He turned his gaze away, weirded out by the fact that he was taking this idea into consideration. "Plus, his majesty is straight, so it's a no."
"Hmm? What if he's not straight and has attraction between both genders? It's not impossible."
"But it still won't help Augustus's case. He's fat, has a huge beard, lacks definition, and is a nobody in the king's eyes. I doubt his majesty would ever find him appealing even if he likes both genders."
"I'm not gay, you dimwits! Now shut the hell up!"
"Gahh?!" Both of them yelped as they heard Augustus's voice from the entrance of the underground expanse they were in. A scowl decorated his face, implying how he had heard the entire conversation over why he could be considered homosexual.
"So... do you like the king like that...?" Revan asked, his voice similar to that of a squeal.
"No! You want me to cut off all the burritos you love, Revan?!" The chef roared, prompting Revan to jolt in response.
"Vekas was the one who brought it up! He theorised that you were gay!"
"Lying is not a great habit, Sir Revan," the general countered with a low and measured voice, sipping his tea in an elegant fashion.
Revan gasped, his hands lunging to where his heart was. "You dare leave me in the dark like this?! The betrayal!"
"Well, aren't you two a bunch of entertainment?" Hearing a new but familiar voice, they turned to spot a cloaked individual standing beside Augustus.
Pulling the hood down, the individual was revealed to be Sierra, her ocean-blue eyes radiating a glow in the dark room.
Startled by her presence, Vekas stood up, ready in his fighting stance, with Sierra following by gripping her sheathed sword, ready to launch it at him.
"No fighting!"
Both Revan and Augustus yelled, prompting the two of them to sigh before easing up, retracting from battle mode.
"Tch!"
"Consider yourself lucky, general."
"Hey Sierra, how've you been?"
"I've been well, Sir Revan, although it wasn't easy sneaking up here when there are wanted posters of me everywhere," She replied, giving a light bow to him.
"Yeah? And whose fault is that?"
"I believe it's yours, General. Had you not stepped in alongside Sir Revan, this would've been over in a flash without anyone even seeing my face."
"Technically, you—"
"All right, that's enough!" Augustus intervened, cutting off Revan's words before things could escalate. "I didn't bring you here so that you could start fighting them, Sierra."
The woman huffed in response, turning her head away.
Vekas frowned at those words. "Why did you bring her here, Augustus. This place is supposed to be top secret."
"I assure you that I am good at keeping a secret, General."
"Not good enough to hide your face though~," Revan teased, snickering as even Vekas couldn't help but don a wry smile on his face.
Sierra frowned, but closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to not fall for the tease. Revan had his ways of getting into her skin, and she didn't plan on letting him succeed any more than she already had.
"I brought her cause we'll be needing her for what's to come," Augustus remarked, stroking his beard.
Vekas frowned, tilting his head in confusion. "For what exactly do we need someone who is endangered here in Aethelgard?"
"I'm afraid the threat is too much," the chef replied, crossing his arms.
"Too much? Sounds like something a girl would say to the one whose—"
"What do you mean by 'too much'?" Vekas interrupted Revan, his eyes narrowed.
"It's bad. The rebels are targeting Prince Marcus."