They were in the middle of this discussion when the butler came to let them know that Enrick requested a meeting with the duke. He was with two other council members. Galahad gave the butler permission to let them in. He then guided them to the living room where three seats were prepared for them.
Enrick and the other two with them were surprised when they were brought to the living room and not the duke's study. They were even more surprised to see that the duke was not alone. His jaws clenched but he couldn't back down so he still gave them a somewhat respectful bow before they were led to the seats prepared for them.
"What brought you here, Sir Enrick?" Galahad asked after they were seated and served with food. His voice was relaxed and there was a small smile on his face.
"We heard the news of what happened last night so we came to make sure that everything is alright," instead of Enrick, one of the men with him answered.
"You don't have to worry because we've sorted it out already," the duke casually answered. His gaze and demeanor were cold. He couldn't be bothered with these people and just wanted them to leave.
"Sorted it out? How can you do that when it just happened last night. Don't be too arrogant Duke Blackwell," the same man who asked the question answered.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtSeveral pairs of eyes blatantly stared at him after he uttered those words. He could feel their gazes prickling at his skin and it made him shiver. He was forced to look down after the duke did not speak and the people with him did not remove their eyes on him. He felt like they were judging him and killing him in their minds.
"Arrogant? Duke Blackwell is not being arrogant because he is only doing what a leader should do," Archmage Sigma was frowning and his sharp gaze cut through the man. "He and his sentinels stayed up late to sort everything out and made sure that those malevolent spirits would not attack again. They even risked their lives just to make sure that those forbidden places had not been tampered with. If there's a person who is arrogant, that would be the person behind the incident."
The man lost all his confidence and even flinched at those words. He subtly looked at Enrick but the man was set on ignoring him. This slight raising of his head was noticed by several observant eyes and was taken note off. Ulysses had a clue now where he should start his investigation.
"How can there be someone behind this when it is the work of a malevolent spirit?" Enrick calmly asked. He even lifted the cup of coffee and slowly swirled it before he took a sip from it.
"That is what we want to know too. Malevolent spirits would not manifest unless someone deliberately fed an evil spirit with dark energy to cultivate it. That's not an impossible task since the Blackwell territory is filled with evil spirits and dark energy." Sigma crossed his legs while he was explaining that reason to their visitors to see if they would have a reaction.
While the archmage was talking to the council members, the other people on the duke's side were closely observing their expression. Enrick noticed this fact so he maintained his neutral expression and didn't show them anything that might get them suspicious of him. The other two with him were not as perceptive as him and it was obvious in their faces. They were practically giving themselves away.
"That's a heavy accusation right there," Enrick commented, "and it would be difficult to prove it."
"You don't need to worry about those things Sir Enrick, we are here to help the duke with the investigation. Besides, that's just one of the guesses we have right now and we can always check other angles if this one is not viable. But right now, that's the most likely conclusion we have." This time it was Ulysses who answered. He even grinned at the sir but Enrick brushed off this show of fake friendliness.
"If that's the case, then we don't have to worry about it. We will entrust this matter to you then Duke Blackwell and we will be expecting good news from you soon." Sir Enrick nodded his head to show his satisfaction. He stood up and looked at them to give them a small nod. "We will be leaving then."
Galahad inclined his head. The butler who had been waiting on the side escorted the visitors out. They silently followed behind but one of them couldn't help himself and gave the duke and his people one last look. Ulysses shook his head when he saw the glare that was sent their way.
After they left the manor, the two councils with Sir Enrick felt indignant after what happened. They felt embarrassed after that visit. They were only there to offer their help to the duke and yet they were rudely talked down too. Their ego couldn't accept what they've heard.
"What should we do Sir Enrick?" One of them finally couldn't hold it any longer and asked the man.
"Nothing. With how the two of you acted a while ago, they are already suspicious of the two of you. That's not my problem any longer." Sir Enrick glared at the two of them before averting his gaze and looking out of the window.
"What? Are you going to abandon us? Aren't you afraid that we will drag you down with us?" One of them got angry because of Enrick's statement.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThey have been working with the man for a long time now and this was the answer they would get. He felt indignant and angry because the man was willing to leave them in the air once everything came to light. He knew that the man was cruel but to think that he would also be cruel to them was making his blood boil.
"Then, should I sacrifice myself and jeopardize everything we've worked on just to rescue the two of you? You are already adults and I'm sure that you can protect yourselves just pray to the gods that the Duke of Ginehart won't find anything that might link you to the recent incident." Enrick gave them a cold shoulder and was still looking out while he said those words.
Those words silenced the inside of the carriage until they reached their destination where they parted ways. Each of them has different thoughts in their minds and each was eager to do the plans running in their mind. Enrick has no plans on making a move for now because of what happened but the other two had different thoughts.
They were afraid that the duke would really find out that they had a hand on the attack of that malevolent spirit. They needed to destroy all the evidence or else they would be doomed. After the two of them reach their homes, they immediately get rid of any documents that were related to the evil spirits and the forbidden places of Blackwell.
Their homes were buzzing with activity as the servants were busy with burning everything that their masters were giving them. They were oblivious to the pair of eyes that were observing all of their actions. Cygnus was inside his room with a projected screen in front of him. He had sent Ari and Mr. C to spy on both households while he stayed at home and watched their progress.
After the visitors left, Galahad and the other two adults relocated to Duke Blackwell's study while the three young men left for their own rooms. Since Isaiah and Ezio had no other things to do, they invited themselves inside the master's room and were now watching the projected video together with him. This was their first time to see this kind of projection.
"How are you going to get the deal with Duke Blackwell done?" Isaiah asked out of the blue as they watched.
The deal the master made with the duke was similar to the deal he made with him and up until now, he hasn't seen him making any move. He was not sure if the master could carry out his promise. He still had his doubts and he was just driven by the fear he felt that day but according to Ezio, the master would not go back on his words.
"Don't be too nervous young man, I've been doing what I can to help the duke. We will be able to see some of my work's fruits soon. You're so young and yet you worry too much." Cygnus shook his head followed by a crisp laugh. "Aside from that, I am more interested in how you are immune to my mind reading abilities."
"Mind reading abilities?" Isaiah stared at the master in confusion. He then looked at Ezio who was now paying attention to their conversation.
Cygnus tilted his head, "Yes, I just discovered it when we faced each other during that magic examination."