Chapter 212: 212

Jonas nodded before asking, “Can I be informed of what that reason is?”

Edward nodded as he headed back to his throne. “A message came from the children of our god informing us about the attack.”

“They claim that Silas is able to, in some way, grab hold of another human and turn them into his puppets. No magical signature or anything, they are still unsure if he can take over anybody he chooses,” Edward said, observing Jonas and Elara closely.

Jonas’s expression turned grim. “Then I was right, the attack on the Harpies was a hand played by Silas.”

Edward nodded to him, only for Jonas to shake his head. “I now wish I wasn’t right,” Jonas whispered to himself before pointing at the council members who were back in their positions.

“Your previous action was to see if we were compromised and under Silas’s control?” Jonas asked, to which Edward nodded.

“I could not take the chance and let you endanger my people after being informed that the possession is non-magical and can happen in an instant,” Edward answered Jonas’s question.

Jonas nodded before Elara, beside him, whispered in his ear, causing his eyes to widen as he looked at her. “Impossible, that’s absurd!”

Edward, curious about what got Jonas acting out, asked, “What did your envoy say, Prince?”

Jonas shook his head in horror as he answered. “She asked if there is a possibility that the attack in our kingdom was caused by those who have been compromised by Silas.”

Jonas’s words seemed to open the minds of everyone present as Edward stood up from his throne, even his council members who had been quiet this whole time began chattering amongst themselves.

Edward looked at Elara. “That’s quite a bold claim, and do you know what that means?”

Jonas gathered himself before responding, his tone heavy with the weight of realization. “It means, Your Highness, that the enemy is not just at our borders but within them. Silas’s reach is far greater and more insidious than we feared. He could be manipulating key figures in both our kingdoms, sowing discord and distrust to weaken us from within.”

Edward’s expression turned grave as he considered the implications. “I highly doubt that, Crown Prince Jonas. Silas may dare to make a move on your kingdom, but he certainly would not dare lay a hand on our kingdom so as not to incur our god’s wrath.”

Elara rolled her eyes. “I have to disagree with you on that, Your Highness. If the Harpies are the children of the god like you said, Silas dared to make a move on them, what stops him from doing the same to you?”

Edward’s face tightened at Elara’s blunt retort. His gaze shifted to the statue of Crepuscular, seeking reassurance in its imposing presence. “Our faith has always been our shield,” he said quietly, almost to himself.

Jonas stepped forward, his voice measured but insistent. “Faith is powerful, Your Highness, but Silas is a force that respects neither faith nor sanctity. He has already proven that by attacking the Harpies. We must acknowledge the possibility that he can infiltrate any of our defenses, sacred or otherwise.”

Edward’s eyes flickered with a mixture of anger and realization. “You speak as if you know him well, Crown Prince. What do you suggest we do, then, if you believe our god’s protection is insufficient?”

Jonas took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. “We must act together, combining our strengths and resources. A divided front is exactly what Silas wants. If we are to stand any chance, we need to identify and eliminate his influence within our ranks.”

Edward’s demeanor softened, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. “And how do you propose we do that, Prince Jonas? Our trust is fragile, and suspicion runs deep.”

Elara stepped in, her voice clear and confident. “We propose a joint task force, Your Highness. Composed of trusted individuals from both our kingdoms, their mission will be to root out Silas’s puppets and protect our realms from within. This will not only help us uncover the truth but also build the trust necessary for a lasting alliance.”

Edward listened to their words before shaking his head. “The idea of an alliance does sound good after the recent information about Silas’s capabilities, but we have never been known for our feeble belief and faith in our god just because of small mishaps. While your words sound good, I still believe in our god’s protection over our people.”

Jonas and Elara snuck a glance at each other before shaking their heads. Jonas then spoke. “I understand, Your Majesty, but I have a question.”

“Go ahead and ask,” Edward said, sitting back down and gesturing for Jonas to speak.

“It concerns the spell and Golden Flame used upon me and my envoy Elara. I would like to know how much you trust this technique to pinpoint someone being an imposter of Silas,” Jonas asked.

Edward leaned back in his throne, his fingers drumming thoughtfully on the armrest. “The spell and Golden Flame, known as ’Crepuscular’s Judgement,’ is an ancient technique we learned after gaining a slight understanding of our deity. It is designed to expose any corruption or malevolent influence within an individual. Historically, it has never failed us.”

“The Crown Prince should know of the Cursed Forest; this technique was invented for those who have ventured into it and made their way out,” Edward explained.

Jonas nodded, absorbing the information. “I see. But in times like these, even the most reliable methods can be circumvented by an enemy as cunning as Silas. If he can possess individuals without leaving a trace, can we truly rely on this spell alone?”

Edward’s eyes narrowed slightly, considering Jonas’s words. “Your caution is warranted, Prince Jonas. However, without this spell, we would be defenseless against the threat of unseen manipulation. It is our first line of defense.”

“But your words do have some sense in them, as we have never truly tested the spell on an individual we know has been compromised by Silas to see if it has an effect or not.”

Elara stepped forward, her expression earnest. “Your Highness, while we respect your faith in the rite, we must consider additional measures. Combining your methods with our own could provide a more comprehensive safeguard.”

Jonas and Elara exchanged a glance before Jonas spoke. “We suggest integrating our magical detection techniques with your ritual. Our mages have developed spells that can sense anomalies in magical and non-magical energies. Together, they might provide a more fool proof method of identifying those under Silas’s control.”

“That sounds good, but the method doesn’t seem as subtle as I want it to be. While combining our spells will be beneficial, the attention brought by the spell will expose the current altercation to the common folks. I am sure Erik won’t be happy with the method you suggest.”

“I can’t imagine what it would be like dealing with a panicking population and not being able to guarantee them that their husband, child, and friends aren’t under the control of Silas,” Edward said, pointing out the flaw in Elara’s thinking.

Jonas pondered Edward’s words, the gravity of their situation becoming more apparent. “Your Highness,” he began carefully, “I understand your concerns about causing panic among the populace. However, we cannot afford to ignore the threat that Silas poses. Perhaps there is a way to refine our approach to be more discreet.”

Not waiting for Jonas or Elara to say anything, Edward said, “I believe it would be best if you both head back to your kingdom for now. You have given us much to think about.”

“As a gesture of friendship, I will have one of my priests go back with you. They will serve as a bridge for communication between us, and at the same time, it will be a great opportunity to test and see if our spell works on those compromised,” Edward said, looking at Jonas and Elara, waiting for their answer.

Jonas and Elara exchanged glances, both understanding the significance of Edward’s proposal. After a moment of silent communication, Jonas nodded in agreement.

“Your Highness, we appreciate your gesture of friendship and cooperation,” Jonas said, his voice firm yet respectful. “We will gladly accept your priest’s company. It is a wise move to test the spell’s efficacy on neutral ground.”

Elara stepped forward, her tone diplomatic. “We will ensure your priest is treated with the utmost respect and given full access to collaborate with our mages. This cooperation is crucial for both our kingdoms.”

Edward rose from his throne, signaling the end of the meeting. “Then it is settled. Prepare for your journey. I will have the priest meet you at the castle gates at dawn.”

Jonas and Elara bowed before making their way out of the throne room. As they walked through the grand corridors of Edward’s castle, Elara spoke in a low voice, “Do you think this alliance will hold, Jonas?”

Jonas sighed, the weight of their mission heavy on his shoulders. “It has to, Elara. Silas’s threat is too great for us to face alone. If Edward’s spell works as intended, it could be a turning point in our struggle.”

Elara nodded, her expression determined. “We’ll make it work, Jonas. We have no other choice.”

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