Chapter 20: Ch 19. The masterplan to conquer

Recently the catacombs became even more dangerous. More dangerous than even when a conceited criminal lord thinks he can challenge the city above with his herd of thugs.

Throughout the nights, the city hears screams and shouting of people fighting to death.

It was more serious than a petty gang war, it was something far larger in scale.

For that reason, the king has called upon his most trusted subordinate, duke Marcus, also known for being the major pain in the back of the kingdom’s heir Valerian.

“Are there any new developments down there?” The king asked one of the spies.

A guy who looked more like a bandit, than a once-proud knight, stopped leaning on the wall and started his report.

“Everything was going on just like the last week. After a major group was wiped out, they all were biting at each other’s throats to grab the remnants of their territory, but now there is another band rising. It would not be worth mentioning, if not for the fact that somehow those freaks cleaned up three more bands in a single night. I managed to catch one of the losers’ member, but all I got out of him was talks about ‘nightmares’, ‘devils’, and 'Avern coming from below'. That’s too suspicious, if you ask me.” After he finished his report, the spy leaned back on the wall, just like many marginals do.

“Your Majesty, can I…” Valerian asked for a word, but he was immediately interrupted by the leader of the first order.

“Your Majesty, it is a good time to push further. While the bandits are busy, we can uproot this plague, and encroach in the catacombs.” (M)

“I object!” Valerian stood up and waved his arm.

“Your Highness, please, do not interrupt people WHO KNOW what to do.” The duke gazed at Valerian with ridicule, but before the prince could respond in kind, the king raised his own hand, signaling for everybody to stand down.

“Valerian, my son, is what you want to say related to the topic? [Valerian nods] Go on.” With the king’s permission, it was impossible for the duke to interrupt once again. At least while Valerian talks.

“During our recent… erhm… ‘travel’, we heard that there is a gang that indeed does try to seize control of the entire underground.” (V)

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“And where exactly could you have heard of it? While you were ordered to be ready and wait for…?” Once again, the king raised his hand.

“Marcus, enough of that. Continue.” Valerian sighed, and wondered whether he should answer where from he heard this information.

“From what I managed to learn, there are rumors that a super-strong warrior has taken control of a gang, and is building up his own army, while the other criminals are in disarray. Instead of the useless fight with the minions, how about my party scouts the obscure passages and finds the fastest way to the heart of the menace?” Now was his moment to shine, thought Valerian.

Not only he found a crucial piece of information, but he also came up with an efficient strategy to solve all troubles, now even…

“Ridiculous!” Before the prince could savor his victory, Marcus jumped up from the seat, and glared at him.

“Is Your Highness out of your mind?! You want us to risk everything because you want to have a little thrill?! Your Majesty, there MUST be a limit to the crown prince’s negligence!” The duke started pounding the table with his fist, and unsurprisingly, the other knight commanders and generals began muttering in concordance.

“Your Grace, are you saying that I…?!”

‘BANG’

The entire room went silent.

Not even a single fly dared to make a noise while the king growled in anger.

“Enough of that, you two! Marcus! You are to make sure the Avern-forsaken underground is to stay separated from the folks above. Valerian. Not only you disobeyed me, you also continued to derail this meeting with your petty squabbles. Better go and fool around with your adventurer friends, without causing trouble for the military. You. Are. Dismissed. No need to attend the meetings, if you do not want to be learning the governance.” At the king’s words, both the prince and the duke were almost thrown out of the room, and being fed up with one another, they went their own ways without saying a word.

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