Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 318: Umbra

Chapter 318: Umbra

Adolfo was the leader of a group called Umbra which trades slaves all over the Eliora continent.

Umbra was an organization of slave traders from various kingdoms on the continent.

Its leader had long been undisclosed and remained secret but it was apparently Adolfo. He had simply pretended to be just the owner of the largest slave trading company in Crux to not catch the eyes of the Council.

And yet, Medeus itself was where the purchase usually happened since it was where nobles from various kingdoms were typically gathered.

The slave trade happened right under the nose of the Council even though most kingdoms in Eliora already condemn it.

Umbra was also the same organization Gulliver had supplied with Prudencians to be sold over the continent.

"Heh. I see. It’s high time they pay the price," Ferdinand decided to crush Umbra.

Meaning, it would be catching two birds with one stone. They get to rescue a lot of Prudencians and catch the mastermind of Arabella’s poisoning.

[The magician I assigned to with Gulliver reported that Gulliver had been trying to contact Umbra to get back the Prudencians he had sold to them. But he had been getting nothing but unfavorable responses. It seems it was because that Adolfo bastard was also the one impeding the rescue of Prudencians.] Ferdinand grimaced.

Arabella remained silent as her husband looked quite pissed. After all, he wanted all the Prudencians rescued as soon as possible.

Ferdinand didn’t seem to have good memories of slaves. Arabella noticed that he disliked seeing people in collars and chains unless they were prisoners.

"Alwin, I will catch them myself," Ferdinand declared. He decided to go with them and lead the arrest.

This was Medeus but Adolfo and his mage had tried assassinating Arabella, Valeria’s Empress. Thus, arresting Adolfo right here was alright.

Medeus was the Council’s jurisdiction but no one would dare stop Ferdinand and say he overstepped after his wife almost died.

Ferdinand had not even declared his decision about joining the Council or sending troops in case Fynnia or Griffith attacked so they wouldn’t further provoke him. After all, his decision was already in danger of going to the negative side due to Arabella getting poisoned and Risa and Lucille being the suspects.

Arabella learned from King Neville’s thoughts that he had been worried Ferdinand might abandon Eliora in case she died. Or in case Lucille was truly the culprit. This was why, before taking further actions, King Neville spoke with Lucille first and ensured she truly was not involved.

[I knew this would happen. Raymond would be nagging again.] Alwin sighed. He already expected Ferdinand to say this.

"What about Her Majesty? She might be targeted while we are away," Alwin reminded to dissuade his lord.

"Hmm, Arabella, can you please stay in Estrella while we catch some pests?" Ferdinand inquired.

"Yes, of course," Arabella agreed since she would be safest there where the magician cannot reach her. It would also be for the best so Ferdinand wouldn’t have to worry about her.

Rendell would be with her and remain as her guard.

Riley would lead magicians and knights to rescue the Prudencians in Adolfo’s base in Crux.

The Grand Knight Commander would lead the knights to rescue the Prudencians in Adolfo’s base here in Medeus. Three magicians would accompany them.

Ferdinand and Alwin would catch Adolfo and Jacob.

And Raymond, who had just arrived from a meeting would be the one to take care of explaining to the Council.

Meanwhile, Arabella would be in hiding in Estrella for safety.

They would not tell everyone she was already well so they would not contradict Ferdinand’s aggressive actions in Medeus. Even King Neville and his family promised not to disclose Arabella was already back to her usual health.

’Well, there was nothing I could do to help here anyway,’ Arabella cannot help in matters like this so she knew it was better not to get in the way. She would patiently wait for the news rather than expose herself to more danger.

Moreover, there was a reason why Arabella had to be in Estrella instead of just Valeria.

With some of his limiters lifted, Alwin found something strange about Jacob. He found that just like Hayden (the magician involved with the case in Safiro), Jacob seemed to have someone else’s soul inside him.

However, when Alwin further checked, Jacob was not overtaken but was entertaining the other soul instead and thus retained his own consciousness and will.

It was akin to two souls in one body but the other was not attached to the body. It could freely leave and return just like the one that occupied Hayden’s body.

Ferdinand and Alwin both thought that the said entity could occupy another body and try to harm Arabella again while they were confronting Jacob and Adolfo. Thus, Arabella had to be in Estrella where she would not be reached by the still, unknown entity.

"I’m glad you are finally back, Your Majesty," Raymond greeted her after the discussions were over. "Alice was bawling her eyes out because she overheard when I was speaking with my wife. She was ecstatic to hear that Your Majesty finally recovered. Clarisse was also worried."

"Oh my, thank you," Arabella couldn’t help but smile at the mention of little Alice. "I hope Alice didn’t cry too much. Is Clarisse alright?"

But Alice apparently cried too much. Alice’s crying made Raymart cry too so the two ended up making Clarisse nervous as well. Clarisse ended up overthinking too so the three were all on edge. This was why Raymond returned home first and informed Clarisse and Alice that Arabella was alright now.

Clarisse had apparently drank several cups of tea waiting for any news while the two children fell asleep from bawling their eyes out.

The Ministers were also on edge and they were already discussing war plans. The assassination attempt of their Empress in Medeus was a great insult to Valeria so they were apparently prepared to go all out. Thus, Raymond had to go and calm them as well.

Arabella’s assistants were also on edge so Raymond also informed them that she was no longer in a critical condition.

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A/N:

I’m burned out after cleaning my new place. I’m going to move soon so I was so busy. More Chapters later today after I get some sleep.