The God of Jesters
Chapter 456 - 7.17.5 Death of a brother.

Chapter 456: 7.17.5 Death of a brother.

The beast was actually pretty weak, easily killed with a simple attack by Farhad, who dragged his arm out of the squirming corpse while looking at the beast with some disgust.

"This is problematic, call Sergeants we have to inform them of a new mutant."

Usually, ghouls are slow when digging, just like a simple mouse or rabbit, they take time to dig and are generally unable to know what’s above them, It is why their tunnels are so wild and the only correct direction they know is going up or going down, nothing else matters.

But what of this simple beast?

It accurately found a target below ground and tried to harm it, which just happened to be what killed it in the first place.

But this sets a display of its capabilities, and how dangerous it can be to find a path toward human civilization. A path that other ghouls can follow.

"This was going to happen eventually, there have been mentions of such mutations throughout history. "A researcher spoke appearing surprised by the efficient machine in front of him. "But this can be considered a good opportunity, there is so much to learn from these pests..."

However, the rest of the sentence was of no concern to the parties involved, as they directly asked. "How rare is this mutation? How many more like it can exist in the nest?" The one who asked was a commanding officer by the name of Gayan, who worked directly under General Vera and was here in the camp as his proxy.

So he held the strongest authority in the room, even when compared to the two commanders as well as the church people.

"That I can’t tell, no one can until we kill them all..." The researcher was not god, he had no insight into the limit of ghouls’ growth. But there was one thing he did know. "But if there is someone intelligent below as Preist Boman has summarized, then doesn’t it mean that it thinks it’s time for them these drillers to act, otherwise why would this one attack us out of nowhere." Being an expert in ghouls, he understood well enough why in the past entire cities disappeared overnight after a Ghoul Stampede.

The answer was never a strong ghoul mutant appearing, or the higher population of ghouls that overwhelm the city walls which used to protect the cities in the past.

No, the reason the ghouls posed such a threat in the past was due to the fact that an intelligent ghoul was born.

"What you said makes sense Doctor. So any idea on the precautions to take?" The Officer asked, agreeing with the Doctor’s perspective.

It’s better to take the worst possible scenario in their mind as the truth and modify the plans according to it. First among which is setting up a Mage Sentry that can scan the underground for any odd movements, in case the ghouls try to pass and enter the camp from down below.

But that would require more people, more mages that won’t be able to defend the frontline anymore.

"No worries, there are student mages from the tower of transmutation, they can’t go to the frontline, so let them handle this work instead."

The discussions went on for hours, while Farhad, who caught the new Ghoul was taking a small nap.

"Old friend, I wonder if you are awake or not." At those words, Farhad’s eyes turned wide open. ’This hunger again.’ he said, overlooking the direction of his tent’s entrance, as a delicious smell entered his nose.

’This voice...’

"Who do I have a pleasure to meet tonight?" Farhad asked, still a bit confused, though he didn’t act disrespectful considering the target smelled like a Royal to him. Meaning someone who can end him if he shows even a little bit of displeasure.

"There is no need to worry, I am an old friend of yours." At those words, Farhad climbed over his bed and opened the test to find a familiar face he hadn’t seen in a long time.

’Hmm.’

"Prince Ludwig?" of course Farhad would be surprised by such a sudden visit. Not to mention, the simple fact that Prince Ludwig was alone without any protection raised even more questions.

"Please don’t leave me at your door, there is something important to be discussed." Farhad understood that something troublesome had been thrown into his bosom just now, and it would be foolish for him to embrace it.

But knowing the opponent was a Prince and a Prince who had helped him before, he understood that he truly had no choice.

So gesturing to his guest inside, he closed the door of the tent with a simple zip and took out a small box with some of his belongings to create a temporary seat with Ludwig.

"I wonder, what is so important that you would visit me at such a time." According to the contract made during the exchange, Ludwig was asked to keep the matters a secret.

He had long been aware of what happened in Luthanza, how Farhad came to its shore and the little slavery happening inside their very own land.

He was even aware of the involvement of a couple of families along with the true face behind those families, that he chose to keep a secret after his deal with the Radiant Knights, who promised that they would deal with the matter themselves.

And they did deal with it, using it as an opportunity to rebuild relations with the Cynark military as well as the political scene of the country all in one fell swoop.

Ludwig had long heard of the reason behind these changes, Hawking Ziegart, the man who doesn’t mind getting his hand dirty.

He even knows for a fact that the only reason why Vance moved on to attacking the Noble families with their hands in slavery is because of Ziegart’s suggestion, though whether Vance knew that he was being used or not, is not Ludwig’s concern, he sees the result.

"It is important, for I have made a massive mistake." But why laugh at Vance, when he had been made a fool as well? "... What do you mean Prince?"

"You spoke about a Wraith before, haven’t you?" At the mention of the wraith, Farhad’s eyes twinkled for a bit before calming down and asking. "Did you meet him?"

"No, but I did meet one of his followers, this one being a shape-shifter."

"Shapeshifter?’ Suddenly a face came in Farhad’s eyes, a small bastard that took Number Two with him. ’He is here?’

"He wanted entry into the mage institute, and he came to the right person, for I have my methods... but that is where the issue began."

"Did he threaten you?"

"No, he made an offer, which I foolishly took... sadly from the looks of it, he won." At those words, there was a hint of relief on Ludwig’s face, mixed with a hint of worry. "What do you mean Prince?... What kind of offer was it?"

At the mention of such a question, Ludwig fell into contemplation for a bit before he sighed and said. "He promised to kill my brother and I took him up on the offer."

"..."

"He succeeded? That is virtually impossible."

"It being impossible was my goal, to begin with, I had planned on employing him using the contract I wrote, but it now comes to bite me back. That man fooled me, fooled us all." From all, he obviously means his Knights.

"This... I can’t believe this. There had been no news about it. If something so big happened, everyone would have known... at least people on the level of Priest Boman should have been notified."

"They will be notified in a few hours... But the royal family takes precedence, meaning me along with another of my siblings that had been active on the frontline, though considering the war is still ongoing, it’s only me currently." As for Amir, Ludwig wasn’t so sure about him, nor did he want to involve Amir in this matter.

"... Then I wonder Prince, why come to me?" This was a serious issue, if the word were to leak that a Prince assassinated his brother, things wouldn’t bode well for Ludwig.

The Cynark Royal family is unlike others. They don’t take part in Fratricide, and those members that do suffer from the Blood Ban, a process where their bloodline is sealed, and the individual is turned into a mortal.

It was one of the many reasons why Ludwig had been able to survive to this day, as his half-siblings can’t make it too obvious that it was their work.

"I need your help in dealing with this individual when he comes for his prize."

"You wish me to end him?"

"No... no, I am following up on my promise, I am going to give him what he wants."

"?? you are going to give him passage to the institute?"

Ludwig nodded. "There are eyes on every single one of my men, I can’t give this job to anyone else, nor can I afford to give it to someone I am not sure about, but you. I feel like I can trust you."

’Ah...’

’I really shouldn’t have let him come in.’

It suddenly made sense to Farhad. With a Prince’s life in question, those with even a hint of intelligence would turn their eyes toward the individual who the Prince hated, specifically his half-brother and cousin.

So these followers were under watch currently, any odd movements would be taken as proof of their crime. So they need to stay in place and not do anything funny.

Well, with the exception of Ludwig who was able to approach Farhad’s tent undetected.