The God of Jesters
Chapter 480 - 7.22.8 The punishment.

Chapter 480: 7.22.8 The punishment.

Ludwig was exposed, or an accident happened. Whatever the reason was, since receiving a summon and setting up traps to deal with their enemy, Ludwig had disappeared.

As for his Knights, the most they can recall is the disappointed look of Ludwig’s father, who had arrived in Durum as well, but nothing much after it.

The Royals had soon left the scene, leaving their Knights behind who went through their own investigation procedures. A grueling one that caused many difficulties to people of Sarlen level, but that was the limit. He was able to endure it along with others in his group.

But the same can’t be said about the Prince they followed. The reason is pretty simple as well.

While the other Royals eventually came back to Durum, where Sarlen finally saw his Master’s father, the same was not true for his master, who seemed to have disappeared.

And when looking for answers, all he got in response was. "Endure and Wait.’ These two words which had confused Sarlen to no end.

At least give a proper response, tell us what happened and what had in mind for Ludwig’s Knights if their Prince was involved in the assassination. But their answer never changed, frustrating Sarlen who didn’t know what he was going to do now.

Not to mention, the ghoul attack, an attempt on Amir’s life, and then the subsequent illness followed by assassination made the situation too chaotic. With the Principality falling into dire states, no one had time to entertain a bunch of Knights who were not even fighting on the battlefield anymore.

Why should they humor them for so long even after giving their answer?

It was due to this reason, that Sarlen could only leave the city of Durum with his head low. But he was not the kind to lose hope, although the response from the officials was bland, he still focused on the enduring aspect of their message and looked for Amir after he was discharged from his hospital and resumed his duties in the military.

However this time, he was not doing miscellaneous duties that were thrown at him. No, after the experience he had in that dream and facing death, he came to slowly accept who he truly was. This is why, after a bit of discussion with his Grandfather, he was allowed back in Commander Faust’s platoon, which was active on the frontline, but unlike his previous job. The current responsibilities he had were maintenance and performance checks on the mage amours.

All was done in an effort to learn where the Armors was lacking and how they could fill in for the weakness. But to Amir’s surprise, there was not much to the job. The Amours were tested long before during the Durum incident, the only thing he can see is removing some kinks, otherwise, they were on the right path.

Which in turn gave him a huge amount of freedom to do what he wanted in his free time, which included the Knight armor prototype he had been working on from time to time. Though it’s only been two days since he got involved in that job, the progress of the past two days had been somewhat astounding, to say the least.

It might be his experience, knowledge accumulation, or the information he gleaned from the performance reports of the Mage amours. No matter the reason, he had found some success in the little project he jointly started with Commander Wilhelm Faust, and for some reason, he felt satisfaction.

And his good days would have gone unimpeded if not for the arrival of Ludwig’s Knights.

"Then it’s hopeless?" Sarlen sighed, he could do nothing but shake his head in defeat as he slowly left Amir to his devices. And Amir never really did stop them.

Not everything in the world goes the way one wants. No matter how much you struggle, how much strength you possess, and how much effort you put into a particular work. Sometimes, life just wants you to fail. And that’s what happened with Ludwig, who failed in his plans and made a small mistake.

’His hubris was his undoing.’ Amir understood that there was no good end for Ludwig, not after he had come under Grand General Deimos’ scrutiny. The only true end Ludwig did have was working for Amir and that’s it. ’He was already under watch, why did he have to go and make a deal with that weird thing.’

It really was Ludwig’s hubris that put him on the trial. His arrogance is that he can control and manipulate the people around him to achieve his desired success. He thought the world would move at the pace he dictated, ignoring that they were much older and more experienced than him.

In front of such wisdom, Ludwig’s knowledge and understanding of the world would still fail.

"Grandfather, is there really no way to rescue him?" Amir made a last request to his grandfather, considering that Ludwig did save Hemant in his own way. Unlike what he showed to Sarlen and others on the surface, the truth was, he was somewhat aware of what happened, though only the surface-level information and nothing much. Even his grandfather had refused to go into any details.

This was why, like many times before, all Amir got in return was silence. They have had this conversation where his grandfather had derided him for not taking care of his men properly, and not reigning him in on the battlefield.

A proof that Amir failed the test he was given by his grandfather. He failed to truly put Ludwig under his wing and prevent him from making a massive mistake.

In simpler words, he disappointed his grandfather. But what’s done is done and Amir can’t come back from the mistake he made, all he can do at this point is beg his Grandfather for some leniency.

Which was finally a nail in the coffin, which finally made Amir’s grandfather sigh. "There is no way, Uncle Wortham took him, and you should know what that means."

Duke Wortham, was the protector as well as executor of the royal family.

His action although cruel had kept the Royal family strong. So there was a kind of love-hate relationship with that old monster that everyone feared to no end.

Don’t go for his looks, he might look young and smile like a child, but his cruelty knew no bounds and even Deimos was a bit scared of him. Though such words can’t be spoken to his Grandson. He can’t appear weak.

"Duke Wortham?..." And hearing that name, Amir could only sigh. He remembers his Grandfather’s warnings, he knew that the Duke was no good thing.

And considering that Duke Wortham showed a hint of interest in Amir the moment he thought Amir might have some connection with Jester. Ludwig on the other hand was directly working with Jester, so one can imagine his end.

"I protected you last time because we can still use the excuse of rumors being false, but in Ludwig’s case, that is not the same. Although not dead for now, you should forget about him ever coming back. This is what he gets for working with an enemy." Deimos explained in a calm voice, while warning Amir of forgetting all about Ludwig if possible.

All in case fear that his actions might attract the interest of Duke Wortham once again.

An interest that Amir can’t afford.

"This is all so messed up." After the end of the call, Amir could only look at the ceiling and sigh.

Although he didn’t wish to agree with Jester, he really started to think that this world was wrong for some odd reason.

His country was wrong.

And only people like him who give power to the masses with their knowledge will be able to change it all for the better.

’War, the only thing it’s good for is progress... I will complete my engine and freely distribute its blueprint to the masses. That’s the only way.’

******

While Amir was having his own thoughts. Farhad on the other hand was going through a level of mental torture that is not for the faint of heart.

"Sir, please... end this sermon. My mind will collapse at this rate." Since the incident and the fact that he was exposed by Vance Clifford. The little freedom Farhad had was long gone.

But that was not all. Farhad was now forced to go through multiple religious sermons all done in order to reform his morals and make him understand how wrong he was for his little prank not too long ago.

Of course, he was never blamed for the ghoul stampede, instead due to him, the issue of the ghoul behind the border was easily solved. But that was not the issue at all.

It was his desire to run that irked the Priest and the Knight’s orders.

However, due to the various influences that held interest in Farhad, they can’t give him any severe punishment as well. But it doesn’t mean there was no way around it.

Priest Boman of the Red Sun Church had a bright idea one day while wondering on how to punish Farhad. And the answer was the children’s book from the church that told stories of mortals and gods.

Stories that were read to children during their formative years all in order to teach them morals.

Which when used on Farhad was pretty dehumanizing for him.

It was a joke punishment that was worse than any punishment that Farhad had ever gone through. "Please end it."