The Kingmaker System
Chapter 170 - 169. Bigger Game (5)

Chapter 170: 169. Bigger Game (5)

The midnight air was crisp and chilly but it had no effect on me as I flew past the towns below me towards my destination.

There was no moon in the sky tonight so, it was rather dark but thanks to my Dragon’s senses it was easier to see things.

The silence stretched around me and the only sounds the filled that void was the ruffling of the feathers on my wings as the wind glided through them and the flapping of my hood and my coat.

I spotted the familiar place and slowed my pace before I expanded my wings and stretched my legs towards the ground before my toe touched the floor and my wings slowly retracted.

I walked inside that place without any need of any attendant and checked the time in my pocket watch.

It was ten past midnight, I was a little late. I made my way down the corridor and I reached in front of the doors where I had a meeting.

I opened the doors with a single tap from my hand and the man inside the small space got startled.

"Apologies, I am a little late." I said as I entered and the man sighed.

"It’s fine... At least you’re here."

He stood up and stretched his hand to me, "Thank you for coming, Lord Dragon."

I felt the tremors in Lord Devil’s hand as I grasped it with gentle pressure and nodded. He was currently in a predicament and there was no one else who could help him. I knew he would be suspecting me as well but judging by the things that he might know of me he would rather place his trust in me than anyone else.

"Have a seat, Lord Devil." I said gingerly touching his elbow.

He cleared his throat and sat down on the chair he was previously sitting in while I took a seat on the chair beside his.

The place he had decided for meeting was the theatre where we had watched the plays written by Lord Oberon. But now, we were here for a different matter.

The letter that he had sent two days ago was currently a pile of ashes and as a reply to that letter I was now sitting in front of him.

"I guess this should be the first thing to do for me since... I’m asking for your help." Lord Devil said and brought his hands up to his face.

He removed the black mask that concealed his face and revealed a face which I had yet to see. The face of the most mysterious underworld Head who operated Shadowcliff.

His dark orbs were deeply set into slanting, sharp featured face, his skin was pale, almost as colourless as snow and he was a man who could be in his late forties or early fifties.

The gray strands of his hair fell over his forehead as he faced me silently, letting me take in his appearance.

"Nobody... has seen my face as Lord Devil yet," he admitted and I noticed as how his usual self-possessed tone was dwindling.

The problem was quite dire as it was and it was really affecting him to the point of making him forget his pride and show his vulnerability.

"I... know it might be hard but what I mentioned in the letter was all truth." He said.

"I need your help, I might not survive it with my own power. If you help me then I will hand over Shadowcliff to you."

That’s what he had written.

"So, you’re saying that you will really give up Shadowcliff if I helped you?" I asked and he nodded.

I tilted my head to one side as I observed his crestfallen face, with the mask gone, it was quite easier to see what he might be thinking. But intriguingly enough, his status was still hidden making me more curious.

"What’s this problem that you’ve gotten yourself in, Lord Devil? I should know of it before I could decide whether to help you or not."

His jaw clenched as I said that and he closed his eyes for a moment before inhaling and exhaling deeply and then looked at me.

"My... real name is Sebastian Oberon... I’m the Baron of Albagard." He spoke making me stare at him.

"Are you..."

"I won’t lie to you about anything at this point, Lord Dragon." He clarified.

I knew he was something exceptional person but to think that he was the playwright that I had become a fan of in this life, I wondered what else I would get to see in this world.

But then again, I knew already what Lord Oberon was caught up in so, this problem was attached to me as well. As a fan it was my duty to protect the dignity of my idol since he was innocent.

"I... hid my identity as the Lord of underworld as it would have affected my life and also my reputation as a playwright. Up till now, I had done it well, but, I had no idea that I would end up in such a predicament..." He sighed clasping his hands together and then he looked at me.

"I can assure you, Lord Dragon. I have nothing to do with those Beasts. Besides, those towns are under my own jurisdiction, why would I let my own territory be harmed like that?"

"I am being used as a scapegoat to avoid the harm befalling the real culprits, please... You must help me." He pleaded and I couldn’t help but see the last shred of his pride blowing away with the wind.

He was indeed being used as a scapegoat for someone else’s crime. Lozar, Borkshire, Crigston and Hezborn were all a part of his territory but instead of being showcased as a victim he was seen as a criminal whose plans backlashed on him.

The theory presented was that Lord Oberon was smuggling the rogues from Frosthail, from whom? That question was still unanswered.

But his motive was to sell them in the Underworld market to earn profits since he had no other means of earning except for his plays and his territory’s taxes. At the wake of winters, the land was unable to produce anything and while Lord Oberon was said to be a benevolent person he was in fact a heinous person who brought the rogues from Frosthail and kept them captive until he could sell them in the underworld market.

Ridiculous as it was, it was an accepted theory in the court which was why Lord Oberon was going to be arrested soon and after he was taken in it wouldn’t be long till it would be discovered that he was one of the Lords of underworld and that would make the evidence stacked against him even more valid.

It was a well played game but still it was useless because of my involvement.

"I don’t want your Shadowcliff." I spoke up and his eyes grew strained before he looked at me.

"Pardon?"

"You heard me right, I don’t want your Shadowcliff."

"Then... Then, what do you want?..." He asked, "A-Are you... incapable of helping me?"

I observed his strained expression and smiled, "I’ll tell you what I want after I help you out of this mess."

His expression changed to surprise as he leaned ahead, "You will help me!"

"Yes,"

He breathed a deep sigh of relief and his expression relaxed making me notice the tendrils of a deep hued mist that suddenly disappeared. I hadn’t noticed it at first as I had dismissed the strange feeling that I had as his mana being disturbed because of his emotions but as I saw that most I was even more intrigued.

Lord Sebastian had more secrets and I was curious but then again, it could wait. The elephant in the room was his current possible execution for illegal smuggling of beasts and endangering the lives of the people of the kingdom.

"I will help you but," I spoke up making him look at me, suddenly cautious.

"You will have to do exactly as I tell you to,"

"... What do you want me to do?" He asked and I smirked.

"You have to act,"

"Act?"

"Yes, just the way you envision the actors on that stage to act in your plays, I want you to act in this play that is set up right now. I will ensure a happy ending for you so, all you have to do is play your part and not do anything unnecessary."

Lord Devil stared at me for a moment and I waited till my words sunk in.

"I will do it." He answered firmly making me smile.

"Good, then the first thing that you will do is,"

He leaned ahead with his eyes focused on me as I instructed him, I told him in detail about what he would have to go through and what all possibilities would be presented to him.

I also gave him a brief explanation about what exactly would happen if he failed to fulfill his role properly and the look on his face was enough to convince me that he wouldn’t dare swerve from the plan.

"And after that, your work ends. I will take care of the rest. Do you understand?"

Lord Devil aka Lord Oberon stared at me with a look of disbelief before he asked.

"Don’t interpret this the wrong way, Lord Dragon but... how... are you able to plan everything without even knowing about my identity?"

I tilted my head to the side as I answered truthfully, "Because I thought since we were admired the same playwright you might ask for my help regarding Lord Oberon’s situation. I’m genuinely surprised to know that you’re the real Lord Sebastian Oberon."

"I can understand your suspicion, Lord Devil but, I was already going to aid Lord Oberon since I know he’s- you’re innocent." I corrected making him avert his eyes.

"Please forgive me for suspecting you."

I smiled, "It’s fine. You’re the playwright whom I adore, Lord Oberon so, as your fan it’s my duty to stand by your side and prove your innocence to the world."