The Kingmaker System
Chapter 277 - 276. Players And Pawns (1)

Chapter 277: 276. Players And Pawns (1)

Damon caught my eyes immediately. His sharp look carried a silent warning—one I understood all too well. I clenched my fists at my sides, my nails biting into my palms as I gritted my teeth. It took every ounce of control to suppress the storm within, to force my mana back into submission before it spiraled into chaos.

There was no room for error, no space for recklessness. Not here. Not now.

I had a plan, a careful, methodical plan that could unravel everything if I let my emotions or instincts take over. There was still far too much left to uncover, far too much to do before any confrontation could begin.

So I straightened my posture, feigned indifference, and watched with wary eyes as Zale Turquoise entered the room.

He had an air of sophistication and charisma. His long, silver-white hair flowed elegantly, complementing his piercing blue eyes that held a sharp, confident gaze. He walked fluidly with the grace that was impossible for a human to carry. His scent was nonexistent and there was a strong sense of mana replusion that I could feel from him. He was dressed in an attire which was quite different from the other people in the room.

His attire exuded regality and refinement, with a striking red tunic adorned with intricate embroidery of gold, resembling the fiery patterns of a waves. The high collar and tailored fit enhanced his noble demeanor.

He wore a pendant with a sleek design, adding a touch of personal elegance. The sash tied around his waist added an element of casual grace, softening the commanding presence of his ensemble.

I observed him. The reason for the mana replusion and the notification popped in front of my eyes.

[Task complete.]

[Find the cause of mana repulsion.]

But still, it wasn’t like I was able to discern who this bastard was or what he wanted. Besides, why wasn’t I informed of this stranger’s presence in the royal palace?

I thought I was well-informed about the people in here before entering then who was this man.

The King Augustine De LaVera announced the beginning of the meeting and I stood in my spot. A chill ran down my spine and I turned my head my blue eyes meeting with the crystal-like aquamarine orbs.

There was a subtle knowing look on this man’s face who was called Zale Turquoise, he knew who I was.

"This is Lord Zale Turquoise, as you all know he is a merchant who has been travelling from different countries and has ties with the other species along with the notable trade routes." The King’s aide introduced the man who swept a graceful bow before the nobles.

His presence seemed like a void in space and it irked me, I could feel his presence or rather the void of his existence taunting my Dragon’s Presence. It wanted me to react or rather it wanted to have some sort of a kick out of it with the way his eyes glinted.

His eyes were somewhat strange with his pupils being the shape of slits, he smiled at the nobles showing his teeth which were sharp and pointy.

"I hope to be of some assistance to His Majesty and the kingdom through my experience and capabilities," he said smoothly, his voice carrying an edge of mystery.

His eyes flitted to me once before he took his seat and I stood in my spot with my hands at my sides, my nails digging deep into my palm. The challenge in his demeanor was unmistakable, and it was clear that Zale was no ordinary merchant.

This man was the reason for the anti mana barrier around the palace and he was also somehow carrying something on his which was masking his presence.

What was he? What did he want? Moreover, why was he challenging me so openly?

The meeting started with the nobles delivering their reports. Their voices filled the chamber, each word revealing the extent of the chaos spreading throughout the kingdom.

"The people are terrified of having the Dragon’s wrath upon us." One of the nobles said gravely.

"Besides, how could someone manage to kidnap Saint, Saintess and His Holiness from two different places and and defeat the Templar Knights? It sounds far fetched." Another added with scepticism clear in his tone.

"It has happened so, I guess it’s useless to investigate how it happened, we should focus on how to control the situation now."

"What does the Temple say about this?"

The nobles turned to the Temple’s representative who was not so surprisingly, the pudgy Priest Dorrith and as his accompaniment Priest Longland.

"His Priest is currently not in his right senses, he keeps himself locked in the prayer room begging for forgiveness and with His Holiness gone it’s a chaos in the Temple as well." Dorrith said.

I could see the gleam of greed clearly behind the facade of anxiety, he was thinking about how he could use this situation to his advantage. He might even be hoping to get the position of High Priest or Pope at this point.

"We suggest that the Temple and the nobles work together and create a new leader so that we could reaffirm the order." Longland said making me almost roll my eyes.

See, what I told?

Damon cleared his throat and everyone looked at him.

"I have a suggestion," he spoke up.

"Please go ahead, Duke." The King said and Damon leaned ahead placing his hands on the table.

"My suggestion is that we announce the emergency at the border,"

"Pardon?"

The King frowned and Damon explained ahead.

The plan was simple, a little ridiculous seeming but good enough. The people knew about the plague that was spreading in the outskirts of the kingdom which was why the Saintess’s actions came to light. Using the same reason, we could distract the masses into thinking that the plague had somehow managed to get to the knights fighting at the borders.

Ridiculous, I know but it was considerable and would explain as to why the Saint, Saintess and even the Pope had gone missing.

A letter would be fabricated telling how there was an oracle at the last minute and how the Saint, Saintess and the Pope disappeared only to rush to the borders to save the knights. The reason why all three of them were gone could be because the Crown Prince was also affected by the plague.

If the Crown Prince’s name came into the play then this ridiculous reason becomes plausible.

"You are suggesting that the people should be lied to?" Zale asked.

"It’s a temporary solution, Lord Turquoise. We still don’t know what’s going on, so while we are reassuring the subjects we will also be conducting an investigation to find out what happened to the Saint, Saintess and His Holiness." Damon explained.

"I still feel that it’s wrong to lie to the people," Zale insisted with an obviously feigned expression, "What are you going to do when the people come to know that the nobles they trust and look up to lied to them and deceived them?"

"It’s not deceiving." One of the nobles spoke up.

"We all are responsible under the order of Nobellese Oblige and it’s for the best that we follow this solution."

Zale’s lips twitched into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "But what of the High Priest’s warnings about the Dragon’s wrath? That belief is deeply ingrained in the people now."

Damon met Zale’s challenge head-on, his tone calm and composed. "I have a solution for that as well."

"Really? May I ask how?" Zale questioned, his eyes flickering over to me for a split second before he turned his gaze on Damon.

He was simply playing around here, it didn’t seem like he was seriously trying to get in our way but he was still trying to test my patience. It wasn’t a meeting anymore, it was a game between us to see who would give in first.

"For that, I request the Temple to provide an aide," Damon said.

Dorrith straightened in his seat, his expression wary.

"I would like to meet the High Priest and request him to help us," Damon said.

"I’m afraid the High Priest is in no state to—"

"I understand your concerns," Damon interrupted smoothly. "But if it’s for the good of the kingdom, he will help."

The King interjected. "The High Priest is convinced of the Dragon’s wrath. Even the Templar Knights witnessed the Dragon take the Saintess. How do you plan to counter that?"

Damon looked at the monarch his expression was balanced and impassive, without any hint of hesitation or fear.

"There is a solution for that as well, Your Majesty."

"Really? What is it?" The King asked.

He turned his head and looked at me, I feigned hesitation and timidness having everyone’s eyes turn on me.

"He’s the solution." Damon announced.

"Your aide is your solution?" Augustine asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Damon said before he looked at me.

"Do it."