Sylvester's plans didn't end with killing the Crown Prince, however. Killing the man was just the beginning, a means to an end. More than that, what he wanted was to lure the second prince, the genius in runes automation, to his side. He could imagine how much the man would impact the world by incorporating runes in Sylvester's ideas for various machines.
He had seen the spark between the Emperor and the second prince, Jinn. The Prince wanted nothing to do with battles, fighting, or politics and was sort of a researcher. So, Sylvester decided to throw the bait.
On a usual outing with the Princess, through the use of subconscious manipulation, Sylvester made Fernis ask her second brother to join along. So, with him as a guard, he escorted them to the palace gardens, where the two were to sit, talk, and eat.
With nothing to do, Sylvester decided to do some painting with the Princess's permission. Of course, she was all too excited to see him do it, as he had never shown her that talent before.
"I will be drawing a town I saw in the East once," Sylvester stoically said and got to work.
While the Prince and Princess chatted about the happenings of their lives, they saw Sylvester masterfully make a scenic portrait with great details. But, of course, Sylvester's ears were also focused on what they spoke.
"Father will only rest after killing me. He has enrolled me in the Royal Magic Academy to become a warrior," Prince Jinn said. Being a mere twenty-two-year-old man, he looks far younger and thinner than most men his age.
Fenris also shared her anger regarding their father. "I hate Father too! He's looking for a groom for me. I don't want to marry some fat ugly sob to become his broodmare. I want to fall in love with someone and experience the joys of life and romance!"
"Oh, do you have someone in mind?" Jinn asked.
"Yes, but he's too dense to see my feelings. Or perhaps he's scared of loving a princess. Maybe I should just ignore such a spineless man—so weak."
'Haha... She's trying to taunt me.' Sylvester could feel Fernis' burning gaze on his back.
"I'm finished," Sylvester interrupted them and stepped away from the canvas.
Jinn and Ferniss stood up to see it closely. It was the scenery of a bustling town that didn't exist. It was colorful, and a few parts were more detailed than the others.
"Woah! I never knew you were so talented at painting," Fenris fawned over the painting. "I'm keeping it."
Meanwhile, Prince Jinn saw what Sylvester wanted him to see—the bait!
"What are these strange towers with lines? And why do some of these stone towers have smoke coming out?"
Sylvester acted surprised. "These? They are water tanks, your highness. In the East, the great late Son of Solis, Sylvester Maximilian, invented this method to bring water to each house. With metalworks becoming cheaper using water-powered blast furnaces, long metal pipes were used to bring water to houses using gravity. Some of the rich homeowners installed water towers with chimneys below, so water through the pipes can be hot, while the pipe in walls subsequently made the house warm inside."
After hearing that, Prince Jinn looked at the painting with great interest and found many greater details. "What is that person riding?"
Sylvester acted as if he were trying to remember the details. "This... I believe the great Lord Bard invented it as well. Is it called... boylicker? Bicide? Bys... Ah, it's called Bicycle. A two-wheeled instrument that can be powered by our legs to go around on smooth roads. It was a success in cities."
"What about this building with a cross on it?" Jinn pointed.
"This is called a hospital, your grace. It's a type of place where sick people can come and receive cures for their medical ailments. The first Hospital was made by Count Raftel on the advice of Lord Bard of Solis. Because of this, instead of medical practitioners going from place to place, they get to remain in one place and heal people in peace. Even Sandwall County had two hospitals, and it was perhaps the most successful business."
"Fascinating!" Jinn exclaimed while checking for any more details, but not finding any. "Jack, was your name? Can you later tell me more about these great inventions in the East? And why is this Lord Bard behind everything?"
'So he doesn't know about my death?' Sylvester found it amusing but, at the same time, comforting.
"He was the greatest talent the Holy Land had found in millennia, your holiness," Sylvester replied.
"Was?"
Fernis scoffed. "You don't even know that? Count Sandwall backstabbed the great Lord Bard and killed him using the invasion of cannibals. That is why the county was destroyed by the church, and Jack came to Masan."
Jinn looked saddened by the news. "Such a great inventor... killed for petty politics. This is why the world is stagnant in scientific progress."
'Interesting boy.' Sylvester amusedly thought and stepped back to return to his guard duty.
Pat!
Fernis patted her elder brother's back. "Don't be sad, big brother. Let's go and eat dinner with Father's favorite son. He wants to show me the details of a few prospective grooms for my wedding. So please take my side and judge them negatively."
Jinn smiled and held Fernis' hand. "Anything for my little sister. Let's go then."
Sylvester silently followed behind after donning his facemask. However, a smile was plastered on his hidden face as the night's final event was to begin. The one that would define the fate of the Prince soon.
They walked into the castle and went to a royal dining hall with just one giant table. As always, Sylvester was ordered to stay outside, but he was happy with it, for his plan didn't require him to be face-to-face with them.
Outside the gates of the dining hall, it was just him and the Crown Prince's bodyguard, who was also a Grand Wizard. The man had his face concealed just like him and appeared like a statue.
"Dinner."
At that moment, a line of fifteen servants arrived, pushing trolleys with food. The Crown Prince's bodyguard halted them and visually inspected each dish.
'This is my chance.'
No one noticed, but Sylvester's index fingers twitched subtly. And as he did so, minute particles of metal, smaller than a grain of the finest sand, floated in the air and descended into the soup bowls and any gravy-laden food.
He solely focused on the dishes that the other bodyguard had finished checking. This way, there was no chance of discovery. Then, after a few minutes, the servants began entering the chamber to set the grand table.
Silently, Sylvester remained standing outside, resembling a statue. His mind, however, was fully engaged in utilizing elder magic to detect Solarium in the air. It aided him in perceiving what was transpiring inside the chamber and hearing the voices.
'With this, I won't have to gather metal from his blood anymore. I can now keep him alive with the metal within him, always ready to strike his heart.' Sylvester plotted right then, as he had no intention of keeping the Prince alive anyway.
"Big brother, I will select my own suitor!" Fernis' voice reached Sylvester as he overheard everything within.
"But Fernis, how can I permit that? What if you end up marrying some lowly scoundrel?"
"Hmph! As if the men you'd choose would be handsome men of virtue? I have witnessed you people scheme, commit murder, and lust after money my entire life—all of you are the same! I would rather marry Jack than any of these nobles—and what's this? This one is merely a four-year-old child!"
"So this is the matter? That lowly bodyguard of yours has seduced you?" The Crown Prince focused on the name only.
Fenris gasped and covered her mouth, realizing she had spoken too much in anger. "That's not what I meant. It was an example, brother. Because Jack is the most virtuous man I have seen in my life. He is prepared to die for his duty and oath. So if you can assure me that the man I will marry will also be willing to die for me, then I will agree to that marriage."
"Fine…let's eat now."
Meanwhile, outside, Sylvester was seething in his mind. 'You foolish girl! Why did you use my name? He will surely come after me now—Ugh... she is too dim-witted to be used as a pawn. At this rate, she'll bring my downfall ahead of time.'
But Sylvester quickly composed himself and recollected who the Princess truly was. 'As long as it was her who bought human faces from the Cardinal—there is a strong possibility that she is doing all this as a disguise. Her entire persona could be an act to conceal her true desires.'
He sighed and resolved to proceed with the plan the following day. The Crown Prince had to perish. There was no doubt about it.
…
The next day, as the anger of the poor in Southern City escalated to an intolerable level, action had to be taken from the royal family's side.
Sylvester, aided by Hozin, directed the enraged mob in the city to demand a meeting with at least the Crown Prince, so they could voice their grievances. These included issues such as scarcity of food and water, as well as rampant corruption among administrators and soldiers.
"Jack, you will accompany the Crown Prince today," ordered the Royal Knight Commander to Sylvester, as additional manpower was required since the Prince had agreed to meet the poor.
Sylvester was already prepared for this, as he had made all the necessary arrangements. He donned his faceplate and followed the elder knight.
"Princess Ferniss will be confined to the castle today, so you need not worry about her," the man assured Sylvester. "You have done an admirable job. Most other bodyguards assigned to her in the past were either replaced or coerced into leaving. Only you have endured this long."
'That is what unsettles me, my friend. Why is she interested in me? It's highly unlikely for someone to fall in love after only a few encounters, particularly when there is such a vast class divide.'
Sylvester thought to himself and silently followed the entire Royal Knight's division to mount their horses and follow the Prince's carriage.
Flanking the Crown Prince's carriage were five Grand Wizards, serving as its guardians. Meanwhile, Sylvester occupied the foremost row of knights positioned behind the carriage, being a Diamond Knight and one of the organization's most formidable members.
'Alright then, let's see how much metal you have in you.' Sylvester silently began to use magic on the man inside the carriage ahead. 'Oh, it's quite a l—'
Sylvester's thoughts abruptly vanished. He noticed the Crown Prince turning his head inside the enclosed stagecoach, peering at him through the rearview window.
Goosebumps rose on Sylvester's body, and he realized something just then.
'Oh? He wants to play with me in my own game?—Alright, let's play then. Let's see how long Shadow of Masan can ignore all this.''
Thank you for reading. GT votes are much appreciated.
