The next morning, Jack went to Malva's private warehouse under disguise.
He went to the alley between the warehouse and the Order of Magi's building. Yesterday, he had confirmed with Diana the existence of the secret door that let the Oder of Magi's members sneak in. He told Diana that he would be using this secret door tomorrow.
He tapped the door using a secret code. It soon opened and he went inside. He changed back into his real self after entering.
Diana was already in the warehouse waiting for him. A knight was following her. Jack used Inspect and found that this knight was Dimitri, whom Diana mentioned yesterday. Dimitri had a short sword on his waist and a large crossbow slung to his back.
The three went down to the ancient ruin under the escort of a squad of soldiers.
Severus opened the barrier and let them in.
"Your Majesty is still serious about going inside that seal?" The mage asked.
Jack nodded. "Have you confirmed the maximum number you can allow in is five?" Jack asked.
"Actually, after calculating further. Five is rather pushing it. But if we act fast, we should be okay," Severus answered. "So, you people should act fast. Don't dilly-dally and have second thoughts once we open the gap. You must rush in immediately."
"Understood," Jack said.
"By the way, after they go in. How are you going to know the time to open the gap to let them out again?" Diana asked Severus.
"If one of the artifacts is taken from its station, we will know. We will then open the gap at the same place," Severus explained. He then turned to Jack, "That is your intention going inside, right?"
"Yes," Jack answered.
"Which means you will let them be trapped inside if they don't complete the objective?" Diana asked.
Severus didn't answer. He turned to Jack instead, who answered, "That's fine."
Jack then turned to Dimitri, "Are you okay with this, Dimitri? It can be dangerous."
"It will certainly be dangerous," Severus corrected.
"Protecting Your Majesty will be my honor!" Dimitri proclaimed.
"Thank you, captain," Jack said.
"As I mentioned yesterday, you should call your royal agents now. You can't do it inside," Severus reminded.
Jack nodded. He took out his Themisphere King Badge and interfaced with it. He was given the choice to select which royal agents to call. He had already informed them about this plan yesterday, so they were ready for his call.
Duke Alfredo and Jonathan materialized nearby.
"Your Majesty," Both of them saluted.
Jonathan was especially awkward. The last time they met, even though Jack was a Viscount, Jack was basically just an adventurer. Of course, he had heard the news of Jack's accomplishment, how he was a hero in both the civil war and the invasion war. Jonathan didn't join both wars because Thesylvania was lacking in protection.
Yet, even with all the news, in his mind, Jack was still that carefree adventurer he last met. He had a problem picturing Jack as a king.
That's why he was very shocked when he saw Serenity's broadcast in the sky. And even more baffled when Jack contacted him asking him to be a royal agent.
"How are you doing?" Jack said to Jonathan. They finally see each other again after a long time.
"Good," Jonathan replied. He tried to speak less. The boy in front of him was now a king. He couldn't talk casually like he used to.
Jack actually preferred Jonathan to treat him normally, but he guessed it would become even more awkward if he asked Jonathan to do so. So, he simply nodded and ended their conversation.
Jonathan was a level 52 rare elite now after receiving Jeanny's Pill of Growth. He was stronger than the level 50 rare elite available in this town. That's why Jack called him instead of enlisting the local muscle.
Duke Alfredo stared at the black dome in front of them. Jack had filled him in about their task last night, but he still couldn't believe there was a demonic portal inside their country all this time.
"Now, let's call our last member, shall we?" Jack said and took out his companion token.
The air swirled when the token was activated, and red winds gathered. Following the wind, the smell of blood filled the air.
The mages who were handling the rune diagram were alarmed by the changes. Although they didn't have mana sense, they were sensitive enough to know when a powerful being was crossing through the plane nearby them.
The blood wind swirled faster and formed images of bats flying in circles. The blood bats coalesced before Jack and formed a humanoid shape. The congregation of bats transformed into Arlcard, who floated a few feet off the ground.
He continued to hover. His feet never touched the ground. His cold eyes stared at the black dome with indifference. He only glanced at Jack for a tick. After he came out of his cocoon, he heard from the soldiers that Jack had been crowned king. So, he wasn't surprised seeing Jack in the regal outfit. For the others, he didn't deign to give them any glance.
Jack used Inspect once Arlcard appeared. He was ecstatic to find that the vampire had indeed upgraded to Mythical grade. Arlcard also increased a level from the fight with Themos.
*
Arlcard Maxius (Mythical Vampire, High Elder), level 66
HP: 1,460,000
*
"My–Mythical…," Diana and the others gasped after seeing Arlcard's grade.
"High elder?" Jack muttered. "His vampire age had also increased. I understand that the higher the rank is, the longer it takes a vampire's age to increase, doesn't it?"
"It is," Peniel agreed. "It must be because of Themos' blood. After hearing it was the emperor of Sangrod who turned Themos, I didn't find that strange. But still, his bloodline must be unique to be able to assimilate other vampires' blood so easily."
Jack also noticed the aristocrat coat that Arlcard wore was slightly different. It looked more extravagant now. Dark flames occasionally swirled around the coat, making it seem as if it was burning yet it was not so.
"I think that coat he wore was a suppressed equipment," Peniel conjectured.
"Suppressed equipment?" Jack asked.
"It is," Arlcard answered. Though Peniel and Jack spoke in low voices, Arlcard could hear them.
"The coat and the rapier I used were originally Aubelard's," Arlcard told them. "Due to his wounds, his power had dropped. Hence, he used enchantment to suppress his equipment so he could still use them properly. I am now strong enough to undo his suppression. Enough useless talks. We are going into this dome, aren't we? I can feel a strong demonic aura from within."
"You can?" Jack asked. He could sense the aura because of his mana sense. If Arlcard could as well, that meant he had a mana sense ability now.
"It's probably his innate talent," Peniel explained. "He is also a mythical grade now. This grade is more in tune with sensing mana. If he truly has that innate talent, he will be able to learn mana manipulation by himself as well."
"Okay. Let us speak more after we achieve our objective. Severus, prepare to open the gap," Jack commanded.
Severus nodded. He was worried at first that there was a mythical-grade demon behind the dome. But now after knowing that the king also had a mythical-grade companion protecting him, he no longer thought Jack was just being reckless about going inside the dome.
He started interfacing with the rune diagram as the five positioned themselves near the black dome.
