Legacy of the Dark Sage

Malek's expression remained the same as he looked back at Haylee. However, his brain was running in overdrive as he recalled what Kyran had told him.

An hour ago, after the tower's defensive array was fixed, Kyran looked for him, and they talked privately. The latter's action was a little strange for Malek. They were previously not on good terms, but Kyran had acted as if they were old friends. Malek had already noticed it during the short discussion in the conference hall, but it became evident the second time they talked.

Among the council members, Malek was the only one Stella had told about Kyran going somewhere to train. It had only been a week since then, but the change in Kyran that was evident in his ability and attitude felt as if he went to train for years.

Apart from this, Malek had already witnessed Kyran's train of thought during his first meeting with the Conclave Council. But the things the latter had said during their private talk were beyond that.

Malek wondered what kind of training Kyran had experienced that made him appear to be a different person in just a week.

'Kyran anticipated the army will ask to speak with Noir and will also look for him. The reason is simple, it is all for the Royal Family's recruitment initiative. The changes happening in the empire are not over. The improvements done with the magic detectors are just the beginning,' Malek pondered while looking at Haylee.

'What exactly is the Royal Family planning by making all this change? As for their recruitment initiative, did they really think they can make Noir agree to work for them? He is not just a member of the Conclave. He is one of the Conclave High Council. Or... are they targeting Noir's disciple to make him wield?'

Malek's eyes narrowed slightly. However, none of the people inside noticed it.

As for Haylee, who was still looking at him with a sweet smile, it was unknown whether she had noticed it or not. She just sat there, patiently waiting for Malek to respond.

However, Reid did not take Malek's silence well. Even if the latter had a higher mage level than him, he was part of the Royal Army. Not to mention, Malek was currently in front of the empire's Crown Princess. To act as if he had more power than her just because he was inside the Tower of Conclave's jurisdiction made Reid look at Malek disapprovingly.

One of the army officers sitting across from Reid noticed his expression.

As if sensing the former's gaze, Reid also looked up and gave a meaningful, to which the officer responded with a slight nod of his head.

The officer looked at Malek and said with a mocking tone, "Head Master Malek, you are in front of the Crown Princess. Not responding as soon as she said something is not only showing disrespect to her but also to the Ylfaen Empire's Emperor to which she represents."

Malek replied to the Crown Princess without looking at the officer, "Your Highness. I seemed to notice an annoying buzz just now. Do you wish to change location?"

The officer's face twisted in anger as he slammed his hand on the table while glaring at Malek, "You—! Ack!"

An excruciating pressure slammed into the officer, and in an instant, he spat out a mouthful of blood as his internal organs were crushed.

"Brigadier General Rocco!" The other officers exclaimed as they watched him double over, his complexion turning dark.

Almost in an instant, most of the Brigadier Generals pushed back their chairs and looked at Malek with murderous intent. They raised their hands and aimed at Malek as red magic arrays appeared before them.

"You dare to make a move!" One of them exclaimed, blood-red flames formed at the center of the red magic array before him.

Malek's expression remained the same. He appeared calm by all of the officers' actions and focused only on the Crown Princess.

"Enough."

It was only a single word, and the voice that spoke it was calm, even soothing to the ears. However, upon hearing it, all of the officers who were about to make a move on Malek stopped in their tracks, and their expressions seemed to flicker as if they 'felt' something that only they could feel.

The word had been spoken by none other than Haylee.

"Your Highness! Are you really okay with this insolent man to not show you any respect—," Reid started but stopped short as soon as Haylee turned and looked at him.

Her sapphire blue eyes glowed and seemed to pierce through Reid.

"Lt. General Reid, do I look like I am offended?" Haylee asked with a slight smile that did not show in her eyes.

"T-That—."

"If you ordered them to make a move without my consent again," Haylee paused and smiled sweetly at him. "I'll take it as insubordination."

Reid was about to say something but then shut his mouth. His complexion paled, but it was evident with how his brows had furrowed that he felt dissatisfied.

Malek's eyes squinted briefly at what had transpired.

His decision to act just now was not because he felt annoyed, nor was it a result of reckless behavior. He was aware that acting against the army, even if he were a Magus, would be difficult. Especially when facing the bombardment of several Master level mages, not to mention one Grand Master, and an unknown factor, which was the Crown Princess, was something he would not be able to bear.

The reason why Malek made a move was to confirm what Kyran had told him.

Kyran had said that the Royal Family likely already assimilated the Royal Army.

Malek doubted his words. After all, they were aware of the power struggle within the Royal Army. Until that was resolved among the Deputy Marshals and the Grand Marshal, they would never wield to the Royal Family. Malek also had his speculations that the reason why the Grand Marshal did not report the matter about Kyran and wanted to capture him alive was because of this and his ambition to overthrow the Royal Family once he got complete control over the army.

In order to ensure his position within the army, Grand Marshal Gael would need a powerful mage he could control. He could also use the powerful mage as a threat that would force the other Deputy Marshals to submission.

Who else could be a perfect fit for that but Kyran? The person who possessed Void Magic, which had been categorized as the most forbidden magic of all. For this reason, Grand Marshal Gael had chosen to surround the Regis Clan. His purpose was to capture all of them and use them as hostages to get Kyran to submit.

This scene and the Crown Princess's words confirmed that the army indeed had already been assimilated by the Royal Family again.

It should be noted that after the Royal Family had given the Grand Marshal complete control over the army, they had never meddled with their affairs. Only when it concerned apprehending a fugitive and the forbidden magic would the Royal Family be involved. Because of this, the Royal Army had become a separate faction that contended within the empire.

"A-Apologies, your Highness," Reid conceded.

Haylee smiled and nodded her head. She looked at Malek and smiled apologetically.

"I'm sorry, Head Master Malek. To show my sincerity, please do whatever you want with that person," she said, gesturing at the officer still on the floor writhing in pain.

"Apology accepted," Malek replied indifferently and waved his hand.

In an instant, the officer's body exploded. But his blood, flesh, and internal organs did not splatter out because an invisible force field converged around the body before it exploded, containing it within a three-meter spherical space.

Then, Malek closed his fist, instantly compressing the spherical space's size. The spherical space vanished into thin air in a blink of an eye.

The expressions of all the officers, who were still standing, turned unsightly as they saw what had happened.

When they moved to attack Malek earlier, they were confident that even if the latter were a Magus, they would not be able to withstand their combined attacks. They were also confident that Malek would not be able to counter-attack immediately.

However, after witnessing how Malek easily disposed of the officer on the floor, their minds reeled at how naive they had been.

Malek was a bonafide Magus. He had been a Magus for years, and though they had not seen nor heard of his battle prowess, it did not mean he was not used to battling.

Only a mage who had faced countless battles would be able to become a Magus, after all.

Why did they forget such basic knowledge?

"Sit down," Haylee ordered the rest of the officers, still gaping at the spot where the officer had just been writhing in pain.

With an unsightly expression, the officers went back to their seats.

"Head Master Malek, I'll take you up on your suggestion. Let's change location. To ensure there will be no annoying buzz to interrupt us, I'll only have Captain Vera accompany me."

The rest of the army officers immediately balked at Haylee's words. It was especially so with Lt. General Reid.

"Your Highness! I beg to differ. I am your lead convoy assigned by your father, the Emperor of Ylfaen. I will not allow you to leave my sight—."

"Eh?" Haylee looked at Reid with raised brows. "'Will not allow me to leave your sight'? Then you have already failed since you are not exactly in the same carriage when we came here."

Reid's brows furrowed, "Your Highness please be sensible—."

"I am. That's why I don't want you knuckleheads interrupting us."

Reid clenched his fists. He did not expect it would be hard to handle the Crown Princess.

Before he could say more, Vera, watching everything in silence, spoke.

"Your Highness, I believe Lt. General only wants to ensure your safety," Vera started while facing Haylee with lowered head.

"Of course, I am not saying that the Conclave of the East has any designs to harm you in their territory, but we cannot rule out the possibility of other unforeseen factors."

Haylee looked at Vera with an amused look but did not say anything.

"And I myself, am not confident I will be able to protect you by myself. Of course, I will lay my life to protect you, your Highness but—."

"Fine," Haylee interrupted. She had taken a liking to Vera because, to her, it was rare to find a person as honest as her.

Then Haylee looked at one of the Brigadier General who had not made a move earlier.

He was a middle-aged man with short blonde hair and dark green eyes. Among the officers, he was the only one who had a massive frame. An obvious indication that he was a combat mage.

"Brigadier General Rhys, will accompany us," Haylee said and stood up. "The rest of you wait for us here."

Seeing the Crown Princess had already made up her mind, the rest could only stand and bow in respect.

"As you command, your Highness."

Haylee turned to Malek and smiled, "Shall we?"

Malek nodded. He turned and led Haylee, Vera, and Rhys out the door without saying anything further.

"Are we going to where Chairman Noir and Disciple Tyr is?" Haylee asked Malek as soon as they left the receiving room.

Malek looked at Haylee and nodded, "Yes. I have already sent word to Chairman Noir to wait for us."

Haylee smiled but did not say anything. It was hard, even for Malek, to know what was currently running in her mind.

The location Malek led the three was something Haylee did not expect.

"This...?"

Malek paused and looked at Haylee. He smiled apologetically and said, "The truth, Disciple Tyr is currently being punished for his impulsiveness this afternoon at the Blacksmith Order. Sigma, is the one handling his punishment."

"His punishment is being done here?"

It was Vera who had asked the question.

Malek nodded and looked at the building before them.

At that moment, the four of them were standing right outside the tower's Training Grounds.