Kapitel 71: The Final Trials Part 5 - Wild Day, Wild Night
As a huge feast with Decent meals were presented everyone sat on their seats in their orderly manner like they used to before everything started going downhill but there was at least some hope and assurances for the future especially due to their second Prince's Awakening from eternal slumber.
Zash who was only able to sit after struggling to get up was still forced to rely on the support of his little 'Tutor' and his now biological big brother henceforth he wasn't able to let go of his acting as even while many people were eating they had an eye raised towards him as this time it wasn't the king but the second prince who was the centre of attraction of the entire room.
With nothing to do he sat down he looked at the food specially prepared for him at the moment's notice in accordance which followed specific methods to prepare the meals off the time being.
Taking a few gulps Zash's arms were hurting a bit as the mere task of taking prod towards his own mouth was tiring but whenever anyone insisted to feed him he'd decline and try to do everything alone and became surprisingly elegant as he would watch his brother and the king's king's along with a few trusted ministers who were invited to the gathering Zash liked looked at them all carefully and watched their actions.
Everyone seeing this paid special attention to their eating habits as though they were seen by a king who decided to let them stay or leave if he didn't prefer them up to standards 'No it couldn't be' most of them thaught with a bead of sweat alongside their foreheads.
Sure enough Zash started 'mimicking' their actions and mimick he did everything exact was copied and put into use at moment's notice if there were incorrectness there would be even less flaws afterwards and after a while Zash would always cope up with things well.
"Don't stress your body Prince Epis you can do everything after about a Month or so but seeing your progress up to this point I'd say a few weeks should be enough as it is." Havier said smiling and wiped off the few leftover from his previously failed trial attempts at eating with a new body's hand eye coordination.
"Muhtttthhhhsss?" Epis asked confusedly and curiously once again which felt too natural of a thing at the time.
"My god your learning speed is really too fast ! Yes Don't worry I'll start educating you tomorrow that'll clarify most of your doubts....
"Say are you interested in learning Doctrine ?"Havier asked as the mood around the Ball silenced and soon clatters could be learnt it was apparent she wanted to take him as a disciple if possible which made a few people's breadths heavy as a World Renowned Scholar in Doctrine wished to teach their prince of course it'd make their blood pumping as their empire may grow more powerful due to this.
"???" Zash just stared in confusion and didn't say anything just a huge question remained in his face but from within he was rejoicing as his facade hasn't been revealed at all.
"Haha nevermind I forgot you've just woken up today, sorry I'll be sure to teach you later tomorrow starting from basics, though you'll be my first student who I've thaught since childhood as you've literally been woken up since your birth this may be speeding things a bit much but I hope you'll not disappoint me, try to keep up with my pace without letting your attention ward off tomorrow ok ?"
Hearing this Zash just meekly nodded and smiled as if hearing something interesting like a toddler should.
"Miss Havier Can I start teaching him as well ? Of course not disturbing your schedule and once he's woken up" Zash's now biological brother Esther said a bit after thinking.
"Oh ? What does the First Prince wants to teach him ?" Havier asked curiously.
"Swordsmanship" Esther said straightforwardly.
"Huh ? Why that would be a waste of time he should become a scholar with this talent of his while talents like him can do many things the best possible outcome comes exactly when one stays focused in one exact goal." Havier said arguing as seemed too wasteful.
"I too agree with that miss Havier but in consideration with his situation... It's not optimal to say that his life is now not his own as a prince at least one must know how many troubles await him in the future even things like succession and troubles after coronation, Varying Degrees of Assassination attempts, if possible his future wife's disputes and other varying degrees of stress we can't always be by his side. With so many swords hanging around his neck all the time it's foolish optimisticism if we stay ignorant about it."
"I may die anytime at the borders once the Invasion starts and used as a meat shield in fending off the now recently discovered Demons. But I don't mind it all all its its an acceptable loss, as long as my brother and father are alive there's still hope." Ester said in a single breadth while his voice wasn't loud everyone who could hear it all couldn't help contemplating.
"Haa look at that. You've really... I wonder if it'll be ok. Sure enough once i inspect him after a month or so if he's in a stable condition I can give you permission but don't overdo it." Havier said not knowing the fate of this kingdom all of them are too good to be true if possible she too wanted to help these people if possible.
Very few people had been able to move her hear to this extent of course she wasn't the only one to be moved.
Zash too who's soul now resides in Second Prince's Epis's body was moved as well and genuinely wanted to help them if possible.
'i wonder how I can help them it's all good if the ruler is a good and kindhearted person but that's not all one needs to given an empire-' as he was thinking again a pop up appeared in front of him.
[side Quest Story Triggered ]
[Find out more about the Demon invasion to move a step closer to the Main Quest]
'side Quest ? So I take the Demons aren't the main piece of problem but something else is... I'll look into it more after I'm able to move more freely by myself.' thinking up to this point Zash stopped thinking about it but kept it in the back of his head so he'd be able to remember things and connect things if the dots interline at some point in the meantime he was busy finishing his meal while Havier had to spend less time cleaning his face now due to his improvement.
"Seems like Prince is sleepy once more we should send him to bed " Havier said smiling as his movements alone were tiring for his body.
If anything him not being tired after moving so much would be too much of an anomaly
"Everyone thank you for Attending and giving your well wishes to my children. The Ball ends here you're welcome to stay the night to those that wish to.
As the Marquises and Viscounts gave their thanks some left some stayed for the night to prepare for their departure as some stayed a few days journey apart and were only able to attend due to them being already in the central capital and nothing else.
The room was silent only a few guards a dozing Zash, his now brother, Havier, The King and his few trusted Guards remained.
"Benedrict please guide my son to his bed."
"Yes My King !" As he said it he disappeared on the spot with Zash.
"A Black Knight Huh ? Quite rare to see one in this day and age even red knights are powerful enough as they aren't many to come by" Havier said appreciating how much strength this small kingdom possessed.
"Yes lady Havier he's one of the finest we have we have another Black Knight to be exact but he's off somewhere due to his duties."
"Didn't expect a small Empire like this to possess so many powerful figures".
"Ahem* we have been here since the ancient Era Ever since the Very source of Magic was lost after all"
"IMPOSSIBLE ! I'm sure they're just rumours ! Don't joke around ! " Havier said seriously.
"Would lady Havier like to see for yourself ? Only a few trusted individuals get the chance to witness the secrets our Empire possess no outsiders are allowed to access them but as you are my son's teacher we can let a few restrictions off but yes there are a few sections where only the Royal Bloodline carrying people can carry on or else they might be dead." Edwin proposed.
"So there are empires remaining from the Ancient era ! Of course I'd like to know more and uncover what happened ! I've made that the sole mission of my existence !" Smiling to herself she looked out the window and said.
"Really it's I who has been profiting greatly from this trip. Worry not if Epis ever falls in danger I'll be there if he requires help." She said assuring the king
"Mhm I offer many thanks but only if all options are lost should you offer a helping hand, without endangering yourself in the best case scenario."
"I promise."
As they made their way to discuss more the King set up a date to open up the doors to the Secret Rooms in the Innermost parts of their kingdom and while Havier wanted to eagerly enter it she also had her hands filled in what subjects when should touch on tomorrow and also study her recently acquired records of ancient Healers improving her Doctrine skills to another level.
With that said the curtains fell and everyone went to their chambers to sleep
"Didn't expect the Second prince to wake up someday my lord what shall we do ? " An cloaked old man asked.
"Humph what does it change proceed as planned. I regret that it has to be this way but the kingdom is doomed to begin with we have to think about our families at least." Said a person.
As the moonlight shone on his face he was visble as he was one of the marquis of this kingdom who was present in the previous banquet. Bearing a silver beard and a fully sharp look in his eyes he said regretfully and proceeded to give the castle a one final glance and headed towards his carriage.
"Haa returning home will take some time." He said
Just as they were about to head in.
"Sorry but you won't be returning" s silent noise caught their attention.
"Who dar-"
Slash* before the cloaked figure could even do anything he was already dead in a single swipe.
"You- why are you here ?! Hausa !
Hausa was the Red knight Zash had seen before right after waking up as he was a Red Armoured Knight which were legendary existences themselves as they come by but he was approaching the Black Knight standards as well seeing this the marquis gave up resisting, with a bleak look he said
"I see the old king had some people to do his dirty work the current king can't do his subjects to do anything to this extent is something I'm sure about". The marquis said condescendingly.
"Yes you're right about that. But that doesn't change the subject why did you betray the empire !? You are amongst the most loyal ones." He asked with sadness yes angered expression on his face.
"Do course but that's not the only thing I'm blessed in I'm also blessed in foresight. This kingdom is headed towards ruins nothing can stop it. How about joining me I'm sure the other empires will think twice about wasting a talented individual like you"
"Enough ! As of now You have two choices.
1: Surrender obediently and answer my questions and you and your family will be spared from the death penalty in the best case.
2: You can choose how you wish to die along with the rest of your family members."Hausa sadi in all seriousness.
"Haha.. will the king know about this ?" The marquis asked as he looked at the sky above and awaited his answer.
"No. That's how we've been doing things for a long time but only on special occasions and today is one of those occasions the second prince still needs a bit of time to spread his wings we wanted to see if anyone would dare to spill out news to our enemies and sure enough our worries weren't up for naught. He said while looking at him.
"Your fault lies in your inability to take the risks your position holds. You are to sacrifice everything for your Empire.
"OF COURSE I FEEL THE SAME BUT FACE THE REALITY FOR ONCE !! DESTRUCTION IS UPON US !! I'm not afraid for myself but for my family the people I treasure." Marquis said retorting while Hausa just looked at him silently and said
"If you were, you would be thinking of helping the king in his endeavours but no all you do is blame it on others not on your own incompetence. Our king is... Special he's wise and and experts in his own fields, he's kind but that's also his biggest weakness but we're here to valve the odds and now there's The second prince who has miraculously woken up from his Eternal Slumber he's here to support the empire as well along with his new tutor adding another backbone to our Empire."
"It's all a big gamble !"
"Sometimes that's all life is like. Just a big gamble we choose who we pick, who we guard, who we serve and who we love I've devoted my life for this empire and it has helped me get to where I am with that said what's your decision ?"
"I... . I surrender I'll tell you whatever I know" the marquis said feeling the gentle breeze on his face his arms behind his back tugging on his sleeves and trembling ever so slightly.
"I just have one request can you please let me have a say in a painless death if we're sentenced to one ? Also can you answer another one of my question ?"
"Sure enough that's doable as you've done your duties on an above satisfactory manner it might just lead in a minor or major property loss, as for the question ask away, I'll see if I can answer it."
"How have you been dealing with the traitors up till now without the Current King knowing ?"...
"Silenced, depending on the situation, locked up in a cell or simply replaced by another person acting as a double for all major families, we're always prepared to assess any possible vacancies we experience." With this knowledge you can't leave the cells for a while at least not until the kingdom is all well and stable at least you should be able to guess why no? With that foresight yours ?"
"Haiz* sure enough I'll comply I'd too like for this kingdom to change for the better if possible by the time I serve my sentence." Saying so the marquis was escorted out by Hausa along with a few other people walking in cahoots and just as they had appeared all of them disappeared leaving a dummy marquis within his carriage soon to be replaced by an actor who was on his way after getting special news and instructions and how to act and fool the enemy.
This was repeated all over while a few spied on the staying guests as well as returning ones and while some complied down refused and wanted to resist so they were killed on the spot.
Many important figures were either locked up or Dead due to Zash's First Day in this world.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
COOLASH
COOLASH So that's all for today. Sorry for Final Trials Part ----- but as this is a special situation I don't have much of a option or ideas even while coming up with good titles.
Hopefully y'all liked it, and had a fun time reading.
GN, See you all later, stay safe and have a nice day.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein