章節 10: Chapter 10
Elvira was not prepared to spy on some wizards. It would be a similar fate to those who accompanied her on a spell years ago.
"I am not smart enough to spy on our enemies. There must be other experienced ones with the same gift as me. Maybe you can find me another task suitable to my abilities. Besides, why do we need to spy on them? Why can't you capture those wizards I met and beat it out of them?"
Angor looked at her like she was stupid. "Child, you think we haven't tried that to the best of our ability? I have tortured thousands, and none of them disclosed anything useful. We don't even know where he rules. King Efeus has never tried rescuing any of them. I guess he won't risk his army for a bunch of nobodies. Maybe those loyal buffoons are under some enchantment."
"Not many have the same gift as you," began Lilith. "You received it as an unborn baby in my womb. I thought I gave birth to a powerless human when you came to this world."
"You were born when Zovell flourished. As an infant, you were vulnerable to magic. Maybe that's when they cursed you. You have many gifts to you, Elvira," Lilith added.
It was the first time Elvira was hearing anything about it. Was her mother lying?
"Who are the others?" Elvira asked.
"Only a handful. And you're the only one we person know. Riionn doesn't give it to anyone. I don't bear this gift. Even though I have defeated a wizard lord," said Agror.
Elvira bit her lip. It was too much to take in at once. "Can I not do anything else for the curse?" she asked.
Agror sneered. "Can you join my army or perform deadly witchcraft spells for me?" I asked. You have been carrying this for too long. Who knows what could happen tomorrow? If you succeed in this mission, it will free you of the curse and help bring justice to our people."
She couldn't disagree with them. War wasn't her domain, and deadly curses weren't an option. It would be best to collect crucial information about the wizards undercover. It wouldn't require great strength but a considerate amount of cleverness and stealth.
"Why would they tell me anything at all?" asked Elvira.
Lilith rolled her eyes at her. "You're young and beautiful. Women are created in a way that men can't resist. You can get a man to speak in bed."
Only Elvira's mother would suggest that. It wasn't like she was a virgin, but it was still immoral and whorish to use your body for that.
"That wizard Wivior sounds naïve," King Agror jumped in. "These compassionate people are the easiest to fool. Act like a damsel in distress, and he will come to your aid. If he doesn't open his mouth, stay close to him, eavesdrop on his conversations, and go through his stuff. You might hit the jackpot. "
"Avoid other wizards, especially the ones who suspected you. What was his name...?" he added.
"Everard," she answered.
"Oh, yes!" Agror raised his finger. "I hope by now you realize this is not a choice but an obligation. Remember that it's also your only chance at survival."
As much as Elvira hated Agror, he was the only one who had given her a direct opportunity to get rid of her curse once and for all. The excruciating pain was slowly eating away her body and soul. Agror's suggestion of obtaining information from the wizards was more reasonable than her mother's.
Elvira took a few deep breaths, "I am willing to go, but I don't know much about the wizards."
"Let us tell you some basic things," said the king pointing at Lilith.
"They have different magic than us. Like us, magic runs in their veins, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. They can't perform witchcraft..."
"Why can't we use witchcraft against them?" Elvira interrupted.
Lilith scrunched her eyes. "You know the answer to that very well. We need something to hex them. That thing has to be a part of their body; hair, nails, or blood. It's not possible to do that with every wizard. Wizards' bodies are stronger and react differently to witchcraft. It's not as easy as it is with humans. Curses might not even work on the most powerful ones."
"We have witchcraft and the benefits we get from the worship of underworld deities, whereas wizards have powerful staffs like the one you saw in the forest. These staffs are unique and possess great power. We don't know how they came into existence. Some say they fell from the heavens. And some say that the greatest wizard elders made them with their power. The most popular belief is that the staffs were relics on earth. The wizards found them, and these objects accepted them as their masters," Lilith added.
"I found a similar one from the wizard king I slaughtered. I have had that staff with me for years. However, it still refuses to be used by me or any other. It seems to have a mind of its own," said Agror.
The wizards were having trouble with the blue staff in Berkton. King Agror and Lilith knew a lot about wizards. Now he didn't seem like the commanding and brutal king. Instead, he was very persuasive and gentle with his words. Or was he only that way because Elvira was soon to be his stepdaughter?
"This is all we can tell you for now. Witches and wizards have never been on good terms to learn about each other at length. Maybe you can tell us more when you return," said Agror.
Agror applauded loudly. "They will all cheer for you and write songs about you. It's noble to risk yourself for your people's safety and future. Besides, no one needs to know about the curse. Your mother told me only a few trusted ones in your coven know."
King Agror knew how to make it sound heroic, but Elvira was still unsure.
"I think you're still feeling unfulfilled, so let me make this quest more rewarding. By contributing to bringing justice to our kind, you will not only have your curse removed and gain the respect and love of the people, but I will also marry you off to a warlock crown prince. I have many connections and allies, so I can easily arrange that," said Agror.
It would be a lie to say Elvira wasn't a bit tempted. If she succeeded and received everything as promised, she would be living her dream.
"Do you promise to keep your word?" demanded Elvira, and instantly regretted it by the look of shock on his face.
"Of course, my word is everything to me," he replied in a calm voice.
"But you have to leave immediately. We don't know what the wizards have created at the Altar of Itar. We're soon attacking Lord Egeor, the second wizard lord. Even if we succeed, the wizards might strike back even harder, so it would be beneficial to have something on their leader, King Efeus. War is surely coming soon, and we better be prepared for it as much as possible," Agror added.
"Leave after nightfall, and don't tell anyone except your uncle. You may also speak to your sisters and friends but don't tell them you're leaving. Your mother will take care of the rest after you are gone. I'll give you a strong potion to keep your curse at bay for at least a few months."
"My sisters won't tell anyone!" cried Elvira.
"I am sure they won't," began Lilith, "You need confidence, and your sisters will make you weak. Leona might try to follow you like always. Your uncle is mature, yet he still got emotional and upset when he heard about this."
Of course, Elvira's dear uncle would be upset about sending her away to spy on wizards. Lilith didn't show an ounce of emotion, proving she was nothing but a leader of her coven.
Elvira was about to get up when Agror called again. "There are some magic rules that you must keep in mind. Don't come back until you have something we can use against them. They are not humans and can follow you even if you use the fast travel magic spell. Once you are out of there, they'll know who you are. So, plan your return wisely.
'"Also, don't use magic when a wizard is near you. He might not sense the magic inside you, but I am unsure about the magic in the air. You're dealing with magical beings, so don't take them lightly like humans."
When the king's warnings were over, Elvira immediately went to see her uncle.
"I am sorry it has come to this," said Eldritch immediately upon seeing her, "I wish you had never met those wizards and never had the curse. You must think that I am awful for allowing something like this."
Elvira forced a weak smile. "I know you have no say in this. Don't worry. I can never think badly about you."
"You're too young for this, Elvira. You don't know anything about our enemies," he said.
Elvira had come to complain to her uncle, but because she had to leave anyway, she didn't want to add to his guilt or worry since he already looked upset.
"I know my way around. I have talked to them, and they were not cruel to humans. I can survive as long as I don't let them suspect me," said Elvira.
Her uncle handed her a book and a diamond with a bit of red inside it. "Take this. You'll need it."
"What is this?" she asked.
"The book contains information about humans, wizards, and other beings. If someone asks, say that a relative gave you this. And the gem is a way for me to know if you're safe. A friend gave this to me years ago. It's a diamond, and the red inside is my blood. He used witchcraft to seal it inside. The person who possesses it can use magic to transfer words in the form of emotions, and I would feel it no matter where I am," Eldritch answered.
"Charge it with magic whenever you can and transfer emotions to it. If you're in danger, I will come straight to help you. You are not alone in this," said Eldritch.
"Thanks. What if they found out?" asked Elvira.
"This is witchcraft perfectly sealed inside a rare stone. They could only tell if you charged it directly in front of them. So, do it all alone."
Their final goodbye was a hug after they finished talking. Since it could be their last hug, Elvira feared letting go.
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