Chapter 22

  The next day, Drakkel called in Knowl to ask about something. Based on the fact that the Golden Peak Swords Clan was responsible for the illegal mines in Shadowy Ridges, they must have had dealings with demons and because Firo Fieren was kept within a fortress built by the Crown Prince and only accessible by royal members and their guests, the Crown Prince had to be involved as well.

  The second matter could be dealt with later, but the first had to be addressed. Only one group of demons was missing from the underground city and it was the eighth demon lord, the demon lord of Malice, Malikai and the demons under him. Perhaps the demon that was hanging around the cloaked figure was his lieutenant too.

  Lieutenants were mid-level demons who were assistants of Demon Lords and almost as powerful as the weakest of them as well. Like Mi’kel was to Illa, each Demon Lord had one lieutenant who could take over if something were to happen to them or they were otherwise preoccupied. The lieutenants were personally trained by the Demon Lords and so had abilities that were either similar to theirs or useful to them.

  Drakkel had thought nothing of it before but when he inquired about it with Knowl, his suspicions were confirmed. The demon he described was indeed the lieutenant of the eighth demon lord.

  Drakkel then thought back to the story he had heard about Demon Prince Fal-On.

  It might have been that the clan that he was in contact with was The Golden Peak Swords Clan. Of course this fact was just speculation and could only be proven with further investigation.

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  In addition to asking about the eighth demon lord’s lieutenant, Drakkel had asked for more information pertaining to the eighth demon lord himself, including his special power.

  Each demon was granted the complete use of a magic skill upon gaining the power of a demon lord. These skills were what others considered “demon magic” and they could be used by other demons but to a lesser extent. This magic could also be utilized with demonic artifacts, spells, and meteoric stones. But not many demons were well versed in using the type of magic that required meteoric stones and spells. Really, this was the specialty of the demon lord of Malice.

  With this, Drakkel had Knowl leave. Afterwards, he called in Shia, who had temporarily taken Illa's place as the head of the spy network, to ask what was now going on in the capital.

  She said that the Emperor issued a statement that he was not aware of Drakkel's identity and that the fact that a merchant was killed within his own Empire and the capital no less, was a shame.

  However, he also added that this merchant and those others that the Demon King had been in contact with had long records of criminal activities that were brought to light after the fact. The only innocent one among them was captured by the Demon King and they are launching a search for him now.

  Meanwhile, Mistress Fina had gone mad and was apprehended while Master Som’s body was taken in by the Security Office. The Investigation Bureau had tried to take it from them using the Crown Prince’s power, but the Emperor stepped in himself and issued an order, personally assigning Lior Gaunlet to the task with the assistance of Ril Lita if so needed.

  With this, Drakkel thought that the Emperor was now aware that there was more behind the incident. But that was all he could be sure of. He couldn’t guess if he would be a friend or foe.

  There were too many factors and he was certain he was missing something else. But he hoped that his trip to Towering Heights would enlighten him.