Chapter 64: The Royal Power Struggle (2)
Karnak had asked for three days to decide whether to take on the mission. He could easily discern whether necromancy was involved with just a glance. Thus, three days seemed like more than enough time to determine if the second prince had ties to the Cult of the Black God. But he was mistaken.
The royal palace of Delastase stood at the center of Drunta, surrounded by towering walls. Standing beneath those imposing walls, Karnak clicked his tongue.
“Well, this is a problem.”
Even with the ability to see through all necromancy, he still had to physically see it first. During the Gelpha incident, large-scale spells had been cast over the entire area, allowing him to detect it from afar. But if it was something subtler, like the cunning use of small-scale necromancy in the Brellant case, he would have to investigate directly to confirm it.
That meant he needed to get inside the palace and see either the second prince or his quarters with his own eyes.
“But there’s no way to get in.”
Karnak had no ties to the royal family, so how could he possibly access Prince Alford’s chambers deep within the palace? Request an audience as a member of the King’s Order? On what grounds? That he was acting on a vague suspicion?
That would not go over well. Whether or not the suspicions were true, such an accusation was bound to offend, and the wrath of someone in power wasn’t something to take lightly. He had no choice but to investigate secretly.
For the past two days, Karnak and his team had loitered around the palace, searching for an opportunity. Predictably, they had nothing to show for it. Back at their inn, Karnak slumped in his chair, shoulders drooping.
“We have to give them an answer by tomorrow. What do we do?” Serati, puzzled, asked, “Didn’t you think this might happen?”
The way he had confidently taken on the task had led her to believe he had some clever magical trick up his sleeve to detect traces of necromancy. The fact that he hadn’t even considered the challenge of getting inside left her wondering.
Is this man secretly an idiot?