Chapter 50: My Lovely Daughter
"By the way, Aeric...."
"What news do you have on the heroes ?" Victor Malverin inquired in a more serious tone.
"My lord. The hero of lightning has been successfully brought to our side, and considering he’s one of the strongest, it’s a great accomplishment."
"Not only him, but the hero of healing light has also joined our faction. It would seem the two are quite close from what our men have observed."
"Easier to convince was the hero of strength... though, quite strong, he doesn’t seem to be the sharpest tool in the shed."
"The hero of spear and the hero of shield still haven’t made up their mind’s, but with a little more effort, we will soon have them secured. Though the hero of Spear can be a little... demanding, he’s still one of the stronger ones."
"Unfortunately, my lord...."
"The hero of stealth and the bow hero, both seem to have joined the princess’s side," Aeric explained, sounding remorseful.
"Never mind them, then. I noticed you haven’t mentioned the Blade Hero and the Flame Hero... I’m guessing they are still adamant on staying neutral ?"
"Yes, My lord. They seem more focused on trying to find a way to escape this world, according to our spies."
"Hmph. leave them be for now.... What about that one ?" Victor asked seriously as he stroked his single mustache.
"I placed my man on him, but he still hasn’t noticed anything unusual aside from his maidservant spending excessive amounts of time in his casbin.... Though that’s expected." Aeric replied, already understanding who Victor was referring to.
’hmm.. that’s quite strange. I would have expected someone like that to be concocting something nefarious behind the scenes... but he’s been too quiet... from the last report I received from Aeric, he doesn’t even attend combat practice...’ Victor’s thoughts spiraled as her stroked his mustache with his right hand, reclining further into his ornate chair.
"My lord.." Aeric spoke in his signature impassive voice, bringing Victor from his thoughts.
"The heroes are set to leave for the catacombs of permafrost tomorrow... it could be a prime opportunity to remove that variable," Aeric explained, hinting at his meaning with the rise of his tone.
"That will just be sending our men to be slaughtered, Aeric. The royal Knight commander will be seeing them to and from the place..."
"And she’s almost as strong as I am..."
"Even if we were to prepare a large number of men... chances are, one might leak our secrets if captured, since we are only aiming to murder the hero of item-box." Victor explained patiently to Aeric.
Aeric might at times act dumb, but he is fiercely loyal and also Victor’s most trusted lieutenant.
Truth be told. Victor wasn’t the only one pushing hard for the disposal of the item box heroes. So too were the other ministers under him.
And their reasoning made sense, because no more than ten heroes can exist at the same time in the kingdom.
If they were to eliminate the useless one, they could force the saintess hand in initiating a single summoning to replace the one that’s been lost.
This window is open only until the hero exchange event begins; after that, the saintess will have to return to the holy sea, and by law, there will be no further summoning until the next circle. Eliminating the item-box hero right now would be a win-win, and they can get someone who would surely awaken as a spirit-hero in his place.
This would greatly benefit them and the whole kingdom at large.
Still. They couldn’t take action in the palace grounds because of the royal enforcers and the saintess.
And now they still couldn’t do anything because of the knight commander and all the other hero witnesses that would also be going on the dungeon exploration together.
However, there’s still quite some time before the window for action completely closes.
Victor is more motivated to eliminate the hero of item box more than the rest because of his secret special skill, but he is also a very careful and meticulous person by nature, who only makes moves when there are zero flaws in the plan.
"I see, my lord. Forgive me, I have been shortsighted." Aeric said solemnly.
"Never mind that. Keep trying to convince the heroes who are on the fence with their decision. They must never join the princess’s faction."
"understood, my lord."
"And keep more careful eyes on that one until he leaves for the dungeons.... Something still doesn’t feel right." Victor muttered with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.
"I will do as you command, my lord," Aeric replied solemnly as he turned and exited the study.
Now alone in his study, Victor began to smile as he thought about what kind of surprise his lovely daughter might be cooking up for his upcoming birthday.
He loved this part of her, since she used to do this kind of thing all the time. Creating different surprises for her parents.
Victor has missed this part of her since his daughter suddenly became more reserved and only wanted to share her thoughts in her diary, which she keeps under her bed.
"Ah!. That’s right... Kaela’s diary.... " Victor said as if a lightbulb had flicked on in his head.
"I have never really tried to see what she writes in that thing..."
"But, since she’s probably planning something that has to do with me, and my upcoming birthday... I think it should be ok to get a sneak peek, right ?"
"No no no no no!. I can’t do that; my lovely Kaela won’t like that, right ?"
"Ah. thinking of my baby... she’s grown so much now, and become the most beautiful, chaste and pure young lady in the kingdom."
"Always making her father so proud, this girl." Victor smiled proudly as he recalled how his lovely daughter had been turning down noble suitors here and there.
"Still. She’s at that age already, I think I maybe should start thinking of selecting a very suitable suitor for her... maybe the son of one of my supporting high ministers ?"
"I am just too curious though..... What will my perfect daughter be planning to surprise me with for my birthday ?" Victor smiled with affection written all over his face.