Chapter 254: Inkveil Revealed
Leonard's Palace Library
"Was that good enough, Crown Prince?" Seth sat in his usual seat and asked.
He had previously made the statement to spare the servants because of the young man in front of him, Leonard.
"Librarian Seth, or should I call you something else? Something like Inkveil?" Leonard crossed his legs and inquired.
He hadn't retreated to his bedroom, but rather came to the library to meet with this man who seemed to have everything under his control. The man who oversaw his entire journey within Velastra.
Seth appeared nonchalant despite being exposed. Instead, he closed his book and placed it down.
"The Crown Prince can call me however he wishes. We're all the subordinates of the Crown Prince." Seth smiled warmly.
Unfazed by his words, Leonard tapped his fingers on the desk. "I won't question your identity or motive. I only wish that I had some privacy."
"I've heard." Seth nodded, seemingly implying he learned about his ventilation escape.
"I can give you the necessary privacy, but I cannot guarantee much. Your safety is a top priority. The Shadows neglecting their duties and nearly having their Master die is unforgivable."
Shortly after saying so, a small residue of killing intent leaked out from him.
"You've killed them?" Leonard raised an eyebrow. These Shadows were all trained with the highest resources. If he really did kill them, then wasn't that a waste of resources?
Moreover, was this world really so dark that you would be killed for anything?
Sure, his life was at risk because of their negligence, but that was because he ordered them to leave. If anything, the fault lay with him for severely underestimating this world's cruelty.
In this magical world, money was never the allure. Instead, it was power and influence that could dominate the Continent.
"I didn't kill them." Seth smiled lightly and shook his head. "I've merely given them a punishment that etched their mind. That way, they would always remember to never make such a foolish mistake."
Although Seth's tone appeared to be directed at the Shadows, Leonard could feel it was actually directed at him.
After all, this foolish mistake stemmed from him. But as the Master and their Lord, it was inappropriate for Seth to call him out. Hence, he used the Shadows as a scapegoat to advise him to pay more attention to his life.
None of their plans or layouts would work if Leonard were gone.
It was like a chess board where once the king piece was checkmated, it didn't matter how many pieces they owned as opposed to their opponent.
They were game over!
"Your words… I have kept to heart, Librarian Seth." Leonard stood up and said.
A few seconds later, he turned around and walked away. Neither side was ignorant of the underlying meaning.
Just when Leonard was close to leaving the library, Seth gave one last piece of advice.
"Turning into a sharp blade isn't wrong. But the sharp blade needs to know the direction to strike. Otherwise, it's just a shiny decoration."
Leonard didn't pause his steps as he exited the library. Still, he managed to hear the advice and nearly laughed.
'Who said anything about being a sharp blade?' He mused inwardly. Not once had he ever wanted to become a sharp blade to strike others. It was always others who wanted his neck.
Besides, who said anything about using a blade as a weapon?
Why not use a gun—one that was empowered with his unique mana properties?
Sometime later, Leonard arrived at his room, only to be interrupted by someone else.
"Where did you go?"
He turned around and spotted Eleanor being pushed in a wheelchair by Albert, with Spencer following on the side.
"Do we lack rooms in my palace?" Leonard twitched an eyebrow. He glanced at Spencer in hopes of an explanation.
Can he seriously get some rest already?
Since coming to this world, he hadn't been able to have a proper rest.
He was exhausted from all this politics.
"No need to glare at Mister Spencer like that. I requested to be next to you." Eleanor chimed in and explained the circumstances.
"Aren't you blind?" He quickly turned to her and questioned.
"I'm blind, but also not. If you're curious, why not invite me to your room to have an in-depth conversation?"
Leonard wanted to reject her notion, afraid of her intention. A strategist like her was someone whom he was wary of.
Even in the old world, when he had to fight against his other siblings. It was these so-called strategists who made it very difficult for him to succeed.
The worst part?
His brain juice would run out trying to deal with them.
Alas, Eleanor made sure he couldn't ever reject her request.
"I'm certain your Father will send an Instructor over here for you to make a decision. You won't be able to rest if you reject my suggestion." She commented.
"Send an Instructor over?" Leonard was startled.
What did she mean by that?
"The rude youngster who made impolite remarks regarding me, who you injured to near death. His father is an instructor at the academy, but that's not important. What's important is that he has ties with the Mage Association."
"FUCK!" For the first time in a while, he finally lost his composure and cool.
He outright cursed and nearly wanted to thrash something to vent.
"Crown Prince…" Spencer sweated profusely. To curse in front of Xundraeth's Princess was inappropriate.
"It's alright, Mister Spencer." Eleanor raised her hand and gestured for Albert to take his leave.
"Should we discuss future endeavors elsewhere?" Albert promptly suggested it to Spencer.
Left without a choice, Spencer could only reluctantly agree and allow the two to converse privately.
He had been warned previously by Seth to give the two more private time.
After all, it was evident that Eleanor was the closest in advising and assisting Leonard on the throne.
Once the two elderly men had left the vicinity, Eleanor giggled at Leonard.
"So, do you want to deal with a beauty or an old man who will only be an eyesore?"