After Ian had dinner with his mom and Lyra, he made an excuse and walked toward his father's quarters again. He was so busy just after returning that his mood was somehow affected.
While walking along the corridor, Ian began to think about the little information he had read in the novel Arcane Passage.
As far as he knew, the novel only mentioned that Wizard Ethos attacked his family and killed Duke Eldric, but he wasn't sure about the reason and could only guess.
Still, Ethos didn't kill everyone but instead exiled them out of power. So, Ian wasn't dead in the story.
'He must have threatened Eldric with the lives of his family,' Ian thought with cold eyes.
Although his father didn't say it, he knew he was already at the Grand Knight Realm. So, it wasn't easy for an old, dying wizard to kill him, especially in this barren place where mana was scarce.
And if given time to prepare, Eldric could kill him easily with human sea tactics.
Of course, a wizard was still much stronger than knights, as he had an endless array of methods for fighting and didn't even need to come close.
'Let's do that too, just for additional safety.'
The "Heads Up" Quest had already shown that there wasn't much time before the attack, so Ian could prepare more. There could never be too much preparation when it came to life.
Just when he was lost in his thoughts, he found himself standing in front of the same door as before without realizing it. So, he knocked on the door and entered after hearing Eldric's order.
This time, father and son had to create a good net to trap a wizard and kill him with the power of thunder. Just thinking about it already excited Ian, making his blood boil.
---
[Ashford Imperial Capital]
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On the outskirts of the Imperial Capital, two old men—one vigorous while the other looked decaying—were talking to each other, covered in black robes.
"Isn't he in the Imperial Capital?" Ron couldn't help but ask, thinking he wouldn't need to go far for this mission.
"No, Eldric has been in his fiefdom for a few months now. I heard there were some issues," Wizard Ethos said while caressing a worn-down staff in his arms.
"Then just call him back. Why should we leave? It's not good to be outside in this place," Ron said in annoyance, thinking the matter wasn't worth such trouble.
"No, calling him back might lead to variables, and I can't wait now."
Ethos shook his head. Seeing Ron's bad mood, he tried persuading him in a low voice.
"Don't worry. I've already got the news. Eldric is inside his mansion and hasn't left it for a while now. We just need a little time to kill him and return immediately. There are no problems."
While describing this, Ethos couldn't help but despise the old man.
Although Ron was stronger than him, they were in the same realm. Still, he kept making excuses, as if he were afraid.
"Okay, let's go, then, and finish this issue fast. I have other things to do."
Wizard Ron nodded after hearing that everything was under control and urged Ethos to leave.
"Let's use a spell to get there fast," Ethos said, slightly impatient, chanting a spell to lighten himself. Wizard Ron didn't argue further as he was also in a hurry to return as soon as possible.
Once they both cast their spells, they sped northward toward Duskmere City.
With their enhanced speed, it didn't take them long to reach their destination.
"This should be it," Wizard Ethos said with slight excitement.
If his assumptions were correct and the method truly worked, he could live for a few more decades. The mere thought of it made him restless inside.
Moreover, after inquiring over the past few days, he realized that the Veilstrider family didn't seem to have any hidden power as he had feared. Now, he was even regretting inviting Ron and wasting his favor for nothing.
"Okay, I'll hide and act only if there's a problem. The rest depends on you," Wizard Ron said.
Without waiting for a response, he disappeared completely from Ethos's view.
Ethos didn't say much either. He used a concealment spell to partially hide his body and walked toward the mansion at the center with unhurried steps.
While danger was approaching with impending doom, Ian and Eldric were playing chess in the center of a large meeting hall, sipping tea as if leisurely wasting time.
However, if you look closely Duke Eldric was anything but leisurely.
"Ian, there's no need for you to take a risk. Morgarve and I are enough. If the situation gets worse, we can use the dead soldiers as we discussed, but you can't be here," Duke Eldric said with a headache.
He didn't know how his son had learned about Ethos's impending attack. Ian hadn't left since yesterday, insisting on playing chess, which was making him miserable.
Moreover, if that old man really intended to attack, how could he leave his son in danger? However, Ian ignored his father's concerns.
"Don't worry, I am strong. Didn't I show you my strength before? Why are you still bringing this up?"
Ian rolled his eyes as his father kept asking him to leave.
Yesterday, Ian had informed his father of the impending attack using a fabricated story.
He swiftly relocated his mother, Lyra, and the other family members to a hidden place.
Since then, he and his father spent the entire night playing chess in the meeting room, while Morgarve lay in wait, hidden, ready to trap their prey.
'But still, isn't he taking too long?' Ian thought bitterly.
Spending the entire night playing chess with his father was torturous, especially with his constant nagging.
'Hm?'
Just as Ian was becoming irritated, his acute perception picked up on a figure outside the mansion. He immediately tapped his finger on the chessboard casually as a signal, while extending his perception range with his passive skill, 'Veilborn Shroud'.
But when he sensed another figure lurking in the dark, heading directly toward the room, his heart shook.
'Veilborn Shroud!'
'Phantom Veil.'
'Ethereal Disguise.'
Ian hurriedly activated three skills in succession, disappearing in front of Eldric, leaving him bewildered.
Duke Eldric was about to voice his confusion when a low young voice reached his ear making him solemn.
"Change of plans. There are two of them."