Supreme Magus novel Chapter 168

The King was so happy at those words to need his sheer willpower to prevent himself from gloating openly. He didn’t want to lose someone of Varegrave’s calibre, but as too often happened, his wife was right.

Showing leniency after a major blunder in times of crisis, would be regarded as another sign of weakness from the Crown. Unless of course they had a good reason for it. That good reason had just been served to King Meron on a silver platter.

- "Seems that I have lost a battle, but in the end, I have won the war, dear Sylpha." He rejoiced via their mind link.

"We cannot deny our saviour’s request. It would be impolite beyond reason."

Sylpha mind grunted, she had been looking forward for Varegrave’s execution.

"I don’t think there is nothing to be happy about. Peace after war is good, prolonged peace is great on paper, but it’s turning out to be a venomous snake in the grass. The upper echelons of the Kingdom have forgotten that discipline and loyalty are key to survival.

They are so engrossed in their dirty secret pleasures to turn lazy, profligate or even treacherous. I am already purging the Mage Association from the bad apples. Keeping them on their toes is the only way to make them fall back in line.

The army needs some pruning too, Varegrave would have set a perfect example. No matter how loyal, influent or successful one is, treason has to be punished fiercely and mercilessly.

Endangering the Kingdom, no matter if by mistake or on purpose, must be treated as treason, otherwise all officers will come up with excuses or pettifogger arguments."

"I partially disagree, Sylpha." Meron replied.

"Everything you said is right, the decline of the Kingdom is due to our and our predecessors’ inability to recognize the temptations that the long peace aroused in our most dissolute subjects. But killing Varegrave would set a dangerous precedent.

If loyalty and past success hold no value, then there would be no way to inspire devotion in our officers. They must know that their actions, be it time of peace or war, matter. Otherwise we would have only lazy bums that do nothing afraid of making a mistake that will cost them their lives.

Leniency, if bestowed at the right moment, is not weakness, it’s strength."

Sylpha wasn’t convinced, but felt some truth in her husband’s words, so she didn’t raise any more objections.

"Still, I don’t like this turn of events, it’s too sudden. Varegrave’s life will hang on a thread more in Lith’s hands rather than ours. He’s been waiting for his death for so long that the sudden relief could potentially compromise his loyalty.

He is bound to feel indebted to his saviour, especially after having wronged him many times. If Kilian is right, we are facing a first class schemer, who is bound to have a hidden agenda."

Meron’s good mood popped like a bubble.

"Gods, I hate when you are right. But maybe you and Kilian are overreacting. He may be a dangerous sociopath, but is still very young. I don’t think he can plan so far ahead."

"Think what you want. I never underestimate an opponent, especially one that might be a natural Awakened one. I’m really curious about what Tyris will do if our suspects are right."

The King, the Queen and Salaark’s Feathers were all artificial Awakened ones. There were only a couple differences with a natural one. The first was that despite their body would age much slower than normal, their lifespan wouldn’t be extended much.

Were a normal mage in good health would live around one hundred year, they could live around one hundred and fifty, but rarely more. The second and more important difference was that they had no idea how to turn others into Awakened ones.

They all had been kept unconscious, while the Guardians had emptied their mana cores, allowing them to perceive the world energy upon waking, in a was much similar to Hatorne’s parasites after their removal.

The incomplete Awakening was the last safeguard against betrayal the Guardians had devised, and why both Tyris and Salaark only bestowed such power to a fixed number of humans at the time.

"Do you think she would conscript him or just kill him?" Meron pondered.

"In her shoes, I would either kill him, to stay on the safe side, or take him as apprentice, friend, boy toy, whatever rings her bell. Just like Leegaain did with the current Magic Empress.

Tyris already had a human husband, giving him an offspring. If it happened once, it can happen twice."

"By the gods, he is just a child!" The thought disgusted Meron deeply.

"And she is millennia old. Waiting a few more years or even decades would not be a problem." –

Lith’s request took everyone by surprise, even Kilian and Varegrave. After the communication ended, everything that the Queen feared happened like in a script. Having removed the sword of Damocles that had hovered above Varegrave’s head for so long, the Colonel was on the verge of tears.

"Thank you, thank you so much!" He couldn’t stop himself from holding Lith’s hand like it was a lifeline.

"I’m so sorry for misjudging you. I can’t wait to see my family again." Kilian took out Varegrave’s last will from his pocket and burned it on a candle to celebrate the crisis’ double happy ending.

"If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask." Lith and Varegrave linked their communication amulets. Surprisingly, Kilian did the same.

"Sorry if I barge in, but I want you to know you have my gratitude too, Lith. Also, I have a family too. If something bad ever happens, you are the best healer I know, and I’d really love to have you on my speed deal."