Legacy of the Dark Sage

A dozen members of the Tower of Conclave's Security Team formed two lines in front of the main gate. The head of the Security Team, Khalil, stood at the very front as he looked at the approaching carriage.

The moment the first of the three approaching carriages arrived within 20 meters outside of the main gate, the tower's defensive array activated, creating a semi-visible light golden half-sphere barrier that covered the whole Tower of Conclave's territory.

"Please halt and state your business with the Tower of Conclave," Khalil said, his voice reverberating outside the defensive array.

The first carriage stopped at once, and the other two followed suit.

The coachman of the first carriage leaned back and and turned to his side. His lips moved, however no sounds came out. It was as if he had transmitted his words somewhere else.

Khalil and the rest of the Security Team members watched the carriages with vigilance.

Head Master Malek had told them the people inside the carriage were likely from the Royal Army and they were feeling a little apprehensive. They had already been briefed to take extra caution when dealing with them because there was a high likeness that their sudden visit was part of their inspection.

After a few seconds, the first carriage's door opened and a middle-aged man with short dark hair and similarly dark eyes, wearing a red uniform with golden linings stepped out.

As soon as the middle-aged man had walked in front of the carriage, Khalil and the rest of the Security Team could not help but break out in cold sweat especially after seeing the five gold badges on his vest.

In the Royal Army, someone at the level of Lt. General, comparable to a Grand Master in mages, possessed five gold badges.

Unfortunately, Khalil and the others did not recognize this man. That was the cause of their reaction. They were from the Tower of Conclave, the faction possessing a vast information network and yet, they had no idea who this person was.

The middle-aged man looked at Khalil and smiled, "We apologize for the sudden visit. I am Lt. General Reid and I am here as the leading convoy of the Crown Princess."

All eyes of the Security Team members constricted after hearing Lt. General Reid's words.

At the same time, Malek, who was watching with his magic sense from the entrance of the South Tower, instantly frown. He was present when the Queen of Faes, White Lily, had come to warn the Lord of the Tower about the Crown Princess's visit to the Winfrey Ancestral Land.

That had happened a few days ago, and they had not heard any news after that.

'Now, she was the one coming for the monthly inspection?' Malek thought, his grip on the staff tightened. He did not want to admit it but, it seemed what Kyran warned them was correct.

Back at the main gates, Khalil stepped forward and lowered his head. The rest of the Security Team followed suit.

"Lt. General, pardon us for stopping your group. We at the Tower of Conclave had to stay vigilant, especially with the matter of the bandits running amok lately," Khalil said.

His words were not exactly a lie. For the past few days, they had seen a few group of bandits lurking around the area near the Tower of Conclave. Although, none of the bandits dared to get close to the tower, that did not mean the Security Team had to lower their guards.

Reid nodded his head and smiled in understanding, "Yes. A concern the Emperor has also taken account. Rest assured that the Emperor heard the pleas of all the people and is already working on a fix to the situation."

Hearing Reid's words, the Security Team members could not help but grit their teeth inwardly. However, they did not let their discontent show on their faces.

Lt. General Reid talked as if the Emperor was such a righteous leader who was concerned about his people's welfare, when in the first place, if he had not ordered to improve all magic detectors the matter about the bandits would not have happened.

Khalil chose not to comment and instead took a few steps forward.

"Please produce proof of your identity. Afterwhich, we will have to inform the Head Master."

Reid's left eye twitched. He did not expect the Conclave's guards, no matter how lowly their position were, would still insist on showing proof of his identity. The Emperor had already warned him that the Tower of Conclave might be a neutral faction, but it did not mean that they were pushovers. As a matter of fact, it was precisely because of their neutral status, that they were not afraid of other factions, not even the Royal Family.

They were able to maintain their neutral status, because they had the power to do so.

"Of course," Reid replied and raised his right hand.

As soon as he did, all members of the Security Team lifted their weapons.

Their action instantly made Reid frown, "Right now, you all are being rude, don't you think?"

"We are only doing our duty," Khalil replied unperturbed.

"Just show him the proof."

A calm, yet powerful voice of a young woman, suddenly reverberated in the air.

The Security Team were alarmed that they were about to raised their weapon and cast unveiling spells when a powerful deep voice sounded.

"Calm down. Let them pass."

As soon as the voice had spoken, Reid and all the coachmen had a sudden feeling of their insides tightening. It was as if the air in the surrounding was being comppressed by a powerful force which in turn affected the oxygen in their body.

Blood trickled down the side of the lips of the coachmen and their eyes turned bloodshot.

Reid on the other hand, employed his magic barrier, alleviating the effect of the pressure brought by the mere sound of the person's voice. With his magic level, to only alleviate the pressure meant, the owner of the voice was someone who had a higher level than him.

While Reid and the coachmen were feeling this way, all members of the Security Team including Khalil, looked normal.

After hearing the voice, all of them stepped aside and Khalil gestured toward the main gates before looking at Reid.

"You may now enter," Khalil said as the main gates slowly opened.

Reid's eyes turned red with fury. Being treated like this was something he could not tolerate. He was a Lt. General of the Royal Army and had been personally selected by the Emperor to be the lead convoy of the Crown Princess. To be disregarded like this gnaw at his heart.

"Get back in the carriage, Lt. General Reid. Let us go in."

Once again the calm yet powerful voice had spoken.

Khalil and the others could not help but shiver after hearing the voice. It was spoken softly and without hostility, but for some reason, it shook their souls.

Reid reign in his fury as he turned toward the second carriage and bowed, "As you wish, Crown Princess."

All the members of the Security Team trembled involuntarily, after hearing Reid address the voice. The sudden fear they felt was not because they did not believe the Crown Princess was inside one of the carriage but the fact that the voice that could pierce their soul was actually the Crown Princess, herself.

They all knew that the Crown Princess had just turned sixteen. Could a sixteen year old young woman possess such a power that by using only her voice could affect their souls?

This level of power was almost the same as Head Master Malek!

Reid returned to the first carriage and the three carriages finally entered the main gate of the Tower of Conclave.

Malek was the one who greeted them at the South Tower's front steps.

As soon as Reid stepped out of the carriage, he gave a glaring look at Malek. He did not need to ask to know that it was Malek who had spoken earlier and even threatened them with his magic pressure.

Malek ignored Reid's glare and only looked at the second carriage. He had already sensed that the voice who had spoken earlier, was inside the second carriage.

Another three men in red uniforms, with three gold badges on their vests stepped out from the first carriage. All of them, including Reid lined up in front of the second carriage before its door opened.

The first one to step out was a woman in green uniform.

Malek recognized her from the reports they had gathered for Kyran.

'Captain Vera,' Malek thought and frowned inwardly. As far as they knew, she was part of the army 'guarding' the Regis Estate. Why would she appear here with the Crown Princess?

After Vera stepped out, she turned toward the carriage's door and assisted a beautiful young woman in a beautiful white gown.

Malek's pupils constricted as he looked at the young woman.

The young woman had long wavy light brown hair, and she was wearing a golden crown. But what made Malek looked at her intently were her sapphire blue eyes.

Though the Tower of Conclave was well-lit, the fact that it was already early in the evening made some of the colors in the surrounding change dramatically. However, the eyes of the young woman before Malek appeared to be not affected. It was as if her eyes were being lit by an unseen source of light to make sure it retained its sapphire blue color.

The young woman looked up at Malek and smiled, "Head Master Malek. I hope all of you don't mind my sudden intrusion."

Malek reinged in the uneasiness he suddenly felt as he lowered his head at the young woman, "Please, there is no need for such formality, Crown Princess."

Then he straightened and gestured toward the South Tower's entrance.

"Come in," he said.

Malek led the Crown Princess, who was followed by nine Royal Army officers including Lt. General Reid and Captain Vera, to the receiving area.

Once inside, Malek led the Crown Princess to sit on the head of the table while the rest sat on each side of her.

Malek on the other hand remained standing at the other end of the table, looking at the Crown Princess.

Seeing Malek's stiff appearance, Haylee could not help but giggle, "You look too stiff, Head Master Malek."

Malek could not help but frown slightly and replied, "This... is my normal state, your Highness."

Haylee raised her brows in amusement, "Is that so? You have to change then. You'll scare any woman who will look at you."

Malek did not reply.

"Tsk, tsk. Such a boring man," Haylee remarked when Malek stayed silent for another few seconds.

"Your Highness," Reid suddenly spoke from her right side.

Before he could continue with what he wanted to say, Haylee lifted her hand to stop him.

"I know, Lt. General. Do not tell me what to do," she said.

Her voice was light, but it carried a strange power that instantly made all of the officers inside silent. They were silent to begin with, but it appeared as if they had also stopped breathing to ensure they would not make any noise.

"Apologies, your Highness."

Haylee ignored Reid and smiled at Malek and said, "Before I start, let me make it clear that I am not here to do an inspection."

Then she leaned back on her chair and added, "I am here to speak with you and Chairman Noir. He is here, right?"

"Yes," Malek replied, not bothering to hide it.

Haylee nodded, "Call him then."

Malek replied with a bow of his head and was about to call for a messenger when Haylee spoke once again.

"Ah, right. I heard Chairman Noir's disciple has returned. Is he also here?"

Malek stopped short and looked back at her.

Smiling sweetly at him, Haylee said, "If he is, can you call for him as well?"