Stolen by the Rebel King
Chapter 375: Deeper Conspiracies

Chapter 375: Deeper Conspiracies

"Don’t you find it odd, Your Highness?" Nereus said, keeping his voice low in case there was anyone listening in.

He had much better hearing than the average human, but even then Nereus couldn’t be too careful. King Atticus no doubt had spies positioned everywhere in Reaweth ever since his arrival here. One thing was for sure, no matter how suspicious the king of Vramid was, he cared plenty for Daphne’s safety.

Nereus continued, "That despite King Atticus’s cracked obsidian ring, he could still perform magic, enough to subdue a tyrannical monster such as Prince Alistair?"

"King Atticus is also a skilled swordsman," Prince Nathaniel pointed out. However, his tone was grave and Nereus could tell that he was, at least, seriously considering the question.

"Prince Alistair’s mind was corrupted," Nereus plainly said. "While I do not argue that he is a tyrannical monster even as a full human, with the effects of the cinnabar poisoning, he would’ve had an enhanced set of abilities that no human, no matter how great their combat abilities are, could subdue. Magic would’ve been necessary."

Prince Nathaniel grew solemn. He pursed his lips, his index finger rubbing against his chin as he was deep in thought. However, Nereus knew that he wasn’t the one that had planted the seed of doubt in the Prince― Prince Nathaniel was a man of science. He believed more in the hard facts and theories proved by evidence than wild, random guesses.

Even though Nereus’s point was one with a reasonable explanation, it wouldn’t have been enough for Prince Nathaniel to grow silent. There must’ve been something else.

"This isn’t your first encounter with King Atticus’s unique power," Nereus deduced.

Prince Nathaniel’s fingers twitched a little. That was enough confirmation for Nereus.

"When?" he pressed.

The Prince sighed. "You were at Raxuvia during the Crowned Conquest," he said. "Perhaps you might’ve heard of the rules of the event?"

Nereus shook his head, his lips pressed tightly together.

"Oh, right," Prince Nathaniel said. "You only met Daphne after the event."

Nereus had to resist the urge to correct the Prince that, in fact, he had met Daphne long before anyone else did, back here in Reaweth. However, that was not the point and now was not the time. He simply gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the argument.

"Either way, the rules of the Crowned Conquest’s main event were simple," Prince Nathaniel continued. "The most important part of those rules was that crystals were not allowed in the maze, and by extension, magic."

He further explained, "There were systems and sensors set up all over the arena to detect signs of magic. When a fight broke out between King Atticus, Queen Daphne, and Jean Nott, we discovered an additional magical source that wasn’t accounted for at that time."

"King Atticus."

Prince Nathaniel nodded. "That was my initial suspicion. But the royal couple of Vramid argued it off as a malfunction. I’ve never bought it."

"So, Your Highness agrees that King Atticus might be performing magic without a crystal source to act as a magical conduit?"

Nathaniel firmly nodded. "It’s highly possible. However, I am not sure how. It is not possible for a human, since we are not magical creatures by nature, unlike, for example, kelpies. Unless..."

"Unless?" Nereus prompted.

"It’s not possible." Nathaniel shook his head. "I must still research this subject a little more thoroughly before coming to a conclusion. But this is just a theory I have."

"Your Highness, do pardon my forwardness, but His Majesty had his head healer remove my eye without consent, rhyme, or reason," Nereus said. "Zephyr had confirmed time and time again that it was unharmed, and yet, he had Healer Sirona remove it while I was unconscious and could not retaliate. Upon questioning, she claimed there was an infection. Where then, did the infection come from, if no harm was done anywhere near it?"

Anger burned within Nereus’s chest, coiling like rings of fire. He had been around humans for a time long enough, and he knew far better than anyone the evils of mankind.

A kelpie’s eye contains a great amount of magic due to the fact that it’s the source of power for the beast itself. Even when detached from the body, it could be used for plenty of rituals, potions, and all sorts of things.

His kind had even been hunted down for their eyes as jewelry, as when removed from the body, the eye would become a brilliant blue orb, similar to gemstones like sapphires or aquamarines. They were arguably even better conduits for magic when it came to hydromancy as the eyes could boost the magical effects regarding water.

But why? Why would King Atticus need his eye if he was already so powerful?

"I was not present during most of the surgery," Nathaniel confessed. "As such, I cannot make any comments regarding Healer Sirona’s decision to remove your eye. However, with regards to King Atticus’s suspiciously high affinity with magic in general, I will conduct my own investigations."

"You said you already had a theory," Nereus said.

"I do, but it sounds wrong on all accords," Nathaniel answered.

"What is that theory?"

Nathaniel sighed. Eventually, he relented.

"Reaweth is known as the home of magic, with its founder originating from here," Prince Nathaniel said. "Back in Reaweth’s glory days, King Rowan Verimandi and his wife, Queen Bethany-Anne, were the ones to bring magic to all mankind. We do not know with exact detail how he accomplished such a feat, but rumors say that it’s from a ritual whose details are now lost to time."

Nereus nodded. That was common knowledge enough. He grew up in Reaweth, after all, and even as a kelpie, it wasn’t hard to hear a thing or two about their history of magic.

"But there is also something that most people have forgotten," Nathaniel continued. "King Rowan Verimandi realized that the people that had been blessed with magic after him could not use magic like he could, and thus, he patented the idea of using crystals to help them control and direct their magic with better control."

Something flashed through Nathaniel’s eyes― confusion, wonder, curiosity, and a thirst for knowledge.

"The King himself, on the other hand, along with his wife, only wore gems for their beauty. They did not need crystals to use magic."