Chapter 28 : So I Defied The High Priest of The Sanctus Dominion

I can sense that everyone in the royal court is feeling a bit uncomfortable for the presence of Rodior Nevious, one of the high commanders of The Sanctus Dominion. 

Rodior says, "I heard many things about you, your majesty." I say with a smile, "I am a simple man." How can there be many things about me?" 

- "No, no. You're not a simple man, your majesty. You are called the kindest king. You completely changed this kingdom. You made this kingdom self-sufficient and stronger. I heard that your subjects love you very much."

- "It's a blessing to be the king of most supporting residents. I didn't do anything. The people of Alnovir did all this. And I am honored by their love for me."

- "You really don't have credits, do you, your majesty? By the way, you didn't only receive love from all of your subjects. I heard that many princesses from various kingdoms are dying to marry you, your majesty."

- "Yes, that happened. Some want to be related to this beautiful land. And about the others, I don't actually know the reason. Let's discuss the reason for your arrival. You said that you wanted to meet me. Is there anything specific you want to discuss with me?" 

Rodior clears his throat and says, "Do you know a man named Norheim Liorem, your majesty?" I quickly reply, "Yes. He came here maybe ten months ago." Rodior's smile fades. Maybe, he thought, I would say no and fall right into his trap. Everyone in the royal court seems to be shocked as well. Especially Lukemir. 

Rodior thinks for a moment and says, "Why did he come to you, your majesty?" I say with a serious voice, "Rodior, as you may know, he is a businessman. As a king, I have to respect his privacy. So, I can't share any details of our interaction. But since you are a respected man in the Sanctus Dominion, I'll give you a bit of inside information. Norheim Liorem came here for selling some slaves to me." 

Everyone present in the royal court is confused now. Rodior is the most confused one. He says, "Then, your majesty?" I say with a disturbed voice, "I despise slave trading. I told him to leave my kingdom at once. And he did. I would have thrown him into prison if he said another word." 

Rodior collects his thoughts and asks, "Then he left?" I reply, "Yes, he did."

- "To where?"

- "I don't know, maybe to his kingdom or something. Come to think of it, I never asked him about his kingdom. He never did give me any opportunity."

- "He is from the Elora Kingdom."

- "Elora Kingdom? By the way, Rodior, why are you asking about him? I thought the fortress of the Sanctus Dominion was in the Therian Kingdom."

- "Yes, your majesty. But he was a very religious person. He regularly visited the Sanctus Dominion's holy fortress.

- "He was! A slave trader is a religious person! That's something you don't hear every day. Well, butchers can be religious. I am not judging or anything."

- "Are you questioning a person's faith, your majesty?"

- "Of course not. You used past tense. Did anything happen to Norheim Liorem?"

- "He has been missing since the day he came here." 

"WHAT!" I exclaim with shock and stand up. Everyone in the royal court stands up with me. I say, "He has been missing for ten months?" Rodior says, "Yes, Your Majesty." I ask Lukemir, "Prime Minister Lukemir, did you know about this?" Lukemir says, "Your majesty, I only remember him coming here, talking to you, and leaving the palace. I don't know anything else." I ask, "Foreign Minister Rionin, Did you know about this?" Rionin replies, "Yes, your majesty. Two months ago, I heard that Norheim Liorem has been missing since he visited Alnovir." I ask, "Then why didn't you inform me or Lukemir?" Rionin replies, "Your majesty, I thought that news was an unnecessary one. He wasn't a king or anyone important. And you were busy with Alnovir's developments and many royal proposals. Then why would I bother your majesty with that news? Since he left our kingdom with perfect health, our responsibility towards him expired. What happened to him after that totally fell on the king of the Elora Kingdom." 

I sit on the throne and give a sign to everyone to sit down. I say, "Rionin, I understand your words. But next time let me know everything, no matter how unnecessary the news is." Rionin says, "As you wish, your majesty." 

Rodior says, "I presume, your majesty, you didn't know about Norheim Liorem being missing right after coming here?" I say, "No, I just...Wait, Rodior. Are you implying that we did something to him?" He says, "Yes, your majesty. Can you show me all the prison cells so that I can confirm whether he is here or not?" I say with a serious voice, "He is not here; I can assure you that much. But even if you were a king, I would never show my prison cells to you. And you know that no king would do that. I don't understand why the Sanctus Dominion is that concerned for a slave trader when the king of the Elora Kingdom never sent a messenger for him." 

- "The Sanctus Dominion cares for those who possess strong faith towards holiness. Now, can I say that you are hiding something from me, your majesty?"

- "If any resident of Alnovir tells me to show my bedroom, I'll gladly do so. But even if all the kings of the world threatened me together, I would never show them the garden of the palace. You are a guest, Rodior Nevious. Don't cross your limit."

- "You are insulting me, your majesty. And an insult of mine is an insult of the Sanctus Dominion."

- "And? By the way, I haven't insulted you yet, Rodior. Even if I do, who do you think you are, Rodior?"

- "I am the High Priest of the holiness and one of the high commanders of The Sanctus Dominion."

- "So what?"

- "Every king obeys me. And you should too."

- "Listen yourself. I should obey you? Why?"

- "Because I serve God."

- "How? Torturing and murdering his creation?"

- "I don't understand what you meant."

- "I know, you don't. Now, if you don't have any more reason to be here, return to your place at once."

Rodior stands up and says, "You are making a big mistake, your majesty. And you will pay the price." Elyar stands up and removes his sword from its scabbard. He says, "You dare to threaten his majesty!" I say, "Elyar! He is our guest. Leave him be." Elyar says, "But your majesty, he just...." I say, "Leave him be, Elyar. Put your sword in the scabbard." Elyar does so. I say, "Take your leave, Rodior Nevious." Rodior says, "Yes, your majesty." Rodior leaves. 

Lukemir says, "You let him leave like that, your majesty?" I say, "Yes, Lukemir. Everyone be prepared for any kind of surprise." Everyone says in unison, "Yes, your majesty." Nordial says, "Your majesty, why is the Sanctus Dominion that concerned about Norheim Liorem?" Rionin says, "Your majesty, may I answer that question for you?" I say, "Sure, Rionin." 

Rionin says, "Thank you, your majesty. Listen, Nordial. According to his majesty's source, the Sanctus Dominion is behind the kidnapping of people of various types of races, mostly women. But the Sanctus Dominion isn't directly involved. Instead, it gives the responsibility to others like Norheim Liorem. His majesty already took down all the infamous slave traders, including Norheim Liorem. Some slave traders got scared and stopped slave trading. There are still two or three slave traders that still exist, but his majesty will get them soon. Now, Norheim Liorem was the best one in slave trading. He even kept a visible connection with the Sanctus Dominion. He knows more than enough to destroy the reputation of the Sanctus Dominion. That's why the Sanctus Dominion wants to silence him. And I think they also want to know the identities of the Night Angels." Nordial says, "Thanks for your explanation, Mr. Rionin."

Vaelya says, "Was it wise to be the enemy of the Sanctus Dominion?" I say, "Well, we would get to that part eventually. Just got it a bit sooner. Since slave trading is almost over. We can focus on the main problem named the Sanctus Dominion. Now, everyone return to your duties. And I'll go to my room now." Everyone stands up and says in unison, "As you wish, your majesty."

A week passes without any major event. 

I am in my room, doing some morning workouts. Eriei knocks on the door and says, "May I come in, my lord?" I stop working out and sit on the chair. I say, "Yes, Eriei." Eriei enters the room.

Yes, Eriei is living in the palace of the Alnovir. Some days ago, Vaelya brought her here from the Demon Realm. Eriei is wearing two rings like Vaelya. One for making her horns invisible and another one for concealing her demonic aura. Vaelya introduced Eriei as her maid. Nobody questioned further. Eriei is very happy to be here. So, I don't mind. I gave Eriei the Whispermoon and told her to call me when any of my spies tries to speak with me through Whisperleaf. 

Eriei stands before me. She looks very tense. I ask, "What happened, Eriei?" Eriei says, "My lord, One of the spies just sent a message for you." I say, "Alright then, what is it?" Eriei says, "He says, 'The general of the Elora Kingdom is on his way here to attack Alnovir with an army of 80 thousand."

I say, "Well, I expected that."