Chapter 32: Elliot the Rotund

Prince Elliot’s height, weight, personality, and voice leave much to be desired. He’s one child tall, but three wide, and like a child, he has never been told no. Hearing him speak has even had a profound effect on the disabled, giving them back their ability to walk so they may escape the shrill noises he makes.

“What do you mean!? Those men were of ancient magic blood and trained with the church’s best methods! How could they fail to retrieve her!?” Prince Elliot screams at a knight in the Alarian Royal Capital.

“I’m terribly sorry, Your Highness, they should’ve returned by now, but there’s been no sign of them..” a knight responds, nearly prostrating himself.

“Ack! Could the church be working with the Sante Kingdom as well? How could they possibly defeat our finest?” Prince Elliot asks with a sneer.

“Your Highness, our spies in Sante’s capital have shared a rumor that has been going around the Sante knights. They believe a legendary warrior has made the eastern mountains his home,” the knight replies.

“Surely you jest, Harold. No one man could defeat the men we trained. They’re more beast than man if they survive,” the Prince says with a chuckle.

“Sante hasn’t publicly disclosed anything about the first attempt aside from an incident taking place at their academy, but our spies tell us that the Princess was in custody before being intercepted on the trip back,” Harold continues.

“Those men were trained knights fleeing by horse and carriage; it shouldn’t have been possible to catch up to them, unless someone knew in advance..” The Prince turns his gaze at Harold suspiciously.

“Gulp.. that mystery has given credence to the existence of an unknown warrior in the mountains.. both attempts should have succeeded given Sante’s defenses, Your Highness,” Harold explains.

If a mystery warrior was at fault, Harold could hardly be blamed for his knights' failures, but if suspicions of a traitor arose, there would be an inquisition.

“Tch. The Sante Kingdom hardly has a military, we shouldn’t even let them exist,” Prince Elliot says, spitting out his words, “Harold – start preparations for an invasion when the snow melts, they’ve killed a number of our knights and insulted our Kingdom, we have more than enough ground to take control of their little country.”

Harold jumps to his feet.

“At once, Your Highness, we can invade 15,000 knights strong. Whoever their mystery warrior is will be crushed with numbers, and I will personally lead the charge,” Harold responds with a deep bow, before turning to leave.

Prince Elliot glares down at the fleeing knight like a child about to break an old toy, “Don’t fail me, Harold.”