Legacy of the Dark Sage

Mimi deactivated her magic as soon as she saw Kyran had fallen unconscious.

She touched her four-leaf clover earring, set it to a specific target, and said, "I had to resort to plan C. He seems to know things about Millie. I'm taking him to the main residence."

<<Very well. Change the array sequence in the back room, from 2 to 0 to use the transportation array. It has been set to go directly to the main house.>>

"Yes, Patriarch."

<<We'll see you in a while.>>

''We?'' Mimi wondered to herself. But instead of asking, she replied, "Yes."

She disconnected the call and looked at Kyran one more time.

"I did tell you not to drink too much. If you had listened, you would have been sober enough to react before the restraining array fully activated. And you wouldn't have fallen for such a weak attack."

====================

The Courtenay Family had several residences, and their main one was located near the heart of the Starhorn City.

Compared with the other residences of the family, the main one was actually the smallest. It was only about an acre with no outdoor field. It consisted of five buildings, four six story buildings stood on four sides, with one eight story building at the center.

The main residence was small because it used to be the original home of the Courtenay ancestors. When their influence grew, they decided to build more residences outside Starhorn than expand the main house. It was also where the Patriarch, Elders and all main family members resides. The central archive of the family was also there.

In the central building, it also had four-level basement, each level comparable to three-stories. The two lowest levels served as the family's prison, while the one above it was the interrogation hall.

The interrogation room was made of black stone walls. Currently it was covered in darknes with only a faint green light at the center, coming from an activated restraining array. At center of the array was a solid black chair with black chains pierced on its back, arm rest, and bottom. These chains were connected on different points on the restraining array.

Kyran, who appeared to be unconscious was on the stone chair. His hands were chained at the back of the chair as well as his feet.

"The interrogation will start now," a brittle sounding void of an old man echoed in the darkened room.

The hall's walls lit up, showing a mezzanine made of glass. Seven people wearing a light green robe with golden accents sat on a transparent solid chairs, which looked to be carved on the same materials as the mezzanine.

The person at the middle was none other Patriarch Ernst, and to his left and right side were the elders of the Courtenay Family.

Standing beside Ernst was Mimi and she was looking coldly below at Kyran.

Something moved at the bottom of the mezzanine, which approached the restraining array.

Soon, a dark hooded figure was revealed the moment it got close to the restraining array. The figure was huge and more than two-meters tall. Judging from its stature, the figure belong to a man. Behind his back, was a huge black and green axe.

He released the strap on his axe and weild it with both his hand. A dark green magic array formed at the tip of the axe as he swung it at the edge of the array.

BANG!

A gust of wind erupted from where the axe hit and flew straight at Kyran, rattling the chains in the process.

"Ergh..." Kyran stirred awake.

Ernst stood up and walked over the edge of the mezzanine to look at Kyran below.

"I have always wanted to meet you personally, Disciple Tyr. However, I never expected the setting of our first meeting would be in our family's interrogation hall.

Kyran, having recovered some of his rationality raised his head to look at Ernst.

"Patriarch... Ernst..."

Ernst smiled, "Good. You recognized who I am."

As if only realizing what situation he was in, Kyran's eyes widened and tried to stand. However, the chains binding him, rattled, as he was forced to stay in his seat.

"T-This--!" Kyran looked at the chains around him, as well as the restraing array on the floor.

Ernst smile widened, "Don't worry. Those are just for insurance. We are aware of your temper, you see. And we don't want you running rampant while he ask you some questions."

"Ask?" Kyran growled as he looked at Ernst again. "Is this how the Courtenay ask someone a question?"

"As I said," Ernst repeated. "We know of your temper. If you want to return in one piece, I'd suggest you stay put and answer us honestly."

Kyran did not respond. Instead, his eyes narrowed further as his glare intensified.

"Don't worry. We will keep our promise," Ernst told him. Then gestured to his right and left toward the elders seated behind, "I, and all the Elder of the Courtenay Family assure you of this."

"All the elders?" Kyran repeated as he looked at the six people sitting on the chair behind Ernst.

Kyran's eyes had already adjusted to dark, and from his seat, normally he would not be able to see the elders. But because the mezzanine was made of glass, he was able to see all of them.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips, "So you also question people with all the elders of your family present?" He then looked at the huge dark robed man near the edge of the restraining array. "You even have a high-level mage close by. Why? If I don't answer will you guys resort to torture?"

The dark robed man grunted inaudibly and lifted his axe then rest it on his shoulder.

Ernst chuckled, "We value our partnership with the Blacksmith Order, as much as possible, we want you to return in one piece."

Kyran did not respond and only glared at Ernst.

"Now then," the smile on Ernst face vanished as his expression turned grim, "My young successor told us something quite... disturbing. It seems, you know something about my eldest daughter."

Kyran looked at him in confusion, "Daughter?"

"You've met her in the arena today," Ernst replied, "By the way, I appreciate how you ended that match without hurting her. She may be a handful, but she is still my flesh and blood."

"Lady Millis is your...?" Kyran smiled bitterly, "I'm guessing you telling me this doesn't really pose a threat."

"Oh, no," Ernst agreed. He gestured to one of the elders to his right, "Just like the Conclave, we have someone whose good at Memory magic, you see."

"So, that's how you plan on preserving your relationship with the Blacksmith Order. As long as you wipe my memory and return in one piece, everything will be fine."

"You are a smart young man, Disciple Tyr. If not for the Crown Princess's obvious interest in you, I don't mind poaching you. I don't even mind if you want to take my young successor as your wife."

"Uncle," Mimi protested at once.

"The Crown Princess only want to make use of my Array knowledge."

Ersnt shook his head, "No. Well, technically, yes. But... the Emperor is..."

He sighed as if feeling bad that he could not say more. But then, his eyes glinted mischievously and he continued, "Well, I suppose it won't make a difference even if I tell you."

"Uncle," Mimi protested again as she made a step toward him.

Ernst raised his right hand, stopping Mimi on her tracks.

"It is fine, Mimi. We'll wipe his memory clean after the interrogation, anyway."

"But..."

"Do you doubt my magic, Mimi?" The elder sitting on the chair on Mimi's right asked.

Mimi looked at him and shook her head at once, "N-No, uncle. Of course not."

"Then stay down. You brought that man here, you too want his memory erased, right?"

"Yes."

"Ernst, make it quick."

"Of course, elder brother," Ernst replied without looking back. He kept his gaze at Kyran and continued, "The Emperor wanted to marry the Crown Princess to the Young Master of the Regis Clan. However, she doesn't like the idea."

"..."

"You see, the Emperor has a grand dream. A dream that most noble families are not... fond of. After all, it concerns the future of the empire."

"You don't want another noble family to rule."

Ernst chuckled, "Not quite. I suppose if its another noble family, then it is fine. But the Regis? No. Anyway, the Crown Princess believes you are someone... with a very powerful background, and I am not talking about the Conclave."

His eyes narrowed as he added, "You are from the Cagar Nation, aren't you?"

Kyran's brow twitched slightly, yet he did not say anything.

However, his silence only made Ernst smile.

"The Cagar Nation is currently in a perilous situation. They may possess numerous Array talents however, it is not enough to keep the nations from the Northern regions from expanding their territory toward the western region. I'm sure your resources have suffered a great deal.

"Here's my theory. You actually came here, to seek help from the Conclave. Since they are a neutral faction, they will not care whom they do business with. I'm guessing, you are imparting the Cagar Nation's Array knowledge, in turn for the Conclave providing resources to the Cagar Nation."

"That's a very farfetched theory."

"No, it's not. After all, we know of the Conclave's movements as well as the resources that came in and out of the Chamber of Commerce. When the Royal Family asked for materials to assist the Elite Force, it seems to be not enough. So where did all the materials went to? Even most of the mercenaries as well as several of the top talents of all constituents of the Conclave are not here. So where are they?"

Seeing Kyran went silent, Ernst smile widen again, "Don't worry. It is not my place to meddle with your affairs. But the Crown Princess is very interested in you and your nation. If my guess is correct, she wanted to make a deal with you. A marriage of convenience. If both of you are bound by marriage, you can have the power to dispatch the military force of the Ylfaen Empire and help the Cagar Nation win the war against the Northern nations. In turn, you will help the Ylfaen Empire expand, and who knows, in the future, maybe the Ylfaen Empire and the Cagar Nation will rule over the whole world."

Kyran's face turned into disgust, "So in the end, you guys are only after expanding the empire's territory, because the more it expanded, the more your families will also benefit."

"Of course. Unfortunately, the Emperor doesn't see that. He only wants to unite every faction in the empire and have it ruled by... some old decrepit family. He has no desire to expand the empire like his father."

"Bunch of fools."

Ernst eyes narrowed, "I can see that you don't believe."

"Because its a load crap," Kyran replied with a slight smile.

Ernst face distorted. But he reigned in his annoyance and changed the subject, "Anyhow, you are quite lucky to have the interest of the Crown Princess. For that reason, we will not hurt you. At least not much."

He gestured his arms toward the black chair, "That chair and chains are made from anti-cast material. It is futile to try rousing your magic. Although, even if you can, with your measly support magic, what can you do? Apart from this, as long as you are connected to the restraining array below, you will not be able to rouse your magic reserves, or even the magic energies in the surroundings."

"For short, it is futile to try and escape."

Ernst chuckled, "That's right. It's good that you are quick to understand your situation.

"Now let us get down to business," his tone turned colder. "How did you know about Millie?"

Kyran only smiled in response.

"I suggest you answer at once. I said 'as much as possible we want you to return in one piece,' but I say nothing about not resorting to violence to make you speak."

"Aren't you afraid others will know what you're doing here?"

"We are the only ones here, Disciple Tyr. The matter about Millie is very delicate you see. We had made sure to take care of all people who knew it. Even family members."

"When you said, 'only ones here,' did you mean the whole Courtenay Residence?"

"Of course."

"And all the elders are present."

"Yes."

"That's good."

Ernst tilted his head, "Hm?"

"You talk a lot, you know," Kyran said hauntingly. "Thank you for telling me all that."

CRACK! BOOM!

In an instant, the interrogation hall's floor cracked and a powerful shockwave erupted from the center.

Web-like cracks spread from the floor to the walls, and the mezzanine.

Everyone was caught off guard and barely managed to rouse their magic and summon their magic defenses.

Below the mezzanine, the dark robed man was the first to recover. He grunted in anger and charged toward the smoke-filled center of the hall.