Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 172: Private Council (2)

"This lowly one greets His Majesty, King Gray, and His Highness, Prince Osbourne!" Crusher almost had a mini heart attack when he saw the King and Prince.

When Jess told him a few things as they made their way to the capital, the tigerkin had a hard time processing how things came to be what they were.

’I knew my guess was right...’ Crusher thought silently, looking at the Royals. ’The things happening are no small matter.’

Jess, on the other hand, wasn’t panicked like the tigerkin. This wasn’t her first time seeing the Royals. Even so, the basic etiquette had to be followed.

"Your Majesty," she bowed to the king and then turned to the Prince, doing the same. "Your Highness."

Osbourne nodded in acceptance, already familiar with the Catwoman. The tigerkin, on the other hand, looked familiar.

"Weren’t you in the tournament selection event that took place some time ago?" The prince asked.

"Yes, Your Highness." The tigerkin nodded with a bit of pride in his tone. "I also took part in the dungeon subjugation mission."

While Osbourne got familiar with Crusher, Jess glanced at the Royal Commander, sending a slight bow of respect his way. A moment of silence passed after the pleasantries were done with.

"Jess Retrove," King Gray moved to the other side of the stone altar. "I hear you have something for me."

The others quickly came to form a circle around the altar, Osbourne standing close to his father.

Counting the number of people around the altar, this ’private council’ had six people in total. Including Caleb, the tally reached seven.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Jess nodded, retrieving the journal from her storage artefact and placing it on the altar before passing it over to the king. "Caleb himself will be here at the latest by tomorrow."

"Mm," King Gray nodded, picking up the journal and giving it a thorough look before opening it. "I believe you have a few observations you can add yourself, correct?"

"A few..." Jess looked at the people gathered before sharing her thoughts. "On the surface, things look normal. However, most of the domains we travelled through had an increase in private and hidden forces, seemingly on edge about something."

"Isn’t that because of Caleb and the lore around him?" Commander Lance chipped in, evidently confused. "With most of them calling for his head and what they’re obviously guilty of, it would be a given."

"Maybe..." Osbourne added, his gaze lowered and in thought. "But we have to also account for the demonic invasion and assassination attempt on us. They are aware we know they’re involved."

Glancing at his father, who was still flipping the pages of the journal, he continued. "Father has yet to declare those involved in that incident guilty. They might be preparing for that as well."

King Gray glanced at his son and nodded. "That’s right. That issue is still pending. Then again, Lance may be right." He looked at the commander and then at Jess.

"What if they’re planning something else?" Priestess Celistra asked, drawing everyone’s curious gazes. "What if they’re planning on destabilising the kingdom as a way to divert attention?"

Looking at the catwoman, the priestess asked for confirmation. "You said private forces, correct?" Jess nodded, waiting for the priestess to complete her thought.

"That means they could be used as terrorists hellbent on bringing chaos to the people." Her words made sense. However, she wasn’t done. "I know for a fact that the noble class are capable of anything."

"..."

Silence settled over the chamber, the tigerkin looking on with clear confusion in his eyes. He knew something was going on, but he didn’t expect it to be so deeply rooted with many layers.

"You’re right..." King Gray nodded thoughtfully. "We’re already stretched thin as it is. If more chaos is spread across the kingdom, it would be difficult to put my plans into motion."

"And I can see them using the attack on the fort as an excuse," Osbourne added. "They could paint it as retaliation from the Growian forces against the losses they incurred."

"Mm," Commander Lance nodded. "They could make themselves the heroes if they ’save’ the people from the enemy forces. There are those who would also use the created chaos to flee the kingdom."

The commander couldn’t help but sigh. "This could get real messy if we don’t play well..."

"Regardless, we have a list of names here." King Gray finally passed the book to his son, glancing at the others. "There are a few ambiguous cases in there, but most of them are coerced while the rest are willing traitors."

Naturally, the owner of the journal was a coerced target. However, that was not Duke Coldmere’s biggest issue. It was the things he described in his journal.

Just imagining it made the king feel nauseous. ’No wonder he was coerced. Such despicable crimes against children...!’ It was unforgivable, and that was not the entirety of his sins.

Moreover, the king couldn’t fathom why the duke would even keep such dirty secrets written down somewhere. ’And how did the Growians even get something like that on him?’

Perhaps he wasn’t paying enough attention to the people who helped govern the kingdom. Although he had spies everywhere, infiltrating the homes of the nobles was nearly impossible with the kind of magic security they had.

’It’s as much my fault as it is theirs...’ King Gray inwardly sighed, clenching his fists inside his cloak. ’Regardless, they can’t be allowed to retain their seats.’

Some of the people in there even sent their commanders to aid in the demon generals’ invasion. King Gray owed them his thanks. To see their lords in the book tore his heart. These were his people; where did he go wrong?

Commander Lance could see through his long-time friend with ease, understanding how the king was feeling. ’Hah... Let’s hope we don’t shed innocent blood in this campaign.’

"Here," Osbourne passed the journal to the commander, pulling him out of his thoughts. Like his father, Osbourne’s expression had turned sour, anger flashing within his pupils.

"What plan do you have in mind, Your Majesty?" Priestess Celistra asked while Commander Lance went through the journal, his expression portraying the disgust and anger he felt.

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