Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 39: The Spy’s Confession

Keira jumped as Alice reappeared in the center of the room, the spy’s unconscious form slumped over her shoulder. She gently laid the intruder on the floor before straightening and addressing Kael.

"The target has been apprehended, Master. Shall I proceed with interrogation protocols?"

Kael’s smirk deepened, and he leaned against the console, clearly impressed. "Well done, Alice. That was flawless. But let’s not harm our guest unnecessarily. Wake him up—I’d like to have a word."

Alice inclined her head. "As you wish."

Keira stepped closer, her expression a mixture of awe and concern. "Young master, who do you think sent him?"

Kael crouched beside the spy, inspecting his cloak and tools. "Someone curious about what we’re working on. Probably Gregor, though I wouldn’t put it past a few other nobles." He glanced up at Keira. "But don’t worry. We’ll find out soon enough."

Alice placed a hand over the spy’s chest, channeling a small pulse of mana. The intruder stirred, his eyelids fluttering as he regained consciousness.

The man blinked blearily, his confusion quickly replaced by fear as his gaze darted between Alice’s unflinching stare and Kael’s calm, calculating expression.

Kael smiled faintly. "Good evening. I trust your stay so far has been... educational. Now, let’s have a little chat, shall we?"

The spy’s lips tightened, but he remained silent, his defiance evident.

Kael stood, gesturing to Alice. "Alice, be a dear and remind our guest that cooperation is in his best interest. Just a little demonstration of your abilities."

Alice nodded. Without a word, she raised her hand, conjuring a small orb of crackling energy. The room dimmed as the spell illuminated her impassive face, the hum of arcane power filling the air.

The spy’s resolve faltered, his fear palpable. "Wait! I’ll talk!"

Kael held up a hand, signaling Alice to cease. The orb dissipated instantly, and Alice stepped back, her expression unchanged.

Kael crouched again, his tone light yet menacing. "Good choice. Now, let’s start with the basics—who sent you, and what were you after?"

The spy swallowed hard, beads of sweat forming on his brow. "It was Count Gregor! He... He wanted the blueprints. He knows you’re working on something revolutionary."

Kael’s expression darkened slightly, though his smirk never wavered. "Of course, he did. Typical Gregor." He stood, addressing Alice and Keira. "We’ll have to tighten security. This won’t be the last time he tries something like this."

Keira frowned. "What do we do with him?"

Kael glanced down at the spy, who now looked thoroughly regretful of his mission. "For now, we’ll keep him as a guest. Alice, see to it that he’s secured comfortably. I have plans for Count Gregor, but they’ll take time."

Alice nodded. "Understood, Master. I will ensure he remains in our custody." freёnovelkiss-com

As she moved to carry out her orders, Kael turned to Keira, his eyes glinting with determination. "If Gregor wants a war of ingenuity, he’s about to get one."

---

Back in Count Gregor’s territory, the atmosphere was thick with tension. The count paced back and forth in his dimly lit study, his robes swirling around him like a dark storm cloud. A messenger stood before him, head bowed, delivering the grim news.

"One of our spies has been captured, my lord," the messenger reported, his voice barely above a whisper.

Count Gregor’s eyes flashed with fury. "Captured? By whom?" he demanded, though he already knew the answer.

"By the Valtieri forces, my lord. It seems they were expecting us."

Gregor’s fist slammed onto the desk, making the messenger flinch. "That insolent boy," he growled. "He’s more cunning than I gave him credit for."

The messenger hesitated before continuing, "My lord, if the spy talks..."

Gregor cut him off with a sharp gesture. "He will talk. They always do. We must move swiftly." He turned to his trusted advisor, Corven, who had been silently observing the exchange. "Corven, we need a plan. Something that will give us the justification we need to strike at the Valtieri domain."

Corven stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a cold, calculating light. "A false flag operation, my lord. We stage an attack on our own forces, making it appear as if Valtieri’s agents were responsible. This will provide the pretext we need to declare war."

A slow, malicious grin spread across Gregor’s face. "Excellent. Prepare the necessary arrangements. We strike at dawn."

Corven bowed deeply. "As you command, my lord."

As Corven left to carry out his orders, Gregor turned back to the messenger. "You, spread the word among our allies. Let them know that Valtieri has overstepped his bounds and that we will not stand for such aggression."

The messenger nodded quickly. "Yes, my lord. It will be done."

Gregor watched as the messenger hurried away, his mind already racing with the possibilities. This was his chance to seize the power he craved, to prove himself the greatest mage of all. And he would not let it slip through his fingers.

---

Back in the Valtieri domain, tension hung in the air as Kael led Alice to his father’s study. The heavy oak doors creaked open, revealing Count Edgar seated behind his ornate desk. The count’s stern expression softened into one of curiosity as he looked up.

Kael approached with urgency, his voice steady yet filled with anticipation. "Father, this is Alice, the hybrid I mentioned. I’ve succeeded in waking her. She has vital information that you need to see."

Count Edgar raised a skeptical eyebrow but remained silent as Alice stepped forward. With a graceful motion, she activated the holographic projection. The room was suddenly bathed in an eerie light, and haunting images of rifts and ensuing chaos materialized before them.

The count’s eyes widened in horror, his hands gripping the edge of his desk. The footage showed cities crumbling, monstrous entities emerging from the rifts, and the desperate efforts of mages to contain the catastrophe.

As the projection ended, a heavy silence filled the room. Count Edgar leaned back in his chair, his face ashen and his breath unsteady. The weight of the revelation hung in the air.

"This is... unprecedented," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "If this is true, it would endanger the kingdom—no, the entire world."

Kael took a step closer, his determination unwavering. "Father, we need to present this evidence to the king. We must secure his support to prepare for what’s to come."

Count Edgar looked at Kael, there was a mix of pride and worry in his eyes. "You’re right. Prepare a detailed report and include this footage. We leave for the capital at first light."

Kael bowed slightly. "I will see to it, Father."

As Kael turned to leave, the count called out to him. "Kael, wait." His voice held a note of urgency. "I’m a bit worried about Gregor. He is not one to underestimate."

Kael paused, his expression serious. "I understand, Father. We will be cautious. Victor will manage our defenses while we are away. I will also leave Alice and Keira to help defend our domain. But we must act now to ensure the kingdom’s safety."

Count Edgar sighed, his gaze distant. "Very well."

Kael nodded firmly and immediately went to his workshop.

---

In his workshop, Kael set to work with focused intensity. He instructed Alice to transfer the data from her systems into a specially crafted artifact—a spirit crystal embedded in a portable mana source. This artifact would store the holographic images and the five-thousand-year-old warning, serving as irrefutable evidence.

Alice stood beside him, her movements precise and efficient as she assisted in the transfer. "Data transfer complete, Master," she announced, her voice calm and measured.

Kael nodded, examining the artifact carefully. "Good. This should suffice. We can’t risk presenting you to the king directly, Alice. This artifact will have to do."

Alice inclined her head. "Understood, Master. I will remain here and assist in defending the domain in your absence."

Kael looked up at her, a grateful smile on his lips. "Thank you, Alice. I know I can count on you."

With the artifact secure, Kael made his way back to his father’s study. As Kael entered, the count looked up, a grave expression on his face.

"Father, the artifact is ready. We should leave as soon as possible," Kael said urgently.

The count sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. He was still worried about leaving the domain. "You’re right. We must act quickly. Gather your things. We leave at dawn."

The next day, as the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, Kael approached Victor. The burly man stood tall, his expression resolute.

"Victor, I’m leaving the defense of the domain in your hands," Kael said, his voice filled with trust.

Victor nodded solemnly. "I won’t let you down, Young Master. I would love to accompany you to the capital, but defending the domain is crucial. You can count on me."

Kael clapped him on the shoulder. "I know I can. Thank you, Victor."

With everything in place, Kael, Count Edgar, Lily, and Oswald boarded the Aetherwing Skiff. The enchanted vessel hummed to life, its anti-gravity enchantments lifting it effortlessly into the air. The thrusters roared, and the skiff soared into the sky, heading for the capital.

Kael looked back at the domain, a mix of determination and concern in his eyes. "To the capital!" he declared, his voice filled with resolve.

As they flew, Kael couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Unbeknownst to him, Count Gregor was already setting his sinister plans in motion, ready to strike at the heart of the Valtieri domain.

Updat𝒆d fr𝑜m fr𝒆ewebnove(l).com