Sword of Salvation-Chapter 62: - Walking Disaster (3)

Minutes after parting ways with Celinee, Mariel stopped walking and shifted toward another direction. He headed toward the city center, aiming for the palace located in its heart. Mariel needed to meet King Maggio to establish a connection and understand what kind of person he was.

Gaining access to the palace was not easy for ordinary individuals.

Four gate guards immediately surrounded Mariel and demanded the purpose of his visit.

Mariel stated plainly that he wanted to meet King Maggio. Unsurprisingly, his initial request was met with rejection. However, their attitudes shifted when he mentioned that meeting the king was essential to bringing the princess back alive. Mariel also revealed his identity as a member of Ultores.

Mariel was asked to wait as one of the soldiers hurried inside to report to his superior.

He waited for several minutes before the soldier returned. Mariel was granted entry through the gates and escorted into the palace. He was led to the main guest room, where he waited again for some time, though this time on a soft sofa.

Mariel didn’t stand when the king entered with two guards. He ignored their sharp gazes, indifferent to the social norms that considered his action disrespectful. He was not here for pleasantries. Mariel needed to show that he did not bow to authority—demonstrating his strength, both in power and character.

"I heard you can bring my daughter back alive if I meet with you," the king said as he sat across from Mariel, not commenting on his behavior.

"I’ve heard that your daughter was turned into a half-demon and lost control of herself, Your Majesty," Mariel said bluntly. "I can save her. I can help her regain control. Returning her to become full human is impossible, but I believe preserving her life is what matters most."

"Correct. I don’t care if she’s a monster or half-demon. As long as her personality returns to who she used to be, that’s enough. I don’t need any other miracles." The king paused, his eyes gleaming with a faint hope. "You can do it? You can grant my wish?" he asked.

Mariel gave a slight smile. "As I said, I can fulfill your wish. But...."

"Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. No matter what it is. Do you want to be a noble? Not a problem. Do you want rights to half the city’s taxes? Done. Whatever you desire."

Outwardly, King Maggio appeared to be a stern, resolute man. The forty-something year old king had sharp eyes, and Mariel sensed no deceit in his words or demeanor. He was clearly a man who deeply loved his daughter. Mariel could tell that King Maggio was a good king, man, and father.

For that reason, Mariel decided this man had a place on his chessboard. He wouldn’t be a powerful piece like a knight or rook, but he was significant enough to be a pawn positioned on the promotion line.

"I’m not interested in status, wealth, or power."

Mariel’s answer surprised the king. "Then what?" he asked, clearly puzzled, demanding he get straight to the point.

"I only need two things," Mariel said seriously.

King Maggio nodded for him to continue.

"First, ah... is it all right if this conversation stays between us? I may ask you to reveal something you’ve kept secret from others, Your Majesty."

"No need to worry. These two are my loyal guards. They know all my secrets. I trust them more than my own family. You can say anything; they know how to keep their mouths shut."

"Is that so? Very well then. First, I want you to grant me access to the royal library and allow me to take some books. I assume this won’t be difficult. This palace has a library, doesn’t it?"

"I thought you would want something special, but it turns out to be just that. If it’s just books, you may visit the royal library and take as many books as you wish."

"Wonderful, Your Majesty. That response is very gratifying." Mariel paused, his expression turning serious. "Secondly, I want you to tell me the truth about the incident."

This time, it wasn’t just King Maggio who was surprised; his two guards were as well.

"The scenario you presented to the public is quite convincing, Your Majesty. But I refuse to believe it. Doctor Lergen’s servant infiltrated the palace and kidnapped your daughter? That’s absurd. Doctor Lergen never antagonizes rulers; he prefers to ally with them to operate freely. There’s no way he would send someone to kidnap your daughter."

"Furthermore," Mariel continued, "even if that explanation were true, your daughter would need to have high talent in mastering prana and a strong spirit. Your daughter couldn’t control the demonic will within her, so she doesn’t meet either criterion. That leaves only one possibility, Your Majesty. You approached Doctor Lergen and asked him to transform your daughter. Am I wrong?"

Given King Maggio’s character, it would be easy to insist Mariel was wrong. A good father wouldn’t allow his daughter to lie on a criminal doctor’s operating table. But what if there were circumstances that left Maggio with no choice?

Mariel wasn’t entirely confident in his assumption, but it had a higher probability than any other scenario. And he became one hundred percent sure when he saw the change in the king’s and the guards’ expressions.

"...How did you know?" the king asked after almost a minute of silence.

"I was just assuming, but thank you for confirming it. So, Your Majesty, will you tell me?"

King Maggio let out a long sigh. "I suppose I have no choice here," he muttered, his face weary. The recent events seemed to have weighed too heavily on the king.

"My daughter was afflicted by some kind of curse when she was five years old," Maggio explained. "We didn’t know what it was, how it happened, or why; Milly suddenly collapsed and remained unconscious for months. We summoned the most renowned mages and healers from this country and neighboring ones to heal Milly, but there were no positive results."

"Milly lived with a frail body. Sometimes her heart would stop beating for a few minutes. Her body would convulse during those moments, and when her heart started beating again, Milly would vomit a dark blue, fragrant liquid. However, over the past year, her heart started stopping for extended periods. Two weeks ago, it stopped for a full day. The palace doctors feared her heart would cease functioning permanently soon. So..."

"You had no choice but to ask Doctor Lergen to replace her heart with a demon’s heart," Mariel continued the king’s unfinished sentence. "You did it even knowing the consequences. I’m sure Doctor Lergen warned you. Your firm decision convinced him to agree."

"Just as you said."

King Maggio looked even more exhausted. He must have felt deeply guilty about what had happened. If only he had reconsidered before making the decision... Thoughts like that must have been echoing endlessly in his mind. King Maggio didn’t have the energy to blame anyone. The man was entirely blaming himself for what had happened.

Mariel could respect a man like that. For that reason, he gave a slight smile and reassured the king not to worry anymore.

"You can focus on restoring the city and fixing the mess, Your Majesty," Mariel added. "At the latest, your daughter will be back in the palace, safe and sound, within three days. I’ll make sure of it. But..."

Mariel deliberately paused and stood up.

"Is there anything else you want?" King Maggio asked as he also rose to his feet.

"I want you to let me enjoy palace cuisine whenever I visit. Of course, this ties into the first condition. I won’t take your books now, and I can’t take many at once. So, whenever I stop by Iresvilea, I may visit the library again. Do we have a deal, Your Majesty?"

Mariel extended his right hand, expecting the king to shake it.

"Of course." King Maggio shook Mariel’s hand without hesitation. "I’ll even allow you to stay overnight if you successfully bring my daughter back safely with her mind under control."

"Then we have a deal. Now, I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty."

Mariel immediately turned his back to the king and walked away after saying that.

"You haven’t told me your name."

"Mariel Allvar," Mariel replied without turning around.