For The Glory Of Sitia Empire

Walking into the crown prince palace, Jennings pondered at the surroundings. Although it looked a bit gloomy, the crown prince's palace was well maintained.

' Seems like Lennox hadn't left it to dry like I expected '

After receiving a report that the crown prince's palace is being haunted by ghosts, Bernard volunteered to go and check on the matter (wanted to mess with Lennox's stuff). Seeing that it took him longer than expected, Jennings decided to inquire about his progress. 

Bernard was crouching in the garden, firmly staring at a plain rock. A moment later, he threw the rock disappointedly.

" what are you doing? "

Bernard has already noticed him coming so he wasn't startled. Dusting his clothes, Bernard answered gloomily.

" trying to find the key of the barrier in this garden "

" By staring at rocks? "

"..."

Realizing that he had asked something stupid, Jennings faked a cough. He pulled a stright face and inquired about the situation, the other didn't make it difficult for him and answered seriously.

" I have searched the entire palace, found out that the garden emits a highly condensed miasma, although faint, it is still suspicious. Thus I assumed that there must be a barrier that blocks it from spreading, which is why I am looking for any keys "

Every barrier has to be installed on something, it could be anything, a tree, a brick or even a dead body, literally anything. Which also made it hard to find, thus, most people would either break them by force or find another way. However, if a barrier made by Lennox could be casually broken, then no body needs to live anymore.

Jennings understood this very well, so he did not disturb him and a found a random bench to sit on. As for why a busy Emperor sitting around in board daylight, that's for Carson to complain about.

Bernard proceeded with his search, and for the next half hour, there was no result. He slumped on the bench next to Jennings, feeling frustrated.

' Do I need to examine the dirt and grass as well? '

Knowing that he can't skip work forever, Jennings stood up, prepared to say a few words of consolation to Bernard when he spotted a small circular pattern on the bench he was sitting. Bernard also noticed it, and now both of them were staring speechlessly at the bench.....

" You sat on it?!!! While I was looking around like a headless chicken?!!! "

" I didn't see it "

" how could you not?! It's right in front of you and you sat on it! "

Jennings didn't respond and just made a way for Bernard to examine the key-pattren. Seeing him staying quiet, Bernard helplessly sighed.

" bro, don't be like this, go hug your daughter or something and recharge your energy. I am not used to see you acting dumb, it gives me gussbumbs "

After saying that, Bernard focused on the barrier key. He circulated his mana a few times before finally undoing it.

However, the moment the barrier was lifted, a huge wave of Dark miasma surged towards them. Even Jennings, who is not a mage, could sense a pressuring cold energy rushing in their direction.

Bernard reacted quickly and pulled Jennings behind his back as he casted a mana shield. After making sure that Jennings wasn't harmed, Bernard instructed his elemental to go and purify the mess outside their shield.

[ Why should I go? It's not like this much cold energy can do anything to you ]

[ not for me but for him. So get your ass to work ]

[ Who cares about that human, why are you so sensitive? ]

[ you better get moving or I am turning you to a bathroom lightbulb ]

Although reluctant, the lightning elemental slipped through an opening and started burning all the Dark miasma. She doesn't want to see naked humans bathing!!

" What is going on...? " Jennings finally overcame his shock and asked restlessly.

" Dark miasma, usually accompany a high level curse. But what the hell did your son bury here to get to this extent? "

Jennings fell silent. How would he know!

" how bad is the situation? And who is there fighting?"

Bernard pondered for a moment, " in human terms, it should be really bad but don't worry, I got this. Oh, and that's my elemental, you met her before "

" yeah, the sharp-tongued light ball...."

It took a dozen of minutes for the elemental to purify all the miasma. After that, Bernard called a team of knights and mages to dig up everything in the garden.

There were a lot of 'treasures' buried in the garden. The more they dug up, the darker Jennings's face became. Only after turning the beautiful and well maintained garden to a farming field, did they stop.

Bernard looked at the goods with green eyes. Aside from the skeletons and corpses, there were a few interesting items that cought his attention.

" Hey Jennings, I am taking this since you seem to be planning on sweeping the crown prince on the floor ", Bernard shamelessly said as he pointed at a tightly closed chest.

" what is that? "

" the heart of a female necromancer demon "

"...."

There is no sane person in this palace, is there?

What would you do with that anyways?!

Not wanting to know the answer for it, Jennings just turned his head and stared at the pile of skeletons and corpses.

' Very well son, you have gone and done it... '

*******

On another continent across the ocean.

Len-really fucked up this time-nox: " ACHOO! "

' who is talking shit about me? '

Lennox rubbed his nose and proceeded to open his sealed cabinet. He entered his treasury alone to find the required manual and left the three kids outside to play and get along, though, it's mostly Everly doing stupid things and the other two clapping.

In the cabinet was a bunch of neatly organized books. He casually read the titles on the books, looking for the one with the name 'Wanderer's light'. His hand swept passed a few books before suddenly stopping at a white colored one.

{ Souls Within Us }

Lennox stared at it for a while before hesitantly pulling it out. He had a question, but he was not sure whether knowing its answer will bring any good.