The next day after breakfast, the family escorted Benoth to the gate to see him off for his trip.
Benoth wore a long dark-blue coat that reached below his knees, with a split at the bottom that allowed it to move freely as he walked. The inside of the coat was red, and thin gold designs decorated the collar and cuffs. Under it, he wore a blue vest, a white shirt, and a dark tie, paired with neat trousers and black shoes. The outfit looked clean and elegant.
"Bye, Dad. Please come back soon," Ater said as he hugged Benoth.
Benoth pulled Arian and Yumi into the hug as well, then gently patted their heads.
"I'll miss you all, but don't worry. I'll be back today or tomorrow, depending on the road and the meeting."
"Okay," they replied together.
"Yumi, take care of your brothers and don't let them trouble your mom," Benoth said.
"We don't trouble anyone," Ater and Arian said in unison.
Benoth chuckled and slowly walked over to his wife, Socula.
"Take care, honey. I wish you a safe trip," Socula said.
Benoth pulled her into a hug, he lowered his voice so only she could hear. "I'll be back before you miss me too much."
He then stepped into the carriage.
"Bye," Benoth said, waving as the carriage moved.
__________________________
"Why would the King suddenly issue an urgent summon to all his subordinates?" Benoth murmured.
The monthly meeting had been held just last week, with the next scheduled for the following month. An urgent summon like this made no sense.
"Sire."
Benoth was lost in thought but was pulled back by the sudden call.
"Drad, what's the matter?" Benoth asked, turning to his coachman.
"I wanted to thank you, sire. What you did for me back then helped me greatly," Drad said.
"I know I've said this more than once, but no matter how many times I say it, it still feels insufficient," Drad added as he continued riding the carriage forward.
"You don't need to worry about that, Drad. You're like family. How could I possibly turn a blind eye at such a moment in your life?" Benoth replied.
Benoth had never treated Drad as a mere servant. The same applied to everyone under his employ, he treated them as family, and in return, they respected and admired him deeply.
"So, how's your wife? She must have given birth by now, right?" Benoth asked.
"She's doing well, sire. And yes, she gave birth to a baby boy," Drad said proudly.
"So, what's his name?" Benoth asked.
"My wife and I decided to name him after you, sire," Drad said.
'They really did that?' Benoth felt both surprised and pleased.
Benoth gave Drad a light pat on the shoulder.
"If you, your wife, or especially little Benoth need anything, don't hesitate to come to me."
Drad nodded happily, and they chatted for several hours before arriving at the royal castle.
Benoth stepped down from the carriage and walked toward the gate. The tall golden gate stood firm and imposing, wide and heavy, covered in fine patterns and crowned with a royal emblem. Thick metal bars ran from top to bottom, shining in the light and giving the entrance a strict, secure presence. Small stone guard posts stood on both sides of the gate, where guards watched the road silently. The faint clink of armor and the unwavering gazes of the guards made it clear this was no ordinary entrance.
Beyond the gate stood a massive white castle, tall and wide, with long walls and evenly spaced windows. Several towers rose above the main structure, their dark roofs standing out against the sky. A straight stone path led toward the main entrance, passing a round fountain at the center where clear water flowed gently into a wide stone basin. Neatly trimmed trees and green lawns surrounded the area, giving the castle a calm yet majestic atmosphere.
The guards immediately recognized Benoth as the second duke and allowed him forward.
He presented his insignia and proceeded along the stone path. This insignia check was a standard procedure at the royal castle, displaying one's name, position, and relationship with the King to prevent impersonation. Even the King's wives and children were required to present theirs.
Inside the main hall, Benoth saw many familiar faces. As the second duke, he had met most of the kingdom's high-ranking figures.
'The Prime Minister, the First Duke, viscounts, all ten Annex principals, and even the Guild Master are here. This is definitely serious,' Benoth thought.
"Hey, Benoth. How are you doing?" Rogers, principal of the Tenth Annex Academy and Benoth's friend, said with a smile as he walked over.
"I'm doing well," Benoth replied as they shook hands.
"How's Socula and the kids?" Rogers asked.
"They're all fine. How about your family?" Benoth replied.
"They're doing well," Rogers said.
"Do you have any idea why the King summoned us so urgently?" Benoth asked.
"No idea. My wife wasn't pleased at all. I just got home yesterday and now there's an urgent summon, I didn't even have time to rest," Rogers said, making Benoth chuckled.
"Being the Tenth Annex Academy's principal isn't easy, but the pay must be worth it. Look at you, you've gotten fat," Benoth teased.
"Why don't you sit behind a desk for a full term without cultivating or exercising and see if you don't go out of shape?" Rogers glared.
"Why don't you take a break once in a while?"
"I do, that was why I came home yesterday. I really need a vacation," Rogers said .
"Before you go on your little vacation, don't forget, the twins' birthday is three days from now." Benoth said.
"Of course I remember. I'm their godfather," Rogers said proudly.
"Who made you their godfather?" Benoth scoffed.
"I did. And when the twins undergo their Base Stirring, they'll attend the Tenth Annex Academy and leave you all alone," Rogers smirked, Benoth rolled his eyes and after some moments, they both of them burst into laughter.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please proceed to the conference room. The meeting will now begin," the Prime Minister announced.
Inside the conference hall stood a long round table with about thirty seats on each side. At the far end of the room, slightly elevated, stood the King's throne.
Everyone settled into their seats, and moments later, the King arrived.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting," the King said as he sat.
"I'll keep this simple. I summoned you because of the rising problems in our neighboring kingdoms," the King explained.
"Prime Minister Krell, please present the report."
Krell stood up. "As you all remember, the son of Duke Deling of the Kingdom of Austa was killed years ago."
The attendees all nodded.
"As we all know, the Kingdom of Austa lies in the northwestern region of the Human Continent. Over the past three years, merchants, dukes, viscounts, and noblemen have been systematically killed. Just yesterday, Duke Keno of the Kingdom of Yert was kidnapped, and near his destroyed carriage, the body of a viscount's son was found, naked, with a hole in his head."
The room fell silent.
'This is clearly orchestrated. This isn't normal. What is the murderer's true objective, and why are they targeting people of high status?' Benoth frowned.
"Yert is our neighboring kingdom. So we fear that Guadantam will inevitably be targeted next," Krell concluded.
Several faces darkened, while others clenched their fists beneath the table. They now clearly understood the situation.
"Thank you," the King said. "As King, it pains me to admit that we have no clear lead on this murderer. I have tightened the kingdom's security, but I cannot guarantee it will be enough. Stay alert, protect your families, and remain on guard. I do not wish to lose any of my subordinates." The King said.
"Alright let's go on with the meeting we planned for next month, so we won't have to trouble ourselves. If anything comes up I will summon you all, but depending on the matter," The king added.
The meeting lasted six hours, covering defense, economy, and kingdom development.
Afterward, Benoth exchanged farewells with Rogers and the others he hadn't greeted, before heading toward his carriage.
'What is their general goal here, there must be some sort of a connection,' Benoth thought, rubbing his temples.
"Sire, I had a little chat with some coachmen earlier, and they said that the main road is blocked by a fallen tree," Drad reported as Benoth entered the carriage.
'The main road we used earlier… it seems we were lucky,' Benoth thought.
"So I guess, we'll have to go through the farmland route?" Benoth asked.
"Yes, sire."
As they rode on, Drad spoke again. "Sire, the twins turn six in three days, right?"
"Yes. Were you not invited to their birthday party?" Benoth asked.
"Yes, sire. I was invited. What I meant is that after the twins' sixth birthday, which is also the day of their Base Stirring, they'll attend an Annex Academy and stay there in the campus, the mansion will feel lonely." Drad said.
"That's where you're wrong," Benoth said.
"How so?"
"You and your family will move into my mansion. Little Benoth will liven the place up."
"Sir do you mean..."
"Yes, after we arrive at the mansion I want you to move your family in," Benoth said.
"Thank you so much, sire that's too kind of—"
Thud!
The carriage crashed violently. Benoth burst out with his sword in hand, scanning his surroundings, he noticed he was in a glade like path and also a kilometer away from entering the farmland route.
'What was that, and what happened to Drad,' Benoth thought.
As he looked around, he was horrified to see Drad lying motionless on the ground, dead, a hole pierced through his head. The horse too, had fallen to the same fate, he squatted on the floor looking at the unpleasant sight.
"What the hell? How did this happen? We were just chatting moments ago." Benoth was confused and frustrated.
"A hole in the head… it's that killer," Benoth muttered. A sudden realization struck him. Benoth's face darkened as he fully unsheathed his blade.
"You better come out here and face me like a man." Benoth yelled.
"I'm no scaredy cat, Duke Benoth of Guadantam."
A pause followed.
"Or should I call you by your old name… the legendary adventurer, Travis?"