Chapter 73

Several hours later...

Prince Leo walked along the outskirts of Cista Kingdom with Vorbuk trotting along beside him in his wolf form. The amount of mana it would have cost Vorbuk to use in order to remain human as they traveled to the outskirt of the kingdom he did not want to waste. After the warning that the voice had given him about the quest he felt it was best to refrain from using his form for the travel alone. If his mana drain depleted completely he would need hours of rest in order to recharge himself.

Glancing around as they traveled the reality of this world began to sink in further. Skeleton monsters were randomly wandering the outskirts and attacking people. They were nothing like the cute, bone white, skeletons that he could recall from children's games and stories. The creatures that were running rampant at random were something entirely different.

Skeleton monsters that Vorbuk saw occasionally as they walked were dark. A blazing purple flame exuding from their forms. Without lungs or organs of any kind they still gave off a shrilling sound at times as they would attack. It felt as if they gave off the aura of death and hatred.

How much must the one who's behind this hate this peaceful kingdom? Vorbuk thought to himself as he could not keep himself from growling.

"We wont be able to stop this situation by simply killing a few of them so we should start by looking for the one behind all this." Prince Leo's words were on the point for what he planned on doing but he still felt a tinge of pain for those he could not do anything for. Though he knew simply killing a few of the monsters would not change a thing if they did not take care of the mastermind. He did not need any special Intel to tell at a glance that something like this was not without someone pulling the strings from behind.

"How far could they be from this place? The range of these attacks are not simple and small." Vorbuk pinned his ears back and sat down where they stood.

"No.. Whoever is behind this attack on Cista isn't a normal citizen from the twelve kingdoms. The only ones who hold enough magic to pull off an attack like this would be someone who is probably a high enough rank in power that they aren't required to belong to a kingdom." Prince Leo did not like the sound of his own words as he spoke them.

For someone to be able to pull off such a heavy attack on the outskirts of a kingdom.. They clearly can not be someone simple. Though could it really be someone who is close to a divinity level like Bredret? He has to be involved here as well.. Leo thought to himself as he stood there in silence. It was obvious that the wolf was lost in thought at the words he had spoken. As if he was contemplating something deeply.

Among the silent atmosphere between them Vorbuk slowly shifted into his human form and took his sword from the prince that had been bought for him to practice with.

Once the weapon was firmly in his hand he began to head towards the filthy monsters. The mere sight of them was enough to make his teeth grit in annoyance. That was because he already knew the one involved was someone dangerous.

"Vorbuk?! What are you doing?" Prince Leo shouted his question startled at the sudden action of the wolf.

The worried shouts of the crown prince caused Vorbuk to come to a sudden halt to glance back at Leo's confused expression. Leo had not planned on going after the smaller monsters because he wanted to go straight for locating the mastermind.

"We're here for me to learn, right? Do you really think I should head straight for the lead and skip the practice? You're rushing things you damn prince." Vorbuk felt annoyed because he knew if he rushed for the one behind who was a threat to his life without trying himself on the skeletons first to get use to the weapon he would die a dogs death before he even stood a chance.

"Right.. I got ahead of myself." Crown Prince Leo blushed slightly from the embarrassment. He had momentarily forgotten that he had brought Vorbuk out originally to help him.

When it came to things that revolved around the peoples' safety among a kingdom he could not help his natural instincts to jump the gun and solve such a problem. A true prince could never truly outrun the fact that he was raised to care deeply for the lives of the people around him. It was carved deep within his heart to want only the best for those of lower status. His father had drilled it in him since he was born to do what was best for the people.

It almost felt wrong to linger at a stand still with Vorbuk to practice when he could clearly see the truth of the gravity of the situation in front of him. Cista Kingdom was not his but the image of the people in front of him suffering as something that he could not stand.

Leo's body began to shudder as his teeth violently grit together in silence.

He could not decide what to do.

"If it bothers you that much just go take a look around for information while I work here. I wont be much use to you right now and I can tell it's bothering you." Vorbuk's voice sounded almost disappointed in the prince for his wavering over the situation in front of them.

It was not a matter of right or wrong for Vorbuk. He simply did not want to give the prince a reason to linger in regret for staying behind with him later.

The prince could not speak because the words of the wolf standing there in his human form with the sword firm in hand was giving him a look that he could not interpret at all. He could not form a word in response to being told to leave and investigate on his own.

"Just go. I will catch up to you later." Vorbuk spoke once more in a heavy tone. Seeing the look on the prince's face he knew giving him the choice wasn't going to work. He had to be more direct and sound as if he was ordering him to leave.

"Very well.. with your abilities you'd be able to run at least. Be careful." The prince smiled faintly as he turned and ran off so that he could begin his search for information on the whereabouts of the man behind the skeletons attacking the people.

If either of us need to be careful it would be you.. I am already aware I should not carelessly approach the man behind the attacks just yet.. but he's just gathering information. It should be fine this way until I get a bit of practice in, then I can go find that stubborn prince and solve the real problem here... Vorbuk thought as he watched the prince leave before turning towards the skeletons once more.