Daughter of Dragonia.

As the meeting commenced, many points were discussed by the King. He delivered the danger level of the looming threat coming to Knights Academy, and he showed the future risks that this may bring unto the people. 

Not only would the students be in high danger, but the existence of the unknown assailant would cause more problems in the long run. 

"This large-scale incident could potentially cause damage to our economy, reputation, and army strength!" A noble from the left side of the table stated.

"I agree!"

"Your majesty, how do you propose we prevent this issue?"

Julius tilted his head downward for a couple of seconds before turning it back to the people. He breathed heavily and said:

"The plan that I have concluded will contain three major points. One, infiltrate the Academy and investigate its society, students, and many more. Although we do not know if the vision of attack came from a third-party, the defense of Knights Academy is impeccable. There are Pure Ranked Wielders that guard the Academy, Professors that are quite capable in battle, and Knights that manage and protect the students!

Julius breathed heavily after the long statement.

"Thus, we can speculate that the attack comes from the inside."

That statement gave the people inside a sense of approval and trust. They looked like they agreed with the statement of the King.

"Secondly, in order to maximize the risk caused by the attacker in the future. Special Individuals must blend in with the Academy students, they have to be highly capable of combat and know how to properly interact with others. With the upcoming semester, these individuals can easily act as students in the Knights Academy."

"This is to ensure the capture of the attacker and to have a primary source inside the Academy."

With Julius' words, a noble from the left raised his hands and asked a question.

"Wouldn't it be easier to gain information through the Head Knight, Mortius? He is a capable member of the Knights Academy after all."

Julius thanked the individual for the proper question and replied:

"You have to take into consideration the difference between the hierarchy of professors and students. The professors rarely know what the student's daily lives are like. However, if our informants were to blend in like students, they would most likely know better what's happening with the students."

"Although, Sir Mortius is in charge of keeping the professors in check. So, there would not be any issue in that element."

The noble then understood the King's words and nodded his head in approval.

"Now.. the third and last major component of the plan is the identity of our investigators."

Whispers could then be heard across the room. Then, a noble suddenly raised his hands in order to propose something.

"Your Majesty! I propose my son to be one of the investigators. He is of perfect age and is soon attending the Knights Academy."

However, Julius merely brushed off his suggestion and continued with his statement:

"There is no need for that Mr. Yild, I have already thought of 3 outstanding individuals that are well-suited for this."

The people inside were mumbling and whispering amongst each other, trying to figure out the identity of these people. There are some that have already figured it out but some were still clueless.

"The first individual that I have chosen will be... Prince Veritas!"

Everyone then stared directly at Veritas, who was showing an indifferent expression.

Veritas had a nonchalant expression on his face and replied back to the gazes of the people.

"I would be honored, Father."

He faced Julius and bowed light, putting his arms near his chest where the heart beats. 

'I was not informed by this!'

Inside, he was completely out of the blue. But he still had to act accordingly so as to not ruin the image of his father.

Veritas slowly sat down and listened further to his father's words.

"As the individual that saw the vision, Veritas is well-suited for this task! He has shown great combat prowess in slaying the Gargoyle Knight of the South, and in handling the situation of the incident in Copper Borough. Moreover, his stature as the Prince would be dazzling and distracting for the assailant."

Whispers in the room resounded once more and gossips began to form.

"Using his own son as bait?"

"I get that he's quite capable but.."

Among the loud gossips, Julius' words were suddenly filled with gallant.

"Silence!"

The room immediately went quiet upon the King's words.

"My decision is final. Veritas is a main piece in conducting this plan."

Everyone then nodded in approval, not saying any more words of doubt.

"Moving on, as Veritas takes away the attention from students and teachers alike. We need an individual that could easily fit in with others, while still having combat experience. Such an individual would have to work under the shadows while blending in with the society, gathering information secretly."

Julius cleared his throat and looked towards a boy with pushed-back black hair and crystal blue eyes.

"This position would greatly suit a newfound talent. Everyone, I introduce you to Bello Agalia.."

No one knew who he was prior to this meeting, they didn't know what his family background was or anything in particular. They could see his alluring face but mostly, he was as silent as the shadows. 

Veritas stared at Bello with indifference and immediately thought:

'He's frozen in shock..'

To the people inside the room, he looked almost like a doll, unemotional and sitting ever-still.

A few seconds passed and his head lightly bowed stagnantly and sluggish. 

"Is he a doll?" Mikella whispered to Mortius, responding with a shoulder shrug.

"Perhaps his Path is related to one.." Sienna barged in their conversation and gave her own opinion.

Veritas heard this all too well and looked at the three of them in disbelief.

'You're all wrong!

Veritas shook his head slowly.

'Good thing that I used Winds to make him bow. Otherwise, it could be seen as disrespect by the other nobles just because he didn't respond to the King.'

Veritas sighed deeply and continued to listen.

Julius cleared his throat upon staring at the situation and moved his gaze towards a blonde-girl wearing a red dress. 

"Lastly, an unexpected piece, and a wildcard. Possibly, the single most important member of this three-member team. This person needs to be a surprise for the attackers and the student. They would take a massive amount of attention yet many would still be wary of them."

"This is our trump card.. Miss-"

Suddenly, the blonde-haired girl stood up with haste and immediately cut off the King's words.

"Alice Dragonia, Daughter of Duchess Dragonia."

She bowed deeply with a calm expression on her face. That is when the whispers inside the room grew even louder. 

"Dragonia? The Eastern Region?"

"I can't believe this.."

The King controlled this situation once more and informed them of his previous talks with the Duchess.

"I have already talked with the Duchess, she expressed her gratitude and thought that this would be a great learning experience for her daughter. Granted, we do everything in our power to protect her."

Everyone still felt skeptical but they could only trust their King's words.

Veritas stared over the blonde-haired girl and was surprised by her identity.

'She's the daughter of the Duchess? When did she arrive here?!'

He thought of it for a little longer and concluded the fact that she probably arrived in Elrod when he was out hunting the Gargoyle Knight of the South.

He shrugged his shoulders and let that subject pass by.

With that, Alice sat-down carefully and Julius continued his words.

"Thus, concludes the identities of our investigators. Now as for the..."

Veritas listened attentively and realized the extent of the plan.

Albeit, their goal was simple, it was only to live amongst the students and gather information. They didn't know when the incident would take place but that is the job of Mortius. He was to see any unusual sights and events happening in the Academy. 

Veritas and the others were also ordered to stay vigilant about the peculiarity of the students and the environment alike. 

They were to participate in the activities as normal students would. But the three of them would secretly gather information through the connections they made with others. 

As long as they get substantial information and locate the source of the attack, then they would consider the plan to be a success.

After more minutes had passed by, the meeting concluded and everyone was dismissed.

"Your majesty, I shall take my leave."

Mikella bowed deeply with her hands on her chest. 

"Do take care."

One after another, they left the room slowly, leaving only Veritas, Julius, Aletheia, Bello, and Alice behind.

Veritas, who was standing beside his parents, saw the people's departure and began to whisper to his Father.

"Father, how could you be so sure that none of them are with the attacker?"

Julius softly gazed at Veritas.

"It is due to money. If Knights Academy were to fall, then their investments would have gone to waste."

"Figures."

"As for the heads of the academies, you know them already. They are the cornerstone of our development."

"Indeed."

Veritas knew that the heads could be trusted greatly as they had swore their allegiance to the King.

Mikella stood very loyal due to the benevolence of the King.

Mortius had already served for as long as he lived, and he experienced countless crises arise.

Sienna had a long-term partnership with Elrod, and her mother pledged loyalty to the King.

As for the Head of Exploration and Research Academy, he was the King's long term best friend. They survived and helped each other throughout the years.

With that, Veritas saw Bello walking slowly towards them, he looked confused and sluggish.

"If I may.. your majesty. Why choose me as a component for the plan?"

Bello thought all about it throughout the meeting but could not come with a conclusion.

"I am of Guidance, Bello. I know your great potential, this could be a large stepping stone to your growth."

Bello's eyes gleamed slightly but he still looked lost.

"I see."

Veritas then saw the blonde-haired girl named Alice coming towards them. She looked as expressionless yet fierce as ever. 

However, her goal was not to speak with the King. Rather, her emotionless eyes looked straight at Veritas.

Her soft-skinned arms then reached out to Veritas' direction. As if she were asking for a handshake.

"Pleased to meet you, Prince Veritas."

Veritas was stunned for a moment by her sudden action. He then reached out his arms and shook her hand.

"Likewise, Lady Alice."

Veritas smiled warmly at her elegant emotionless face.

She then faced Bello as did the same, shaking his hand with emotionless eyes. 

"Pleased to meet you, Lord Bello."

"Ah- please drop the lord, I am not of nobility myself."

She softly tilted her head and her lips formed an O shape.

"Is that so?"

Upon saying those words, she slightly bowed and tapped her red-frilled skirt. 

Bello was appalled by this. A Daughter of a Duchess was bowing at him, a boy from the outskirts! He tried to prevent her from bowing but he saw Veritas' gaze as if he was telling him to "Let her be".

Upon bowing, she said her farewells and gave pleasantries. 

"I shall take my leave, your majesties." She faced the King and Queen and bowed once more.

Julius glanced at Veritas and replied to her:

"Please, as courtesy, let my son escort you.."

"That.. It would be my honor to have the Prince escort me. I am grateful."

Veritas stared at the two with a warm smile on his face. Deep inside, he was screaming..

'What the hell Father! Why me?!'

With that, Veritas reached his hands to invite the Lady for their departure. 

"Shall we go?" Veritas' smile became even wider.

"We shall."

With those words, the two left the room and headed for the halls.