Chapter 16: A Suspicion

Warrod reported to the king. The confirmation that the intruder was not harmful delighted the king. At night, there are four people inside the secret room.

The king decided to focus on the child's identity. To his mind, the golden light was also something they shouldn't be worried about.

"My king, why is the child the priority? The light could still pose some danger", the intelligence head said.

"Warrod said before that he will investigate tomorrow. I know, we shouldn't assume our safety, but I feel that the child's origin could bring some answers", the king said.

"I will investigate tomorrow but, your majesty, you've never been like this before", Warrod said.

"Warrod!", the intelligence head interrupted.

The intelligence head was shocked by Warrod's bluntness. However, the king stopped the intelligence head from saying anything.

"Warrod is right, it's not like me to do something like this. That child came out of nowhere, looking like the most innocent person alive. There's no way that a weak child survived that dreadful forest. The only way he can survive was because of someone protecting him, that's what I think", the king said.

"Maybe he's a monster pretending to be a human?", the general said.

"I tried reading his nature when we're talking. He's not easy to read at all. At face value, he looks genuine but there's a hint that he's hiding something", the king said.

"Your majesty, you saw through his behavior?", Warrod asked.

"Not really. I used magic to read his nature. He is indeed a human but my magic was acting unusual"

"My king, could a child possibly surpass your magic?", the intelligence head said.

"I don't think so. He's too weak to match one of our low ranking troops. It's possible that someone made some form of magic nullification to protect the child"

"Who is that someone, my king?"

"We need more information, but my guess is the same monster that struck fear to the warriors, Ionis and Bernard"

The people listening looked at each other. There's so many assumptions but the king looked convinced to his claims.

"Your majesty, that's.."

Warrod interrupted the brief silence. It's possible, but believing without any substantial information is a bad move. The king's way of thinking puzzled Warrod.

"There's only one way I can settle this. I need to go to Catherina", the king said.

"My king.."

"Your majesty.."

"I need to, because of this"

The king showed the beads belonging to Theo. The general and the intelligence head were both confused.

"These have powerful nullification magic in it. I don't know how to activate the magic but Theo might know", the king said.

"My king, those beads are too powerful", the intelligence head said.

"I know. I have no doubt that these beads can seal our magic permanently. I need to ask Catherina's king. We need to know everything about these beads"

"That's risky, your majesty", Warrod said.

"I'll be careful. I hope they have the answers we need"

"Maybe the child used one of those to hide his magic?", the general said.

The sudden question surprised the other people.

"Are you crazy!? That child will die!", the intelligence head said.

"I agree. The power of those beads are unfathomable. His majesty already said, the child is human. There's no way a human can withstand such power", Warrod said.

"It's as they say, general. We're weak compared to other beings. What you said is not possible", the king said.

The general apologizes for his words. The king forgave him and they continued to discuss the kingdom's problems. The discussion was finished but all of them were still uncertain.

In the morning, Warrod checked everything as he promised. Theo was allowed to wander to the places he didn't see yet. Theo was accompanied by the intelligence head.

"Theo, what is in that pouch?", the intelligence head said.

'Huh? Why would he asked me about this?'

"Ohh, it's just a bunch of beads", Theo said.

"Beads? What for?"

'Nooo! He asked the worst question to ask! What should I do? What are beads used for in human societies? If I messed up, they will abandon me for sure. Think.. think..', Theo thought.

"Theo?"

"Ohh sorry, these beads? I don't know, someone gave it to me. He said to bring this with me at all times for protection, so I did", Theo said.

'Hmm, he paused. He's making up his reason. The king was right, I think I'm beginning to realize the truth about this child. I will do my best to know everything', the intelligence head thought.

"Ohh okay. So, where do you want to go next?", the intelligence head said.

Warrod was looking around and checking everything. He checked the integrity of the structures, and he checked the other living beings. He's right about his assumption. He went to the castle once again.

"Your majesty, I have some discovery", Warrod said.

"I'm listening", the king said.

"My assumption was true. The light enhanced everything including the nonhumans. That means the light influenced the plants as well"

"Did you figure out where the light came from?"

"I didn't, the enhancement was all the same throughout the kingdom"

The general arrived in the throne room as well.

"King Roy, I have a report", the general said.

"Let me hear it"

"Catherina, Idgerad, and other nearby kingdoms were affected by the golden light. They said that the light came from the boundary of the isolated forest and Alvaria"

"What?", Warrod was surprised.

The report was not as anticipated. Warrod thought that the other kingdoms were giving wrong information. The retired general looked at the king.

To his surprise, the king looked content. Warrod was struggling to read the king's mind. Everything that happened were too much for the retired general.

"You heard that Warrod?", the king asked.

"Your majesty, they might be lying", Warrod said.

"Say, general, why did they think so?", the king asked.

"The light scattering formed a circle of affected areas. When the hero kingdoms draw the circle on a map, the center was determined to be between Alvaria and the isolated forest", the general said.

Warrod couldn't believe it. He knew that the king was satisfied because of the implication of what the general said.

"I see", Warrod said.

"At first, I thought the general's idea was outlandish. A child using one of the powerful beads to conceal his power, unthinkable. But I reconsidered it before I slept. The only way I can confirm is to wait for this information. You realize now don't you, Warrod", the king said.

"Theo can be more powerful than we thought. If so, everything will be connected to him. The isolated forest incident, the light of enhancement, him being someone that came from the forest. I can't believe it. I'm sheltering a person that powerful", Warrod said.

"Calm down Warrod, it's a sound assumption. I feel good that my instincts didn't betray me. There's really something that the child was hiding from us"

"Should I apprehend the child, King Roy?", the general said.

"No, we need to be sure first. We can't be accusing a child without being sure. My meeting with the king of Catherina will answer our remaining doubts"

Warrod nodded at the king's statement. There's only a few information to know but Theo was possibly the answer to all their predicament.

"Warrod, where is Theo?", the king asked.

"He's with the intelligence head", Warrod said.

"Guard him closely. Observe his every move. That child can either be an asset for the kingdom or he could be our greatest enemy"

"As you wish, your majesty"

The king ordered the general to leave and summon the intelligence head for a report. The intelligence head might give them even stronger evidence to back their assumption.

"Should we really antagonize the child? He looks so genuine, I think he wouldn't harm the kingdom", Warrod said.

"We don't know yet if we should. I know what you're saying, so it's best to let the child be our ally. If we can't, then we can only defend ourselves", the king said.

The intelligence head arrived. He reported his experiences with Theo. The king was a little disappointed but it's alright.

"He doesn't know, huh. That child.. he's truly hiding something", the king said.

"My apologies, my king. The child proved to be difficult to read. He looks so innocent", the intelligence head said.

"It's okay. We just need to observe him closely to catch him messing up. Well then, I should make my move as well"

"Your majesty, you're not planning to go there unannounced?", Warrod asked.

"No need, the king of Catherina himself invited me. He want to ask about the golden light. I assume he thought we're involved in some way. So, I will clear my name and gather some information"

The king left the throne room and went to his room. Warrod was left with the intelligence head.

"What happened? The king looks like he's enjoying the situation", the intelligence head said.

"It's about his inclination to investigate the origin of the child. He's glad that his assumption was almost right. If the king returned with confirmation, we should be careful not to provoke Theo", Warrod said.

"What? Why?"

"You'll see. I think it's appropriate to say it when it's confirmed"