"What do you mean there's no way to mask a Semonio's magic level?"Zero asked doubtfully."There has to be a way!"
Something within him told him the sorceress wasn't telling him the truth and more importantly why was she avoiding his eyes and why would she lie about that?
Sheba resumed writing again.
Zero watched her silently for a while before moving around the edge of her desk and approaching her.
In the blink of an eye,he dropped to his knees with his head lowered in submission.
He could already feel the sorceress's gaze settling upon him.
This time, Zero dared not address her as Mother,a name she despised being called.
"Your Ladyship..." he began hesitantly. "I don't know why you raised me,trained me, and stayed by my side for so long, only to choose to cut me off later. I know I haven't always been a good son to you, and I also know how much you despise the path I've chosen to tread."
He paused, his fingers curling into fists against his thighs.
"But I promise to live up to your expectations,my wish has always been to make you happy with me,... proud to have raised me but I don't know what's wrong with me.No matter how much I try—"
"And what exactly do you think my expectations are your highness?". Sheba cut in.
Zero raised his eyes to lock eyes with the hardened gaze of the sorceress.
"I know you want to prevent the coming destruction as much as everyone else and even if it means laying down my life to fulfill your wishes,I will do it gladly".
Sheba's brows furrowed,her lips pressed together in a thin line.
"My wishes or your own selfish reasons?"the sorceress retorted coldly.
"At this point does it matter?"Zero muttered studying her intently.
He had never been able to read her at all.He couldnt tell if she was angry with him or worried,unsure if she loved or hated him and even more confused why she had saved and raised him in secret.
"Foolish child...i didn't raise you to go throw away your life whenever you please".
Before she could utter another word, Zero suddenly threw his arms around her.
His body pressed against hers as he rested his head on her shoulder,clinging to her as though she were the only thing keeping him from falling apart.
His tears soaked the part of the black cotton fabric attire where his face rested, while his hair brushed against her neck.
She had never allowed him to embrace her as a child, and he had always been too frightened to try.
"Sheba..." he whispered shakily. "You might never have been able to accept me as your own son, but to me, you'll always be my mother!.The only family I have left!"
Zero withdrew slightly away from her.
For a moment, Sheba remained still.
Then, gently,the sorceress raised both hands and cupped his cheeks.
He could only stare.
The sorceress's hands were bony and warm, soothing as they pressed against his face.Hands that had never held his face as a boy.
Perhaps that was the state of her heart on the inside while wearing a cold veil on the outside or perhaps that was the depth of warmth of her love for him.
She leaned closer until her forehead rested against his.
Her eyes darkened.
A moment later, his did too.
Suddenly, a vast sea of purple and green mana erupted around them,engulfing their bodies in a blinding surge of magical energy.
Zero felt as though his entire body were on fire and for some reason he was couldn't move,he had also lost all his five senses.
When the heat receeded after Sheba withdrew her head,the one on a small area of the right side of his neck persisted.
Zero's palm brushed against the area.
His magic energy also appeared to have stabilized.
"You may leave"He heard Sheba say.
Zero rose to his feet and after giving her a leisurely bow,he turned towards the only door in the room.
But before he could grasp the handle, a sudden knock brought him to a halt.
The doorknob turned.
King Maximilian stood on the other side, dressed in his royal attire and looking as gracious as ever.
Zero bowed again.
What is he doing here?
"Your Majesty"
King maxmillian raised a lash.
"Zero is it?,shouldn't the Emperor's knight be by his side right now?"
it's midday and already past a Knight's time to report for duty he added via telepathy.
Zero grinned widely.
He used telepathy in attempt to check if his telepathic link was blocked.Which was inappropriate for the emperor's own knight.
Luckily he had unblocked it after Sheba had succeeded in concealing his magic level.
How cunny.
Had there not been a barrier around Sheba's office,he shouldnt have met with the king in first place.
"Your Majesty I had something to take care of I will leave first"Zero muttered before stepping out the door to shut it behind him.
*****************************
Tyran eyed Zero who had just appeared at the scene outside the emperor's barrier kneeling.
"Your imperial Majesty!"Zero muttered with a bow praying the emperor hadn't tried speaking with him only to descover his telepathic link was blocked.
"You will be punished later for your lack of punctuality,...what do you make of this scene?"
Zero's eyes darted around his surroundings.
"There's nothing here your majesty"
Just then Sheba appeared along side king Max.
"The knights didn't return home your majesty".The king reported.
"Sheba thank goodness....what can you make of this scene?"
Sheba turned to him.
"A sorcerer was here".
Tyran nodded.
"The Knights stationed disappeared overnight.Most likely,they were killed but there are no bodies to show.The same thing occured at urah's castle but the perpetrator left the bodies off the knights there.Also my favorite creeper plants had disappeared this morning...how do you think he got rid of the bodies and why?"
"How am I supposed to know that?!"The sorceress snapped.
"Inspect the area.You might be able to detect traces of the spells he used"
"Very well".
Sheba nodded and spread out both hands reciting the words of a spell which caused written ancient inscriptions to appear on the surfaces around them.
The inscriptions were written in red in a language neither of them could decipher and stretched along the floors and walls as far as the eyes could see.
They faded when sorceress's hands returned back to her side.
She turned to Tyran.
"I am unable to, apparently he didn't forget a counter spell.His spells do counter mine your majesty".
"What!...to have knowledge of a counter spell for exposure and know how to use it then he must be a sorcerer at a high magic level".
"It appears so".
Her gaze briefly locked unto the emperor's knight before settling back on Tyran.
Zero heaved a low relieving sigh.
"Do you know of any spell that could leave behind such an aura which you sense?"
"I know nothing of such!"Sheba snapped."If we are done here your imperial majesty I would like to leave".
"What about spells capable of vanquishing living things and erasing their very existence?" King Maximilian interjected mildly.
Sheba's eyes shifted towards him.
"You see,that is the only plausible explanation," the king continued,stepping towards her.
"Sorcerer City is home to some exceptionally powerful sorcerers, particularly among the council. I believe some of them possess the ability to cast such high level,lethal spells."
Sheba's brows knitted together as her gaze locked onto his.
"What exactly are you trying to imply,Your—Majesty?" she demanded suspiciously.
"Are you accusing the council's members?"
King Maximilian leaned towards her,a faint smile playing on his lips.
"What if I am?"
The king's lips curled into a knowing smirk.
"This is undoubtedly high-level sorcery.Not just any sorcerer could pull off something like this. After all,the most powerful sorcerers in Delvin are members of the council."
He turned towards Tyran.
"Your Imperial Majesty,while we are out searching for Dark,I say we investigate every single member of the council."
"Do as you wish Max"Tyran nodded.
Behind the Emperor Zero folded his hand, and shook his head slowly.
There goes the wolf again playing a good sheep.
Sheba scoffed loudly before vanishing from sight.
"Hmmmm"Tyran looked thoughtful.
At times like this he earned for someone he could trust but the only people he could tell anything were lying in bed unconscious and the other six feet beneath the ground.
"What's on your mind?"King Max asked.
"Greetings Your imperial Majesty I took his highness for a walk do not bother looking for us".
It was Ren.
Tyran felt his heart soar as a smile spread across his lips.
"Come with me to the imperial Library"