In a certain room of one of the Royal Palaces in the third level of Ethren City, there were two people.

"Mn? You said that the Conferred Queen's background is still not found?" A man with dark blue hair frowned his brows.

"It is not clear, your highness. The Alstreim Family refused to entertain any questions, instead, telling us to not interfere in these matters while the First Prince stated that the envoy knows Conferred Queen's background but refuses to say it."

Another figure kneeled down and said. 

This person seemed to be draped in black robes and possessed a mask over his face but since his voice seemed to be male, hence, he could be designated as a man.

"Furthermore, the First Prince informed the Emperor that the Alstreim Family resorted to bullying us by blocking us and even the others from heading to visit the Conferred Queen's residence in the future..."

"That is all your highness, the Second Prince."

"I see..." Keith Ethren rubbed his chin for a while before he gestured.

The black-robed man instantly stood up and left without making any sound, however, he flew away from the open window that allowed the chill breeze to enter.

After a few seconds that seemed to be a really long time for Keith Ethren, a figure suddenly appeared.

"From when were you here?" Keith Ethren asked with displeasure etched on his face.

"I had just arrived..." Another black-robed man uttered.

However, his entire figure was shadowy and blurry as if he couldn't constantly exist.

Keith Ethren's eyes twitched, 'As if I would believe your words...'

This mysterious man from the Flowing Mist Sect rather had him on his toes all the time and now that the Alstreim Family had finally intervened, he felt things were going to become rather messy from now on unless he backed out and became an informer.

Otherwise, he could tell that he had more chances to encounter death.

"I think we should back out in investigating the Conferred Queen. This has rather gotten out of hand as the Alstreim Family now claims that it is protecting the Conferred Queen from disturbances."

"Haha, Second Prince. We are almost near to finding out the Conferred Queen's true background. How can we back out just like this?"

Keith Ethren narrowed his eyes and spoke.

"We only know that the Conferred Queen's subordinate is Alchemist Scythe but it is also possible that the Conferred Queen Isabella took pity on Alchemist Scythe or recognized him for his talent and recruited while crossing the territories."

"Maybe it is even possible that Alchemist Scythe subordinated himself to the Conferred Queen while possessing ulterior motives..."

"Hence, even if we find information on Alchemist Scythe, it isn't going to help one bit."

The shadowy man shook his head, "Even if it is the faintest clue, we still have to unveil it."

"Looking at Alstreim Family Envoy's reaction, the Conferred Queen must be from a really powerful background."

"Hehe, if Second Prince could get such a woman..." 

The shadowy man laughed in a lewd manner.

"Haha, you sure do really like to joke..." Keith Ethren laughed together.

However, inwardly, he knew that if he did such a thing, he would undoubtedly face the consequences! The wrath of the Conferred Queen's background was something he always wanted to actively avoid!

That's why he had set it up so that his Third Brother would take the brunt of the consequences, and not him.

"In any case, we must not stop investigating, at least until your highness ascends to the Throne... After that, your high... Ah, no! Your majesty can do as you please..." The shadowy man's voice echoed as if it were a sweet whisper.

Even Keith Ethren felt his heart tremble as he subconsciously imagined himself as the Emperor.

Five hundred years of rule and supremacy over the entire Ethren Empire! As per the Ethren Empire's rules, all the people of the Ethren Empire including the Royal Protectors must bow to the authority of the Emperor!

His body abruptly shook as he came out of his reverie!

He became blank before he considered if he was bewitched into thinking that but it really seemed as if the desire for the throne emerged from his heart. Besides, the vague threat in the shadowy man's words left him a little nervous.

He inwardly sighed and spoke.

"Alright, two months it is..." 

"Haha, this servant of the Flowing Mist Sect thanks your highness, the Second Prince for your cooperation. Perhaps, after becoming the Emperor, you can rely on us to grow when you're no longer capable of improving in this Ethren Empire."

"Hmm, I'll consider it..." Keith Ethren calmly nodded but inwardly, his heart was in turmoil!

He knew that he was dwelling into uncharted waters but to improve inside the confines of his own sea region, impossible! He would eventually have to take a stand and this moment is perhaps the moment that he had waited for a long time.

In two months, he imagined that his life would go off track!

======

Two weeks later.

Agis Stirlander stood by the window as he looked above, gazing at the hidden clouds. Sunlight was visible but the sun was nowhere to be seen as the third level's cloud blocked line of sight, only allowing the rays to pass through.

However, the ray of light that fell on his residence seemed a little gloomy.

"Are you sure that his highness would visit today?" A male voice echoed from behind.

Agis Stirlander turned back and looked at the man with a short beard.

"Yes, Alchemist Yen. It is usually in this week his highness would visit but since the week is almost about to end, then his highness would definitely drop by my residence today!"

Alchemist Yen's expression had a hint of confusion but he still nodded his head. He had been invited by Agis Stirlander to his residence but he still didn't know what he had in store for him.

'Did his highness perhaps instruct Agis Stirlander to call me over here to talk about the investigation of the Conferred Queen? That's right... Now that it is common knowledge that the Alstreim Family had interfered, perhaps Agis Stirlander is no longer able to investigate deeply or is afraid that something will happen to him?'

'No! If it's his highness who called me then, he deemed that I am necessary for the investigation...'

Alchemist Yen inwardly felt proud. Before this, he had been feeling bad that his highness hadn't delegated this task to him but since Agis Stirlander seemed to be the one most suitable for this, he forgoes his envy.

But now that he had been called for, he inwardly became satisfied!

"Nevertheless, his highness first needs to see me before he can show himself, so, I need Alchemist Yen to quickly arrive when I give the signal." Agis Stirlander abruptly said.

Alchemist Yen nodded his head but with a confused expression, he asked, "Why is that?"

"It is his highness who said that the master of the house has to invite the guest before the guest can enter the house..." Agis Stirlander smiled.

"Ahh, it makes sense... It's just like his highness to be this concerned with propriety..." Alchemist Yen chuckled.

Agis Stirlander grinned and nodded back. He left the room and headed towards the usual meeting spot. 

The garden!

Once he arrived, he looked around. He didn't know when his 'highness' would supposedly arrive, hence, he had no choice but to wait. 

He kept waiting for a long time while tending to and checking on the herbs.

It was a part of this schedule as a herbalist, a sub profession that Apothecaries and Alchemists usually are skilled in when they grow herbs, Ingredients by themselves.

During this time, he couldn't help but possess conflicting thoughts.

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