The Seeker Of The Flames

—3 days ago, the Council of the Grandwizards—

"I, as the leader of the council, declare an emergency. Just now, I've been informed that the Oracle of the realm has been stolen from her cave in the eastern desert. As all of you should know by now, that's the reason I've decided to take action and summon you all here for a critical meeting."

"I still can't believe she's been stolen. I thought we had provided the perfect measures in order to make it impossible for our enemies to attack us from that point."

"Leon is right. It's not supposed to be possible to steal the Oracle, considering all of those obstacles and hiding tricks. How can one find her and steal her from there?"

"Hey! You, Ravenhood! Weren't you the one who guaranteed that no one would have ever found her?"

"I'm really surprised. I couldn't believe the news when I heard it first, but let's be honest here, I suggested that idea about two hundred years ago. There might have been flaws here and there."

"Flaws? Did you say flaws? Do our enemies care about that excuse? Of course not! Even a single problem might end with a deadly result for our land."

"Everyone! Don't blame it on Ravenhood! Would any of you have ever thought of his plan to fail? Let's accept that this happening has been unexpected for us. What should we do now?"

"What can we do? Is there any information about where she might be?"

"Nothing! Everyone who has taken her must have been a professional. There's no doubt about it, the East Kingdom is in charge of this deed! They've started their move!"

"I doubt about that... As far as I know, those proud old wizards cannot do something this neat. It's too much even for their standards. There must be someone else behind it!"

"I think we can agree on one thing; whoever has taken her must be a dangerous enemy to the kingdom."

"That's right! We need to get ready. Divya! How is the investigation going? Have you found any trace of the Oracle?"

"Unfortunately, our men have not presented any proper information about the Oracle. The MSTI also has not figured out anything suspicious in that area."

"What about the cave? Perihelion!"

"It has been reported that the soldiers we had put inside with the Oracle can be found dead either in the cavern or in the deadly desert. The evidence implies that they had simply died from physical exhaustion or mental bewilderment. There's no point of scratch, sword cut or injury on their skin."

"That sounds like advanced bewildering magic spells. The enemy must have possessed a great amount of magic to affect all of our soldiers. Didn't we have a wizard with the Oracle though?"

"Yes! I think we sent Freya for that job. She was a brilliant sorceress as long as I remember. I think only a few talented wizards I've seen in my life could be on par with her. Has she also died?"

"We could not find her corpse in the cave, nor could we notice it in the desert field."

"What? Then what's happened to her?"

"We don't know."

"Did the enemy take her as a hostage?"

"Hostage? Why would they need Freya?"

"Or maybe she's the one gone for who's following the enemy and taking the Oracle back?"

"Is there any clue about that"

"It's currently under investigation. Rest assured you fellow councilors that I won't keep it hidden from you. As soon as we find valuable information, I'll not hesitate to share it here."

"Let's now hear the head's thoughts. Angus, what are you planning to do?"

"Everyone! This can be the most important issue we've come to deal with. The disappearance of the Oracle can be quite dangerous in such a crucial time when we're engaged in a war with the East Kingdom. If they come to figure it out, we'll be in a really hard situation. However, our Kingdom has been built on deliverance, democracy, and liberty, so we cannot hide this truth from our people. Even we want, our rules won't allow it. Therefore, even though it can bring horrible consequences, I want you to not hide this information from the public's eyes. Spread it wide as a rumor, but don't overdo it. We have to turn our demerits into merits. "

"Yes! We accept your offer, the head councilor, Angus! I think the majority does also agree with me!"

"Yes, lying wouldn't be appropriate now. The priests of the East Kingdom would eventually find out about it. It's better to reveal the truth without delay than letting them find it themselves."

"Let me also add this... it's the first sudden problem, but probably, it's not gonna be the last. I want all of you, every single soldier in the kingdom, our investigation section, our law section, our troops' section, our departments, our people, the public, the kingdom, and absolutely every single point of this land to be ready for what may come next. No matter what's going to come to us, we shall all defend our land, our people, and our liberty!"

"Yes, Head Councilor!"

"As the final say, I'm going to leave to personally fix some problems. Right now, we're in a critical time, and thus shall all of you prepare for anything unexpected. In my absence, I give the council's head seat, to Levi the 7th Grandwizard of the realm. You shall take his words as same as mine and treat him as the council's head according to our kingdom's laws. I sincerely ask you to give your everything to our nation. Nation behind you!"

"We will! Council behind you!"

"Don't worry Angus, in your absence, we will take care of these problems. Please do what's necessary! Council behind you!"

"It's great to see the 2nd Grandwizard of the realm in action again. Please take care of yourself! I'm sure what you've decided to do will benefit our nation and our homeland. Council behind you!"

"Stay assured that we will manage the situation no matter how many problems show up. Council behind you!"

"Yes! Council behind you!"

"We trust you, Angus! I'm sure that what you're going to do your best to protect our nation! Council behind you!"

"Just leave it to us! Council behind you!"

"Thank you, everyone, for your unexceptionable trust! I shall not disappoint you! Nation behind you, the councilors of the kingdom!"

"Council behind you, Angus the 2nd Grandwizard of the realm!"