Daniel helped James up, his body now reverted back to human form. However, the transformation had left James' clothes in tatters, barely able to conceal his modesty. His pants were torn into shreds, revealing his hairy legs.
Despite James' disheveled appearance, Daniel couldn't help but feel grateful for James.
As both men walked back to Don Veneziale, who was waiting for them, James went with one of Ardito's subordinates to retrieve new clothes while Daniel stayed behind to discuss something with Don Veneziale.
"Take this to the Syndicate Union and see if this guy has been truthful about his family or not. If he lied, you can cash in his bounty and consider that money your reward. But if he told the truth, keep this emblem and return it to me. I may find a way to make use of him," Daniel instructed as he handed the emblem to Don Veneziale.
"Yes, Mr.Magitek," Ardito replied, accepting the emblem from Daniel and passing it to his consigliere with strict instructions to follow Daniel's orders.
After a long and eventful day, Daniel decided to head back to rest at his condominium instead of the Veneziale estate. He needed a private space to think and summon Michaela, to serve as his bodyguard.
The recent ambush had made him realize his mortality. If James had not protected him and taken the poison in his place, he might have lost his life.
He needed a bodyguard who could protect him 24/7, and Michaela was the perfect fit. As her card possessed abilities that would prevent any harm from coming to Daniel as long as she was still alive.
Unknown to Daniel or anyone at the port, including the assailant who had attacked him, a reconnaissance post had been set up in a tall building nearby by the royal court mage.
What had transpired during the battle with the Master Rank Royal Court mage and the infamous Magitek, the Master Rank Artificer, had caused turmoil among the staff observing the event.
The long string of incredible events that they had witnessed had left their minds in disarray.
First, they had seen James, a red-furred werewolf with an incredible regenerative ability, even surpassing that of the werewolf experts in their database.
He had been poisoned with the lethal Gu poison, which had been cultivated using many magical substances.
The maggot that the Master Rank mage had used to attack in the ambush was one of his best works, capable of transforming from a lethal poison to one that could control others with a single thought. Despite being lethal to any normal werewolf.
However, James' incredible regenerative ability allowed him to recover from the poison quickly, and he was able to walk around as if nothing had happened, leaving the staff at the reconnaissance post in disbelief.
Moreover, the lightning strikes from the heavens that annihilated the Master Rank mage's entire being leaving the staff at the reconnaissance post in shock. What the hell was that!?
Additionally, the fact that this Magitek guy was able to use faith-based magic to such a high degree was another cause of confusion for the staff at the reconnaissance post.
After all, wasn't he just an Artificer? And yet, the pure holy mana fluctuation he emitted was even purer than that of the Vatican Grand Cathedral itself.
They couldn't comprehend how he was able to harness the power of faith to such a degree. It was as if he had access to abilities and knowledge far beyond what was considered possible for his profession.
The reconnaissance post staff were astounded to witness an Artificer who was skilled in combat.
While it was rare to find an Artificer with combat abilities, it was not unheard of. However, what left them truly amazed was the Magitek's mastery of faith-based spells, no different from those Pope and Cardinal big shots of the Vatican.
They couldn't help but wonder if he was a reincarnation of Jesus himself. This was the first time they had witnessed something like this, and it left them awe-struck.
The reconnaissance post staff turned to their leader with a sense of urgency.
"Sir...are you sure the royal family still wants to pursue this?" Asked one of the staff members, concern evident in his voice. "This Magitek is capable of using faith-based magic to such a high degree. It's likely the Vatican is backing him up. He's not an enemy we can defeat with sheer numbers alone."
The staff member's voice was laced with terror as he spoke, conveying the gravity of the situation to their leader.
The leader took a deep drag from his cheap cigarette. He was one of the people who worked under Klause, the Royal Court Mage's Director. Unlike those fanatics who had been brainwashed by the royal family's propaganda, both he and his boss had their own opinions regarding the royal family.
Some even sympathized with the royal family's victims, but they still had no choice but to work for them.
"Haaaa—" The leader exhaled a long puff of smoke, filling the room. One of his subordinates, who appeared strict, used her magic to gather the smoke and disperse it into the air vent.
"Sir, I understand you're nervous, but please mind your manners. Your smoking habit is causing trouble," She lightly admonished him, as if this was a common occurrence in their line of work.
"Shit— I really need a long vacation after this mess," the leader complained in a lazy tone, now fully aware of the predicament the royal family had gotten themselves into.
He extinguished his cigarette with a flick of water magic, crushing it and tossing it into the bin filled with half-smoked cigarettes. He adopted a more professional demeanor.
"Gather all the data and analysis and send it to HQ. Our job here is done," He commanded his subordinates in a serious tone. Then, he turned to his strict subordinate.
"Amy, call the director and tell him what happened. We need to have an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with this situation," He ordered.
"Yes, sir!" Amy replied, promptly carrying out her task.
--- Morning - Ministry of Royal Family Affair - Royal Court Mage Department ---
Inside the large meeting room of the Royal Court Mage Department, numerous people sat at a long table, awaiting the start of the emergency meeting.
Notable guests occupied the seats of honor, such as the renowned mages of the Tessia kingdom and beyond.
Among them sat the Patriarch of the Willow family, Edmon Willow.
The owner of Prosperity Hall auction house, Shaun Montgomery.
And lastly, the greatest of them all who had just arrived in Tessia kingdom this morning, the Patriarch of the Stenmark Family and High Councilor of the Hightower, Ragnar Stenmark.
Klause Hoffman, the Royal Court Mage's Director, sat by the screen, ready to present the data his subordinates had gathered on the Magitek from the previous night.
All the attendees had arrived, and Klause's presentation was prepared, but the meeting had yet to begin.
An hour had passed, and they were still waiting. Ragnar Stenmark, the newcomer with the highest authority in the room, wondered what was causing the delay.
He turned to Montgomery, the only person he knew in the room, and asked.
"What's causing the holdup? Is there something wrong?" Ragnar was confused, as he had never encountered a situation like this before in his long life.
"We're waiting for His Majesty, Victor Justius, to arrive for the meeting," the bald old man replied.
Upon hearing this, Ragnar simply nodded in understanding. Though he held more authority than Victor Justius in the Hightower, his gentlemanly manner and good nature prevented him from causing a scene.
However, he couldn't help but wonder to himself. While some authoritative figures liked to make themselves appear more important than they were by arriving fashionably late, he had never heard of anyone being an hour late before. This is a first.
[King Victor Justius must have an ego the size of the whole planet,] He thought to himself, perplexed by the delay.
Two hours passed, and Ragnar's patience grew thin as he continued to wait in the meeting room. He couldn't help but glare at Klause, who was reading and typing on his phone.
Although Klause was physically present in the meeting, he still had work to do. He noticed the intense gaze from Ragnar but could only bow in apology and shake his head, as this was normal for them.
It was common knowledge that whenever Victor Justius attended a meeting or party, he would force those below him to wait for hours or even half a day. Unfortunately, this was no exception.
Ragnar remained silent but visibly annoyed as the hours passed by.
pαndα`noν?1--сoМ Then two rows of soldiers entered the room, their formation arranged as if they were receiving an important guest who had greatly contributed to the country or organization. The grand fanfare of the royal family theme blared loudly, filling the room.
"His Majesty Victor Justius has descended!" One of the high-ranking soldiers leading the formation shouted loudly, the fanfare still playing in the background.
Finally, Victor Justius made his entrance, accompanied by two beautiful women in skimpy outfits that were more suitable for private settings than public meetings.
Victor was a handsome man with long, blond shoulder-length hair and a playboy demeanor.
Dressed in a dashing silver suit with Hightower Councilman's brooch on his lapel, Victor exuded an air of wealth and importance.
He saw himself as a god-like figure ruling over his people, and his immense ego was evident in his entitlement and constant tardiness.
As a Master Rank Mage and royalty, he believed that the world revolved around him and remained oblivious to the disapproval of those around him.
Despite earning the ire of many, he continued to act with superiority, thinking it was his given right.
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