Thirteenth Prince's Odyssey-Chapter 40: Auxiliary - - A Letter to King Elijah

Master Caelus sat by the high-arched window of his study in the Azure Spire, quill in hand, penning a letter. From his vantage point, the entire city of Marnem sprawled beneath him, its lights flickering like stars scattered across the ground.

He paused only once, eyes narrowed in thought, before sealing the final sentence. The parchment glowed faintly as he folded it and slid it into an envelope of enchanted vellum.

"Wayne," he called without turning.

A silver-robed figure emerged from the shadows of the chamber, bowing slightly. "Master."

Caelus handed him the envelope. "I want you to deliver this personally to the King's Guard."

"Understood, Master."

Caelus held his gaze. "Do not falter. This task must be carried out with absolute precision."

"Yes, Master."

The Archmage lifted his hand, murmuring an incantation. The envelope shimmered with a protective enchantment. Then, from within his sleeve, he drew a slender needle. Pricking his fingertip, he let a single drop of blood fall onto the seal — Encryption.

The letter glowed briefly, then dulled, now impervious to tampering.

"My king will be able to break it," Caelus said quietly. "But if anything happens on the way, open it by force — the contents will be destroyed."

Wayne nodded once more. "I understand, Master."

With that, he turned and departed from the Azure Spire.

*

His journey led him across distant lands, climbing higher and deeper into the snowy reaches of the north. Winds howled. Snow blinded. But Wayne pressed forward through the storm until, without warning, the blizzard ceased entirely.

The world around him changed — utter silence, clear skies, untouched snow. It was as though he had crossed into another realm.

Ahead stood a lone camp and a dark canvas tent bearing no banner, yet he knew this was his destination: the hidden encampment of King Elijah.

He stepped forward, and a voice echoed around him, calm and resonant.

"Purpose."

Wayne raised his head, unshaken. "I am Wayne Girard, disciple of Master Caelus of the Azure Spire. I bear a letter for King Elijah, at my master's command."

From behind a cluster of snow-laden stones, a knight clad in black iron emerged, face hidden beneath a helm etched with runes.

Without a word, the knight extended a gauntleted hand.

Wayne placed the sealed envelope in it. No words were exchanged. No further questions were asked.

As soon as he turned to leave, the world shifted again.

The storm returned.

The camp was gone.

Only snow remained.

Inside the now-hidden camp, King Elijah sat by a brazier of slow-burning coals. He took the envelope from the silent knight and studied the seal.

He took out a vial from his sleeves, letting a drop of blood fall upon it.

The seal broke with a faint hiss of escaping magic.

He unfolded the letter and began to read.

To His Majesty,

King Elijah Orlean of the Ironhelm Empire,

May this letter find Your Majesty in the finest health and spirits.

As per your command, I visited the Arthur Royal Institute to assess the condition and progress of Prince Liam. I carried with me the understanding that his health remained fragile, and his mana heart stunted in growth — as previously reported to the throne. However, what I witnessed was far removed from those claims.

To my astonishment, Liam exhibits no visible signs of weakness. His mana heart pulses with strength, his physical constitution shows no frailty, and most remarkably, he now stands at the realm of Second Blaze Apprentice.

Your Majesty as you have confided in me the desperate measure taken — the granting of Sir Lionel's Essence Flame in hopes of restoring the prince's vitality. You had informed me that even after consuming such a sacred remnant, there was no breakthrough — not even the advancement of a single minor realm. By all known accounts, the flame had failed.

And yet, what I observe now defies the observation. That Prince Liam has advanced equivalent of three minor realms.

The Essence Flame of Sir Lionel is no trivial relic. Even an Ascendant with the weakest affinity for mana could, by its power, reach the Adept realm — such is its potency. In total his advancement may seem unremarkable by that standard. However, what makes his case unique is when this progress occurred.

The breakthroughs came not in the immediate aftermath of consuming the Essence Flame — but much later. A delay so significant, it raises questions that challenge all known magical physiology. Is it possible, then, that he made these advances not as the effect of consuming the flame?

If so, I must confess: I have seen such a potential only once in my lifetime.

There is something unspoken — perhaps even unknown to Prince Liam himself — that governs this resurgence. I cannot yet explain it, but I will continue my observations and update Your Majesty accordingly.

With utmost respect and loyalty,

Caelus Francis Verhiem

Master of the Azure Spire

As King Elijah finished reading, his eyes lingered. The flickering brazier before him cast dancing shadows across his face, but it could not warm the sudden chill that settled in his bones.

He said nothing.

Then, wordlessly, he held the letter over the brazier. With a whisper of firelight, the parchment ignited, curling inwards on itself until it crumbled to ash. His fingers, didn't flinch as the heat brushed against them.

He stared into the embers, the confusion in his expression unmasked — subtle, but unmistakable.

"...How?" he murmured under his breath.

Thirteen years of silence. Thirteen years of failed hope. And now, without warning, Liam was rising.

"Second Blaze Apprentice... after all this time?"