Prime Originator

"Naturally. Runemaster is a noble profession. If everyone can become a runemaster, it will diminish the prestige of runemasters," Venerable Runemaster responded to King Lutheran's statement.

"Furthermore, resources are limited. If we distribute too many resources into teaching the untalented, how are we supposed to nurture those with talent and creative minds? That's why the entrance requirement is strict."

"Listening to you put such heavy emphasis on creativity, you've also made me curious about the inventor behind this Demon Gathering Array," King Lutheran mentioned.

"Not only does the empire have many powerful experts, but they are also not lacking in talents. The inventor shouldn't be someone unknown… I wonder if we can poach him."

"Someone like that would be treasured by the empire, without a doubt. You can try, but I doubt you will succeed, Your Majesty. It's great enough if I could meet this person and exchange ideas," Venerable Runemaster stated.

"Nevertheless, you do not worry about this Demon Gathering Array. I have already figured it out. You can sit back and wait for the good news, Your Majesty."

"Since I've understood the logic behind the Tier-3 Demon Gathering Array, I won't just replicate it. No, I will improve it and produce a Tier-4, Tier-5, or even a Tier-6 Demon Gathering Array depending on our needs,"  Venerable Runemaster claimed.

"Oh? That's perfect," King Lutheran uttered with a smile.

"Then, I will leave the Tier-3 Demon Gathering Array in your capable hands and take my leave for now. There is still some unfinished business I need to take care of."

As King Lutheran said that, his eyes flashed with coldness.

Venerable Runemaster noticed King Lutheran's terrible mood, but he refrained from commenting on it.

Venerable Runemaster wouldn't interfere with the kingdom's affairs unless it affected the Grand Rune Tower's interests.

…

King Lutheran left the same way he came in, out the window, and through the sky by striding on water that can be found throughout the big city.

Having spent roughly an hour at the Grand Rune Tower, it was more than enough time for Duke Flugerd to arrive at the Great Hall.

However, King Lutheran immediately frowned at the empty hall upon his arrival.

"There you are, Your Majesty!" a palace servant quickly rushed over hastily with a piece of urgent news to report.

"As per your orders, I went to the Duke's manor to pass your words to Duke Flugerd. However, Duke Flugerd was absent from his manor, Your Majesty."

"What?" King Lutheran's frown deepened before asking, "Where did Duke Flugerd go?"

"Upon investigating, this servant found out that Duke Flugerd had already left the city the other day," the servant reported.

"Furthermore, this servant found several other nobles have also been reported missing from the capital city, Your Majesty. Marquis Raygor, Earl Blavier, Earl Almeric, and Earl Bendro were some of the names on the list."

"What!" King Lutheran's eyes widened with outrage.

The names listed were all members of the supremacist faction.

Their collective disappearance wouldn't be as simple of a matter as taking a tour outside the capital city.

"Where are they now?!" King Lutheran bellowed with fury.

The palace servant fearfully trembled under the king's extreme anger.

At the same time, the king's oppressive aura suppressed the palace servant to the point that he did not dare look at the king directly.

"T-this servant doesn't know, Y-your Majesty!" the palace servant replied fearfully.

"H-however, there was an unconfirmed rumor that Duke Flugerd decided to visit the west as an envoy. There was another unconfirmed rumor that he brought many nobles and several hundreds of Transcendent-level troops along for protection, Your Majesty!"

After hearing that, King Lutheran's already terrible mood took a turn for the worse.

"A load of horse sh*t!" King Lutheran thundered at the nonsensical rumor.

No such envoy needed an entourage of several hundreds of Transcendent-level troops for protection.

That was no longer an entourage; it was an army!

If King Lutheran couldn't figure out what was going on after learning about that much, he would be unfit to rule the kingdom.

"Notify all the Law-punishing forces near the borders immediately! They must stop Duke Flugerd from leaving the kingdom with his people at all cost! There mustn't be a war between the two countries!"

King Lutheran bellowed his orders.

As much as King Lutheran hated it, the kingdom couldn't afford to lose so many experts in a hopeless war—even if the ones leading all those experts could be considered traitors.

"Y-your Majesty, it has been a day since the rumors appeared! Duke Flugerd and his people must have left the kingdom by now! I fear it's too late to stop them from leaving!" the servant alerted.

"Then instruct the Law-punishing forces to head out and bring them all back by force! If they can't do it, stall Duke Flugerd and his men until I arrive with reinforcements!"

"You're heading out yourself, Your Majesty?" the servant asked with shock.

"Obviously!"

Duke Flugerd was a Half-step Paragon.

How could King Lutheran expect anyone else besides the Venerables, Sea Emperor, or High Priest to stop the person?

However, an unexpected guest obstructed King Lutheran at the Great Hall's entrance.

"Old Thunder," King Lutheran greeted with surprise, taken aback by Old Thunder's appearance.

Why was Old Thunder in the capital city when he should be on the floating temple high above the Geyser Kingdom in the Neutral Zone?

"The High Council of Elders is aware of Duke Flugerd's action and those in support of the supremacist faction. You are not to interfere in this matter at this point in time and just let nature run its course, Your Majesty," Old Thunder directed.

"Are you telling me to just let my blood brother, who came from the same womb as me, get caught up in the supremacist faction's scheme and die a meaningless death?" King Lutheran said in a low tone.

"If that is what it takes for the rest of the people in the kingdom to wake up from their overdue arrogance and realize the empire's strength. The Crawford Empire's rise is unstoppable."

Old Thunder calmly stated.