Black Sword and Fragments [Vol. 1: Unforeseen Conspiracy]

Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Libra

“The secret behind my ability is that...”

In the end, Ballion Ibzaar explained that it was not really an ability he has that he can control magicule beasts, but a secret potion.

At first, every attendee of the meeting was shocked, but they also feel clarity when Ballion explained the recipes and process of making the potion to control the magicule beast.

His older brother Stallion Ibzaar felt anxious when Ballion started explaining about the potion for controlling the wild magicule beasts. But, when he realized that the recipe that Ballion have said was the weaker type of the potion, he sighed in relief.

“I see.” The man on the throne said as he rubbed his chin. His expression became earnest. “It was amazing that you have discovered the unusual process of making this potion. I'm also wondering about one thing. Where did you exactly find the process of making this broken potion?”

Even though the presence of the king became heavier, Ballion did not have a hard time explaining what he knows. Of all of the questions of the king, this one is what he was waiting for because at this point he wants to clear his name.

Ballion Ibzaar smiled and casually said. “I'm very lucky, my Lord! When I am traveling inside the Arlake Forest a month ago, I encountered a small bottle. Inside that bottle is a rolled paper where the recipe and process of the taming potion were written. I followed exactly what was written in that paper and I didn't expect that it will actually work, my Lord! I have successfully tamed seven green cougars and started to travel back inside the Kurnell Forest.”

Ballion Ibzaar's expression became sad. “I hone my skill to make that potion as I also waited to know when the effects of the potion will subside. Along with that is that I trained the green cougars inside the forest of Kurnell. But, I didn't expect that I am making a hindrance already for the weaker rankers that wanted to train there. I'm really sorry for that, my Lord.”

!!!

“He found that bottle in the forest of Arlake?!” Leonardo Dracus' eyebrows jumped as he thought of that. “Could it be that the bandits have accidentally left it behind?...”

Leonardo Dracys sighed. Wrinkling forehead from the shock dissipated.

Even though that story is believable, of course, Ballion Ibzaar just made it up. As long as he could, he doesn't want him and his brother Stallion to be in a dangerous situation, and he doesn't want their boss, the leader of the Dark Alone Bandits to be stressed out if they have been caught.

 That's right, their boss is really the leader of the notorious Dark Alone Bandits.

On the other side, the attendees nodded at what Ballion have explained. Now is that he gained clarity on what have Ballion done inside the Kurnell Forest a month ago. In addition, their suspicion has been reduced to zero when they heard about the process of making the unusual taming potion. They wanted to try it immediately. 

But, they are not actually believing that Ballion did not intend to stay in the Kurnell Forest before and all of those are just an accident. After all, they know that Ballion Ibzaar loves to bully weaker-rank adventurers for his interest and satisfaction. He would have been waiting on that forest all along to try his newly gained ability to actual rankers.

The gaze of the king traveled to the attendees of this meeting. He saw that their expression become brighter. Honestly, he didn't really need all the people here. All he needs is one of the generals and the Ibzaar Brothers.

He just invited the Knight-Commanders and the master of the Adventurer's Guild as a sign of respect to them. He could still not deny that all of these weapons are the pillars of the whole kingdom. In addition, he also invited them to be the ears and eyes of this meeting. For this judgment to become authentic, he needed witnesses from all the pillars of the kingdom. 

After that, Leonardo Dracus' attention returned to Ballion Ibzaar. 

“Can I see the actual paper of recipe you have told us,” asked Leonardo Dracus.

Ballion Ibzaar shook his head, “I'm sorry, my respectable Lord. Even though I wanted to show you the letters from that paper, I don't have any way to do it. After reading what's written on that paper, that paper fade into thin air as it burns itself to ashes. Might be, a very amazing person has written that recipe in that way.”

“So that's how it is. If I could prove tomorrow that those processes you told us are legitimate, I won't be strict and make the Royal Soldiers watch you carefully.” Told by Leonardo.

“But for now, now that all of our attendees have heard what they wanted to hear to sir Ballion Ibzaar, I confirmed that this meeting has already ended! And just like before, for as long as possible, no one should spread the secret we hold for a long time publicly. I don't want to cause distress and commotions to our beloved Citizen!”

“Yes, my lord!” Simultaneously told by the attendees as they placed their fists into their hearts, bowing.

About the secret they hold, it is about the secret attacks of the Dark Alone Bandits that weren't been known publicly. It was almost two years ago that they have confirmed that they were being attacked by the arch-enemy of the kingdom. 

As long as possible, while they have a concrete solution to this problem, they don't want to tell in public about the dark happenings behind the peaceful Kingdom. If the people will know that the kingdom is secretly and slowly being attacked by the notorious criminals, it will cause distress and commotion to the millions of citizens inside the kingdom. If the public will know this, they will have even more time to think of a solution.

Not long after, after the king warned them, the topic has returned to Ballion Ibzaar.

“I couldn't deny that you are really lucky, Ballion Ibzaar. And I'm sorry for letting you reveal the details of making that unusual potion.”

Ballion Ibzaar casually nodded. It was as if he is telling the others that it was not a big deal for him to reveal the secret potion's detailed process of making. Yet, in his mind is that he is underestimating the intelligence of the king and all of the attendees here. “How ignorant. To think that they will buy my story that easily.”

The king waved his hand. The space ring from his finger glows as a dark green book popped up on his hand. “I ask you to forgive me for making you reveal your secret. And another sorry for we could recall the detailed process of that taming potion. I heard from General Stallion that you are adept at using a sword. This book is for you. This is one of the B-Grade Sword Mastery Books from the category of Wind Sword-Arts.”

Seeing that, some of the commanders felt jealous of Ballion Ibzaar. Four of the commanders are still using the C-grade Weapon Mastery. It wasn't because they couldn't afford it, but they don't know where they could buy it. Aside from the ridiculously high price of the B-Grade Weapon Mastery book, the copy of it is only limited inside the kingdom. If only their foundation hasn't been attacked by their enemy, even obtaining an A-Grade weapon mastery wouldn't be that hard for them.

They couldn't do anything but be jealous of Ballion Ibzaar's luck. To even give a limited copy of the weapon mastery book, the king really means it when he is asking for forgiveness.

On the other side, compared to the space bag, the space ring can be carried more easily. Aside from it, the other advantage of it compared to the space bag, the space ring has a lot more space inside. It has one hundred-meter square space inside. Ten times larger than the capacity of the Space bag. 

Leonardo told Ballion to take the book. Ballion Ibzaar then received it as he smiled widely. “Is this really mine?! I didn't expect you will give me something this grand, my King! If I could receive something like this every time I reveal a secret, I'm always ready to do unusual things and reveal the secret behind them. Thank you so much, my Lord!”

*   *   *   *

After the meeting, the attendees have all left the King's chamber. An hour has already passed at this moment. 

The silence lurking in the surroundings of the chambers has been broken by the voice of King Leonardo. 

“General Ayanno—” He shook his head. “No. Teacher, I don't really believe that Ballion Ibzaar got that potion in that way. Heh. I'm having a hard time talking to that kid. I didn't expect that he is an expert of words.”

The king paused for a moment as he whispered. “Stop the Lie detector now.”

Ting! 

[As per the User's command, the System has turned off the Natural Skill [Lie Detector] ] 

He smirked. “If I don't have the Lie detector skill at that meeting, just like our respectable Pillars, I might have already bought his facade.”

Ayanno Nightangel responded calmly. “That skill is also the reason why I chose you to become the next king, my Majesty. However, I want to know your thoughts as well. After all, we could not persuade the pillars without showing them proofs.”

Leonardo nodded. “For now, teacher, I guess we should wait for the next bizarre happenings, that way, we could form another meeting. But I also know that you are also curious about the taming potion that Ballion Ibzaar has shared.”

“Yeah.” Ayanno smiled as his ocean blue eyes glowed. “But you are also curious. Heh. Compared to the taming potion I know, that one might be a very weak version. I might check it out this night.”

“Thank you, teacher. ”

Not long after, General Ayanno's body has become smoke as it dissipated in the surroundings.

*   *   *   *

On the other side, inside the beautiful, Ballion Ibzaar slowly entered. He immediately closed the door. Just right after that. The ring on his finger glows, causing a book that he received from the King to appear on his hand.

He looked at the book with lifeless eyes, until a violet flame surge on his hand. At that moment, the book became nothing but ashes.

“How could they admire this trash book? If I will request to the boss, he could even give me a hundred pieces of this one.” Ballion let out a savage expression as he said those words. “The Boss is right, this kingdom is nothing but trash. If the boss will lead this place, this will be different.”

Ballion shrugged off the ashes on his hand. Another thing appeared on his hand when his space ring glowed again. This thing is the Communicator stone. 

This thing looks identical to the ordinary black stones. If you will compared it to a normal stone you wouldn't know easily which is the communicator stone. Yet still, when Ballion wrote an unusual symbol on the flat surface of the black stone, the symbol he wrote emitted a purple-colored light. When the light is already fading, Ballion started talking.

“Boss, as for my brother, we have confirmed that only a weak Royal Soldiers are destined to that place for a temporary reason. Howbeit, there are still strong Silver rankers living at that place I told you, Boss. In addition, the guardians of those orphans are on the Silver rank as well.”

Ballion smirked violently. “And I have to add this one, boss. Do you remember that level two Bronze rank kid that has an unusual skill I told you about? He also lives in that orphanage! He stays there every weekend for two days. And If I'm not mistaken, he should be there exactly later!”

“How could you be assured at that information?”  Earnestly asked by the deep voice on the other line.

Ballion's forehead wrinkled. He doesn't like it if someone close to him doubts him. Nonetheless, because it is his boss clarifying the information, he couldn't do anything but swallow his pride. He just smiled and calmly responded. “Boss, that Kid was always staying in the orphanage every Saturday and Sunday. I have noticed his pattern for three weeks, and now is Saturday, chances of him being there as well is high.”

“HAHA! Good, good! I could really rely on both of you! About that Silver rankers you said, they will not be a hindrance. Jasper Giambato will personally lead the abduction and attack.” Said by the deep voice as an emblem of authority and earnestly could be traced in his words.

Not long after, Ballion ibzaar respectfully said goodbye to his boss. He then returned the used communicator inside his space ring.

Honestly, Ballion Ibzaar didn't know why he felt fear every time he saw Allastor Frauzz in the Capital of Kreo. He knows that Allastor is just a weak Bronze ranker, but every time he saw Allastor, an image of the scary man wearing a black cloak bombarded his mind. He was familiar with that cloaked man, but he could not remember where he saw him and why he was scared of that mysterious figure.

Ballion Ibzaar couldn't help but sigh.

To be continued...

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