CHAPTER 22: THIEF

"We have arrived at the border between our kingdoms and theirs," Gizelis stated when they arrived in a city with walls at the end of the city.

"Athier City. It is one of the twelve cities' border defences." Xcerox told Zeliker who was riding a horse beside him.

Almost all of them rode a horse and coming along was a few wagons. The wagons will be used for carrying the demons in the Drick Kingdom back to the Eskimos Kingdom later.

Zeliker understands why the city was there. The residents weren't just having normal people living in it but also soldiers guarding and walking around the city.

"Your Highness Xcerox, welcome to Athier City. It has been a while since we last met."

A man in a gorgeous suit went near them. He also kneeled to one knee. He has light brown hair with the same colour as his eyes. His height was about 1.8 metres. Beside him, there were several soldiers with weapons, also kneeling to Xcerox.

"Rise," Xcerox said.

"Commander Hein, it has been a while. How's your wife? Has she given birth yet?" Then, he climbed off his horse.

"She has safely given birth to my son, Your Highness. Thank you for your concern. Come, I have prepared accommodation for Your Highness and your guards to rest."

"Thank you, commander. We appreciate it."

Hein bowed. He slightly happens to see Zeliker on Xcerox's left. Zeliker was wearing all black attire like a dark warrior. He wondered who this person was since he was close to Xcerox. But, he won't ask and only guess that Zeliker was probably Xcerox personal bodyguard or someone important. However, Zeliker cold eyes attract him to pay attention.

This person is giving me a dangerous vibe… Who exactly is he?

He thought quietly and then lead Xcerox groups to the accommodation he has prepared.

"What a beautiful house..." Zeliker commented because the accommodation was breathtakingly beautiful.

It was a two-storey house with a chimney. The house has a blue roof and a red brick wall. A fountain was located in front of the house. Also, various flowers and plants were decorating its surroundings.

Everyone had climbed off their horses and now stood in front of the house. As for the horses, they have been taken away by Hein's servants to a small ranch nearby for feeding and rest.

Zeliker stared at those flowers and felt his mouth salivating after them. Silvert, who knew what he was thinking, patted his shoulder lightly.

"Please don't pick anything, Zeliker. I will prepare a dessert for you later, 'kay?" He whispered.

Zeliker rolled his eyes at Silvert. "I won't."

Cough… Silvert really has psychic power. How did he know? Well, it's not like I will eat them anyway.

"Zeliker, let's go." Silvert pushes him toward everyone who has entered the house.

Zeliker's eyes widened. Another beautiful scenery was seen inside. Well, he was attracted again to the flowers inside but they seemed to be fake.

"Your Highness's room is this way. And your guard's room has been prepared next to you. The rest can follow my maids." Hein told them.

"I have four bodyguards," Xcerox told him.

"I will add more beds. Is it okay for Your Highness' bodyguards to stay in the same room?

Xcerox nodded. Well, if they think it was crowded, they can just go to sleep in Zeliker and Silvert's mansion. Hein bowed to him before he ordered the maids to add more beds to the room he said. After everything was settled, he left them to let them rest. He will be back to call them for dinner later.

Zeliker laid his body on the only wooden bed in the room. The rest have their bed laid down on the floor by the maids.

"From here, we will reach Karno Town first then a city before reaching the main city where the palace is. We will arrive in three days if nothing is going on then." Gizelis told them.

"I see. This would be our first time reaching deeper into the human kingdom, isn't it, Zeliker?" Silvert turned to Zeliker with a small smile.

"... I want to walk around." Zeliker sat up and looked outside the window.

"Then, shall we have a walk?" Silvert asked.

Zeliker stood up and disappeared in front of them.

"Ah… Are you guys going for a walk or a run?" Nish stares at Silvert.

"Maybe a run…" Silvert then vanishes too.

Gizelis and Nish looked at each other and shrugged. They've been to Lagos City many times. Since they were tasked to protect Xcerox, they can't go anywhere. After putting their stuff in, they went into Xcerox's room.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

Zeliker and Silvert were on top of the wall and no guard noticed them because Silvert had put his dimensional wall around them again. They were seeing the sunset from there.

Zeliker's eyes did not blink while watching the sun slowly go down. Silvert quietly stays beside him. He knows it was Zeliker's first time seeing the sunset peacefully. The sun could not be seen clearly in the demon kingdom and when in war, there's no time to appreciate its beauty. After the sky turns dark, stars can be seen twinkling above them.

Zeliker took a deep breath before letting it go slowly.

"Silvert…"

"Yes?"

"If there's no war, our kingdom should be like this, right?"

"Yes…" Silvert gently stares at his prince. "Do you wish for such a world, Zeliker?"

I do…

Zeliker didn't answer but Silvert knew it.

"Let's go back. I'm famished." Zeliker turned to his back to look toward the Drick Kingdom area.

Just a little more things to do before he can finally find his answers to the questions that he had told Silvert and Gizelis before. The war reasons, the history and his weakness to human blood.

He must find it!

This was the only reason that he was willing to be in this human kingdom. The answer couldn't be found in the entire demon kingdom because he had searched all the royal libraries there when he came to visit the other demon kingdoms. Only the royal libraries could hold many books.

As for the human Kingdoms… He had never reached it so he should be able to find it. Well, he hopes so…

When he and Silvert wanted to leave and return to their room, they were startled by a shout coming from the residential area. Some shadows were running in many directions after breaking a home. Smash of window glass could be heard by them.

Zeliker and Silvert looked at each other. Thief?

"Human guards should be able to arrest them, Zeliker," Silvert said.

He didn't want Zeliker to be involved in these people's problems and reveal his identity. It may cause chaos because he was a demon prince. Zeliker didn't answer. He knows. So, he went back to their room with Silvert. Gizelis and Nish were not there. They sensed them were staying with Xcerox. A moment later, a knock sounded on their door.

"Yes?" Silvert can sense it was a maid.

"Sir, the dinner is ready. Our Lord would like us to guide you to the dining room." The maid told them from outside the door.

"Alright. Thank you."

Silvert opened the door and went out. There was a maid there with long blue hair. Her eyes were dark blue. She was wearing the maid outfit and looked at them nervously. Her fingers were curling beside her dress. Silvert didn't want to scare her and smiled gently at her.

She blushed a little at his smile and looked down. Soon after, Xcerox went out with Gizelis and Nish.

"Ah, you're back. Alright, lead us." Xcerox said to the maid after glancing at Silvert and Zeliker.

The maid bowed before he led them. The dining room was on the right side of the house. The soldiers waited for them and were still standing while bowing at Xcerox once they saw him.

Xcerox nodded at them and still followed the maid to a table that was fancier than the soldiers' table. He didn't see Hein around but his table seems to be for one diner with too many prepared foods. He couldn't finish this alone. So…

"I would like to have my guards eat with me. Prepare their utensils." He ordered the maid.

"Ah, yes! Right away!" She quickly walked away and entered a door attached to it.

Then, several servants and maids appear to bring the utensils and move some chairs prepared around an area of the soldiers' table to the prince's table. Hein wasn't around to order them so, they followed their prince's order instead. The soldiers' tables were rectangular while the prince's tables were round.

The maids there feel worried that the change of place for the guards would make the soldiers become jealous since the guards were supposed to eat with the soldiers. However, they were surprised to see the soldiers were looking admiringly at a young man with wild black hair and black eyes.

Zeliker, who was given a chair, finally sat down. He feels some people stare but ignore them. His focus was on the delicious foods in front of him. Xcerox chuckles from seeing his hungry looks. He then tells everyone to eat.

It wasn't half an hour when Hein arrived. His face was sweating and looked very anxious. He bowed toward Xcerox once he was near.

"My apologies for not being here and accompanying Your Highness to eat. How is the food, Your Highness? If it is not palatable, I can order our cooks to make other dishes." Hein asked Xcerox.

"It's okay, Hein. The meals are delicious. I thank you for your generosity in preparing this. Thank the cook for me for his wonderful skills. By the way, what happened?" Xcerox could see Hein was in some kind of trouble.

"This… It's alright, Your Highness. We can handle this small thing."

But, he looked like he was going to cry…

Zeliker thought quietly. He glances at Xcerox who notices his gaze and silent inquiry.

"Tell me. This is an order." Xcerox said to Hein.

Hein couldn't hide it anymore. He really doesn't want to involve the prince since they were on an important mission. This problem was his to solve but…

"A moment ago, some people broke into my house and stole the authoritative document that should be sent out to the palace tomorrow. It has details on the movement of the Entenoa Kingdom." Hein explained with a guilty expression.

"What?! That document is very important! How can you lose it?!" Xcerox barked while standing up.

Hein quickly kneeled in front of him. "Please forgive me, Your Highness! I was distracted!"

Seeing Hein kneeled on the floor, his people quickly went down as well. Their heads lower with anxiety and fear expressions.

"Why are you distracted then?!"

"My, My wife and baby were threatened! And, And my baby was brought away by them!" Hein answered in anguish.

He failed to protect his family and his child. He even lost an important document to the enemies. He felt that he had failed as a father and a commander to his people.

Xcerox and the others were shocked to hear it. Zeliker's eyes snapped red. Such a kidnapping to a newborn baby was unforgivable and was the highest crime. Even in the demon kingdom, it was unforgivable.

"Silvert!" Zeliker grit his teeth.

"Understood!"

"Wait!"

Xcerox couldn't stop the two in time and they vanished from there immediately. He let out a sigh before he turned back to Hein.

"Hein, you are very lucky."

Huh? Hein was confused.

"The two guards who left me… They were very strong. You can return home and stay there. Tell your wife to not worry anymore. My guards will bring back your child and return with the documents."

"Re-Really, Your Highness…?" Hein still feels hard to believe.

This was his first child. Anything that happened to him would break him.

"Go back and wait for your baby to return. You better tighten the security again."

"Ye, Yes sir!"

Hein finally left and Xcerox went to stand outside the house. He waits there along with Gizelis, Nish and his soldiers. The rescues might take a while and he believes Zeliker and Silvert can do it successfully.