Finding The Traitor

Amanda agreed, but she wanted to freshen up and rest before explaining everything.

Bernard understood and prepared to escort her back home while everyone else dispersed to their own homes.

Michael was preparing to leave when Amanda grabbed his hand firmly. "Did you think you could just leave after saving everyone, including me? I'll make sure my parents reward you with anything you want!" Amanda exclaimed earnestly.

Bernard was astonished to see the princess interacting with another child her age, especially holding his hand.

As they walked, Bernard discreetly glanced at Michael, watching for any signs of ulterior motives. If he detected any, he wouldn't hesitate to leave Michael behind to protect the princess, even if it meant she might resent him for it.

"Could you stop squeezing my hand?" Michael requested.

Amanda loosened her grip and smiled. "Oh, sorry. I was just really excited to show you everything!" She beamed with joy.

Bernard tapped Michael on the shoulder. "What's your name?" he asked.

Before Michael could answer, Amanda spoke up. "I forgot to introduce you both. Bernard, this is Michael, my best friend. Michael, this is Bernard, my personal knight," she said, introducing them to each other.

Michael observed Bernard and remarked, "Your personal knight, you say? Where were you when she got kidnapped?"

Bernard sighed heavily. "I'm ashamed to say that I was just outside her room. I failed in my duty as her protector," he admitted with disappointment in his voice.

Amanda bit her lip, knowing that Bernard would blame himself for not catching the bandits, no matter how many times she forgave him.

"You're an incompetent knight if you didn't hear any noise from outside. You don't deserve to be protecting her. Or is it possible that you were the one who hired the bandits? Maybe you didn't like how you were treated, so you wanted to make a fortune by selling the Princess," Michael said sharply.

Bernard's aura overwhelmed everyone present, paralyzing the soldiers and even Amanda with fear.

"I'll allow you to blame me and even call me incompetent, but I will not allow you to suggest that I orchestrated such an event!" Bernard's voice was firm, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

Michael glared at Bernard, his own aura intensifying and clashing with Bernard's, creating an overwhelming pressure that affected those around them.

"Ill warn you this time, but if you draw that sword on me, your head will be rolling before you know what happened." Michael said, his voice blood curling and sinister.

Bernard felt overwhelmed as Michael's intense aura enveloped him. His arm and body trembled, and it seemed as though Michael's gaze was piercing deep into his soul.

From Michael's perspective, Bernard seemed to slowly transform into a monstrous figure, surrounded by an atmosphere reminiscent of the depths of Hell.

"Please, both of you, stop!" Amanda exclaimed, finally regaining her strength.

"I'm sorry, I lost control for a moment," Michael said, regaining his composure.

Bernard also apologized, still trembling from Michael's dreadful aura. He began to wonder where such a child had come from.

The walk to the palace was quiet, with not a word spoken after the tense encounter.

A few minutes later, they arrived in front of the palace gates. The guards noticed the group and allowed them to enter.

"Hey, didn't that girl look familiar?"

"Now that you mention it, she looked exactly like the…"

"The Princess!!"

Soon after, word spread across the kingdom that the Princess had returned. Inside the throne room, the king and queen embraced each other upon hearing Bernard's report.

"Oh, our baby is back!" The queen wept as she hugged her husband.

"Bernard, please bring that child down here, this Michael," the king said, his tone commanding yet composed.

"Of course, your majesty! I must warn you, however, this child is unlike anyone I've seen before. He's extremely dangerous," Bernard cautioned.

The king raised an eyebrow. "Dangerous? Didn't you say he was Amanda's age?" he asked.

"Yes, but his mind is far more developed. He speaks and thinks like someone with many years of experience. I had a small... dispute with him and even now I'm still shivering from the look in his eyes," Bernard revealed, shocking both the king and queen.

Although Bernard wasn't the strongest guard, he was quite powerful. So to hear him express fear of a child the same age as their daughter was truly surprising.

Bernard departed promptly to locate Michael, who was currently situated in a guest room, surreptitiously listening in on conversations within the palace using his abilities.

He engaged in this activity to identify the traitor who had betrayed the Princess, anticipating that the individual would likely be in a state of panic now that she had returned unharmed.

As anticipated, he heard the sounds of glass shattering and objects being thrown across the room. "Those lowly bandits couldn't even manage one simple job!"

Michael's Force stats were unfortunately too low, limiting him to enhancing only his hearing to eavesdrop on the traitor. Otherwise, he could have seen the culprit in perfect view.

His concentration was abruptly broken when Bernard barged inside. "His Majesty wishes to speak to you," Bernard announced.

Michael nodded and followed Bernard to a vast room dominated by a large round table, the centerpiece of the otherwise empty space.

He took a seat opposite the king and queen, with Bernard positioned behind him, blocking the door.

'An interrogation.' Michael sighed inwardly.

"Welcome, young man," the king began, his voice calm but authoritative.

"I would like to hear a detailed account of what transpired with the bandits and how you were able to escape," the king inquired.

For the next couple of hours, Michael provided a thorough account of the events with the bandits and explaining his abilities. Initially skeptical about a six-year-old being a mage, the king, queen, and Bernard were compelled to believe Michael after witnessing a demonstration of his powers.

"I see," the king said, pausing before continuing, "As a token of gratitude for saving my daughter, I offer you a reward. Name your request, and if it is within my power to grant, it shall be yours."

Michael didn't hesitate. "I want a book that details everything about Aurelia," he said, surprising the king with his choice.

"That's all? You don't want any gold or medals of honor?" The king said, clearly puzzled by Michael's request for a book.

Michael nodded in response, and the king sighed before agreeing to grant his wish. Just as he was about to command Bernard to search for the book, someone entered the room.

An elderly man with a fat build entered the room, standing at 147 cm tall. He had a bald head, a huge nose, and a gray beard that contrasted with his pale complexion.

"I apologize for my tardiness, Your Majesty. I was caught up with some very dire matters," he said, bowing before the king and queen.

Michael had a huge grin on his face upon hearing the old man's voice. 'The snake has finally showed its head!'