Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

In the end, Branden truly didn't receive permission to do some spy work and collect intel. Still, that kind of thing was only obvious considering his position and how many envied him.

At that point in time, it should be obvious that all of the noble houses had spies who worked in the territory of their adversaries. If the king didn't know that, he was more stupid than Rain had assumed. Perhaps staying hidden in his castle made him lose some brain cells.

"Your Majesty, I won't deny that I had some people working for me to gather such information, but I was only trying to find those who tried to stop the peace talks with the magic people," Branden explained. "They used anti-magic bombs against my subordinates. That kind of tool is extremely dangerous and can engulf our country in the chaos of war once again."

"I am well aware of that substance; we decided to make use of it to enhance our defenses and for the sake of the future," The king declared.

As Branden, Orcis, and Lorene absorbed the king's proclamation, a profound shock swept through them like a frigid gust of wind. The recent losses from a terrible war were still fresh in their memories, and they were taken aback by the revelation that their king was actively preparing for yet another conflict.

The gravity of this disclosure weighed heavily on their minds, their expressions reflecting a blend of astonishment, fear, and deep concern.

Branden maintained a composed exterior that masked the turmoil within him. Memories of the last war haunted his thoughts, making the prospect of a new one almost unbearable.

Orcis found himself trembling with a mixture of confusion and uneasiness. The mere suggestion that the king might consider deploying anti-magic bombs, weapons with the potential to ignite a war with the sea folk and the magic folk, left him in a state of disbelief.

Lorene eyes widened, revealing a blend of astonishment and apprehension. Her lips parted as if she were about to voice her concerns, yet she found herself at a loss for words. She had always championed diplomatic solutions and the pursuit of peace, but now it seemed that their own ruler was veering toward a path of aggression.

Kneeling before the king in the tense throne room, their collective unease seemed to permeate the air. They grasped the precipice on which they stood, acutely aware of the impending and potentially devastating conflict they would need to navigate while remaining committed to their principles of peace and justice.

As Branden looked around in confusion, his attention was drawn to two approaching figures, each with an unsettling demeanor. Revan, the commander of the royal guard, exuded an air of authority. He seemed to view Branden's predicament as nothing out of the ordinary, and a smug satisfaction played across his face.

Revan had a reputation for ambition and a willingness to spark conflicts to increase his influence even more.

On the other side, Joanis who had spent decades carefully scheming and plotting behind the scenes. A subtle, self-satisfied smile graced his lips as he observed Branden's vulnerable situation. Joanis relished the chance to capitalize on this moment, believing it to be the culmination of his long-term efforts.

In this pivotal moment, Branden realized that not only did he face external threats, but internal ones also saw his misfortune as an opportunity. It was a clear reminder of the political dangers he navigated.

"Your Majesty… We all lost a lot thanks to those conflicts," Branden said. "We all have our own darkness thanks to the things that we lost during those periods. The traitor that caused the death of my grandparents and my father still is out there, ignoring those who caused all those losses so that our country could have some peace… Please reconsider this approach."

"Until your loyalty is confirmed, you will have to abstain from voicing your opinions on such a matter," The king said. "Several members of the king's blade revealed to me that you told them to spy on several lords. Do you deny that?"

"I don't deny it, Your Majesty," Branden replied.

"Were you planning to invade lord Joanis residence in order to capture him?" The king asked.

"I was planning to question him since I am one of my informants told me that he was threatened that if he were to spy on lord Joanis, he would lose his head," Branden replied.

"Did he hear that threat directly from lord Joanis or someone associated with him?" The king asked.

"No, he received a letter, but it is obvious who was the only person who would benefit from it," Branden said.

"It seems that you don't have concrete proof of it, Branden, and yet, some of your men told me that your intentions seem unclear," the king said.

At that point in time, everyone knew that the king was either stupid or playing dumb… it was weird that he was so quick to throw away someone as famous and influential as Branden so quickly. Still, Rain knew that war heroes were only mass murderers in times of peace. Still, the king should know that he would lose a lot of military power if he were to dispose of Branden or lock him up.

At that moment… something clicked in Rain's mind. He recalled the weird and suspicious feeling that he had when the king gave the organization a name. Now, he could change the head of the organization, and if people try to leave it, they will essentially become adventurers and mercenaries again.

Losing their titles as knights will make life a lot harder for them. There were many benefits that came with that title… for one, they could easily buy residences in the capital, and they would have priority over others from outside. For another, the pay was much higher now than before.

Privileges, fame, money… they had it all… once they got used to all that, it would be hard to let it go.