Reborn as the Genius Son of the Richest Family

Chapter 512: Commotion in the palace

Deep in the night, just a few hours before Michael finally opened his soda business now called ’Rebirth Dew’, something was stirring inside the Duchess’ castle.

The usually calm night of Metropolis was now replaced by frantic running and shouting from the guards. Even when it was time for the horses to go to sleep, there were still carriages coming in and out of the castle plateau as if something big was occurring in the palace.

The Duchess’ Secret Service tried their hardest to keep the noise to a minimum. They deployed all sorts of illusions within the castle walls, intending to obscure anyone from peering through. Meanwhile, the innocent civilians who were awoken from the sounds of soldiers marching in the night were given the excuse that it was simply a military exercise.

But of course, some of the eagle-eyed members of Metropolis were able to see from far away that something big was happening inside the royal walls.

Alaric looked out of his window towards the castle in the distance. His eyes were piercing yet gentle, confused yet discerning.

”What do you think it means?” Perseus asked from the corner of the room. As expected of Alaric’s right-hand-man, he was immediately alerted of what was happening. ”The soldiers are deployed. Do you think the Duchess was attacked or something?”

Alaric shook his head. ”No. If the Duchess’ life was in danger, bells would be ringing and the royal family would ask for help from the other Major Factions.

This...this is different. It looks like they’re caught off-guard and are trying to catch up. They’re in a hurry. As for what, I don’t know.”

Perseus nodded. ”I’ll have our informants try to find out as much as we can.”

...

...

...

Meanwhile, inside the Magic Tower, the wizards of the Guild of Arcana were once again gathered at the top floor to have an emergency meeting.

This time though, it wasn’t about a supremely talented boy who was full of surprises. This time, they were talking about the abnormal movement in the Duchess’ palace.

Such a large illusion spell around the castle walls was easily discernible to the likes of these senior wizards.

”Tower Master, should we send a representative to the royal family? We should have the proper authority to have them tell us the truth.”

The Tower Master shook his head. ”If they wanted us there, they would have called us first. If they wanted complete and total privacy, they would have asked me to create their illusion spell. We wouldn’t even be talking about a commotion right now if I did it.

The fact that they didn’t ask for me means that the matter is of extreme secrecy that even I am not privy to.”

The other mages turned silent.

They could use their magic to peer through the veil and find out the truth through brute force, but that would sully their relationship with the Duchess. It was not worth it.

”I have a feeling that we’ll find out about it soon enough,” the Tower Master said, closing his eyes.

It was at that moment that the door to their room burst open, and another senior member of the wizard group came inside in a haste.

”There’s been a development, Tower Master! The spell that you cast all over Metropolis worked. We were able to see other abnormalities in movement.”

”And?”

The exhausted wizard gulped. ”It seems that Barnaby Stinson was personally asked by the Duchess to visit her castle at this very moment. He is on the way there now as we speak, guarded by her Secret Service.”

The Tower Master leaned on the table, with his hands clasped together in thought.

”This is about the auction,” he realized.

The Duchess worked so hard to keep the commotion a secret that even the Magic Tower was not given any information. Yet Barnaby was invited inside. This was no coincidence, given that the auction was only a few weeks away from happening.

...

...

...

On the other side of the castle, the Knightly Court experienced a similar explosion of activity as the Magic Tower.

The senior Knights were immediately alerted from the sound of soldiers marching deep into the night. They awoke and immediately reported to their superior’s quarters. If there was anyone who knew what was happening, then it would be Kruger, the Heavenly Knight.

However, no matter how many times they knocked on his door, no one answered.

Eventually, they forced themselves inside and found no one around. Kruger was gone. Immediately, they knew that Kruger had gone to figure out what was happening by himself.

And it wasn’t until half an hour later that the Knights felt the reassuring presence of the Heavenly Knight appear right back in his quarters.

They entered his abode, seeing him standing by the window.

”Sire Kruger! Our Knights and Squires have been scrambling to find more information about the commotion. We need your direction, Sire!”

Kruger nodded. ”Do not worry. I only left because I finally felt their presence in the Royal Continent.”

”They, sire?”

”The foreigners,” Kruger clarified. ”I felt the beat of the Wyverns’ wings touch down upon our soil. They have arrived.”

...

...

...

Meanwhile, back in their headquarters in Main Street, Michael was sleeping peacefully when all of a sudden, he felt a heavy object bounce on his chest.

”Master! Master!”

He opened his eyes and saw Fudge, in his rogue ninja attire, bouncing on his chest and trying hard to wake him up. Fudge looked like he was dying to tell him something.

”What’s wrong?”

”Master! I just found out some really bad news.”

Michael sat up. ”What is it?”

”I was just doing my business, you know, surveying Metropolis, when all of a sudden, I heard soldiers and guards marching in the Duchess’ palace!

Master, I know that I wasn’t supposed to be spying on them, but I couldn’t help it!

I also saw Barnaby there, so I went into his shadow and eavesdropped on their conversation.!”

Michael used his Supreme Skill and was able to see the large illusion spell on the castle itself. It was actually an 8-star spell, which would have fooled most people.

With how much the Duchess was trying to hide it, he was actually surprised that Fudge was able to eavesdrop on their conversation without being caught by her Secret Service.

”What did they talk about?”

”The Duchess said that some of the tourists arrived here ahead of schedule and that they have decided to participate in Barnaby’s auction! Because of that, Barnaby was pressured by the Duchess to hold the auction earlier than expected!”

Michael frowned. This wasn’t good because he still hadn’t got the ranking needed to enter the auction.

It’s okay, Michael consoled himself. My estimation for our sales will give us enough sales to increase the ranking.

The best case scenario was that the auction would be held a week from now. He was confident his soda would catch on with the general public.

As for the worst case scenario, he didn’t want to think of it. He had a bad feeling.

”When?”

Fudge then jumped on top of his head. ”At the same time that the Duchess’ guests will arrive. Tonight.”