Supreme Magus novel Chapter 2120

Chapter 2120 Four is a Party (Part 4)

Caltem froze in a shocked expression for a split second before managing to regain his cool.

"Lady Graham, do you mind if I speak with mage Dimrus for a minute? As a student of one of the great academies, he can use an honest merchant who'll provide him with everything he needs for his future labs." He said.

"I'll make him the same deal my father made yours. If he finds anyone else selling magical goods of my same quality at a lower price, I'll refund him the difference."

"You are a very lucky man, Mage Dimrus." Lady Graham said with a chuckle. "Mister Caltem may not be very famous, but he's a man of his word and he can provide you ingredients that most merchants don't see their entire lives."

'That's because the Undead Courts send him to deal personally only with the families they want to recruit and most of his "goods" are either from the black market or stolen, you dumb woman.' Dusk thought.

'Remember Kelia, if a deal is too good to be true, it's a con or a set-up. That or you've lucked out and met a moron.'

"Thanks for your time, Mister Caltem, and for your kind words, Lady Graham. I think I'll follow your advice." Dusk gave her a small bow and after bidding the woman goodbye he moved to the third floor with Caltem and the hybrids.

The moment the curtain of the VIP room was shut and the spells confirmed that the area was secure, the merchant fell to his knees with his head stuck on the ground.

"My Lord, is that really you? I heard you were gone." He asked with a quivering voice. "First that fool Narchat stole your Court and now that madwoman keeps everyone on a tight leash. Where have you been all this time and how could you let that happen?"

"Yes, it is me, the Red Sun, Caltem." Dusk sat on the nearest chair, leaving the hybrids standing and the man groveling. "I owe no explanation to the likes of you. You'd better keep it in mind during the rest of our conversation, or I'll make you."

At a snap of his fingers, the hybrids released a spark of their aura. Dusk couldn't afford to show how weak he had become but a regular man like Caltem had no way to pinpoint the source of a mana surge.

All the merchant could feel was its intensity and it was enough to make his heart skip several beats and his lungs stop until they started to burn. To him, Dusk had somehow even gotten stronger than before during his brief absence.

"Yes, my liege." Caltem said with what breath he had left.

"Good." The Red Sun nodded and the Abominations reeled in their auras again. "In time, I'll take over the Dusk Court again, and from there the other two as well. My sister Dawn is no longer interested in her role and Night has proven to be too crazy.

"If Thrud hadn't stopped her, I would have done it myself. Yet by besting my mad sister, the even Madder Queen revealed to be a threat that I cannot ignore before rising to power again. Do you understand me, Caltem?"

"Yes, o Hushed King." The merchant hit the floor with his forehead in submission, using the title that belonged to the founder and only rightful ruler of the Dusk Court.

"There are rumors about how at the beginning of his reign, the Dead King established three safe houses. The Pleasure Palace, where he would keep his concubines and he would pick his Chosen among the followers.

"No one but those who had the Dead King's complete trust visited it and lived to tell the tale. It's supposed to be here, in Xaanth.

"The second is the Treasure Palace, where he stored all the riches that he received as tributes from the Undead Courts and those that he simply stole from whoever became the target of his envy. It should be located near the city of Rhya."