Supreme Magus novel Chapter 2336

"To answer your question, Thrud is going to the White Griffon because that way she can get rid of all the Royal artifacts and so much more." Meron said.

"I'm sorry, I don't follow." Lith said while Kamila poured him some coffee.

"Understandable. I'd be as confused as you are if we hadn't just finished deciphering the blueprints of the Golden Griffon's power core." Meron pulled out the documents that Lith and Vladion had provided after their raid of the lost academy.

"You see, we have finally understood what those unknown runes do. Their purpose is not only to allow the Golden Griffon to interact with the Royal Array that connected the six great academies, but also to rebuild it after taking the White Griffon's place."

"Wait. Are you telling me that destroying the White Griffon isn't a mere act of spite toward me and Vastor?" Lith spat out his coffee. "Weren't those runes simply meant to grant the Golden Griffon the ability to move on its own?"

"No to both." Meron replied. "Their purpose is to create a new Royal Array based on the Unwavering Loyalty array. Once the White Griffon is eradicated and the Golden Griffon takes its place, Arthan's Royal Array will encompass the other five great academies.

"Thrud will become their master as well and with five more mage towers at her service, she'll have all the power she needs to conquer Valeron and kill whoever stands on her path. This is our last occasion to stop her.

"Failure means death or enslavement, there is no third option. Can the Crown count on its Supreme Magus?" For the first time since their deal, Meron was asking instead of ordering Lith.

The King knew that no one could stop Lith from running away to the Desert or the Empire but Lith himself.

"You can." Lith nodded. "Just one question. Are we going to merely slow Thrud down or do we have a chance of victory?"

"I'm sending my wife there as we speak. I'd come as well but with my health, I'd just be a burden for her. Does this answer your question?" Meron replied.

"It does. I'll be there shortly."

"Take your time to say your goodbyes, but do not delay. Meron out." The King turned off the amulet and looked at Queen Sylpha.

She was wearing the Saefel Armor while the Saefel Sword was hanging from her hip.

"I'm so sorry. That should be me inside the armor."

"Don't be foolish." She couldn't risk her long hair bothering her during the fight so she fixed them into a tight bun secured by an enchanted pin. "If we have a chance at destroying the lost academy it's thanks to your sacrifice.

"You paid dearly to ensure Verhen's immunity to the slave array. Now it's my turn."

"But only I carry Valeron's blood! Your imprint is secondary. What if the Saefel set doesn't activate for you?" Meron asked.

"I refuse to believe that Valeron and Saefel were this stupid." Sylpha shook her head. "I may not carry Valeron's blood, but I carry his will. It has to be enough."

She thumped her fist on the armor's breastplate, right on the heart.

"Maybe and maybe not." Meron took the small knife that he carried on his waist and cut deeply into his palm.

It bled profusely and the King spread it over the helm, the breastplate, and along the entire length of the blade. It was the ancient Ritual of Blood, dating back to the King who had succeeded Valeron.

According to the legend, the First King had created the Ritual in order to allow the spouses of his descendants to tap into the true power of the Saefel set. The problem was that until that moment, no King or Queen had ever fallen ill.

Valeron's descendants would always face a threat themselves so the Ritual had never been put into practice and its workings were unknown.