"Emergency! We have just received news that another village has been decimated now! We have received news that there are no survivors present on the site of the massacre. Any and all witnesses have been incinerated, with only trace amounts of ash left present. This is the 5th village to be attacked this year..."
Hearing this ominous news, Duncan scrunched his eyes. Weird...mom should've told me this by now. Hell, the people should be panicking right now, not this boisterous parade that's happening all across the city! I'd better ask the news reporter exactly what's going on now...
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Shouting at the top of her lungs, Pippin drew a deep breath. Haaah...this makes it the fifth village to disappear this year. What on Earadun is happening here?! Her Majesty has not yet announced this as of late...
What will happen to the people of Folicia?
Gripping her arms, Pippin's eyes gleamed in delight, for she believed, she knew, that this was a humongous scoop. If she handles it properly, she could become the greatest Pixie reporter the world has ever known. And I'd rub it in your faces, you bunch of poshy upstarts!
Just imagining them grovelling at her feet filled her mind with pure ecstasy. Oh, I can't wa– Hey, who's blocking the light!?
"Hey, get out of my way! Can't you see that you're blo..."
Suddenly, a 6-foot, rough and tough-looking Elf blocked her way. Hisbgave angry, she nearly crapped her pants at the sight of the intimidating Elf. "Wh-what can I do for you sir?"
"Hey kid, is the news you said true?"
Though his voice was soft, it held an unmistakable tone of authority. She nearly knelt at his feet, face flushing. The only reason she didn't was because a huge hand held her up, causing her to remain standing.
"Y-yes, your majesty. I'll tell everything I've heard so far. This is the truth, and nothing but the truth..."
Pippin began telling the mysterious man, Duncan, what she had heard so far regarding the raids on the villages. As he listened more and more, his expression grew graver, for he understood the gravity of the situation.
Without hesitation, he dropped off the poor Fairy, her hair dishevelled and eyes dizzy, on the floor, running back to the Palace.
Why have you kept this quiet mother...
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Barging into the throne room, he was met with his mother, Celestine, and an uncloaked Titus, sitting on a bench, seemingly catching up with old times. "...and when he held the rose, he forgot that there was a bee in it! Ahahahah! Can you believe it, his lips were- Oh, hey there Dunky poo~ How's it goi-"
"You old hag, why didn't you tell me that 5 villages were decimated this year, with NO survivors!? I may not be here any more, but I AM an Elf, and to add to it, also royalty! So tell me, what's going on!?"
His face bright red in anger, Duncan lashed out at his mother, angry that his mother had decided to hide the fact that many Elves had been killed, and possibly snatched from their land.
At this statement, Celestine's jovial atmosphere vanished, replaced with sharp eyes and a grave expression. "I know exactly what's going on, but I decided not to reveal this to the public, because after the first village was raided, we found traces of magic being dispelled, along with tiny fragments of long Cupor strips. This has led to the nobles declaring this as confidential, for if it's revealed that the Demons had invaded Folicia..."
Trailing off, Duncan realised what she was saying was right. Damn, I'm really not suited for politics...
Holding his head high, Duncan asked her, "So, what're you gonna do? Someone needs to investigate the scene, and if you're not gonna send anyone, who's gonna do it? Us...?"
Laughing at the notion that her hands were tied due to 'not jeopardising the public security', he began laughing in despondance, unable to belive that because of fucking beauracracy, his people were being slaughtered left and right. Goddess damn politics...
Just as he was about to pound the table in frustration, he realised that his mother was quiet. Looking up slowly, he found her contemplating his 'offer'. Oh no you won't...
"Hey, I've got a wonderful offer! In exchange for-"
"Oh Hell no!"