FALLEN ORACLE

**Chapter 7: Sudden Changes (4)**

The three continued toward the manor until they were stopped at the ornate iron gate by two of the Kingdom's soldiers.Phil didn't dismount. He simply pulled out the ring pouch bearing his family crest, and the soldiers immediately stepped aside.One of them said respectfully, "So it's the young general. Forgive us. The general is inside the main building.""Wow, Carl's place is huge," Mendes marveled as he rode in.The Sedek manor was about twice the size of Rongqi Academy. High walls enclosed a sprawling, garden-like estate.Riding along the granite-paved path, they passed sculptures that shared a unified artistic style yet each had its own character.Several Gothic-style buildings of unknown purpose drew exclamations from Chen Yi and Mendes."Those are probably for the servants," Chen Yi remarked.Phil said helplessly, "Focus on the matter at hand. Unless we can persuade my father and his army to leave, the servants won't be coming back anyway."Arriving before the grand main building, they dismounted. After identifying themselves to the guards, Phil led the other two inside.The weather was gray, and the interior felt gloomy. Their solitary footsteps echoed through the empty corridors. Chen Yi could imagine how lively it must be here on ordinary days, with candles lit and voices buzzing.They reached a hall-like room. As the guards pulled open the massive fan-shaped doors, they saw General Tros, the hero of the Kingdom of Klem, seated at the far end of a long table.He held a goblet in his hand, apparently savoring some wine."Phil, you're here. And these two are your classmates?" General Tros spoke without rising or taking his eyes off his wine glass."Yes, Father," Phil said respectfully.Mendes corrected, "Actually, General, I'm already a junior professor.""Hmm. Young and accomplished." The general seemed mildly interested in Mendes, but not enough to shift his gaze.Chen Yi spoke up. "Carl once took Phil and me to try Dreamweed Cider near the academy. But he said the taste wasn't quite the same as at home. General, do you detect a milky note in this wine?"This finally made General Tros lift his head. "So you're Chen Yi. I've heard about you from Phil—the unfulfilled genius, the oldest intermediate trainee. Phil, why haven't you introduced me to this generous classmate of yours named Carl?"Chen Yi thought to himself: *No wonder Phil's father is a seasoned veteran. Even though Mendes and I have done our best to maintain our composure, we're still being overpowered by his presence.*"Father, would you consider a ceasefire and negotiation?" Phil realized he needed to say something."What? For the sake of your precious friendship?""Then what is it you want?" Chen Yi probed carefully."Can a genius intermediate trainee provide what I want?""You can tell me.""Since you're called a genius, I believe you can guess. If you can't, then please go back."Chen Yi couldn't guess. Under these circumstances, he couldn't read the general's mind—even if he knew how, which he didn't."General, I'll be blunt. I want to see the Duke," Chen Yi requested."What makes you think His Grace the Duke would want to see you?""Because after I see him, I'll introduce you to that generous classmate, Carl. With his guidance, you should be able to appreciate the wine here more efficiently." Chen Yi gave an ingratiating smile.The general raised an eyebrow, apparently surprised that Chen Yi seemed willing to betray his friend."Why would Carl want to meet me?" the general asked."Because we're his best friends. With our introduction, he'd certainly be willing to get to know you," Mendes said, catching on to Chen Yi's meaning.After all, they were just ordinary mages. Their only bargaining chip in negotiating with this powerful general was Carl.General Tros drained his goblet in one gulp and stood up. "Very well. I'll let you see the Duke. For security, my men will stay with you to ensure your safety."---Three-quarters of an hour later, Chen Yi met the once-high-and-mighty Duke Sedek in a musty cellar.His usually neatly trimmed beard had grown wild. The rusty shackles on his wrists and ankles looked like they had been improvised on the spot.Fortunately, there were no visible wounds. Apparently General Tros understood the wisdom of "leaving a way out for future meetings."Under the "protection" of several capable Kingdom warriors and a Psionic mage, Chen Yi asked, "Your Grace, I'm a classmate of Carl. To reach a satisfactory outcome for both sides, I have to ask you a few questions."Hearing a voice, the Duke wearily opened his eyes but didn't answer.Chen Yi pressed on regardless. "From the time you discovered the staves in the mine until the Kingdom's army attacked, how long was the interval?""Seven days." The answer was short but useful.Duke Sedek was also a shrewd man. He immediately sensed that this person claiming to be Carl's classmate had spotted the crux of the problem.*Things couldn't get any worse. Might as well see what this young man can do.*"Second question: among those who knew about the staves, who do you think could have leaked the information?"That question was precisely the one the Duke himself couldn't figure out."No one could have leaked it," Duke Sedek answered truthfully. "All the people in the know are my trusted confidants. Right after the discovery, they were temporarily isolated inside the mine—no way to contact the outside. The only messages I sent were delivered by my personal couriers: one to Carl, one to the King. Neither of those couriers would ever betray me.""So according to you, it must have been me, reading Carl's letter and betraying him?" Phil said."Phil, don't jump." Chen Yi shook his head. "On the way here, Carl told me that on the first day of the war, your mage force was quickly routed. I'd like to know why.""I can only say it was bad luck. My strongest wizard, the commander of the mage corps—Leo—was killed by enemy magic at the very start.""Did this Leo know about the staves?""Of course. I had originally planned to have him assist Carl in cataloging them.""Then in the days before the war, did you see him?""I was swamped with work—no, I didn't see him. Wait, are you suspecting Leo? Young man, I can only tell you that's impossible. Leo was my most loyal subordinate. He would never betray me. Besides, he was isolated as well—there was no way for him to send a message."Chen Yi bowed. "Very well, Your Grace. Thank you for your cooperation. I have no more questions.""You've asked all your questions. Now tell me—what exactly are you trying to do?""All I can tell you is that Carl is safe. As for what I'm trying to do, I'm afraid I can't say."The Duke, now a prisoner, wisely stopped pressing.Then he noticed the distinctive pattern on the magic ring on Chen Yi's left index finger. He caught himself staring at his own empty left hand.Clearly, fate was no longer in his control.