Alice & Alicia: Religious Twin Daughter

Chapter 006: Malice vi Alverio

"Since long ago, the Magic Tower had already held a grudge against the Pearl Palace," Anna replied without the slightest hesitation, “We found this robe not far from where the princess allegedly disappeared. So, we suspect—”

"What!?" derrick exclaimed cutting off the girl's explanation, "You mean, the Magic Tower is behind this case?"

"It is possible, Your Majesty. We suspect that they were the ones who had kidnapped the princess,” explained Anna who then took out another item from her pocket, “Unfortunately, we couldn't find much evidence other than these things. It's very difficult to get close to the Witch Tower now. For some reason, they shut themselves down two months ago,"

The thing Anna put out was a pocket-sized black book. As Derrick read the passage Anna showed, his hand immediately trembled furiously. He almost tore up the book.

It is written that every generation of the successors of the Kingdom of el Vierum must sacrifice for the survival of the kingdom. The only victim received was a virgin girl bleeding from the royal family. It was a condition that the Magic Tower requested when it signed a pact with the el Vierum Family hundreds of years ago.

"Could it be that my uncle and cousin are also involved here?" murmured Derrick furiously, "They intend to sacrifice Alice for this absurd thing?

“We cannot accuse recklessly without evidence, Your Majesty. In addition, the possibility of the princess is still alive is also back open,” Anna said in a calm tone, “We must move carefully to investigate the matter. The Magic Tower had a great influence on the kingdom. If you make a wrong move, Ducy vi Alverio will be labeled as a rebel.”

"You're right," Derrick pushed back his anger. The young duke had already intended to exterminate the Magic Tower just now. He did not even hesitate to fight the El Vierum Family if they were really involved in this incident, "Our observation was more thorough. We'll act when the evidence has actually been found."

"Okay, Your Majesty," Anna replied softly.

A month later, Anna turned to Derrick. The girl from the Saville Family submitted her resignation. He received a call from his family to return to his home country. There is another task waiting for him there.

“How about your responsibility?” derrick asked increasingly disappointed at the performance of Anna Saville, even though she was a talented girl who could be relied upon in any situation.

“Our investigation result is back nil. Magic Tower is not accessible. The Royal Family of el Vierum was reluctant to cooperate further,” explained Anna with a flat face. Behind its deep blue eyes lies a great secret that Derrick vi Alverio could never have imagined.

“Alright,” reply Derrick resigned. He has no right to arrest Anna.

The faithfulness of the girl is not to the Kingdom of el Vierum or the Family vi Alverio, but to Alice vi Alverio, daughter of Evianna el Vierum. When the princess leaves, she will leave. There was nothing else he could do to help the Young Duke vi Alverio.

On the other hand, Solid van Denburg faces Derrick. He who has just recovered does not waste much time in the territory of his family. His high sense of responsibility as a knight thrashed. The brunette youth came with determination in his heart.

"I'll keep looking for the princess" Solid said as Derrick disbanded the search team, "I swear I won't be back until I find a clue regarding the princess."

"Do as you please" Derrick replied unconcernedly.

“You don't have to worry, Mr. Duke—”

Not finished Solid speech, Derrick has already cut, “Just do as you like. We will thank you if you can indeed bring information about my sister.”

For months, the second son of Marquez van Denburg wandered in the wilds of the Kaskas Forest.  Solid forge themselves and continue to persevere to keep his vows. Armed with the knowledge he has, he survives in the wilds of the Kaskas Forest are fierce and creepy.

“The investigation this time also failed,” reported James Smith in the winter of that year, “However, there is information we got regarding the Magic Tower and the Royal Family.”

“Say!” derrick said that actually never stopped investigating the case that befell his sister. He secretly continues to dig up information from the remains of Anna's investigation. In addition, Young Duke vi Alverio also increased his military strength to prepare against the Kingdom of el Vierum.

“It seems, the Magic Tower is in chaos. We confirm that Voxnus Audrey has been killed,” reports James, the Chief Servant who has always been loyal to the Family vi Alverio. “Nana Magansei is trying to control the witches there, while Charlotte de Vool will reportedly be appointed as the new Crown Princess el Vierum.”

“It hasn't even been a year since Alice disappeared,” muttered Derrick annoyed, “James, how are the knights preparing?”

“Knight Vi Alverio troops continue to recruit since the territory closed,” said James alluded to the policy of Ducy vi Alverio who lockdown a month after the disbandment of the Alice search team. This of course will hurt the ducy economy. But they have a way of surviving.

“Trade and supply from Kingdom el Grandia is still ongoing. Thankfully the trade union was able to handle it well,” Derrick said after hearing the concerns of his butler. “Don't until another union comes in. We will only trade with them according to the agreement.”

“What if the union deceives us and cooperates with the enemy?” asked James can not get rid of his anxiety, “It is very risky if we transact with one union only.”

“Patience, James,” pinta Duke Young vi Alverio, “Now, we will start carrying out his plan.”

“Please do not be rash,” said James still worried, “You can reopen the region as if nothing happened. The Royal Family el Vierum is not an easy opponent, let alone with the nobles who follow him.”

“The nobles are pragmatic,” said Derrick vi Alverio, “They will not help if they do not benefit. Grandma is on our side. He already promised to help.”

“Suri el Vierum's mother and van Ryvat's family have been shutting down for a long time, Mr.” James sincerely warned, “Although their influence still remains, but not as big as the Royal Family el Vierum.”

“After all,” said Derrick insisting. He looked out the window of his stuffy office and said, “I am also from the Royal Family el Vierum. If the fact of the crimes of the people on the throne is revealed, they will surely lose the trust of the aristocrats and the people.”

“Ah, the rumor is still spreading until now,” muttered James slowly, considering the secret weapon that Derrick had used earlier. He spread doubts among the royal population, eroding their loyalty little by little.

“The management of the country is also in chaos now,” added Derrick full of confidence, “The nobles raised taxes. Some areas have suffered crop failure. Even my foolish cousin lightly squandered the money for the witch girl ..”

That afternoon, the preparations for the war of the Alverio vi Family were almost complete. Just a little more preliminary steps. However, would they really be able to seize power from the king?

“When that fact is revealed,” said Derrick as he gripped a copy of the heresy book, “Then the people will side with us.”