Prince Aidan had killed Knight Lacazette...
The others fell silent, frightened but not uneasy.
They knew Prince Aidan was the organization's true leader. He had only put Knight Lacazette in charge because, as he had told them, "Paem controlled your lives. Do you want me controlling them too?"
Had the prince changed his mind?
Prince Aidan took out a handkerchief and wiped the filth from his hand. "Who wants to take over as leader?"
No one in the hollow tree spoke.
His usual affable manner restored, Prince Aidan said, "You know what I'm like... There's no need to be afraid."
An attendant stepped forward. "You were right to get rid of Knight Lacazette. He'd grown increasingly brutal. Just now, he wouldn't even listen to you, Your Highness... or to his companions. He made every decision himself."
Prince Aidan smiled. "All of you were carefully recruited by the Ideal Kingdom. Each of you is a seed that can break the Rules... Unless I have to, I don't want to kill a like-minded companion with my own hands... But remember!"
His voice rose sharply:
"We reject the Rules. Don't become their new slaves!"
Their fear faded. Prince Aidan announced, "Shiro."
"Your Highness." The attendant hurriedly bowed his head.
"You'll take Knight Lacazette's place as the new leader of the Ideal Kingdom."
"Yes..."
The attendant could only agree.
Prince Aidan looked around. "The Gray Wolf King and Blood Essence aren't here?"
"Your Highness, the elves spotted them on their way here."
"They were spotted..."
Prince Aidan frowned.
No wonder an elf had followed him on the way here... It was bad news. He had used a spell to shake the elf off.
He looked at the others. "The elves haven't come here, so our plan hasn't been exposed. Nothing changes. We act on