Chapter 269 - Search for Alinea

Ritz…

"Your Highness, everything's ready," a servant said, and with the king's nod, he swiftly bowed and retreated, leaving the monarch alone in the room.

Alistair of Ritz looked out the open transom to the gathering of the crowd below. Unlike the previous gathering of the same size, the throng today was without accusing glares of hatred on their faces. They had long since accepted that their Princess perished due to the nobles' greed and ambition, and were now avid supporters of the reigning king:

Alistair of Ritz, the Returner to Ancestry of Perun, the King of Heaven.

The event was like a huge festival at an international level. Royalties from different parts of the world came, and those who couldn't be there in person sent representatives.  

People from all walks of life and from different countries as well other than Ritz had come to witness a once in a lifetime spectacle of the lightning elemental descending. Today was the day that Alistair could summon Aurel, the crow lightning elemental to see whether one of the women from different kingdoms bore the late Princess Alinea's soul.

Everyone was excited and looking forward to the event, except the person who would lead the occasion. A part of Alistair's heart was already scolding himself for fulfilling this social obligation when he had more pressing things to do – trying to go to the portal and see if he could cross it for instance.  

However, there were things that even he should follow. The country, Ritz, was one of the kingdoms his children built. As its current monarch, even if he was Perun, he should abide by its rules in order to maintain good relations with the other nations. This was the wish his child made in his deathbed thousands of years ago.

No, Alencica was not the mother of Ritz as opposed to the legends. The person who built it was his eldest child, his beloved son.

A heavy sigh escaped the king's lips as he moved decidedly out of the room, across the great hall, and then towards the entrance where a golden coach pulled by six chanleyas awaited. Soon they reached the coliseum where the even would take place.

Alistair walked towards the huge balcony where the other royals from different nations like Ivan, awaited him. Several seats were arranged there for him and the guests to watch the spectacle from below.

"Your Majesty," everyone greeted with a bow. Even Ivan who normally would never curtsy in respect did it.

The Ritz King's eyes filled with amusement. After all, it hadn't been a while when most of these royals wouldn't waste time dealing with him or his country's matters. Despite being Perun's country, Ritz never had any Returner to Ancestry in history after his son died. The divine blood had gotten very thin that the monarchs had resorted to marrying royals from other countries to acquire elemental casters.

It was the reason why Alistair got bullied years ago at school too. He was the lowest at the hierarchy chain, and they picked on him. If it weren't for Ivan, Alistair would have come out as Perun a lot earlier as his temper was getting thinner and his patience getting dry towards these idiots who thought so highly of themselves.

However, that was years ago, and this time, it was obvious that the fools had totally reflected upon their actions – not that they could do anything to him in any case. Even if his powers had been diminished by half being born as a mortal and there were many things he couldn't do, Perun was still the King of Heaven. Even a dozen Ivan couldn't defeat him in a fight to the death – not that Ivan would ever fight with him. Even before knowing who he was, Kres had always chosen to be by his side.

"Thank you for humoring my little request. I have troubled you greatly," Alistair told the guests who immediately denied that they were inconvenienced at all.

"We are happy to be of service to Your Majesty," they answered in unison, and the Ritz King accepted their words with grace.

Soon, all of them sat in their respective seats as the ladies came out one by one, wearing elegant clothes as they waved towards the cheering crowd. Seeing their colorful and grand ensemble, Alistair groaned inwardly. He had let Ivan and Fredek arranged for everything. He was not expecting this event would turn out to be like this. It was as if there was a beauty contest amongst the ladies in the world than a summoning.

With a frown, Alistair turned to look at Kres next to him, but seeing his puzzled expression, he was now sure that Ivan had no idea about this too. Then, he heard the other royals speaking to each other, boasting about the quality of materials used for the clothes that those women from their respective countries were wearing, and all became clear to him.

The royals turned this event into a grand spectacle to boast.

Alistair palmed his face as a throbbing in his temple began. He didn't know whether he'd be amused or angry at this moment.

"It's fine. It's not like Ali is one of them. Just let them have this bit of fun."

Huh?

Alistair lifted his head and saw Ivan's face close to his ears as he whispered those words and his headache disappeared. True enough. He didn't have to take everything seriously here. This was merely a show so that the efforts of the countries to help him find his daughter would be acknowledged. Well, at least until one of those fools opened his mouth...

"Your Highness, aren't they all pretty? Maybe there would be someone who'd be to your liking?"

Alistair snorted in silence upon hearing this, while he felt Ivan who sat next to him tense. There was no hiding the inference of those words. The royals dressed the women up in order to attract his attention, hoping that he'd take one of them for a wife or a mistress.

The Ritz King's amethyst gaze bore into the man who dared speak to him like this.

"Since they look somewhat similar to my deceased sister, they should be pretty no?"

His tone came out sounding lazy, but his not so subtle reminder that the women looked like Alinea shut the man up. Most of the royals then looked down in shame as they realized what they'd done.  

Alistair didn't care about them anymore. He stood up, ready to end this farce of diplomacy as soon as possible. He raised his hand as everyone looked at him in awe. Light enveloped him as he shed his mortal mask, his whole body glistening.

A huge seal appeared on the ground in front of the women, and everyone recognized the intricate design. They all bowed as they were reminded that the King of Heaven was among them.

"Aurel, descend," Alistair uttered, and the heaven split open as thunder rolled, and a cry of a crow echoed across the place.

The real search for Alinea had begun.