CHAPTER 120: ROWAN’S RELUCTANCE

As expected, the others weren’t of the same mind as Riley, who thought Kael didn’t look so irritating today.

Because it seemed that right then and there, more beings had added Kael to their personal shit list—at least, if Riley was right about the sour expressions tightening their faces.

And one such person was Rowan Elowen.

Though, to be fair, Kael had never exactly been on Rowan’s list of people he’d want to be stuck on an island with. Still, while he didn’t detest the dragon lord in the past, he couldn’t say the same today.

But laughably enough, this mess was their own doing. They had underestimated the dragon lord and, by extension, his infuriatingly peculiar aide.

Rowan could admit that if they had listened more carefully to Lina’s whispers about the nature of Kael’s relationship with the human, perhaps he wouldn’t now be in this position. Not that things would have escalated like this at all if Silvara hadn’t been hit by terror in the first place.

None of this would’ve happened.

He wouldn’t have had to stand here, forced into divulging information, all because the moody dragon who had once never cared for anything had now chosen to stand squarely beside a mortal.

Rowan’s jaw tightened as he considered it.

They would have to change tactics.

The human was a problem. Or more accurately, the human’s lifespan was. A being as fragile and brief as Riley should never have been able to disrupt a figure like Kael. And yet, somehow, he had.

Rowan, to a certain extent, had known Kael for centuries, had watched him move like a storm no one could ever predict. Kael had always been unusual, yes, but he had never bent. Not for politics. Not for pride. Not for anyone.

And yet, here he was.

Humoring the human by letting him in on secrets that even high-ranking elves don’t know of.

Rowan pressed his lips into a thin line. They would need to re-evaluate Riley’s role in all of this. Because if Kael was already this unreasonable, then what hope did they have that he would tolerate sitting around and doing nothing in the days to come?

And worse—what if Riley didn’t let him?

The chamber grew taut with hesitation the moment Kael asked his question. A few of the elves shifted uncomfortably, their sharp gazes flicking toward Rowan as if begging him to intervene.

One even stepped forward, voice tight. "Your Highness, those are our most guarded secrets—"

Rowan lifted a hand, silencing them instantly. His tone was calm, but there was no mistaking the edge beneath it. "Enough. We sought the help of the MBE. Did you think they could act blindly without being told the rules of the very sanctum they are to investigate?"

The elves fell silent, though the tension in their bodies spoke volumes.

Rowan turned back toward Kael and Riley, his rarely blinking eyes steady. "But before I continue, I ask for your discretion. What I’m about to tell you is offered in confidence, entrusted to you solely for the investigation. Beyond that, it should not be spoken of."

"I understand, Your Highness," Riley said quickly, nodding so earnestly he might as well have signed an oath right there.

That would probably be a bad idea. But he was desperate to solve this case so he could leave. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to know something so interesting... It was not everyday he’d find out about ancient secrets after all!

Kael... shrugged.

Riley glanced at him, lips twitching.

That probably counts as agreement. Right?

Please let that count.

The other elves still looked ready to faint from unease, but Rowan pressed on. He didn’t really have a choice. Not telling them at this point would’ve been sheer stupidity. Or too obvious.

Rowan’s voice dropped into a measured cadence, his words deliberate. "Most artifacts can be removed from the sanctum, but only under strict safeguards. First, one must pass the defenses of the spire itself, and the guards stationed within. Then, provided the correct sequence of runes is activated, the artifacts may be taken."

Riley scribbled furiously in his little tickler, nodding like a diligent clerk at a town meeting.

Rowan continued. "For something as significant as the Codex, however, there are additional layers. A complicated method of authentication, requiring at least three high-level approvals and the precise rune sequence. Only then could it be lifted safely."

Riley hummed under his breath, eyes narrowing. He wasn’t sure how that really translated into practice.

What exactly was this version of authentication? Because for humans even retina scans could be replicated. And that rune sequence, was it maybe a fifty-rune sequence that was so complicated it made it seem like a good enough defense?

Because honestly with how generic that sounded, it didn’t seem like the type of precaution one would have for something supposedly as important as the Codex.

Which obviously couldn’t be that complicated when it was clearly missing from this room.

As if hearing the thought, Rowan added, "In reality, the Codex is not as difficult to remove as one might assume."

Riley’s pen froze mid-scribble. "Excuse me?"

Rowan’s expression didn’t change. "The reason is simple. Outside of its pedestal, the Codex is useless. Without the proper reader, it cannot be activated, nor can its contents be interpreted. To make true use of it, one must have the correct reader. Without that, it is little more than parchment bound by crystal roots."

Riley blinked. Slowly. Then faster.

So what that guy was essentially saying was that... the entire territory went into lockdown, and he nearly died climbing stairs, all because someone ran off with what was essentially a glorified blank notebook?

He bit his lip hard to keep from saying it aloud. But the thought burned in his skull like a neon sign.

Riley’s expression must have been a little too honest, because Prince Rowan actually took the time to clarify.

"While it sounds safe," Rowan said evenly, "that’s assuming there are no other readers in existence."

Oh.

Riley blinked. Right. That would be too easy.

So in a sense, didn’t that narrow things down to either the culprit themselves, although, honestly, wouldn’t that make it ridiculously obvious? Or if not the culprit, then maybe the next target? But of course, all of that assumed the thief even cared about using the Codex.

Because if they didn’t... well, spite was always an option.

And when it came to magical beings, spite wasn’t rare. They weren’t exactly gunning for friendliness awards. If history had taught Riley anything, it was that half the wars on record started because someone’s pride got stepped on. And wars stemming from fragile egos even lasted for centuries.

So in his opinion, nothing was really off the table with these beings.

He rubbed his temple and decided to press the point. "Then, Your Highness, how many readers are in existence? By any chance, would you know who has access to them? Have you... accounted for all of them?"

The silence that followed stretched. Painfully.

Ah. That again, huh?

The elves looked at one another, their calm masks flickering with discomfort. Riley could practically hear the invisible sign: Sensitive topic. Off limits.

Well, two could play that game.

So Riley tilted his head, widened his eyes ever so slightly, and turned toward Kael.

It was the same look a kid might give when he thought he was being bullied and went running to the biggest bully on the playground for backup. The mental image of Riley and Kael standing shoulder to shoulder, terrorizing the elves into spilling their secrets, was so vivid he almost giggled. It was an extremely rare occasion, but... Yes. Let us bully together. Join me, great golden lizard. Mwahaha.

Kael caught the look. His golden eyes gleamed.

But it was not a look that went unnoticed. Because everyone else practically shivered as they watched the dragon lord’s obvious next move.

Rowan noticed. Rowan very much noticed. Kael Dravaryn was once again about to indulge his human aide. And he wasn’t even sure if the dragon was aware that the corners of his lips twitched as though he was half a breath from doing it.

The disbelieving elven royalty sighed, he did not want to feel that compulsion again.

So before Kael could even open his mouth, the prince answered. "There are several. The exact number, however, is not mine to give. It would be best to speak with my father. This matter extends far before my time, and he would know more."

Riley deflated.

He’d been ready for another glorious smackdown. Another verbal beatdown from the golden lizard who was momentarily enabling him to get justice from being sidelined, but nope. Denied. His lips even pouted the tiniest bit before he caught himself.

Kael’s brow arched, amused at the slip.

Riley cleared his throat, forcing his professional mask back in place. At least they’d get more information instead of fumbling around in the dark. That was... something.

Still. Maybe it was better when he didn’t know.

In fact, why did he even have to ask?!