Although I had wanted to leave today since I agreed to help Volkun quietly get Jasmine off this continent, I spent the entire day by his side, mainly in the throne room, as I inspected each and every noble of the Kingdom within the Capital city. It was a tedious process, to say the least, but it wasn't pointless as I was able to discover two spies and two suspicious people, whose identities I wasn't able to confidently determine whether they were spies for the Church of Junsuina or not.
In the end, after three hours, Volkun ended the 'emergency' meeting and had the nobles return while I followed him to his office, where he, Gothel, and I spoke about what I discovered.
"So these are the Nobles working for the Church? Less than I expected, but both of them are very high ranking." Muttered Volkun with an ugly expression as he glanced at two pictures of a man and woman, each donned in wealth and luxury.
"What about these two, Sir Alex?" Asked Gothel with a slight frown as she pointed at two different pictures, which were both of men, before glancing at Alexander, who removed the cloak that hid his appearance.
"They're who I was unable to accurately determine their status; they held a great deal of respect and love for the church, similar to the two spies, but they also deeply cared for their noble family and their country, something the spies didn't have… They may just be very religious, Your Majesty." Replied Alexander respectfully as he looked at Gothel, who faintly nodded before swapping pictures with Volkun, whose eyes narrowed.
"For the safety of Jasmine, let us just assume all four are spies; it will make things easier in the long run." Volkun said firmly as he placed the four pictures together before putting them in his desk drawer.
"This is a start, but I'll want to know the spies of everyone within this palace, Sir Alex. Can you do that?" Asked Volkun firmly as he looked at Alexander, who nodded.
"Of course. However, my skills only worked so well because of the level difference between me and the Nobles. They were all weak, making it easy for me; I'm not nearly as confident with the results on people stronger than, let alone Jordan and Justina." Replied Alexander lightly as he gazed between Volkun and Gothel, causing the former to frown before softly sighing.
"It's unfortunate, but do your best, and for those you have no confidence in, we will label them as spies. Even if it's our Royal Archmage and Royal Captain." Stated Volkun ruthlessly as he narrowed his eyes at Alexander, who nodded in understanding.
"It will take some time, but I hope to have everything done by tonight." Said Alexander as he glanced at Volkun before turning around and exiting the office, leaving him and Gothel to discuss private matters.
Just as I began to walk away, the door suddenly opened, prompting me to turn around and gaze at Volkun holding a silver medallion.
"You'll need this; it will grant you the same authority as the King." Said Volkun as he handed the silver medallion to Alexander, who nodded while he closed the door.
Holding the silver medallion, I gave it a once-over before attaching it to my belt while I walked down the halls, deciding to start with the most populated group of people, the servants.
"Haa, I hope this doesn't take a long time." Thought Alexander lightly as he gently rubbed his head while heading towards the servants ' quarters.
___
___
I massively underestimated how long it would take to investigate every single person in this palace, though the most challenging part wasn't actually the investigation part; it was finding them. To avoid raising too much suspicion, I didn't stop anyone's duties and chased after every single person myself, though that proved to be stupid as I practically ran through the halls of the palace for seven straight hours before I finally finished.
After that, I shifted my focus to the minority, such as stable keepers, gardeners, etc…. Thankfully, they didn't take too long, just a little over an hour, as they were mostly all easy to find, given they were generally all in one place.
Then, I finished the investigation with the guards and Mages, which I had to be more careful with as each one was pretty strong, so it would be harder for me to get results I was confident in while avoiding suspicion. Once the guards were over with, leaving only Justina, I decided to save her for last as I moved my focus to the mages, who all had a bit of haughty air to them, but after I showed them the silver medallion, we all became the best of friends.
"Haa, alright, I've done every single person in this freaking palace except for two people. Jordan and Justina, the Royal Archmage and Royal Captain." Remarked Alexander softly as he gently tapped his head while walking up a spiral staircase to the tallest point in the castle.
Ensuring I didn't miss anyone, I did a quick scan of the Royal estate using [Heroes Gaze], though seeing as I didn't spot anyone I hadn't spoken to, I shifted my focus to the approaching door.
Knocking on the door, I waited several minutes, only for it to finally open, prompting me to step inside as I saw Jordan meditating in the air.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Sir Alex?" Asked Jordan lightly as he opened his eyes and looked at Alexander, only for his brows to furrow when he saw the silver medallion.
"Nothing, I was just curious where you have been, as I hadn't seen you since you welcomed me." Said Alexander curiously as he looked at Jordan, who slowly lowered to the ground before approaching him.
"Oh, I also wanted to thank you for welcoming us in the first place. I had no idea where the capital was, so it would've taken a long time to get here." Added Alexander with a faint smile as he outstretched his hand, which had a bracelet of Goddess Junsuina.
That bracelet would help invoke emotions of the Church within anyone who saw it, since while I could read emotions, I couldn't read an emotion that someone wasn't currently feeling, which would help bring out that emotion.
Once Jordan grabbed my hand, I swiftly read his emotions while also staring at him with [HeroesGaze], searching his body and facial expressions for any signs of abnormality; however, by the time the handshake ended, I found nothing. His emotion regarding the church was also neutral, though it was leaning slightly more toward the low end, yet his lack of facial expression was a bit unnatural, to say the least.
"Anyway, you seem busy, so I'll take my leave; I don't want to keep you away from doing whatever you were doing." Stated Alexander with a faint smile as he waved his hand before exiting the room, leaving a confused Jordan, who lightly shook his head while glancing at his hand.
While walking down the spiral staircase, I removed a journal from my space pouch and put a question mark next to Jordan's name; I didn't think he was affiliated with the Church, but then again, given the difference and strength between him and I, I wouldn't trust my results.
"Now, Justina, I highly doubt she's with the Church, given that she saved Jasmine, but I'll need to check her just in case." Muttered Alexander as he continued down the staircase for another few minutes before heading toward Justina's office.
I didn't know how much sleep was necessary at that level of strength since I hadn't seen Justina sleep once since coming here, but either way, I stood between two guards, whom I'd already investigated, and knocked on the doors to her office. I could've just barged in with the silver medallion in hand, but I was being respectful; I was also not stupid enough to possibly offend someone several times stronger than me over a few minutes of waiting.
"Come in." Said Justina quietly from behind the door, prompting Alexander to enter before closing the doors behind him.
"Hello, Justina. I just wanted to take a few moments to express my gratitude for saving my life back there; I would've continued to be tortured if it weren't for you." Stated Alexander respectfully as he lightly bowed to Justina, who raised her head before lightly nodding.
"It was only to save Princess Jasmine, but you're welcome, Sir Alex." Replied Justina calmly while glancing at Alexander, who reached into his bag and retrieved a faint golden liquid.
"Here, I know this isn't a lot for someone like you, but it's a decent potion for healing, an Epic healing potion." Said Alexander as he approached Justina while handing her the potion, causing her to raise an eyebrow while outstretching her hand to grab it.
"I won't refuse such a potion. Thank you, Sir Alex." Remarked Justina lightly with an appreciative smile, baring her sharp fangs while her hand brushed against Alexander's
During that brief moment, I attempted to read Justina's emotions, taking every caution as having interacted with Simba, I knew how incredible Demi-human's instincts were; however, despite my carefulness, I saw her eyes narrow while my heart rate rapidly increased from the sheer danger I felt from her.
"I do not appreciate that, Sir Alex." Said Justina with a frown as she eyed Alexander, who awkwardly smiled while sheepishly rubbing his head.
"Ah, I-I apologize, here, have these two extra as an apology." Remarked Alexander nervously with a faint smile as he handed Justina two more potions, causing her gaze to lighten while she grabbed them.
Feeling the danger surrounding me rapidly recede, I internally sighed in relief before deciding to escape quickly.
"I apologize again for my actions, Justina; I shall leave… Y-You're also quite beautiful!" Stated Alexander with a faint smile as he looked at Justina while quickly leaving her office on a good note.
"Intense?" Asked the guard with a faint smirk as he glanced at Alexander, who heaved a sigh of relief before wryly nodding.
"Heh, you could say that again." Muttered Alexander softly as he leaned against the wall before continuing down the hall.