Chapter 1031: Act 203 – Flames of Dawn IV
The Dibo River sparkled under the setting sun, and at such times, the floating evening glow on the river would shine through the windows, dyeing the inn’s lobby a shade of crimson. Through the window panes, one could see the imperial capital standing majestically on the horizon, its towering spires and city walls casting thick shadows in the fading light.
Cettie wiped down the last table, stood upright, and used the back of her hand to wipe away the sweat. She looked in surprise at the direction of the door—its light dimming as several cloaked travelers entered—their customers. She felt a flicker of astonishment; it was unexpected to have guests at this time. Since the war in Metz began, there had been far fewer merchants on the road, and the inn’s business had been declining day by day. The innkeeper was even considering closing down temporarily.
The first to enter was a foreigner, with deep brown hair rarely seen within the Empire, somewhat handsome, with well-defined features and warm brown eyes that seemed to radiate an inviting kindness upon first glance.
Behind him was a taller companion, who looked even more dashing, wearing a hood—which he removed upon entering, revealing slightly wavy, shoulder-length hair. He scanned the room with an air of nonchalance.
Then came a group of girls. Cettie found it quite odd; at this season, who would be traveling with so many young women? She couldn’t help but suspect that they were a group of slave traders. However, she quickly realized that her assumption was misplaced; these girls were clearly not ordinary, as some possessed a commanding presence in their gaze that she only recognized in the city’s true elites—far from being mere slaves.
“What a strange merchant caravan,” Cettie observed, noting the covered wagon stopped outside the inn. Only itinerant traders used such carts in the Bankel region.
At that moment, it was indeed Brendel and his party stepping into the inn.
Thank the heavens, the old wagon purchased from Eleven Leaf Town had finally arrived at its destination—the inn with a sign reading “Cat and Whiskers”—just in time before falling apart.
This old building, rich in the style of the Return of Radiance, was located by the Holy Mercury Bridge, no more than ten miles from Rustra. Its appearance was quite unremarkable, a tad shabby—the paint on the sign and door had chipped extensively, and there were several repairs on the roof. However, its windows were clean, and a few flower pots filled with ivy adorned the windowsill, well tended by the owner.
The inn looked rather deserted, likely due to its remote location. Delphine mentioned it was the furthest inn outside the eastern gate of Rustra, where only some financially struggling traders might temporarily lodge.
But this isolation was exactly why they chose this place.
Seclusion meant safety—
The inn’s maid turned out to be a mountain girl, and Brendel was somewhat taken aback by the girl’s fiery red hair as she stood in the setting sun. As they ascended the stairs, Charles turned back with a laugh and said, “Looks like that little girl is suspicious. As Lady Sidney remarked, our disguises aren’t exactly convincing.”
Brendel snapped back to reality and replied, “This was anticipated.”
“I thought you, my lord, would be troubled by this.”
“I’m not troubled by trivial things; I simply don’t want to waste effort.”
“What’s meant by ‘trivial’?” Charles lamented, “I haven’t heard any new phrases slip from your mouth in quite a while.”
Brendel chided himself, “It’s just meaningless things.”
At that moment, Romaine, walking ahead, took note of the conversation, having been eavesdropping all along. The earlier annoyance at Brendel was forgotten. When she heard this exchange, she couldn’t resist falling back a step, widening her eyes to inquire loudly:
“But how can it be meaningless? What if Her Majesty the Queen captures us? I heard nobles treat their prisoners this way. Should we disguise ourselves?”
“Because it’s pointless,” Delphine replied from the side.
Since starting to use the Fountain of Youth, her scars had faded noticeably, so she no longer looked so terrifying; some areas had even begun shedding skin, revealing smooth, new skin beneath. Most importantly, she no longer needed to rely on a wheelchair to move; though still awkward, she could move freely like a normal person.
“Pointless?”
Brendel nodded, “When patrolling knights passed by us on the road, didn’t they just continue without stopping to check?”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
“The key is frequency. We encountered way too many patrolling knights; as far as I know, normally they only conduct routine patrols at dawn and just before dusk along the outer borders of the capital. This indicates that Her Majesty has increased the vigilance at the capital’s periphery, but has not ordered them to investigate the mobile populace entering Rustra.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes,” Delphine nodded, eyeing Brendel with some surprise. She hadn’t expected him to be so familiar with this place; many local Rustra natives might not even know how the vigilance works on the outer edges of the imperial capital.
Charles smiled, obviously aware of the answer to this question already: “This shows that the hospitable Her Majesty the Queen enforces a loose approach externally while tightening control internally. It seems she has great confidence in her reach; she probably fears that we won’t enter the city.”
“So, you’re saying that as long as we enter the city, she’ll notice us, right?”
Brendel nodded, “At least it appears the Silver Queen thinks so.”
Merchant Miss analyzed her insights, furrowing her brow slightly: “If that’s the case, Brendel, should we split up?”
“Hmm?”
“I mean, let me take Brynhildr and the others into the city to attract the Queen’s attention, while you and Mephistopheles work to sneak into the city to rescue Xi—”
Brendel chuckled at this, both amused and exasperated, as he tapped her smooth forehead, “What are you thinking? It’s not that serious. I think the Silver Queen won’t act so soon.”
Romaine quickly covered her forehead and retreated, asking, “Why?”
“I don’t know why,” Brendel replied softly, shaking his head, “but I have a feeling the Silver Queen is waiting for us to enter the city—”
…
After the sun sank below the horizon, the night truly enveloped Rustra. Stars twinkled in the darkness, resembling falling stars from the distant skyline. In even more distant places, flashes occasionally streaked across the black sky, known only to those living in Rustra as the flyers of the Nazhel.
Because Rustra was close to the border of Nazhel, both sides stationed a significant number of troops on the eastern border, so even at night, the skies remained patrolled by clusters of Pegasi riders and magical flying machines.
Faina stood by the window, staring at the quietly flowing river beneath the moonlight, recalling the last time she visited the capital. However, time had passed, and she had fallen from a highly regarded position. Not to mention maintaining her past glory; her family members were now imprisoned within the belly of this imposing ‘beast.’
Yet, inexplicably, she felt a sense of tranquility at that moment.
Knock, knock, knock! Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, and the others in the room turned to see Meitisa pushing her way in, clad in armor.
She shut the door behind her, took a breath of relief, and looked at Brendel, saying, “My lord.”
“How’s it going, Meitisa?” Brendel nodded at her; he had previously sent her out to gather information, and her expression indicated she must have had some success.
Meitisa replied, “It went well; it wasn’t too troublesome. I found out, my lord, that the engagement ceremony is set for half a month from now, and a banquet will be held in the White Rose Garden of the Holy Contipal Palace, alongside celebratory events in the city. In fact, Rustra started preparations for the celebration over a week ago.”
Brendel couldn’t help but snort derisively; evidently, the Crusian had little regard for everything done to Xi: “It seems the Silver Queen wants to ease the capital’s atmosphere of anxiety. However, I don’t think it will be very effective, considering what she did before.”
“Just eliminating the dissenters,” Delphine answered coolly.
The Chancellor’s Daughter’s comments caused Meitisa to glance at her, frowning slightly before continuing her report, “Lady Valarch—the one I mean is Xi—reportedly has been staying in a castle just outside Rustra, but when I checked that place, it was empty.”
“Is it false information, or has she been relocated?” Brendel asked.
“Most likely she’s been moved, my lord. I worry that the Silver Queen has left eyes in that vicinity, so I didn’t dare to linger for too long. However, later I inquired elsewhere, and that castle had indeed housed an important figure before, but they moved out weeks ago.”
“This shows that the Silver Queen was evidently well aware of our arrival; otherwise, she wouldn’t have needed to go to such lengths,” Delphine analyzed quietly, unaffected by Meitisa’s gaze.
Brendel didn’t respond, but internally he agreed; he had anticipated this long ago, similar to what Antinna had analyzed previously.
“What about the others?” he inquired again.
Meitisa turned to him, “Miss Delphine, I found out your father and grandfather are imprisoned in the Coral Fortress, along with the commander of the Blue Legion and Duke Leafy. However, as far as I know, the higher-ups of the Temple haven’t been detained there, and the whereabouts of the Holy See remain largely unknown. Many seem unaware of what transpired at the Temple that day and do not realize that the Temple of Fire has already split in two.”
Upon hearing this, the Saintess of the Lion’s Hall, sitting on the edge of the bed, frowned slightly while Faina’s expression grew anxious: “Meitisa, I—”
“The Coral Fortress isn’t a designated prison,” Delphine interrupted, “it’s a royal summer residence. So they’re only under house arrest. After all, neither my father nor grandfather, nor Duke Leafy openly opposed the Silver Queen.”
“Then why were they arrested?” Merchant Miss, while tallying expenses from recent days, looked up curiously.
“Because they didn’t express their opinions in time. The Silver Queen’s agenda is grand, and to play it safe, she will suppress all unstable factors to the bare minimum.”
“Miss Delphine,” Meitisa’s dissatisfaction became apparent with her words, “based on what you said, I see no reason for you to choose my lord. The Silver Queen needs the stance of House Nidwen, and you represent that stance. I don’t know what scheme you have in mind, but if you dare to harm my lord in any way—”
The Silver Elf Princess pursed her lips, leaving her sentence unfinished, but Delphine could tell that the unspoken conclusion matched the cold intent in her eyes.
Brendel was slightly taken aback, glancing at Meitisa in surprise. He knew that she had never fully accepted this Chancellor’s Daughter, but her overt show of attitude was a first.
Delphine smiled faintly, lifting her gaze to briefly meet Brendel’s without responding.
“Miss Delphine…” Brendel felt compelled to speak.
“Does the Earl not trust me either?”
“You surely have more options, don’t you?” Charles interjected, choosing to side with Meitisa.
Delphine shook her head lightly.
Brendel sighed, “Is it because of the Ivy Change?”
The Chancellor’s Daughter turned back, her face showing a ‘you know it’ look. After a moment of hesitation, she gently nodded, “But that’s not all. My grandfather has never supported the former emperor handing the throne to the Silver Queen, which is why she supported the Parut family to balance the Chancellor’s powers. This method had once been employed in the royal family’s conflict with the Temple, but this time it wasn’t as effective.”
“The Ivy Change,” unexpectedly, it was Mephistopheles, who had been silent until now, who spoke up: “Is that referring to that incident?”
All eyes turned to him.
“…I—I just happen to know about it.”
“Mephistopheles, you’re not a spirit of Madara?” Brendel finally reacted, realizing he knew little about the vampire siblings. He was familiar with the past of Meitisa, Charles, and the mercenaries Husher and Flour, even occasionally hearing about Himelam’s experiences from her time at the Hallowed Temple of Earth. However, Mephistopheles and Andrigraphis had always kept their origins quiet.
He had previously assumed they were merely common dark nobles in Madara before they became card beings, but hearing Mephistopheles this time made him realize he was mistaken.
Mephistopheles was not from Madara; he likely originated from Metz, otherwise, it would be impossible for him to know the events that transpired years ago.
Meeting Brendel’s gaze, Mephistopheles nodded, “My lord, you guessed correctly. My sister and I are not dark nobles of Madara; we were Crusian, and Metz is our hometown.”
Brendel understood: “So it was not a coincidence that I summoned you from the tomb that day?”
“I don’t know much about the rules of the fate cards, but perhaps that’s indeed the case.”
“I see,” Brendel replied, “Since you were once Metz people, then you must have been witnesses of that incident, right?”
“Not exactly witnesses, but my sister Andrigraphis and I did experience that dark period in history. I remember losing my relatives—my family and friends—during that turmoil; I even lost my own life. That history was more brutal than is often recounted; what you saw with Sir Roslin was merely the tip of the iceberg.”
Mephistopheles smiled lightly and said, “I truly don’t wish to remember much of that history. Were it not for you mentioning it now, my lord, I wouldn’t want to bring it up.”
“I’m sorry.” Brendel hadn’t expected that he would inadvertently touch a sensitive wound and felt deeply apologetic.
“It’s fine, my lord. Time will heal all wounds,” Mephistopheles smiled, “It was right after the Holy War; the Temple of Fire was facing a widespread decline of faith and confusion, and the undead and cultists seized the opportunity to create disturbances within the Empire. The infiltration of the Everything Returns Society reached its peak during that period, leaving many lingering historical issues even today. I remember during the most chaotic days when East Metz near Arjant and Mehotoften bore the brunt of it; several dukes were even swayed—”
“I’ve heard about it,” Faina suddenly spoke up, “I heard my nurse mention the scenes back then; they say many people died, and countless were nailed to crosses every day, with nobles drowning in assassination and conspiracy. That was the darkest time in the Metz region, where the countryside was ruled by witches and heretics, who tortured priests and believers of the Temple in the cruelest methods.”
“It was the same in cities; every day witches were dragged out and burned at the stake. Such scenes played out continually,” Mephistopheles recalled, frowning at the memories.
“I had no idea such things occurred in the Empire,” Charles was astonished. Although he had heard about that turmoil, he had not experienced it, making it impossible to envision it being as serious as this: “And then?”
“Then came the so-called Ivy Change; the chaos in East Metz evolved into a true disturbance. Several prominent nobles died during this turmoil, and some were former comrades and dear friends of House Nidwen,” at this moment, Sidney spoke up. As a participant of the Temple, she was likely the most knowledgeable about the events among those present: “In the fury, the old Chancellor acting on the Silver Queen’s orders led troops into East Metz and swiftly quelled the rebellion, even capturing two among the Twelve Archpriests of the Shepherds.”
“Two?” Brendel noted the number.
“Lord Blightrock and the Withering Whip Leini, though the latter escaped during transport.”
“They say he escaped, but my grandfather has always suspected that Her Majesty the Queen allowed him to go,” at this moment, Delphine finally spoke: “When handling these cultists, the Queen and my grandfather had significant disagreements—according to the Temple’s laws, these cultists had long been deserving of death, yet ultimately one managed to escape, and one remains imprisoned in Thorn Spike Fortress. Most cultists and the fallen dark lords were merely sealed and not utterly destroyed; that Sir Roslin is just one of them.”
“All of this was issued under the Queen’s direct orders,” she sighed, “What perplexed my grandfather most was that the Temple actually retreated.”
“This incident sowed discord between Her Majesty the Queen and my grandfather, but it was not just for personal reasons, for my grandfather saw through the Queen’s other intentions. Though he did not lean towards the Temple, as an old school imperialist, he also did not want to see the royal family and the Temple truly sever ties, thus leading the Empire towards an irreversible abyss.”
She lightly inhaled: “So, do you all understand? Given everything that has already unfolded, my grandfather would be even less likely to stand with Her Majesty the Queen. This is also why she secretly designed to have me leave the capital; I should have seen through this long ago, yet my hatred blinded my eyes.”
“I—I will too,” Faina looked at Brendel and gritted her teeth, “I can represent Mehotoffen. Brendel, I will stand with you. I’m the first heir of the Leafy territory; I can make this promise.”
“Miss Faina,” Meitisa glanced at her, reassuringly saying, “Don’t worry, we aren’t targeting you.”
“Thank you, Meitisa.” The princess of the Leafy territory couldn’t help but blush.
Delphine acted as if she did not hear Meitisa’s pointed comment and turned to look at Brendel, asking, “So my lord, what should we do next?”
“We have half a month left,” Brendel replied, “It seems we have ample time. We must investigate where Xi is being held captive, for I would only consider the extreme option of launching an attack on the celebration day if we absolutely must. Before that, we need to find a way to enter Coral Fortress, both to rescue your family and Faina’s, and also to gather more allies.”
He glanced at Sidney: “If we can find out where the higher-ups of the Temple are being imprisoned, that would be even better.”
“Will they be killed by that Queen?” Charles suddenly interjected.
“She won’t do that,” the Saintess of the Lion’s Hall finally spoke up: “Not until she acquires the Holy Sword Odrefice—”
“Then it’s settled, we’ll investigate separately for now,” Brendel decided, “Though the Silver Queen is confident she can trap us, we still have time on our hands to play this game of hide-and-seek with her.”
He paused for a moment.
“I’ll give her a surprise.”
