Chapter 120: The Cold Winter Wind
Sunlight peeked through the branches of trees, slanting gradually from one end of the street to the other.
In front of the grand entrance of Vilo Garden, a grand war chariot, pulled by a lumbering beast, made its way to the end of the street, flanked by a squad of city guards. Before long, it arrived at the Royal Palace.
On the last day of the academic exchange conference, Her Majesty the young Queen Ethanbel did not show up. When I found her, she was, as usual, sitting alone in the gazebo of the palace garden, enjoying the peculiar sights of the trees on her own.
Ugly flowers surrounded vibrant green leaves.
Winter Orchid.
After the snow had completely melted, the dreary situation of the winter garden was revealed, the cold wind blowing through and causing the dried grass to sway. Only those tall, evergreen trees remained, standing proudly around the gazebo, tall and lonely, just like the figure standing still inside it.
In her coat of amber and white fur, with her golden hair piled up and a heavy crown sparkling in the sunlight, Queen Elizabeth stood with her back to me, gazing out into the scenery. When I approached, she didn’t even bother to turn around, probably already sensing who I was.
“Have a seat,” she said. “I’m exhausted today, so I won’t have anyone bring you tea.”
Her voice flowed like a clear brook, but it definitely sounded a bit weary, as if she hadn’t gotten enough rest—who knows what kept her busy last night?
Anyway, I noticed that there were more war chariots than usual parked in the palace square this morning, along with some with unfamiliar family crests, which I guessed probably belonged to families from the Northern Region of the kingdom.
It was likely something to do with the council and the church…~
She probably hadn’t gotten a good rest in ages.
Thinking that, I sat down peacefully in the gazebo, not bothering whether there was a cup of brewed hot tea on the stone table. The maids were all stationed outside, leaving just her alone.
Often, even when surrounded by a crowd, I feel she is still alone.
“Are you tired?” I couldn’t help but ask.
But that sounded like a silly question, so Her Majesty didn’t respond.
“If there’s something, just get to the point; I don’t have much time,” she said, her voice monotone, with a hint of rasp.
I instinctively furrowed my brows.
But then I remembered my crazy sister’s words from last night, and I understood a bit of this woman’s extreme boredom recently, so I didn’t say much more.
However, my visit today wasn’t for anything special in the first place.
I briefly mentioned the situation in the Holy City and the Divine Reliquary, asked if the council needed any help, and casually brought up what Birdbeak Doctor said before he died, about how that man was being corrupted by the Abyss. I speculated that the source might very well be the Holy City and not the Holy Wall.
After getting to the point, I didn’t want to disturb her any longer, so I turned to take my leave.
But just as I stepped out of the gazebo, I paused and turned back, only to accidentally meet those mysterious golden eyes of hers.
I smirked as she froze for a moment.
“Before the Day of the Divine Birth, things should come to a close, right?”
After giving it a thought, I suggested through the cold wind, “Last night, I went to the market with my brother, and it reminded me of that time. Suddenly, I thought, should we find a time to take a walk again, just the two of us, and have a good chat?”
…………
In mid-December, Barry officially received the Sword Emblem and became a preparatory member of the Sword of Kanli.
This didn’t mean that he would soon become a true Sword of Kanli member—the kingdom’s most elite and loyal warriors. For someone like Barry, who was just a half-trained mess at this point, he still had a long way to go in both body training and swordsmanship.
In fact, the preparatory members of the Sword of Kanli were quite numerous. They underwent a strict initial round of screening and assessment, then were assigned to the City Guard, Royal Guard, Arbitration Office, or even the management and maid systems, continuing to train and be evaluated. The Emblem bestowed and the true Sword of Kanli were significantly different.
Ultimately, the odds of passing through all those layers of screening and being recommended by many prestigious individuals to become a Sword of Kanli, earning this kingdom’s highest honor for warriors, was less than one in a thousand.
Nevertheless, for Barry, this was a fresh start, a very good beginning.
The ceremony for receiving the Emblem wasn’t grand—actually, it was rather simple, held in the courtyard of Vilo Garden. However, the person bestowing the badge upon him was Rect, the captain of the Sword of Kanli.
For a warrior, in a sense, this was the greatest honor. As he received the medal with both hands, I noticed Barry’s eyes turn red.
The boy had completely shed his childishness and was maturing day by day. Even Grandma Claire, who pretended to be indifferent and worried that he might be leaving home again, wore a look of relief at that moment.
“This child, just like his father—looks weak, but has a backbone made of steel…”
…………
Two days later, that guy named Rect captured the archbishop Hogtus.
“This old geezer really knows how to hide! Guess where we found him? In a village near Rabeli Valley!”
“For over two months, he was hiding in a place that was neither too far nor too close to the royal city, inconspicuous as can be, all while manipulating everything in the city from across the Sabal River. Genius!”
As Rect told me this, a flicker of admiration crossed his face.
Or perhaps it was sarcasm.
On the day of the archbishop’s trial, I went to the Arbitration Court accompanied by the silent Aili.
About half a month ago, Aili had been moved from the stinky cellar of her residence to the underground prison of the palace along with those children from the Choir of Saints. She awaited her trial after Ethanbel had become a criminal and was put under custody.
I was the one who interceded for her, getting her out of that filthy, foul-smelling prison.
Before this, Aili had apparently been through quite a bit of suffering. When she came out, she looked a bit dazed. Although she had no apparent injuries, she was filthy and smelled sour. She had lost weight and seemed even taller in front of me, standing like a stick. It was disheartening, yet it made me feel a tinge of pity.
I knew I could have fetched her earlier, but I didn’t. I just told the guard captain to ensure she stayed alive.
I hoped that after this, even if she hated me, she would understand one thing.
People must take responsibility for their actions, even if they don’t know what they’re really doing.
It’s a simple truth, but so many simply don’t get it.
I helped her wash off the grime, change into clean clothes, and we headed to the Arbitration Court. From the public trial to its conclusion, Aili remained silent, watching and listening, and I didn’t say anything to her.
There was no need to say much; she wasn’t stupid, and she wasn’t a child. She could see through things.
After coming out of the Arbitration Court, we boarded the already-prepared war chariot. Aili still said nothing, lowering her head while lost in thought.
“If you find it absurd, hard to believe, and think those testimonies in court are one-sided…”
I said to her, “You can go to Silgaya and see for yourself.”
“Go to the southern region of that country and witness firsthand what the church, the currency exchange, the Choir of Saints, and the Rossius family have done to the so-called children of their god in these past two years.”
“I’ll grant you that freedom.”
The chariot bumped around as the wheels creaked and groaned.
After a while, the girl named Aili finally reacted; she slowly raised her head.
“As for what you will turn into next, which path you will choose, whether it brings good or evil, friends or foes…”
The girl who actually meant more to her than her own older sister looked at her with icy eyes as cold as frost: “All of that, you’ll have to decide yourself.”
