Aaah
In a room of the manor prepared for her by Cosimo, Falanya lted on to her desk like syrup.
We rushed out of Lushan to altars and had to enter the city without getting caught by the army of Cavarin Im spent
The plan worked, though, replied her guard, Nanaki, from the shadows. Whats next? Are we heading back?
Ah, right I was thinking we could stay a bit longer. I wasnt able to see everything last ti.
Of course, everything depended on whether Cosimo gave his consent.
Sirgis was also standing by at attention. He spoke up. Well, I shall send a letter to Prince Wein stating this.
Thank you, Sirgis, Falanya answered. Youve been a great help to throughout this entire matter. I was right to invite you.
Youre far too kind, Sirgis returned with a respectful bow.
Falanya smiled. Ah, and that surprised . To think you and my brother would have the sa idea.
Back in Lushan, Sirgis had proposed to Falanya and Cosimo that they should interfere with the armies advance by using altarss sales channels and money to buy up all surplus food in the West.
This coincidence was surprising enough, but she was shocked when he explained Weins plan, which turned out to be the sa exact thing.
The two hadnt spoken beforehand, but Wein and Sirgis had co to the sa conclusion using their own experiences.
My plan lacked the diation between Princess Lowellmina and Patura. I doubt this would have worked otherwise. I could never compare to Prince Wein, who folded in the entire continent into his plan.
But now I know how much I need your counsel. I look forward to working with you further, Sirgis.
YesI shall try my best.
Sirgis then left the room to prepare the letter. Falanya noticed Nanakis eyes had remained glued to Sirgiss back.
Nanaki, do you still not trust him?
Theres no reason to.
Hmph Falanya pouted.
But he does fill a role I cant. Ill just get rid of him if he becos a problem.
Dont say stuff like that. You have to get along.
Falanya trembled with anger, and Nanaki gave her a side glance and he continued to stare at Sirgis beyond the door.
Sirgis walked down the empty hallway.
I was abandoned by my country, betrayed by my faith, and forgotten by the world, and yet, by so twist of fate, my enemys younger sister took in
An outsider might predict that this would make him hate Wein more and drive him to find the opportunity to kill the prince in his sleep. And this was mostly true.
Is there a God? If so, what is He telling to do? I dont know anymore.
In that case, he thought, Ill just follow my own heart.
There are two exceptional mbers of the royal family. But only one can inherit the throne. Sirgiss gaze turned west. Toward Lushan and Wein. Ill put the naive little princessmy savioron the throne whether she likes it or not. This will be my revenge. Dont you call a coward, Wein Salema Arbalest
The large carriage rumbled down the road. Inside was the hulking boulder of a person. Gruyere, king of Soljest.
What are you moping for, Tolcheila?
Across from Gruyere sat Tolcheila, who was the size of a small pebble in comparison. Her profile was sowhat rigid as she looked out the window.
He faced his daughter. Let guess, Tolcheila. You underestimated the princess of Natra. Are you panicking now that you can tell she has the jump on you?
! Her face twitched.
Gruyere watched her genially and pressed on. If the events in altars last year were the only thing going for her, you could have claid it was beginners luck. But now the princess has secured Sirgis as her aide, and she played a big role this ti, too. Shes raining all over your parade, huh?
Dont worry. Youre my adorable daughter. Even if you end up a miserable loser, I wont say anything. Ill find you a kindhearted husband who can heal your broken heart.
Father, Tolcheila began, her eyes burning with a fiery rage. Mock further, and I shant forgive you.
Gruyere took her fury in stride. Be angry and upset all you want; ti stops for no one. If you want sothing, your only option is to reach for it before anyone else. So what will you do, Tolcheila? Are you going to let the beast inside you sleep forever?
Oh, this is bad, she murmured with a smile. I was just asking myself what I wish to do and what must be done to that end.
Tolcheila looked straight at her father. And the answer is shocking. My earlier statent about my greatest adversary has co trueFather, you are in the way of my desires.
Gruyer smiled once again. Does that make you sad, Tolcheila?
No, Father. I have never been more zealous.
Wonderful, Gruyere replied with heartfelt joy. In that case, I will repeat myself as well. I will be your trial from here on out. Challenge in the na of your greed and desires
Well then, Master Felite, what shall we do about all those provisions?
The Patura Islands. Apis and Felite were in the fortress where Wein was once captured. It was now where the governnt operated out of.
We managed to put everything away, but the storehouses are completely full. Nothing else will fit. Were already getting complaints, she added.
No need to worry. Well send it to altars in ti, Felite answered brightly.
Apis wasnt convinced. Are you sure? I have a feeling even theyll refuse these quantities.
They wont. After all, each of the Western nations is going to suffer a food shortage in the winter. The requests will co pouring in.
A food shortage? Why? Ah, I see. They sold too much of their supply, havent they?
Felite nodded. Selling more ans less in reserve. Its an obvious principle, but its also easy to forget under the spell of money. Many cities and villages sell as much as they possibly can, resulting in increased poverty.
Apiss face puckered up. People will think were manufacturing this famine to sell them back their food at a higher price. Wont that make altars the enemy in their eyes?
Thats why altars reached out to us. They said theyll sell the food to us wholesale for a cheap price. Felite smiled wryly. Were the middleman to help ease peoples anger.
That makes sense. They would have to calculate how far the famine has reached and the amount of food they would need to buy.
Just then, a ssenger entered the room. Pardon , Master Felite. An emissary has just arrived by ship. They request an audience with you.
An emissary? Apis?
There is nothing scheduled for today.
So this was a sudden visitor. Intrigued, Felite questioned the ssenger further.
Did they state their business?
They wishto buy the food we imported from altars.
Both Felites and Apiss expressions imdiately darkened.
Patura had food. They wanted it. That was fine.
But this was all happening way too fast.
Where is the emissary from?
The ssenger answered this question timidly.
Eastern Levetia
Footsteps echoed in the dim audience hall. The desolate sound ca from the shoes of Gospel Director Caldllia.
Your Holiness, everything has been taken care of.
She attended to Holy King Silverio, who sat upon his throne. The mute figure in front of Caldllia was no different from a lifeless corpse.
Tigriss death has rattled the Kingdom of Velancia, but this is nothing to be concerned over. In fact, the loss of his beloved younger brother has finally sparked sothing in their king. As for the matter of Natra
As Caldllia gave her report, she suddenly sensed a presence behind her. When she turned around, a silhouette stood against a faint light. The tip of the sword in their hand dripped with crimson blood.
Ive finally tracked you down, soone rasped. The shadow took a step forward.
It was Tigriss servant Fushto.
I was after the fourth person at the scene. I found the evidence and followed it here. To the Agency of the Holy King.
Fushto pointed his sword at Caldllia.
Do you have anything to say for yourself? Im listening.
Although his tone was hushed, Fushto looked ready to kill. His murderous desire would make anyone catch their breath.
Well done. Caldllia looked like a holy mother when she smile. Youre right; I am the one who authorized Tigriss death. Agata would have made a fine target, too, but I specified that Tigris would be the priority. After all, his departure was certain to make the events here all the more interesting.
Caldllia did not see lives as lives. She spoke as if they were her toys.
However, Fushtos blade did not waver. His rage had frozen over, turning into permanent bloodlustsothing ice-cold.
You shouldnt walk into a place uninvited. Even if I am killed, you will die, too. Do not throw your life away for nothing. There will be lovely things ahead if you stay alive.
How kind of you to care for the common folk, Fushto replied. But soone like soone who let his master diehas no place to return to. I will join you and present you to Master Tigris on the other side!
Fushto kicked off the ground. His rage shaved the exhaustion from his body, and he closed in on Caldllia like a gale. Then, as the dark gray sword drew toward his hated enemys throat
Fushto was cut in half.
Ah?
As blood and entrails scattered through the space, Fushto slid across the ground.
What happened?
The answer was the shadow of a small figure next to Caldllia that abruptly stood.
Holy KingSilverio
Silverio held a staff in one hand. It was more like a scabbard shaped like a staff. In his other, there was a faintly luminescent blade.
It cant be
Fushto rembered a certain story, his consciousness fading. It was about one of Holy King Silverios achievents, an anecdote about how he had taken on a fortress of thieves by himself and brilliantly convinced them to open the gates. This was nothing more than a urban legend. Silverio never convinced the thieves; he just killed every single one of them.
I failed you until the very end Please forgive , Master Tigris
With an apology to his departed master, Fushtos consciousness disappeared forever.
Its a sha.
Unbothered by the blood staining her clothes, Caldllia knelt by the dead servant and gently closed his eyes. This gesture was filled with unmistakable sympathy for the dead.
If you had lived, we could have had more fun
Next to her, Silverio soundlessly sheathed his sword. Leaning against the sword-staff, he spoke. llia.
Caldllia instantly responded to her na and faced him. Yes, Your Holiness?
That prince of Natra keeps a Flahm girl by his side, correct?
Yes. I hear Prince Wein favors her.
Look into her background, Silverio ordered. There is sothing about that girl. My intuition whispers to
Understood, Caldllia replied with neither resistance nor doubt.
Silverios word was law. That was the basis of their relationship.
Please leave everything to . I shall do as Your Holiness commands
Wein, were finished preparing for the return trip ho. We can head out tomorrow.
Super. We can finally get outta this joint.
In a room of their temporary estate, Wein and Ninym breathed a sigh of relief.
Im glad things turned out okay, but it was total chaos for a while there, Ninym noted.
No kidding. I swear Im cursed or sothing. When we get ho, Im gonna go to a church and douse myself with holy water.
Any idea who could have cursed you?
Too many to count.
Cant argue that, Ninym said with a wry smile.
Siiiiiigh Who knows whats gonna happen trading-wise now that Ive patched things up between the Empire and Patura? I an, there was no way around it, but I cant even sell my Imperial goods anymore
Right, our trade partners. Didnt any of the Holy Elites seem promising?
Yeah, but he died.
Besides Prince Tigris.
Nah Oh, wait. Yeah, maybe one.
Then, a knock ca at the door, and a servant entered the room.
Y-Your Highness. A guest seeks an audience with you.
Who? Wein asked the frazzled man.
The Holy Elite Sir Agata.
Got it. Show him in.
The servant obeyed Wein and ushered Agata inside.
I apologize for showing up unannounced, Prince Wein.
Hey, we were both just screwed over by Caldllia. This is nothing, Wein replied. So you ntioned sothing back at the round table; what do you want to discuss?
Indeed. Agata nodded. As you know, I represent the group of city-states that make up the Ulbeth Alliance. And in truth, the Alliance is on the verge of collapse.
Sorry to hear that Whats going on?
It isnt easy to explain. However, I believe this collapse is my chance.
Agata took a step forward.
I plan to take advantage of the Alliances demise and unify the cities into one nation. Prince Wein, I am here to ask for your aid
And thus, the Gathering of the Chosen drew to a close. It was quite a long one. Tigris had died. Cavarin fell into chaos. One situation triggered another. The people said not a single good thing ca out of the Gathering.
Future historians would know the truth. This eting sprouted the seeds of mayhem.
And Prince Wein was at the center of it all
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