After a few discreet inquiries within the forest, Jenkins learned the current location of the Stuart royal family. He followed a winding path through the woods for about ten minutes until he spotted a cluster of buildings nestled beside a forest lake.
Unlike the predominantly wooden structures scattered throughout the forest, the buildings standing before him by the lake were made of gray stone. Despite being stone, they blended seamlessly into the surrounding woods. Moss crept up from the corners, and ivy climbed the walls, blanketing them in green. Though the houses had been built less than half a year ago, they had the appearance of long-abandoned ruins, exuding a natural and rustic charm.
The cluster of buildings sat on the western shore of the lake. Hearing a rustle from the woods, the two Gravediggers patrolling the periter turned their attention to the side. Upon seeing it was Jenkins, accompanied by his cat, they imdiately approached him.
The Evergreen Forest was vast, and the Church hadn't clustered all its buildings in one place. Instead, they were scattered sporadically throughout the woods, so much so that not even Jenkins could say for certain just how many hidden structures the forest concealed.
These stone houses standing by the lake had originally been loaned to the Church of All Things and Nature to house their ascetics. However, the Nature Church later discovered that the life spirit perating the forest was unique. Using their own thods, they found a more suitable location and, after receiving permission, constructed dwellings more attuned to their beliefs by magically growing trees. As a result, the lakeside houses fell into disuse, visited only occasionally by those who ca to the lake to fish in their leisure.
This location was chosen as the Stuart family's temporary "residence" for three reasons. First, its seclusion. Second, the scenery was pleasant. And third, the appearance of abandoned ruins was ant to intimidate the royal family of the northern kingdom.
At the mont, the questioning regarding the previous night's events was still underway. The Enchanters patrolling the periter served as both protectors and monitors. In addition to them, a small contingent of the royal guard had been allowed into the Evergreen Forest to preserve the Stuart family's dignity. The royal guards were now waiting by the distant lakeshore, standing in a small group and conversing in hushed tones, seemingly discussing their new environnt.
Under normal circumstances, no one would have been permitted to enter the stone house complex. The Church had yet to fully grasp the intricacies of the previous night's events, and allowing an uninvolved party to contact the Stuarts could lead to complications.
But Jenkins was a different case; moreover, he was not entirely unconnected to the matter. The Gravediggers on duty relayed the news of his arrival to their superiors. After receiving the consent of the demigods present, he was granted temporary entry. However, he was instructed to leave within half an hour and was strictly forbidden from leaving any items with the Stuart family.
The royal family was currently housed in a three-story building at the center of the complex, which resembled a dilapidated watchtower from the outside. Upon entering, however, Jenkins discovered the interior was remarkably well-appointed, a stark contrast to its rugged exterior.
The ground floor was uninhabitable due to severe dampness. Ascending a flight of uneven stone steps, he carefully avoided the slippery moss and made his way to the second floor, where he found the Stuarts gathered in the antechamber.
The family had not been separated; instead, they were allowed to move freely between the second and third floors. The only condition was that each of them had to provide a statent regarding the previous night's events. The person just leaving the questioning was none other than Salsi II.
"...So, should I be addressing you as Your Majesty, the Queen?"
Jenkins heard the voice from above as he climbed the stairs. It belonged to a man, and the tone was decidedly hostile. In response, Jenkins deliberately stomped on the stone steps, making his approach loud and clear. The voice cut off abruptly, and a mont later, everyone watched as Jenkins ascended, his cat in tow.
His eyes imdiately found Dolores, and he quickly asked:
"Are you all right?"
"I'm fine now."
Dolores replied, seated at a wooden round table by the window, flanked by her sisters. The other Stuarts were loosely gathered around the table, with Dolores clearly at the center of their circle. The man who had spoken, of course, was Sarrot Stuart. A bronze-colored tal bracer was locked around his right wrist, engraved with a rune that signified "confinent." It was a specially made manacle from the Church of Destiny and Equilibrium; while wearing it, he could not stray more than three hundred feet from its key.
His prosthetic left hand was gone, leaving the sleeve of his shirt empty and limp. The artificial limb, with its wood-like exterior and tallic core—suspected to have co from the Tree House—had evidently been confiscated by the Church.
This level of confinent was a special treatnt reserved for collaborators of the Tree House.
Upon seeing Jenkins, Sarrot instinctively took a step back. But then, feeling the sha of his reaction, he tilted his chin up defiantly and stared at Jenkins, as if steeling himself for an expected taunt. Jenkins, however, paid him no mind.
The man was no longer worth the effort of a sarcastic remark. He had collaborated with the Tree House, which ant the Church would likely ensure he never saw the light of day again. They probably wouldn't kill him, but his future was certainly not going to be a pleasant one.
Jenkins had already treated Dolores the previous night, but her wounds were not rely physical. The ntal trauma she had suffered was beyond his ability to completely heal, so after the Stuarts were taken away, he had made a special request to the Inherited Sage Church to look after her.
Now, the princess looked to be in excellent spirits. Her cheeks were rosy, and her expression was bright. She stood up, gave Jenkins a warm embrace, and then took his hand, pulling him into the seat beside her.
Wendy Stuart imdiately rose to her feet, yielding her seat.
Most of the Stuart children greeted Jenkins upon his arrival, while a few others offered a nod of acknowledgnt. Sarrot shot Jenkins a dark look, but he at least maintained a basic level of decorum, self-aware enough not to provoke him.
"What's the situation in Ruen?"
Dolores asked with concern. Her group had been whisked away rather early, and after Salsi II had declared the duel over, the chessboard's "viewing" function had been deactivated.
"Everything is fine now. The churches joined forces to repel the snowman legion..."
Jenkins gave Dolores a subtle wink, and the princess responded with a demure smile.
"The northern district is covered in snow, but with the temperature rising, it should all lt soon. According to the latest tallies, the total death toll from last night's events—both the first and second half—is less than one hundred. The Church and the Ruen city administration are currently coordinating disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. Oh, and Ruen's temporary administrator is Angelina. While she may be a bit inexperienced, the officials and nobles Salsi II left behind are more than willing to assist her. Besides, there are several highly capable old dukes there to lend their support."
Dolores breathed a sigh of relief at this news, and the expressions of the other Stuarts softened as well. Ruen was, after all, their ho.
Next, Dolores inquired about the Church's plans for them. Jenkins assured her that the Church had no intention of restricting their freedom for long. Once they had a clear understanding of what had transpired, the family would likely be free to go.
"The Tri-King Summit is still in session, so the Church can't keep Salsi II out of the public eye indefinitely. As for the rest of you, none of you have actually broken any rules. With the exception of those who deserve to be punished, no one will have their freedom restricted."
Jenkins glanced at Sarrot. There was clear evidence linking him to the Tree House. There was no way he could talk himself out of this.
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairwell once more. Salsi II was being escorted back by two Nightwatchn. The two followers of the Unlit Moon greeted Jenkins before taking one of the Stuart princes away for questioning. The young man looked visibly nervous.
"How is Ruen?"
Salsi II asked the sa question Dolores had, so Jenkins repeated his earlier explanation. He then stood and offered his seat to the increasingly frail king.
Using an Extraordinary item as an ordinary mortal always cos at a price, and the chessboard from the previous night was no common artifact. If Jenkins hadn't administered so healing to him, it was doubtful whether Salsi II would have even survived the day.
Now that the king was present, Jenkins took the opportunity to ask about the chessboard's origins, as well as what Salsi II had ant by the "guidance of his ancestors."
Under the watchful eyes of his children, the king accepted a cup of tea from Yani Stuart. He then gazed out the window in the stone wall, his eyes fixed on the lush forest beyond. He remained silent for a long mont before finally speaking:
"My original plan was nothing like this," he began. "I rely intended to have the Northern Garrison purge Ruen. Leaving a double behind was simply a precaution against any unforeseen events. Of course, to be prepared, I also searched through the treasures left by my ancestors, looking for any useful items that Dolores hadn't already taken. It was then that I found a mirror—a large, floor-standing mirror with a golden fra etched with indecipherable ancient script.
For so reason, I found myself drawn to that mirror. And then, I saw a person reflected in its surface."
"Who was it?"
"An ancestor from thousands of years ago. To be more precise, one from an era even before the ancient Sicari Empire. I even suspect that ancestor did not live in this epoch at all. He proved his identity by revealing family secrets—things that only a Stuart could know, secrets that even the most powerful Enchanters could never uncover."
Salsi II explained, his gaze drifting wistfully toward the lush sumr scene outside. It seed that resolving the matter of his succession had lifted a great weight from his shoulders. The warm sunlight slanted across his face, casting his weathered features and deep wrinkles into sharp relief, yet it also made him appear profoundly real.
"He told that we are in a different era, a turning point the likes of which has not been seen for millennia. He said that when choosing a successor, one cannot judge by ability alone, for ability is no match for destiny... When he saw that I was skeptical, he gave the chessboard. He explained how to use it, promising it would prove his words were true... Yes, I should have believed him."
He slowly tapped his fingers on the tabletop, a look of quiet satisfaction on his face. After a mont, he continued,
"The chessboard destroyed itself, as did the mirror. There is no way for anyone to prove what I've said. But that ancestor asked to relay a ssage to you. No, it was not his own ssage, but one he conveyed on behalf of a very distinguished being."
"A ssage for ?"
Jenkins asked, hesitant. Then he gave a slow nod.
"What was the ssage?"
"Do not be deceived by appearances. Your true essence is your original form."
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