449. Interlude - Death and Dealing
Youre back. Any sign of her?
No. Alder the Augur Elder sent us and the rest of the search team back. He said hell continue searching for her alone.
Damn. What could have possibly happened?
I dont know, but it had to be bad if she was forced to detonate her Grand Skill.
Seriously? Archmage Warshade used her Grand Skill?
She did. I couldnt believe my eyes. The desolation it wouldve wiped out any city off the face of the map!
And to think shes missing now
Saffron glanced back, eavesdropping on only a small part of the conversation. She wasnt really privy to their discussion the young noble had heard the news. Or, rather, the rumors. Just about six hours ago, Helena Warshade, the Great Tempest Archmage of Mavos Academy, took off from the palace of Alyras in a hurry. No more than an hour later, every high-leveled [Mage] in the city and the nearby regions sensed a ripple in the mana threads in the air.
Like a powerful pulse had caused a shockwave which interrupted the normal flow of mana. Saffron herself didnt sense it because she wasnt an arcane specialist, but shed heard of such events before. Mana storms, for example, would cause such a ripple effect, and depending on its scale, any [Mage] within a hundred miles from it would be able to sense the natural disaster as it occured. Another such example would be the beginning of the Demons ritual to rge the planes although that was at a far larger scale.
In any case, the fact that Helena Warshade mysteriously vanished after casting her Grand Skill sounded so alarm bells within the city of Alyras. It had only been a few hours, but rumors were being spread. People were speculating that shed ventured out to deal with Ira the last surviving Archdemon from the seven that besieged the city. And the fact that she was missing only made them assu the worst had happened.
It was concerning. Quite clearly, there was so cause to panic. But Saffron rryster kept calm. First of all, she wasnt quite inford on the whole situation. She knew better than to react brashly when it ca to matters she wasnt up to date on.
Secondly, even if sothing happened to Helena Warshade, there was nothing the young noble could do about it. Saffron might have been a Vampire born to one of the Four Greater Vampire Families but she was nothing compared to an Elite Ranked Archmage. If it was sothing was enough of a threat to defeat the Great Tempest Archmage of Mavos Academy and the leader of the Rising Veterans Company, then it wasnt sothing Saffron could deal with alone.
That didnt an she couldnt do anything. It just ant it required a lot more collaboration than relying on her own abilities.
Anyway, there was one last reason why Saffron didnt stop and inquire more from the returning search team. She had her own matters to attend to. It wasnt a world-ending threat, but it was important to her.
She turned the corner, reaching the end of the hallway and pausing before a room. Saffron rryster rapped lightly on the doorway. She cleared her throat.
Lord Gannon?
The door opened in response. A young man strode out, adjusting his attire. His hair was disheveled and his eyes were drooping. But he quickly tidied himself up when he saw Saffron.
Did you need sothing, Lady Saffron?
He looked at her curiously. She nodded and smiled kindly.
May I co in?
--
Sorry if my rooms a bit of a ss. These last few weeks have been hectic, to say the least.
Gannon Norwood scratched the back of his head as he let the young noblewoman in. Saffron found herself seated at the end of a rather ornate table. Docunts were scattered over the rest of the table, leaving only a small section of free space for her to sip from a cup of tea.
She only took a single sip before looking up to et the Lords gaze.
He was Gannon Norwood. The Patriarch of the Norwood Family one of the Four Greater Vampire Families. Hed been mostly preoccupied for the past few weeks. Especially when he was one of the few targets of the Archdemons. He had been looking after the Greaves of Alexander, after all.
He was granted a brief reprieve during all that chaos when Helena Warshade and the other Elite Ranked adventurers borrowed the Greaves of Alexander from him. But then tragedy struck. One which still hurt Saffron, even to this day.
The young Vampire closed her eyes and asked.
How are you fairing?
It was a simple question. But one that weighed heavily on both of them. Gannon paused as he pulled out his seat. There was a mont of hesitation before he pulled back his seat.
I am
He trailed off. Saffron saw the way his face darkened. The way his brow arched and cast a shadow over his eyes. The young noble hesitated. She didnt want to say it, but she had to. It was sothing she promised.
I know it must be hard on you, Gannon.
Saffron dropped his Title. Right now, she wasnt speaking to him as a noblewoman. She was speaking to him as a friend.
Saffron
He shook his head, but Saffron continued.
Zin was a wonderful woman
Saffron, please.
Gannon gritted his teeth. Saffron paused. She knew it was a bit too soon. Especially since the Lord hadnt even had ti to process his grief. He hadnt had ti to mourn with everything he needed to do.
It hadnt even been only a week since Zin died. Zin Norwood, the forr Matriarch of the Norwood Family and Gannons mother. Shed been killed during the siege of Alyras. The [Druid] had put up a valiant effort fought against an Archdemon that wielded the Boots of Alexander. And, unfortunately, Zin perished.
Even with a missing head, the [Druid] fought on. Even when she was already at deaths door, she did everything she could to defeat Avaritia. And when it was all over, there was nothing Saffron could do to save Zin.
Gannon massaged his temples as he leaned back on his chair.
I shouldve been there for her. With her. But I didnt know
The young noblewoman took a deep breath. She wasnt good with these situations she was never good at offering emotional support. Gannon knew that. Theyd both been close friends since so long ago. And hed know that shed only be blunt.
I know youre still hurting, Gannon. But I need to tell you this. Your mother
Saffron bit her lower lip. Gannon raised his head, blinking.
My mother?
The young noblewoman sighed.
I was there when she died. She had a ssage for you. She wanted to pass sothing on to you.
She did?
Yes.
Gannon stared at Saffron as she hesitated. But she continued.
Zin didnt have a lot she could say. But she told to tell you not to mourn for her. To be proud of her.
Proud of her? I dont get what youre saying, Saffron.
The Lord frowned. Saffron shook her head.
She said she had finally carried out her duties. Not as a Matriarch not as a politician. But as a Vampire. As a Demon Slayer. Knowing that she was dying for the cause she was born for she felt fulfilled. She was happy.
What?
It really was harder to say than Saffron thought it would be. Gannon was completely taken aback by her, but this was the ssage Zin had entrusted to the young noblewoman. Saffron would see it through.
And Zin believes youll take up her mantle. That you, too, will beco the Demon Slayer you were always ant to be. That she believes in you, and she knows youll be the greatest Patriarch of the Norwood Family in the history of the Greater Vampire Families.
Thats
Gannons eyes went round. The man trailed off. He sat there, processing what Saffron had said. Honestly, it felt so awkward for the young noblewoman to be in this position. But she made a promise to Zin, and she kept it.
The Patriarch of the Norwood Family nodded slowly. He looked down and chuckled with a pained smile.
I see. She really expected too much of , even in death, huh?
He shook his head as Saffron just sat there, unsure of what to say. Finally, Gannon stood up and bowed at Saffron.
Thank you, Lady Saffron, for telling this. Truly. I needed to hear this.
When he looked up, he was smiling. Saffron wasnt sure whether to smile in return. She just nodded back at him.
Lady Zin had taken great care of when I was young. When I used to visit, and wed play as children. The least I could do is return the favor now.
She was truly a wonderful woman. A true Vampire, through and through.
Gannon agreed. Saffron got to her feet, letting out an inaudible sigh of relief. She was glad this was over. And while she was pleased to see Gannons reception to Zins ssage, the young noblewoman wanted to excuse herself as soon as possible. After all, she, herself, hadnt yet gotten over Zins death. It weighed on her, and she had managed to stop herself from choking up as she delivered the ssage.
I believe Ill take my leave
Saffron started, but a commotion from outside interrupted her. She exchanged a glance with Gannon, and he looked just as perplexed as her. Gannon pushed open the door, and she poked her head out.
She saw the sa search team from earlier rushing down the hallway. She heard their excited voices as they called out.
Helena Warshade is back! Shes returned with Salvos
Salvos? Did sothing happen?
Saffron furrowed her brows. She rushed forward as Gannon followed. For a mont, the young noblewoman feared the worst. She feared that Helena Warshade mightve discovered Salvos true identity. But that couldnt be right, right?
Even Salvos wouldnt be that careless.
But as Saffron turned the corner, she ca to a halt. Her train of thought interrupted as she caught sight of the crowd. Helena Warshade stood at the center, accompanied by Salvos and
Saffron blinked.
Wait, who is that?
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