Then came the Massacre of Kamisukawa. Under the guise of accepting Kamisukawa's invitation to meet and negotiate peaceful terms, the Prince trapped all of Kamisukawa's residents within the city's walls before burning them with the city down in one night.

From that day on, those that did not belong to the Empire began calling him the Bloody Prince. To this day, the ashen ruins of Kamisukawa are left untouched as the starkest of warnings to the rest of the Empire that secession would not be tolerated.

— Excerpt from Prince of an Empire, by Head Scholar Panmoru of the Fallen Star Pavilion

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"Spiced mulled mead and honeyed bread," Molam told the barmaid as he sat down in the inn. He had chosen a spot in the corner where there was little likelihood of being disturbed.

"I'll have the same." Kalle pulled open his chair and sat down opposite him before stopping the barmaid again. "Oh, do you have honeyed bread with nuts?"

The barmaid nodded and left. Molam observed Kalle as the alchemist stood up again to look at the chair, shifting it to the telltale rhythm of inconsistent leg lengths. The alchemist's face frowned, stretching the lengthy scar that ran across his face, before he dug into a pocket for a piece of cloth and shoved it below the offending chair leg. Upon standing up again, the alchemist tested the chair for any more imbalanced shifting before pulling out the cloth and folding it again, putting it under the leg for another test. He only sat down when he was adequately satisfied.

"I see you're still fixing things everywhere you go."

"The curse of knowing how." Kalle rocked from side to side in his seat, then directed his gaze at Molam as he took off his gloves, flexing his fingers. Facing each other at this distance gave Molam a clear look at Kalle's face, almost unchanged since their meeting last year with the exception of the unshaven scruff. The Northerner's light blue eyes still alternated between moments of clarity and a distant unfocused look when he seemed to be pondering.

The most striking detail of Kalle's look was the dark-colored scar that ran across his face. Molam did not comment on it in the past and did wish to start now, but Kalle's background raised many questions in his mind. His Northern heritage was undeniable – the blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin could only be a look found in the Northern Tribes. The Northern Tribespeople prided themselves on their warriors, and each warrior collected scars from their battles to prove that they only ever fought increasingly difficult enemies. If Kalle's facial scar had been the result of a hunt or victorious duel, it should be covered in a tattoo that told the story of his victory. The uninked scar Kalle displayed so openly could only be a sign of shame.

Moreover, the Northern Tribes famously scorned studying alchemy. Kalle had been a respected alchemist in Techoria even if he was not on the Council, and there were many other Free Cities where he could have taken refuge and received an alchemist's welcome. Kalle held enough standing with his inventions that even a rival City of Alchemy like Zaem would have gladly welcomed him.

Yet the Northerner was now in JiangXi, within the Empire. A Border City of the Empire, but within the Empire nevertheless. And the Empire was not known for being kind to alchemists.

They fell silent as the food arrived. Molam waited for the barmaid to move on before he pushed a cup of mead to Kalle. "Well then. We came here to discuss the person I want to find."

"Before we get into that, I have a question for you." Kalle put away a curious glass piece he had been playing with while they had waited for the food and picked up his cup. "Since when were you affiliated with Sanctuary?"

"I think your real question is whether that's why Flangel the Wise personally showed me around Techoria." Molam avoided Kalle's gaze, sipping at his own cup and biting hungrily into the honeyed bread. The spiced mead tickled at his throat and it paired well with the soothing sweetness of the bread, a famous product of JiangXi.

"That was going to be my next question," Kalle admitted.

"To be frank, I met the Oracle five years ago. I've been…" Molam paused, searching for the right phrase, "accomplishing tasks for her. In fact, that's why I'm here," he continued, giving the alchemist a smile. "I don't believe the Head Priestess referred me to you to buy warming stones."

The alchemist snorted, tearing off a chunk of honeyed bread and biting into it. "I see that part of you hasn't changed."

"Which part?" Molam wondered, taken aback by his own curiosity.

"The bit where you're always rushing. Single-minded." Kalle brushed some crumbs off his fingers. "And people tell me alchemists are the ones with devotion to their goals."

Molam blinked slowly. "That's quite the praise."

"That's only praise if you're aiming for a seat on the Council." Kalle took a swig of his mead. "Look, Molam. We might not be close friends, but neither are we strangers. I noticed back when you went by Carlton that you only took interest in things that you could potentially use, like when you were asking me about the flameproof cloak and firepowder. Did you forget how you slighted the other Master Alchemists when you found their theses boring?"

"I could hardly be expected to sit there wasting my time listening to theories that I have no interest in." Molam leaned back defensively. "Nor am I an alchemist. They may have been speaking to me but that was merely a convenient excuse for them to talk about their theories in front of Flangel the Wise so he could hear it. Why should I put up with them using me? If they wanted me to take notice, perhaps they should start with why I should care."

"Nevertheless," Kalle held up a thick finger. "Sometimes you need to remember that people should be heard before you expect them to listen. Master Flangel always said that life is in the mundanities, and that it is when we are bored that it is most important to pay attention. We can't even catch up for a bit without you driving the topic towards what you want, and I wager you've already thought of how you're going to get it from me."

I may not understand human customs, but I daresay this Northerner has read you quite well. The spirit's laughter echoed in his mind.

Molam pressed his lips together as a memory surfaced. Priestess Komura had said something similar to him a long time ago.

"I will keep that in mind then," Molam picked apart some of his bread and ate it, washing it down with mead.

"Good, good, you're listening!" Kalle clapped a hand down onto the table and leaned forward. "For example, maybe the Head Priestess did refer you to me to buy warming stones. How many would you like?" The alchemist's blue eyes twinkled at him. "Just for you, I'll throw in an extra one for every nine you buy."

"I don't know if I have any need for warming stones," Molam wondered if the alchemist was intentionally teasing him. Did Kalle not just warn him about using others, yet now Kalle was trying to sell his own wares to him? "But I can say I wasn't impressed with the Shrine's tea, and they used your stones for that."

"That's not what they're designed to do," Kalle reached into a pocket and then pulled out a black stone, sliding it to Molam. He picked it up, feeling the warmth radiating from the stone. "They're warming stones, for people to keep in their pockets for chilly fingers. Not everyone's lucky enough to be attuned to red aura."

"Hm," Molam inspected it. It fit snugly in his palm, smooth with golden runic inscriptions in the Old Tongue on its surface.

The alchemist bragged, "It's a technique I pioneered, you know. The stones store up the Sun's aura during the day and emit heat over time when in darkness."

"If it's not designed to do more than keep hands warm, then why are people using it for making tea?"

Kalle's face turned sheepish. "I think people are dropping them. Sometimes on purpose. I think what happened — and bear in mind, this is conjecture — someone discovered some of the cracked stones will release the stored aura at a faster pace. But it's too dangerous that way. I'm actually working on prototyping heating stones and maybe cooking stones, but it's hard to tune the inscriptions just right. I've burnt a few fingers already."

"Do they need to be called stones?" Molam frowned.

"I don't think they need to be, but the name is hardly important for their intended use. Would you like to buy some?"

"As interesting as that is, I don't think I need any right now," Molam slid it back to Kalle. "Though I will buy more flameproof garments from you if you have those."

The alchemist leaned closer, excited. "I almost forgot to ask you: Did the flameproof cloak work for whatever you needed it for?"

Molam thought of the palace in Crimson City, which was quickly replaced by the guilt of the fire he had started in the Slumbering Forest. "It worked perfectly fine for why I bought it, but even better, I found an unexpected use for it. I must say, your work is phenomenal."

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"I would hope so. The material and coating took half a year to refine." Kalle leaned in eagerly, his blue eyes shining with curiosity. "What did you end up using it for? How hot was the fire? Are there any problems with it?"

"It's not something I care to remember right now, but I will tell you that it saved my life." Molam wanted to move on from the guilty memory of starting the fire in the Slumbering Forest, but he still had to ask. "Can you make more? I was hoping for a way to cover my head fully. Ideally allowing me to breathe for a lengthy period of time... while surrounded by fire."

"Hmm. That's an interesting ask. I would need to come up with something to help you filter the impurities in the air and more..." Kalle leaned back into his chair, wincing visibly at the audible creaking. "Most of my tools for the coating are still left in my workshop in Techoria. It will take me time to source the necessary materials here."

"Which reminds me: why are you here, Kalle?" Molam remembered what the alchemist had mentioned about the Empire's Red Army being outside of Techoria. "If there's two divisions about to lay siege on Techoria, shouldn't all the alchemists be readying for war? I find it curious that you would…" Molam hesitated, not wanting to insult Kalle's Northern heritage by accusing him of fleeing. "Be here."

"I didn't flee, if that's what you're thinking." Kalle stroked his scruff in annoyance. "I was slated to come here long before Techoria's Council found out about the Red Army. Master Flangel convinced me to come to JiangXi early, just in case. I'd have stayed if I could."

Molam sensed Kalle's guilt, so he hastily added, "If it's any consolation, Techoria has never fallen. In fact, it's even repelled EarthShaker in the past, making it one of the only cities that has survived a dragon. Only a fool would attack Techoria while it has the SunFlower." Though Molam had only seen it from afar while visiting and it had not been active at the time, the SunFlower had earned its reputation as Techoria's greatest defense. A weapon that could launch a strike of aura strong enough to repel a dragon or project an impenetrable Domain-like shield around the city, allegedly powered from the combined aura of all the city's inhabitants.

"Well yes, the SunFlower. You know, it inspired my design for the warming stones. Well, it was a result of my failure trying to replicate the SunFlower, but Master Flangel has always kept the SunFlower's design a secret."

The Prince wants the SunFlower.

Molam kept his face passive, mentally noting that he should really make time to ask the spirit to share what information it had yet to share with him. Part of him wondered if he could chastise the spirit for not telling him any of this on their way to JiangXi.

"Of course, I'm not too worried about Techoria," Kalle attacked his honeyed bread again, chewing and washing it down with the mead between bites. "Flangel the Wise and Nettie have been tinkering with the SunFlower. I haven't seen it in action, but if Nettie is involved it must be far more efficient than the one that defended Techoria from the Red Army the last time."

"Nettie?"

"Oh. The newest Prodigy. She's still a child, but …" Kalle shrugged. "Well, if you've seen what she's created, her genius is uncontestable. Even those stubborn goats on the Council were forced to agree when they saw her submission for last year's Festival of Progress. Some think she might be the best Prodigy since the Great Sage Vareon, better than even Master Flangel himself."

"Are you trying to convince me that you aren't worried? Because it sounds like you're trying to convince yourself." Molam prodded. He vaguely recalled information about a new inheritor to the Title of Prodigy, but the fact that she was a child was news to Molam. "Techoria has the SunFlower and it's been improved by the newest Prodigy, so I doubt two divisions could do anything about it. What aren't you telling me, Kalle?"

Kalle laughed nervously. He looked about them at the crowded inn and leaned closer to Molam, his voice dropping to a whisper, "Master Flangel thinks the Prince is part of the besieging force."

Molam sipped at his mead without a change in tempo despite hearing his own blood pounding in his ears. "You're afraid of a repeat of Kamisukawa."

"He is the Bloo—" Kalle's eyes darted around, confirmed that no one was paying attention, then continued, "—Bloody Prince for a reason, Molam."

Molam raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps it's just a cordial trip. Surely you know that Flangel the Wise and the Prince had a master-student relationship, no?"

"You let me know how cordial you feel when a student comes visiting you with two divisions of the Red Army," Kalle seemed frustrated. "Especially one that has so many Titles. Burner of Rivers. Butcher of Kamisukawa. The Bloody Prince."

Silence fell in their corner as Molam sipped at his mead. He understood Kalle's frustration and worry. Ever since the Massacre of Kamisukawa some eighty years ago, the Prince barely left the Empire without notifying any of the Free Cities to manage tensions and expectations. The Free Cities would give their residents warnings ahead of the Prince's visit so individuals could determine if they would like to leave beforehand.

He wants the SunFlower. The spirit reminded Molam in his head in a tone that seemed overly smug. It seems serious enough for the Prince to personally retrieve.

Molam signaled for the barmaid to refill their mead. "I'm surprised Techoria's residents didn't mass evacuate."

"And where would alchemists go to escape him? To Zaem, where those greedy fools can't see past their own ledger?" Kalle snorted. "Maybe if running to Zaem could get the Bloody Prince to destroy it. No, Techoria might not even be two centuries old, but it has all of the instruments the alchemists before us have built and left behind. It's worth defending. And, there's the SunFlower."

Molam almost reminded Kalle that he had left, but then remembered that if Flangel the Wise had not urged him to leave, Kalle may have stayed. "The Empire failed to retake Techoria after the Fracturing. Then it repelled EarthShaker some thirty years ago. If a dragon couldn't get past Techoria's barrier, then Techoria will be safe."

Kalle gulped at his mead, but kept an eye on Molam's face. He put down the empty mug just as the barmaid brought their refills. "I suppose that's why I'm worried. The Empire has left Techoria alone for so long. They wouldn't make a move without adequate preparation."

Or without a good reason, thought Molam. And according to the spirit, the Prince now had a good reason to attack Techoria. While he didn't fully understand the Empire or Techoria's relative strengths, he could still think of many methods for the Empire to win against Techoria's supposedly impenetrable barrier. He pressed his lips together as he thought of the Red Army starving out Techoria's residents, but did not speak up to worsen Kalle's worry.

Wait. If the Empire only marched on Techoria with a good reason, then what about Kalle? Molam wondered if this could be connected to what he was looking for.

He went for a roundabout method. "So earlier, when you said you were 'doing what you can' about Techoria, I assume it's related to Flangel the Wise encouraging you to come to JiangXi. What are you doing here?"

Kalle's look shifted, then he leaned forward to Molam.

"Perhaps this city could be Free."

The words, spoken with barely more than a murmur, carried a deafening meaning against the loud backdrop of the inn. Molam's eyes darted to the side to ensure no one else was within earshot while his thoughts raced, knowing Kalle was expecting a response.

"What, no reaction?" Kalle leaned back, a twinkle in his eyes. "The person you're looking for is the one I'm working with to Free this city."

Molam frowned, searching for the reason why Kalle could freely admit that to him without any assurances. He then remembered the glass piece Kalle had been playing with. "I thought you weren't capable of Seeing."

Kalle bowed his head slightly, "And you are correct."

"That glass piece…" Molam tilted his head towards Kalle's hand, "It's not because you're nearsighted in your left eye, is it?"

A grin slowly developed onto the alchemist's face. "No, it's not. Well observed," the man leaned closer and whispered, "One clad in a protection of white."

The way Kalle admitted it seemed designed to throw him off, but Molam pretended to ignore it. "An interesting invention. Yours?"

"No, I wish I was this capable. The Prodigy invented it and I managed to get my hands on one, though they're very difficult to produce. What gave it away?"

Molam sipped at his mead again before responding. "You never struck me as one who would play such a dangerous gamble as to say something like that to someone without certainty. Especially if I was looking for our mutual… friend."

"Of course. Well, I hadn't expected to meet you here, or that you would be … " Kalle made a show of peering at Molam through the glass piece, "...cloaked in such an interesting color."

Molam pointed to the glass piece. "How many of those were created?"

He wanted one, but was unsure of how much it would cost. Anything to reduce the gap between him and others that could use aura. Even if it would not help him use aura, the fact that it enabled one to See would make it a worthy acquisition in and of itself.

"Oh, these? Don't bother, the Prodigy only created several of them, and it's hardly something that can replace true Sight given that it only shows color. But enough about this," Kalle tapped the table with an impatient finger and his eyes glimmered. "I assume you're looking because you want to join?"

Molam paused, then smiled at Kalle. "By all means."

Stuffing the last bit of honeyed bread into his mouth, Kalle nodded as he chewed and stood up. Molam raised an eyebrow, but Kalle chewed in silence, his eyes looking to the side. Molam followed the gaze and saw the barmaid approaching their table with an expectant look, only for Kalle to point at Molam.

"I thought alchemists had no want for money." He counted out his coin and put it onto the table. "You're stingy for an alchemist."

"But I'm very open with what I know." Kalle responded in a playfully sweet tone. "And I know which of the two you consider more valuable."

Molam followed Kalle, the bigger man clearing a way through the crowded inn as they left the warm interiors of the building. The afternoon Sun cast an angled shadow on the walls opposite them.

"Where to?" Molam waited as Kalle pulled on his gloves.

"Somewhere," Kalle spoke in a vague tone as he pulled out a black cloth bag and offered it to Molam. Molam took it with a feeling of alarm.

"I can bring you there, but I can't let you know where," the alchemist clarified. He looked almost awkward in the way he couldn't meet Molam's gaze. "Sorry, but we recently had an incident and internal tensions are high right now. This will require you to trust me and put that on when I say so."

"Well that's one way to get myself killed." Molam kept his tone even, not accusing but not fully in compliance. "And to think I just bought you food."

The alchemist held out his gloved hands disarmingly. "Her safety — our safety — is a matter of utmost importance to us."

Molam's mind raced at the idea of trusting Kalle in this manner, but then the spirit's voice overrode his thoughts.

I will keep you safe.

Looking at Kalle with a sense of unease, Molam nodded. "I will put it on but I won't tighten it. And I will take it off if I feel that I am in danger. Is that alright?"

Kalle nodded. "That's fine with me. The whole purpose is to ensure you don't know where I am taking you enough to retrace it."

"Alright then. Lead the way."