Two days later, they assembled at the Academy. The objective was to bring Sierra and Brian to Aidan's fief so they could begin studying and working on their assigned projects. Sierra was going to dissect the summoning ritual while Brian would probably become a librarian or a researcher. What Aidan wanted was Sierra's knowledge anyway.
They would be taking eight people and a dragon this time. The women were all with riding trousers and braided hair, as flying with skirts or loose locks was courting danger. The two former Royals, Sora and Cythrel, Astromelicus because the Keeper demanded and Pearl because she was curious. And Aidan had all the reasons to indulge the Princess' whims. He looked around and remembered what he talked with her the day before.
They were at the Academy and Pearl was studying in her bedroom. Deb let Aidan enter and left them alone. He took a seat by her desk.
"Pearl, I'm sorry to interrupt you but something came up and I need your help."
She perked up right away. With a smile, she almost sang as she spoke, "Leave it to this damsel to rescue the hero in distress. What can I do for you, my friend?"
"I need to talk about the summoning ritual," He gauged Pearl's reaction before continuing, "I know you are under a geass to not talk about it but maybe we can get around it. Let me try and you answer if you can."
A geass could not be broken unwittingly. Pearl would know if she could say something or not when she tried. The geass would only trigger for real if she went against it and spoke on her own.
"I'll try." She answered, reticent. Pearl steeled herself and exhaled. "Ask away!"
"When you enacted the ritual, it had two parts. Instead of summoning them, the first part created or summoned something and then it triggered the second part to summon the otherworlders. Can you tell me about the second part?"
There was one trick with most geass. Almost all of them forbade you from speaking about the geass but it would take a second geass to forbid you from speaking from the geass itself. That or some very crafty wording.
"No. I cannot tell you anything about the existence or not of a second stage of the ritual or the thing that the first stage may or may not bring into being to be used on the second stage."
Aidan opened up a big grin, relieving the Princess from some tension.
"Next question. How would you use a divine tool in the second stage?"
"I cannot tell you how to use a divine tool that may or may not be essential to the success of a second stage that may or may not exist."
Pearl was obviously scared. She was skirting the edges of her geass and was literally playing with death to help him. Aidan held her hands.
"One last question, my Princess," He addressed her sarcastically to break the tension. "Does the ritual leave any residue or does everything vanish afterward?
"I won't tell you if the ritual disintegrates or not all the materials that may or may not be used in it."
"That's plenty. Your pulse is too fast, Pearl." She was even blushing but he declined to comment on that.
"Was it of any use? Did you get what you wanted?"
He opened up his hands and released hers, allowing her to remove them.
"Yes, I got it. You were marvelous as always," Aidan pondered for a while and then proposed, "Would you like to come with us for a quick five-day trip? I'll show you something out of this world."
Pearl closed her books and for a moment he thought that she would toss them away.
"Anytime, darling. Anytime."
And there they went. They shared the burden of using Sky Wings on everyone five for Dawn and three for Aidan. Once they were away from the town the group of fliers stabilized.
"We are going too slow!" Astromelicus complained. "I'm disappointed, cadet Aidan."
"What? The Sky wings won't go any faster than this." He retorted.
"Yes, we are pretty fast for a single spell," The archmage nodded. "But who said we need to use a single spell? Allow me as you are rationing mana already."
"Gale Winds!"
Astromelicus pointed his hands forward and the wind picked up behind them. It burst into a frenzied draft that almost threatened to knock them off the sky. After tumbling a while, they adjusted to the wind and Aidan realized they were going at over twice the speed from before.
"Nice trick!" He shouted. It was almost impossible to hear anything.
Aidan mentally directed them in a straight line to his home, foregoing following the road. He was planning in visiting Margie's family but it was over now. Either way, the fewer people knew he hired two former Royals from Heath as his personal servants. The countryside blurred past them and about two hours before dusk they arrived at Aidan's house.
They landed on the courtyard, the guards wary but waiting to see who was it.
"It is me! I'm home." Aidan shouted from above, the last one to land. He turned to address his group, "Welcome to my family's hiding place. Let's go inside, I am sure we are all tired. I know that I am spent."
"Is this where the God-Slayer has his home? Heath is right on the other side of those mountains," Sierra gasped.
"Sure is," Dawn answered while Aidan talked to some of the guards. "And where you are going to stay from now on, Sierra."
"Right. Go on, gloat, Lumina," Sierra conceded in defeat. "I bet you are thrilled at how far I've fallen."
"Sierra, if I wanted you to suffer, I'd let you leave in that carriage. I'm not Lumina," Dawn replied.
"I don't understand it. Are you behind Lord Aidan's actions? You weren't there."
The others weren't too keen on entering this conversation and just filed into the manor, leaving only Dawn, Sierra and Brian behind. Aidan returned and picked up from were Sierra left off. Skippy disappeared behind the mansion, off into some adventure or hunt.
"It is complicated," He replied. "You see, Lumina and I didn't quite survive that assault by the Rhinorses. Did Heath have anything to do with that, by the way?"
"Not that I know. I doubt my stupid dead brother would ruin his chance of annexing Yutis. But what do you mean didn't quite survive the assault? You are both alive, right?"
"Yes. Both Lumina and I are alive. However, I had to take over Lumina's body to avoid her death. She's been unconscious ever since."
Sierra looked from Dawn to Aidan and back.
""We are the same person."" They told her in unison.
"All that happened after the fight at the bakery was a scheme to get Brody to cancel the engagement and die. Your patricidal brother had it coming." Dawn added. "I guess I did gloat after all, sorry."
"I know that is too much to digest," Aidan completed. "Our offer of sanctuary was truthful though. Let's go inside. In time, we will reveal more."
Sierra was really defeated. She had no other choice. "Yes, my Lord. Lead the way."
They went inside and Aidan had the maids repurpose two smaller guest rooms into private chambers for the two former Royals. After everyone was settled and rested after a rather silent dinner and a full night's sleep, they gathered in the solar. Aidan called for their attention.
"We are staying here today, and tomorrow all of us except for Sierra and Brian will return to Yutis. I've already informed the governess of your tasks, Sierra and Brian. I'll find time later today to speak to you in private. Sierra will do research for me and Brian will work on some documents as well as cataloging foreign law and other legal-related stuff."
They nodded. Aidan continued, "As for the rest of us, we are taking Pearl, Astro, and Cythrel to meet someone very special," He earned a frown from the archmage. He knew the Keeper would pester Astromelicus no small amount.
The former Royals were taken to the library by a manservant and the others went down to the basement and into the vault door that led to the Keeper's domain.
"Well, Pearl," Aidan teased. "Are you ready to step out of this world?"
"What do you mean?" The Princess asked, barely containing her excitement.
Before anyone could answer her, Cythrel cut in, "Is the Elder Fairy in there?"
"Yes, and it is something better shown than explained. If I may take your hand, your Highness?" Aidan unlocked the vault, something only his father and he could do, and moved everyone inside the inner library and lounge.
"The books here are the self-biographies of every God-Slayer in history as well as some rare tomes," Dawn explained. She noticed the drinks were put away by the Keeper, probably.
"The doors to the sides lead to the armory and the prison," Aidan pointed out. "The one ahead leads to the keeper's farm. This is where we grow the plants that are forbidden in our world."
Pearl read the spines of the books. Each one had a name and a year. "Is there one for you?" She asked Aidan after stopping at the one belonging to his father.
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"Not yet. I didn't have time to start mine, and it is usually done only when the mantle is transmitted. My parents are alive even though trapped in a dungeon. I intend to go after them when I can. Maybe after taking you home."
His line hit Pearl more than he knew. The Princess shuddered and mumbled a faint, "I'm sorry." To which Dawn hugged her.
"Don't be. You are not a burden. Let's go see the Keeper. She did ask for Astromelicus last time."
Aidan opened the door and sunlight filtered in. Cythrel ran past him into the farmland and squealed. The others filed after the elf, taking in the sight of the neatly organized farmland and seemingly wild nature beyond.
"Sunlight underground..." Pearl gawked. "It cannot be. We are really in another world, aren't we?"
Aidan smiled and took Sora's hand. "This is the former divine realm of the Demon God. Come, let's give our respects to the Keeper."
They went down the path leading into the farm down the hill. This time the Keeper noticed them earlier and fluttered to meet them.
"Daughter!" The fairy clung to Cythrel and kissed her mouth. "So good to see you!"
The otherwise mischievous elf took a step back. "Daughter?"
"You consumed mine wings, child. The magic of my blood is the magic that runs in yours. That makes you my daughter, silly."
Cythrel nodded with moist eyes. "Mother!"
The Keeper, however, was already locked with another visitor. "You old bastard! Come with me, we have a lot to talk about! You children go play around! Do not disturb us."
She spirited Astromelicus away and into the house. It left the group alone. Aidan decided to explain the farm to Pearl.
"Well, you know the otherworlders call their world Earth, right?" He asked her. Sora and Cythrel were very interested in the explanation and listened in silence.
"Yes. A rather bland name. I don't know why they just called the world Dirt instead."
"Well, on Earth there are several continents." He created an illusion of a globe any otherworlder would recognize. "In our world, only plants that also exist in this continent here, Europe, are allowed to exist in our world. All the plants from the other continents don't."
"Is their world a ball?" Not that Pearl didn't get what Aidan said, but the shape of the illusion intrigued her.
"They say ours is one as well." He shut his mouth before he slipped and asked if she talked about it with the Japanese otherworlders she summoned.
"Anyway," Dawn picked up. "From time to time during all these years of Hero summoning, seeds from that world do come across with them. Our family gathered these seeds whenever possible and planted them here. In this place, there's no way for the other gods to interfere."
"Or they know that the cost of interfering with this place is death." Aidan completed.
"Right," Pearl tittered. "Is it because of the fairy?"
"No. After my ancestor killed the Demon God, this realm became ours. Right now I am the lord of this domain. I think I could even change things but I don't know how. Anyway, enough foreboding. Nobody is dying today. Do you ladies want to take wing and fly around?"
The three nodded. Dawn proceeded to cast Sky Wings on everyone and they flew around. The idyllic realm was not too large, just a few kilometers across. It had a hazy smoky boundary at its edges that Aidan knew to be impenetrable. There was nothing beyond. But inside there was a tall cliffside from where a waterfall crashed down into a stream that fed a lake where he fished with his father, the farm right in the middle of the area, A forest to one side, grasslands to the other where a group of wild horses galloped and the hill that led to the lonely door connecting to the library lounge.
After an hour of flight, they descended next to the farmhouse. The Keeper came to get the door and usher them inside.
"Refreshments. I'm done with that old addict. Sorry for keeping you waiting, Aidan."
"No worries, Keeper. I took the girls to a flight around. Quite soothing, isn't it?"
They sat on the couches and Dawn went to the table to serve their beverages. The Keeper took Aidan's chin and pulled it around.
"Indeed. Let me look at your boy. You've changed. The other person in you is quiet."
"Yes. I've fulfilled her wish and eased her plight. Now she is resting, waiting to be restored."
"Good. Good. Too bad all plants here are mundane. Magical herbs don't grow in this soil. I know a recipe for a potion that could help you... nevermind."
Aidan didn't press. The Keeper was down here for almost five thousand years. It was possible that the herbs she'd need were either extinct or in another continent. Instead, he made a request.
"Keeper, I need to look at the items stored in the vault. I believe I can now dispose of the most dangerous ones." He wanted to treat them with Ether mana.
"Yes, the vault. Everyone wants a new weapon. I'll make sure to find something useful for you and your counterpart."
"I already have a weapon, Keeper." Dawn pointed at the rapier next to her.
"A defensive item then. Can't let you get hurt, silly Alina."
They made small talk for more than half an hour during which the Keeper served exotic fruit and then went to the barn to get Astromelicus' coffee. She also gifted Pearl with a small bag of yellow, hard grains. Afterward, the Keeper led them back to the library and into the door to the vault.
A large gladiatorial arena opened around them. They were in one of the VIP boxes. Aidan wondered if the floor below was used for duels or sparring. The keeper called their attention and led them down a flight of stairs and into a long hallway that arched on both sides. Along the walls, shelves, racks, and stands with several weapons and armor.
"Incredible! The value of these artifacts is impossible to measure!" Pearl cooed.
"These are the common weapons, used for sparring in the arena," The Keeper explained. "In a safe room at the end of this corridor are the really dangerous ones. Let's go."
They went around until they met another vault door. The fairy nudged Aidan forward and he unlocked it. The thrum of power was palpable for the group of spellcasters.
"Please find something made of orichalcum, Keeper," Aidan called.
The fairy returned with a black sword. From an angle, one could see the golden veins.
"This is a cursed sword. It belonged to an otherworlder."
With Sylph's Hand, Aidan set the sword on a table and surrounded it with Ether mana. Dawn had a flask ready. Just like Shinji's armor, it crumbled into orichalcum dust. She quickly gathered the dust in the vial. Not much but considering it was orichalcum, it was worthy of a King's bounty. About two or three times as much as the nugget Duke Glam got for them.
"Get more otherworlder items. All of them can be destroyed into useful materials."
After disenchanting everything deemed "Too dangerous to even leave this room", they left the restricted vault and Aidan sealed it, maybe until the next God-Slayer captured some item worthy of being in there. Not all items were otherworlder-summoned though. Among those that were original from their own world, Aidan got a headless wizard's staff made of a pitch black wood with orichalcum covering the ends. He also got a pair of fighting knives for sora and a shortsword, meant for Cythrel. He didn't tell her that though.
Astromelicus was carrying two bags of coffee beans. Dawn could see the bulging muscles, probably some self-enhancement spell the Life archmage put on himself. The way the Keeper sniggered when the fairy stole glances at him measuring his reactions. It told them the wisdom of not angering or neglecting ancient beings.
Back at the lounge library, Aidan pointed at the prison, "Do we have anyone or anything imprisoned down there now?"
"No. Well, it was a pleasure having you here, but it is about time you go. You are still not yet the lord of this Realm, Aidan. Go look for them."
"I will. Once I deliver these two Princesses safely back home," He said obviously referring to both Lumina and Pearl. "I will go look for my parents."
They said their goodbyes to the Keeper, that conspicuously left Cythrel for last. The little fairy shooed the humans away, keeping the exit gate open long enough to have a private conversation with the elf. Aidan had no idea what they talked about, but Cythrel came out red as a beet and avoiding meeting either his or Dawn's gaze.
With a shrug, Aidan locked the vault once again and they returned to the surface. Astromelicus went off to talk to some acquaintances among the adventurers that used Aidan's house as a base of operations, Sora took Cythrel with her to introduce the elf to the household staff and update their gossip, leaving Pearl with the person with two bodies.
"Aidan, darling, I must give you my thanks. What I saw here today will remain in my heart forever."
He smiled at the Princess, "You can count on the fingers of your hands the number of visitors outside the group that went there today that know of that family secret. I hope it was enough to ease the weight you carry in your heart, Pearl."
"I am not burdened by anything, Aidan," Pearl lied.
Frowning, Aidan took Pearl's handkerchief from his pocket. But the voice he used was Dawn's. "Would you lie to us of all people, my Princess? Are we still your champion? I told you and I'll repeat it. Jett would be an idiot to take away your position. You've grown from a cocky, spunky, and self-important brat to this marvelous, considerate, and focused woman. You've made connections, helped avoid a coup that would throw the entire continent into war.
"Keep your chin up. You'll be a Queen this world sees only once every century at least. And if need be, I'll knock some sense in your father stone-hard head myself."
That made Pearl giggle. "I'd pay to see that. Thank you, my friend. I think I must have a few moments to myself if you don't mind."
"Not at all, this way, your Royal Highness,"
Aidan took Pearl's arm and brought the Princess to the guest room she would use for the evening. After instructing the maids to see to her every need, they went to the library. They found the siblings and took them to an adjacent meeting room.
"Now that I took care of my guests," Aidan started, "I need to talk to you about your assignments and on what we did to bring all of us here."
He explained their reasons to kill Brody, leaving the more intimate ones Lumina had out to protect the Princess' privacy. He drove the point that his actions would probably cause hundreds of thousands of deaths and ruin the stability of the continent. Also how they didn't plan to force them into abdicating.
"We understand, Milord," Sierra answered. Aidan could see how hard it was for her to shed her old princely ways. "How may we serve you?"
"You may have lost the power the Regalia granted you, but I don't think it was permanent. Can I take a look into your souls?" He asked. It made Sierra and Brian raise their arms over their hearts in fear.
"Perhaps I should explain one thing about myself," Aidan tried another approach. "It is true that my Element is Underworld, but I focus on healing Souls. Let me show you one of my signature spells."
He showed them the diagram for Soul Restoration in the air. After some technical explanation about the spell and explaining in broad terms how he was safekeeping Lumina inside himself, he linked into his main subject.
"It was this spell that restored Pearl's spellcasting. You know she shouldn't be able to use magic after the hero summoning, don't you, Sierra?"
After a few moments of introspection, the former Princess met her Lord's eyes, "That is true. She shouldn't be able to use magic."
"I won't go into details because I want to see if you will reach the same conclusions as I did, independently. I'll just say that the loss of one's spellcasting after the ritual is due to soul damage."
"I lost the geass placed on me. I'll research this ritual as you want." Sierra promised.
"Yes. I think we can save more Princesses if we do. Maybe even stop this madness. The summons have to end. Not only we are taking innocent teenagers out of their homes without consent, but we are also endangering all of us. The otherworlder summoning is not an end in itself. I'm afraid it is the means to something bigger. Way bigger than some petty squabble between nations."
He leaned and spoke to both siblings, "I hope I am wrong. If I am not, our hope to avoid some catastrophe will lie in this research. I promise I'll give credit where it is due. Your contributions might put your names back in the history books."
"What about me, milord?"
"Brian, you have no exceptional talent in either magic, swordplay or leadership. I'm sorry for my bluntness but that was the truth. However, you may have a talent as a librarian or a lawyer. There are copies of the legal codices of several countries in this library. I want you to read them and work to advise us. My travels will bring us in contact with several nations. I need to be informed of their rules so I can either work them in my favor or avoid getting more trouble than what I'd get just from being me."
It seems that earning that level of trust was enough to lift Brian's spirit. The younger man raised his chin and promised to do his best.
After thinking during Aidan's talk with Brian, Sierra's eyes shone. She looked at Dawn and the boy in Princess skin could see hope there. "Do you think you could restore the magic we lost?"
"Yes, that is why we want to take a look into your souls," Dawn picked up to give Aidan's throat a chance to recover. "We believe that the effects of the Regalia and the summoning ritual on the subject's soul are not that different as they operate in similar principles."
Sierra stood up. She went around the table and knelt next to Dawn. "Do what you must, milady. This servant beseeches you."
"Stand. I need to touch your solar plexus."
Dawn used Soul Reveal on Sierra. The damage was obvious. After almost a year experimenting with that spell, she could now pinpoint the damages. The affinity sphere for Earth was there, faded and barely perceptible as she expected.
"It can be done," Aidan declared. "Brian, come here. I'll check yours as well."
They had the same pattern. It only corroborated their theory that soul damage beyond what the Underworld Element could do was caused by divine magic.
"We will perform a ritual tonight. I must ask archmage Astromelicus for his opinion and help in setting it up, but we have all the materials with us. This will restore some of your ability but the damage to your souls was too large. I won't be able to restore all of it, but you should regain your former Elements and affinities at a lesser degree."
They ate dinner and performed the ritual on Sierra and Brian. The effects would happen in the course of a few days. As compensation, they agreed to have Dawn place a minor geass on them, to make them weaker if they tried to leave the estate. Even though he didn't suspect them of plotting anything, only time would tell if their allegiance change was real.
The next morning they gathered and departed back to Yutis.
It was time to finally cut Lumina loose.