Iris sat stiffly on a sofa in an open hall on the second floor, with a view of the city below. A violinist played an enthralling piece, but Iris lacked knowledge of musical instruments and found it added tension instead of relaxation. It was like a soft whisper trying to lower her senses. Living in the Labyrinth had taught her that losing focus was a grave mistake, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down. Moreover, she could feel the power of suggestion in the music, and the more she resisted the urge to enjoy it, the more grating it felt to her ears.

The walls of the room were adorned with portraits and strange objects filled with mana, which Iris assumed were decorative treasures. The sofa she sat on was soft and luxurious, and she felt like she could melt into it. Everything in the room was overwhelming to her. She had grown up as a village orphan, not used to this kind of grandiose presentation.

Hella had left her here and gone to call her master.

A man dressed in a black suit approached Iris with a tray that held the same kind of food Hella had previously snatched. He introduced himself as Viktor, the head butler of the Lancaster family.

"Please enjoy yourself, Miss," he said respectfully before turning to leave.

Iris was relieved that he left; she did not want to embarrass herself by stumbling over her words. She wanted to leave; this place was not comfortable, only overbearing like she was back in the lair of Laydell, the ruler of the storm.

She did not touch the plate; it was placed on the polished wooden table in front of her. Her throat still felt sore from the earlier adventure, and she did not desire to eat anything.

Iris noticed another plate placed on the opposite side; she assumed it might be for Lady Ilona.

After another minute, the door opened again. Iris turned, meeting the gaze of someone as overbearing as Laydell himself. Yet, the person did not possess a single ounce of mana; she was ordinary.

Iris watched as she took the seat opposite her. Iris was somewhat sure this was Lady Lancaster; Hella did mention her lady was not a mage in the Carriage.

Iris looked at her; her presence was imposing, like that of a ruler. Her white hair swayed to the side as she took the seat as if trying to escape being crushed. Her eyes held all the power of her presence; they were glowing like flames. It was not even an illusion; Iris could really see the glow, even if it wasn't very prominent in the daylight. Even her dress was exquisite; Iris couldn't imagine what kind of monster was hunted down to obtain a material like that.

"Greetings, I'm Diantha Lancaster, Grand Duchess of Gracia." Iris had expected her to sound distant, cold, and superior. Duchesses gave off an aura like that. Instead, it was warm, calm, and pleasing.

"Iris, level 6 caster," came her very tense reply.

"Level 6… That's sad to hear. What brings you to my abode, Iris?"

"I've come to meet Lady Ilona. Miss Hella invited me here."

"Miss Hella?" Diantha let out a chuckle. Iris felt heat rising to her face. Did she do something foolish? "That pair of words has never been spoken before, and neither is she deserving of it. Just call her Hella, and if you insist on addressing her formally, call her Hecate."

"Hecate?" Iris asked, puzzled.

"Her real name."

"She has two names?" Iris tilted her head in confusion. "I thought people had one name."

"Is that so? One name for us, her family and friends, and another for everyone else. Think of it as a form of adoration."

Iris nodded, still confused. "Then why did she tell me her name was Hella? We just met today."

"She might consider you her friend. Hella does most things in the moment; if you think too deeply about it, you'll find yourself in chaos with no answers."

"That makes sense."

"Is that cake not to your liking?"

"I... I had breakfast before coming here; I cannot eat anything."

"I see," Diantha stared at her, and Iris felt small under those eyes. She did not understand how someone without even mana could have this kind of presence. "What is it you want from Lady Ilona?"

"A blade called Edeath."

"I've heard of it."

"Do you know where it is?" Iris almost jumped off her seat. Almost, not really; she just spoke very fast.

"Calm down. No, I do not." Relief and excitement died just as quickly. "But Lady Ilona does. Do you need it for the cat?"

"You can see the bindings?" Iris patted the little cat on her head; she had a habit of making sure Winny was on her head, even though she could feel the weight.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"No, just a guess."

Iris couldn't tell if it was a lie or not. Even she herself was not really capable of seeing a curse directly, let alone a non-mage.

"Are you wondering if I'm lying or not?"

"Yes, no, I mean a little," Iris spoke before realizing how rude that would sound. She was in her house, given a warm welcome, and now she was accusing Diantha of lying.

"It is not that far of a guess. Generally, a level 6 will have some kind of mythical beast as their companion. You, on the other hand, have a little cat, and you're searching for a blade that can release any kind of curse. It makes sense if you were looking for it for the cat."

"Winny is not a beast," Iris found that title rude.

"Heh, that's a cute name. I apologize if I was rude, but my point was that your companion must be special if it is your companion."

"It's okay; Winny did not like being associated with beasts."

"What happened to her?"

"She used the Magic of Eve, something beyond her level, and the price of using that magic was her identity."

"That's horrible," she sounded disturbed. "I hope you succeed in finding the blade."

"I will."

"I was just here to meet Hella's new friend. Now that I have done that, I shall take my leave. There are a few things I must take care of." Diantha left her seat and came to her. "May Mother bless you." She lowered and kissed her forehead.

Iris dumbly sat, wondering what had just happened. To say that no one had previously done that would be a lie; someone had done that before, and it was a very painful memory.

"M-may Mother bless you," her words came out after Diantha had long gone.

Iris did not understand what this meeting was about. She hadn't even asked why her being a Level 6 was sad. Was it because she was not working under her? Iris shook off the questions. They would not meet again, and there was nothing to think about.

...

Someone else entered the room; it was Lady Ilona. Iris could tell without even turning around. She was as overwhelming and vast as the words made her out to be.

Iris instinctively stood from her seat. Was it out of respect or fear? Likely both, with the latter being more prevalent than the former.

Ilona took the same seat Diantha had taken. Ilona's presence did not match her appearance; she looked ordinary. Wearing a simple witch's robe, a pointy hat, braided long black hair, and large round spectacles.

She appeared as an ordinary and simple Witch, not the grand sage Iris had expected. Her gentle and plain countenance did not help her image much. If not for her presence, which even with this much hiding could not be masked, she would have appeared ordinary.

"Sit down," Ilona spoke in a calm and gentle manner.

Iris did. She was afraid, not for her life; they had just met, and there was no animosity. It was a primal fear, like staring into a chasm with no end in sight. A vastness beyond comprehension.

Her heart clenched; she could not see how vast this person was. Iris had fought and met a lot of strong people, some way beyond her, yet she could tell how strong they really were. But Lady Ilona? She could not imagine. Her level? Was she even in the same league as her? Did she even have a level?

"Are you alright?" Ilona questioned, breaking Iris out of her reverie.

"Y-yes," Iris barely croaked out; her throat felt dry.

"You don't look okay," Hella said, jumping on the couch.

"I'm fine," another weak response.

"But..."

"Hella," Ilona interjected, "why don't you introduce your friend."

"Ah! I forgot. She's Iris, and this cute little friend is Winny," Hella picked up the cat, and Winny did not resist, nor did she show any interest.

"Iris?" Lady Ilona whispered to herself.

"Y-yes," Iris said, sitting a little more upright and stiff.

"The name is quite familiar. Are you from Greyhedge Village?"

"I don't know. I lived in a village but never knew its name."

"And do you know who named you?"

"A wandering spirit," Iris remembered someone saying that a wandering spirit thought she would get off easy if she died, so it decided to save her and gave her a name. The name, in all honesty, was Irony; she, who was not born with an iris, was named one.

Ilona smiled, a fond smile, and said nothing more on that. "You were looking for me?"

"I'm searching for a blade called Edeath, and someone said you might know something."

"Edeath," her eyes glowed upon hearing about it. "I certainly do."

"Really!" Iris could not believe it. After almost five years, she had a clue.

"Don't be too excited; it is not free."

"Huh?" Hella let out a confused noise.

"I'm not expecting it to be."

"I am not expecting you to pay with money or anything, and I would have told you the location if you had asked after the tournament. But as fate dictates it, you're here just in time when I need you," Ilona paused. "I will tell you the location if you participate in the Trinity tournament as one of Lady Lancaster's representatives and Win."

"What!" Hella jumped in before Iris could agree. "Why! I can win this myself."

"The potential for your loss is as high as it gets. Iris participating is only an assurance; it does not affect your chances, does it?"

Hella fluttered and dropped back on the sofa. Iris could see she was not happy with it.

"I don't mind, but is the castle that important?" Iris was starting to think the castle was some kind of ancient relic filled with unknown technology.

"Castle?" Ilona asked, puzzled. "Is that the prize they have publicly announced? Aren't they overconfident wagering a castle just like that? No, I care little about a castle so small and old, and regardless of who wins, no one will receive the castle. There are other stakes in the tournament, much more important than a castle. You can say the result will greatly affect the state of Gracia."

"I see."

"I'll let Hella fill you in on the real situation of the tournament. In the meantime, I have to register your name on the roster." Ilona left her seat.

"You're leaving?"

"They will not let you participate in the tournament until I go there personally." Ilona left as quietly as she came in.

"Right! So, I'll explain the situation," Hella began.

….