V3 Chapter 32
“An unexpected guest,”
Sitana turned her head and gazed blankly at the visitor. Her expression was cold but there also appeared confusion which was quite unusual. She closed the book she was reading and placed them on her desk. She had been sitting behind her desk ever since she had returned from the always noisy and chaotic court.
Reading books has become one of her hobbies lately, especially those interesting books that a certain business company was selling. Though there seems to be a lack of new books and products right now, though she knows the reason why.
After all, a certain someone is nowhere to be found, not even by her spies. And this greatly worries her to no end these past few days.
The guest stood silently for a while before walking over to the couch. The clacking of the heels against the floorboard echoed throughout the quiet study.
Sitana silently watched her guest with great interest. Only after a considerable amount of time had passed did she get up from her seat. She began opening the windows as if to chase out the scent of the woman that suddenly appeared without warning, which was starting to fill the study.
—knock knock!
Just as she was about to finish opening all the windows, Somelia brought in a tray of tea and snacks.
Looking at this, she waved her hand.
“No need.”
The blue-haired beautiful woman who sat on the couch furrowed her brows with a grim smile. Sitana was treating her like a completely unwelcome guest, not even offering a tea. She rolled her eyes for the pettiness of her so-called sister. She stood there not speaking for a while, then leisurely went and sat at the study’s couch.
She started this, so she might as well throw away her reservation and like a true unwelcome guest.
Sitana narrowed her brow at her arrogant behavior, but she didn’t go as far as to tell her to get back up.
After making Somelia leave, the Demon Empress walked slowly towards the couch and sat in the seat across the blue-haired woman. She stared at her, stony-faced; her tightly pulled skin and high-arched eyebrows, seemly refusing to give up any emotion.
In truth, the blue-haired woman was already used to it.
This was how it always been, always ever since she has a mind.
In fact, it’s already good that they didn’t exchange scowls and insults the moment they saw each other. Perhaps, she has mellowed down…? The blue-haired woman mused.
“What business do you have, Bluebird?” asked Sitana, her voice containing as little emotion as her eyes.
“Is that how you treat your sister you haven’t seen for a long time?”
Bluebird didn’t seem to care about the Demon Empress attitude regarding her, and still wore the same smiling expression like usual.
“You’re cold as always, Sitana. You should have given me a hug, a kiss, a smile, anything…at the very least, that’s what would the baby imp you love so much will do,”
The corner of Sitana’s eyes twitched.
“Bluebird, did you just come here to spite me?”
She muttered with a very ice-cold voice before a terrifying aura exuded from her.
A thick miasma of murderous intent filled the study, that even the flower that was just placed there an hour ago wilted in a few seconds. However, Bluebird remained unfazed as if she didn’t feel anything. She stared at Sitana with one corner of her lips twisted up.
“I have learned to smile like this from your dearest darling. And it seems as I thought, it's incredibly effective to spite someone. I can say, that baby imp you love and adore so much is really talented in destroying people's good days,”
Sitana smiled faintly, somewhat finding what Bluebird to be humorous, as well as truth. Then, her murderous intent disappeared instantly, replaced by casual indifference.
“Let’s stop with this useless banter, Bluebird. What do you want, I’m not so free to play with you,”
“Yeah, I know. You’re so busy, even though the war has been suspended,”
Bluebird muttered sarcastically.
“You’re a workaholic as always,”
“It has just been halted, not ended. The war could start at any moment,” Sitana replied with narrowed eyes. “We have been hit fatally before, because of the unexpected appearance of the so-called Heroes that came from another world. They caught us off-guard, and because of that, almost a dozen cities have been captured by them, and we are pushed further back in the Dark Lands."
Dark Lands had always been a wasteland. With nothing to grow on it due to the miasma that covered the land. Though the evil miasma empowers them, it stole life on every living creature that doesn't have demon blood, including plants and crops. The empowerment is good, but how would they eat without crops and grains?
Demons also need to eat.
That's why the Demon Empire envies the humans and other races that occupy most of the fertile lands. And they are desperate to have them for themselves. But now, those precious lands have been stolen in the hands of the enemies again. How could it make her feel good?
The more the fertile lands be captured by their enemies, the lesser the food they also have, making them desperate.
Sitana narrowed her eyes in cold anger as she continued, "But not this time. If the humans think they can still push us back, then they will realize why the Demons have survived till now. And to make sure of that, I don’t want to waste my time bantering with you,”
“Well, I guess you should be thankful for that little darling of yours, then,”
Bluebird suddenly said, causing Sitana’s expression to darken, and she glared at her. Still, Bluebird was unfazed by her threatening glare, and smiled leisurely,
“Because of his nonsensical messy playwrights, everything seemed to have been going smoothly these past few days for you, isn’t it? The Anti-Demon Alliance has been at the edge against each other, hence, the war stopped. Everyone has been staring at each other as if they could be a possible backstabber. Now, the entire continent was in a very precarious situation, where a single spark could burn everything into nothingness…however, at the same time, the continent achieves a strange peace, it had not yet achieved for a dozen or so years, ever since this war began."
"... ..."
"...Though, for the time being. I really didn’t think that this kind of plan would bore something like this… that adorable imp of yours could be a Hero, or he could be the devil that had destroyed the continent. A single mistake would put each and every country into a blazing inferno, and countless dying would be an understatement…”
“... what are you talking about? You speak like you know something about the chaos that’s ensuing like a calm before the storm right now. Or is it that? Then pray tell, who it is? I am pretty interested to know,” a sharp edge hidden behind her words.
“And what? Send him into the gallows?”
The atmosphere turned cold.
“This reckless performance of his not only stop the war but also killed a lot of people as well, including some of the Demon Villages near the frontier….am I right?” she said with a faint smile, not showing whatever her intention is.
“It’s a very grave crime…a capital offense,”
“... …”
“Don’t think that you can still hide the truth about him from me. I know all about it…I know all about him- he had already confided everything to me,”
She lied. Clearly.
“Don’t speak lies, Bluebird. You’re not a good liar as you think you are,” The DEmon Empress snorted contempt.
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“I won’t confess to anything, for I have none to confess in the first place. But I dare you to make accusations and disturb his life, Bluebird. I will surely make you regret it,”
“Accusations, huh… those are not mere accusations, and you know it.” she made a grim smile on her face, as she met the Demon Empress threat.
“But don’t worry, I didn’t come here to ruin anything. Nor, make an enemy out of him. I just want to know where he is, and what is he doing. Is he still in the Winter Mountain?”
“.... And why the sudden interest?”
Sitana asked in suspicion.
“You don’t need to ask, you already know what I’m thinking.” Bluebird scoffed.
“The legend of the Winter Mountain. Not many people know about it, but you and I know it’s not just a Legend.”
“That’s only a Legend. You and I should have confirmed that!” Sitana frowned.
“And even if it’s not, what does it have to do with Aanuel?”
“Don’t pretend, Sitana. I know Aanuel has disappeared inside the Winter Mountain after he went deep to explore. Since then, there is no news about him again. But judging from your behavior, there is no change in the Life Stone. Thus, Aanuel’s life is not in any danger at the moment…but where is he now? You can’t possibly believe that he was still inside, wandering around, playing?”
“...Aanuel is just a Baron-rank Demon, while you and I were already Prince-rank when we tried to venture inside the mountain. And yet, we couldn’t find anything, rather our lives have almost been snuffed out like an ember against the wind. Did you actually believe that Aanuel can do something we couldn’t? Have you gone senile, Bluebird? Or should I be happy that you possess quite a confidence for him?”
“Confidence or not, you know your son is a crazy maniac wearing a fool’s skin."
Bluebird scowled coldly.
"How dare you!!"
Baaang!
Sitana's voice echoed in the room, as her murderous aura exploded. Hearing the insult to her son invokes her wrath. However, Bluebird doesn't seem bothered and an azure aura also spread out, clashing against hers. Lightning sparks spread out, and space seems to distort. Everything around the room fell down and broke.
But looking at Bluebird's calmness, Sitana's anger subsided. She calms down, but her eyes are still sharp as she looks at the woman in front of her, seemly wishing to rip her pieces.
Bluebird continued to smile.
"You know that what I'm saying is the truth... Anyone can underestimate him, but I would never. He might be just a Baron-rank, but that doesn’t reflect his true capability at all. He’s a monster, one that can even prey on those up above the Hierarchy. If you and I can’t find anything about it, it doesn’t mean he could not. And that’s what I want to know…!”
Sitana frowned, and then she asked after a long pause.
“... Are you still trying to complete that regret?”
Bluebird stared at Sitana, “That’s the honor of our kind, Sitana. You might have thought of it as just a simple legend, but I won’t. It’s our honor and pride--and no matter what happens, no matter how long it takes, we must find it.”
“There’s no proof that it exists!”
Sitana snarled angrily.
“I don’t do useless actions, Bluebird. And you know that. That is only heard in legends and myths of the Demon kind. And other than us, no one even knows about it. Not the humans with their long history, nor the elves and faes with their longevity. But how could only the demons know it existed? We’ve been hearing about it since we are small children, and indeed at that time we believe it. But that is because we are naive... and foolish children are so. Now, we are not children anymore that believe in fairy tales.”
“Then, what about Pandora? The world only thinks of it as a mere item from fiction. A piece of a legend. But it’s true, real, and genuine. And now it’s in your hands. It’s one of the things that prove that Gods exist. And now they are trying to take it back from you."
"... ..."
"Don’t lie. I might not be here all the time. But I know what’s going on. And what’s this war is all about- it’s all because that is in your hands, that the Gods have been trying to take it back from you all this time. Sitana, the Gods exist and you know that... and that the Pandora is the proof of that. And so, if Pandora exist, why would can't 'it' exist as well?"
Sitana turned quiet, her expression turned grim.
“Perhaps, you could be right. But that doesn’t mean, Aanuel has something to do with it. Just because he was wandering in the Winter Mountain, doesn’t mean he would find what you want. If it’s that easy, then the mystery of the Winter Mountain would never last this long.”
“Are you pretending, Sitana? Or you’re the one who’s gone senile, instead. You know there’s someone behind him, a God. And we both know who it was… the Gods are now making their moves, and Aanuel has become a piece of this game. With the Gods around your beloved son, the chances of him finding it become much higher as well!”
Bluebird sneered.
“If there is someone who can unfold the mystery of the Winter Mountain, then it could only be him. Guided by the red fate of the Gods, everything around him became possible.”
“... …”
“I’m not talking about coincidences. I’m talking about Fate- his Destiny has changed with the Gods' interference…perhaps, that is why the sudden transformation. The thing that was stolen by the Gods from him a long time ago, has now been returned. And there is only one possibility of the reason why- necessity.”
“He’s now a Major Piece in this Gameboard we are all playing, Sitana. And you already realized that. That’s why you are not doing anything and kept Pandora without using it even now. You fear that by the influence of the Pandora, that baby Imp will be affected as well. And everything will turn into an outcome you least expected. You feared the future. All because the Gods had started to disturb this world. Am I right?”
"...you're only guessing. You don't have proof!"
"Proof? Why would we need proof? We are not playing a simple game. And besides, the night you've obtained it, was also the night your beloved imp had transformed into something else... even you would not think of it as a coincidence. Such a thing is impossible. That's why you didn't mess with the Pandora- Aanuel is the stopping point of yours. And now he was doing something else...something big, and you know that,"
Sitana’s expression turned fierce, and sparks appeared around her. Bluebird as well released her aura, and the two clashed again, causing the entire room to tremble. If anyone was there other than them, they would have already lost consciousness, or worst, even dead.
The aura that these two great women were emitting was not something anyone can easily endure. After a few minutes, as if they have done enough as neither of them back out, they slowly calm down and glared at each other.
The room fell into a normal silence. If not for the destruction of the room, anyone would have thought what happened a while ago was an illusion.
Bluebird stared at Sitana, and her eyes appeared begging.
“I need to find him, Sitana. He’s the best clue I have right now. Whatever is behind the Winter Mountain, I need to know it.” she said. Then, as if she recalled something, she added; “This is also for you, Sitana. You have been stuck in your rank for a long while now, and just can’t advance even a little. The key to our bloodline must be within that land. If we find it, we can unshackle the seal, and advance further. Reaching the Heavens would not be a mere dream anymore.”
“Something like that is not easy,” Sitana snorted.
“The power level in this continent, and perhaps even this world, has been restricted by the Gods themselves. That is why no one has been able to pierce through the sky and break the shackles to reach Demi-realm or even still above that, that is said in Legend. Though it's mere speculation on my part, but after having Pandora I was certain of it. The Gods didn’t like anyone to reach them and thus cursed the entire world to be eternally an ant crawling on the ground. Even the Pandora can only help me loosened the shackles, but breaking through them is impossible. As long as the Gods reigned supreme, or you live in this world, there’s no chance of anyone breaking through the Demi-realm.”
"This world is a Prison. And we are its prisoners!"
“That might not be so in the near future. The moment the Gods have joined the battle, the rules have also changed. Everything will never be the same again…”
“That doesn’t make me happy. The Demon Race will be the center of it, again. Is that something supposed to make me happy?” Sitana snarled in anger.
“As they say, the center of the storm can also be the safest place,”
“That’s hardly reassuring. When the storm past, all that’s left is destruction- there is no safe place!”
Bluebird and Sitana stared at each other. Then, the latter sigh, “Just tell me, Sitana what you know. Just take it as a favor from me.”
“I don’t know,” but Sitana let out a sigh.
Bluebird frowned, not believing, “What does that mean?”
“It means what it means. Aanuel has gone missing,”
“I know,”
“...the Life Stone cannot find him,”
Sitana gritted her teeth.
“What? That’s impossible, dead or alive, the Life Stone is connected to its host.”
“But that is, if he is still in this world,” Sitana muttered with a grim tone.
“The Life Stone cannot find someone if he is not in this world. Though it still mirrors the life of its host, if Aanuel is in a different world cut off from this world, it’s impossible to find him,”
“So, he really did find it, did he?”
Bluebird widened her eyes, and incredible excitement flash across her eyes.
“Perhaps, I don’t know. However, the only thing I’m certain of is that he’s in another world, or a place with a strong barrier that cut off the major connection he has with the Life Stone. Perhaps, as you have said, he has indeed found the Land of Legend.”
“Do you really not have any information or way to contact him, or at least find him? Knowing you, it’s not possible to let him leave without any assurance.”
“I do, but the last method I have can only be used when his life is in danger. Other than that, no- do you think that there are so many treasures that can do something like that? Even if the Demon Race has so many treasures, most of them are not for that kind of thing.”
Bluebird stared at Sitana for a moment, then she stood up.
“I guess, I need to go with it my own way.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I need to see the Winter Mountain with my own eyes,”
“You know if you go there, there is a chance of never coming back,”
“Tell that to that Demon Imp of yours. If he can do it, why can’t I?”
Bluebird smirked.
“At the very least, now I’m re-ascertain, that the inherited task of our ancestors is true, and not just a figment of a demon fool's imagination. The Winter Mountain is the Fortress of Blood Spada Ignis. The Land of Ruins. The Empire of Blood that the Gods have stolen from us. It’s the ancestral land of ours, and it’s always been a shame for it to be taken away. What’s even more shameful, is that it’s right before us, and yet we cannot even come home.”
She looks at Sitana, “And so, I will surely complete that regret, and bring back the glory of the Demon Race. The Crown of Ignis.”
Bluebird’s expression was unusually solemn and serious, that if Cian was here, he would have a hard time believing that the usual, mischievous Demon Temptress could possess this kind of disposition.
“That has always been my mission…my purpose of living.”
Sitana stared at the back of Bluebird as she walked toward the door. Though she’s an annoying woman, she was still her sister. They have grown up together- direct relatives who were as close as sisters. But as time passed by, that relationship slowly wilted.
They have their own life and purpose. But still, like Bluebird cannot harm her, losing the interest in the crown and even leaving the empire as to not create trouble with her existence, she was also the same. She can never kill Bluebird, despite her words, or the annoyance in her heart.
She had come back…
Sitana’s lips curved upwards.
She had changed after their last expedition to the Winter Mountain, becoming carefree, a life spent wandering like a bird with no nest, nor resting branch.
After all, they have thought that the regret of the Demon Kind is just a legend. Coming to a failure. It hit Bluebird harder than Sitana, somewhat losing the purpose of her life.
Now, with the renewed belief that the Legends are true, she once again stood back up, with spirit blazing than ever.
But still, are the legends really true?
Is the Winter Mountain the Death Lands; The Ancestral Lands of the Demons?
… …