LILLA KNEELED ON THE DAIS, showing respect to the most powerful woman in Mercurius. She could feel her regal aura even from this distance alone — what more if she stood beside her.
Empress Katarina Amaris sat on her throne with her legs crossed. Her long red gown reached the floor as she stood up, scanning the three of them. The empress spoke to the princess with a strict tone, “I heard you snuck out of the palace again without my permission, Kristen. Would you mind explaining yourself?”
Kristen’s gaze remained directed to the floor, refusing to meet her mother’s. Lilla noticed how tense the atmosphere was between them; she assumed it had something to do with the princess’ visit to Ahlea. “I believe there were no rules stating that princesses are forbidden to sneak out whenever they please too, Your Majesty.”
The empress simply stared at her daughter as if to observe her expression with her usual emotionless hazel eyes. Thankfully, she let the topic go and began to explain the reason behind the summons. “Kristen, I want you to lead a group composed of soldiers and physicians with Lady Henbur to Bronnan. I presume you are aware that the province is one of Mercurius’ major sources of Aitherite ores and products. It is, however, regrettable that the areas surrounding the Maian Mountains have been infested by Sporos. I will be sending your group to investigate and, if possible, eliminate the source of these Thirios.”
“How severe was it?” The princess asked, completely ignoring the earlier discussion. She had always separated personal matters from public affairs ever since she became aware of her position as the heir; at least, she learned to do so.
“Latest reports claimed it had already affected five districts this morning.” The empress met Lilla’s eyes before her attention was stolen by the man behind the short alchemist. “Lady Henbur, I’ve heard you have taken in a new apprentice. Is this him?”
Lilla had forgotten to inform her about Viktor. She even insisted to Vice Commander Erwood that she’ll explain it to the empress herself. She could not possibly tell her that this man was the last king of Styrkeis, putting him as a possible threat to the Empire in case she believed it. “His name is Viktor Unfrid, a refugee from Nadia. I saw some potential with his alchemical skills so I decided to take him as my assistant.”
Fortunately, Viktor was smart enough to know what was going on and didn’t protest about her made-up story. I guess that’s pretty much expected from a former ruler.
“I see. I hope he’d continue to be helpful in your future endeavors.” Once again, Empress Katarina proceeded to talk about the remaining details of their mission. “You are to leave as soon as all necessary personnel, rations, and materials are prepared. I advise you to spend the night in Alvard’s Barracks. The city has the best steeds you can rent once you head to Bronnan. I trust that you’ll be able to lead this mission, Kristen?”
The princess bowed before her mother. “It is my honor, Your Majesty.”
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Lilla found herself sitting across Viktor in their assigned compartment for the second time. Though she’d have to admit, being alone with him in such a small space was a bit awkward. She’d usually enjoy her privileges as the Royal Alchemist to the fullest, but, at the moment, she’d rather be with the physicians.
“Do I have to go by that name now?” She heard him mutter the question as he watched the scenery outside.
“Name?”
“Viktor Unfrid.” His usual pensive eyes now displayed irritation in them. She couldn’t tell the reason behind his expression except for its relation to the name. “Did you know what it meant?”
“It was the first name that came to my mind.” Because it was the surname of the protagonist in the romance novel she was reading last night.
“Viktor Invictus meant Viktor the Invincible. Unfrid is the exact opposite of that.”
She still didn’t understand what he was complaining about. “And?”
“It means the one who gives peace. The Peacemaker.”
“Why is it such a big deal? No one cares about its meaning.” She brushed his concern off, somehow annoying him even more.
“To Styrkean belief, a family name tells one’s upbringing. I wasn’t raised a pacifist. I was raised a conqueror.”
A laugh escaped Lilla’s mouth. She had to keep reminding herself that Viktor’s ideals are quite old and antiquated. “My apologies. That’s just too outdated.”
“What is?” Viktor crossed his arms as he leaned his back against the couch. It was visible on his frown that he was resisting lashing out at her.
“Did you really expect wars are still fought the same way you do five hundred years ago?”
“Then how does the Empire expand its lands?”
She shook her head, thinking how silly the question was. “Mercurius alone has vast lands left unexplored. Why would we need more of that? We make alliances with other countries by trading resources. The world you used to know isn’t the world you live in now. Your people preyed on the weak; you solved conflicts through senseless bloodbaths—”
“What is war without staining your hands with blood? It was a kill-or-be-killed world. We rely on whatever means to protect our people and our principles.” He argued, cutting her words.
Lilla was taught not to engage in foolish disputes, but she had the feeling that Viktor desired her answer — to understand and learn about the methods of today’s world. “If there was a way to stop wars, to settle problems through peaceful means, would you not do it?”
Viktor seemed to be lost in thought. “It does appear to be possible. Styrkeis also had a temporary alliance with the Ahleans once.”
Subconsciously, Lilla felt herself smiling. It was a relief that he was at least open to the idea of diplomacy. Perhaps their earlier talk at the park made him consider finding a new way to live.
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By the evening, the train reached Alvard city, its last station. It was pretty similar to Cicero except the place was less populated and appeared more rural than urban, probably due to it being the nearest city to Bronnan.
The Alvard Barracks became noisy the moment dinner started. Bellowed laughter filled the inside of the building as both Cicero and Alvard soldiers started a drinking bout. Some of them engaged in arm wrestles while others exchanged stories about their lives in the military.
Lilla sat along with Princess Kristen, the princess’ personal guard, General Brighid Callahan, and Viktor at one table. She felt uncomfortable with all of them grouped together since the general was the only one initiating the conversation.
“Princess, was it true,” the general snorted, trying to resist her giggle. “Was it true Prince Zahur asked you a hundred thousand fleurs for the engagement?”
Kristen wiped her mouth with a napkin after finishing her meal. “Crazy, isn’t he? A shame, he was quite good-looking too.”
“Oh? Tell me about it.”
The alchemist surveyed her surroundings, uninterested in the gossip about the Ahlean royalty. She wasn’t quite fond of the Ahlean Dynasty, after all, considering the country took Fengarian Beastkins as slaves. However, she understands that the empress only meant to deepen their relationship with Ahlea; she needed to think about the Mercurians first and foremost.
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Lilla noticed the group of female physicians who were throwing glances in their direction. It didn’t take her much effort to realize they were gossiping about Viktor. Wonder if they’ll think the same way once they knew who he used to be?
A loud thump echoed through the room as one soldier slammed his tankard down on their table heavily. He then spoke in a drunken manner, “I’ve haff enough of thish! All thish talks about that new apprentish irks me! You!” He hiccupped. “Over there!”
Viktor did not notice the man pointing his finger at him. He was too busy eating his second serving of steak to care about his surroundings. It was possibly because of how bad dishes were made during his time and his palate couldn’t help but savor today’s food.
“Don’t ignore me! Oi!” He thrashed around, throwing his fellow soldiers who tried to stop him from creating a bigger commotion. To no avail, he got free from their grasp and struck his fist on Viktor’s half-eaten meal. “Ansher when I’m calling you, punk.”
The steak sauce splattered on Viktor; face, hair, and his clothes. He remained to stare at his plate, still processing what just happened.
“What are you doing?!” The princess suddenly stood up with a bewildered look plastered on her face.
General Brighid raised a hand; a smirk forming on her lips. “This would be rather interesting. You should sit back, Your Highness.”
Looking closely, the soldier’s uniform resembles that of a squad leader’s. Lilla touched her gun, preparing to draw it if the worst-case scenario happened. Surely, he won’t. But how does she know that? Viktor used to be a ruthless king; he wouldn’t let this go.
He grabbed Viktor’s collar, pulling him closer. “I’m talking to you!”
“Is it normal in Mercurius to do that?” He asked as he wiped the sauce on his right cheek, smearing it on his face rather than removing it. “How barbaric.”
That’s quite ironic coming from you. Then again, Viktor probably didn’t need to dine with the knights. He also possibly did not know about soldiers engaging in brawls as a form of entertainment.
“What do the ladies see in you, anyway? They should better eye the soldiers rather than the alchemist’s wimpy assistant.” He scoffed at him. “Couldn’t handle enlisting to the army so you went and probably seduced Henbur just so you could work inside the palace, didn’t you?”
“Oi, Fennar, don’t bring the lady into this. You do not want to anger the princess.” The general nonchalantly warned him.
She almost forgot about the same old prejudice against the alchemists from some of the soldiers. She didn’t know where all of that started from, but it has been happening even before Lord Enkidu took her in. Still not an excuse to talk that vulgarly in front of his superiors, especially Kristen.
Lilla noticed Viktor watching her from his peripheral vision, likely reading her expression. She was used to such slander; she’ll just waste her breath on people like him.
“Answer me!” Fennar threw his fist toward Viktor’s face.
But Viktor caught it with his left hand, his eyes still directed at the alchemist as if asking her permission. “Don’t shoot me.”
She rolled her eyes, stood up, and distanced herself from them. “Don’t kill him.”
With a swift motion, Viktor grabbed his arm and threw him to the floor. He gestured the others to move away before flipping the table with a kick, sending the cutleries and unfinished meals flying towards Fennar. He stepped over the fallen table and grabbed him by his collar as the soldier did earlier. “You might have to get up.”
He smirked as Viktor forced him to stand. He touched his shoulder while laughing. “You’re fucked.”
Lilla saw a faint yellowish light on the soldier’s palm. Shit.
Small currents of electricity passed through his palm to Viktor’s body. Lilla bit her thumb, knowing Viktor won’t be able to move as long as the soldier can touch him. The stun arcana might be weaker than most, but it’d be a huge advantage against someone who doesn’t have an arcana at all.
A loud thud was heard after Viktor fell on the floor due to the squad leader’s punch. Fennar laughed again, thinking he had won the fight already. “Shee? Jusht a small fry!”
Then, the soldier dropped to his knees as Viktor kicked it from behind while he was still on the ground. He had recovered from the attack immediately, spitting out blood from his mouth. “How can you call yourself a soldier when you turn your back on the enemy?”
“Who are you betting on?” She overheard from one of the soldiers watching them.
“That rookie apprentice seems to be doing well. He’s got some moves.”
“You really think he can win against, Fennar?”
Even Lilla herself wasn’t certain if Viktor can win this. He may seem like a dangerous person at first, but considering how old-fashioned his combat style was, he might just lose this.
Quickly, Fennar stood and lunged towards him, aiming for his torso and pushing him towards the wall. He raised another fist which hit the same wall after Viktor dodged it. “You think a Nadian like you has the right to question me?”
Viktor ignored the question and swung his own head towards the soldier’s nose. The blood dripping from Fennar’s nostrils confirmed that it had been broken. Viktor attempted to follow it up with an axe kick but he dodged. “Tch.”
Lilla saw them exchange blows for a while, impressed about Viktor learning to avoid the soldier’s stun arcana as the fight grew longer. However, Viktor had already received too much damage; his bleeding lip and the way he tried to catch his breath served as proof that he was already exhausted.
The people betting for Fennar, rejoiced as their fellow soldier pulled a nearby wooden chair. He raised it over his head as if to hit Viktor who was crouching while holding his stomach.
The alchemist realized this was only a charade, to make Fennar think he was winning. She saw the deadly calculating look in his eyes.
The remnants of the king.
She quickly drew her gun out and positioned herself behind Viktor among the onlookers.
The chair hit his left arm heavily after he used it as a shield. Meanwhile, his right hand clutched a small sharp piece of wood. His chestnut eyes stared at the soldier’s neck, patiently waiting for the right moment.
“Viktor! What did I say about not killing him?!” Lilla pointed her pistol to his head. She could feel her hands and fingers shaking. Everyone’s eyes were on her, wondering what she was doing.
The commander started speaking, “Lady Henbur, calm down. You think your assistant can kill one of my soldiers? That’s im—”
Viktor threw the piece of wood away; the sound grabbing their attention. He walked to Lilla, a dark expression on his face. “Can you?”
The man standing before her flashed: from Viktor to someone else entirely. The split-second image in her mind showed a tall man with long orange hair, wearing the same blue cloak as she does — though slightly bigger. Cold sweat ran down her forehead as she gripped her gun tighter.
Bang.
A gunshot from the past reverberated inside her head. Her ears started to ring and her hands began shaking worse. She couldn’t hear Kristen’s call or Viktor’s footsteps as he went near her.
“As I thought,” Viktor directed her gun towards his chest where his heart is. “You can’t pull the trigger despite your threats.”
There was some truth in his words. Lilla could not find the courage to kill another human, even if they have their weapon drawn towards her, even if they threatened to hurt the innocent. Her body just freezes automatically every time she tries to.
Viktor released her firearm, making his way to the sleeping quarters. “Commander Callahan, you better train your soldiers harder or you’ll find them dead on the battlefield.”
His last words caused an uproar from the Mercurian soldiers while the commander merely chuckled at his remarks. “Quite the assistant you got there, Lady Henbur.”
She returned her gun back to its holster before following Viktor. She shouldn’t have allowed this fight to happen in the first place. He’ll find out sooner, anyway.
“Lilla,” Kristen called her name from behind, standing by the door and at the foot of the stairs. “Are you—”
The alchemist faked a smile, but she can tell Kristen knew about it; concern was written all over the princess’ face. “I’m alright, Kristen. You don’t have to worry.”
“That gun... That’s Lord Enkidu’s, isn’t it?”
“Kristen!” She unconsciously raised her voice before she realized what she did. She turned and ascended the steps. “I’m sorry. Please, let’s not talk about this. I still have to tend to Viktor’s wounds.”
Lilla excused herself, hastily returning to her quarters. She shut the door behind her, resting her back against the hardwood. How long do I plan to run away? She inhaled and looked at the ceiling. Master, you’re too cruel.