It was daytime when Heliotrope and I arrived at the city where Doiteain will be executed. After the night of the moonlit lake where Heliotrope and I bathed, we became much closer. The thin wall the detach Heliotrope from me started crumbling, day by day, piece by piece.
The supplies that we bought are still sufficient for a return trip and we kept ourselves with a plethora of options for our clothing. We did makeshift maintenance for the carriage which involves oiling the gear, checking for any pest or termites, and tending to any rotting wooden parts.
If we had a chance, we’d let a professional look into the condition of our carriage as well as the horses.
“Aster, keep your hood up. We’re already inside the city and any glimpse of our identity could potentially put us in trouble.” Heliotrope reminded for the fifth as soon as we entered the city thirty minutes ago.
“I still can’t believe how lax the security is. It’s like the city hasn’t been invaded or anything.” I said as I observe our surroundings.
“Well obviously, they want any spies and such to enter and witness the execution of one of Tirrheaarn’s greatest elder. This is also to show how the Empire of Rousse boasts about its forces and raise their dominance over the people. It should be apparent enough if you observe the Gaul citizens.” Heliotrope’s voice is much stern and serious.
The dominance that Heliotrope spoke of must be the lax security, that the Empire of Rousse is confidence that they can control any spark of rebellion or any form of resistance even with few soldiers. Considering that one of the biggest threats, the elders, are being executed to instill fear and to lure out any of the remaining elders, only shows that the Empire of Rousse boasting their absolute confidence.
The native Gaul citizens are just walking perfectly fine with nothing to fear. I cannot think of anything but normalcy, however, because it was normal that I find it odd. There are several soldiers of the Rousse Empire that marches to patrol the city and some of them made eye contact with me but proceeded to ignore Heliotrope and me.
In the first place, a carriage with two girls nonchalantly strolling inside a city dominated by the Rousse Empire from the Gaul should be suspicious. Even though we are not spies or any opposing factions or forces, they could have just given any excuses and start identifying us.
Was this another factor of Heliotrope’s luck or a flaw of the Empire’s values and laws?
“Nazhral has always been an odd man. He takes great pride of the Rousse’s power and while he is almost as great as King Corcairdhearg Mac Nessa or the man you have known as King Cuh, Nazhral kept this mindset that the victor will always have a tale to tell. Meaning, he believes that once he won, the enemy has no means to counteract.” Heliotrope explained in a low voice, inaudible to passerby as we traverse the traffic.
Unlike other towns and cities, this particular town is teeming with people. The population cannot be called severely unsupervised as there is an event that everyone wants to see. They are here as if festivities are going on with no regard for the elders or King Cuh.
This is one of the places they desperately defended but now, the people are feasting as if the elders and King Cu are irrelevant; that Elder Doiteain’s execution is just an opportunity to throw a celebration.
“It just happens. The Empire planted Rousse citizens within the Gaul and started spreading rumors and news that would cause a ripple that changes people’s opinion. It is the most peaceful way to capture the hearts of the Gaul but it is also the dirtiest tactic employed.” Heliotrope said coupled with few sighs.
“Are you certain about it?” I confirm it with Heliotrope.
“Of course…I was the one who made that tactic. On top of that, I can easily distinguish a citizen of the Rousse Empire. Anything that falls off from the description will be, of course, a Gaul.” Heliotrope held her head high to boast.
“Even with that one over there?” I pointed at a particular guy walking around, also hooded.
“…Wait.” Heliotrope also saw the guy and tilted her head with visible confusion.
Because the traffic in the street is quite slow, we were able to catch glimpse of a guy seemingly lost and walks around aimlessly while glancing left and right. Unlike the Gaul and Rousse who has white to fair skin, this man dons a slick brown skin that if you observe him in a crowd from afar, he would stick out like a sore thumb.
As Heliotrope and I are staring at him, he jerked his head for a moment and stared back at us. In response, we averted our sight.
“That was creeeeeepy, I tell you! Right, Aster!?” Heliotrope turned to me and starts whispering vigorously.
“We, staring intently on someone weren’t exactly something I would call respectable.” I commented with a default countenance while looking ahead of us.
“I hope we do not meet him again, whoever he is.” She said as she calmed herself by puffing her cheeks a little and huffs the air in her lungs. It was a basic reaction from Heliotrope that I observed.
It took us an hour before we could move forward to the center of the city where accommodations and businesses are settled in. The traffic cuts into a three-way intersection and the ride becomes smoother for us and the horses.
Then, Heliotrope faces me and handed me a bag of coins.
“Aster, please get us a room. Let’s meet up afterward in that pub over there.” Heliotrope said as she sheepishly pointed at a pub teeming with people, both with civilian clothing and armored soldiers resting.
“I could do that, however, is there something bothering you?” I asked Heliotrope because my curiosity was piqued by how odd she started acting.
“Truth to be told, I am aware that sooner or later, our funding will die out. With that in mind, the reason bought many clothes is to sell them in this town for an elevated price since they are made of wool, rare for this city.” Heliotrope explained as she looked at the stack of neatly folded clothes ranging from dress to a simple everyday garment.
“I did suspect that. Is there other reason, though?” I asked her again with a little bit of suspicion left in my mind.
“About that, I figured that simply bribing our way here wouldn’t work so I introduced ourselves as upstart merchants and that we specialize in the clothing line. Selling the clothes would be a good credit to prove it and leave no suspicion from anyone.” Heliotrope explained.
“I see. I think you think of the most logical decision. By the way, how will you explain anything regarding the clothes that you randomly picked?” I asked, poking a hole on her.
“Now…! Don’t make this even more troubling than I could ever imagine! I do know that the product that clothes were made a rare for this place, however, I also do not have any guarantee on how to put good words for it.” Heliotrope admitted while she hangs her head. “Not to mention, my lucks seems to have dwindled for the past few days now.” She added.
What Heliotrope said is what we are facing right now as a reality no one wants to accept. I have noticed it myself and apparently, Heliotrope’s immense luck shows faltering from petty accidents to a bit where she’d get light bruises.
It felt like she is physically clumsy and her luck was covering it up for her up until now. However, even if we ponder about it, we do not have any solid evidence for anything. In the first place, Heliotrope’s luck was something of a phenomenon being her as a divine beast.
Looking back, a divine beast such as I, or so was claimed, should have been fortunate. I would not say I am not fortunate enough to have met King Cuh and the Elders, however, there was still a huge mystery behind the concept of what we call Divine Beasts.
“Alright, I will try to get us a good inn. Please, good luck.” I said to Heliotrope as I get off.
“Be sure to not to let your hood down. I don’t know If I’ll profit or not but I let’s make sure we are both safe.” Heliotrope bid me goodbye and drove off towards the other end of the business district and I walk towards the other ends where the inns are located.
The structure of the city isn’t the same as the usual towns around the Capital of Tirrheaarn. This city has more well-built houses made up of sturdy wooden logs and stones. Although the land was uneven, they were able to build the houses and establishment unsparingly symmetrical.
The road is paved and the citizens are dressed casually in high-quality garments. The sunny weather that gives off a ray of gentle sunshine and a warm breeze was accordingly accommodated with appropriate clothes.
The circulating economy is as good as a huge city. Which made me ask…is this what the city is before or after the invasion of the Rousse Empire?
The quality of living her surely is elevated even amongst the city and towns close to this. Inarguably has better road connection but with busy traffic that only indicates that the citizens here are living a busy life in a bustling city.
But…what has brought this quality of life? Has it always been like this or such innovative was brought upon the fall of King Cuh?
It took me another hour to get a room in an inn, a type where upper-middle-class tradesmen occupy. Of course, I stood out because of my figure wearing a hood.
“I want to rent it out for two days.” I let the receptionist know. She has already received the payment worth two days.
“Yes, I can see that you have paid for two days of stay, Miss. If I may, please inform us in advance of any extension of your stay, thank you.” The receptionist said with a smile.
“Duly noted.” I replied while giving her a slight bow before leaving.
As I face the doorway out of the extravagant inn, I felt eyes sticking to me. I shouldn’t be worried about people breaking into our room as I chose an inn with tight security, however, we would only be fine inside this establishment.
Out of here, I am a little worried. I doubt bribery would work against people who are in the trading business for high-class products.
It was uncomfortable to bathe in eyes with lecherous intent but I just endure…
“Isn’t it a little hot here? Well, don’t you agree, miss?” A man approaches me as he jokingly fans himself with his hand. He is stout and fat and to add insult, he smells the worst.
“……” I tried not making any eye contact, however, I could not see any way for me to squeeze out since he is blocking the door with his huge body.
“I heard…you have a clear and cold voice. It might also be coupled with beauty under that hood.” He complimented me, but I couldn’t take any of his words seriously as his odor starts making my eye water. It is so bad that the dried muck of blood and flesh couldn’t be compared.
“…I need to be on my way.” I politely said, however, in a low and cold voice.
“Are you part of a trading firm or a famous person? You might even be a noble. Tell me, miss, I’d be delighted to be acquainted with you.” He presses while catching my hands with his own hands.
At point-blank of his bad odor, I felt nauseous.
“I think that’s enough. Bothering someone is upright rude. Back off now, dude!” A voice rang out the hall of the inn and enters another person in the scene.
“Who are you?” The man with the bad odor asked.
I look at the man who started standing up for me and I immediately widened my eyes in utter surprise. It was the man with a slick tan that we saw earlier. Because he is not wearing his hood as he did earlier, his leanly built muscle under his travel clothes with a tinge of elegance are denting out.
This naturally intimidated the man with bad odor but it wasn’t enough to make him back off.
“Who am I doesn’t matter. Would you kindly let go of that girl?” He replied a smile that sends nothing but hostility.
“Well…” The man with bad odor looked at me and then looked back at the man. “I honestly wanted to know about the trading firm she is part of…” he added while letting go of my hand and bows a bit in apology.
“What do you mean…?” The man in the tan asked.
“Well, first, please take this miss.” He handed me a parchment. “It’s an introduction to my business firm. I immediately notice that quality of your hood and the embroidery that it has. Of course, it’ll make me think that it’s high quality. If it is not, we can still reason out a good price for it in the market. If it is easy to make with this quality, it will grow in profit…” He explained.
“……” It was the tanned man and my reaction.
“I just got heated from the prospect of a good business…” The bad odor man said in embarrassment.
I survey the surroundings and everyone started averting their eyes away from me. It seems like this man isn’t a bad guy and just honestly wants to know about my hood. Everyone staring at me was, in fact, actually staring at my hood.
This is an inn for people who specializes in trade, not a brothel…I told myself inside my head.
“This is made from the wool of a fleece, however, the fleece grew up in a different environment. There’s a change in quality because of that. After that, a tailor uniquely processes them. How they do it, it won’t be told.” I told him half that things I know and heard, however, some parts are fabricated and shrouded in mystery to lead them on and fill their satisfaction at the same time.
“I see! After the execution of the traitor, can we meet the day after tomorrow? I would like to start financial relations with you.” As he said that, I felt my heart aching.
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“Yes, I’ll talk to my companion about it. For now, I need to be on my way…” I excused myself and he let me out. He was unaware that he was blocking the doorway…but still…
In a hurry, I went out towards an empty alleyway and leaned on a wall. As I look left and right confirming that there are no people, I collapse on the ground. It was everything from exhaustion, shock, and, nausea.
My breathing becomes labored and my eyes started becoming murky. There are a lot of things that immediately flashing in my mind but one of the most prominent this is that they branded Elder Doiteain as a traitor.
I can feel it in my heart that it is unacceptable…
“Miss, I’ve finally caught up to you!” A familiar voice called out to me.
“…You.” I only muttered as I look sideways and saw the same tanned man staring at me from a bit distance as he pants a little.
“I figured your nose must have experienced something horrific. Let me give you a little relief from it.” He proceeds to take out a small vial which I assume to contain some sort of ointment as the content oozes with something minty.
“Wait. First, I’d like to confirm a few things. I am grateful for you trying to stand up for me earlier, however, we are strangers.” I immediately jolted from my place and backs a little bit from him.
“Introductions, I see. Just simply call me Atil. As you can see, I am not native from this place or even from the Rousse Empire. I am actually from a tribe called Hun. It’s far eastern of this place.” He introduces himself as Atil with a smile.
“I am sorry. You completely missed my point.” I bluntly said as I started retreating.
“Ah, wait! You’re a divine beast right?! I could tell from your smell alone! I also know Elder Uisce!” He immediately explained himself. One word of the elder I immediately stopped in my track.
“…I’m sorry, that’s made you more suspicious.” I said while I look at him with a default countenance. Honestly saying, I’ve never met Elder Uisce. I heard from Elder Domhan that Elder Uisce can control the Faes of the water, however, how he looks is something unknown to me.
“Elder Uisce is here. I can take you to him and confirm it with your own eyes.” Atil desperately tried to persuade me.
“I am sorry but…” It gave me two options. One is to follow him and confirm his motive to confirm his claims; two is to ignore what he said and meet up with Heliotrope. However, I knew the dangers I might bring along if he follows me, but I’d like to think that Heliotrope and I can come up with an answer. I’d like her to know the situation as well. “I don’t want to risk it. Please leave me alone.” I said as I turn my back.
“Elder Doiteain is not a traitor, I believe that!” He shouted.
I stopped at my tracks.
Elder Doiteain isn’t a traitor. She cares so much for the citizens of the Kingdom of Tirrheaarn, the Gaul. She cared for them more than her own life.
Her dedication to them is now being trampled by branding her as a traitor. I could not accept it, thus, my mind wanted answers and confirmations.
I couldn’t win against my emotional sway.
“…Then, I would like to meet up at a certain place. I do not want to go with you for the time being and I hope this is a good compromise.” I said as I turned to the man.
“Overly cautious is nothing to be ashamed. I will gladly comply.” Atil said as he made a slight bow.
“It will be in the town square, in front of a pub across the street.” It was a place with a fair distance from Heliotrope and I will meet. I’ll discuss the matter with her before we proceed any further. If she wants to abandon the idea, we could just leave them there.
“Then I shall get going. I am hoping for a positive reception.” Atil walks towards the opposite path of the alley and vanishes within the crowds after leaving the vial behind for me to retrieve.
It was mint and my nose didn’t like it because of the strong smell.
It seems my intention was conveyed properly. I raised my hood to hide my ears and started traversing the flood of people.
My intention was obnoxious and risky, however, Heliotrope taught me how to distrust people and discern situations I should be able to diffuse through proper compromise.
“So that’s what happened. You sure bring some troublesome situation. Well, I bid you good news.” Heliotrope puffs her chest and indulged with the fritters served to us on our table.
“Have you sold well enough?” I asked just to accommodate her triumphant return.
“Of course, I have sold so much I profited more than our initial investment on those clothes. But you see, knowing that there are demands for clothes made of wool, I just thought that becoming a merchant would be also a viable idea to live with.” Heliotrope nodded to herself by the idea.
“There was even someone who noticed the fabric my hood was made with. Some merchants in the inn that I went to gathered interests for it.” I said to Heliotrope with a faint smile.
“Staying there might become a little bit troublesome, especially that we are hiding our identity, but, oh well.” Heliotrope shrugs and started sipping at her tea.
It has been an hour since Heliotrope and I met up and we are now eating at a café near the pub where the place we should be meeting up. After I told her what happened to me, she agreed on eating somewhere else but near the place.
“What do you think, Heliotrope?” I asked her about the situation. Should we meet them or not is a situation I deemed to be decided with her.
“…This again? I’ll ask you then. What do you want, Aster?” She returned the question to me nonchalantly as she once more sips onto her tea.
‘…Eh? But I’d like to decide this with both our safety in mind.” I told her my reasoning.
“I understand that but you do know that this involves only you and you alone. I am just going to agree with what you wanted to happen. Consider this as a saving grace from the great Heliotrope!” She smug while looking at me as she held up a fritter.
I am not going to get a proper answer from Heliotrope at this point. Everything about her decision is based on if it is interesting or not. At most, she will leave decisions to me and will let herself have as much as fun.
Considering our current situation, as such, my decision is made.
“We will ignore them.” I strongly said while looking at Heliotrope’s eyes.
“Is that so? What a bore but it isn’t something worth the risk for you, I guess.” Heliotrope frowns a little while glancing sideways towards the crowd of people.
It was something I decided and I would rather be the brakes from Heliotrope’s risky decisions. Well, today was a decision imposed onto me and she agreed to it, albeit with a little complaint.
As we are haphazardly talking with each other under the umbrella set up in the center of our table with fancy table cloth, I heard a drop of rain.
“Rain…? In such sunny day?!” Heliotrope exclaimed as she also heard it.
“It was indeed a bit stuffy and the temperature is quite extreme, however, a rain amidst a cloudless sky?” I also asked as I watch the sudden downpour that occurs. The cloudless sky is suddenly covered with dull black clouds.
The people on the streets scrambled around to find shelter from the rain. The sun-dried pavement suddenly finds itself wet and the plaza was quickly vacated.
It all happened in an instant…
“Will you look at that? They panicked like ants. It was quite a sight to behold.” Heliotrope muttered with a smirk. “Ah, but this weather ruined my appetite, how distasteful.” She added with a little displeased coming from her voice.
“……” I only grumbled softly before taking a bite on my fritter.
The breaded treat comes with a crunch as the fried breading is crisp enough to make a sound as I bite. There was grease but was immediately replaced by a sour, sweet, and bitter taste of the vegetables finely chopped to make a distinct taste. It wasn’t exactly the food that would go with tea, however, the sauce provided mixes well with the fritter itself, making it a common delicacy. The flavor of the sauce is something similar to a sweet and sour cream paste that dearly compliments the grease from the fritter and keeps that balance of the taste.
“You make it look like this thing tastes really good.” Heliotrope told me with a bored expression.
“The fritter? Have you tried dipping it into the sauce?” I asked Heliotrope while gesturing a dipping motion with the fritter at hand.
“I could do that but I feel like I am cheating something genuine about the food. Like, it should be as tasty as when I dipped it.” Heliotrope, even with complaints, starts dipping the fritter. Her jaw loosens a little as the taste assaulted her mouth.
“How is it?” I asked with a little smirk.
“Don’t think you won this one fairly. Admitting one’s loss is important though so I’ll give you that.” She said while dipping another fritter on the sauce.
Heliotrope and I shared a serene moment as we quietly eat the snack complemented with teas. With the rain as the background music and our little chatter as our past time, we enjoyed our time for half an hour.
However, that moment abruptly ended.
“Aster, it seems that your friends got impatient.” Heliotrope said as she looks over towards the heart of the plaza.
“…” I also look over to the place where Heliotrope landed her eyes.
Two hooded figures are walking towards us. I immediately notice Atil among the two, however, the other one is an unfamiliar face. The two walks unfazed by the rain and Heliotrope and I just watch the two in amazement.
“They feel like they are really tough, huh? Walking under the rain and wearing those hoods like a massive idiot.” Heliotrope blatantly dissed them with an amused countenance.
“Are you sure you should openly say that?” I asked Heliotrope as anxious starts creeping into me.
“Eh, are you scared of them?” Mixed with a daunting tone, Heliotrope said as if she is mocking me.
“I guess I am.” I honestly said while my body tenses up. After all, I am quite weak-willed and physically questionable. I am quite confident to say that Heliotrope is as frail as me when it comes to physical strength.
After a few more seconds, they are now standing in front of us, dripping wet and seems to be shivering a little, however, they tried to stand imposingly, at least, the man with Atil.
“My apologies, miss, he insisted to meet you no matter what.” Atil bows a little with an extremely apologetic and humbled countenance.
“That is correct. I could not simply ignore the product of the Elder’s efforts for the past twenty years. I have to at least take my time to check upon you ever since I last saw you in the capital.” The man said as he unveils his hood.
Comes in view is the face of the man with icy white dirty hair and an aquamarine eyes that seemed like glass if stared at for too long. He wasn’t brawny but his face doesn’t look like he is skinny either. The only problem is that all the elders that I know are all old and brazen in appearance.
“Do not think too much of my age. As someone who calls out to the faes of water, I could potentially keep my appearance young through moisturizing my skin. I can’t say the same for the state of my body as I get cramps and back injury.” The man who seemingly claimed to be Elder Uisce said as he saw my curious gaze.
“You cannot go rough on anything now, huh? Anyway, we have discreetly declined to meet you. However, you are now standing in front of us. I am sure the reason is not petty.” Heliotrope decided to ask as she curiously gazes at Elder Uisce too.
“Mind you, I am Elder Uisce, one of the five elders that served under King Corcairdhearg Mac Nessa. And yes, the reason isn’t that much petty but you can consider it as not important. May I ask of your name?” Elder Uisce glared at Heliotrope with eyes tinged with anger.
“Oh? As much as I would like to get into a deeper talk, the place seems to be less appropriate, don’t you think, especially with your outright claims of being an Elder.” Heliotrope shoots back with another question that made Elder Uisce sigh in defeat.
At that moment, Elder Uisce snaps his finger that it immediately took our attention to it. For another two seconds, the rain stopped as if he wills it and the clouds started parting ways.
“Ah, you used the rain to clear the crowd of people so you can search for us…” I muttered unconsciously, however, I never knew I said it out loud.
“That is partially correct. Atil here memorized your scents so it was just a way to reduce anything that could block his nasal perception.” Elder Uisce explained, albeit nodding to himself as if he was mildly impressed by my deduction.
“So…you are saying that a pervert has been sniffing on us? That’s way too creepy.” Heliotrope acted like she was way more disgusted than expected.
“That’s not the case! Atil is an adept hunter and can distinguish the smell between human and beast. You two have a scent of an animal so he immediately knew. Anyway, let us head somewhere more private. I’ll assure you that I need nothing from the two of you but words.” Elder Uisce said he starts beckoning us.
However, neither Heliotrope nor I moved from our seats. Surprisingly, Heliotrope and I have the same idea but Atil and Elder Uisce could not read what we have in our minds as both stopped in astonishment.
“You don’t get to demand where we are going. None of us has any position to demand anything from each other.” Heliotrope said as she took the last sip from her tea and smugly looked at Elder Uisce.
“I agree with Heliotrope. We can just end everything here and pretend that nothing ever happened or we go to a location the two of us is more comfortable to talk. Considering that we do not have any fighting capabilities, we would like to see for our safety more than following strangers around.” I gave my reasoning.
We may have said that, however, we do not even know when they will become forceful. If worse comes to worst, they will just use their brute strength to drag us anywhere as they please. Heliotrope is also aware of this, no, everyone here knows of it.
The only bet we have is that Atil and Elder Uisce are reasonable enough to comply with our demands.
“I cannot have that. The two of you just came into this city and Atil and I are far more knowledgeable about what is going on. There are several factions has been formed and all are here to take advantage of any situations. You two are hefty enough to cause a big commotion without any much reason behind it.” Elder Uisce tried to persuade us using the circumstances afloat the city.
“We do not have any interests in joining any faction or even getting involved at anything. Aster just wants to see Elder Doiteain’s last moment and that’s what we are here for.” Heliotrope enforced to them the reason where we are even here in the first place and I nodded in agreement.
“As I said, we do not need anything from you but words! How hard is it to comprehend such intention?!” Elder Uisce said shouting. We can see in his eyes the impatience building up.
“I don’t know how you think your argument can compel us?! You are so full of yourself and I hate it, alright!?” Heliotrope angrily fights back teeth to teeth and Elder Uisce proceeds to have a staring showdown with her.
…They are like cats and dogs.
“I’m very sorry. I didn’t know that there is someone who will overlap with Uisce’s attitude. Uisce is not a bad person, he only got a short temper.” Atil whispered to me with a troubled countenance.
“No, not all, I was not aware that someone can measure up with Heliotrope’s narcissism at this level.” I whispered back while looking at the fighting Elder Uisce and Heliotrope rather amusingly.
In the end, we compromised in renting a private pavilion twenty minutes away from our initial location. Since the main event will take place tomorrow, we found leeway to make for this conversation. I said private pavilion but it’s just an open hut that we will rent out for ourselves. There will be onlookers from afar giving me and Heliotrope a little assurance that Atil and Elder Uisce would not act violently.
This part of the city can be denoted as a suburban as there are lesser establishments with the purpose of entertainment and more residential areas. Trees are also prevalent and makeshift farms abound.
But of course, this part of the city isn’t devoid of the populace as people go way to way and patrolling soldiers, presumably a Rousse solder, are here and there.
Through some connections, Elder Uisce was able to arrange to rent the pavilion for our convenience.
“Hmph, such reception lacks in color but it is acceptable to a degree.” Heliotrope huffs as she sat down next to me.
“Don’t push your luck, lass. Remember that I filled in the payment straight out from my pocket. What kind of life have you been leading to becoming this haughty?” Elder Uisce barks back with a displeased countenance.
“You’ll bawl your eyes out of my magnificence. Behold!” Heliotrope proudly laid her hood down and showed her triangular fox ears while puffing her chest. Because of the fresh air hovering, her ears twitched multiple times.
“If you think we are not aware, you are a dolt. I am already aware that you are a Divine Beast, and from Rousse Empire at that.” Elder Uisce said unimpressed.
“May I take that as you’ve seen Nazhral around?” Heliotrope hides her ears again and sat back down whilst asking the question with a serious countenance.
“…To be more precise, Emperor Nazhral was seen returning to the capital of the Rousse Empire, Ravenna.” Elder Uisce announces with a troubled countenance while laying his shoulder on the table. “To think you have much this insight.” He added.
“I can tell as much since we’ve sent him to the Eckland Kingdom on a blind hunt, however, I didn’t expect that he will return this soon. Do you know what causes of such?” Heliotrope asked while sprouting a bored countenance once more.
“For the first time in more than two decades, the Empire of Rousse…is stricken with a pest infestation, locust swarm to be more precise. It has been slowly eating some towns and villages to destruction.” Elder Uisce announces, however, it didn’t erect any visible reaction from Heliotrope whom who lived in there in the past.
“So far, there are two towns and three villages that have been deserted. They may be minor settlements have the swarm could make a beeline towards the capital.” Atil intercepted with statistics to show the severity of the problem.
“Yes…you could say that the Empire of Rousse…lucked out.” Elder Uisce stressed his last sentence as he stares at Heliotrope with hidden meaning.
“Tsk, even if you tell me that now, I do not care about them anymore. The Empire, Nazhral, its citizens, they have abused the grace from me for too long. They should learn to stand on their own feet!” Heliotrope exclaimed as irritation built up in her eyes.
“No, the luck that you bring…is it on a decline?” Aware of the existence of Divine Beast, Elder Uisce naturally knows that Heliotrope was the one that blessed the Empire of Rousse to its standing as of now. That’s why Elder Uisce’s words struck Heliotrope shocked.
“Wai--! What have you uttered?! My luck? Declining?!” Heliotrope slams her hands on the table and shouts at Elder Uisce.
“The Counterforce is doing well if that is the case then.” Elder Uisce turns to look at me.
Heliotrope and I, for the past days, have already noticed it.
At first, Heliotrope had too much luck in my eyes that what she does daily is something unachievable by anyone in a week. Heliotrope’s brilliant mind might be factored but half of it is her luck. She had too much luck that even a mere toppling over could let her find something of value or use.
However, lately, Heliotrope is having more difficulty with coping with her life outside of the Empire of Rousse as matters don’t get her ways anymore.
“That’s…” Heliotrope slowly looks at me with widened eyes. After staring at me for a few seconds, something clicked inside her head.
“Heliotrope…” I said sadly. I just thought that I was just dragging her down with my clumsiness and misfortune. However, even I could understand the situation now and could not do anything but look down in shame.
“Don’t give me that look, Aster. I have never once said or thought that you are cumbersome. Well, maybe I did think and said it but it’s nothing that worth grieving.” Heliotrope said as she strokes my head rather roughly. As I look up to her, she is smiling unfettered by the problem.
It was Heliotrope accepting me wholeheartedly.
The stroke, even with the cloth of the hood between my head and her hand, it feels warm. I haven’t gotten used to people’s touch. However, I greatly favor Heliotrope’s touches.
Even so, if the real purpose of my being in this world is to take away what Heliotrope is proud of, it feels sour and honestly, it made me sink in a deeper thought that I am far more weight on Heliotrope than anyone could imagine.
“I got hold of this information from Skathi, the goddess of ice and hunting, from beyond the territory of the Kingdom of Madd.” Elder Uisce said as he leans back on his chair. “She said that there is no such thing such as divine beast in the form of a bipedal, meaning, human in appearance-wise.” He added.
“Then, we are no near-divine but can be called a beast then?” I asked worriedly.
“I believe so. Even Queen Seifer, whom I argued with a lot in the past, agreed. However, Skathi herself branded the child that was born in the Empire of Rousse twenty years ago as the Child of Fortune.” Elder Uisce said as he looks at Heliotrope with a meaningful gaze.
“I could not argue with such an argument myself as the library of the Rousse Empire doesn’t contain such concise information. But going by that logic…then Aster is…” Heliotrope immediately shifted her gaze at me and Atil with Elder Uisce followed.
“Skathi has branded you, Aster, as the Child of Misfortune. Thus, completing the two sets of a child blessed and cursed.” Elder Uisce points at me. “If one is missing, the balance of the world is in peril. As such, the presence of the Child of Fortune greatly tipped the scale and elevated the Empire of Rousse to its standing now. With the appearance of the Child of Misfortune, the tipped scale starts balancing itself in a stable form once again.” Elder Uisce closes his statement closing his eyes.