There was no retort for that, the man only laughed. “If the fisher has such a tempting bait, then it’s only fair that the fish takes it! One should only fear not to take the hook too deep I’m sure Hughesin agrees with me.”

“Oh, then you were only feigning interest? And here I was worried your minds became addled.”

“Haha, do you take your brother to be incompetent?”

“That remains to be seen.” She laughed. “You’re a step behind Hughesin already. I’m sure by next morrow that wolf will have already devoured her head to toe. You won’t even have a bit of lamb soup to enjoy!”

“I think not. If that lamb was meant for us two to bite, then I see little reason that she would have her purpose used up so quickly. No, she’s worth more to Sovereign as she is now. I am confident that the lamb will have claws hidden to protect herself.”

“Protect herself? You take Hughesin too lightly, don’t you think? The man is an Archpaladin and has that ungodly Tyror as a teacher. I fail to believe a lamb would be able to travel beyond his reach.”

“The answer remains unseen, does it not?” The man smiled, staring elsewhere in the room.

※※※

Another segment of the wall creaked as it opened up to reveal a crimson-robed magus. The magus stepped out from the empty space behind and strode over to sit down in front of the man. “Ser Somiret. I do hope you’ll take heed of our agreement. I am, after all, in charge of your safety. It wouldn’t do for you to meet any stranger without my approval like you did today.”

“Haha, it appears I’ve made Ser Shade angry. You’ve my apology.” The man smiled merrily before pointing at his sister. “Now, if you would please explain to my sister what is particular about that young lady, I would like to hear it too.”

She was silent now. Sipping her wine in silence, she waited for this new person to speak. She already knew of this mysterious person. Even when Somiret slept, this person was there. Like a shadow, this person was always there with her brother no matter what. It made her feel like he wasn’t very human, that there was something unnatural about him. Were it not for her seeing the man eat and drink like any other human being, she would’ve assumed this person was basically a walking corpse. 

As much as she didn’t care for this person, however, she couldn’t deny his prowess as a magus.

The magus sat in silence for a brief moment before extending his emaciated arms outward. Held in his palms was a single crystal ball. Gently, he rubbed the top of the ball and watched as splotches of color began to appear inside. Some splotches shined brighter than others and some were dimmer. Three blobs stood out amongst the splotches with their intensity.

“This,” the magus jabbed a finger at the one colored bright red. “Is the amount of mana Kebrilio has. All others pale in comparison. Only he is able to use forbidden magic. But mana isn’t everything in maguscraft. How one utilizes their mana is another important aspect. There exists two others that are more troublesome in that aspect.”

He pointed at the golden splotch of light, “Truly the most difficult one would be Myron, the one chosen by a god. His ability to see the future of everything: me, you, and this world’s, is a power most divine. Fortunately his powers cannot be used to help others. Myron is at best a person who will watch from the side. He will neither help us nor will he resist us. We can say he is a non-factor.”

He turned the crystal ball to show them a splotch of dark violet. “Among this patch is a threat—Madoshi of Sovereign. Sworn into the service of the Abyssal God, Madoshi is an extremely powerful magus. How powerful he is remains to be seen. As one knows little of how they die, the power of the Abyssal God remains a secret to those alive.”

Shade tossed the crystal ball in a dazzling arc toward Somiret. Light splattered across the room as the ball traveled to Somiret before the ball came to a stop in the air.

“Milord, do you see the two lights that rotate around one another?” The mysterious magus folded his hands.

Somiret and his sister stared at the crystal ball. Two gleams of light, one black and one gray, rotated quickly around an invisible axis. They were almost unnoticeable due to their color and light intensity being rather dim.

They saw what Shade was pointing to them, but neither Somiret nor his sister knew what they meant. The latter took another sip of her wine as she waited for Shade to give an explanation.

The crystal ball was summoned back to Shade with a flick of his wrist. “That gray light is that young lady’s mana.”

“Gray? What does such a color mean?” The lady asked.

“Four elements represented by their four colors, blue, green, yellow, and red. Any other color is the mark of a Sworn.”

“Sworn?” Repeated the two siblings.

“Are there not only two known Sworn capable of using divine magic? How has two more shown up?” Asked the sister.

“Sadly, I have no answer.” 

“Then which two gods do those two colors represent?”

“No god at all. Black is the mark of an elder demon. Gray, to my knowledge, is the sign of the Spirit God, Monster Kazmyreus.”

“The God of Spirits?” Muttered the woman. The fact that there existed such a deity capable of temptation never sat right with her. Of the pantheon, the only other god hated more than the Spirit God was Atroh Tanskadt, the Abyssal God.

“She’s not a simple one, I say she’s a Sovereign assassin! The Spirit God loves to play with the will and mind of humanity, who is to say you won’t be next, brother, after Hughesin? Or His Excellence, the emperor? Do you think she’s succeeded in her agenda now, brother?”

Once more, Somiret found himself deep in thought at his sister’s mocking.

“And what symbolizes the black light?” She rounded on the magus. “Does that lady have the backing of god and demon?”

“I admit my curiosity is piqued as well on the matter. I was made only aware of this magus yesterday. Do you remember, Ser Somiret, the squadron Hughesin sent to kill the Sovereignians? You are surely aware of their unexpected demise by Kebrilio’s spell, and the unprecedented event of his spell being countered? It is said a Sovereignian magus is responsible for it.”

The magus waved his hand over the crystal ball. “Black is the color of that very same magus, the young one known to have countered Kebrilio’s magic—Elric Prost.”

The siblings were curious, intrigued by the retell of such a magus. “What connection is there then? Between the two? Why do their lights circle each other?”

The magus took a moment to think of his response. “Unclear are the answers, but I believe the two to be connected. Inseparable almost. One may even say they are twin stars circling around destiny for all eternity.”

“Oh? That closely linked? A rare sight, to be sure.” Somiret muttered, allowing only a little envy to leak from his voice.

“Brother, do I hear envy? Where is your confidence?” Laughed his sister. “Why don’t I help you, brother dearest? See if I can shepherd her into your corral?”