"Bismarck is more than what meets the eye." Alvaro said, his head was bowed slightly as it nestled on the back of interlocking hands. He reclined on his chair, deep in thought.

"He is a character of questionable intent," Zenvix responded, his mind wandering back to the moment of Magnus's fearful confession and his gruesome demise.

"He or she, that remains unknown," Alvaro corrected, "for all we know, Bismarck may be the last name of a woman. But as I reflected on the sequence of events that led to our demonic encounter, I just found it....strange."

"We have established that Giselle was possessed by a demon. It should come as no surprise that she cunningly laid a trap for us when we first found her. I surmise that she plotted to lure us to a location off the well-travelled path so that she could eliminate the group without risk of discovery."

Zenvix nodded slowly. "That is a likely conjecture. But she was also the victim of a kidnap. The existence of her innocent mother and Magnus's participation lends credence to this."

Alvaro eyed the prince carefully, his brows the look of impending storm clouds. "Is it truly a kidnap...? One can only wonder."

Alvaro stood up from his chair, and walked slowly towards a painting located at the far right of the guest room. It depicted an establishment that looked curiously like an inverted dome of sorts, with seats lining every layer of the structure. On each seat was a figure of seeming nobility or importance, judging by the ornate attire. The walls cascaded towards a centre point of convergence where a raised platform stood, and on it a heptagon table with various high-backed seats.

Leaning against a wall beside the portrait, Alvaro continued, "My suspicion is that Bismarck masterminded a deeper conspiracy. What a darn coincidence that the villager he or she purported to kidnap turned out to be a demon in disguise. What a coincidence that the demon encountered our group and led us to a remote location filled with fresh meat for its consumption to become stronger."

".....to become stronger?" Zenvix's eyebrows raised.

"Demons continually crave flesh and blood for sustenance and to gain might. That is why archdemons which have lived thousands of years and consumed countless creatures are paramount threats to humanity. Nine centuries ago, the last known archdemon, Balthazar, bathed numerous cities in blood and carcasses before facing the combined might of the Guild's finest sorcerers, the strongest warriors from the kingdom of Men and the legendary hero of Solis, Ulfrieg. Only after four days of struggle was the archdemon put down, at the cost of the hero's life. This much I knew from readily available knowledge of demon lore."

"So you are saying...that Magnus and his gang of bandits are merely pawns in a greater game. There was no true kidnap intended. They....and Giselle's mother...they were just livestock for the demon to consume...? And for what? Just to stand a greater chance of killing us?" Zenvix's fists clenched visibly.

Alvaro closed his eyes and sighed. "Just so. At least, that is what I think. I shudder to fathom how anyone could do this?"

Zenvix took a deep breath and steadied himself. "I guess the bigger question to ask here is: who stands to benefit the most from our deaths? Aderis and his allies. In other words, this further strengthens the premise that Bismarck is linked to Aderis. And if Bismarck is putting out all the stops to eliminate me during my journey to Ceil, then that means...."

"He or she is already working through a scheme within Ceil and wants no interference," Zenvix finished. "I have to find Bismarck and put a stop to this madness."

Alvaro nodded gravely. "Though I shall walk a different path, but know that our goals are aligned on this."

Zenvix mused on his conversation with Alvaro moments before they parted ways. The prince was so entrenched in his thoughts that he almost missed a step during his descent of the spiralling tower steps, saved only by his knight-commander Dylas who put out a hand just in time.

As the trio exited the guest tower, the two guards standing to each side of the door placed their fists to their hearts in crisp salute. They were clad in full scale mail, with their breastplates bearing Ceil's signature color of vivid blue. This guest tower was one within a cluster of similar towers, though not every tower was guarded. More importantly, it seemed to hint at Ceil's drive in developing political relationships beyond national borders.

Inviting ambassadors of various nations and striking friendly ties with them seem to be a constant pursuit here in Ceil. Zenvix thought. Opposite the towers in the yonder was a temple built with marble the hue of brilliant golden, where worshippers from all walks of life could be seen forming a snaking queue outside its religious compound. To the west, the concrete path panned out into a bustling street filled with shophouses and make-shift stalls with hollering sellers peddling their wares in the blistering afternoon. Neat residential houses of different builds surrounded the busy street. What caught Zenvix's eyes however, was the arresting sight of a colossal structure that unfolded prominently towards the east.

"The Palace of Esheria, Your Highness. Home to Ceil's highest authorities where paramount decisions are made regarding the nation's future. Minister Zila awaits you there, along with The Council," Dylas introduced.

"The Council?" Zenvix questioned. As they walked along the tarmac footpath towards the four-way intersection, servants hurrying along to the guest towers behind them stopped in their tracks and bowed courteously before resuming their errands. It was as if the entire Ceil knew about their presence.

"Ah, forgive my presumption Your Highness. This aged mind forgets that you are new here, as was I two days back," Dylas uttered apologetically.

"In many ways, Ceil is very different from how Nox operates. Whereas for Nox, decision-making power is vested within one powerful individual, namely our late King Arcturius, Ceil believes in decentralizing that power across seven individuals. Collectively, they are known as The Council."

"Who are these people? And...Esheria...this name sounds familiar," Yurisviel pondered, folding her arms across her chest.

"A sharp observation, my lady. Esheria is the name of Ceil's patron deity. Just as Nox worshipped Kush'tar, Ceil revered the Goddess of prosperity and peace. I am sure you can see the predicament here."

Zenvix sighed, shaking his head slightly before lowering his voice. "A fundamental difference in values, one which runs deep within the undercurrents of tension between Nox and Ceil. Kush'tar symbolizes ambition, power, tenacity, aggression, dominance and the like. Values that in entirety, stand in opposition to those which Ceil's highest echelon treasures: peace, civility, prosperity, order, protection of the status quo. Religion only amplified this underlying discord among the populace."

Dylas nodded. "Indeed. There is a reason why diplomatic relations between Nox and Ceil have always been fragile, impacting trade and collaboration. The Council had quite obviously striven to minimize dealings with Nox."

"You make it sound like the governors of Ceil are a bunch of wusses. Soft-speaking and easily contented." Yurisivel pointed out bluntly.

Dylas looked around worriedly before responding in a hushed tone. "Hardly, my lady. It is not that the rulers of Ceil lack ambition or power. Only that Nox places a much greater emphasis on those values as compared to Ceil. A matter of relativity."

Brief images of Zenvix's gruelling training, horrific experimentation, and his rise to leadership in the Nox military flashed past his mind. As the heir of Nox, even he had to abide by the ageless principle that bound his soldiers.

Resva Nevoris.

Respect is never given. The prized values of Nox demands that no matter the status, every soldier earns his way up the ranks. If he has what it takes, he will assume leadership. If he fails to sustain the status of leadership, he will be challenged, and he will make way should the challenge resound emphatically. Simply put, it is up to the leader to continually earn his place. No one is placed on a pedestal, not a noble's son, not even the Prince of Nox himself. Respect is never given on a silver platter.

Zenvix smiled wryly as he recalled his time as a page boy and stable hand in Nox's military. Cleaning the shit of horses everyday trains your patience, they say.

The veteran knight continued, "While I do not doubt the calibre of our late King Arcturius, the seven individuals of Ceil's council are also of esteemed backgrounds. Rumors abound that one of them had ever felled a Greater Demon in single combat, obliterated with a titanic slash of unnatural proportions not seen in this world."

"Looks like you still have much to learn, young whippersnapper," Yurisviel teased. Zenvix rolled his eyes.

As they approached the intersection, an unfamiliar voice called out. "My, my....what do we have here?" The trio had been so engaged with their conversation that the materialisation of a lady from absolute thin air startled them.

The woman carried a light scent of sweet alyssum, and was garbed in a flowing strapless dress of lapis lazuli, adorned with elaborately sewn embellishments. A silver-ash waist belt of intricate designs buckled snugly across her small waist, which completed the regal mien.

"I don't believe we know each other, my lady...?" Zenvix asked cautiously, his mind still in disbelief from this unexpected appearance.

The lady chucked. "But I do know you, Prince Nighvicto. It's been one of my greatest desires to meet you in person." With one fluid motion, the enigmatic lady bowed, swept up the prince's hand and placed her lips to it, brushing them momentarily against his skin before looking up with hazel eyes of unfathomable depths.

"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Novita Tenebrae, prime sorceress of Ceil. Pleased to meet your acquaintance, Prince Nighvicto."

Dylas's eyes widened and Yurisviel winced at the lady's gesture. "My lady, there's no need for such a...." Dylas blurted abashedly but the mysterious sorceress only laughed.

"Just look at your faces. If I had given offence, I must apologize. It seems that Kush'tarians are yet unaccustomed to Ceil's way of life. In Ceil, women are empowered to be proactive in social relationships. Unlike other nations where the fairer sex is reactive in demeanour, it is encouraged here for ladies to seize the initiative. My gesture henceforth, is a customary part of royal greetings that stems from our way of life. Though of course, it remains my choice on whom I choose to enact it."

"No offence taken, my lady. I thank you for your hospitable greeting," Zenvix responded. "It is a pity that your counterpart from Nox is not here with us. I am sure you would have wanted to meet him."

Novita waved her hand dismissively. "I have met Jerius aplenty during The Gathering. Though he has missed the last one presumably due to the regretful tragedy of Nox, I am not the type to hanker after pretty boys. Too much estrogen for my taste."

Yurisviel sniggered, and even Dylas had to transform the beginnings of a chuckle to awkward hacking coughs. Meeting Zenvix's eye, Novita continued, "I have a curious topic I wish to discuss with you in person, dear prince. And I'm sure your inputs will be most enlightening. I look forward to chatting with you once again. Good luck on your meeting with the boorish woman in the palace."

Novita winked, before her form faded away in a silent teleportation spell.

How did she know we are heading to the palace right now to meet Minister Zila?

Shaking his head at the curious encounter, Zenvix contemplated the mammoth palace before him. A long series of steps ascended skyward which ended at a double-sided door of magnificent proportions. Emblazoned across its centre was the shining sigil of Ceil, the crowned scale. A royal guardsman flanked each side of the door, their steel spears catching a shimmer of the afternoon sun as the men enforced their duties zealously.

"Well, it's time to face the storm." Zenvix declared, as he took his first step up.