It was barely even the tip of an iceberg amid unclear waters. There was just far too little information surrounding Eboracum, and I couldn’t stand that one bit. After all, gathering bits and pieces over the course of a few days led me to a single motive thus far; the targeting of those with a Heavenly Virtue. Remaining unaware would only put those I cared about in harm’s way.

According to what they heard at the church, Elemnin’s motive for using a Heavenly Virtue involved immortality, but... Is that the general purpose of the organization, or was that just his personal interests? How does a Virtue tie in with immortality to begin with, and does that extend to its Bearers? Dammit.

It was like an ever-increasing labyrinth without an exit. Our further discussion only led me to two separate pieces of additional information too. The first was regarding Leonora herself, as she outright stated that she held a Virtue—something I already knew.

“They have yet to make any attempt at targeting me directly though. Are they simply being cautious given my position, or are they waiting for the right moment? Unfortunately, anyone’s guess would be as good as mine.”

For Leonora and her aides, Elemnin was a precarious bridge toward finding out more. Now, there was no other distinct and viable trail that any of us could immediately follow. And yet, she was rather calm in acknowledging that she herself was still considered a target.

In hindsight, I really do regret allowing Guil to go freely. Questioning him about what I know now, could have given us a better idea as to what is going on. But someone of his nature, yeah, he’s probably long gone from Nefra already.

He had also spoken of other Qualms, but I was doubtful that they were still loitering around the city too. And the second bit of information was regarding the first time Eboracum made itself known. Leonora could only pass the question off to Roulant instead.

“That’s still a mystery. There’s the likelihood of their conception being rather dated though. After all, activities involving their presence go as far back as almost twenty years ago. It’s even a noticeably rarer event to see them suddenly become so active. Sure enough, something must be in the works.”

Almost twenty years ago? That should be around the same time as the fall of the Elven of Dusk, right? If they’re somehow connected, then just what the hell was happening during that time?

Our discussion of Eboracum concluded given how little information we could exchange between the four of us. It was a disappointing drip-feed, especially with how little they had gathered over several years.

“It seems we’re all collectively facing the same dead end. Now, would you please step out of the room, Euler? We still have other matters we must discuss. If there’s anything more you wish to say to Albel, you may speak to him after.”

Euler didn’t hesitate to act upon her order as he took a deep bow in her direction. He then faced me with a soft expression.

“Until later then, Albel.”

I nodded, watching him leave through the doors that Vostoun was guarding far behind me. There were still a few things I wished to speak to him about too, specifically regarding him and Guil, but I was willing to save that for later.

“I don’t distrust Euler, but only those who are involved should be present. I heard from Vostoun that you wished to speak to me personally, and that’s why you accepted the invitation. But before we move on to that, Roulant here wishes to ask you a question.”

Roulant walked toward the table that sat between the two of us, placing a single flower at the center and backing away. The light from the lantern gave me a mixed impression. It was either dark purplish or black in everything but the stem.

“Diviner, do you recognize this flower from anywhere?”

“Sorry, I can’t really tell from here. Do you mind if I pick it up?”

“By all means.”

He gestured his approval with a wave of his hand as I decided to inspect it further. And the more I did, I could remember seeing a similar flower on two separate occasions. They were smaller then, but the vine-like entity that once delivered a message from the Spirit of Enheim was covered in something similar.

“Twice, I believe. I think I’ve seen a flower like this from a creature that came from the Enheim Forest. Another time would be here, during the Tournament of Trials.”

I placed the flower back on the table. I wasn’t entirely sure about the first, but I was certain about the second. It was definitely the same flower that covered the fields during my fight against Yojim. And in response, Roulant cocked his head sideways.

“Have you truly only laid eyes on this flower on those two instances?”

“As far as I know, yes...”

“What a shame.”

I couldn’t see an expression amid that continued vacancy, but his voice held a bit of dejection—he seemed disappointed even.

“Allow me to rephrase his question then. Albel, have you ever heard about the “Flower of Mourning,” the Ainutep?”

I shook my head, since it didn’t sound familiar at all. I couldn’t recall hearing anything about it during my travels nor when I tried to consider any flower-like materials from MO.

“Is that the name of this flower?”

“Yes, and it goes by a different name too. It’s a name that has been lost over time, leaving very few remaining who are still knowledgeable about it.”

Following his voice, I could see Roulant now off to the side and motioning toward his face. He pressed a single finger against where his mouth would be, and I could feel that same eerie smile he held before from his words alone.

“Once upon a time, people referred to it as ‘The Flower the Goddess Loathes’. A manifestation of such a raw hatred that made its way into Aerith, blooming these peculiar flowers in certain locations. Those fields were said to be a map of her journey, of a time the Goddess once traversed the world with her own two feet—a path she once took.”

I could feel my brow instinctively furrow as the image of the Goddess’ expression flickered in mind. The name of a flower that was tied to mourning, yet bearing a different name that was also associated with hatred. And what surprised me even more was the idea of a traveling Goddess.

“The Ainutep is now revered as a material prayer to many, a parting gift for the lives lost during the ‘Tragedy of Eburos’.”

“Wait, Eburos...? You’re starting to lose me...”

My head was pounding once more, causing me to grip at my eyes.

“I see. You’re far more uninformed than I assumed you would be, Albel. We figured that you, as the one who currently claims ownership of that named title, would be more aware. As well as someone who isn’t an Effigy yet bears almost every trait of one.”

“What are you trying to say...?”

I felt as if I were suddenly forced to put my guard up. I still hadn’t been able to get them to address how they knew of my title to begin with, but now Leonora was speaking on something that directly implied that they had seen my status.

I was right after all... The stares from when I entered Nefra. There’s someone here that has an [Investigate] that’s on par with my own. That means...

I immediately glanced at Roulant from the corner of my eye, the apparent superior of the Queen’s Eyes. I couldn’t help but think that it had to be him. But could a Fleshringer even have such a skill?

“You’re an irregularity, Albel. And that goes for your companion as well. I believe Eru was her name, yes?”

“?!”

I rose to my feet before I even realized it. I could hear the movement of armor behind me, possibly Vostoun preparing for any sort of action on my part. But my eyes didn’t leave Leonora’s as she remained untroubled.

“Please settle down. I have no intention of doing anything whatsoever to your partner. I am not trying to antagonize you, and it may only be my word at first, but I wish to develop a mutual trust between us. One built on ongoing transactions toward our own objectives. Give and take, as one would say.”

She firmly planted her intention out in the open. I wasn’t entirely on board just yet, but I could see now that I had jumped to the worst conclusion. I simply didn’t expect her to suddenly utter Eru’s name, of all people.

“Sorry... But what do you mean by ‘irregularity’, if you don’t mind me asking...?”

“Allow me to explain, Diviner. Those who have come into this world through the act of a summoning have been documented as having a Unique SKILL. Always. But there’s not a single recording that states otherwise—that a being from this world can hold a Unique SKILL.”

Roulant raised one finger outward on both hands, swaying them slowly, side by side, until lightly tapping them together and forming a single hand with two fingers.

“And now, we suddenly have two that appeared out of nowhere and at the same time—together! Deeming such a significant event as simply odd would be a severe understatement.”

“It would surely attract many eyes if that were known too. That’s why I’ve decided to speak to you today, of all days, here in this room. Everything discussed between us will remain here. The people with us today are those that have my utmost trust. Not a single word will leave this room. I promise you that.”

I now understood what Vostoun had meant about our talk being off-the-record. And I was also given confirmation that Effigies were in fact the only people that held Unique SKILLs.

“So, what exactly do you want from me...? If it has anything to do with information about that flower or that Eburos thing, then...”

“No, that flower was simply about sating Roulant’s curiosity. It has nothing to do with my reason for calling you here.”

Roulant respectively bowed her way as his voice lightened, seemingly in a playful tone.

“Please, Your Majesty, any amount of new information regarding Eburos is too enticing to forgo. I simply cannot help myself.”

“As you say, you made that apparent when you decided to use the arena to gather a reaction from him. But I believe we should get to the heart of today’s matters, shall we?”

She sat with dignified and perfected posture as her full focus on me now.

“I wish to propose a deal, Albel. In exchange for my request, I will answer any questions you have to the best of my knowledge and with absolute truth.”

A deal? She really was serious about making a trade, huh? Is that why they were so open to seeing me? But I don’t know, I have a bad feeling about this.

“May I hear the details before accepting?”

She shook her head, refusing with a bare minimum explanation.

“Please understand. It must remain confidential until an agreement is made. It could put others in harm’s way if not approached with sincere caution.”

“That seems a bit unfair, don’t you think? I could be agreeing to something that I want no part of whatsoever. Something that goes against my own beliefs.”

“I could argue the same, couldn’t I? What if you were to ask me about my three sizes? I’d have to answer regardless of whether I’d like to or not.”

She gave a teasing smile, seemingly attempting to lighten the mood a bit with a joke. And yet I ignored it, as I could only make a variety of guesses as to what her deal could entail. She then continued with a more serious approach.

“I’ll say this; it may be in your best interest to accept based on your most recent troubles. I’ve been informed that the creature that attacked the arena was aiming for you specifically. And that creature belonged to an Effigy from Isluna. The very same place that this deal is involved with.”

“Isluna?”

I couldn’t help but make an immediate association based on that word alone. If the country of Cretho was getting further involved with Isluna, in any shape, way or form, then it could only mean one thing.

“I won’t become a weapon for Cretho, if that’s what you’re after.”

“That’s a valid concern, but I believe you have the wrong idea about what I am asking of you. I’m relying on an outlier, like yourself, in order to avoid any further conflict. And in the end, that concern of yours is solely reliant upon your own actions.”

“What do you mean by that?”

She gave a telling smile and nothing more, implying she wouldn’t explain any further.

It all relies on my actions? Is she saying that, if it were to take a turn in a direction where I would be fighting, it would basically be a fight that’s disconnected from her request? It seems that way.

I still felt reluctant to agree, rightfully so. I could recall having a similar discussion with Marna when I first arrived. I never had any interest in getting involved in the dispute between the two countries. That was a stance I still held, but I needed answers. And there was no better source than one of the foundations of this world—a ruler of a country.

“I understand. I’ll accept.”

She smiled in relief as she then looked toward Roulant. He once again made his way to the table between us, now placing a small note on the table.

“Please read the note. It has to do with the request.”

I nodded and lifted it from the table, reading it over a few times. It didn’t really make much sense to me no matter how many times I tried to consider the meaning.

The fallen raven that’s covered in snow is now prepared for flight.

What does this even mean...?

I looked back at Leonora, confused about what she was trying to tell me with the note.

“It’s a coded message that we received from the north. I’ll explain from the start.”

She gave me a quick rundown of the current situation at the northern border of Cretho. The skirmishes between the two countries, Isluna’s alliance with Ospus and a sudden plague that was overtaking the battlefield.

“You may already be aware, but the conflict between us and Isluna has been around for generations. But that aggression has become stagnated over time, and that finally changed a few months ago. We had ongoing surveillance up until then, which allowed us to become aware of a grave issue.”

She motioned toward Roulant, telling him to continue for her.

“Our Eyes witnessed the fall of the Islunan royalty—the death of their king and his kin. The one to claim his throne was an apparent Effigy, one they referred to as The Mistress. There has never been an Effigy that has taken over an entire country before.”

Etiona... So, it really is in my best interests, huh?

They had no further information regarding Etiona, which left one question I had for Leonora partially unanswered. Even so, I could now pinpoint where exactly she was.

“And this note...?”

“There were rumors that a child of the Islunan royalty remained alive and went into hiding. We weren’t able to give proof of that until that note arrived. It translates as, ‘the heir needs an escape route out of Isluna’. And that’s where you come in, Albel.”

“You want me to sneak into Isluna and safely bring the heir of Isluna out of the country, is that it? But why?”

She stated that she wanted to avoid any further conflict, but I couldn’t fully understand how that would help.

“The Islunan people are still divided, separated on turning their back on the previous royalty and embracing the likes of an Effigy. That split has been made apparent even at the border. The Mistress is becoming more reliant on the strength of Ospus rather than their own forces.”

So, does she want to use the heir as a bargaining chip? No, if the Islunan people aren’t all welcoming of Etiona’s reign, then that would mean that the masses might embrace the return of the heir, wouldn’t they? Ah. A revolt!

“You want to use the heir to incite the Islunan people before more switch to the Effigy’s side, is that it? It would potentially force a rebellion. One that would shift their attention inward, on their own territory and less on the border.”

Leonora smiled, nodding as she gently clapped her hands together.

“They were right in vouching for you. Exactly.”

And as someone who wasn’t tied to any country, it would be easier for me to make my way through Isluna without further provoking Etiona’s aggression. Even if I were found out, they wouldn’t be able to use my position as leverage toward inciting the Islunan people against Cretho. I wasn’t an Effigy of Cretho to begin with.

I only have to reach Alnia without being noticed. And if Eru comes with me, we can simply use her ability to teleport back. This could work.

My only job would be bringing the heir back. I wouldn’t involve myself in anything further than that. I was already considering different methods of entering Isluna before Leonora suddenly broke me away from my thoughts.

“I’m thankful that you’re rather willing now. Allow me to return to a previous point, about the Tragedy of Eburos—the period of mourning—that will take place as your opening.”

“Period of mourning?”

According to Leonora, it was a peculiar treaty that took place every year. A temporary armistice of three days that apparently was for ‘mourning their ancestors’. It was a tradition shared by both countries, one derived from an old sentiment that Leonora didn’t go into detail about for some reason.

“As always, I have already sent my message regarding the temporary treaty. I believe they’ll accept in order to remain in the Islunan people’s good will. Three weeks from today, you shall meet our go-between in Isluna. At the border city of Yesiah, the city of the Eternal Gala. Can I trust in your abilities, Albel?”

She stood from her seat with her hand extended my way. And the moment I was preparing to shake her hand, a sudden knock came at the door. It was a soldier, breathing heavily as he quickly explained something to Vostoun. The General then stepped forth, kneeling some distance away.

“My apologies for the interruption, Your Majesty, I have news regarding Port Lindes. We’ve received word that the two Effigies that departed to Espen months ago have returned.”

❖

I was left alone now after my long discussion with Leonora. Cruubi sat in the palm of my hands, remaining quiet yet hopping slightly every so often. I was slumped against the couch, lost in thought, considering a second request that was given to me. I couldn’t help but give a heavy sigh.

“Mm. That was a rather loud one, Sir Albel. Hardworking as always, I see.”

“Hm?”

There was a sudden voice, one I was incredibly familiar with. But there was no one near me, just the bird in my hands. I eyed Cruubi for a second, questioning if I was simply hearing things. And then I heard her voice again.

“C’mon, don’t ignore me. Say something, or it’ll feel like I’m awkwardly talking to myself!”

“Marna?!”

Cruubi innocently titled its small head as Marna’s voice was seemingly coming from the bird itself.

“Wait, what? How exactly...?”

“Mm! Flabbergasted, aren’t you? Hehe. I laced my own magic within this little one so we could contact one another. It took some time to figure out how it works, but it was worth the effort.”

Did she basically make my summon into a walkie-talkie...? This girl...

Being surprised was an understatement. I never would have thought she would be able to manipulate a familiar of mine and allow a connection between herself and another.

“...Are you angry...?”

“No, I’m just amazed that you came up with the idea before I did.”

“Mm. Maybe a certain someone has been a positive influence on me. Or is it better to think of it as me picking up a bad habit? Hmm. It was on impulse after all.”

“Bad habit?! Embracing the urges of theory-crafting is a respectable choice, okay? It's a perfectly reasonable hobby to have too!"

There was a faint chuckle on her end. It was rather nice, soothing even, being able to hear her voice again. It felt like it had been a lifetime and a half since the last time we had a chat. There was something I wanted to ask her though.

“About your letter, Marna...”

“Oh! That’s right, I forgot all about that... It didn’t hurt, did it?”

“Huh? Hurt? What are you talking about—”

And then I realized something when her letter had dropped on Ossifra during our fight. The web of lightning and the fading runic symbol. With everything that was happening, I didn’t even connect nor question the two until now.

“Wait, was that...runic symbol of lightning meant for me?!”

“Did you let someone else open it?! I placed that runic inscription with your robe’s defenses in mind, Sir Albel! How could you be so irresponsible?”

"HUH?!"

She had the nerve to place blame on my own incompetence rather than her impulsive decision to attach a runic symbol on a letter of all things.

Maybe it really is a bad habit when it's coming from her...

“So, what did you want to know about the letter? I’m certain it’s about her, isn’t it?”

Her letter was rather vague. She was already aware that several people existed with a similar title to her own, and regarding the Deadly Sins, she couldn’t say anything about it. It was a sensitive topic once again. In response to Haifalaura’s summoning, it seems like she already knew it would happen.

“Haifalaura will be the one to guide you along the path that you desire. Entrust in her as your close auxiliary.”

My issue though, was in her final statement. The one that referenced a certain someone.

“I will contact you soon regarding the girl named Eru. She is an anomaly like none other.”

“Yes, it’s about her. Are you willing to tell me something about her then?”

“Mm.”

She remained silent for a bit longer, that is until the sound of liquid began forming behind me and intruded upon the once quiet room. I turned in my seat, and there stood a young girl wrapped in a black sheet-like robe. And as she stumbled forward, I could just make out a dark red ribbon around her neck.

“I’d also like in on this discussion, my liege. I was planning on talking to you about her before, but you rudely shoo’d me away the other day.”

“Haifalaura... I was in the middle of fighting a Special Beast, you know...?”

“I don’t want to hear your excuses.”

I sighed, deciding against arguing with her too. My attention was back on Cruubi in my hands. Another minute went by in further silence before Marna finally spoke up.

"Please consider my words carefully, Sir Albel. That human is not supposed to be here. She shouldn't be by your side. That girl, Eru, is single-handedly forcing the pages of Providence to rewrite itself with her every action. That's why..."

Her words were caught in her throat, as if it pained her to even continue speaking.

"...I want you to separate from that girl, Sir Albel. Please."

I was rendered speechless in hearing Marna’s unexpected plea. And yet, I couldn’t suppress a lingering feeling located in my chest. I despised it, but understood why it existed too. Deep down, I could feel a trace of relief in hearing Marna telling me to leave Eru's side.