Mask

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The dawn light penetrated from the impressive windows of the Cathedral, adorned with sacred images depicting the amazing deeds of the gods. The bright colors of the decorations reflected like a kaleidoscopic prism the symmetrical figures formed by the encounter of the sun's rays with the windows on the sides of the room, giving the latter the air of an enchanted dream created by the mind of a bored jinn.

A fiery rainbow came to life like a seed that sprouted after years of precious care from a loving farmer, giving its splendor indiscriminately to anyone who wanted to receive its embrace.

In the center, an immense parallelepiped-shaped altar, with the table resting on a quadrangular box open on each side and consisting of four supports supporting a roof positioned in the middle of the transept, was covered by the dome of the ancient basilica; it had been carved in lime and marble by the expert hands of an ancient craftsman whose art was now almost entirely lost in the Theocracy; an object of continuous imitations, very few comparable to such great mastery, which attempted to emulate a beauty that was not grasped by those who dwelt in the realm of men.

Precious stones such as rubies, diamonds, crystals, and emeralds fit into perfect fragments in the shape of small cubes applied to the solid surface of the surrounding walls: a different scene was depicted on both sides.

On the left one, a weeping man was lying in an act of supplication to Alah Alaf, the god of life. The god watched him in consternation as he stripped himself of all his earthly possessions until he was completely naked before his eyes in search of mercy.

On the right, the goddess Ragusa was surrounded by infernal flames intent on consuming a horde of desperate demihumans. A frightened crowd rejoiced at the sight of the terrible end that had befallen their tormentors.

Opposite of it was a throne carved out of oak, on the back of which represented the descent on the mortal plane of six divine beings. Above it, in a halo of golden stuccoes surrounded by angelic creatures, there was an alabaster back window depicting a skeletal figure holding a pitch-black scythe, made entirely of limestone. His every little detail had been hollowed out with the most obsessive care.

A cloak delicately covered his body, the bones clearly visible from the folds of his dress. Paleness and shape were so accurate that it gave the feeling that it was a real human corpse, and not a mere imitation, being worshiped in that place.

At the base of the statue was inscribed a warning phrase to all the faithful "Remember him, because he will not forget you."

For citizens of Theocracy, experts and non of the Holy Scriptures, the memory of one's own mortality was a continuous mantra repeated from an early age. Only by realizing the smallness of their life would they be encouraged to seek a way to achieve otherworldly immortality. If individuals, with their limitations, were not able to achieve great results, then they had the duty to unite to build a paradise oasis for all humanity. Only then, when the time came to reap their souls, would Surshana be satisfied.

Prostrating on her knees in front of that terrible representation, a woman with long dark hair repeated in a low voice, in a solemn tone, a sumptuous prayer.

"At that time the future disciples were frightened and confused. Fear reigned supreme in the realm of humans. Devoured like beasts and enslaved, they had lost all prospects. Beings with their mouths sewn up and their hands tied, only death could bring relief to their suffering. Until you arrived, or Powerful, or Magnificent, or Merciful and saved them. You brought the light where there was darkness. You took hope where there was only despair. In your honor, sumptuous temples were erected to try to celebrate, in vain, your greatness. The teachings you gave us were imprinted on our minds so that no one would forget them. Your words, water that nourishes the earth; your actions, charity for the poor. Your descendants sing because you have given them a voice. Your descendants weep because you have given them tears. Your descendants perform works in your honor, seeking your approval and your love."

She wore a long gray velvet gown with red and indigo squiggles. A youthful face held the same pleading expression as she continued her litany.

"May the gods bless our deeds. May they give us their wisdom to face the difficulties of life. We abandon ourselves to you to find serenity."

How long had this been going on? By now she had lost count of the hours but, since she had started the afternoon of the previous day, she was certain that she had been in that position for at least half a day. Her stomach was starting to grumble demanding the right nourishment for its body. Her knees were red from the constant effort and she could hear them begging to be relieved of that burdensome assignment.

She gritted her teeth. No matter how exhausting the effort was, only through sacrifice would the gods hear her plea.

Surshana, besides, was the most demanding of the six. The absolute self-denial of the adept was the only way he would have had the slightest chance of being heard.

"May the light of your blessing shine upon my offspring. Your servant is ready for anything as long as she is happy. If you want my life, go ahead and take it. If you want my soul, do what you want with it. If you want my happiness, may the smile never again appear on my lips."

What she had recited was verse 25.17 of the third book of the scriptures of the God of life.

It might have seemed strange to a person fasting the religious rites of the Theocracy to declaim the sacred texts of Alah Alaf in front of what was a performance in honor of the God of Death.

But in reality, the cults dedicated to the two deities were closely related to each other, more than they were to those of the other gods.

Speaking the writings of the light in this case was not seen as a sign of disrespect, but as a common religious practice for Slane's doctrine.

Using light to appease the darkness as a sign of blessing.

Using the darkness to blind the light and cast a curse.

In truth, over the centuries many had realized that the concrete value of these practices was very little, and especially in the neighboring kingdoms they had been almost completely lost, replaced by the more practical buying and selling of potions and healing spells to strengthen the faith of the common people in the works of the gods.

But for some devotees, showing their faith was far more important than receiving a few earthly benefits, not because they were attracted by mere economic or material calculation but because of a sincere love for the gods.

"I see that you are making an effort to request Surshana's blessing."

A mysterious figure approached her; it had slipped like a ghost among the pews of the church, unable to cause the slightest noise. There was only one person able to get behind the woman without her noticing.

"Why are you here, master? Aren't you afraid that some pilgrims will visit this place and see your presence?"

The Cathedral of Darkness always boasted a large number of visitors, no matter the year, month, day, or hour. At any time, it would have been perfectly normal to find at least a couple of people praying or meditating.

"Under normal conditions, you would be right. But we have temporarily closed the visits, pointing to urgent restoration work as an excuse. There is currently no danger of anyone noticing my presence. Not too many at least. But why don't you get up and let's talk face to face, like in the old days? "

The woman struggled up from her supine position to look her interlocutor straight in the eye. Or at least those white tips he passed off as irises positioned on the top of his mask. But she knew very well what he was hiding. Not that it mattered.

"Who told you I was in this place?"

"It was Cassius. He told me he was very worried about you."

[So why didn't he come himself?]

"Why should he be worried? There is nothing strange in seeing a new mother praying for the health and well-being of her daughter. I'm not the first and I certainly won't be the last to do it."

"What you say is true. But it is also true that usually, the auspicious ceremony for newborns lasts only a couple of hours at the most. Three in the most exceptional cases. You will agree with me that it is strange that you survive half the day!"

Two or twelve hours. What a difference could it ever make? Hadn't they taught her absolute self-denial towards the divine since she was a child? Why was it now a problem?

"You should be with your daughter a little longer. Young children need their parents. They relieved you of your duties to give you a chance to spend time with her. You should take advantage of it."

"My daughter is with her nanny now. She is in good hands. Now if you have nothing more to tell me, I would ask you to leave me alone! I expect to finish the third book before evening."

Her teacher shrugged slightly in defeat. He remained motionless for a few seconds, without saying a word, while he continued to observe her.

That silence began to irritate the woman, if he had something to say why didn't he just say it? They had known each other for years but still treated her like a naive girl who knew nothing of the outside world. But what did he know, locked away for years in his ivory tower? How many years had he not left the capital? Too many to count.

"Faine, I received the answer to your request from the supreme council of the Theocracy."

Are those old Cardinals too scared to tell me the answer in person and have they sent a spokesperson close to me to sweeten the medicine?

"And what is the response?"

She already knew the answer.

"Negative. They believe it is too risky to attempt assassination against the elven king."

How could something so obvious cause her so much pain? From the beginning, she had not placed the slightest hope in seeing her thirst for revenge indulged. Yet she still felt the world collapse on her. As if the only point of support on a bottomless ravine had been stripped away. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Did they carefully read the report I filled out? I don't deny that Decem Hougan is a dangerous opponent, but with the help of the rest of the Black Scripture and Miko Princess, I am sure there is a good chance of taking him out. Give me an opportunity to get close to him without being protected by that horrible creature of his and I'm sure I can cut off his head even before he realizes it. One chance, I ask no more! After years of faithful and impeccable service, I ask only for this! One chance! Nothing more! Please, Rufus."

It wasn't going to be easy. From their brief confrontation, she realized how terrible Decem was. Her estimates put him roughly on the level of a True Dragon Lord. Mostly thanks to that Behemoth he used as a summon. But without it as his shield, there was a little hope that she could kill him. With a good diversion and a well-thought-out plan, the odds weren't hopeless. What else could she do? Leave him unpunished after what he had done to her? Keep that monster walking the earth and allow him to fulfill his wishes with whomever he wanted? What if one day it got to her too? Would blood stop him from his search for the perfect heir? Nono, she couldn't allow it. She had to protect her. It was her duty. If something had happened to her, she would never have forgiven herself.

If Antilene had suffered her same fate, she would never have forgiven herself.

"Faine, Faine please listen to what you say. Sending all the Black Scriptures and Miko Princesses against a single enemy, whose abilities are still not entirely clear. What if they lose? If the king managed to eliminate you all, what would happen? Not only would we lose our best soldiers, but much of the sacred equipment and the Crowns of Wisdom would end up in the hands of our enemy. No, it's too risky. But even assuming you manage to kill him, can you guarantee that we won't suffer any losses? That our military might remain unchanged? I don't need to remind you of the very serious losses we suffered only a few decades ago. The other human kingdoms are still being rebuilt and lack the necessary resources to provide adequate support. We fall short on firepower and barely have enough to defend ourselves. And that lousy overgrown lizard just waits for a moment of weakness to overwhelm us. He says he wants coexistence between races but I know that this is only his hypocrisy, the only thing he wants is to restore the reign of his crazy father. Ridiculous! He can't stand seeing humans achieve greatness. I can already imagine seeing him gloating as our citizens succumb! Disgusting! Revolting! Nauseating!"

Unexpectedly, a nefarious aura began to emanate from her master. Usually, he was the portrait of calm and composure but there was only one individual in the world capable of making him lose his mind, even if for a few moments.

Faine did not know the story in detail but it concerned a serious betrayal that had been perpetrated against the teacher of Rufus, the protector of the Theocracy, more than three hundred years earlier by the son of the Dragon Emperor. That event had taken the name of "Great Betrayal" and was considered one of the darkest pages in Slane's history.

The undead looked towards the statue of his parent in search of lost serenity.

It didn't take him long to come to his senses and calmly resume the speech.

"Now that we also have this Republic of Argland hassle to think about our moves will have to be pondered much more calmly. Believe me when I tell you that it pains me to see your goal not being accomplished, but at the moment we have no alternative. If not even you could do anything against the elven ruler, I doubt that there is anyone in our entire sacred nation who can change that. "

[No, there is someone. Someone is there.]

"And what are you going to do? Leave him free to build up strength for years to come so that one day he can knock on our door and destroy us? You know when that piece of shit wants something, there's absolutely no problem getting it. Is this what you want? Answer me!"

She wanted to remain calm, impassive. An iron mask. Don't let any emotion show through. Just as they had taught her. But why was it so difficult?

"It is since he appeared in the Evansha forest that that man - no that being - has not moved from his territory. Even if he decides to pay us a visit, we would be ready to receive it. Don't worry about it. I will not allow anyone in the world to harm this country. Believe me!"

Faine knew very well that what he said was true, as long as Rufus was present, he would fight to the last for the welfare of the Theocracy. Nobody loved that country more than he did. Nobody. Not even her.

"Why don't you join this hypothetical team too? The two of us together will have high hopes of winning. Me and you, teacher and pupil fighting together to free the world from a disgusting evil. Like an epic story from the past!"

With him at her side, she was sure that nothing was beyond their reach. If he joined her, revenge would no longer seem like a pipe dream.

"It is absolutely out of the question. You know very well that I can't move from here; in case Surshana returns someone must be present to receive him."

[Liar. You know very well he won't come back.]

"And besides, these are not decisions that are up to me. The Superior Council exists for a reason. I know you believe that my authority goes beyond that of everyone but there is a system that must be respected to prevent the advent of a tyrant. They are the foundations that make up the order of our state; respecting them is not only a sacred duty but a way to preserve our stability."

[Liar. Liar. Cardinals, Pontifex, and department heads kiss the land where you walk. If you were made of flesh, they would bottle the waste of your body to venerate them as sacred relics.]

"And besides, I'm not as strong as you think. My presence would change things very little."

[Liar. Liar. Liar. Why don't you tell me the truth? Don't I deserve that either?]

"You are afraid."

She would have expected a terrible reaction, her tutor losing his temper at that grave insolence, the slightest sign of anger expected from an insulted human being. Screams, shouts, reproaches. Anything that reminded her he was alive.

Not a sound, not a moan. The silence was worse than any action she had imagined he could take.

And what was that oppressive sensation that she felt enveloping her body? No one was watching them, she was sure. It was just the two of them, no one else was present. The statue was the closest thing to a human being in that place. But it was nothing more than a successful decoration. A superfine and incredibly redefined work, of course. But only that. So why did she have the unpleasant impression that it was looking at them - even worse - judging them.

"Go home, Faine. Your daughter is waiting for you."

Nothing else. He didn't even look at her as she walked away to return to his room - his prison -.

[An undead who is afraid of death. It almost seems like a silly story for children.]

When she returned to her private apartments, only a mild-looking old woman was waiting for her.

As soon as she saw her the elderly lowered her head as a sign of respect; she was quick to inform Faine of how she had looked after the house during the day.

"Lady Faine, welcome back. Do you want to see how the little girl is?"

"No, not yet Perpetua. Tell me, did things go well in my absence? There weren't any problems, right? "

The old woman did not hesitate to reply: "She has been a little angel all day. There has been some crying, but it is normal for children of her age. Oh, you will notice it especially when her first teeth begin to grow."

"Uh uh, I understand."

"Do you want to eat now? I made dinner in advance and now it's a little cold. Seared veal with celery and carrots. Could take the opportunity to take a bath while I warm it up."

"Yes, a regenerating bath is just what I need after the fatigue accumulated these days."

While her housekeeper positioned herself in the kitchen to complete the preparations, Faine headed into a large and luxurious bathroom reserved for her personal use.

She quickly filled the tub with water which he heated with a roll containing a tier 0 spell suitable for changing the temperature of the water. The woman scattered some regenerating salts that she had received as a gift from one of the Cardinals and immersed her body; in a few moments, the fatigue and dirt that had accumulated the previous day quickly faded away.

[It took a moment to relax, I'm so tired.]

Faine began to relax her muscles and let the atmosphere of calm take care of her in its warm embrace. The eyes began to close, invoking the proper rest it had been denied in the last few hours.

"My dear, I see that you have decided to make yourself beautiful for me, what an honor. I will be happy to accompany you in the next hours of pleasure."

Her pupils snapped open. There was no one. She was alone. Took a deep breath as she looked around. Only a few bubbles that came out shyly from the tub kept her company.

"You really think you can escape me? How cute. But you know I'm here with you. I will always be here with you."

Her mind kept playing tricks on her. Just silence.

[Calm down Faine, calm down. Don't let it control your life. You are safe here. None can harm you. It's all gone. There is no one here. You are not a scared girl. You are the strongest human in the Theocracy. The descendant of the gods. Next time you will show it to him. This was just a bad accident, a complication on the path of your life. Take a deep breath. Here it is. Much better.]

Unpleasant memories began to surface, part of her wanted to bury them in the deepest part of her mind; but another, louder and more powerful, continued to make them relive that horrible day. Every action, every move, and counter, every possible tactic were analyzed in search of a winning strategy.

[How many times have I seen that fight in my mind now? That abomination of earth and rock was faster than me but leaning slightly to the left before launching an attack, could this be a way to predict his blows? Judging by its speed, I have about 0.001 seconds to react properly. So little. Alone I could never do it but with the help of Tasl and Verte I could find an opening. But he stood still. Why was he standing still? Does summoning that creature prevent him from performing any more spells? It would make sense given how powerful it was, usually, summons are weaker than summoners; but not that. How come? What is its secret? Perhaps there is some weakness that can be exploited. But if it were not so, if I were so weak as to have requested nothing more than a simple creature like so many others he has at his disposal? Maybe Rufus is right, we know so little about him. How can he be so strong? If only we had a way to beat him. I doubt the upper floors will decide to use Downfall of Castle and Country blindly against him. No, it takes someone of overwhelming strength to annihilate him. Someone ... someone ... but who?"]

"Lady Faine, I'm sorry to disturb you. But dinner is ready."

Perpetua's call brought her back to reality; she had been soaked enough and the skin on her hands was starting to show signs of wrinkling from too much time spent in the water. Her stomach also begged for mercy, so she decided to get ready without delay with a velvet dressing gown that her maid had prepared for her.

The dinner was of few words: Perpetua was not a woman with an easy chat and Faine did not want to engage in a passionate discussion with her, indeed with no one else, that evening.

"Was the dinner to your liking?" Perpetua asked as she cleared the table.

"Yes, it was as good as ever. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to go to sleep. I'm very tired."

It was true, she was now over twenty-four hours awake, a good sleep would only have helped her.

"The bedroom is ready, why don't you go and see it before going to bed?"

"Yes, I think I will."

Placed in a room adjacent to hers was a small oval-shaped mahogany crib, similar to the shape of a nest.

Inside, a small plump little creature slept blissfully; Faine remained for a few minutes in the dark in the room to observe her. Stroked her gently with her fingers as she listened to her breath punctuated by the beating of her heart.

[Don't worry, my baby. Mom is here. As long as we are together, we can face everything.]

Faine scanned the girl's face with her touch, the first hair starting to grow, the soft stuffed cheeks, and the pointed nose until she reached the point of touching her pointed ears. She hesitated. Retracted her arm. There was a knock on the door of the room. It was Perpetua.

"Lady Faine, I'm sorry to disturb you. But the Pontifex's delegate brought an important letter for you. He said to give it to you urgently because you had been waiting for it for a long time."

"Do not worry. Give it to me as well."

The younger woman quickly read the contents of the letter; a burst of satisfaction began to manifest itself.

"Is this good news?"

"Yes, at least they have listened to this request even if we will have to wait a few more years before starting with the training. Go and rest, tomorrow will be another long day."

"As you like. With permission, I retreat to my rooms. Good night."

Faine was left alone with her daughter, the future began to become clearer in her head.

[I know it's going to be tough, but trust mom. You will become stronger than anyone else. Believe me, if it were possible, I would avoid doing it. But it is the only way to keep you safe. I will not let anyone harm you. You will probably hate me for it. But that's okay. That's okay. Sweet dreams, little Antilene.]

"Lady Zesshi, please this way."

Rosalie showed her the way while an intelligent-looking little man made her and her companions sit inside the dining room. The Traveler's Refuge was one of the many rest stations that were located within the territory of the Theocracy. It consisted of a space on the edge of the road on which three buildings stood: in the center, the one serving as a tavern and hotel for travelers, on the left a stable for the rest of the horses and mounts, on the right a building containing the lodgings for the guards.

The symbol of the nation was posted at the entrance, a 7-branched candelabra surrounded by a laurel wreath.

The scene that presented itself was quite different from what Antilene had imagined. Usually, taverns like this were a meeting place for colorful and noisy personalities, she would have expected to be greeted by an infernal din and the unsheathed laughter of customers, numerous waiters who wandered around the tables, fun and goliardic caused by bizarre and out of the ordinary game's norm. Instead, all she saw was a few tables set and an oppressive desolation.

In addition to the man who had accompanied the group, there was a second man, bigger and fatter than the first, along with three dejected-looking elves who were waiting to receive orders, careful not to make the slightest noise.

"Mr. Marzius, it is a pleasure to see that you are in excellent shape. I hope our arrival will not disturb your business."

Kapitel turned to the most imposing man, probably the owner of the place, with extreme familiarity. It was evident that there had been some past between the two, in fact, now that she looked at him better in the face, Antilene had the impression that he had already seen him. Could it have been one of her training companions? It wasn't entirely unlikely.

"Oh Kapitel, no disturbances. We received a message containing news of your arrival and we have prepared accordingly. As you can see, we too have closed the business to external travelers and only the bare minimum of staff remained with us, even my wife and children have been stationed in the nearest city to spend the night; naturally, our most capable guards now guard the boundaries of this small property to guarantee you absolute tranquility. But no more chatter, I see that Buvesez, Rosalie, and Campeao are with you too. What a joy to see you again after such a long time. And there is someone else too. "

Marzius noticed the figure covered by her higher colleagues only after a few moments.

But it didn't take him long to recognize the armor she was wearing and the scythe her hands were holding.

His face began to take on a strange color, and his confident and affable bearing began to falter little by little.

"Lady Zetsumei. Then she was the distinguished personality who mentioned communication. What a great honor to have you with us. Hey, you! " He said to his collaborator and the three slaves. "Show all possible honors, one of the most important people in the country is here, we mustn't make the slightest mistake. Did we understand each other?"

The others began to move their heads up and down hastily as a sign of respect. The elves in particular showed particular concern at those last words, droplets of sweat began to descend from their foreheads. They were two women and a boy not much older than her. They wore discarded clothing but still in acceptable condition, and there were not many signs of abuse on their bodies. There were probably others of their kind who were faring worse. Not that she cared much.

"Thank you very much, but the treatment reserved for all guests will be sufficient. Um, have we met somewhere before? Your face is not entirely new to me."

The innkeeper seemed reassured by those words; the agitation began slowly to disappear.

"Yes, yes. Amazingly, your grace remembers me after all these years. At least twenty have passed. At the time I was an arrogant kid and your grooming has greatly benefited my attitude. I still remember the words you said to me: if you are no longer humble you will die at the first opportunity. A piece of advice that I have always carried in my heart and, as you can see, it has helped me to withdraw to a peaceful life in old age."

[Twenty years ago, I was just a brat. I must have said something I had heard or read somewhere and repeated like a parrot just to sound wiser. But now this old man talks about it as if it changed his life. Is it true or is it just a clumsy attempt to get into my good graces?]

"Uh, I'm glad my words of the time were received with so much enthusiasm. It's always nice to see a former Black Scripture member survive the dangerous life of the profession."

"Now why don't you sit down? I will prepare you a dinner fit for a king. I swear by the name of my house. "

The man-made them sit at a large table set with shiny silver cutlery.

The dishes did not disappoint expectations. Pork shank with apricots was served as a first course accompanied by fresh seasonal vegetables. Cheeses made from cow's milk and sweet jams accompanied the main course leaving a wide range of choices among the diners. Antilene opted for a piece of meat accompanied by a slice of gruyere with a semi-salty flavor.

As dessert was served sweet bread in the shape of a dove, prepared with flour, eggs, honey, and almonds. The half-elf had never tasted anything like it and found the delicate taste, neither sour nor strong, a sweet surprise for her taste buds.

Drinks included some apricot or pear fruit juices or, as an alcoholic alternative, a red wine from a famous grape plantation in the Kingdom of Re-Estize.

Antilene took advantage of a moment of distraction from the others to sip a glass but found its sour and dry taste unpleasant, which instead did not seem to bother the other people present.

But no one exaggerated; it seemed that moderation was an indispensable quality to be special agents of the Theocracy, which made sense. It was not possible to know for sure when they could be attacked, and while it would take the best of glasses to affect their highly resilient bodies, being caught unprepared could prove to be a fatal mistake.

Finally, Marzius brought a pitcher containing steaming coffee, giving off a light roasted scent.

"So, can I know what mission this is? Or is it top secret?"

"It seems that a demihumans raid has caused some problems on the southern border. We were the only ones not engaged in another mission and they sent us to investigate." Buvesez replied as he sipped slowly from his hot cup, careful not to burn his tongue.

"And they send Black Scripture members for simple demihumans? It seems strange."

"I think there is something more sinister underneath. Some divination spells were used and the villages were completely deserted. No signs of a struggle, no blood on the streets. As if the inhabitants had disappeared at any moment without anyone noticing."

Campeao looked worried. "There is a possibility that some Zurrernorn adept is involved. The prospect of dealing with those exalted does not excite me at all."

Zurrernorn was a death cult that had made headlines in recent decades. Its members were all dangerous necromancers whose main objective was the study of spells for the summoning of powerful undead. Their activities were mainly recorded in the territories of the Baharuth Empire and the Kingdom of Re-Estize. But some hypotheses that had been made traced their origin to the territories of the Theocracy, in an ancient heresy of the church of Surshana. In any case, dealing with them would have been problematic.

"Tomorrow around lunchtime we would be there and we will be able to find out with our own eyes. If it comes to those death worshipers it shouldn't be a problem, I ran into a lot of them during my adventuring days and they never caused me any problems."

"I doubt you had anything to do with any of the executives. It is said that mastery in the use of fourth-tier magic is at least required to enter that circle. They are not opponents that we can afford to underestimate. " Kapitel warned her.

[Fourth tier.] Antilene thought. [Nothing special, then. How boring.]

As she listened wearily to the speeches of her companions, she realized that the young elf continued to observe her insistently, thinking that he was not noticed.

[Did he realize my mixed blood? How is it possible? The amulet should hide my features. I'll have to investigate the matter later.]

After having finished dinner, they were seated in their rooms: one for Kapitel and Buvesez, the other for the three women.

Connected to the inn, a small spa room had been built, suitable for cleaning up. To take advantage of it they decided to split up into two different groups based on sex so that the one not engaged with the thermae could guard the sacred equipment.

Antilene felt slightly uncomfortable sharing a bath with someone else, she was usually used to living that moment in the utmost intimacy and was not sure how to behave.

"There is nothing to be embarrassed about, we are all women here. Relax and enjoy this moment. Who knows how soon we will be able to relive a similar one?" Campeao encouraged her, having noticed the embarrassed expression on her countenance.

The pool was not of considerable size but it was large enough to allow all three to float comfortably, lulled by the boiling vapors of the thermal water.

The half-elf decided to put her anxieties aside and let the sweet sensation caress her travel-tired muscles; slowly she felt the accumulated physical pressure decrease and her vigor return.

"I didn't think I could stretch out so much in the presence of other people, but I have to admit my fears were unfounded."

"It's a nice feeling, right? We should do it more often, even if unfortunately, our profession grants us very few opportunities like this during the missions."

"This is, as you know, my first mission outside. I hope I haven't caused too much trouble with my experience."

The two older women looked at her for a moment in amazement, then started a rhythmic chuckle.

"I never thought that the little girl who used my bottom to mop the floor could have such a, how to say, normal side. You look like an ordinary girl when you talk, I could almost forget what you are capable of Lady Zesshi."

"It is proof that people are much more than they appear. You and I should know Rosalie well, after everything we've seen."

"What do you mean by this?" Antilene asked.

"Um, it's not easy to explain." The paladin pondered calmly in search of the right words to express her idea. "It's just that a lot of times people tend to get boxed into the roles they fill. Especially when you work in a team like us. I believe that repetition of fixed patterns helps to relieve tension in the most difficult situations. It gives a sense of security needed when in unfamiliar territories and situations. Take Buvesez and Kapitel for example, the former looks like a pompous arrogant while the latter barely gets a word out when it comes to non-mission matters. Yet I have seen our beloved priest heal more than one person without asking for anything in return; our foreman melts like a marshmallow when he sees his beloved baby."

Imagining the breadwinner of the Hazeia family engaging in facial stunts and other ridiculous gestures to entertain his child put her in an oddly good mood. There was something hilarious about the image that she couldn't quite explain.

"What you say is very true. After all, you too have a hidden side that you rarely show to others." Rosalie intervened.

"For real? Which?"

"You must know that when our dear paladin was courting her current husband, she ventured into an indefinite number of love verses to conquer him. Honestly, I find it hard to understand if you loved that man more or declaim poetry. Even if it worked in the end, given how solid your union is. "

The blond-haired woman began to turn scarlet, and not because of the high temperature.

"Eh, I guess you are right. Ah, to be young again and to walk the streets of Silksuntecks without worries, that would be great!"

"Can't you spend much time with your husband anymore?"

"A couple of years ago he was assigned to Ashendust Scripture and between my work and his, the time to see us is no longer what it used to be."

Antilene recalled that the Ashendust Scriptures had the task of protecting one of the sacred sites located outside the Theocracy, whose coordinates had remained secret even to her. It dated back to ancient times, prior to those of the 6 Great Gods when humanity had very little prospect of survival. Their task might have seemed trivial, requiring only constant vigilance, but it was extremely important to its function as the ultimate lifeline.

"Not that we're complaining. We both love this country more than anything else in the world. We would gladly give our lives to defend it. Being able to see us more rarely than other married couples is a small price to pay if it means that all the other families of the Theocracy will be able to live in peace!"

It was not the first that the half-elf heard so emphatically declare such a powerful feeling for an immaterial entity like her own country. Not that her experiences with love were so profound but it was not difficult for her to imagine a deep affection for someone dear like her mother, Nazaire or Rufus. But your own country? How could anyone love something so large and abstract?

"Rosalie, you come from the Empire, right? Why did you decide to join the scriptures, if I may ask you? "

"I've lived most of my life there, that's true. But my parents are original merchants of the Theocracy and since I was a child, they spoke to me with nostalgia about this place. When I found myself without a place to belong, the citizens of this nation welcomed me as if I had always been part of their community. I have visited many human countries but none preach love and respect for one's fellow man like this. They gave me an ideal and a dream to fight for and this is enough for me."

"Yeah, it doesn't matter how much blood we have to shed. If one day we will be able to free the world from all the horrors that threaten humanity, I would be ready to sacrifice myself even a hundred times, if necessary. And I'm sure this applies to every member of the Scripture. It does not matter the rank or the skill. Don't you think so too, Lady Zesshi?"

She was confused. Could she share the words of her companions? Was their dream of a luxuriant garden for humanity also hers? For as long as she could remember, only one goal had been fossilized in her soul: to kill her father. Nothing else mattered. But once she did it? What would happen next? It was a frightening prospect to face, which she decided to leave for her future self.

"Yes, I believe too. It would be wonderful to one day see a paradise on earth for everyone."

If she couldn't fully believe the ideals of the Theocracy, she could at least believe those of the people she loved. That was enough for the moment. That was enough.

After a few more minutes spent chatting about this and that, they decided it was time to make room for the two men. As they dried up, they changed into nightwear that Marzius had provided them to go to Kapitel and Buvesez's room, where their gear had been momentarily cramped.

When only the three remained, Antilene decided it was time to satisfy her curiosity and to talk to the elf boy who had stared at her during dinner. She tried to make an excuse to sneak into the kitchen where she was sure she would find her target doing some night work. The half-elf did not want to alarm the others with suspicions that were probably unfounded

"I'm sorry, but we have a strict order not to lose sight of you even for a second. If you want to go to the dining room, let Campeao or I at least accompany you. " The arcane caster explained to her.

"I'll let you do a tracking spell on me so you can know for sure where I am. It won't take long, just a few minutes. " The half-elf tried to bargain with her senior to have a bit of freedom.

"So be it, but it will only last ten minutes. If at the end you have not returned yet. I will take it as a sign that you are in danger and need help."

[And if I was in danger, could you help me?]

"Perfect. Let's proceed."

She found him in the lounge where they had dined only a few hours earlier, sweeping the floor with an old disused broom. Neither Marzius nor his assistant nor the other two elves appeared to be with him.

Antilene found it strange that no one was watching him, but she justified it with the presence of the guards who watched outside the estate.

"Hey!" She approached him nonchalantly. He was about ten centimeters taller than her, but his bent bearing and his head perpetually lowered in defeat made that difference imperceptible.

"Uh, my lady, can I do something for you? His every wish is an order for me."

He immediately stopped attending to her chores to show her the sincerest devotion. The half-elf was now used to that obsequious behavior and decided not to pay much attention to it.

"You're alone? Where did the two women who were with you go?"

"When night falls their job is to keep the men who are not on duty company. The boss tends to get angry if they skip their duties."

"I understand. I guess one of them is with Marzius then."

"Actually, I think the owner prefers the proximity of his assistant to warm up in the evening."

When he realized the last words he had said, he began to panic and try his hand at an endless sea of excuses.

"Please pretend I've never said anything like that. I implore you or there will be serious trouble for me."

"Do not worry. I have no interest in these matters."

It was true. What or who the others carried in their nuptial bed was not a topic that particularly interested her. Indeed, not at all.

"May I ask why you came looking for me? Can I do something for you?"

"Yes, I want to know why you were watching me during the earlier dinner. Be honest, or I might get very angry. Killing you would be like cutting an apple to me. So, you better not play jokes."

The elf was stunned by that accusation, that a little girl smaller than him had threatened him with extreme ease as if it were completely normal for her to blow his head off. A shiver ran down his spine. He felt the breath of death caress his neck.

"It's just that I was amazed to see such a young girl being part of such a dangerous group. Something in you reminds me of my sister, even if I'm not sure what."

"Your sister? Are you saying I look like an elf?"

"Nono, I would never allow myself to offend you with such inferences. Forgive me. Please forgive me!"

[He's begging me on his knees. What a pathetic sight. Show some courage at least.]

"It doesn't matter. Get up."

His interlocutor struggled to his feet, and for the first time, she noticed the color of his eyes. The variation between the irises was barely noticeable. But there was.

"Are you one of the king's sons?"

"That bastard is not my father. He sent me to die like a dog. If the soldiers of the Theocracy had not noticed that my heart was still beating, now my corpse would be next to those of countless others. Although I wonder if it would've been better than this."

"Would you like to see him dead?"

"I would gladly give my life to see him on the ground lifeless."

From the beginning of the conversation, he had finally shown a minimum of fighting spirit. Maybe he wasn't as hopeless as she thought.

"I understand. If it can console you, know that one day I will kill him. Goodbye."

"Wait up."

He called her as he was about to return to his companions.

"What do you want?"

"I listened to you. Now please, listen to me."

"Speak out."

"Kill me. I can't live like this anymore."

"No."

If he had wanted to kill himself, he could very well have done it himself. It was not her job to bring relief to suffering souls.

"Aren't we going to pity you a bit? Look how I am reduced. Watch me! Do you think these scars on my arms were auto-inflicted? I am no longer a man, but just a beast!"

Try as she might, Antilene could feel no pity for the plight of the elves. How many years had they accepted his father's tyranny? When the war had begun, they could have taken advantage of it to join the Theocracy and be able to get rid of that king they so much said they detested. Instead, they had decided to fight for him. They couldn't complain about their fate now.

"If you are so unhappy with your life, fight to make it better. Don't wait for someone to come down from heaven to solve your problems. It does not work like this. Humans are weak but they unite to make up for their shortcomings. True, the strong prevail over the weak. But it does not mean the latter have to accept their fate passively. I hope that one day you will be able to find peace."

She left him there alone as she walked away in silence.