Chapter 19: Sleeping Beauty

"The calm before the storm."

His cherry and carefree voice became sonorous yet calm, there was danger glazed in his words as he spoke.

"Guild master wants to send that warning."

"Means we're dealing with another trouble?" Casimir asked.

"Our guildmaster just wants to remind us that it could happen anytime which means we must stay on guard. We could be summoned any day. Now, the churches of Ebanesse investigating the Ruins of As'etel. Not to mention, we are still dealing with those rats in the West Eckbark."

Theseus and Casimir, particularly, heard about the concerns with ruins where they went for a mission.

"What about the Ruins of As'etel? Did the churches of Ebanesse know that a relic was lying there? The ruins are not part of their sovereign, it's near Estelar, right? It still belongs to the kingdom of Cervery." Casimir said, Theseus also wonders why would a church from the neighboring country express such interest in relics.

To begin with, that ancient relic is considered as a Req. A req is any ancient artifact or relic that came from the fallen city of Adden, the city known for crafting cursed relics.

It has already fallen way before the Argamon War, 1500 years ago. Cursed relics are the nemesis of the church because they don't have the power to destroy them. Only the ancient race like dragons could destroy a relic, two other solutions are possible but it's taboo.

It's such a wonder why would they seek to investigate a cursed relic even when they don't have the power to suppress it. Is it only out of curiosity? For the safety of the church?

"Not anymore,"

Theseus was confused, "What do you mean?"

"The Ruins of As'etel is located in a county in Cervery, the town of Finor. Several months before you and Casimir went to investigate, Finor was invaded. It only took a night to turn the town into a territory of Grinrace. The kingdom of Cervery took a quick action to free the town and its people but the monarchy of Grinrace was a tough opponent." Percival explained.

"Then why did it not go in public? If there was an invasion the news would be spreading so fast." Crisis joined the conversion.

"Why, you ask? The monarchy of Grinrace was a tough opponent, it led to a feud but it was the Cervery who retreated first. According to our intel, the Grinrace proposed a deal to the king of Cervery, the details of their discussion were confidential. The deal confronts that the Cervery should concede defeat and offer Finor if they don't want their lose their people. Their soldiers were wiped to nothing if a deal did not strike," he crossed his arms, giving a stern stare at them.

"Surprisingly, Grinrace is collecting cursed relics as an addition to their military power. It is no wonder the kingdom of Cervery would retreat. Now, Finor is under Grinrace's territory, they are investigating the ruins, and as far as I know, no one knew a relic was lying in there but if they were to investigate they would find your traces,"

"I made sure that there were no traces you were talking about left behind," Casimir scratched the back of his head, Percival's words made him worry, there is one method a relic could be traced no matter how its traces were concealed by.

Casimir looked at Percival as if the man knew what he was thinking, "It's possible, but that's----"

"Faeries," Theseus said, "They were trafficking faeries, aren't they?" he added.

"A nice speculation, Theseus. It seems like they resorted to that method." Percival mused, raising his cup to Theseus like tossing a drink.

"That's illegal, faeries don't interact with humans. Grinrace has predicted that's why they were no news regarding the invasion. If the neighboring kingdoms were to know, a dispute would happen, creating undesirable outcomes. Grinrace is being careful and cautious, they still need to maintain their thick face of being righteous and dutiful to their god." Theseus said, putting his fingers on his chin. Casimir quietly observed just like the rest of them.

"Fret not, we hold the accountability about the mission, we also have taken advance measures," Theseus added as he was exchanging looks with Casimir.

Casimir answered, "We let the guild master first know about it. Of course, for Philo's safety too. " He assured the rest of them.

It took no less for Percival to understand who was Casimir referring to. He guessed that they sent that man for a countermeasure.

"You took Bishop with you?" Crisis asked, crossing his arms.

He didn't anticipate that Bishop would be dispatched instead of Indigo. They were trying to aid Indigo to control his sensitivity better, Crisis believed that Indigo would improve if he was to be exposed to it.

But then, maybe it was too strong to handle. Crisis took the matter to bring it up to Indigo.

"Indigo—,"

"I went but it didn't work well, alright?!" Indigo burst, he didn't even let Crisis finish asking.

Crisis excepted as much. His friend looked flustered knowing he messed up and that made Crisis stop prying.

'He doesn't need to shout me, I was just asking!'

"You don't need to talk further. I guess it was Bishop who did the final touches." A hand rested on Crisis's chin and bent to Theseus who was sitting at his right.

"Bishop did." A quick reply coming from Theseus.

Another topic shifted coming from Percival. "What are you guys talking about?"

He was referring to Indigo and Crisis which has gone into a separate conversation.

"You messed up guild master's orders?" Another question from Casimir, in disbelief. No one would disobey an order if it was from the guild master.

"Hey!" Indigo almost yelled. He was mistaken. He shot glares at Casimir, Casimir took it as a threat and stiffly fell back in his seat.

"As I said, what——"

Indigo shifted his predatory glare to Percival. He surely almost forgot the sins this man committed to him. His beloved creations turned to cheap products when it came to Percival handling them.

He lent him his Amueleta not gave it! He was hoping that it would come back alive and pretty just like when he brought it to Percival.

But his Amueleta! His Amueleta!

Amueleta, his beloved staff could dispel numerous magic circles! She was just nine months old!

He returned it all tattered and broken as if he brought it to the market at a cheap price!

Unforgivable!

Indigo was silently staring at Percival in annoyance. He wanted to at least throw him a vase in the center table!

Him and his godforsaken ignorance!

Indigo crossed his arms and looked away or he might be able to throw the vase if he didn't.

Percival impersonated Indigo as a dragon fuming smoke in his nose and ears.

He didn't pay mind for whatever reason he was upset, but maybe, he could think of several things he did.

After all, he still needs the best of weapons Indigo can create, might suppose he should try to mend the misunderstanding. Percival continued to figure it out.

Meanwhile, the topic fell on Crisis and Indigo again. Indigo issued about his pending research about the Lili Sanctuary. The flower was seasonal, it was exotic. It blooms in the breath of winter.

Naturally, it came from the southern region of the World Tree of Life in the snowy mountains where winters are ever-so harsh.

"Lili Sanctuary only appears in winter right? Why can't you just create a greenhouse with mana in it to supply the winter-like environment?"

Davloise commented, just as he said it could preserve the flower whether it's not in season.

"It cannot. It's too sensitive to mana. It will quickly die." Crisis answered, frustrated.

"Got it tough, Sir Researcher." Despite the heavy feeling of tiredness,  Casimir was still able to grin at Crisis.

Crisis shook his head, "Not much unlike your insuperable amount of workload." he grins back.

"Eh?" That surely was a painful comeback for him. He shortly laughed at it admitting defeat.

He will be dearly hanging on a couple of rest before he comes back to Dain to finish the remaining dues. Dain must been dying to hang him dead. He left and didn't return after all.

"Your workload is heavy that much? You used to laugh at me when we went to fight a water snake together?" A remark from Indigo shoots daggers in Casimir's head.

He lost his composure and wilted on the table. Theseus told him to sit back properly, but he already started sobbing.

"You damned crybaby, you look worse than my Amueleta." Indigo frowns putting both hands on his waist.

Amueleta. As if a fire lits the candle, Percival remembers the reason why Indigo looks mad at him.

Yeah, it's about his Amueleta.

Indigo noticed the smile with an illusion of flowers around Percival which caused his eyebrow to raise.

"Were you mad about what I did——"

"Shut up," he scowls. "Sure," Percival emitted an annoying smile that irked nerves in Indigo.

"I've been reduced to the lowest of life, I've wronged you, sir," Casimir sobs to Indigo.

Indigo yelled, "Stop crying!"

They are dickering about the sobbing Casimir to stop.

Davloise and Theseus were exchanging a discussion about the false information Theseus was talking about regarding Evyterr.

Percival joins Indigo and Casimir.

The remaining uninterested Crisis just endures their bickering and the drama.

The noise somehow reached the walls of Evyterr's chambers enough to wake his spirit up. Slowly as he opened his eyes, he heard voices overlapping in his wooden door.

It seems like they are engaging in multiple discussions as it was too vague to hear their conversations.

Rubbing one of his eyes, he yawned and slightly moved his feet. The foreign place did not seem to make him realize that he was not in the dukedom's residence.

Evyterr moves out of the bed, still sleepy. His translucent evergreen eyes radiate under the influence of the waving moonlight with a hint of consciousness.

The voices continued to pry in Evyterr's curiosity. He thought that the servants were just talking. However, the voices seemed to be chaotic, he just wanted to make sure everything was right.

The cold floor felt like he was walking in a pile of snow, Evyterr wanted to go back to bed and be wrapped in his warm blankets.

He managed to open the door without a crick. The way downstairs was where the voices were too loud.

Evyterr groaned, the longer he stayed, the faster the cold embraced him. He saw a small light reflecting on the wall.

Staggering as he walks Evyterr stops, hugging his body to endure the cold.

He heard a familiar voice as tried to focus.

Theseus...

He closed his eyes as he was feeling lethargic again and opened to see that his butler was standing in front of him surrounding him with a blanket made of furs.

Evyterr moaned the blanket felt nice, and he could sleep all day with it.

"Did the noise disturb your rest, young master?" The butler asked.

Evyterr didn't look up to face him as he was still in a daze though he answered with a hum.

"My sincere apologies for disturbing your rest, shall I carry you to bed as compensation?"

Again, he replied with a hum, it left a curve in the butler's lips and carried the young master back to his chambers. Fortunately, as soon as he put him down to bed he quickly fell asleep.

The butler faces relief when he sees the resting demeanor of the sleeping beauty.

He also noticed that the room temperature was indeed too cold, he opened a small compartment in the cabinet and took a palm-sized sphere made of glass. He put it on the table beside the bed and lit a light orange color.

The sphere is filled with mana that can convert cold to heat and vice versa. When the butler seemed satisfied his body slowly disintegrated into dusts in the darkness.

Theseus blow a curse in the wind. The ashes from his palm were slipping and at the same time, disappearing.

"You people were so loud," Davloise complained, we were looking at the peak of the stairs.

"Did the sleeping beauty wake up?" Percival asks while he is restraining Indigo's wrist from throwing him a vase.

"We will retire for the night. Casimir's depleted." Theseus said, he stood up and Crisis followed. "Are there enough beds for us?" Davloise asks as he follows behind, Indigo and Percival also get behind them, already settled their little dispute.

"This house has plenty of guestrooms, head in the west wing, and make yourself comfortable there."

Theseus left after instructing them, he headed towards the young master room and stayed there for the night.

"I want..t... to sleep..." Casimir mumbles, he opens a door as soon as he sees one.

Percival grins seeing the butler's back disappear from the corridor. Indigo elbows him in his side. "Grinning like an idiot you are. You planning something?"

Percival hugged his body defensively, Indigo gave him a disgusting look.

"Our Theseus has fallen,"

Indigo no longer delves into asking again; he's not oblivious to not comprehending it. Instead, he left the corridor and made his way to his room, leaving the man behind.

He is also burned out and dealing with hard-headed companions drains his energy as he thought.

All of this is just a coincidence, quite a crazy one at that.

***

The morning came to greet Evyterr with a pair of sunny and windy weather.

As usual, Evyterr woke up with Theseus sitting on a chair and seemed so busy writing down notes to not even realize the singing birds outside.

Evyterr was still in a daze but he felt a lot better, more healthy, and stress-free. What a life of being a noble, to sleep whenever and however you want.

The butler paused, he saw his young master awake, and it was already morning. He hid the tiny journal and took a brisk walk towards the bed.

With a swift smile, he bowed resting its palm to his chest.

"A pleasant morning, young master. Would you like to eat breakfast in the bed or down to the dining area? You could spend the morning outside it has the full view of the city there. Maybe a walk before we ready your breakfast? How would you like it?"

What's making him so merry today? Bombarding me with questions early in the morning!

"Maybe outside? The view... wait?" Evyterr looked around, this wasn't his room. Are they not in the dukedom?

"We are...where are we?"

"The outskirts."

Evyterr squinted his eyes. His voice sounded annoying like a wavy and pitchy voice.

Evyterr was not interested in the reasons why they ended up here. It's too much to think. Besides it is his first spending the night outside the dukedom. He might as well enjoy it.

"Can I spend breakfast under that maple tree?" Evyterr saw a very lustrous maple tree in the window when he looked around earlier. That's the one thing that catches his eye the most.

Theseus followed Evyterr's eyes and saw a maple tree. He smiled in return and agreed.

He was about to open the door when he heard voices from afar coming closer. Theseus's eyes darken as he grips the doorknob. He quickly turned to Evyterr to see if he heard the voices as well.

Evyterr seems to not understand why his butler looks at him agitated, he tilts his head. "What's——"

"Noting——" Theseus wasn't able to finish his words as the door swung open. He was holding the doorknob and when it opened his body followed and he fell to the ground.

It was a loud bang.

Evyterr suddenly gasped—covering his mouth with his hand.

"Theu——you alright?!"

"Hell, you scared me."

"Your nose is bleeding. Here, wipe it."

"Don't you specialize in medicine? Why would he just wipe it?"

"Now, now, everyone, the sleeping beauty might be asleep."

"He's awake, twirp."

Evyterr was awake and was even confused. Why are there people outside his room? Who's sleeping beauty? Are they talking about him?!

Evyterr suddenly saw a hand in the door, a head was coming out, plastering a sweet smile and gleaming eyes.

Eh?

That's scary...!

The young master was gripping the ends of his blanket—having a cold sweat.

Who is this man?!

There are voices outside that are trying to stop him, even pulling him back—but he's not budging at all!

"A lovely morning don't we? Would you mind taking a stroll with me, princess?" He said, the commotion of voices outside only grew worse.

Princess?!

Evyterr flushed akin to a rose in the dew.

***

You're a handful, darling Evy(⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠)

Ehehehehehe.....

I miss Raffael(⁠ ⁠；⁠∀⁠；⁠) I wonder how was my lover boy doing.

I'm back again! How was it?

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Alright, everyone, that's it for today's update. See you later again!

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