Three Weeks After the Delegation Departed
Three weeks had passed since the delegation left. Verat still hadn't returned from the Demon Realm, and neither had Kar. A few days ago, I'd gotten a short report through a feather saying things in Ignar Territory would take a bit longer.
Everyone's so busy.
The nest was quiet. Kar's spot was empty, and so was the place where Verat always lounged. Only long rays of sunlight filtered in from under the roof. Prostia came up every other day like clockwork, but otherwise, nothing much happened.
Then one afternoon, as I lay on the turaka hide staring at the ceiling, I sat up.
Maybe I should head to the lake.
I walked to the nest entrance, released my polymorph, and spread my wings. I descended quickly through the branches. The sunlight from above faded fast, and the air grew heavy. At the end of the familiar path, a massive cavern opened up, its floor covered by the lake.
The lake, once pitch-black and ominous, now lay serene and clear. Its surface was still, and from above, I could see straight to the bottom—crystal clear. On one side of the shore stood the feather I'd planted during the domain declaration, right where I'd left it.
I landed lightly by the feather on the lakeshore and reapplied my polymorph, shifting back to human form. I settled on the grassy patch by the water.
...Maybe I should try some fishing.
I pulled the mana leaking from my true form inward. Suppressing my presence so the magical beasts wouldn't sense my rank, I gathered just a thin thread of mana at my fingertip—enough to mimic a small, enticing prey.
I stretched it out like fine thread, dangling it long over the surface. Ripples spread as it touched the water. Small aquatic beasts seemed to sense the mana. But they didn't come close. They'd circle from a distance before vanishing into the reeds or just watch from afar before scattering.
...No bites.
I waited a good while, but nothing changed.
Guess magical beasts are sharp like that.
They all kept their distance.
Screw it, I'll just catch some.
I focused power into my fingertip and extended the mana thread deep underwater. It coiled around a nearby one in an instant, yanking it up.
It was a fish-like magical beast with blue scales etched in silver stripes. Its dorsal fin stood sharp, and tiny fangs glinted at the corners of its mouth. About as long as I was tall.
This'll make a good meal.
I reeled in a few more in quick succession. The second was a small black-scaled one with two heads; the third, a gray beast lined with spines along its back. Lined up neatly on the grass, all three were different species.
Oh, all different. Perfect for grilling.
I opened my subspace and pulled out the spice box Valter had given me. I'd started reaching for it automatically whenever I grilled meat these past few days. I summoned a thin flame at my fingertips and began prepping the beasts. The spines charred off in the fire, and the two-headed one cleaned up easily.
Sizzle—!
Oil popped, scattering spice dust. The familiar aroma spread over the lake. A subtle spicy depth overwhelmed the beasts' heavy fishy smell in an instant.
I bit into the blue-scaled one first. The flesh parted softly. The spices hit my tongue, blooming with rich flavor.
Mmm, delicious.
I devoured the blue-scaled beast. I ate half the two-headed one before storing the rest in my subspace. The spiny gray one went in whole.
I'll eat that back at the nest.
I wiped the grease from my hands on the grass and gazed at the lake.
...Might as well wash up while I'm here.
I approached the shore and released my clothing formation. I dipped my feet in.
Nice and cool.
Not hot, not cold—just perfect. As I waded deeper, my toes soon lost the bottom.
...Wow, it's deep.
I dunked my head and came up. My hair clung heavy to my back. I swept it back and swam toward the center.
I paused midway, curiosity striking. This had been Abi Sal's haunt once; I wanted to see what lay on the bottom. I took a deep breath and dove.
Underwater was far bluer than from above. No sunlight reached these depths, yet a faint glow permeated, keeping it from total darkness. Probably remnants of Abi Sal's mana. Even after I'd cleared it with lightning during the domain declaration, traces lingered.
Plants grew here—thin, elongated grasses swaying toward the surface, thickening toward the bottom. Deeper in, I spotted a magical beast about the size of the ones I'd caught. It bolted into the reeds the moment it saw me.
Whoa, it's fleeing.
I'd cleared out the annoying ones before, but whether from connections to other areas, big ones occasionally appeared. Still, with the domain declared, they weren't touching the lake's mana.
Satisfied with the look, I surfaced and swam to shore. I sat briefly on the grass, summoned fire mana, and evaporated the water from my body. My hair dried too. I reformed my clothes.
Feels refreshing.
I stretched long and glanced around. Releasing polymorph, I returned to my true form and spread my wings. Air lightened as I ascended, sunlight returning. I passed through the branches and landed in the nest, familiar wooden floor underfoot.
The audience hall in the Bernd Empire's Imperial Palace was vast and lofty. Sunlight poured from the high round window above, tracing a large circle on the marble floor before the throne. Flanking corridors stood guards at rigid attention. No sound but footsteps.
Valter von Valdenfelts led the delegation into the sunlit circle. At the proper distance from the throne, he dropped to one knee, right hand over heart. The delegation mirrored him behind.
Emperor Albern sat deeply on the throne—dark hair, amber eyes, black coat under an embroidered cloak. A far weightier presence than in private.
"Duke, raise your head."
Albern's voice settled calmly over the hall. Valter looked up.
"I have returned safely from my mission leading the Bernd Empire's delegation, Your Majesty."
"You've traveled far; your efforts are appreciated. Convey my thanks to the delegation as well."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Valter bowed his head again. Albern raised a hand.
"Report the diplomatic results briefly."
Valter straightened, speaking in measured tones. He covered the successful regular trade with the Elf Kingdom, the sudden thickening of the Life Water's concentration mid-trade, and their agreement to handle it through formal channels later—all concise essentials.
"Your Majesty, there are matters difficult to discuss before the full delegation. I request a private audience for further report."
Albern's amber eyes flicked to Valter briefly. He nodded lightly.
"Well done. The delegation may withdraw."
The delegation bowed deeply behind Valter.
"Duke, remain."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The delegation filed out in a line. At Albern's brief gesture, corridor guards and attendants swiftly exited. Heavy doors boomed shut, echoing in the hall.
Albern descended the throne slowly, approaching Valter.
"To the facts."
His tone shed formality.
The emperor's private chamber was far smaller and warmer than the audience hall. Soft light emanated from wall hangings; a low table held tea service at center.
Albern shed his coat over a chairback and sank deeply into the seat. The hall's majesty sloughed off like garb.
"Sit."
Valter took the opposite chair. Albern poured tea and slid a cup toward him. Valter sipped; the familiar scent was Albern's usual blend.
"How was the trip?"
"Exhausting."
"Fair enough—round trip to the Elf Kingdom."
Albern poured his own and sipped, setting it down to eye Valter sidelong.
"Got a message from King Kaelion. Before your delegation arrived."
Valter nodded.
"Sent one to me too."
"So. Did you meet?"
"In the carriage. Rode together to the kingdom."
Albern's hand paused on his cup.
"...Together."
"Yeah."
Albern paused briefly, turning his cup idly. He met Valter's eyes.
"...What happened in there."
"Caught killing intent once. Not intentional—just slipped out."
"..."
"But that one slip dropped half the delegation. Mages fainted, beasts panicked."
Albern fell silent, tapping the table lightly with a finger.
"...Not even full power, then."
"Right."
Valter interlaced his fingers, exhaling softly.
"I provoked on purpose."
Albern's hand stopped.
"...What?"
"Needed to gauge what it'd become for us. Prodded with words belittling a Divine Beast's dignity."
"...Are you sane?"
Albern's voice lowered.
"If it'd meant it, neither you nor the delegation would've returned alive."
"I know. Honestly, I got arrogant."
"Arrogant?"
"Figured I was among humanity's strongest, Graiphe at my side—even a Divine Beast, worth testing once. Stupid thinking."
Albern eyed him long, then sighed shortly.
"...I see."
Valter's gaze dropped briefly.
"Only facing it directly made me truly feel what a Transcendent is."
Valter sipped and set his cup down.
"King Kaelion messaged you about the Life Water too?"
"Yeah. Concentration up 1.5 times."
"That happened when it dipped a hand in once."
"..."
"Said it'll hold steady now. Effect of the domain declaration."
Albern glanced at the ceiling, mind clearly racing. He set his cup down, facing Valter.
"...So. What do you make of it?"
Valter paused, then replied.
"Simple, willful, unpredictable."
He steadied his breath, as if organizing his words.
"...Like looking at a child, maybe."
Albern glanced at him, lips quirking faintly.
"...Like you?"
"..."
Valter met his gaze steadily.
"That's why it's scary in its simplicity. We can't lose its favor—for us, or the next generation."
Albern stifled a laugh.
"...Got it. Scary because it's so simple."
"Yeah."
Albern leaned deeper into his chair. Silence stretched.
Valter straightened to rise.
"Should head out. Lea and Ludger are waiting."
"Go on."
Albern waved. Valter nodded shortly and exited the chamber.
The Valdenfelts mansion wasn't far from the palace. Stepping from the carriage, a servant took his coat. Entering the foyer, familiar footsteps greeted him—Lea.
Her dark hair cascaded past her shoulders; amber eyes like Albern's met his. No formal gown, just house clothes, but her posture alone carried a duchess's grace.
"Safe travels. No troubles?"
"...Some."
Lea read his expression and asked no more. Ludger nestled in her arms—dark hair like his mother's, tiny amber eyes. Spotting Valter, he reached out, babbling softly.
Lea passed him over. Valter cradled him familiarly. Ludger gripped his coat hem tightly in small fists. Tension melted from Valter's shoulders.
...I'm home.
"Tea inside?"
"Thanks."
He sat in an inner receiving room chair. Ludger nestled his small head against Valter's chest. Wild mana brushed Valter's fingertips—from deep in the boy's tiny body.
Dragon mana, flowing only in imperial blood. Traced from the founding emperor's contract with a dragon, inherited down the line. Lea carried traces sometimes; Ludger bore it thicker.
...Still strong.
The child of the oracle bestowed on the imperial line. The oracle's child.
Valter drew a short breath. Ludger clutched the coat tighter. Sleep tugged at him; tiny eyelids grew heavy.
Valter stroked his head. Soft dark hair met his palm.
Lea entered with tea, setting it on the side table. She laid a light hand on his shoulder, then sat opposite.
The mansion hushed. Ludger's breaths evened, soft rises and falls against Valter's chest. Valter held him closer. Time slipped quietly by.
As night deepened, Valter laid Ludger in bed and returned to the receiving room. Fireplace flames flickered quietly beside the chair. Lea had retired; he was alone. The table tea had cooled.
Valter lifted the cup, staring into it without drinking. His words to Albern replayed.
...Keeping its favor is key.
Just recalling the carriage killing intent chilled his back. The issue: it didn't just apply to Valdenfelts. Would other houses reach the same conclusion? Or the opposite?
His gaze on the cup froze. On the return, he'd scanned the carriage procession. Among them, the Rosenberg carriage—contracted to the Great Owl—had a fleeting, oddly heavy mana surge. Too brief and faint to note then, but now it nagged.
Valter set the cup down slowly. Too vague for instinct, too pointed to ignore.
...Can't let this slide.
His eyes shifted to the fireplace.
Tomorrow, send someone to intelligence.
The flames flared high.