Sylvester furrowed his brows. 'Is this why the doors were locked from the outside? What does he even think he can do to me?'
"I don't understand your meaning, my lord. Can you be more specific?" Sylvester inquired directly, sensing authentic anger emanating as a burning, pungent scent from the man.
The Count's eyes reddened as if he might burst any moment. "Do you know how much Sandwall County used to earn before Count Jartel's downfall and the end of preferred trade with Western merchants? Ten thousand Gold Graces a week!"
Sylvester's mind went into flashback mode and remembered all the things. Jartel was the Count to whose County he had originally gone to investigate for the death of the Countess. Ultimately, the big conspiracy was revealed, and the Count killed himself.
'If I recollect correctly, Masan utilized fake merchants and devised a fake economy to make Northern Gracia reliant on them. But my actions disrupted that trade route and exposed the plot. Moreover, since Sandwall County served as the gatekeeper of that trade route, it appears my actions significantly reduced their profits.'
"You want me to reimburse you for revealing Masan's conspiracy to destroy the whole of North Gracia? That money was a lie, my lord. Instead, I would say you are guilty for the anguish of other duchies for failing to recognize the plot," Sylvester accused the man.
"How dare you! After guarding the border for so long, is this what we deserve? Nothing grows here, and we rely on trade! And you accuse me of this heresy for trying to better the lives of my people?"
Sylvester sighed and calmed the man. "That's what the Holy Land would like to believe, my lord. Even King Gracia is dissatisfied. However, if you seek money, then I may have some entrepreneurial proposals that could potentially become a major moneymaking opportunity for you in the future. Perhaps mining in the Pentapeak mountain range could assist you."
"It's impossible to discover mines in that snow-covered land!" The Count objected.
"Not if I pinpoint to you the exact location of some of them." Sylvester offered. He had already informed the Sanctum Council that he intended to do so, as the Holy Land required more funds and taxes for the war.
The Count's gaze softened, and he retreated. "Gold mines?"
"Indeed."
The Count's demeanor shifted abruptly, and he settled back onto his chair. "I knew I could rely on you. I will await your guidance. Have a pleasant night."
Sylvester nodded and departed, having outwitted the man who considered himself the winner. It was true that Sylvester was going to offer the mine. However, the Count failed to realize that the mid-east side of the Pentapeak range belonged to the Duchy of Normani. Currently, Sylvester held a strong relationship with the new Duchess.
Therefore, any deal would require her approval. And when that agreement happens, an appropriate percentage shall go to the Duchy and then to the Holy Land since it was Sylvester who liberated the entire mountain region and converted the barbarians.
He returned to the room allotted to him and rested on the bed, but didn't sleep. Instead, the sound of rain outside and the strange dull atmosphere spread a sense of melancholy, and Sylvester felt it.
Still, he gazed at the ceiling while Miraj sat beside him, lying on his back with his head resting on Sylvester's arm.
"Will there be another life after this one? What do you think, Chonky?"
"Another life?" Miraj looked puzzledly at Sylvester. "But we have not even lived this one yet."
"Haha." A brief chuckle escaped his lips. "You are too wise, my friend. Indeed, why worry when we have not even experienced this one fully."
Gradually, the sound of the rain filled the room, and finding solace in it, Sylvester shut his eyes. He did not intend to sleep but merely sought a brief moment of tranquility to calm his mind.
…
Riveria, Fort Sunflower
Kaecilius received Sylvester's letter through the monastery and read it in private with great focus as the details were encrypted.
'Lord Bard wants me to wait and let King Conrad be weakened from the oncoming divine war?'
Kaecilius read the message carefully. 'Do not put too many resources into it, and conserve energy. Then, when the time is right, we'll strike.'
He sighed and incinerated the letter to ashes. He had planned to seize the Kingdom swiftly, but after reading Lord Bard's suggestion, he grasped the situation better. If he took over the Kingdom now, then he would be obligated to assist the Holy Land in the war. But, unfortunately, he lacked any subordinate Grand Wizards waiting to fight for him.
'Let the fools dance to their deaths while I savor the aftermath? Sounds like a plan.'
…
Gracia Kingdom, Green City.
Isabella had returned to her home, the oppressive castle of Gracia's capital. However, she felt suffocated no matter how extensive the castle was. She desired to meet Felix and join Xavia in the Holy Land.
"Your Highness, a letter for you." A Bright Mother dropped the letter to the princess without adding any further words.
Initially, Isabella was perplexed about why a Bright Mother would do so, but she carefully opened it and realized it was Sylvester's handwriting and encoded words.
She quickly shut her door closed and read it carefully. 'Dear Isabella, I hope you are well. I understand that losing your freedom must be frustrating, but you must remain safe for a prosperous Gracia in the future.
'For now, I want you to gradually assume control of the Kingdom's administration. Be cautious and identify which noble is corrupt or cheating the Kingdom. I have a few trustworthy clergymen serving in the King's court, and they will assist you. You must not ascend to the throne during this war because the people will feel the most devastation.
'When people are enraged, they revolt and rise against their monarch. In your case, their anger will be directed at King Harold. That would be the ideal time for you to assume the throne. The people will accept a kind ruling queen graciously.'
She sighed and burnt the paper. "You are too intelligent, Sylvester. It is no wonder you always have your goals in mind, never wavering for anyone."
Isabella rested in her room, reminiscing about when she attempted to impress Sylvester, causing her secondhand embarrassment and prompting a few kicks on the floor.
'I was such a fool, trying to make the next Pope break his celibacy. O' Solis, forgive me. I was too naive!'
…
Sorrow Kingdom, Wailing City.
Lord Einarr, the man with the power to stop time, had all his time consumed by his duties. Rebuilding an entire kingdom from scratch took a lot more work than he had initially presumed.
Fortunately, he found solace in the magnificent and easy-to-follow plans for building cities, bridges, and dams that Sylvester had left behind. The Administration without nobles was also much more pleasing to the people, as they felt they finally had power over their destiny, not some unaccountable noble.
Knock! Knock!
In the newly-built grand palace, surrounded by a lava moat, Einarr received a letter from a Bright Mother. No words were exchanged.
In a single glance, Einarr knew it was a letter from Sylvester. However, he had only just mastered the coded language, so he had trouble deciphering it initially.
'H-Hello, my dear friend, I hope you are dying well…Ah! Doing well. The Divine Dragons have made the divination. The doom is returning. I want you to refuse to join the Holy Land in the war against Beastaria. The Sorrow Kingdom has suffered enough, so just focus on rebuilding and creating an industry.
'Pray to Solis that I am able to accomplish what I have decided to do. If everything goes well, the Sorrow Kingdom may have the last of its royal bloodline returning to Castle Ashstone. I can't reveal many details, but a certain princess may be out there.'
Einarr's hands trembled as tears of joy welled up in his eyes. He crushed the paper in his hand and burned it away while remembering the name of the little girl who used to lovingly call him grandpa and play on his lap.
'Zye…my princess…are you alive? O' Solis, please bless Lord Bard!'
…
Back in Sandwall County, Sylvester woke up in the morning. He had not even realized when he fell asleep. It was a strange slumber to him.
"Ugh… It's still raining outside." He walked to the room's balcony and looked at the small city. The sun had come up, but it was still shrouded by dark clouds, blocking the warmth of Solis and reducing the precious Solarium supply.
Woosh!
A sudden cold breeze flew past him. For the first time in many years, Sylvester felt his body shudder despite having light magic.
Immediately, he looked toward the direction of the air current.
"Is that?...No, no, no! Why now?"
His scalp tingled the moment he witnessed the distant hovering figure of a black cloak with sharp, white, shining eyes. It was directly staring at Sylvester.
The scent of death also made itself aware, and Sylvester prepared himself for do or die.
'What does the Shadow Knight want now? He's left me alone all this time.'
Sylvester picked up his spear from the bedside in case he had to escape. Then he locked his gaze on the creature, and both seemed to stare at each other constantly for minutes, which passed to become an hour.
But after noticing no reaction, a thought came to his mind.
'Is it not here for me?'
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