In the morning, a few guests appeared at the mansion. I welcomed them at the door.
-"Welcome. It's the first time I'm the host."-I smiled.
-"Indeed. Just looking at the LEDs present everywhere I miss my candle-filled classroom."
-"Don't be so outdated, you know that candlelight is bad for the eyes."
-"But blue light is also not healthy; you'll have trouble sleeping."
-"Ehem, guys, mind time and place."-Laqeramaline reminded us, but she still smiled, amused.
-"Sorry, please come inside."
We moved indoors, moving through the corridors while speaking.
-"Are you ready?"-Fremont asked after some time.
-"As ready as I can be. We prepared everything we could."
-"True. Eno, I decided to accept the invitation of the Regent to return to Kazdel."-He mentioned this suddenly.
-"It's understandable. I won't let your decision influence the relation between us."
-"I'm thinking the same."-He nodded trying to act normal, but a small smile appeared on his usually stern face.-"I'll still uphold the political neutrality, ordering Liches to never act against Laterano without a valid reason."
-"How about considering it a treaty? No Sankta shall act against Liches and Banshee, this is my decree as Holy Son."-I spoke seriously, causing all Sankta present to kneel, accepting my decree.
-"Then, as the Lich King, I declare that no member of the Temple of Knowledge can act against Laterano."-Fremont followed my idea.
-"While I'm no longer the Great Banshee, I will also prohibit any Banshee from harming Laterano. My son won't be against my decision."
-"Son? I didn't expect you to be a mother."-I looked in surprise.
-"Do I not look like a mother?"-She gave me a side eye.
-"How to put it, you are more like a stern elder sister than a parental figure."-I chose my words carefully.
-"Sister? I'm too old for such a title."-She said, but her smile betrayed her inner feelings.
Fremont looked at me with a strange gaze, but then closed his eyes, pretending to see nothing.
-"Right, would you mind being my companion for the celebration? As the Holy Son, it's somewhat unbecoming to show alone."-I changed the subject.
-"If me being Sarkaz won't cause trouble, then I don't mind."
-"It'll be my honor."
-"Then the pleasure is mine."
-"Our joint study wasn't a secret arrangement, so there are already countless rumors flying around about my attitude to Sarkaz. From a simple theory of trying to end the hatred between races, to an elaborate love story during the years I was away. Accepting Shining as my Knight is still a popular story, to the point that even some theaters started to perform our dramatic story of love and hate."
-"Oh? Then I'll have to see those one day."
-"Just don't tease me too much with those later."
-"I'll do it with moderation."
I could only smile at that.
-"Son."-Margaret approached us.-"The cars are ready."
-"Let's go then."-I started to walk, then I stopped, remembering something.-"Right. If the fight later involves Sarkaz from Kazdel, don't feel pressured to step forward. Shining will act personally."
Two of them nodded, knowing that no matter what they said, it wouldn't be appropriate.
We entered the arranged cars and rode through the festive streets to the foot of the Twin Empresses Spires. There were already countless guests by the entrance, watching the new arrivals. When they saw the Lateran convoy appear, all eyes locked on the car doors.
Margaret and Shining stepped from their positions, one opening the doors and allowing me to step out. When I did, I extended my right hand to help Laqeramaline; she accepted it, and after stepping out, she linked her arm with mine. We walked through the entrance, all eyes looking at us with a mix of surprise, interest, and some disapproval.
No matter what, the Sarkaz were never liked; so many people were disgusted by or afraid of them. Because of that, such gazes would always appear when someone was seen by their side. But while I cared about my reputation as the Holy Son, I would never put it before what mattered.
Inside, all major nobles were already mingling in their groups, and while our entrance attracted them, no one approached. We found a quiet spot near a column and stopped there, not interested in the gossip of the aristocratic crowd. A moment later, a waiter approached us, offering a drink. We declined, but this acted as some kind of signal, making others slowly approach us. Soon, I needed to talk politely with people whose names were longer than all the titles the Old Man had. But I just smiled and talked about subjects as passionate as yesterday's weather.
Time slowly passed, and more guests started to appear. At some point, we finally regained some peace and quiet. Fremont also joined us on the side after talking with some friendly teachers, so we returned to discussing our usual subjects. But then I heard an annoying voice coming from behind me.
-"My. I never thought that you would scoop to low as to even go after a married woman. I thought only naïve girls were in your strike zone."
-"Well, they say that true women age like fine wine. But even for me, your taste might be too heavy; let's wait until I'm at least a 1% of your age, Old Lynx."-I responded without turning.
-"Tsk."-I could feel the temperature behind me lower slightly.-"I can't understand how that broken thing could make such a disgusting thing like you."
-"Don't be like that, Old Lynx. Aren't you happy that I'm well? I read that Laterano almost bulldozed your little tower when I disappeared."
-"Heh, I'm only disappointed that you could return in one piece. Knowing how you are, without losing an arm or leg, you'll never change."
To this, I didn't respond. She was right, my left hand, which was covered by the cloak, was the said price.
-"Mother?"-A calm voice sounded from near the Old Lynx.
-"Oh? Aefanyl? Good to see you. How are you?"
-"This... Are you here... Accompanying..."-He was unsure how to ask what he wanted.
-"Right, Eno invited me to be his partner for the evening."-She responded casually, not noticing that such an answer seemed to deal a lot of damage to her son.-"You should find some time to discuss Arts with him, you might find his perspective enlightening."
-"Since when are you a scholar?"-Old Lynx was genuinely surprised.-"You couldn't even cast a single Art back then."
-"It's much easier to concentrate when the greatest mass of all the resentment and annoyance, who is constantly complaining in her stone heart about everything and anything, isn't by your side. You should truly find some hobby, I mean, a hobby other than complaining and cursing."
-"I'm in no need of your hypocritical advice."
-"Ace... Are they always like that?"-A Feline woman quietly asked a Phidia man standing near.
-"Sigh. Since their first meeting they always butted heads. You can consider him Kal'tsit's nemesis, as she can't do anything to him, only talk back. But no matter how they behave, remember to be respectful of him, Blaze.
-"I see."-She looked at our interaction, treating it as entertainment.
-"Your character is crumbling, Old Lynx."
-"Heh, look at yourself, Holy Son."
-"Don't worry, no one will dare to slander me. But you... Well, it's great that it's that little rabbit that is the face of your company, at least your sales shouldn't suffer much."
-"At least I'm not afraid to show my face in public, not like someone."-She commented about my hood.
-"Did no one teach you that a little mystery can make someone more attractive? Ah, my bad. If someone taught you that, you wouldn't be so bitter."
-"I'm starting to regret approaching you."
-"I'm surprised you did that, to be honest. If it were me, I'd avoid you like the plague."
-"Typical you, running away from every problem."
-"Didn't know you were a psychologist."
-"As head of the medical department, I need to understand patients' needs."
-"Oh? Then what about the customer service? As a member of a company, you should understand that too."
-"It's not like you'll need our services, so you're not a client."
-"Why, thank you. I'll take your words as a blessing. You are truly a nice person, Old Lynx."
Her words got caught in her throat as she coughed, caught off guard.
-"You should care about your health in your twilight years. Don't you, as a pharmaceutical company, know this, or are you a black company? Looking at how you employ so many thugs..."
-"Operators."-She instantly corrected and glared at me.-"And my health is good, please don't say something that might harm our reputation."
-"Don't mind it. Who here doesn't own one or two black companies?"
As our pleasant conversation continued, the time came for the main part of the celebration. The empress had already appeared, along with those who would perform the Güldenesgesatz this year. The whole audience stopped what they were doing as the silence spread throughout the crowd. Soon, the entire city was mute.
As the orchestra was about to play the first note, I glanced at the Old Lynx, who was still by my side.
-"Don't get involved."
-"How bad?"
-"You might get yourself killed."
She nodded, motioning her Operators to stand by her side.
-"I hope you know what you are doing."
-"I also hope so."
Then, the music filled the city. Many complicated melodies were interwoven into a beautiful whole, creating a masterpiece that couldn't be replicated. The skies above took a golden hue, filling it with patterns containing everything that made this country what it's now.
Observing everything, I was amazed at the grandeur of this 'performance'. Thinking about the creators of this masterpiece, I can only regret that they weren't part of any Teekaz lineage, leaving no memories in the Myriad Souls.
At the same time, I was once again reminded of the genius of the Witch King, a person capable of recreating such an intricate Art. Watching it, I tried to see if I would be able to repeat his achievement, but after some time, I became doubtful. Give me time to research it in depth, and I might be able to do so, but without learning from all the parts, I wouldn't be able to do much. Recreating a destroyed part from scraps as he did was beyond my current capabilities.
If not for knowing what was about to happen, I would have enjoyed this spectacle fully, but there were already some notes that sounded wrong to me, so everything was about to begin. And as if on cue, the golden hue started to turn ominous black, covering the skies like a brewing storm.
People around started to panic seeing this abnormality; some even tried to run, but it was too late. From the dark skies, a rift leading to the true legacy of the Witch King appeared, the one and only Herkunftshorn, the Genesis Horn. The magnificent spire that was the symbol of the tyranny towered over the Leithanien once again.
In the orchestra and the crowds, cloaked figures appeared, praising the return of their king, but their happiness was short-lived, as they quickly were affected by the cruel Arts of their lord. One by one, their bodies disintegrated, turning into power for one they served, dying as dogs they were in his eyes. The chaos intensified, but I ignored it, closing my eyes instead, listening to the music still playing. I let myself fall into the song, leaving my body in Promulgator's care.
While I stood there, unconscious to everything outside, my Knights started to act. Cellinia took the mafioso and gangs under her command to eliminate any hidden dangers, helping those in need to gather in safe places where casters had already set up defenses. Apostolic Knights helped coordinate the evacuation and traffic, working with local military and police to calm the chaos.
Viviana quickly secured the nobles and gathered those present to work together, trying to restrict the corrupted Güldenesgesatz. She rallied Gesatzswächters and other noble Casters, managing to form a barrier over the city that prevented the corruption from spreading. She herself took the core role in the casting of the Art; those who stood by her side treated her no longer like some entertainer, but like a true knight.
While this was taking place, Margaret and Shining appeared by my side, preventing anyone from interrupting me. Kal'tsit noticed my abnormality, but she didn't do anything, just ordered other Operators to remain here in case anything were to go wrong. Fremont and Laqeramaline also stayed here, their attention on the magic formation we prepared, ready to activate it at any time.
The situation was slowly stabilizing, but then, another change occurred. A group of five cloaked figures appeared by the entrance. At first glance, one might consider them members of the Echoes, but a closer look at their masks would prove them wrong. Those animal-skull-like masks could only represent one group.
Those who noticed them quickly stepped away, knowing that something bad was about to happen. Even Operators from Rhodes Island got tense, ready to act at any moment. The Confessarii ignored everyone; their gazes were solely focused on me.
Margaret turned to Shining, who looked at the approaching group. Shining watched them for a moment before sighing and stepping forward. She drew her sword, while a cold black flame appeared in her other hand. She also didn't cease to learn miracles, but she discovered that rather than incantations of golden lineage, she had talent in those forbidden schools.
I learned the Black Flame Incantations from Princess; her master shared them with her, but I rarely used them for various reasons. But thanks to my learning everything I could back then, now Shining could confidently face even a whole group of Confessarii without worry.
The approaching Confessarii instantly felt the danger of those flames, stopping and looking at Shining with undisguised anger.
-"Qui'saršinnag! How dare you!"
-"Leave."-She pierced the ground with her sword, black flames spreading around her.-"Or I'll make you stay forever."
In response, three Confessarii rushed at her, trying to occupy her, while the remaining two moved toward me. She knew that it would end like this, so she just raised her sword. Taking a step forward, she swung at the closest opponent, cleaving him in half, his body instantly combusting, disappearing in the flames, not even ashes remaining after a moment.
This made the other two Confessarii take a step back, but Shining was already in the middle of the next swing, felling the next target. At the same time, she looked at the two Confessarii who ignored her, without any emotions, she made the ground under their feet explode, swallowing them in the black blaze.
The last Confessarii standing decided to escape, but before they could even take a step back, they were struck by a ball of black flame. Shining sheathed her sword, releasing the breath she was holding. She looked around and seeing no more enemies, she extinguished the remaining flames, returning to my side.
Her effortless fight made everyone here look at her with awe and fear; even Kal'tsit looked at her with interest. But Shining ignored that; she just looked at my still figure, observing for any signs of abnormalities. But there was nothing to see outside; everything important was taking place inside.