The discomfort for the rest of the journey was stressful.
Having three pairs of women's eyes on me was exhausting: one looked like she wanted to kill me, another was seriously considering killing the person I had brought just a few hours earlier, and the last one probably wanted me to kill her... if you know what I mean.
The silence was only broken by the rattling of the carriage wheels, until finally the Marquis of Beaumont's mansion appeared on the horizon, promising a very different kind of trouble from the one I had inside the carriage.
Before getting out, I signaled Elena to cover her face and act as my attendant, speaking only when I allowed it. Although she was annoyed by this last part, she took out a black mask with golden details that maintained her refined scholarly air.
I put on mine as well, and we stepped out after Elizabeth.
The Marquis was waiting for us at the door. As soon as he saw us get down, he said cheerfully:
"Miss Elizabeth, it's a pleasure." Then he shifted his gaze to her companions and was surprised to see Elara and two masked people. "I didn't know the Imperial Princess Elara Demor would be coming as well. It's a delight to have you here, Princess."
Elara nodded in acknowledgment and remained silent, playing her role perfectly. The Marquis smiled and guided us inside.
"As you know, Marchioness, we are currently in a rather fragile situation," he commented as we walked. "The truth is, we don't have much to offer in return for your help, though seeing the Princess here, I understand what you're after."
He paused; his face took on a somber and serious expression before continuing.
"I can promise you my support, but I'm afraid the grain won't be enough to save this place."
"Don't worry, Lord Merien. We know you have an even more urgent problem," Elizabeth replied calmly. "That's why we wanted to ask for your hospitality for a few days; we'll try to help control the situation."
She gestured toward Elena and me.
"As you can see, even if they don't look like it, the two people I brought with me are experts on the subject of corroded beasts. I assure you we will find a solution that satisfies you."
The Marquis looked at us with evident suspicion, but given Elizabeth's reputation and confidence, his doubt didn't last long.
"Then my family will welcome you," he continued, guiding us down the main hallway. "Although my sons are not here at the moment, my wife and my longtime butler will give you the best possible attention."
Upon mentioning the butler, a man with an impeccable appearance and calculated movements bowed before us. His eyes scanned our masks with a curiosity he tried to disguise as servitude.
"It is an honor, Your Highness, milady," he said in a voice that sounded far too rehearsed. "Please, follow me. I have prepared the rooms in the east wing."
Once we were settled, they left us to get comfortable before we all came down for dinner together.
This allowed me to start clarifying the situation on my own.
The presence of corrosion in this place is definitely a sign of HER PRESENCE.
But this kind of dirty work she never does personally; there must be someone here facilitating things for her from the shadows.
Since I don't want to use overly powerful laws like last time, I'll have to find another way to discover who's behind this.
I sighed wearily.
…
Returning thousands of light-years away.
Siyin, with a nostalgic look in her eyes, kept staring at a hall with an empty throne. The silence of the place was heavy, laden with memories.
"Sister!" A voice suddenly broke the silence.
It was Luowei, who entered with hurried steps and a face flushed with indignation.
"The Black Blood Sect destroyed a medium world! Sister Liwei is more than furious; she used to spend time with the Master there, and now that place no longer exists…"
Siyin sighed, closing her eyes in pain.
"We can't keep going like this," Luowei continued, clenching her fists. "If we remain in this position of caution, they will only press harder."
"Luowei, if we go to war with them over a few worlds, the balance we worked so hard to achieve will break again," Siyin replied, her voice tired but firm.
"But… it's not just a few, Siyin. Besides, you didn't let Xingyue go look for the Master. It hurts to see her so depressed all the time."
At that moment, an explosion of power shook the large doors of the hall.
Liwei entered; her dark armor still dripping with the black essence of the enemies she had just massacred purely for venting.
Her gaze was pure contained fury.
"Siyin, don't ask me for calm," she snapped, driving her heavy sword into the marble floor with a crash that made the walls vibrate. "The Black Blood Sect is erasing his traces. If we allow them to touch even one more corner where he has walked, there will be nothing left to protect when the Master decides to return."
She approached her sisters, her mere presence radiating a gravitational pressure that made breathing difficult throughout the hall.
"If you're not going to give the order for war, I will. I'll take my legions and descend to the lower worlds."
"Liwei, don't be reckless," Siyin warned.
"You can't stop me. It's already decided," Liwei declared, turning around without waiting for a reply.
In another room near the hall.
"Xingyue, you don't have to listen to Siyin if you don't want to. The Master won't mind seeing you, you know that, right?"
The youngest looked at her older sister with a mix of hope and sadness.
"Do you think so?" she whispered with a trembling voice.
"I'm sure. Come on, if you want to see him you should start now; it seems he's quite far from here and it won't be easy to reach."
"Thank you, Sister Lanying!" Xingyue exclaimed as she jumped with excitement.
She gave Lanying a quick hug and immediately disappeared with surprising speed, leaving behind only a trail of stellar particles.
Lanying remained alone in the room, staring at the spot where her sister had been just a second ago with a complicated expression.
"I also…" she whispered to herself, clenching her fists with a mixture of sadness and envy.