The Vaine-Castell steamship cut through the morning mist as they entered the grand port of Aethelgard. The view before them stood in stark contrast to the ruggedness of Isfellan; here, slender towers soared into the sky, and the most dominant among them was the Magic Tower, a windowless structure whose peak was perpetually shrouded in glowing clouds.
Anne stood on the deck, wearing a black silk gown with silver metal accents—a fusion of Western elegance and industrial functionality. Beside her, Harold looked visibly uncomfortable in his military ceremonial uniform.
"Remember," Anne whispered without turning her head. "In Isfellan, people speak honestly even when they want to kill you. Here, they will praise you while pouring poison into your glass."
"I'd rather face Bael again," Harold muttered, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword, which now served as nothing more than a uniform decoration.
An Unexpected Encounter
As they disembarked, they were not greeted by cheering crowds, but by a line of the Silver Guard—an elite force of mage-warriors wearing expressionless masks. Standing before them was a young man with pale white hair and robes embroidered with gold thread.
"Welcome back, Princess Vaine. And... General de Croul," the man bowed slightly, though his cold eyes remained fixed on Anne. "I am Valerius, the Chief Assistant to the Magic Tower Council. We have prepared a residence for you."
Caine, standing behind Anne and clutching his briefcase tightly, narrowed his eyes. "We have our own residence in the banking district, Valerius. We have no need for the Tower's hospitality."
"Ah, Mr. Caine. Always practical," Valerius gave a thin smile. "But the Emperor insists. He wishes for 'old blood' to be close to the center of power. Besides... there are many things in the Tower waiting to be rediscovered."
The Returning Echo
On her first night in Aethelgard, Rainnes could not sleep. In Isfellan, the voices were harsh and wild. But here, the sound was subtle, like the singing of a thousand tormented souls muffled by marble walls.
She walked onto the balcony of the vast guest suite, looking toward the Magic Tower. Suddenly, she felt a powerful vibration coming from the direction of Anne and Caine, who were discussing matters in the living room. The vibration did not come from a mechanical device, but from something locked within their blood.
Rainnes looked back at the Tower, and for a split second, the summit of the tower seemed to pulse in time with Anne's heartbeat.
"They are looking for it," Rainnes whispered to herself. "They are looking for the Mother they never knew."