"I couldn't have guessed. People under the age of fifty usually don't get into military organizations, but I guess there are always exceptions."
"Yep. I'm just one of the unlucky wingless who caught Ickni's attention." I said meekly.
"So you have yet to explore the wonders of the four other Dominions? I'm jealous, I wish I could relive my shock and awe of visiting the other Dominions for the first time."
"I'd like to visit the other Dominions and the land of Devils. I've heard it's quite the sight!" I exclaimed.
My interest and joy in exploring overcame me for a brief moment. The memories of reading about the Dominions and the Devil continent, Faravos, came back to me like a flood. Despite my excitement about traveling, Lucius's face shifted unnaturally, averting his eyes from me.
"I won't report this because you're young. But don't mention anything about willingly wanting to go to the Devil continent to anyone again. It's considered high treason to think positively about devils."
I stepped back slightly from Lucius, my blood running cold. Although it wasn't exactly surprising that it would be considered high treason, it still scared me at that moment.
"Oh, I'm sorry…"
"Don't worry about it. If you want to start your travels in the Moon Dominion, we'll happily take you in, whenever you wish. It's a stunning land of snow and perpetual darkness; the moon always looms in the background, no matter where you are. I'd love for you to visit sometime."
Something was strange about his words. Why was he being so nice to me, and why would he openly accept a Servant of Order into his lands? The same order he openly detests, I don't get it.
"I'm wingless. Why do you open your arms to me so easily? Everyone hates my kind. Why are you different?"
I wasn't truly an angel, but the same discrimination applied to me. I had seen the consequences of not having wings on your back.
Lucius's six wings shook at my question, seemingly deeply disturbed by my question.
"What a truly unpleasant question. I don't care about how many wings someone has on their back. I've seen despair, and I don't wish to push that on someone else. I'll never degrade someone based on such an insignificant reason."
"But it isn't insignificant. Wingless are weaklings, not touched by the power of Edicts. Can you truly say that you do not look down on us?"
I pushed him for answers. I didn't believe his explanation; it was too basic. On Earth, I've seen many say they didn't discriminate against someone's skin colour, only to go back on their word and spill hateful words and incite violence.
Lucius bit his lip at my question. I couldn't exactly tell if this was out of anger or sorrow; his eyes didn't tell me anything. But there was something odd; he wouldn't look me in the eye anymore, looking anywhere but my eyes.
"I don't like talking about this, but I'll tell you anyway. I once had a daughter, she was wingless just like you. It was just the unlucky draw of fate, and as you said, wingless aren't very strong, so no matter how much she wanted to follow in my footsteps. She couldn't."
He paused briefly, gathering his breath.
"No matter how many times I told her no, she wouldn't listen, so I trained her into a fine swordswoman. But—But when she went to war, she was slain by one of her own allies. She didn't even have the chance to put her combat skills to the test; she died as soon as she hit the ground! I couldn't do anything, not a single thing! She was so proud—"
"It's okay. You don't have to tell me anymore. I believe you. I'm sorry I pushed you."
Placing my hand on Lucius's shoulder, I sat there for a couple of moments, allowing him to gather his emotions.
"No. I understand why you pushed me. I know you know the hardships of being a wingless better than me, so I won't push you to trust or even believe me. But in honor of my fallen daughter, I'd like to relive the battles we used to have. Would you please accept my request to duel?"
I wasn't exactly thrilled to be fighting against someone, but I still wouldn't shy away from his challenge. I didn't yet fully understand my abilities, and the only way to fully learn would be through actual combat experience.
While I wasn't exactly sure of Lucius's edict, I guessed it was something revolving around the moon or water from his earlier story.
"I accept."