Chapter 50 Eve of war(1)

Translator: BaeBae Editor: BaeBae

I see you still havent left. Thought you would have run away scared by now.

I figured itd be best to stay put with all the chaos at the moment.

After Juan had met Lars, he went straight to Heretia.

Hiveden was still a mess. Word had spread that an item of importance to the Earl had been stolen and hed died from shock hearing so.

And that, in the chaos, the White crow knights were interrogating anyone that deemed suspicious.

While this was going on, Heretia with a nonchalant attitude had been waiting at the inn that she had been staying at.

Not entirely sure why she felt so confident about everything but her attitude didnt reflect the fact, shed encountered the commander of the White crow knights yesterday.

So. Indeterminate polyhedron?

Heretia got straight to the point. Juan showed his empty hands.

Cant give it to you. For now.

Before, he wasnt even sure about Larss identity. But now that he knew Larss hadnt betrayed him, he couldnt make him give up his lifeforce. Heretia bit her lip.

You promised. Id get the Indeterminate polyhedron and you would get information about the Hugin knights.

But, the Hugin knights came looking for us first. Im thinking, whether at this point the terms of our promise means anything here.How about if we look at it this way. With your determination, you managed to get the Indeterminate polyhedron and you gave me the information I needed. Then, the Hugin knights came and stole the Indeterminate polyhedron from you. Dont you think this wouldve been a possibility?

..

Heretia bit her lips as if she had nothing to say to that.

And plus, the Hugin knights really need the Indeterminate polyhedron at this very moment. Without it, its almost certain they wouldnt be able to function. Nor do I want them to give it up, knowing their situation.

Bloody hell, for several years, the Indeterminate polyhedron had been passed through the hands of rich collectors with bad tastes. Why now of all times..

It happens. What were you going to use it for?

Thats not whats important. I need the Indeterminate polyhedron. Without it, everything that ive planned wont work. I would have to delay my plans for at least 10 years.

Heretia put her hands on her temples as she sat on the sofa.

She too of course knew that things were happening whether she liked it or not.

She didnt want the Hugin knights to fall into danger, nor did she have the power to take the Indeterminate polyhedron from them.

The only realistic option would be to give up.

Are you trying to give it to someone as a present? Just like Earl Hannbon was going to? If so, how about this. God of madness, Talteres ritual dagger.

Juan pulled out the dagger on his waist and placed it on the table. Heretias eyes turned big and round.

The daggers hilt which was covered in silver came into her eyes.

Realising, her hands were already involuntarily stretched towards it, she stopped.

Is it real?

Why would I carry around a fake.

I suppose it doesnt matter anyways. I know its a valuable item but its not what I need.

Heretia waived her hand with a regretful expression.

A precious treasure was offered before her so she was naturally interested, but it wasnt what she needed.

And it looked as if Juan didnt have any other weapon other than the dagger. She didnt want to take that away from him.

Then what about this. Grunvaldes grey cloak. With mana you can control the fog and with a bit of time and practise, youll be able to create fog creatures as well.

Juan took off the cape on his shoulders and flung it on the table. An item with a white fog-like feel gently floated down onto the table.

Seeing something like this for the first time, the teen and the elderly man were even left surprised.

How on earth did you manage to get something like this..

Having realised the items worth, Heretia looked stunned.

The grey clocks worth was immeasurable compared to Talteres dagger as the cloak was useful against an entire army while the other was only a weapon that aided personal combat. It was commonly accepted that one couldnt afford to be cheap when it came to war preparation.

However, Heretia still shook her head.

Uh, ummmmJuan. Im not refusing the items youre offering because I dont like it. In fact, deep down I know I dont have the right to receive anything that youre offering. If its something that could help my situation then I would shamefully take it, but its not.

The teen and the elderly beside Heretia were more sad about the refusal.

I prefer to do things diplomatically, prefering to create the least amount of bloodshed. In that regard, those items wouldnt be of use.

So you avoid bloodshed completely?

Not completely, as some situations require it. Anyways, have you got any other items that would fit my situation?

After a slight hesitation, Juan pulled out another item. The item he had just received from Lars yesterday.

Once Juan presented the little box, Heretia opened it with a confused look.

A moment of silence followed. Then she kicked the table as she got up.

Juan! This?!

Will that do?

This? You mean this? Do you even know what you just gave to me? This!

Before she could say the seal of the emperor, Juan quickly put his hand over her mouth.

Wide eyed, Heretia blinked a couple of times in surprise.

She realised she had been close to slipping her tongue. Even though currently, she was surrounded by trustworthy people, the item was enough for it to endanger her if word got out.

Heretia squeezed it with both hands as a bead of sweat dripped down.

Juan stretched out his hand and closed the box. His actions suggested that this item was indeed what shed thought it was.

Action that confirmed its authenticity.

Im guessing you know what it is. Youve been taught well.

Its something that I see everyday. Though of course, the ones that I see are all fake..

Heretia mumbled as she swiped her sweaty forehead. For the first time, she was sweating from excitement rather than fear.

Are, is it really alright to give this to me?

Yeah. As long as its enough to help with your plan.

This, enough? With this, I could shorten my schedule down to 1 year, actually no half a year.

Heretia looked at Juan with a blissful expression then came back to reality.

But why are you giving me such an item? Even if you didnt give me anything, I would have to accept that. Of course its something that I could definitely use though

Right now, that item isnt of worth to me. Instead, the fact that I was able to meet my son was more important.

Son?

Juan smiled bitterly.

It was a hard decision as Lars had done all he could to keep this ring safe for several decades.

However, knowing that Hamon likely didnt betray him, he couldnt treat one of his descendants coldly. If he thought of it as a trade for Larss life, it was worth it.

And more, for now it was useless in his hands.

The seal didnt prove that he was the emperor, and he didnt believe it would give him the authority that hed lost.

Heretia instantly thought what she could do with this seal.

She didnt think too deeply, and yet many options appeared in her head.

Of course she couldnt pretend to be the emperor with the seal. But she could fully utilise its value in other ways.

Calculating the rings worth in her head, Heretia nodded her head in a serious manner.

Juan, the more I think about it, this isnt fair.

Didnt you say it was enough just then?

No, I mean its not fair for you. Its incomparable. Its the same thing as buying the bakery because you wanted to eat a single piece of bread. Because we have to leave shortly I wont be able to help you this time, but if you ever need help from the Helwin family, we will assist you with everything we have in the future.

*****

Sina Solbein was trying her best to ignore the pain near her eyelid.

However, she couldnt stop herself from flinching whenever she saw the needle in front of her eyes.

The job eventually finished and only then Sina let out a sigh of relief.

All done. Its a relief that no mistakes were made.

The area close to Sinas left eye, a black tattoo was engraved. The scar left from the arrow and the mark Juan had made was now hidden, covered up underneath the tattoo.

Truthfully, Sina didnt mind whether the scar was left alone but she chose to engrave a tattoo over it after the vice commander Camille strongly recommended.

Would you like to see it in a mirror?

Ahyes.

Having received a mirror, Sina looked into it.

As Camille said, emperors dog mark was clearly engraved in black ink.

Sina felt a little strange.

She didnt know if it was a good thing Juan did by engraving the mark onto her.

Amongst several paladins, some rumours started to spread about the mark. To them, they looked at it in a positive light.

Even Bishop Rieto.

Its been a while. Sina Solbein.

Sina was surprised at suddenly seeing bishop Rieto out in the training ground.

His expression was frowning and he turned his head spasmodically every so often as always, but his attitude wasnt as angry as it was during her doctrine trial.

You seem surprised. Im on my way to Hiveden for some business. I stopped by to say something to Ethan Ethil, but it seems hes not around at the moment.

Bishop nim. I apologise for not being able to fulfill my duty.

Thats, thats alright. I heard the Blue rose knights paid a heavy price for it.

Sinas heart ached as she recalled the faces of her knights and Ausrey.

It happened due to my lack of judgment sir. Ill take my due punishment.

Instead of replying, Bishop Rieto stretched out his hand towards the kneeling Sina.

Sina flinched at seeing Bishop Rietos hand move towards her left eye but steadied herself.

Following along the scar above her left eye, a smile appeared on Bishop Rietos lips.

The scar left by your enemy is a mark that represents the highest sign of bravery. If the emperor has given such an ordeal, then Im sure it means that hell use you as one of his pillars for his grand plan.

.

Sina didnt reply.

In her ears, Juans voice that proclaimed himself the emperor still lingered.

She couldnt figure out the reason why Juan engraved the letters that said emperors dog on her face.

I heard you were gravely injured from the fight. That its difficult to wield a sword with your right arm.

Yes sir.

Ill share some of the grace that Ive been given by the emperor with you. Youve earnt the right. I believe the reason for your survival after countless meetings with this agent of darkness is because it is the emperors will for you to keep fighting him. So ill give you the opportunity to continue doing so.

In surprise, Sina opened her eyes wide.

Grace given by a bishop was so powerful that it could fix a disabled to walk again instantly. However, there were very little instances of them sharing their grace.

The emperor power was in turn the emperors asset, so it was almost a crime to distribute carelessly.

Sina thought Rieto was simply saying this in kindness. She didnt think hed actually do it.

That was until Rieto lifted Sinas right arm.

From Rietos hand a weak flame arose and slowly spread onto Sinas right arm.

Sina was surprised but the flame wasnt as hot as shed feared. The weak flame covered her scar and drove deep into her skin.

Sinas arm flinched at feeling a sudden burst of pain. She was bearing the pain when Rietos voice could be heard.

Scar will be shrouded in the new skin, broken bones will be molded together and damaged nerves will be revived. Thats the pain youre feeling at the moment, so endure it.

It felt like a truck worth of pain had fallen onto her paralysied arm.

For a long time, Sina gasped for breath until she was free from the pain that was close to making her pass out.

Her body was covered in sweat.

Sina looked at her right hand that was placed on the ground. Her senses hadnt fully come back, but her fingers were moving every so slightly.

This is only the start. Well have to do this another five times for you to be healed

Even so, Sina was delighted. It was far different from having a lifeless limb hang from her body to having a working arm.

But Bishop Rietos expression was odd.

Is there something wrong sir?

Its strange. Sina, did someone heal you with grace before me?

Sina shook her head.

No sir.

Juans brief patch up was technically healing if she had to nitpick but Rieto was talking about healing by grace.

Rieto continued to tilt his head as if he was confused, then spoke.

I felt the emperors power within you already. While its a slow procedure, the level of healing grace that was performed on you will fully heal your injury in time. Its possible the emperor has seen your bravery and he has given you a reward.