Published at 31st of May 2022 07:35:18 AM

Aden said nothing. As Grandmaster, he could only bow. He didnt like it, and he didnt like the guest from Mille. But it was Ilyins decision, and he trusted her not to make it without reason. So, he would, for the moment, be content to hear her explanation later. But he still wondered how an intruder from Mille was sitting in the 6th floor meeting room as an important guest.

I apologized to maam first but. I want to apologize to Delrose again, Rippo said carefully. I didnt want to. use this method to come here.

Aden nodded curtly.

If maam forgave you then I have no responsibility to put upon you.

His words were reassuring, but still had a hard edge. Rippo nodded her acknowledgement to both the words and the tone.

but I couldnt let the Milles knights know, she added.

Adens eyes narrowed. There was much here he didnt yet understand. Emil had said they couldnt stop her? And she couldnt be caught by the Milles knights, so she came straight into Ilyins room? Or simply that she couldnt use the front door?

But the 7th floor? The only way to come straight into Delrose territory was to climb up the wall. She climbed up that wall in the middle of April?

It was a warmer April than most, but still April, and the outside of the house was coated in ice and snow. And the knights outside didnt even notice that a girl was climbing the wall? If that was true, then this couldnt be solved just by kneeling. A sin this great would require their lives.

I did it by this. Rippo said. She patted herself confusedly, then looked at Ilyin. She had forgotten she had given her the Milles divine object.

Setoze of Mille, Ilyin said. Do you know its ability?

Im sorry, I do not. There is no information on it, Aden or rather, Grandmaster Den replied.

The ability of the divine objects of Bright Elo and Blue North were plainly visible and well known. But those of Green Mille and Red Delrose were closely held mysteries.

Then let me show you, she said.

Ilyin took out the flower of Setoze and stood. She looked at Aden, holding the flower in both hands.

Like this? she asked, with a glance to Rippo. The girl nodded quickly.

Yes, she answered in a small voice.

Had Rippo taught Ilyin to use the divine object? Aden paid close attention, curious.

Ilyin closed her eyes, focused. Light grew between her hands. Aden knew it well, knew it better than anyone. It was divine light.

Well? he asked, wondering what had changed. He tilted his head expectantly.

Then Ilyin took a step.

Adens eyes widened. It was a strange sensation, like seeing movement in a painting. He saw her silver hair flutter as she moved. Saw the high heels strike the floor as they stepped quickly. But it was all just a silent image.

There was no sound, no sound at all. No scent of her in the air, not even the airs subtle waves of her movement.

It cloaks the sense of the bearer, he said. She was still in front of him, but all awareness of her was gone. If she werent right before his eyes, he could have thought himself alone with Rippo. The phantom loss of her made his fist clench unconsciously.

Ilyin put Setoze down on the table, and the sense of her, the presence of her, came flooding back. Aden felt himself relax.

Yes, she said simply.

Aden turned back to Rippo de Mille.

Then how did you come to maams room? he asked. He knew she came using Setoze, but that obscured the sense of someone, the sound, and the feel of them, not the sight.

Rippo pointed at the window.

Really? he asked sharply, you climbed the wall?

His eyes narrowed at the girl again, and she blushed.

Down, she said, I came down from the top.

Down, he thought. Easier than climbing up from the ground, surely, and a shorter distancebut was it possible? The roof of Biflten Mansion was treacherously steep to keep the snow from accumulating on it.

If you doubt me, I can show you, she offered meekly.

Aden waved her offer away. There was little reason to doubt her, under the circumstances, and it better explained his knights failure. And there was a more pressing question in his mind.

I want to know your reason for being here, he said coldly, and make the tale brief.

He had no patience for a long version. He barely summoned the patience to hear the girl out at all.

He knew the atmosphere of Green Mille. Normally, the main family of the house has the power, but for Mille, the power was especially concentrated to the elder. Direct descendent or not, a girl like this one would have little power if any. Aden doubted she knew anything of true value certainly nothing warranting such an intrusion.

Father is. In contact with the Yester, she said simply.

Expecting her news to be trivial, Aden was unprepared for the revelation. The weight of it caught him off guard, and he flinched despite himself.