Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 20: The Unexpected Result, Part 4
...—Cestapola, Matepola— Province...
Apologizing was the first thing Xavier did when he appeared in the inn room he and Monica had rented. He knew he had been unfair to Monica, but he had no other choice. All he could do right now was fulfill Monica's wish. Therefore, it was necessary that he start with an apology.
Moreover, he had promised to fulfill whatever Monica wanted before leaving for Etharna the other day. However, until now Monica has not said her wishes. He still has two requests he hasn't asked for. Total Xavier has three things he must do if Monica asks for it. He does not want it to increase, so it is important to take advantage of today to address all those requests.
“I'm not going anywhere anymore. Ah, but for tonight we need to spend the night at Cornnas.”
“I'm a little skeptical of your words. You're becoming more and more unbelievable.” Monica's eyes squinted, then sat herself in bed and folded her hands under her chest. “But yeah, let's just say I believe. So, what is the purpose of our stay at Cornnas? You're not going to introduce me to Princess Arte-whatever it is, are you?”
Yep. Xavier knew Monica was really upset. More upset than before. If this was the case, there were no words he could do to dispel his frustration. Words no longer had any effect; it would only make the girl even more upset. Right now only action will work.
With a long sigh, Xavier sat down beside Monica. The blue-eyed girl raised one eye eyebrow. However, before his mouth opened releasing a sound, Xavier had first embraced it and dropped Monica's head over her thigh.
“I'm not lying, you know.” Xavier said, his right hand stroked Monica's slightly shocked cheek gently. “I'm serious. I'm not going anywhere after this. We'll only spend one night at Cornnas, after which we come back here. Therefore, say what you want. As long as it's possible for me, I'll be full.”
...—Middle of the day, Nevada—...
Kanna had just walked out of her study when Meyrin entered the hallway of the palace. A faint smile developed on the princess' lips, quickly slashing the distance between them. Meyrin did the same.
Not “how did it go?” that was Kanna's first question. Meyrin came back sooner than she expected. But still, the first question that came out of Kanna's mouth was a simple but meaningful thing: “Are you okay as long as you're not here?”
“There is nothing to worry about,” Meyrin replied while receiving the princess' embrace. “However, there was someone in Axellibra—to be exact the dwarf who happened to be there—who recognized me as a member of the Nevith Family. That's why I'm straight back here.”
“Let's continue to talk at the dinner table,” said Kanna as she stepped forward. No, not to the destination palace dining table; they headed to the princess' favorite restaurant for lunch. By teleporting, they only need a total of two minutes to be able to sit at the restaurant— special table that also includes the time needed to order.
“It was a good action to go straight back,” continued Kanna commenting on Meyrin's previous remarks. “It will be difficult for you to escape if you survive there. Axellibra is a dangerous place for foreign spies. However, how could that dwarf recognize you?”
“I myself don't know, Miss, but most likely it was because I showed myself when ordering the two swords you gifted Xavier. The dwarves were very secretive of their work, but they were so open in consumer matters. Even though I was hiding my identity at the time, it is likely that they have been looking for me to the roots.”
Kanna nodded in understanding, not surprised to hear the nature of the dwarves. “Once again I am happy with the decision you made, Meyrin; I don't want to lose you.” Then Kanna's expression became serious. “Lantas, any information you can get about Supreme Magic?”
Meyrin. “There is nothing important I can get about that magic,” he said. “However, I got information related to Supreme Magic: Six Crests of Hope.”
“As the name suggests, there are a total of six Crests that are touted as godly blessings on the world. The six Crests were scattered throughout the surface of the world. Based on the information I got, there was once in history..”.
...—Imperial Palace, Throne Room—...
Edward closed the large door of the throne room, then turned around and stepped toward the emperor who was sitting quietly on his throne.
He was back with Meyrin Nevith. Edward doesn't know where Kanna's assistant came from, only to see her while on a trip to Nevada. However, he could assume if he did not move at his will—it was clearly based on Kanna's orders. Therefore, Edward was not worried about anything. Meyrin—although he is as good as Neir, though not as bothered as Neir— has pure loyalty to Kanna. He didn't have to assume he was selling information out.
“You're gone longer than I expected.” The heavy and flat voice that came out from the emperor's mouth echoed into all corners of the room. “What's holding you back?”
Edward's lips curved in a direction that made no one else comfortable looking at him. “Dwarf Kingdom is more troublesome than we thought, Your Majesty,” he said elegantly. “They have continued the secret development of weapons that the emperors used to have before His Majesty worried. Not only that, they were also developing ten air transports. Does Your Majesty still remember the Vegasus Ship?”
Kening Nueva frowned at the question at the end of Edward's explanation. “Don't tell me they managed to develop the ship, and the number is ten anyway?”
Vegasus Ship. It was a tool of war that used to belong to the Centaur Village Alliance, the most advanced ship of all time. Edward himself did not even know the origin of the ship. The ship existed for thousands of years before the disappearance of Lake Deus. The last time the ship was in action was at the last war between Islan and Veria. The ship managed to sweep through the enemies with no match. Right now the information of his whereabouts was already gone; he said it sank as Empress Jiang Yue Yin showed her anger.
“From the outer design, the ten ships are very similar to the Vegasus Ship,” explained Edward. “I didn't check inside; the dwarves were very paranoid. They set a lot of traps. Although I hate to admit, I almost got hit by one of their traps.”
“However,” continued Edward before Nueva had time to respond, “I doubt if it has the same quality as Ship Vegasus. If Hernandez could not recreate the Vegasus, it would be impossible for anyone else to do so. Moreover, the core of the ship was lonsdaleite, and they had to deal with the Kraken Lord if they wanted to obtain that metal.”
“It wouldn't be surprising if Fie took lonsdaleite for them,” comments Nueva with a sharpened view. “For now we need to assume the worst. Therefore, Edward, I want you to help Edelweiss make a counterpoint to the ships of Dwarf Kingdom.”
Edward's views were also sharpened. “Sorry if this seems presumptuous, but does Your Majesty deliberately want to keep me away from you?”
“Of course not. You know there's nothing I trust more than you. It's just, you know the ship better than anyone else in the empire. It's natural that I ask you to spend time in Division 3, isn't it?”
Edward did not respond immediately. His forehead frowned at the thought of many conditions. But in the end, he understood. “It looks like so. Alright, I beg you to resign.”
Nueva simply nodded, not saying more. Edward left the throne room with a squeak on his forehead.