Flowers in the Wind
With the operation going smoothly, Zachary had time to relax and reorganize things. This was particularly true of the Research and Development Division, which had become increasingly independent despite technically remaining under Castalia's command.
Zachary made his way to the R&D Lab, which, to his surprise, was quiet aside from a few swamp imps still working to harvest the slimes' excretions. He climbed a flight of stairs toward the actual lab on the upper floor, but he halted when his eyes met a sign pinned to the door: "DANGER. AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY."
Authorized personnel... He sighed. I'm technically her boss, but I suppose if she's going that far with the sign, perhaps it's a genuine safety concern.
Nevertheless, Zachary knocked politely on the newly installed door.
No response.
He knocked again, a bit louder.
Still nothing.
He frowned, then pulled the handle, finding the door—fortunately—unlocked.
Treste isn't here... Weird. Usually, she comes here every day just as the sun rises. Should I check the Tremes Inn?
Castalia had permanently rented half of the Tremes Inn at exorbitant rates due to the sudden influx of foreign workers, mercenaries, and the occasional curious noble wanting to witness the "industrial renaissance" firsthand. Treste had claimed a modest room near the back—far from the noise but within earshot of the tavern's kitchen, which was a critical factor for her impulsive need for midnight snacks.
Zachary headed to the inn and found her at the far side of the common room, talking to someone who looked like a local villager, likely from Erja Village.
"...That's the only thing I can tell you, young lady," the villager said, adjusting her hat as she prepared to walk away. "If you want more detail, please visit our village. You can talk directly to Elder Gerold."
"Wait!" Treste stopped the middle-aged woman. "Just one more question!" she asked hurriedly, leaning forward with desperate eyes. "Have you seen anyone strange around the wetlands wearing black... uh... robes? Maybe with long, fiery red hair... or birds made of fire?"
"Hmm... I don't think we've met anyone like that. But you know what, some peat cutters said they had seen strange monsters, aggressive wildlife, and... well, yes. I remember someone saying he saw some flaming birds. Weird, isn't it? But he was sober when he said it, I think. Though who knows with Varo, he's been a little strange ever since his accident."
The woman's brow furrowed, and then she tipped her hat again. "I must go now, my husband is waiting. Take care, young miss."
As the villager left, Treste began scribbling furiously onto a piece of parchment filled with diagrams, notes, arrows, and what looked suspiciously like an alchemical formula. Her face was tight with worry, her crimson eyes darting over the paper.
"Erwith, you old fool, if you went and got yourself turned into an elemental or some other nonsense, I'll personally bind you into a textbook." she grumbled.
"Good morning, Treste," Zachary said, greeting her calmly which caused Treste to jump nearly a foot in the air, her papers exploding from her grip.
"YAHH! Lord Zachary!" She clutched her chest like a scandalized maiden. "By the Light's mercy! Don't sneak up on me like that! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
"My apologies," Zachary replied dryly, though there was a hint of amusement in his tone. "I did say 'good morning,' though. You were... distracted."
"Of course I'm distracted!" Treste snapped, scrambling to pick up her notes. "Do you have any idea how serious this is?!"
Zachary raised an eyebrow, crouching down to help her gather the scattered papers. His eyes briefly scanned the chaotic diagrams. He could pick out a few terms, like Lumite Surge, Energy Resonance, Wetland Mutation.
"Serious enough that you're interrogating villagers at the crack of dawn," he observed. "What's going on?"
Treste stood, clutching the stack of papers like a shield, her expression torn between frustration and genuine fear. "I caught rumors," she said, her voice quieter now, more focused. "About anomalous phenomena in the wetlands southwest of here. Near Erja Village."
Zachary's calm demeanor sharpened immediately. "The wetlands? That's not Eclipse territory. They were pushed out weeks ago."
"I know, that's why this is strange. The local peat cutters and fishermen have reported bizarre things. Slimes growing to the size of wagons. Frogs emitting light at night. Trees growing in spirals. And worst of all, fluctuations in ambient Lumite energy that shouldn't be happening naturally."
"And you think this is related to the Eclipse?" Zachary asked, his mind already running through the strategic implications. If the Cult had somehow seeded corruption before their collapse...
"Maybe," Treste admitted, "but it's also possible... that it's my master."
That caught Zachary off guard. "Your master? The one you ran away to find?"
"Erwith Plamya," her voice taking on an almost reverent tone despite her worry. "The 'Burning Witch,' the 'Crimson Sage.' She is a legendary sorceress and a former member of the Grand Sanctuary's Magic Research and Lumite Blessings division. If she's experimenting with large-scale Lumite manipulation, she could destabilize the entire region without realizing it."
Zachary frowned, his mind immediately flagging the risks. "And you want to investigate?"
Treste nodded fervently. "I have to. If it's corruption, we need to know. If it's Erwith, I need to make sure she hasn't blown herself or the entire wetland into oblivion."
Zachary crossed his arms, studying her carefully. Treste was many things: chaotic, stubborn, temperamental, and brilliant. But she wasn't an alarmist. If she was this worried, the threat was real.
"How dangerous is this?"
"I... don't know. If it's environmental mutation caused by excess Lumite, it's dangerous but manageable. If it's deliberate corruption, we have another Eclipse situation brewing. If it's Erwith... Let's just say she once created a self-sustaining fire vortex that burned for three weeks straight. The Pope banned her research immediately."
"I see..." Zachary let out a quiet exhale. The last thing they needed was another crisis. But ignoring it wasn't an option either. With most of the mercenaries currently deployed near Roake, however, he had few troops to spare.
Damn it! Just when we're about to win the war against the Eclipse...
He couldn't spare an escort for her, and the town militia would only slow her down. He sighed, realizing he had no choice but to trust in her own abilities. Besides, she had survived the dangerous road between the Grand Sanctuary and Ardenia on her own.
"Very well," Zachary said after a moment. "You can go."
Treste's eyes widened in surprise. "Really?"
"Well, it's your own mission, not a tactical deployment," Zachary said with a nod. "Just update me on the situation at the wetlands. If you meet any strange people, tell me immediately and pull back. Never engage anyone who looks dangerous on your own, do you understand?"
Treste's entire face lit up. "Thank you! I promise, I won't let you down!"
"Be careful," Zachary warned. "And I mean it, Treste. If the situation escalates beyond your control, retreat immediately. Send word. Do not try to handle this alone."
"I won't, I won't!" Treste was already shoving her papers into a satchel, her energy infectious. "I'll take the standard field kit, some detection wards, and—oh! I need to stop by the lab and grab the resonance tuner Asep helped me calibrate. And maybe a few extra Lumite flasks. Actually, do we have any anti-mutation serums left in the infirmary? Just in case the wildlife is—"
"Treste."
She froze mid-ramble, looking up at him like a scolded child.
"Breathe," Zachary said flatly. "Then pack. Then go. In that order."
Treste saluted clumsily, nearly hitting herself in the face with her hat. "Yes, sir! Good Leader, sir!"
Zachary watched her scurry off like an overeager recruit, her oversized hat bobbing with every step. He couldn't help but shake his head slightly, though a flicker of worry nagged at the back of his mind.
I hope I'm not making a mistake.
***
With Treste's departure, Zachary turned his attention to the more mundane, yet equally vital, aspects of managing a burgeoning military power: logistics. Specifically, the morale-boosting liquid gold known as Lotus Wine.
He made his way to Water Lilies' Embrace. The tavern, usually a haven of quiet respite in the morning, now already buzzing. Well, what else could you expect when the town was full of mercenaries? Today, however, the noise wasn't the usual arguing over pay or women, but a chorus of raucous, joyous singing.
Pushing through the heavy oak doors, Zachary was hit by the cacophony of sound and the sweet, floral aroma of Lotus Wine. The tavern was packed.
"Oy! Good Leader! Come join us! The first round is on me!"
A booming voice cut through the din. Zachary turned to see a mountain of a man occupying the center table, surrounded by a gaggle of wide-eyed recruits who looked two drinks away from passing out.
The man was impossible to miss: a towering figure with a mane of fiery red hair like a lion's, and an infectious grin that showed off surprisingly white teeth. He wore a mismatch of leather armor and travel clothes, draped with a heavy cloak that had clearly seen better days. Despite his rugged appearance, there was a warmth to him, a jovial energy that drew people in.
Zachary searched his memory. The face was familiar from the battle reports—specifically the assault on the West District. This was the man who had reportedly held a choke point against three Thralls armed with nothing but a great axe.
Cal. That's right—the wandering warrior.
"Cal, isn't it?" Zachary approached the table, sidestepping a recruit who was swaying dangerously. "I see morale is high."
"High? It's soaring, Leader!" Cal slammed his tankard down, sloshing ale onto the table. "We just kicked their asses and seized the West District! Come join me, Leader!"
"I'm afraid I have duties to attend to," Zachary replied politely, though he didn't refuse the empty stool Cal kicked toward him. He sat down, signaling the barkeep for a glass of water. "But I wanted to check on the supplies and properly thank you. The report said you held the line at Sector 7 single-handedly."
Cal waved a hand dismissively, his cheeks flushed with drink. "Those crystal-men are tough. But they move like golems; their movements have limits!" He laughed, slapping the back of a particularly pale recruit named Joey. "Right, lad? You saw it!"
"Y-yes, sir! You smashed 'em good!" Joey squeaked, looking like he was trying very hard to hold down his breakfast.
Zachary studied Cal. The man was a classic archetype: the jovial brute. But there was something else in his eyes—a sharpness behind the alcohol, a warrior's awareness.
Strange... I thought he was a Nord, considering his build isn't that different from Erik's... But why do I detect a hint of an Albionese accent? Who is this man? Zachary wondered.
He dismissed the thought and refocusing on the present.
"As long as you're effective, I won't complain," Zachary said, taking a sip of the water. "But pace yourselves. The war isn't over yet. Solus is dead, but the remnants of the Eclipse are still out there."
"Don't worry, Leader!" Cal laughed again. "When the time comes, I'll be there!"
Zachary finished his water and stood up. "Good. Enjoy your celebration. You've earned it."
As he turned to leave, he caught Cal watching him. The jovial grin was still there, but for a split second, the man's eyes were calculating, almost as if he's assessing something.
Interesting...
He'd have Renalla run a background check later. For now, he had a town to run.
***
As the evening approached, the celebrations in Loriana began to wind down, transitioning from raucous partying to the quiet murmur of a town preparing for rest. Lanterns were lit, casting a warm glow on the cobblestone streets.
Everything's done. Morale is high. Just a bit more time for us to finally take back Roake. Zachary's thoughts wandered as he strolled down the street.
Suddenly, he felt a poke from behind, almost making him jump.
"Thinking about something?"
A young woman stood there, her hands clasped behind her back, smiling at him. She wore a simple white dress adorned with silver trim. Her golden hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, and her eyes sparkled with amusement. It was Princess Adreana, sans her royal regalia and acting far too much like a normal teenager.
"Princess," Zachary sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You shouldn't sneak up on your commanders. It's bad for my heart."
"Oh, come on, Zachary. You're too stiff," Adreana said as she fell into step beside him. "Besides, I'm not the 'Princess' right now. Just Adreana. Or 'Ria,' if you're feeling brave."
Zachary glanced around. "Please don't say that where people can hear. Finlay would have my head if he knew."
"Finlay is busy brooding in the capital. He won't know." She waved a hand dismissively. "Anyway, I was looking for you. Are you finally finished with your 'boring' duties?"
"Logistics are the lifeblood of an army, Your Highness. Hardly boring," Zachary said, continuing his walk toward the upper district. "But yes, I am finished for the day. Is something wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong," Adreana said, looking up at the twilight sky. "I was just walking to see my subjects and their activities." Her gaze softened. "Fighting alongside them really made me think... These people... they're not just numbers on a tax ledger. They bleed. They laugh. They fight for things that matter to them."
Zachary stopped walking and turning to face her. The playful demeanor was gone, replaced by the seriousness he had seen on the battlefield.
"They fight because they have hope, Adreana. Hope that you gave them."
"Did I?" She looked down at her hands. "Or did I just give them a target? A banner to die for?"
"A banner is just cloth. You gave them a reason. Look at them. Look at Bernie. Look at Adeline. Even that lunatic Asep. They follow you because they believe you can build something better than the ashes we have now."
Adreana was silent for a moment, absorbing his words. Then, a small smile touched her lips.
"You really know how to make a girl feel heavy, don't you, Commander?" She chuckled softly. "But... thank you. I needed to hear that." She looked back up at him, her eyes clear again. "Walk with me a bit longer? I want to see the view from the hill before it gets too dark."
"As you wish," Zachary said as he offering his arm.
They walked in comfortable silence up the winding path to the overlook that offered a view of the entire valley. Below them, Loriana twinkled like a constellation of stars caught on the earth.
"It's beautiful," Adreana whispered.
"It is," Zachary agreed, though he was looking at the woman beside him, seeing the weight of a kingdom resting lightly on her shoulders.
"Zachary," she said suddenly, not turning her gaze from the horizon.
"Yes?"
"When this is all over... when the Eclipse is gone, and the peace talks are done..."
Zachary could see a faint blush on her face.
"...Shall we go together? After peace returns to this realm."
Zachary blinked. "Go? Where?"
"Anywhere," she said, a hint of her earlier playfulness returning. "Like I said before, I want to see the world. The Northern Ice Fields. The Desert of the Undying. Even the Far East islands. I want to see it all." She turned to him, showing her earnest face. "It's scary to go alone. But if you're there... I think I'll be fine."
Zachary felt a strange warmth bloom in his chest, a feeling he had suppressed for a long time amidst duty and war. He looked at her—not as a princess, but as a young woman with dreams bigger than her crown.
"I am your sword and your shield, Adreana," he said softly, bowing his head slightly. "Where you go, I follow."
Adreana smiled, a radiant smile that outshone the rising moon.
"That's a promise, then!" she declared. "No take-backs!"
"No take-backs," Zachary promised.
As they stood there, watching the night settle over their home, the distance between commander and princess, duty and desire, felt just a little bit smaller.
***
The two of them stood in silence for a moment before Zachary gestured for them to head back down the path into town. It was a comfortable quiet, punctuated only by their footsteps on the cobblestones. When they reached the Company Headquarters, the night watch guards straightened up, saluting briskly. Zachary nodded in return, guiding Adreana inside.
The warmth of the hearth in the entrance hall was a welcome relief from the brisk night air. Zachary led the way to his office, his mind finally drifting from the philosophical weight of the evening back to the endless pile of paperwork awaiting him.
"I suppose I should let you get back to your 'boring' duties," Adreana said, lingering by the doorway as he unlocked it.
"Actually," Zachary said, pushing the heavy oak door open, "I have some premium tea leaves Rashid brought in from Qurtuba. Would you like a cup before retiring?"
Adreana's eyes lit up. "The spiced kind with the dried apricot bits?"
"The very same."
"Well, who am I to refuse a diplomatic offering?" she said, grinning as she stepped inside and made herself comfortable in one of the guest chairs.
Zachary busied himself with the small brazier in the corner, setting the kettle to boil. As he moved back to his desk to clear a space for the tea service, his eyes landed on a small stack of correspondence that had arrived during his absence. At the top of the pile was a letter sealed with plain wax, marked only with a simple sketch of a pickaxe.
"Adeline," he murmured, picking it up.
"News from Roake?" Adreana asked, leaning forward with interest.
"Seems so." Zachary broke the seal and unfolded the parchment.
Dear Zachary and Adreana,
The news of Solus's death has spread through Roake. The people are inspired, and the will to resist has never been stronger. This is the perfect moment to launch a major counterattack and overthrow the Eclipse. All we need is one surprise attack to fan the sparks into flames.
When Roake was at its darkest hour, Castalia was the first to call for change. It seems only right that your group should lead this final push. When the time comes, Brenda and I will bring our resistance fighters to stand beside you.
Adeline
"I see..." Zachary mused. Adeline had changed. She had transformed from a meek but brave woman into a capable leader. She, too, had realized the opportunity laid before her.
Zachary handed the letter to Adreana who read it quickly, her expression shifting from curiosity to resolve.
"She's right," Adreana said, placing the letter gently on the desk. "With Solus gone and the Anthill liberated, the cult is leaderless and cornered. Their morale must be shattering."
"Chaos is a ladder," Zachary quoted softly, staring at the map on his wall. "But it's also a trap. Solus is dead, but that doesn't mean the threat is gone. Estella Aria is still unaccounted for, and the surviving High Priests are fanatics. A cornered rat bites hardest."
"Adeline is asking us to lead the charge," Adreana pointed out. "A unified strike. If we combine our forces with the resistance for a pincer movement... we could end this before winter truly sets in."
Adreana was right. The longer he prolonged the war, the more civilians would suffer, and the higher the chance of the Empire and Albion intervening.
"We need to move fast," Zachary said, his voice firming up. "I'll draft the orders tonight. We mobilize the Coalition forces at dawn. Sylvanne will lead the vanguard to link up with the resistance at the West Gate, and I'll take the main body to the East."
"And the Royal Army?" Adreana asked.
"Keep them in reserve near the pass," Zachary decided. "We need to show the people of Roake that this is their victory, led by the Coalition and their own militia. If the Royal Army marches in first, it looks like an occupation. If we do it... it looks like liberation."
Adreana smiled, a proud glint in her eyes. "Politics again, Commander?"
"Always," Zachary replied, pouring the boiling water over the tea leaves. A rich, spicy aroma filled the room. "But this time, it's politics that saves lives."
He handed her a steaming cup. "To Roake."
Adreana accepted the cup, clinking it gently against his.
"To victory."
***
The outskirts of Roake were deceptively peaceful. With the main fighting having died down for the night, the only sounds were the distant, mournful wind howling through the craggy passes and the rustle of dry scrub.
Asep sat on a jagged outcrop overlooking the valley, the tip of his cigarette glowing like a solitary firefly in the dark. He exhaled a long plume of smoke, watching it dissipate into the cold night air. It was a good smoke—Rashid's stash, spicy and robust. It calmed the nerves that had been frayed raw since his little excursion into the Deep Sanctum.
Solus is dead. The mission is done. We just need the last push to eradicate the darkness and liberate Roake.
A twig snapped.
And his hand immediately flew to his hip, leveling the Type-2 Hand Crossbow at the darkness behind him.
"You know, creeping up on a guy with PTSD and a loaded weapon is a great way to get a new piercing."
"And here I thought you'd be happy to see me," a voice replied. It was a familiar voice that often grated his nerves, but now it lacking the manic edge he remembered.
A figure stepped out from the shadows of a boulder into the pale moonlight. It was Estella Aria. She was not in her usual overseer attire; instead, she wore a simple travel cloak, her face devoid of the twisted, obsessive glee that usually accompanied her presence. She looked like a tired young girl.
Even so, Asep didn't lower the crossbow. "High Overseer. Came to finish what we started in the courtyard? Or did you just miss my charming personality?"
"Neither," Estella said quietly. She reached into her cloak and Asep's finger tightened on the trigger, preparing to shoot the bolt if she tried something funny.
Instead, she pulled out a folded sheaf of parchment and tossed it to him, landed near his boots.
"What's this? A love letter?" Asep asked, his eyes flicking between her and the paper.
"Intelligence. Troop movements. Hidden supply caches. The location of the remaining Bloodsworn. And Castillo's plans." She said, leaning back against the rock face with her arms crossed.
Asep picked it up while keeping one eye on her. He scanned the top page. It looked legit. Too legit, even.
"Why?" he asked, now he's genuinely confused. "Last time we met, you were threatening to turn me into a breeding stud for your master race. Now you're handing me the keys to the castle?"
"Plans change," Estella murmured, looking up at the moon. "And I... I dislike being a pawn."
"A pawn? I thought you were the Queen."
"Hardly. Just another piece on the board moved by old men playing god." Her lips curled into a bitter sneer. "Castillo... the Curia... they don't care about the Great Work. They don't care about the Evolution or saving humanity from Lumite. It was all just... politics. Destabilizing a kingdom to seize its resources."
Asep snorted, finally lowering the crossbow. He took a drag of his cigarette and let out a dry laugh. "Hah! Funny, isn't it? We fight monsters, demons, and crystal zombies, but at the end of the day? It's always just some rich assholes trying to get richer. Kinda makes you miss the simple days of street brawls over turf."
"You sound like you knew,"
"I had a hunch. Where I'm from, every war is about resources. Oil... gold... land. Why would this world be any different? People are people, no matter what flavor of magic they use."
"You really are an anomaly, aren't you? Seeing through the grand illusions so easily." Estella chuckled, pushing herself off the rock. "Take the intel. Use it. Burn Castillo and his plans. That is my... favor to you."
"And what about you? Where does the 'Mad Scientist Witch' go from here?"
"Nowhere," she replied simply, looking down toward the city where people slept safe and sound. "I have no place left. The Church wants me dead. The Cult is broken. The Papacy will discard me. And the people of Roake... there is no forgiveness for what I've done. I know that."
She turned to face him, her expression strangely vulnerable. "That is why I have another request."
"What?"
"When the time comes... when this city falls... I want you to be the one to end it." She touched her chest, right over her heart. "A clean shot. Like you gave Solus. No capture. No trial."
The moonlight caught the resignation in her eyes. Asep knew she wasn't playing a game. She was asking for a mercy kill.
After what happened to the people in Roake? After innocent children died of starvation?
He took another drag, let the smoke fill his lungs, and then exhaled slowly.
"No."
Estella blinked. "No?"
"I don't get to kill you, Estella."
"Why not? You've killed plenty. What's one more monster?"
"Because it's not my debt to collect," Asep said, gesturing toward the city below, remembering Adeline's expression when she had told him about the starvation. "Adeline, Idia, the miners... the people whose lives you turned into a living hell. They're the ones who deserve justice. If they want you dead, they get to do it. If they want to lock you up, that's their call. I'm just a mercenary. I don't deal in divine judgment." He turned his back to her. "I'm just a guy who wants to smoke in peace."
Estella stared at him for a moment. Then, a small, sad smile touched her lips. His answer was simple, but it resonated with her. Perhaps that was what had attracted her to him in the first place.
"You really are cruel, Asep. Denying a lady her final wish."
"I don't really care what people think about me."
She sighed and pulling her hood up. "Very well. I suppose I'll have to face the music eventually."
She took a step to leave, then paused, looked back over her shoulder, her eyes softening for the first time.
"Answer me one thing, though. Hypothetically."
"Yeah?"
"If..." She hesitated. "If we had met under different circumstances. If I wasn't... this. Would you have... gone out with me?"
Asep went silent for a moment. Then, he looked up at the moon of this world—or one of the moons, anyway, because the other was hiding in the shadow of the eclipse. Just like how she had been hidden beneath the umbra of the Great Eclipse.
Hypothetically, huh...?
"I don't know. Maybe... If I had met you in a library or something. To be honest, you're quite attractive, and smart... and... well, I'm just a simpleton. Though honestly, I probably wouldn't understand half the shit you talk about, but... yeah. Maybe."
That answer was enough for her. A genuine smile broke across Estella's face, making her look lighter amids the darkness. For a fleeting second, the monster was gone, leaving only the woman who might have been.
"Maybe is good enough for me," she said softly, imagining a life where she could have been a normal girl, living a normal life, dating a guy she liked, getting married, and raising children in peace.
But that was merely a projection—something impossible in this life. Yet, for her, the brief fantasy was enough.
"Goodbye, Asep."
With a swirl of her cloak and a flash of spatial distortion, she was gone.
Asep stood alone on the outcrop as the silence returning around him. He looked at the spot where she had been, then down at the papers in his hand.
"Troublesome woman..." he muttered, flicking the butt of his cigarette into the dark.
He pocketed the intel and turned back toward the camp. There was a war to win, and thanks to a mad witch's last act of defiance, they finally had the roadmap to victory.