Chapter 164: Chapter 164
"What I am to tell you now is what you shall not forget, Lady Marianne, for it is why this event brings; Not only this old man’s delight... But the Empire’s population’s too. Although for different motives."
’... It must be something that happened once she died...’ — I thought as I watched the Emperor recite his tale with admirable authority, completely absorbed in the interesting story behind our new Title.
"A fatidical day, the Empress found abrupt and untimely death. It is only known to the Royal family, how gruesome the sight of her pieces — If it may be called that... Spread at the chamber’s door frame..."
–Thump.
’... S... Spread...?’ — Hearing him, my blood froze along the sensation of my heart falling to the ground.
"The Palace became mayhem for the beloved Empress Calla’s demise. Kind and glamorous like the Flower she received as name, yet as fragile as any flower, the great Empress had met a horrible death; solely leaving her long white hair to remain untouched by her spilt blood.’
"..." — ’She was... Why... Why did that... Wasn’t she special?... Who could–’
"It was later that day that her daughter, the new owner of the Empress’s guardian, was led by it to the chambers."
"!!" — ’Oh my God! She went to see?!’
"The Princess knew what she was to find as the guardian had warned her, yet the spirit needed the child to take it there... So her previous owner’s pact with Fenrir could be sealed."
’... A pact?... Oh... Don’t tell me...’
"The guardian spirit took the Empress’s strands from the cold ground and once in its tiny ethereal hands, it announced:
’She loved the Empire as much as she loved the meaning of this chamber... Her flesh was smashed to pulp in cruelty by Fenrir; one of his beloved yet violent family in exchange for its unyielding protection of her descendants who must continue to also protect the Empire The First built.’
...
It is said that the guardian in its sorrow, made her leftover hair become dust... one that would stay locked in the chamber, yet... Instead of allotting filth to its memorable ambience... It would cleanse its air with neat essence."
’... I– I feel faint... The dust I felt fresh...S–She died there... She’s there..... And Fenrir–’
"Nonetheless the guardian was not done in her ceremony."
’Huh?’
"Lastly, the invisible spirit allowed its tears drop in the abhorrent entrance... Lightning the red with striking gleams of warmth and beauty like the delicate flowers the Empress had planted in her garden so the guardian could find her freedom even under new owners.
Its last words that day were as follow:
’Fenrir has also wailed in pain... For his nature demanded such violence against his loved one to conceive her wish...
Inform the people... Empress Calla happily died and met her husband to walk by Fenrir’s side into Izeneya. These Chambers shall serve as a renewal tool for Fenrir’s and Calla’s pact in the future.
Inform them that each Guest who comes out unharmed from these walls is proof of Fenrir’s protection and that their surname shall serve as their redeeming feature that Fenrir found valuable to restore the seal... Tell that prosperity shall continue...
Yet, do not tell... If the Guest does not come out nor enter.
Do not tell that the seal will sole last for a few centuries... Neither that only Nine shall be accepted.
Call them by order as Calla’s Confidants... And... cherish the Ninth... For Their existence could mean glory or ruin; Their wisdom will exceed the previous ones and their spirit ought to be unique...
Singly they shall hear... Singly they shall feel... Singly they shall see... Singly they shall sniff... Singly they shall taste... All that occurred here and on the road.
Calla’s wish... Shall then be fulfilled.’
... As unbelievable as fairy tales; a story... A legend that has been told differently to the people and the Royalty has been passed down.
These stories do not hold much meaning these days... Yet we who have heard these stories are elated to find vestiges of them in reality.
The subjects will celebrate your appearance as a sign of protection and prosperity, Lady Marianne..."
"..."
"And we who Rule... Feel joyous for our beloved ancestor shall find fulfilment to her wishes..."
"..."
" Ah... Child, do not fret. These are old stories, only legends that fill people’s hearts with expectations. Nothing truly extraordinary is to happen. Haha!"
"..." — At his last words, I lowered my head because I knew... I knew he was wrong.
’Old story or not... It’s the truth... I heard the gods and Fenrir... I felt the fresh dust the Empress became... I can smell it... Her guardian’s fragrance and the blood left by Fenrir..... It is all true...’
I felt dizzy by what this could mean. I’m the Ninth that should be cherished... But I’m also supposed to be the end of a pact to finally fulfil its purpose...
The Empress’s death was certainly a sacrifice even if the Emperor didn’t explicitly say it...
So...
’Could we also be one?...’
I shivered at the idea.
Could it be that Marianne met her death because of this? What am I to do if that is the case? What’s Calla’s wish? Why bring outsiders into this? Why am I one of those outsiders?? Why is Marianne being placed in such an unbelievable situation!!?
My breathing quickly became erratic as all the doubts drowned my unstoppable head from questioning this news.
And suddenly, it happened again.
However, as time stopped... my breath was also robbed with brutal force.
— Halt... Child will not..... Lose.. Cursed will... Jørgen’s blood... Calla’s wish... I Fenrir..rrrr..... Retribution... —
"!!!!!"
Air came back into me like a strong breeze and great sadness invaded me as the echo of a painful howl resounded in my head.
His voice as menacing as before had a hint of great sorrow in it, that made my body’s blood burn painfully... somehow with the same rage and grief Fenrir must have felt when sending such a message.
"Zeleskiaz Reynold!"
Clank! Clank! Shiiiiiing....
Shift – shiing... Stomp!
The loud roar of the Emperor made me lift my head in a flash. His dear chalice was now rolling in spilt wine at his feet, where he stood with frightening eyes warning his son as men entered armed, aiming at the Crown Prince I was supporting myself on.
Turning to him whilst the confusion, I met his eyes... Devoid of the beautiful violet and filled with the menacing red.
"....."
Locking gazes, nothing came up in my head and I might venture to say... Neither did in his.
"Get away from the Lady, Zeleskiaz. I won’t hesitate to–"
"Lady Marianne seems to be struggling to stand, Your Majesty."
"?! Huh? Wh–"
"May I request His Majesty to continue this issue after The Lady is brought a seat?"
"........ We... We shall.. do so..."
The Emperor, although he sounded bewildered at what was happening, sat back down after a short struggle to accept the Crown Prince’s suggestion. And as I also came back to look at the man supporting me from falling because of the effect the shock took on my useless legs...
As crazy as it may seem... I saw in his eyes the same reassurance Fenrir’s voice tried to share with me as his eyes; like colourful water became a beaming ultramarine...
"..." — ’... Just what the hell... Is up with my luck? With this world??.....’
With Marianne...
’..... Fuuuuuhhhh..... Sweetheart... We might–... Sigh... This looks like trouble from wherever I see it.....’
"..." — Sensing how she also felt tired and anxious, I followed her silence for a moment.
’... D*mn... The world is trouble... Anne is trouble... Hehe... But, guess what.’
".....?"
’I’m more trouble.’
She became quiet at the no longer warm tone I used to announce the last sentence. And along the quiet, her growing anxiety stopped, just as I did with mine.
Whatever this legend is about. Whatever Fenrir wants and this unsolicited Title means... F*ck it.
I’ll learn it all. Step by step, I will become capable of taking these gods by their godly heads and make them tell me all I need to know.
If I, "the child that won’t lose", won’t lose... Then they better not mess around.
Because I don’t plan on losing either. If they want Calla’s wish to come true and they need me, the Ninth, for that... Then the trade must be fair.
’You can fear this place’s gods all you want, Anne. But I’m not from here.’ — Tilting my chin higher to glare at the sky above the ceiling, I began to tell my thoughts, wishing for Marianne to not be the only one to hear. — ’Hey! You guys at the Zen.. Izen... You guys over there!! If you bring me into your trouble then be sure I’ll cause MORE trouble to you!! Be fair and square! You said I could bring ruin?! Hah! I sure will if you f– idiots try taking away my and baby red panda’s life to get what you want!!!
See this? Uh?! I’ll go up there and stick it up your a**es if you try something funny!!.....
D–Do know I am warning you, not threatening you. Gods are gods, but, hey! COME. ON! If you know I’m a foreigner then you know how shitty this is! Show some respect and I will do so too!!... Uhmm...
Amén(?)’ — I told them, with all the respect I could manage at this time.