LRAB Chapter 602: Star Whispers
Chapter 602: Star Whispers
Chapter 602: Star Whispers
Back on Earth it was said that hindsight was twenty-twenty. In this world the phrase went a trick is obvious once uncovered. Of course a countess wouldnt go against an Archduke unless she had serious backing. Dallion just never expected the backing to come from the Academy. On the other hand, given the number of mage visits as well as the establishment of an Academy village in Countess Priscords lands, one could guess she was getting something in return.
If Havoc was to be believed, the confrontation between him and the mages was an unexpected mishap that had provided a huge opportunity. The countess had covered the entire incident and seen to it that the respective people were punished. In return, she had obtained their silent support, and possibly a few trinkets along the way. Having two major cities was a good hint that Dallion had overlooked, focusing on his own problems at the time. To any noble, however, it was clear she was preparing for a higher position.
Id tell you to be careful when dealing with the countess, but you probably know that, Havoc said. Shes staked your life as well as hers. If things go badly, all that were involved in her scheme would suffer serious consequences. Ironically, its possible that shes the only one that remains unscathed. Even an Archduke wouldnt do against the Academy on a whim. Maybe hell force the countess to make a Moon vow to serve him, then pretend nothing happened. Theres strength in showing everyone that youre too strong to be taken down.
So, Ive heard. Dallion sighed.
When he had come here, he had expected to learn practical things relating to finding the phoenix. Instead, he had uncovered a conspiracy around it. Also, he had just received indirect confirmation that the countess had only started the hunt for political reasonsunlike Havocs story, this time the Academy hadnt openly gotten involved.
Did you find it? he asked after a while.
Oh, we found it. We brought a whole pouch of feathers to the mages, but they expected more.
What more did they want? Dallion asked.
What do you think? They wanted the whole bird. As if its that easy. One of the group died in the attempt. We were the best, but that doesnt mean we were good enough. Only the Moons can do the impossible.
Dallion had no reason to disagree, even if he was getting the impression that the Moons had their own limits as well.
Apparently, the aetherbird appears all over the world at specific times. The mages somehow figured out part of the principle, so they told us where to go. Havoc went on. It was a good offer, at least what they promised. Theyd provide everything necessary to find and capture the aetherbird, we just had to go where they told us and do it.
Why you?
Some of us asked that question, but we never got an answer. Mages really disliked the place. They were stronger than all of us combined, though not there.
Nil? Dallion asked.
Its difficult to come to a conclusion on that little data, the echo grumbled. I can tell you one thing. The Academy didnt have a way of predicting the phoenixs location.
Maybe you didnt.
You dont understand, dear boy. Its not a matter of someone hiding it from everyone else. Mages and scholars hide their ideas every day. The results, on the other hand, cannot be hidden. If there was a way for them to know when and where the creature would appear, they either would have captured it by now, or there would be people going after it all the time. Someone would have noticed something, and if one does, all do.
That sounded like a bit of a stretch, even if Dallion didnt doubt that mages constantly kept an eye on each other. He had seen as much in the memory fragment of the mage that had the plague sword.
You remember your encounter with the shadow dragon? Thats what happens when mages get too enthusiastic. Very much like what happened when this group received the news of the apparent failure? There are many things that a mage can hide. Ego and arrogance are not part of them.
Where did they send you? Dallion asked.
Not far from here. Well, not close, either. How familiar are you with the area?
There was no denying it. Upon first seeing Havoc, Dallion had been enthusiastic as well. However, during the conversation, his enthusiasm had decreased. As the saying went, the two never clicked. There was little of the old Havoc Dallion knew, even after he had helped remove part of his restrictions. It was like seeing a childhood friend after a decade, only to realize that everything in common had been lost. Maybe the reason was Dallion, maybe Havoc was still bitter about not being able to leave the village. Either way, he was little more than a distant acquaintance now.
Dallion set off south. When the settlement was out of view, he tried calling Dark. This time, the dragon didnt show up. Left with no alternative, Dallion resorted to using his whip blade as a transport device. It was neither as fast nor as comfortable, but still better than running.
Just for reference, Im not aware of a mountain in the valley, Nil said.
Not even beyond?
No mage has gone beyond. You have a skewed image of mages since the only ones youve seen were rogue outcasts or questionable individuals. Magic requires a systemic approach to things. Bending the rules or finding the right loophole is not a random process. It takes study and experience. Those who wish to try their luck always end up dead.
No one ever wanted to see what lay beyond?
Everyone wants to, but that doesnt mean that they rush on blindly. Havoc himself said that the Academy hired mercenaries for the job. What more could
The echo was abruptly cut off mid-sentence.
Nil? Dallion asked. He was about to enter his realm to see what was going on, when he noticed that time itself seemed to have frozen. Although not Dallion himself.
Gleam? Dallion looked down. The whip sword remained beneath his feet, but stuck in place a foot above the ground.
Dallion tried to split into a dozen instances, but found that he couldnt.
Theres only one instance of an instant, a familiar voice said. The moment Dallion heard it, ice chills ran down his spine. It was the very thing he had been fearing, the very thing he had spent the last two years preparing for. Jump off if you want. The sword wont fly away. Im not that petty.
The initial reaction was for Dallion to resist. However, the urge not to show fear took hold, making him force himself to do the very thing he didnt want to. Cautiously, he stepped off the sword and turned around.
There you go. Arthurows clapped with a smile. A few years ago, Dallion thought of him as just a friend and member of the Icepicker guild. Later it turned out that this was the Star himself. Youve really come far.
The Star took a few steps forward. He was wearing casual denim jeans and a black t-shirt that had Claim All Power written on it in large red letters. Back on Earth, no one would give him any thought. Here, though, he was the embodiment of evil, as Dallion had learned firsthand.
And you actually got the pocketknife. The Star laughed. Thats outright impressive. I always knew youd achieve much. I was just wrong about the time.
The time? Dallion asked.
The time youd agree to work for me. When we were part of the guild, I thought Id convince you there and then. Now I see my mistake. I should have given you some more room to develop.
You didnt give me a thing.
I gave you time, The Star corrected. Did you seriously think I didnt know what you were up to? Your trip to the destroyed country? You taking my empathy gem? I know what youre up to even now.
Everyone knows that.
Probably, but I know what your good friend didnt tell you. The Stars smile widened. You know, one of the locations the phoenix might appear. I know when, and more importantlyhow to catch it. And Ill share it with you. All you need to do is give me something in return.