Basil looked out at the carriage exterior with a sleepy expression. They were already leaving the city, and houses were barely visible. He watched as the lush green leaves filled his vision, almost forgetting that a city was nearby.
Beside him was Castian, who showed no signs of fatigue. They had left at dawn without prior notice from Merlian, almost as if she had done it on purpose. Basil was surprised at how cruel she was to him.
Either she really hates criminals, or she simply hates me.
Basil looked at her without subtlety. He could barely make out her face through the hood, but he was sure she had a grim expression. Regarding her senseless hatred, Basil had made some conjectures, but none were convincing enough.
To say she was a mysterious woman was obvious, just like saying she was arrogant and had the aura of a natural leader. Above all, she was quite strong, strong enough to command four disciplinarians and another supposed Empress.
—Is something wrong? —Merlian said, not hiding her irritation. Beside her sat a sleepy Auryn, who had spent the whole night destroying Basil's dream alongside Sandro.
—Well, I'll ask the question. Why did you wake me up at five in the morning to take me out of the city?
—For a simple reason: to give you a real weapon for escaping from an Emperor.
Basil opened his eyes slightly upon hearing her. After a moment, he spoke.
—You're serious about this. —He didn't mind breaking the seriousness with his sarcastic comment. Although he didn't believe eighty percent of the story, he at least knew one thing: Merlian's group wouldn't kill him.
He also doubted they would harm him. For some reason, Merlian's group was quite permissive with what he could do. And indeed, Merlian only shot him a grim look that disappeared instantly.
—I'm serious, very serious. —Her dignified face revealed a smile—. In fact, today will be the day you believe us.
—The anticipation is going to kill me. —The conversation ended with that superficial comment. Basil focused on the view outside the window, but his mind was in the past.
A day ago, when he went to the Hexian church, he noticed something peculiar about Mr. Ferned and Fauste. According to what they said when Gare gave his speech, they seemed unaware of the current situation of the churches, or at least of the Hexian church.
The suspiciousness of this situation caught Basil's attention as he asked Paul if those two spoke while he was praying. The answer left him even more intrigued since Paul told him that Ferned didn't seem familiar with the blood ritual while Fauste did.
Basil didn't believe in Merlian at all. He assumed they were an organization powerful enough to command six disciplinarians and figured various reasons why they needed him, but none were convincing enough.
However, the theory that they were part of an organization crumbled with Ferned's attitude. How could it be possible for a member of such an organization not to know something so basic?
This question echoed in Basil's mind over and over again. And every time he did so, an answer would come that he quickly dismissed. After all, Merlian herself had explained it: they didn't belong to any organization.
But that's impossible... There must be something about Ferned, something I don't understand.
He reviewed what had happened the previous day but no matter how hard he tried, he found nothing. In fact, a question he had about 'young' Fauste came back to him. Taking a breath, he turned his gaze toward Merlian, who had her eyes closed.
—Excuse me, Miss Merly.
Merlian opened her eyes harshly.
—Is something going on?
—Well, I just found it curious how your group has so many geniuses—. Basil's tone was calm—. Is there any reason behind this?
It wasn't normal for Disciplinarians to be so young. Advancement on the wandering path was generally costly and slow. All except Ferned seemed to be in their twenties; at that age it was common to be a Shepherd rather than a Disciplinarian.
Merlian looked at him for a moment and smiled.
—Actually our group only has two people considered "geniuses". —She glanced for a moment at Auryn—. Me and Aury... and maybe Saudro.
Basil didn't buy her explanation and tried to continue on the topic.
—You really like speaking enigmatically. —He continued despite Merlian's concealed annoyance—. You don't mean to say that everyone except Ferned is a genius? There's no other explanation.
—Oh yes there is. —Again Merlian smiled. Basil realized she liked subverting expectations—. I am an Empress; my ability allows me to make it possible.
Back again with those stories.
Basil found no answer; therefore he looked out the window in silence again. Whatever happened next, would be understood once they reached their destination and were given that supposed weapon for escape.
Why should it be a weapon to flee from a demigod? Can't they give me one to kill him?
Time passed without anyone saying anything. Merlian continued meditating in silence, Basil couldn't know what was going on in that crazy head of hers. Castian was as indifferent as always, and Auryn was in a deep sleep. Of all those present, she was the one who slept the least.
Eventually, they arrived at an irregular plain, quite far from the city.
—We have arrived. —said the driver, who seemed full of doubts—. Lady, are you sure you want to stay here? We can still go back; it would only be another four silver suns.
—No need, we'll be fine here. —Merlian opened the door and got out. A sleepy Auryn followed her.
—I really don't know what you want, but I feel uncomfortable leaving two young ladies in the middle of nowhere. I could at least wait until you finish your asun...
—That won't be necessary, sir. —Merlian addressed him gracefully—. On the way back, a friend will come in a carriage to pick us up in an hour. Besides, we already have two gentlemen in case something happens to us.
The driver's dull golden eyes fell on Castian and Basil. With a sigh, he adjusted his hat and bid farewell.
—I wish you strength; may Hex's will guide you.
The group watched as the carriage faded into the distance. Merlian turned to Basil calmly.
—This way. —She turned her back on him and moved towards the meadow. Fortunately, the grass hadn't grown enough to become a nuisance while walking.
The group moved at a leisurely pace. Basil stared intently at Merlian and Auryn's backs; his eyes became piercing as he did so. After all, he was thinking about trying to kill them. However, he dismissed that thought with a sigh.
It was two Disciplinarians against a mere Heart of Steam and a Gear Warrior. Although Gear Warriors could compete against a Disciplinarian, doing so without an exoskeleton was suicide.
Besides....
Basil glanced around; wherever he looked there was vegetation. Auryn's Wandering Law controlled the plants, so that was her playground. Not even a surprise attack would work; Disciplinarians always set up defensive laws beforehand.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't think about something so absurd. However, this was when Merlian's group was most vulnerable. There were only two Disciplinarians instead of six.
Killing them is a fantasy, but fleeing?
He stopped thinking about it; it made no sense. He couldn't even escape, and if he tried, his relationship with his "protectors" would be much worse.
They could even tie me up for the rest of the trip, kill Castian and Paul, and torture me for answers.
He turned to Castian and shook his head. They hadn't talked about it, but he was sure Castian thought the same way. The man withdrew his gaze and continued as if nothing had happened.
I have to keep waiting for a better opportunity...
—We'll be fine here. —Merlian stopped and the group stood in the middle of the prairie. It had rained recently, so some drops of dew rested on the grass.
»Very well, Mr. Basil, before we begin, I must inform you that I am happy.
There was silence until Basil asked.
—Happy? Why do you say that? —His eyes remained fixed on Merlian's back. She responded without turning around.
—For not making the stupid decision to attack us. Really, I appreciate that you even shook your head at Mr. Castian.
Basil felt like a bucket of cold water had been thrown over him. Merlian didn't bother turning around; she continued speaking without looking at him.
—You have quite a curious expression. —Her tone revealed some amusement—. Mr. Castian, I would recommend not holding your weapon. We do not wish to harm you.
Basil quickly turned to Castian. The big man tried to appear impassive, but the slight tremor of his eyebrows betrayed his surprise.
—Can you... see what we are doing? —Basil asked Merlian while extending three fingers—. How many fingers do I have here?
—Three.
Basil quickly changed hands.
—And now?
—Four. You changed hands and are using your left hand.
Filled with doubts, Basil leaned over to see if either of them had any mirrors. Far from what he expected, their hands were empty.
—Being an Empress allows me to extend my range of vision as far as my domain permits.
—That sounds... quite interesting.—He wasn't entirely convinced yet; he still felt there had to be some trick he wasn't aware of.
Merlian turned to look at him. She knew she would need more solid evidence to undermine Basil's common sense after all; she wasn't just trying to convince him that he was material for ascending to Sacred Will but that she herself was a being that only appeared in legends and myths.
—Very well, Mr Basil. Tell me, what characterizes Wandering ranks?
Basil thought for a while and replied.
—The range, duration, and speed.
Merlian nodded; it was a textbook answer.
—Be more specific.
—As one progresses along the Wandering path, you gain a greater range in which to use your Wandering law. For example, an Apprentice Wanderer can barely use their Wandering law on themselves. Once they become a Shepherd, this changes, as they are able to apply their law in the environment.
»The range not only depends on the Wanderer rank but also on how familiar they are with their rank. A novice Shepherd will not have as much range as an experienced Shepherd.
This is related to how far you've advanced on the Wandering path. In fact, I noticed that they all must be quite experienced in the Disciplinary rank. Basil added to himself.
—That's right. In fact, each rank changes something distinct as one becomes familiar with it. Now tell me, what do you mean by duration and speed?
—Time is something that increases considerably. —Basil explained calmly—. An Apprentice's Wandering law does not last as long as a Shepherd's, and don't even get me started on that of a Disciplinary. That's why Disciplinaries are so hard to kill; they always establish Wandering laws days in advance.
»Moreover, they can establish several laws at the same time, and they will last much longer. An Apprentice can barely establish three, and they will last very little time.
Merlian merely nodded, so Basil continued as if speaking to a teacher.
—Lastly and most importantly, speed. An Apprentice needs to write their Wandering law on ivory tablets for it to work; a Shepherd still requires writing it on their body. But a Disciplinary only needs to say it out loud.
»It's the combination of all this that makes Disciplinaries so lethal. A wide range for a huge battlefield, a massive number of defensive laws, and a terrifying attack speed.
Merlian looked at him for a moment. Basil had given quite an extensive and accurate answer. It seems he is no longer interested in maintaining his false plebeian facade. I wonder why...
Not allowing her doubts to show on her face, she continued.
—It seems we have a common pattern. We both know that Wanderers are characterized by those three things, and I would dare say it's common sense.
Basil nodded.
—Indeed. Except for that strange trick to see what they were doing, you haven't done anything beyond what a Disciplinary is capable of. —His tone turned caustic—. The strange contract and the man in my dreams I took as mere nonsense and deception. After all, Saudro has dominion over dreams.
Merlian expected that response. She extended her pinky finger and a dagger. Before Basil could ask, she coldly mutilated her finger. The sound of the pinky falling was muffled by the grass; blood gushed forcefully from her wound.
—What....? —Basil stepped back a bit; he didn't want blood to fall on his hood. However, that wasn't an issue, since the liquid only spilled for a moment before a mound of sand emerged from the wound and completely covered it.
In an instant, the sand began to accumulate and take the shape of the finger. This process did not stop until it reached the same size. It was then that the sand became compact and lost its texture and color, turning into flesh and bone.
It took a while for Basil and Castian to realize what had happened. There was the pinky, attached to the hand without leaving a scar, almost as if nothing had occurred.
Basil looked down and to his surprise; there was a handful of sand where the pinky had been.
—Is this something a Disciplinary can do? —Merlian asked with a smile. Basil nearly forgot that this woman had just cut off her finger.
—No... I had never read... about anything like this.
Disciplinaries were hard to kill not because they regenerated but because it was difficult for an enemy attack to hit them. Beyond all those defensive laws lay simply flesh and bone.
—Do you begin to understand that we haven't lied to you?
—This is... I.... —Basil's mind tried to process it logically but found no other explanation beyond Merlian's.
Basil knew that Emperors existed and were not just legends. He knew there were currently five Emperors across the continent. Even more so, he knew the nicknames of those five; he could believe they existed. What he couldn't believe was that there weren't five but ten current Emperors, two of whom wanted to kill him and three others who wanted to protect him.
Merlian took advantage of his silence to continue.
—That isn't our only proof. Do you remember what I mentioned about the names of the Emperors?
Basil snapped out of his stupor and replied quickly.
—you said.... —It didn't take him long to remember—. That those names have Wandering properties.
»When you say the names out loud, that person will appear.
Merlian nodded.
—Our names, that is the best weapon we can give. —As she spoke, her black eyes gained a certain intensity—. It only takes two words for us to appear, no matter where or when.
Basil understood how useful this was. Without further delay, he asked.
—So, what are your real names?
—Wait, you need to know that by saying our names, our domain will be altered.
Basil raised an eyebrow slightly.
—What do you mean?
—A random and invisible Wandering Law will be created.
That sounds like a problem. The gray-haired man kept his obvious thoughts to himself and waited for Merlian. She simply continued.
—Merlian.
You only took away two letters? How simple... His thoughts were interrupted as he saw the grass withering at a distance. The green lost its shine, becoming a dull and depressing tone.
—That's not all, —said Merlian as she stepped fifteen paces away from them.
There, she tightly closed her eyes; she could feel the effect of her name, especially being so close. Where she had been lay the echo of her voice calling her, showcasing her power. She responded to the call, and her consciousness transferred to that place.
Basil watched in astonishment as a mass of sand accumulated in the air until it took the shape of Merlian. The Merlian who had been far away disintegrated into sand, while the sand Merlian ceased to be that, turning dust into flesh and granite into bones. Eventually, Merlian returned to her previous state as if nothing had happened. Castian and Basil watched the entire process in shock.
What The hell was that!? Are they really Empresses!? By Hex, all that story was true!?!?
Merlian couldn't help but smile at Basil's lost expression.
—I'm sorry for showing you this only now. However, revealing our names in the middle of the city could attract attention.
—Ehm... yes... I guess so... —Basil tried to shake off his stupor.
—Well then, the next name. —Merlian turned to look at Auryn, who was barely staying awake—. Auryn.
The gray-haired man couldn't even complain about Auryn's lack of originality; he merely watched as suddenly the grass grew up to their knees.
—And well, this is the last one.—Merlian's face turned somber—. But remember, this is the one that brings the most dangerous effects; say it only if it's your last resort.
Merlian's serious tone snapped Basil out of his stupor.
—It must be your third friend, Lun. Is he that dangerous?
Merlian sighed.
—No, in fact, he won't even appear. His situation is... complicated. What you need to be careful of is his Wandering Law since he has dominion over luck.
Basil pondered what Merlian had said.
Hm, if it's a random Wandering Law of luck, it can be both bad or good luck... I understand why it would be the last option.
As a believer in Hex, he wasn't a fan of leaving things to chance. He hoped never to have to use that name.
Merlian didn't wait for him to respond and continued.
—His real name is... Lunhde.
Fearing the worst, she looked around for any anomalies. When she saw everything remained the same, she let out a sigh of relief and headed towards the road.
—We're done; you must always call us if you believe you are in danger. I would love to show you how powerful our Wandering Law is as Empress, but I'm afraid it would draw too much attention.
The whole group began to follow her; it wouldn't be long before Ferned arrived in another carriage. Meanwhile, Basil calculated what he needed to do with this change of plans. Really, it didn't change much from what he originally intended to do. But now that he was sure of an external danger, he would have to make a couple of adjustments to ensure his life.
And you, powerful Empress, will be the one who provides me with that...
A spark of determination glimmered in his golden eyes.