Jill recalled learning about these locations in history books, but her memories were fuzzy. At the very least, she learned that the Order of the Arks was divided into two factions: the Moechia and the Calvariae factions.
“So, did the Moechia faction abduct you, Queen Faris?” Jill inquired.
“I believe so,” Faris replied. “Since the Moechia faction came from Kratos, they’re very adept at magic. They’re likely the ones who stole the Sacred Spear.”
“Huh? But isn’t the other faction transporting us right now? I mean, they mentioned…” Jill’s kidnappers had insulted the Moechia faction, which meant that the ones handling them were of the Calvariae faction.
“Perhaps the plan was for the Moechia faction to secure the Sacred Spear, and the Calvariae faction to kidnap me,” Faris surmised. “This would inevitably split the search teams into two and create confusion. And it won’t be so easy for Kratos to dispatch a search team to the Rave Empire.”
“We might have a pact, but it’s still cause for strife,” Jill agreed.
“And since you’re here, I don’t doubt it’ll cause a delay in making a decision. I trust that Lawrence can skillfully conduct negotiations, but…”
“Pardon? We’ve got very skilled subjects too.”
Jill knew just how excellent Lawrence was, but she was miffed to hear how underestimated the people of Rave were. Faris blinked for a few moments before she smiled.
“Oh, I do pray that that’s the case,” the queen said.
“What’s with you? You sound so condescending,” Jill replied. “Besides, if needed, we’ve got His Majesty.”
“Frankly, I’m worried about him the most. My bet is that he’ll never cooperate with a search for the Sacred Spear.”
Jill struggled to find a response but managed to eke out a retort. “H-His Majesty will act befitting for the Dragon Emperor when the time calls for it… I think!”
“No matter the case, I don’t know what will happen with my stolen spear. Since it was pried from me, I’m certain the enemy plans to use it for no good.”
“Use…the Sacred Spear? Frankly, I still can hardly believe your story. Even Rave isn’t that stupid.” Jill glared at her, intent on not getting fooled so easily, but Faris smiled wider than ever before.
“I understand completely,” Faris agreed. “I couldn’t believe it when I saw the Goddess tearfully part ways with me because she was told I’d be safe if she listened to their whims.”
“Huh?!” Jill gasped. “There’s no way the enemy’s flimsy lies would so easily fool the Goddess!”
“Lady Jill, next time, I do ask that you create a signpost that says, ‘Dragon God, this way.’ Please place it in front of that idiot.” Faris ended up calling the Goddess simply an ‘idiot.’ “She’ll get caught in a flash.”
“W-Will she?”
“Words alone might not be enough, but if you add a board with the silhouette of the Dragon God, I’m certain she won’t even question it. Someone who claimed to be the Dragon God fooled her before. Truly, the Goddess of Love is pure and innocent, isn’t she?”
Faris smiled darkly, implying that there was no need for further explanation. Frankly, Dragon God Rave didn’t exude radiance and dignity that could be spotted from miles away, but Goddess Kratos seemed to be even worse than that. Jill became afraid of this insight and couldn’t stop herself from sympathizing.
“Y-You’ve sure got it tough…” the Dragon Consort muttered.
Faris’s smile grew ever brighter as she was annoyed by the sympathy that she received. “I’m sure the Goddess will rush in if you mention that the Dragon Emperor is present. She can hardly hold onto any sort of reason when it comes to the Dragon God and Dragon Emperor.”
Did I battle with a Goddess who lost her reason back in Beilburg? No matter the case, she’s only trouble.
“I-In any case, you’re saying that the Sacred Spear is unreliable,” Jill stammered.
“I’m not saying that she’s unreliable,” Faris replied. “I’m saying that you cannot rely on her. In fact, she may be more of a nuisance than anything else.”
“Are you going to insult her that much?!”
“She’s being used to seal our magic, isn’t she? She’s an utter idiot.”
Why am I the one defending the Goddess anyway? I need to calm myself down.
Jill looked up. “Once the Sacred Spear is found, should I tell her you’re safe?”
“I doubt she’d believe the words of a Dragon Consort,” Faris replied.
“Oh, so now she’s wary?! What a pain!”
“It’s better if I snap—I mean, if I tell her, I think it’d be the most surefire way.”
She just tried to say that she wanted to snap the spear, didn’t she? Jill’s cheek twitched. Faris fell into contemplative silence for a few moments.
“The biggest issue is the Sacred Spear’s condition,” Faris said. “I’ve never been separated from her like this before…”
“Just for reference, how have you been attacked until now?” Jill asked gingerly.
“A rather trite act of savagery that those scum would think of to snatch the power of the Goddess for themselves,” Faris spoke softly, but the corners of her lips were filled with scorn. “I won’t be killed so easily, and we still have some time. Lady Jill, you must first think about escaping and saving yourself. Or do you still find yourself unable to trust me?”
“Of course. Your past actions are proof enough that I shouldn’t.”
“But I will never forgive the Order of the Ark. Please commit that to memory. And I’m sure that the Dragon Emperor feels the same.”
Jill frowned at the mention of Hadis, but she snapped her mouth shut when she glanced at Faris’s profile. The queen’s eyes, which gazed into the distance with pure wrath, so closely resembled Hadis’s, the Dragon Emperor who had once stood alone to burn everything in his path. Now’s not the time to think about stuff like that.
“I understand your situation. I’ll cooperate with you,” Jill said. “Whether the Goddess was captured for the most pathetic reason you gave or not, I can’t just leave her be.”
“Are you worried about the Goddess?” Faris asked. “You’re so kind, Lady Jill.”
“I couldn’t care less about what happens to the Sacred Spear.”
However, if there was some sort of spell out there that could temporarily seal the Sacred Spear, it could also seal the Heavenly Sword. And if that happens, Rave and His Majesty will… But Jill felt no need to express her concerns.
“If you try anything funny, I won’t hold back,” Jill warned. “And don’t hate me if you find that to be a betrayal of sorts. You’re my enemy, after all.”
Faris slowly blinked and smiled beautifully. “I don’t mind. The merciful and benevolent Goddess shall forgive betrayals.”
When the carriage clattered and slowed down, their conversation stopped. The vehicle came to a halt, and a few moments later, a loud creak outside indicated that the heavy door was being opened. Even without magical energy, Jill was the better fighter, and she placed Faris firmly behind her and glared at the opening door. Light filled the dark carriage.
“My, oh my,” a man said. “What a wretched sight. We shall prepare a bath and a meal immediately. Can you two move? Ah, you require shoes and a blanket. Make preparations for them immediately, and don’t be insolent.”
The man ordered the servants nearby as the two ladies maintained their silence. He whirled around with an elegant bow.
“Forgive my late introduction. My name is Canis, and I ask that you not be so wary, though that’s probably an impossible request. I’m aware that the Moechians were rather rough with you two.”
“You’re also part of the Order of the Arks, aren’t you?” Jill asked.
Canis shrugged. “We Calvariaens aren’t violent like them. We should first hope for peaceful negotiations as intelligent human beings.”
Faris giggled softly behind Jill. Canis tried to take a good look at the queen, but she was hidden from view.
“Ah, so you claim to be intelligent humans,” Faris snickered. “Can you do anything other than shake your hips?”
But her enigmatic eyes, which glowed ominously like Hadis’s, were difficult to miss.
“Please look forward to it, dear queen who has received a mission to destroy Dragon God Rave,” Canis said. “We Calvariaens shall be very good friends to you.”
He respectfully bowed to Faris like a dutiful subject, but his smarmy gaze told a different story, filled with mockery.
“Now then, Dragon Consort, what shall you do?” Canis asked. “Would you like to head back home?”
“You’d let me do that after dragging me out here?” Jill inquired.
“Of course. You’ve got a meeting to attend, don’t you? If the queen and the Dragon Consort both go missing, each nation will suspect the other and quarrel. I wouldn’t want your bonds to become irreparable before the meeting.”
“Then free me along with Queen Faris,” Jill demanded.
“Unfortunately, Her Majesty must stay with us.”
“Lady Jill,” Faris whispered, implying that the Dragon Consort should make her escape.
“Sorry, but my magical energy hasn’t returned yet,” Jill replied. Faris furrowed her brows, but Jill paid her no heed and stared at Canis. “Let me rest here for a little while longer,” she said. “Or will I be a nuisance when you and the queen engage in some secret conversations?”
She was sure that Camila and the others were headed for Lehrsatz. Don’t worry, it’s not like a war will start by the time I return.
“Not at all; not one bit,” Canis replied. “I’ve always dreamed of having the opportunity to speak with you, Your Highness. You shall never be a nuisance at this point in time.” He outstretched his arms as he laughed. “I shall welcome you, harlots who sold humans to the gods. Welcome to the Order of the Ark!”
Meetings were meant to form bonds behind the scenes, and negotiations were bluffs. Jill and Faris’s meeting had already begun.