Chapter 24
THROUGHOUT history war ravaged the three countries existing on the continent of Aridol. Despite constant skirmishes across their borders, the three countries remained in equilibrium. Rvydom being absorbed into Maruk was the first ever recorded fall of a nation in Aridol’s history.
Vigo mulled over what he could do to help. A country with a long history had met its demise and he was forced to survive in war-torn times. Crushed under the weight of the way the world turned, his love and national pride never faded as he continued the core of his lost nation’s research.
“So? What should I do?” he asked.
“We want to make Adolunde our ally,” Galian answered unswervingly.
Maruk’s tributary territory, Rvydom, would request support from the Kingdom of Adolunde that was currently at war with Maruk, essentially joining Adolunde’s side in the war.
“What are the chances of them siding with us?”
“One of Adolunde’s princes is going to cooperate with us.”
A prince is? When did they manage to get that card up their sleeve?
Little time had passed since Galian’s escape. His imprisonment had lasted years.
Galian smiled ruefully, sensing Vigo’s disbelief. “You see, the one who rescued me was Rvydom’s princess, and her Knight is a prince of Adolunde.”
Vigo jumped out of his chair, the momentum sent it flying backward and clattering against the wall behind him. “What did you just say?! The princess saved you?!”
Princess—that word brought to mind the girl Rifaenotis entrusted into his care. However, she didn’t possess the ring that stood as proof of a bond between Knight and Master.
Is there another princess? Is she not the princess? Who are they talking about?
“Is Lord Cahn’s daughter still with you then?”
Shock flicked across Dante and Galian’s faces.
“What do you mean is she ‘still’ with us?” Dante questioned, Vigo’s lack of surprise at the mentioning of the princess furrowing his brow.
“What else is there to mean by my question? Rifaenotis has currently entrusted me with the protection of a girl. She looks about fifteen or sixteen in age. We have no solid proof, but it appears she may be Lord Cahn’s daughter.”
“The girl’s fifteen? She’s not a girl of ten? With violet eyes?”
“No. She can’t be much younger than fifteen. Her eyes are black. It should be noted she was in the presence of the Rose Witch before meeting Rifaenotis, which begs to question whether this is her true appearance.”
“…What is the girl’s name?”
“Yuki.”
The doubt on their faces all but vanished at her name.
“…She still lives then…” Galian rasped emotionally.
“Do you gentlemen know of Yuki?” Vigo asked.
“The Yuki we knew was an eighteen-year-old girl with violet eyes who was ten in appearance. We were under the impression she had been executed at the stake by Maruk, but I see…so she lives. The change in her appearance is likely the Rose Witch’s handiwork.”
“If you say so…”
How could an eighteen-year-old look like she’s ten? Then look like she’s fifteen? For a moment, Vigo thought they were the delusions accompanying senility in the older gentlemen, but the serious, self-aware gleam in their eyes kept him from questioning them aloud.
“Where is Lady Yuki now?”
“She is staying at the orphanage a few hours’ ride from here. She said something about going to get someone important to her out of Adolunde. Should I bring her to you?”
“No. She may contract the Ten Day Fever if you bring her here. I see…so she plans to go to Adolunde…”
Vigo still couldn’t see the whole picture. “I believe you have your own agendas, but Rifaenotis requested we allow her to do as she pleases,” he brought up and glanced between the two men. They treated his remark and gaze with silence as they made their own conclusions.
“I have no doubt she is going to rescue Lucat.”
“Vigo, you said you’re traveling around the continent handing out medicine for the Ten Day Fever, correct?” Dante asked, a smile tugging at his lips.
“I am.”
Vigo had no clue how their minds worked or what they were planning, but he resigned himself not to care if it meant helping the country he loved.
“Good, we’ll have you prioritize heading to Adolunde. Use the medicine and your medical knowledge to garner favor with the people. We’ll progress things on our side here. Oh, and teach us how to refine the Ten Day Fever medicine too.”
“Are you planning to use it in negotiations?” Vigo inquired, realizing the underlying meaning in what they wanted him to do.
“Rvydom no longer has a national treasury or funds of its own. The only thing we have of value is the wonder drug for the Ten Day Fever our researchers have worked on for decades.”
Vigo sighed. “Aah, yes, that is true. You are putting the result of my hard work and years of trial and error on sale for your cause. Yes?”
“Don’t be that way. You will be rewarded if Rvydom is rebuilt.”
He didn’t need any reward for what he meant to be a free medicine, but saying so would be tactless.
“With that said, take Lady Yuki to Adolunde. I believe she will bring Prince Lucat from where he’s imprisoned, so help her in any way possible. Put your life on the line if necessary to keep her out of harm’s way.”
Every single one of these old men are too naïve in how to handle her, is what Vigo thought, but that too sounded tactless, so he kept his opinions to himself.
An erratic voice sounding close to a scream from the adjoining room quickly ended the men’s discussion.