Chapter 14 - One's Choice

The countless trees rooted down on to the earth, staying still as their leaves filled with multitudes of hues fall down to the ground to prepare for winter. 

The sun slowly began to set, making the scenery, from where I gazed through the carriage's window, a deep mellow orange. 

I deeply contemplate as I continue to gaze out the window, trying to see just how to deal with the current situation at hand. Many guards riding the horses followed us from behind, keeping guard for any danger.

I slowly shifted my gaze to the seat in front of me, seeing Nilo sitting there with his arms crossed, and eyes closed. Not sleeping but meditating. The same weapons he had before still linger on his body.

I then looked at the seat next to me. The saddened August, with his arms resting on the edge of the carriage window, sits on the seat silently, staring emptily at the given scene.

The more I gaze into his eyes, the more I can see the troubles that surround him. I want to… help him. But I think it's best to leave him be for the moment... 

I looked back towards Nilo. After a while of feeling my stare, Nilo slowly opened, looking at me coldly before letting out a sigh. "Young Master... I really wonder what goes through that little head of yours."

I couldn't help but scratch my head awkwardly. "... My apologies for dragging you with me, Nilo."

Nilo shakes his head, then crosses his arms once again before showing his usual stoic face. "Don't be. Even if it was rash, you did it because you wanted to help him, didn't you?" He taps the side of his head with his finger, staying silent while still looking at me. "... That was the first time you asked for something, to the point of arguing with his grace."

He smiles subtly before looking out the window. "Everyone, even his grace, was surprised by the selfish request you made."

I looked at him, feeling slightly confused, before looking down. "I see..."

Selfishness: Being concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; Seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.

Carnal desires that stemmed from being selfish... I never understood.

Even when my current parents wanted to pamper or spoil me, I just went along with them without asking for anything else. Whenever they asked if I wanted something more, I just respectfully declined the offer.

Even in my past life… the idea of being spoiled was non-existent. 

But… even when I didn't know how to spoil… I tried to spoil them whenever the chance arrived, so they didn't turn out just like me...

But for the first time, I portrayed an act of selfishness. Even if it was for a compelling cause, it hindered other people who regarded my personal wellbeing, and almost put my relationship with them in jeopardy.

I couldn't help but feel guilt... 

I did it to help August, so he wouldn't experience the tragedies from the Novel.

But was that the right choice to make?

I look towards August once more. He still looks out through the window, zoned out. I let out a subtle smile before looking back at Nilo. "Even then... I do not regret the choice I made..."

Soon after uttering those words, I felt a heavy weight on my right shoulder. I look to see August laying his head on my shoulder with his eyes finally closed. "... Thank you for going with me, Lys..."

Feeling touched by his gratitude, I let out a warm smile. Slowly closing my eyes, I gently laid my head next to his. "I'm here for you, August."

After hearing those words, August smiled warmly before interlocking his hand with mine. We both relaxed in this momentary peace, just caring about each other before we arrived at the place of conflict.

There are so many things that I still wish to continue thinking about.

What do we do once we arrive at the Imperial Palace? How exactly can I resolve the situation? How exactly can I help? What do we do when we are in danger?

Countless thoughts fill my head. 

But… maybe it was because I kept thinking about such things, that my mind began to wander. Having my eyes closed, in a peaceful setting, all while the sun began to set is making me feel sleepy…

This will be the only time where we can rest without worrying about what will come our way. The only certain time where August will feel at ease...

Nilo continues to look at the children in front of him. He slightly leans forward, stroking his chin while staring at the two boys interlocking their hands together as they sleep comfortably.

"... Friends, huh?"

He leans back and looks out the window once more. The sun sets and soon… It disappears from the sky. Night befalls and countless stars begin to shimmer with the full moon shining beautifully.

Nilo slowly looks back at the two boys. He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath before letting out a sigh, feeling slightly conflicted.

"I wonder when they'll realize that their actions don't reflect what friends would normally do..."

As he continues to look at the two boys, he slowly lets out a subtle smile and continues to stay awake until they reach their destination, protecting these two boys as they sleep peacefully to one another. 

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I feel a sudden ray of light go through my eyelids, hearing a continuous voice echoing through my head. As the voice slowly grew louder and louder, I slowly opened my eyes. 

"... Lys!"

As the echoing voice finally called out to me, I felt a slight shake from my shoulder, causing me to immediately wake up. 

My vision was still hazy, but I can still see the familiar figure next to me. I gently rub my eyes before looking back at August, who was warmly smiling at me.

"Good morning, Lys."

I let out a small yawn before rubbing my eyes again while wiping off a subtle tear. "... Good morning, August."

I looked outside the carriage window and saw the gray paved building that resembled slightly like a castle, but on a smaller scale.

Once the doors of the carriage were opened by the guards, August walked down the small stairs as I followed along. As he finally reached the end of the stairs, he stretched his hand towards me with a smile.

"Take my hand while getting down. I don't want you to fall."

I stared at his hand for a moment before placing my hand on top of his. He gently pulled me forward as I continued to walk down the stairs. Once I finally got down, he shifted his gaze to the building, looking very serious.

"We have arrived at the terminal gate."

"I see..."

I shifted my gaze back to the building. So, this is one of the terminal gates...

The magic properties can be divided into two categories: elemental and non-elemental. 

The way fire moves and blazes while burning everything it touches or how water flows freely through the stream using mana can be considered elemental magic, while other magic such as teleportation can be considered non-elemental magic.

In each region controlled by a Noble, there is at least one terminal gate installed. 

These terminal gates are buildings that use teleportation magic to transport a single person, or group, from one location immediately to another. A convenient way of traveling between large distances. It is quite pricey, but not too expensive, so most people tend to use such means of transportation for long distances.

I looked around the area and saw Nilo talking to some of the guards that were accompanying us during our trip. 

Once he was done talking to the guard, he shifted his gaze towards us. He began walking towards us, and once he stood in front of me, he bowed before standing straight up again. "Good morning, young master. I hope you were able to sleep well in the carriage."

I nodded. August then took a step forward, looking anxiously at Nilo. "... How long before the teleportation gate is ready?"

Nilo stood silent for a minute before responding. "... Approximately two hours, your highness."

August looked dimly at the ground, clenching his hand into a fist before taking a deep breath. "... I see. It can't be helped. It's already good enough that we can get there quickly at least."

Moments of silence passed by once again. 

August looked up into the sky, still looking sad, before closing his eyes and walking towards the building. I reached out my hand to him, trying to go after him. 

But I stopped.

The only thing I could do was look at his back as he slowly walked away before disappearing into the building.

I clenched my hand.

I don't know what I can do to cheer him up… I don't know how to comfort him… Do I just say happy things? Do I stand there by his side?

I don't know what to do…

As I continued to have these thoughts, I felt someone place their hands on my shoulder. I looked up to see Nilo standing behind me, still looking at me with his usual stoic face before letting out a sigh.

"... Do not overthink, young master. I have been by your side for an exceptionally long time to know what troubles you." He slowly shows a subtle smile. "Just being by his side will help him. Just be yourself."

My eyes widened. "Be myself...?"

"You really do act like a child when it comes to such things." He then placed his hand behind my back before gently pushing me forward. "Follow him and be by his side. That is the only thing he is hoping for at this time of crisis: Your presence."

I anxiously looked in front of me once more. 

August is nowhere to be seen. 

Maybe it is because of what Nilo said, but I just instinctively tried to follow where he might've gone. The short, slow steps became longer and quicker until I eventually began to run towards the building.

As I ran inside the building, I looked around to see the luxurious furniture and decorations. 

So many people of diverse backgrounds and statuses walk along the hallway. From beast men, to elves and dwarfs that I only read about in books. 

Workers were positioned everywhere in. Lounges filled with couches and seats as a huge golden chandelier hovered in the center. I continued to run towards the hallway, and towards the middle.

I ran out of breath, stopping in my track while placing my hands on my knees to try and catch my breath. Someone then walked in front of me. I looked up and saw a young woman in worker attire, looking worriedly at me. "Are you lost?"

I shook my head. "No. I am trying to find someone."

"I see. Maybe I'll be able to help. Can you perhaps tell me what they look like?"

Once I caught my breath, I slowly began to think about how to describe him. The words of the novel suddenly popped into my mind. "... He has deep, midnight-colored hair with keen sapphire eyes..."

The lady began to think for a moment before talking once again. "I think I know who you are referring to."

"Do you know where he is?!"

She pointed towards the direction of one of the lounges. "He's resting in one of the seats there. One of the employees tried to talk to him, but–"

"Thank you!"

I quickly walked towards the direction she pointed at while waving sincerely at her. 

Her surprised face slowly turns into a smile, waving back at me. Once I reached the location she talked about, I could vividly see August.

Sitting on one of the red couches, resting his head, while his eyes were closed shut. I quickly approached him. Once I stood in front of him, he began to move his head forward from the seat, his eyes still closed, while looking slightly annoyed.

"I already said that I just want to be alone–"

"August!"

His eyes immediately opened. He stares at me for a few seconds before looking away shamefully. "... I just want to be alone."

I let out a sigh before sitting right next to him, laying my head on his shoulder. The sudden contact made him flinch, but he didn't move away. I slowly smiled as we stayed like that for a while before breaking the silence. "... Just let me be by your side, August. We don't have to talk, but… I just want to make sure you are okay."

August slowly looked at me. His worried expression slowly relaxes as he rests his head on the couch. "I see… Thank you…"

He slowly closed his eyes, feeling more relaxed as the moments of silence continued on before he broke the silence. "... Are you sure you really want to go with me to the palace? It's still not too late to head back."

I lifted my head up and looked at him. "... Is it a truly dangerous place to be in?"

He let out a chuckle, slowly opening his eyes to look at the chandelier above him, gazing at the countless shimmering lights that emerge from it. "... It's a dangerous place, Lys. Every little movement I do is being watched carefully by people who wish to make me disappear."

He looks back at me, showing a bitter smile. "There were countless times where my life was in danger. Countless times where I was betrayed by the people who I thought were on my side..."

He slowly reached out for my hand, trying to find a source of warmth behind his cold and dim words. "... I got used to such things, especially after receiving the Blessing of the Swords, but… I don't want anything to happen to you..."

I looked at his eyes, seeing the sadness in them. I tighten my hold on his hand. "... But I also don't want to see you get hurt, August. That's why I came with you." I let out a subtle smile before continuing with my words. "I guess we both just don't want to see each other get hurt."

August continued to look at me, his eyes widening before looking away with a small blush. "... I see…" He gently squeezes my hand back while letting out a smile. "Your presence means a lot to me right now..."

I patted his shoulder. "If you ever feel worried about anything, you can depend on me."

He continued to look away from me before taking a deep breath, then looking back at me with his usual warm smile. "Thank you, Lys..."

We continued to talk about many things to ease the worries, slowly getting to know each other more and more. The long conversations continued one for a while.

"Young master, your highness. The teleportation gate is ready."

As we continued to sit down on the couch, Nilo suddenly stood in front of us. His stoic still remained even as we stared at him for questions.

"How long have you been there...?"

Nilo stays silent before looking away. "... I'm always by your side, young master. Even if it doesn't seem like it."

"Ah... Okay..." I quickly stood up and looked at him once more. "Shall we start heading to the teleportation gate now?"

August also stood up from the couch, nodding at my response. "The faster we get there, the better the chances of saving my mother."

"I see. Then let me lead you both to the teleportation gate we will be traveling through. For the moment, only the three of us would go to the gate. The rest of the guards have said that they will travel by foot by different orders."

August looked at Nilo before stroking his chin. "... They intend to split us up from the get-go..."

Nilo nodded. "... The letter given to the guards was absolute, stating that it was under the Empress order, despite her being sick in bed..."

August shook his head. "It doesn't matter. Even if our forces are divided, I'm confident that we can at least protect ourselves."

"Indeed. But even then, I have the responsibility of protecting your Highness and the young master under his grace's orders."

August let out a smile. "That is relieving to hear... But you should also prioritize your own safety if things get dire."

Nilo shook his head. "I won't make any strong promises."

We then started walking towards the corridor, leading up to a hallway filled with similar-looking brown doors, each labeled with different numbers and letters. After a few minutes of walking, we stopped at a door.

"... Door 1A556. I suppose this is our room."

Nilo opened the door, and inside exposed a liquid or gas type substance filling the wall with a mixture of blue, red, and purple substances swirling among each other.

"So, this is a teleportation gate..." My eyes widened as a condensed amount of mana began to focus on the center of the gate.

"Indeed. Every time I use the gate, it's always a new experience..." August clenched his hand. "Hopefully, mother is not in any dire state..."

Nilo walked inside the room and before facing us. "The teleportation gate is on a smaller scale since we are a small group..." He faced the gate once again. "Nevertheless, we should remain vigilant on what comes on the other side..."

August hand soon trembles with anxiety.

I gently grabbed his shaking hand, trying to calm him down. He flinched before looking down at our hands. He slowly smiled before interlocking his fingers with mine. 

As I felt his shaking hand subside, I looked up to him and smiled. "We will surely save her."

August looked at me briefly before nodding with determination.

Nilo quickly ushered us to the gate. "Let us stand in front of the gate so we can enter together."

We all walked near the gate, standing still as we waited for Nilo's order. "In the count of three, let us enter the gate together."

I gulped as the feeling of pressure towards our destination began to creep up in me. I tightened my grip around August hand.

"Three!"

August looked down at our hands once more, gently squeezing back before looking at me. "Don't be afraid. Just like you said, I will be by your side and protect you,"

"Two!"

I shifted my gaze from the portal to August, looking directly at his sapphire-color eyes. Strangely enough… looking at him helped me calm down. 

I let out a smile. "Yes… I'll also protect you."

"One! Now!"

As we all took a step forward and entered the gate, the feeling of being submerged in water resonated throughout my whole body. The feeling is vastly different from the normal teleportation magic that I use. Maybe because this is a more advanced version, that such feeling is accumulated.

My consciousness seems to fade, my surroundings turning black.

Huh... this is an awfully similar experience... an experience I don't wish to relive again...

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Countless maids and doctors hurriedly enter and leave a singular room, panicking while bringing in multitudes of things for the patient inside.

The Empress, Elena Rutherford, lays in her bed. 

Her curly red hair all spread out dry while her pale complexion and sweat fills her face. Every few minutes or so, a maid would constantly change the wet towel from her forehead, while doctors and priests continued to stay by her side to try and cure her.

In the other end of the room stood the Head Mage Marcus, worrying about the empress as she continued to suffer from the poison. One of the priests began to hurriedly walk towards the mage.

"Lord Marcus, none of the healing spells or medications are currently working. The poisoning is rapidly spreading through different sections of her body. At his rate, she will not be able to make it!"

Marcus grips the wooden staff tightly. "... It's unfortunate that I cannot use any healing spells since I do not have any affinity with the light attribute..."

A doctor then came running towards the mage once more. "Lord Marcus. We have contacted many high ranking priests with at least six rings or above, but I am not sure how long it will be before they arrive!"

The maid who was changing the towel suddenly shouted. "Lord Marcus, her body temperature keeps increasing into dangerous levels!"

"Lord Marcus! Many of the herbs required to create a tonic are missing in the alchemy room, even though they were there the last time we checked!"

"Lord Marcus! There are issues regarding the analysis of the poison that the Empress consumed!"

"Lord Marcus!"

"Lord Marcus!"

"Lord Marcus!"

Countless voices began to call out to him, but he continued to look anxiously at the sick empress, having no way to save her.

"Is there really no way to save you, Elena...?"

Shortly after, a guard entered the room. "Lord Marcus, the Imperial Prince, alongside some people from the Blakesty Duchy, have arrived!"

The mage's head slowly rose to the guard.

Soon, the midnight-haired boy ran towards the sickened empress. Out of breath yet staring down at the sick person without ever so blinking once. His hand trembled as he reached his hand to the sick empress. 

Only sorrow filled his face. "Mother..."

The boy gently grabbed her sick hand. The empress' eyes opened briefly before closing them again, falling into a deep sleep. He slowly lets go of his grasp before his sorrowful face turns cold.

The boy looked around the room, coldly gazing at everyone before stopping at a middle-aged male doctor and a female maid. 

His face darkens before pointing his fingers at them. "Imprison those two."

Two guards that were by the door immediately fixed their posture. "Yes, your highness!"

The two guards began to apprehend the people who the young boy pointed at while they struggled to break free. But struggling as they tried, they stopped and fell on their knees, quickly looking at the boy and as they begged for mercy.

"Your highness, I did not have any part of this conspiracy!"

"Please believe me, your highness! I did nothing wrong!"

The young boy coldly walks toward the male doctor. He stands in front of him, his sapphire eyes showing complete anger and disdain before aggressively wrapping his hands over his mouth, shutting him up before lifting his face to meet his angry gaze.

"Please do not make it worse for yourself by telling lies. If you truly did nothing, then cooperate with the guards to prove your innocence."

He then released the doctor, who was cowering in fear, and dusted his hand off with a handkerchief. He then began talking to the guards about what to do with them, and how they should proceed with the interrogation.

Soon, the white-haired boy enters the room with Nilo.

The mage, who witnessed the situation without intervening, slowly walks up to the two people who entered. 

The midnight blue-haired boy soon walks towards them too as he finishes talking to the guards. "Lord Marcus. These two are people from the Blakesty Dukedom: Lysander Blakesty and his guard, Nilo."

The mage looked at me before showing a smile. "I see. Glad to make your acquaintances."

I tilted my head, remembering the time I first met this person. "... This isn't our first-time meeting though, is it?"

The mage looks surprised before smiling once more. "You have quite a keen memory..." He then strokes his beard. "Indeed. I had the pleasure to meet you once a day after you were born. The bearer of the Blessing of the Mana..." He then let out a subtle sigh, looking at the chaotic room. "But what brings you here? As you can see... we are experiencing a dire situation..."

"... I'm here to help."

The mage's eyes widened. "I see... I appreciate the gesture, but I am not sure this is something that can be resolved easily..." He then looks at the sick empress. "... Even I can't do anything to help..."

The mage quietly walks to the sick empress. 

As he stood next to her, his eyes were slowly consumed by sorrow. 

I shifted my gaze to the sick empress. August soon walked towards the where the mage was, looking sad once again, before holding to the empress hand.

The first time I saw the empress in the throne room, I remember her upward and elegant appearance that showed nothing but power and authority. 

But in her bed, that appearance is overshadowed by her pale complexion and thin, malnourished body.

I slowly widened my eyes. "... What is that...?"

Maybe it's because I can see the physical manifestation of mana, but a dark substance began to intertwine with the powerful mana of the empress...

The same black substance that I saw that day when I was young, with the pink hair girl. That same eerie mist is now surrounding the empress...

I began to stroke my chin. "There's no way that this is a coincidence…"

I tugged at Nilo's clothes. "Nilo. Do you remember when the pink haired magic swordsman consumed that mysterious pill ?"

Nilo looked at me before tilting his head. "I do recall that event..." Nilo's eyes widened, stroking his chin. "You don't mean..."

I nodded before looking at the sick empress again. "I can see it. The same black power that surrounded the girl is now trying surrounding the empress... There must be a link between these two cases..."

By the look of it, this is not a case of being poisoned. 

She was cursed...