Chapter 9 - Homecoming

A couple days later, the party arrived at the gates of the capital, Henem.

There was a greeting party awaiting them, but what caught Artemis's eye the most was the line of figures standing atop a building high above. Several figures in black robes and fantastical sets of lightly-plated armour stood above them, watching them intently. Their faces obscured by shadow, he could only determine that he was one of their many focuses.

"The Archknights of the Witch-King." August spoke out as they walked through the massive arched gateway of Henem. "You'll meet them soon, I'm sure. Protectors of mine, more like fleas. If only I could rid myself of all of them… then I could conduct my life in privacy."

"I am one of those Archknights, your grace." Gwennaude spoke in a cold, unhumoured tone. This only made August smile further. 

"Then you should do your job, my friend. Find Lysia, both of you come to me. We'll determine the urgency of this matter." 

Too enthralled by the architecture of the emerging capital, Artemis failed to listen in on their conversation. Like in the city of Lingering Light, hundreds of towering blackstone buildings stretched high into the sky above them. This was common design in the Blackbaast. Many valuable or useful resources hid themselves in the crags of the cavern ceiling, and in the many cave systems of the anti-mountains,— upside-down mountainous terrains that hung like stalactites— making it a necessity for launching-off points in each area of the Blackbaast. 

It was simply the only way they could easily reach these resources. However, the Blackbaast was constantly moving in cycles throughout the obsidian sea that surrounded it. There was always a time limit on how often a certain region of the cavern ceiling could be explored. If one took too long in the cave systems of the anti-mountains, the Blackbaast would move on without them. Since an average movement cycle took around two years, that would mean they would be forced to survive in that cave system until the continent moved itself underfoot once more!

In the center of the city, a massive lighthouse stretched high into the sky, illuminating the entirety of Henem in a radiant golden glow. This was Naasis, the palace of the Witch-King! 

Artemis had never left Margraves, so he had never seen its brilliance. To him, it was mesmerising. 

As soon as they had walked through the massive arched gateway that led into the city, unperturbed by the dozens of guards posted atop it, he was confronted with an even vaster sight. Down below, Henem stretched deep into the ground, thousands of bridges and walkways weaving over each other like lattice. In those same towering structures, tens of thousands of residences and shops were built into the sides. 

Looking down, he could see the entirety of the population of Henem moving about in the undercity. He had heard it was a large structure, but he could have never imagined it to this extent!

"The Blackbaast slopes inwards underneath its surface. This means that the central point is the deepest underground portion, and Henem is built in the very center of the Blackbaast. It took thousands of years for the city to be built, but this is the culmination of that effort. Welcome to Henem, Artemis." August had a proud look on his face as he gazed upon the same sight. Even though it wasn't anything new to him, having grown up in Henem, it was still something to marvel at, something to feel joy over.

Artemis glanced over, realising that Gwennaude had disappeared from August's side. At the same time, the figures standing above them had moved in unison, scaling the tops of buildings in order to match their pace. They were like bugs following the source of food!

But they weren't bugs. They were the Archknights of Henem. These individuals were claimed to be the strongest Spirit Users in the entire continent! They were people who had trained from birth at the Knight's Academy as Seers, eventually organised into differing occupational classes depending on their skillset. 

That's right! That's indeed the case. Then, I wonder which class Gwennaude was separated into?

Still, they follow August around very closely… is it only in the city that they do so? Considering Gwennaude was by August's side the entire time, perhaps they considered it to be enough. They might even pale in comparison to August's abilities anyway, only here as a second measure. Then again, perhaps he has limited his company to only Gwennaude so he doesn't have to 'babysit' his other Archknights…

Artemis scoffed, glancing out of the corner of his eyes towards the Witch-King. He was truly beside the greatest character of tales told by parents to children, but he couldn't help but treat him as if he were another person he had met in passing. Besides that, this figure was supposed to be the person he had confessed his undying love to. Of course, this was more traditional and less truthful. After all, most noblemen and women agreeing to each other's proposals had likely never met in the past. 

A confession of love was just an agreement between them, nothing more. Almost as if saying hello. Whether love truly blossomed between the two individuals involved after the marriage was just a game of chance. In the end, it remained that they would have been two strangers wearing masks of lies in front of each other.

It was the same between August and Artemis. He was only trying to fulfill his father's dying wish, in lieu of his success as a son. A recluse, an unsociable person who couldn't bear the responsibility of lordship, this was all he could do.

Artemis turned towards Cercival, who walked patiently beside him, unperturbed by the brilliant structures and the dazzling lighthouse in the center of the sprawling city.

"Have you been to Henem in the past, Cercival?"

The elderly attendant glanced towards Artemis, nodding his head as he smiled. "Yes, your father often attended gatherings here. Despite his allegiances, he had many friends belonging to the Runebranded faction."

Artemis raised an eyebrow. Could this have really been the case? There was often a stark contrast between the two factions, one that Artemis didn't observe himself, but still remained aware of. 

"Which families did father find amiable? I'll keep them in mind."

Cercival thought for a moment, bowing his head as he closed his eyes, stroking his chin with several crooked fingers.

"House Sequoia was quite open to his advances of friendship. That was at the time that Reherent Sequoia was the Head of House. He was kind and pleasant. Now, it should be his son that heads the family. Although, I'm sure he is of the same mind as his father."

Artemis nodded his head in understanding. "Anyone else?"

"House Oberon is often described to be sympathetic to any House from the Lightseeker faction, but they tend to be very eccentric. It is said that there is not a person from the Oberon family that doesn't display some sort of oddity. It is best to steer clear of them."

"How is the perception of the Sequoia House by other Noble families?"

"It is very good, young Master." Cercival replied promptly. "The Sequoia House is the center of business in Henem. They have many connections, and it is often the case that most business conducted by other Noble families goes through them. This is partially why they have an amiable attitude towards the Lightseeker faction. You would definitely benefit by befriending members of this family."

"What about the Lightseeker Nobility in Henem?"

To this, Cercival was a little less enthusiastic. "In the past, Lightseeker families have been very close-knit. They wish to protect what little political power they've been able to cultivate. Allowing other Noble families to intermingle with them would 'muddy' the waters. I doubt you'll find much luck in gaining connections through any of them. In the past, the Starke House has been bonded with the Corvo family. But your father never found any way to reconnect with them. They've gone dark, keeping to themselves. They are in essence, a 'shadow' family. Their business is their secret."

A Noble family that operates completely in the dark? Are they self-sufficient? How odd… if I can find a way to make inroads with this Corvo family, perhaps I can at the same time improve the conditions of our family in Margraves. Indeed, there is more that I can do here than complete father's wish. In fact, it might be something that only I can do…

Soon, they had made their way to Naasis, the lighthouse-crowned palace that sat in the center of all of Henem. Thankfully, the bridge suspended high above the undercity stretched from the arched gateway of the city straight to the palace. There was no need for navigation, only travel. 

Passing the multitudes of guards stationed outside, Artemis was astonished. It was like an entire army had been posted simply for security! Just how many soldiers did the Witch-King have at his disposal? It felt like he could look at August in a completely new light…

Walking through the intricately-tiled pearl halls of Naasis, August turned towards Artemis.

"Sorry, I lied to you before. Has this tarnished your perception of me?" August leaned forward slightly, frowning as he glanced up at the towering man.

Artemis stared at August for a moment, smiling.

"No… funnily enough, I think I like you a bit more because of it."

August's face flushed, turning a bright red as his reply was caught up in his throat. He had only meant to tease Artemis, but it felt like every blade he pointed cut himself in turn. After a few moments, he let out a heavy sigh.

"I said we would talk more about the matter between us once we arrived in Henem, but something urgent has arisen. One of my Archknights, Arcas, will guide you through the interior palace. Perhaps you will meet my other Consorts." 

This was something Artemis had known prior to his proposal. August was famous in that despite the many women he had wedded, he had never had a child of his own. At his age, perhaps around the same as Artemis, shouldn't he have had one or two children? After all, he was a King. His familial line was of utmost importance…

"I've heard of them. Won't they dislike me?"

"Why would you assume that?"

"Isn't it natural?"

"You are not competition, you are the victor." August's brows furrowed. 

"Then shouldn't they hate me even more?" 

August shook his head as he distanced himself further from where Artemis stood, calling out towards him. "I wouldn't marry the sort of person who would hate others due to their insecurities or jealousies! You'll be fine, so talk to them and learn of them. They can be good friends if you treat them kindly and open yourself up towards them!"

Artemis's eyebrow twitched. But that's the thing I remain terrible at…

Just then, a black-hooded figure appeared beside Artemis, as if he had arrived out of thin air.

"My name is Arcas, Lord. I've come to escort you to the Consort's Hall."

I didn't notice him even for a moment… is this the ability granted to him by his Spirit Contract? How stealthy…