“How can someone like Father die? I just can’t understand.”
Louis brought up randomly while we were having snacks. He was sitting by the window and reading some books, while I sat a few meters from him with a brush and pallet in my hand, and a canvas in front of me.
I furrowed my brows, “He’s still a human.”
“An unbelievably strong human.”
Louis made sure to emphasize the word unbelievable, holding his chin in thought.
“Anyone can die in war. The scale of the war was especially big too.”
“It’s still unbelievable.”
Shaking my head, I put down the last stroke and let out a satisfied smile. Not to be biased, but I did a really good job with it. Seeing that I was done. Louis stood up and took a look at my painting.
“I’m also good at art, but I can never match yours.” He said. “If you were to sell it, I bet it would sell several mansions worth.”
Hans gave me a damp towel to clean my hands with. After cleaning my hands, I picked up a macaron and threw it in my mouth.
“No one would buy an artwork made by the Curse. Want some?”
“While that may be the case, it’s still a portrait of me.”
Louis said smugly, and took a bite of the macaron I had in my hand.
It’s not an exaggeration to say that artworks that I make are beyond just beautiful. However, artworks are valued not only by their quality, but also by the name of the artist.
No one would buy an artwork made by the Curse. They would think it’s unlucky. However, since the subject of the painting is the Goddess’s Blessing, it would be a different story. I bet anyone would willingly go under debt just to buy one piece.
Most of the paintings I made were portraits of Louis. The landscapes I can take inspiration from were limited as I lived most of my life stuck in my room, and I don’t favor doing stills either. So usually, I would draw portraits of my family.
“Would you be alright having paintings of you sold to anyone?”
I asked and Louis replied not a beat later.
“Of course not.”
If paintings of my brother were to be sold, whoever buys it would without a doubt make it their family’s heirloom and worship it. It may sound unbelievable, but it’s easier to just think that the Goddess’s followers were crazy.
“Anyways, you still haven’t answered me.”
“Hmm…”
Louis looked at me with eagerness and curiosity. I mused about it for a second before pointing to a place on the globe. Today’s heirship study is about history, which is why it was there. Though it ended quickly because Louis wasn’t listening and the tutor found himself unworthy.
It was a country in the Northeast of the Holy Empire of Erlain, just a few miles near Aris city in the Aleister dukedom where we are now. The Magic Kingdom of Fanzheya.
“Mages and followers of Aritia have always been at odds with each other. And your death was also blamed on a Mage so war eventually broke out.”
“That doesn’t explain anything. Are you saying he was killed by a mage? But that’s impossible, not even for an Archmage.”
The children are absurd entities that broke balance, and the father was no different. And the culprit? The Goddess. She really favored our father. That’s the only way to explain it.
“The Witch is involved, of course.”
“Is the Witch really that strong?”
Louis asked, which I shook my head.
“No. The Goddess sealed most of her power.”
The Witch was supposedly strong enough to be a threat for the Goddess, but currently, most of her powers were sealed away and she’s limited to brainwashing people or using small amounts of demonic magic.
Of course, I was never able to confirm myself if the first statement was true.
“Then how?”
“Let’s just say that she’s really good at using people”
“So in the end, you weren’t planning on telling me anything.”
I’m sorry…
Louis sighed dejectedly while I laughed. That story wasn’t mine to tell. It’s best if the people involved were the ones who speak instead. I felt like it wasn’t right for me to talk about it.
“I can tell you more about the Witch. But regarding Father’s death, you should ask him or Esen instead.”
“Why Esen?”
He asked, but I didn’t answer.
“Fine, then let’s talk about the Witch.”
Louis surrendered while I clapped delightedly.
“Good choice!”
The Witch was a human that does not belong in this world. To live on, she jumps from one body to another, consuming their souls and then possessing them. Afterwards, she would brainwash the people who have connections to her host to avoid suspicion. She was able to live several centuries that way.
Her current host is a young lady from a ducal household, Lady Rena Randall. Randall Household was famous for being devoted followers of Aritia. A noble family who sympathized with the poor. Maybe because of that, she was easily able to make everyone believe that she was the Saint.
“The Witch is not an opponent we can beat, so you have to be careful around her.”
“Why?”
I explained. “She’s just like a normal, albeit a little frail, human. However, she has an ability which temporarily cuts the Goddesses' blessing. Which meant that any Priest or Holy Knight is powerless against her.”
I looked at Louis and warned him seriously.
“You will be especially powerless against her. Since your very existence relies on the Goddess’s blessing.”
Louis only titled his head and asked.
“If that’s the case, then isn’t it the same for you?”
I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. Although different, Louis and I could be said to be closest to the Goddess and she had a very heavy influence in our lives.
“That’s exactly why I couldn’t escape from her.”
“If that’s the case, then how do we defeat her?”
“Magic still works on her.”
Louis furrowed his brows with a frown when he heard my answer. It wasn’t that he hated mages, but it was the other way around.
The mages despised how followers of the Goddess practically worshiped him. And they also didn’t like how it seemed as if everything was handed to Louis, and he doesn’t need to take any effort to get anything anyone else would almost kill themselves to get.
Furthermore, the Holy Empire would never want to cooperate with Mages. If they didn’t hate each other as much to begin with, war wouldn’t be brewing as of the moment.
The faith of Aritia is all about seeking forgiveness through service and protecting others, while the Mages were all about paving a path for oneself and living a life where they would not be a burden to anyone, paying any debts tenfold of what was owed.
Both sides weren’t in favor of wars, and yet because of their history that dates to several centuries to the past, they were always at odds with each other.
“It’s going to be difficult.”
Louis muttered grimly.
“Difficult, but we must.”
Ironically, we have 3 of the most powerful people in the world, but none of us can stand against the Witch. In fact, in front of her, we were the weakest.
“But who are you writing a letter to? It can’t be Father, and you don’t have friends.”
What need is there to have a friend when I have Louis with me? Most people can’t be trusted anyway. But that’s not the point.
“You’ll see.”
I said with a smile, causing Louis to pout. It’s the person that would help us. Or well, I was hoping he would.
“You’re so unfair. Just so you know, I am not pleased that you keep speaking in riddles.”
“Did you not say that you would trust me?”
“I did, and I respect your decision. But that doesn’t mean that I’m happy with it. I really do want to know. The current situation makes me feel like you can’t rely on me.”
“I’m sorry.”
It wasn’t my intention to make Louis feel that way. Having him alive and breathing beside me is more than enough for me. So I thought that it’s my duty to safeguard the little happiness that we have currently. I didn’t want to burden Louis with anything that could cause him worry.
“Don’t be. I’m sure you have your reasons.”
Louis really is kind. I’m sure it would have frustrated him a lot, yet he doesn’t get mad but rather, he remains patient with me.
“Louis.” I called his name. “I’ll be sure to tell you everything one day. Just…give me some time.”
Louis’s eyes curved into a pair of gentle crescents as he smiled.
“I understand. I’ll be waiting, Cena.”
To do that, this letter will be very important. I need to get a contract which would help keep us safe. I hope to receive some positive news.
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