No Room For Peace

                                                                              Chapter 8

Edin Hill Forest

Caleb, one of the deputy sect leaders, kept a vigilant watch as Asher and Eliezer boarded the wagon dispatched by King Charles. The purple lines beneath his eyes extended down the sides of his face, resembling a falcon's markings. His hat, adorned with brown star-like motifs, cast a faint shadow over his sharp gaze.

"Confirmed. The village heads are en route to meet King Charles," he informed Joshua through a transponder device.

Nearby, Cecilia engaged in conversation with an unknown contact via a transponder device.

"...and after that, the divine light shall pierce the spirit of the lantern, banishing it to oblivion,"

Cecilia continued, her right eye glowing as it had before when she spoke to Tallia. "That's how we'll win this battle and seize the Lantern of Desolation-with the divine powers of the Statue of Sophia."

The mysterious voice responded to Cecilia as she listened intently.

Cecilia said, "I have told you everything-the sequence of events I had seen in the vision that would transpire very soon. I did not let my assistants know, but for you, I have. You have a significant role to play in it after all,"

The mysterious voice responded to her again.

"Yes," Cecilia continued, her voice steady. "There was a time when those visions troubled me. To glimpse the dark fate of others and myself haunted me in the past. A power so immense it demands great responsibility-yet, even knowing the future, nothing could be changed."

Cecilia took a breath before adding, "But now, I have come to terms with it. After all, the dawn will surely arrive after the darkest of nights. Great tribulations will be faced by those in this world, but the light of the Divine will prevail in the end."

The mysterious voice responded.

"That's all I wanted to tell you," Cecilia concluded, feeling the weight of the moment. "See you later after the battle. I look forward to working with you again, Leader of the Tanzanite Sect."

***

Temple of Luminance

Under the wide sky, the Temple of Luminance stands tall, its twin spires reaching toward the clouds. The detailed facade invites visitors with its grand doors, showcasing stories from the past. Gargoyles sit on the roof, watching over the busy plaza below. The walls are adorned with intricate carvings and statues, each telling a story of its own, while colourful stained-glass windows catch the light and cast vibrant patterns on the stone floor inside.

Klaus gazed at the grand structure before them, his expression filled with intrigue. "So, this is the place where Areus is with the Lantern," he remarked.

Jean nodded, "Yes. Despite my four-year stay in this country, this is my first visit."

Klaus chuckled lightly. "Well, you never had much reason to, did you?"

He glanced around, contemplating the gravity of their mission. "Don't you think this relic is akin to fighting in the League as a gladiator? The suffering of others for one's own gain."

Jean shook her head, a determined look on her face. "It would only be seen that way if you equate defeat with suffering. The tough ones don't see it that way."

"Classic Jean," Klaus replied, smirking.

They both summoned their armour, activating the Helm of Invisibility. The moment they equipped it, they vanished from sight.

They dashed into the temple, slipping past several guards who remained oblivious to their presence.

As they moved stealthily, Klaus's thoughts raced. "These guards aren't from Edinlodge. They must be working under Tessy."

"Let's head towards the stairs," Jean urged, leading the way.

Suddenly, they heard barking.

"Woof! Woof!"

"Guard dogs?" Jean questioned, her eyes widening.

"Our scent wasn't concealed by the Helm," Klaus replied grimly.

Just then, a voice called out from the shadows. "Intruders spotted!"

The guard dogs took off in pursuit, their barks piercing the air, and Klaus and Jean knew their cover was blown.

"We need to pick up speed!" Jean shouted, adrenaline pumping through her veins.

"Reporting to all stations," one of Tessy's henchmen declared. "It seems like the intruders are invisible, most likely gifters!"

As the henchmen opened fire, bullets whizzed past them.

Klaus felt the urgency swell inside him. I have no choice now. "Wind Celestia: Gale Surge!"

He summoned a gust of wind, sending the henchmen and guard dogs sprawling backward. The duo raced toward the highest floor, but as they reached the corridor, they found the henchmen already waiting, firing their guns wildly in hopes of hitting the invisible intruders.

"One of their bullets hit me just now," Klaus said, his voice steady. "It wasn't strong enough to break through my armour. We can just ignore them."

"True," Jean replied, glancing at their attackers. "But if a bullet hits us, it will hang in the air from their perspective, giving away our location."

Klaus nodded. "You're right. I guess we must dodge them."

With a swift move, Klaus slid across the floor, while Jean leaped and flipped through the air. They managed to evade the incoming bullets, slipping past the aggressive henchmen.

As they sprinted through the corridor, they approached the storeroom that led to the attic, only to be confronted by yet another obstacle.

"Woof! Woof!" echoed the guard dogs, their sharp senses alerting them to the intruders' presence.

"Urgh, even more dogs," Klaus groaned. "Should we fight back and knock them out for good?"

"Yes," Jean replied, determination in her eyes. "But don't use your miracles; we need to conserve our Celestia."

"Alright," Klaus agreed.

He readied his Stringbinder Gauntlet, unleashing a series of strings that enveloped the henchmen and dogs in a swirling hurricane. "Tighten!" he commanded.

The strings constricted, immobilizing the henchmen and guard dogs in their grasp.

Jean seized the opportunity, throwing a sequence of rapid punches at the immobilized henchmen before finishing them off with a flying kick.

With their enemies down on the floor, Jean and Klaus made their way to the storeroom.

Klaus, panting and sitting on the floor, wiped his brow. "Finally, we escaped from them and arrived here."

"Klaus," Jean urged, glancing at the scuttle above, "use your Stringbinder Gauntlet to move us up there."

Klaus chuckled, shaking his head. "No time for rest, huh?"

***

Royal Palace of Edinlodge

The grand doors of Edinlodge's royal palace swung open, revealing the opulence within. Asher and Eliezer stepped inside, their eyes drawn to King Charles, who sat majestically on his throne. Beside him stood Hugues, a watchful presence in the regal setting.

Asher bowed slightly, his voice respectful. "Your Majesty, it is an honour to stand in your presence."

King Charles regarded them with a serious expression. "It has been four long months since I issued the decree of relocation. Finally, the moment of truth has arrived."

Before responding, Asher hesitated, weighing his words. "Before I answer, tell me-why is the Celestial Pyramid so vital to Edinlodge that it justifies displacing Cliffdecorps?"

"It holds the potential to transform Edinlodge," the king replied, his tone firm. "It will propel us to unprecedented economic prosperity."

Asher's brow furrowed. "'Harmony in Every Heart, Serenity in Every Step: Edinlodge's Promise to the World.' This creed is the foundation of your nation. It guided my forefather here, believing in Edinlodge's promise of peace. Are you willing to forsake these values for economic gain?"

King Charles leaned forward, his voice steady. "As expected, someone from a communal village would question the ethics of my actions. I understand Edinlodge's principles deeply, but the well-being of my people weighs equally on my conscience. Ignoring this opportunity could lead to dire consequences for Edinlodge."

Asher nodded solemnly. "I understand. Then I must ask, are we not citizens of Edinlodge?"

"Not quite," King Charles replied, his tone firm. "Edinlodge's principles prioritize its native inhabitants. A century ago, we welcomed foreigners, but that time has passed. Therefore, I must ask you, as outsiders, to leave."

Hugues stood in stunned silence, absorbing the weight of their conversation. An epiphany struck him as he recalled the scene of King Charles standing on the balcony, facing Edinlodge after the Kingsferry Act.

"I see... Back then, you were not content but rather burdened by regret," Hugues thought, a pang of shock stirring within him.

Asher interrupted Hugues's thoughts, his voice steady. "And if we stubbornly resist, to what extent of measures will you take to expel us?"

"See those royal guards surrounding you?" King Charles gestured dismissively. "They are ready to subjugate you at any given moment under my command. I will use both of you as hostages to force your people out."

Eliezer leaned closer to Asher, whispering urgently, "We might not survive this one."

Asher's gaze hardened. "In that case, you will fail to achieve your objective. Our people will remain true to our pledge of residing under Edin Hills, even at the cost of our lives!"

King Charles's eyes glinted with determination. "I am grateful for that output of yours. That narrows my next move down to one option-invasion."

Asher's eyes widened in disbelief, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

Two royal guards stepped forward, their spears poised threateningly. Asher acted swiftly, activating a transponder device and sending a signal to Weston.

"Asher, Chief of Cliffdecorps Village," King Charles announced, "The time has come. Will Cliffdecorps comply with the decree of relocation and depart from Edinlodge?"

Asher's reply was resolute, cutting through the tension in the air. "No, we will not!"

King Charles fixed Asher with a stern, unyielding gaze. "Arrest them!"

As the guards locked the iron cuffs around their wrists, Asher and Eliezer met the king's gaze, unwavering.

King Charles leaned back in his throne.

"You fight for your people-I do the same for mine."