A Promise and a Stand

“Look! Mother doesn’t want to, you can’t force her!”

“Alright, alright… I will, of course, respect Saranya’s wishes. Then we’ll decline Lucius, and we, the Silver Hand, will do our best to provide assistance.”

Seeing the blue-haired girl puff out her cheeks like a large pufferfish, Cecilia could only sigh in resignation, raising a hand to rub her shoulder in reassurance.

“Hmph~”

Vireta slowly deflated, turning her head to look at Saranya.

Saranya nodded slightly, offering Vireta a gentle smile; she was growing increasingly fond of her youngest daughter, despite having acknowledged her on a whim.

Unexpectedly, that smile made Vireta’s eyes suddenly redden, her small daughter’s expression gradually falling as she threw herself before Saranya, wiping away tears.

“Mother, don’t worry… the West District is now our gang alliance’s territory. We’ve monopolized the demand for goods across the entire district, and we’ve even fragmented the Bloodsail Alliance in the process. Borok of the Bloodsail now exclusively handles our shipping, and his people are stationed at the West District docks… We, we have ships now…”

Vireta uncontrollably sniffled, finishing her report on the gang’s recent developments before deftly shifting the topic to the Knights.

“And… the sword lessons! Teacher Phillo is incredibly skilled, and the Night Lily sisters have been practicing diligently. We’re no longer novice knights! Right, Teacher Phillo?”

Phillo, hearing Vireta mention him, readily assented from beside them.

Saranya understood that her daughter wasn’t boasting but rather wanted to reassure her that the Redwater Gang could operate smoothly under her leadership.

Naturally, she wouldn’t stint on praising her daughter.

“Our Vireta has finally become a capable Grand Commander in her own right.”

“…S-sniffle… Vireta and everyone else will take good care of you. Vireta won’t let bad people harm you…”

“I know, and I thank you all…”

Saranya lifted her arm, allowing Vireta to lean against her shoulder.

Vireta whispered breathily, her pair of grey eyes shining faintly.

“When Aunt Kaelan returns, shall the three of us go on a boat trip together?”

Saranya froze, her nose suddenly stinging with emotion.

“Mmm… alright…”

“Then, it’s a promise…?”

Saranya hooked her fingertip, using the back of her hand to wipe away her daughter’s warm tears, then curved her lips and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“You have my word.”

****

“Lord Lucius has arrived!”

An Imperial soldier burst into the bedroom, his expression frantic, reporting loudly to Vireta.

‘Damn it, Nazareth’s arrangements weren’t thorough enough; Lucius has already tracked their location!’

“Didn’t I instruct you not to mention Lady Haia and not to let outsiders in?!”

“We didn’t want to, but Lord Lucius, he—”

“Curse it! Cowards! How can you Central Army soldiers be pushed around by a mere local noble like the Weinshield family?!”

Vireta fumed, giving the Imperial soldier a furious dressing-down. The soldier, clearly indignant, flushed crimson with suppressed anger before finally stretching his neck and roaring at Vireta.

“It’s the Holy Fire Faction! Lord Lucius came with Church Knights from the Holy Fire Faction! How could we stop them?!”

“The H-Holy Fire Faction…”

At those three short words, everyone present understood.

The Holy Fire Faction, one of the branches of the Olavi polytheistic religion, was a staunchly loyalist faction whose doctrine almost entirely revolved around the Emperor’s authority. They maintained their own Holy Fire Church Knights and Inquisition, routinely apprehending serious Imperial criminals and witches across the land.

No one was unfamiliar with the Holy Fire Faction. During the selection of divine officials earlier in the year, two Holy Fire bishops were among the voters, both of whom, along with other bishops, ultimately perished in the Sanctuary.

It seemed the Holy Fire Faction had not simply given up and returned but had instead joined forces with the Weinshield family.

Due to its function being akin to the Empire’s secret police, the Holy Fire Faction’s Church held a central writ of passage, allowing them unimpeded access to most Imperial properties; this small inn was no exception.

To have secured the support of the Holy Fire Faction’s Church Knights, personal morality aside, Lucius, the second young master of the Weinshield family, indeed possessed a certain level of competence.

“The Moon-Marked Sect’s Sanctuary has likely been handed over to the Holy Fire Faction by Lucius. Bishop Kalima needs to know about this…”

Aivy frowned, voicing her concern.

Standing beside Aivy, Phillo, as the Moon-Marked Sect’s Captain of the Divine Guard, naturally scoffed at their arch-rivals, the Holy Fire Faction, and immediately prepared to go out and ‘greet the guests.’

“Hmph! Ill-mannered fire dogs—”

“Phillo, don’t be rash…”

Saranya sat up, clenching her somewhat weakened hands. She pushed away Aquilis, who was helping her, and stepped barefoot from the bed.

“Vireta, find me a suitable outfit. I can’t meet people looking like this…”

“But Mother, you—”

“Listen to me! They’re looking for me. I can’t very well hide behind you all like a coward, can I?”

Indeed, she had to confront them. Lucius finding her here indicated he had the capability and confidence to apprehend her; hiding continuously was pointless.

Moreover, Saranya did not believe Lucius possessed such significant sway that he would dare to directly abduct someone from an Imperial inn. If he truly dared to do so, she would simply publicly reveal her identity and expose them all!

Who commanded more prestige? She, Saranya Kerfen! She held the longest title here! She refused to believe the Imperial soldiers at the inn would stand by and watch someone lay hands on an Imperial Legion Commander!

“Vireta, tell me, if it comes to a fight, which allies can we rally in the shortest amount of time?”

“Uh… let me think. We’re adjacent to the West District, so we still have an advantage. After the Redwater Tavern’s dungeon renovations are complete, it can garrison fifty fully armed gang enforcers. At the same time, we can borrow weapons from the Iron Crown Guild. I can also ask Uncle Grondel to recruit some Rust Chain Brotherhood slaves to bolster our numbers. A hundred or so people wouldn’t be an issue…”

“And the Silver Hand Gospel Society. I’ll go request their aid immediately, but it will cost a small sum…”

Cecilia raised her hand to speak, and Phillo followed, adding.

“The Moon-Marked Sect’s divine guards are stationed at Tidal Mirror Hall. We’ll need to borrow Leif’s carriage to transport them here.”

“No, Phillo, I need you to come with me to meet Lucius. Aivy, you’re probably… not quite suited to encountering your old flame? Perhaps you could go to Tidal Mirror Hall and bring the divine guards over, if you would?”

Phillo and Aivy exchanged a glance, then turned and nodded to Saranya.

“Thank you.”

Saranya continued her instructions, as if this were not a bedroom but her familiar command tent.

“Vireta, go find Grondel. Make sure you bring enough money. Remember, only use money to resolve issues; don’t let them bully you, understand?”

“Eh, oh…”

“And Aquilis, you go back and bring reinforcements. If you discover other factions trying to take advantage of the chaos to seize our territory, send me a message!”

“I want to be with you all too—”

“It’s dangerous outside, and your race is unique. For now, please stay home and guard it, alright?”

Hearing her use the word ‘home,’ the silver-haired mermaid Aquilis paused, her expression softening slightly.

“M-mm!”

“Saranya, your condition is still unstable.”

Cecilia’s voice sounded from beside them, and Saranya’s brow furrowed.

“What, Cecilia, are you going to advise me to hide as well?”

“No…”

The lady doctor deliberated for a moment before speaking again.

“Saranya, all this time, I’ve felt very comfortable in your company. You’re different from Kaelan. I don’t know whether you see me as a tool or a friend, but at least I’ve never viewed this relationship as purely transactional…”

“Forgive me, but our time is limited, Cecilia. What exactly are you trying to tell me?”

Cecilia pressed her lips together, one cheek slightly flushed. The gentle yet alluring long-haired woman seemed to struggle with sentimental words at this moment.

“I-I just want to remind you, no matter what ‘Kaelan’ in your head tells you, and no matter what strange, twisted thoughts you yourself have, please do not give up fighting. If necessary, you can even distrust your own thoughts, but please, trust me and trust your friends around you…”

“I understand. Thank you for your care, both you and Aquilis.”

Saranya donned her alchemical gloves and tightened the spring on her launcher, then held out her palm to her companions. Realizing her intent, they each extended their palms, stacking theirs atop hers.

Evidently, it was time for a rallying cry.

“For…?”

Vireta spoke first.

“To defeat the villainous Lucius!”

Phillo tossed her crimson hair, adding casually.

“For the Pale Moon Goddess.”

“For the Pale Moon Goddess.”

Aivy, blushing, gently squeezed Phillo’s hand, and the two exchanged a smile.

“For… freedom, I suppose…”

Aquilis clenched her fist.

Cecilia took Aquilis’s hand, casting a silent glance at Saranya before adding her palm to the stack.

“For Legion Commander Saranya.”

“Ha? Heh heh…”

Saranya was somewhat surprised, her icy blue eyes widening, then a smile curved her lips as she proudly repeated to her companions.

“For me.”

For her sake, Lucius was about to get a taste of what was coming to him.