The Consecration Day Edict and a Clandestine Escape

Consecration Day marked the momentous return of the God of the Covenant to the high heavens, after their long sojourn through the mortal realm. To the empire’s populace, the God of the Covenant was a supreme and benevolent entity, predating even the Norman Royal Family itself. Indeed, the very founding of the empire by the First Emperor had been successfully brought about only through the God of the Covenant’s divine support and blessing. Given this profound connection, it was only natural that the God of the Covenant was deeply revered by the Norman people, and the Holy Church had consistently remained the most prevalent and singularly dominant religion across the Western Continent.

The Holy Temple of the Holy Church, forming its own distinct domain, was situated on a grand island at the maritime crossroads between the Eastern and Western Continents. This island, named ‘Hitz’—meaning ‘City Encircled by Angels’—held the political equivalent of an independent nation, though the Holy Church itself had consistently maintained a stance of strict neutrality.

As a sorcerer, Rhine naturally harbored no fondness for the Holy Church.

After the Seventh Pope, Mendoza, issued the edict for the Witch Hunt, the status of sorcerers underwent a profound and earth-shattering transformation within a mere few years. Once revered as mysterious, powerful, and beyond reproach, they rapidly became synonymous with evil, almost universally reviled and persecuted. Although the Norman Empire on the Western Continent revered the Holy Church as its state religion, it remained, at its core, an independent nation and could have easily chosen to disregard the edict. Yet, to everyone’s utter astonishment, the Emperor, following a clandestine meeting with the Pontiff, not only endorsed the decree but also issued a strict, nationwide mandate for its unanimous and rigorous enforcement.

The profound and severe impact this policy ultimately had on the Norman Empire remains shrouded in mystery, yet it undeniably sent thousands upon thousands of sorcerers fleeing toward the various nations of the Eastern Continent, giving rise to the present-day Eastern Continent Mage Council. Subsequently, the sorcerers even united to overthrow a nation on the Eastern Continent, establishing a unique republic upon its former ruins.

These, of course, are tales for another time; for now, let us turn our attention to the more immediate concerns.

Every resident of Lanburg County was meticulously preparing for the Consecration Day festivities—from the drama ‘The Covenant,’ starring the county’s most renowned theatrical troupe, to the cathedral bishop’s city-wide procession, scattering white feathers as symbols of blessing, to the vibrant fireworks planned for the evening, and finally, to the ‘Sacred Offering Wine’ shared by every household. All these elements vividly showcased Auetland’s immense enthusiasm for the sacred day.

Hassan, the Duke of Cavendish and master of Auetland, had, however, found his brows perpetually furrowed these past few days. A keen intuition, a subtle premonition, whispered to him that the recent succession of events—the campaign against the unknown Tower Sorcerer, the assassination attempt on Daniel, the sudden monstrous dragon calamity—were not isolated incidents. The vortex of conspiracy swirling behind them seemed akin to an alligator slowly surfacing, its predatory gaze fixed on its prey, and that impending moment threatened to drag the entire Cavendish family into an inescapable abyss.

“Douglas.”

He called out the surname of the sole sorcerer serving the ducal family.

“I am here.”

The tall sorcerer’s wisteria-colored pupils seemed to glow faintly.

“A premonition, do you feel it as well?”

“Your Grace, what troubles you so?”

“I know a conspiracy is unfurling in the shadows, yet I cannot discern from where this beast will launch its attack, leaving my sword unable to pierce its throat with a single, decisive blow.”

Hassan rose from his armchair, turning to gaze intently at the family crest, emblazoned with the striking image of a winged horse and a sharp sword.

“What do you see, Douglas?”

“Stars, a towering structure, and the eyeless emblem of a former court sorcerer.”

“Its meaning?”

“A turning point.”

Hassan remained silent for a prolonged moment, his gaze fixed out the window upon the Ancient Zhi Forest, which lay enshrouded in mist. The distant peak of a tower pierced through the fog, stretching majestically towards the clouds.

“The Cavendish family will endure this trial. Convey a message to Marin for me: he must ensure all necessary emergency contingency plans are meticulously prepared.”

Rhine pushed open the door to the cultivation room, finding Audrey and Ursula already finished with their work discussions and now idly chatting, clearly bored.

Upon seeing Rhine enter with tea, Audrey’s eyes, framed by her spectacles, lit up, and she casually remarked:

“Hey, let’s sneak out tomorrow morning and have some fun, shall we?”

“You intend to sneak out on Consecration Day? Naughty children, you know, are said to be carried away by demons.”

Rhine replied with an indifferent tone, clearly demonstrating his genuine lack of interest in Consecration Day.

“Those are merely rumors crafted to frighten three-year-olds; anything unproven by experience cannot be considered truth. Madam Ursula, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Ah-mm—Young Lady Audrey speaks with profound wisdom.”

‘I always feel this socially anxious person possesses a remarkable talent for playing the straight man in a comedic duo…’

“Go play wherever your heart desires. It is hardly my obligation to assist the Young Lady in sneaking out, and if a demon decides to snatch you away, I assure you, I can do nothing to intervene.”

“But if a demon does come, you’ll help me chase him away, won’t you~?”

“Do you even comprehend what you are saying? I am hardly some omnipotent servant.”

“In that case, I suppose Ursula and I will simply have to go out and have fun by ourselves.”

“Wait, are you saying you’re going out with this… anxious mess?!”

“What is wrong?”

Rhine shot a fierce, pointed glare at Ursula, who was caught entirely in the crossfire, causing every hair on her body to stand on end.

“Ah, haha, Young Lady, I truly cannot go. You—you know me well; I simply cannot cope with such bustling places. Perhaps you should go with Rhine—your younger brother—instead.”

The ‘salted fish’s’ formidable survival instinct played a crucial role here, as Ursula decisively provided a perfect, face-saving exit for a certain proud and reluctant servant.

Finding her quite sensible, Rhine nodded.

“Very well, then. I suppose I can reluctantly accompany you for a stroll, as ensuring your safety does fall within the scope of my duties.”

Early the next morning, the two met as planned by the garden wall.

Audrey was dressed in a conservative, pale white corset, her ash-gray hair simply tied back in a single ponytail. Her mature brown spectacles framed her face, complemented by a fashionable brown beret, popular among young ladies of means, giving her a remarkably stylish appearance.

Rhine, meanwhile, was clad in a newsboy-style dark brown casual outfit, his attire leaning towards a more gender-neutral aesthetic. His handsome, long eyelashes darted nimbly from side to side, keenly observing every rustle in their surroundings.

“How exactly are we getting out? The main gate is definitely impassable. Do you have another route in mind?”

“Ah, yes. I recall there’s a ‘dog hole’ by the wall; we can simply crawl through it to slip out. It was my frequent escape route back in the day.”

“And your father never knew about your clandestine escapes?”

Upon hearing this, Audrey displayed a rare, mortified expression.

“Ahem, well, it’s a bit of both, I suppose. It’s usually my auntie who oversees me, and if she ever found out, she would undoubtedly send me back to the etiquette instructor to dance in high heels. High heels, you see, held a certain novelty at first, but they quickly became increasingly cumbersome. Flat boots are simply far more suited to me.”

“They’re just for looking good anyway; it’s hardly a major concern,” Rhine casually replied.

“Exactly! Femininity isn’t something achieved solely through mere attire. My auntie constantly berates me for not being ladylike, always threatening to drag me off to a finishing school with my sister.”

“Each era has its own distinct characteristics. This is no longer a time governed by excessive formalities and exceedingly stringent demands on women. Even the most vulgar of noble scions no longer expect the same high degree of etiquette from women as in bygone days. After all, a beautiful vase, no matter how exquisite, remains merely a vase.”

Audrey, who had been meticulously smoothing the folds of her dress, looked up in surprise, seemingly deeply struck by Rhine’s words.

Rhine continued, “A true lady is not merely someone who behaves politely, adheres to her role, and quietly serves as a pretty ornament. Rather, it is extensive knowledge, genuine integrity, and consistency between inner character and outer demeanor that define the complete lady, transcending conventional stereotypes.”

Audrey’s eyes gleamed, her chest swelling with evident pride at the praise.

“Can’t you ever speak more simply? You always sound so… literary. Still, I didn’t realize you held me in such high regard.”

“Who said I was praising you? What kind of lady would resort to physical violence and blow up a kitchen?”

The two walked and chatted for a while, exchanging rather frivolous topics. They spoke of hobbies and special talents, the culinary delights of Lanburg County, and the Consecration Day festivities. Every now and then, Audrey would grow indignant at Rhine’s sharp tongue, unable to resist kicking his backside a few times.

‘Hmm, surprisingly springy.’

As they reached the edge of the wall, Audrey’s pretty face paled.

The former ‘dog hole’ was now securely sealed with a thick steel plate. On the plate, a lady’s delicate handwriting read:

‘My dearest little sandwich cookie, I knew you’d try to sneak out again on Consecration Day. If you remain incorrigible, be careful, or I’ll spank your bottom into two halves~’

“Who’s afraid of whom? You’re clearly underestimating me, Audrey. How can I, a Young Lady, allow such a trivial threat to halt my progress?”

Rhine, however, suspected that someone was merely putting on a brave face, already sweating profusely.

“Change of plans! We’ll climb over the wall! Yes, you go first. I’ll step on your shoulders…”

“You bastard, take off your dirty shoes first! You’ll cover my shoulders in mud!”

“Don’t yell, I’ll take them off myself.”

Audrey removed her boots and tossed them over the wall, revealing her pristine white stockings.

“Bend down first. Heave-ho! Ah, ah, ah! Don’t you dare shake underneath me! Wait, are you planning to tickle the soles of my feet?!”

“A gentleman’s revenge is never too late!”

Fortunately, both were exceptionally skilled, and despite their mutual mischief, they managed to scale the high wall. The only imperfection was landing with muddy hands.

The two glared at each other, still annoyed, yet seeing the other’s disheveled appearance, an honest, hearty laugh bubbled up from deep within them.

Thus, even the accumulated snow on Mount Chione, when summer arrived, would melt into a tender warmth, kissed by the golden sun through the thin mist.

Perhaps, within the empty heart of a sorcerer, beyond the vast expanse of the starry sky, there could now be found the most carefree smile of a girl in that very moment.