Chương 223: 5.22 Unfortunately re-acquinted

Their return to Spireholm would not be particularly dangerous. Especially not compared to active combat. Although they were technically on official deployment, it would be more of a vacation. Even their accommodations were clearly not to be to the standard of soldiers, but rather to Elizabeth's. Mostly because it would be House Blackburg itself providing them—apparently not an unusual situation when the bloodline of Wrath traveled.

While the inner city of Spireholm was already an exclusive society even it had layers. Perhaps a third of the floating towers across the city primarily served for habitation, most of which were supposedly not 'luxurious', though Irwyn doubted he and Elizabeth had the same definition for that word. Either way, space was at a premium in the floating City, even with all the Time magic expanding it manyfold. Therefore, mansion-style living was not common. Yet not overly rare either.

House Blackburg, as it turned out, owned just such a place—an entire collection of them. Irwyn had not known that one of the floating towers belonged directly to Elizabeth's family, though it made sense in hindsight. Since the rules of which spires were allowed to remain floating were relatively strict and the slots limited, it was a symbol of status to own one nonetheless. Even if that 'ownership' was rather vague for a family so large.

The specific tower in question provided the closest equivalent to mansions that could be justified. Irwyn had vaguely noted that on their first visit, but then they had been just passing through. This time, he was actually paying attention to it. While not near the level of City Black, it was still notably above the norm in Spireholm. The person in charge of the spire was also actually an Elizabeth's older brother, who had decided they first needed to meet before they were allowed to settle in.

The group was notified of that right after their arrival and thus headed straight there. While already in the waiting room, Desir suggested they prepare.

"Anything we should know about him?" Desir asked. Some arrangements had supposedly been made before their arrival, but everyone had been rather vague about the exact details. Perhaps those would depend on the coming meeting.

"No idea." Elizabeth shook her head.

"I cannot even recall the last time we have spoken… if ever."

"Aren't you siblings?" Alice reiterated, befuddled. Irwyn might have been too, had he not seen firsthand a bit of Elizabeth's family situation.

"We do not share much besides parents. Especially time spent together." She shrugged.

"Fine, let's see what I know. Us siblings are all very talented, but you already knew about Johnson's discoveries. I think Emanuel is the second eldest, but I am not completely sure. Probably don't mention the Duchy of Black? He is likely here for a reason rather than back home."

"I could have figured that out myself," the shapeshifter sighed.

"Alright, I will play it by ear. Just try to follow my lead. If I start tapping my knee, it means that whoever is talking is upsetting him somehow. We should start with Elizabeth feigning some filial bond. Even as just a gesture, it's a safe opening. From there, we can try to figure out what he actually wants from us."

"Is it certain that he does?" Irwyn asked.

"Want something, I mean."

"He calls us to meet him the second we arrive in the city, dangling the promised roof over our heads, but then makes us wait for him. It's been what, ten minutes already?"

"11 and five seconds," Alice chimed in.

"Those are pressure tactics. The trick you pull before a tough negotiation. I bet he would be listening in if not for Elizabeth keeping up her veil. Depending on how shrewd this Emanuel von Blackburg is, he might throw out several fake desires first to cover up what he actually wants from us. Hence why it would be useful to have any background on him whatsoever."

"I could still ask Calm," Elizabeth suggested.

"That might not be in time. And if the message was sensed, it tips our hand in a way. If he is absolutely sure we suspect his ulterior motives, he will adjust accordingly. Do not underestimate the advantage that doubt could give us in further maneuvering."

"Or you are just overthinking this," Irwyn pointed out.

"Maybe he really is just overjoyed to meet his estranged sister and just had a sudden emergency after arranging this meeting, yes," Desir nodded.

"You can lull him into false security with a bit of naive honesty, while I look out for our backs. Try to think of him as just another gangster, Irwyn, that will help. Nobles also have all types and shouldn't be trusted easily."

"What type am I, then?" Elizabeth asked curiously.

"The kind that is unhealthy to slander out loud within earshot. But that is besides the point. I have some ideas about what might go down..." Then Desir tried his best to guess at various possibilities of what may come to pass when they were finally seen to. Though Irwyn tried to pay attention, much of it went over his head.

Frankly, it was mostly the shapeshifter workshopping increasingly outlandish motivations with the occasional input from Elizabeth, who was no less blind but willing to evaluate those proverbial shots. And then they were just kept waiting and waiting. By the thirtieth minute, everyone wore a frown—though Waylan's lacked any observable evidence. At that point, a… secretary? Maid? Irwyn wasn't sure if her formal clothing was a uniform.

Either way, Emanuel's subordinate of appropriate terminology interrupted them to profusely apologize. She was a meager mage of just a few intentions and was clearly quite frightened as she explained that a previous meeting was running far later than expected. Afterwards, she quickly brought refreshments, though Elizabeth made the tea herself. She then continued coming back every fifteen minutes to apologize over and over again, growing visibly more nervous each time. By the third, she was actually almost shaking.

And yet they were still not being invited in.

"Is the person he is meeting a Domain mage or higher?" Elizabeth eventually asked to the fidgeting woman's face. It was, according to Alice, over 97 minutes after they had been borderline summoned for a meeting. If Elizabeth wasn't talking, she would have surely provided the time down to a second.

"Well, no…"

"Then who is oh so important to stretch their business past politeness?"

"It is… I am not supposed to say who, but his Lordship Emanuel is meeting with High Nobility!"

"And I do not qualify for the same?" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, then stood up and glanced at Alice.

"The office is that way." The Time mage pointed to their right.

"Wards are too good for me to learn more than directions, though."

"Wait, you can't!" The secretary tried as their entire group got up.

"Now, now," Desir immediately soothed her, patting the woman on the shoulder.

"You did your best, and his Lorship knows that. Why worry about things that are out of your hands?" The shapeshifter briefly stayed behind while the rest of them barged into the hallway. Irwyn once again noted how the architecture seemed styled after the Voidways, though the distances travelled were far more natural. Alice confidently led them across three corridors as if she had grown up around them, before stopping in front of majestically decorated double doors. Desir caught up not long later.

"These are enchanted far above Conception," Alice stated, glancing over at Elizabeth.

"What is the plan?"

"Privilege," the heiress just chuckled, then brought forth her hand. And there, on one of her fingers, sat an insignia ring.

"Open!" Irwyn thought he heard Waylan whisper something along the lines of "truly worldwide!" just before the bejeweled entryway moved. With a long stride, Elizabeth entered, and everyone followed her. The spacious place they stepped into was vaguely a mix between a throne room and a study. To the left, the wall was completely covered by a bookshelf. Neatly arranged tomes and scrolls serving as decoration and perhaps even function. On the opposite side were what Irwyn estimated to be trophies.

A variety of items on individual pedestals or plaques, which indicated they were special. Some were small, like glass-encased crystals or feathers, while a few were far larger, like the massive taxidermied serpent which took up much of the wall. In the back of the room was a false window behind which stood a painting of a distant Abonisle. Irwyn recognised the three towering spires at a glance. Or perhaps it was more than just drawn, for the image ever so slightly shifted with a life-like quality.

Birds circled the towers, hard to even see without using magic, but actually in motion. Ant-like people seemed to be moving across the few visible streets. It wasn't anything like a direct projection—the drawn city lacked the recent damage—but it appeared close to one. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings. The open space of the room was, on the other hand, mostly empty.

The main feature was a tall chair drawing vague inspiration from the dragon throne that had been fashioned for the Duke of Black, and in front of it a wide oaken desk, plus several filing cabinets on either side of the window. In front of that desk was a spread of several armchairs, though reaching them from the door would take at least a dozen steps over the luscious black carpet. And there sat their host as well as the two guests that had caused them such delay.

Emanuel looked very tired and suddenly frightened at a glance, or at least that was the impression Irwyn got. He rarely had a reason to read people since Desir had joined them, but sometimes the effort he had put into the skill still shone through. But despite his exhaustion, the man who seemed in his late twenties, was perfectly kept and stoic. Perhaps one of his Concepts helped, which there were two of, but neither felt like Void or any other element.

Not a flaw in his visage or clothes as he stared at the intruders. Of the two other people, Irwyn quickly dismissed one. Not because of the power, as the middle-aged woman held a Domain, one of which was likely outright LIGHT. But rather because even Irwyn was able to recognize the other person. Blonde-haired and glancing in their direction with both amusement and derision. Several Concepts, well concealed so that Irwyn could tell nothing beyond 'multiple', even though the person was their age.

One of the few people Irwyn remembered even after years have passed.

"Illius. Of course it would be you," Elizabeth loudly scoffed as she strode into the room.

"As uncouth as always, I see," the sole heir to the Duchy of Yellow merely inclined his head.

"Me and the spirelord are discussing matters. If you would so kindly remove yourself?"

"I think our discussion has already been plentiful, if not fruitful," Emanuel interjected.

"Perhaps it is best we continue another day, Lord Brightbeak."

"Best for you, perhaps," Illius scoffed.

"I meant it when I said that I will have your answer today."

"Then I will be forced to reject out of principle. Of course, if you reconsider and let me actually look into the veracity of your proposal, I am willing to resume negotiations in two days."

"I am sure you are," the Brightbeak heir scoffed again, looked at Elizabeth, then pointed with his hand. A beam of light shot out at blinding speed. Irwyn felt the magic activating and was ready to stop it. Four Concepts filled the construct, trivial for him to dispel. Especially for Light of all elements. Elizabeth was even faster than him, though. He recognised the way she infinitesimally twitched, indicating she was ready, therefore he did not interfere.

Elizabeth then let the attack reach halfway towards her before she intercepted with a burst of seemingly clumsy Void magic. Surprise did not let her forget that they were still downplaying their power.

"No violence in my office!" Emanuel barked before any response could be had, and Irwyn felt his hair immediately rise as whatever defensive spells were imbued in the walls came to the brink of activation. Those were not at mere Conception.

"Get out of here, Lord Brightbreak, before I also breach politeness."

"That is what, at least five? No, the reaction time was even a bit faster than that." Illius just looked at Elizabeth with a mocking grin. Then he harrumphed and left. The woman silently followed him, neither sparing their group another glance. They certainly did give him plenty of hostile ones, though.

"I apologise," Emanuel said after Illius was gone. The door had quickly closed behind him by itself.

"Since you have seemingly met Illius before, I hope you understand, sister."

"You could have thrown him out far sooner if you were going to lean on filiality, brother," Elizabeth scoffed, then took a seat. The rest of their group followed suit.

"Alas, he was deeply insistent. My mistake was letting it slip that it was you whom I would meet next. I incorrectly thought he was going to let us both save some face and finally leave. But clearly, the news of a grudge between you two has passed me by."

"Then you are not the best informed."

"We were told we needed to speak with you about our accommodations," Desir interjected.

"Yes, of course, of course. It would not do for a direct heir of our family to live frugally. That being said, Spireholm is where much nobility gathers, my tower especially. Many have sought refuge here after the War had begun. And while few can actually match Ducal blood in status, they are not so far away that I would dare evict them. Hence, space is limited."

"What is your point?" Elizabeth frowned.

"I wished to speak with you in person so that this would not lead to a misunderstanding. There is, unfortunately, a limit to what can be provided, which could be mistaken for an insult otherwise. From what I read, your entourage is fully oriented towards combat rather than comfort, correct, sister?"

"Yes."

"So, a place with its own staff and several guest rooms. I have expected as much, you have… technically three options. Here." Emanuel opened a cupboard and took out three brief files he clearly had at the ready, which he then handed to Elizabeth.

"These are all at the summit of what's left unoccupied." She quickly scanned through with superhuman speed, then selected one to return to her brother.

"This one."

"Really?" He glanced at her for a moment, then stared significantly harder at Irwyn.

"Does… no, it would be uncouth of me to even ask, wouldn't it? Very well, it will be prepared for you. Keep the file, it has the address as well as features written out."

"Will that be everything?" Elizabeth asked.

"There is one more matter… How much do you trust your entourage?" Emanuel asked, his eyes gesturing towards the rest of the group.

"I hold fewer secrets from them than from our parents," she replied. That earned a raised eyebrow, but also a nod.

"Very well. Then keep in mind that what I am going to tell you is obviously not to leave this room. In short, there are serious concerns that Illius might have sided with the Rot."

"And he is not under arrest and interrogation?" Irwyn asked with a frown.

"If only it was almost anyone else… I don't suppose you are familiar with why he is so special?"

"Because he is the sole heir to the Duchy of Yellow?" Elizabeth asked.

"So called 'inheritors' have been removed from succession for far less than the highest treason."

"So, no, you are not familiar. The whole 'sole heir' talk is mostly spread for appeasement. He has been slated for prison more than a Dukeship for years now, due to his own actions, and all the movers of the Federation know it. The issue is his mother. The Duchess of Yellow is a Truth mage on the cusp of losing said Truth and is completely dependent on her son. I don't know the exact details, but Illius is allowed his extreme leeway because it is necessary to keep his mother at least halfway sane.

When she is gone, the Federation will not let his many crimes go unpunished."

"And realising that shall be his fate, he is perhaps eager to switch sides," Desir guessed.

"Is there any evidence beyond that conjecture?"

"He has repeatedly used his influence in a way that indirectly benefited the Rot during this War." Emanuel nodded.

"Always with enough deniability that there are two degrees of separation and a real excuse, but there can be only so many coincidences before suspicions arise."

"Even with his mother, that should be enough to have him away from any influence," Irwyn opined.

"It was enough to move him to Spireholm, away from his base of power. Unfortunately, the Inquisition could not find anything damning in his surface thoughts, and a deeper examination is not going to happen unless there is direct proof of treason. Someone higher up than me decided that unless there is absolutely no doubt, it is not worth it to risk aggravating an already unstable Truth mage just to capture a traitorous Conception whelp."

"But you are telling us this for a reason," their shapeshifter said.

"There is more to it. They also want you to investigate—obtain that evidence for them. And now you want our help."

"Indeed," the Blackburg lord did not deny.

"I have my own people as well as the Inquisition already conducting the clandestine parts, but the hateful look he shot my sister gave me an idea. Illius is usually coolheaded, except for his well-known outbursts. Those reportedly happen far more often around people he has a strong dislike for. And it is exactly those moments when he is far more likely to slip up and expose actual clues."

"So I am being asked to spend as much time as I can in the presence of the most detestable, subhuman bastard on the face of the entire Realm," Elizabeth summarized with a rather unamused expression.

"More or less, yes," Emanuel nodded.

"You have done your part as a Conception mage in this war, from what I have read, so I would not force you. But this is something you can contribute from the safety of the city. For the Federation's sake, I hope you will answer the call of this duty." Elizabeth paused for a few seconds, expression thoughtful, then nodded.

"I want to be invited to the worm's execution." Emanuel watched his younger sister leave and could finally stop artificially slowing down his heartbeat—a function of a convenient ring provided to him by Doctor Johnson. Blood surged through his veins, then into his head, causing him to hyperventilate. The Void deep in his soul roiled and kept trembling, his entire being enveloped by instinctual fear he had never known to exist buried within him.

Whatever Elizabeth had become, it strayed far from what a Conception mage should be. When he calmed down minutes later, he called his secretary to bring him coffee and began to analyze the meeting. Quickly, he concluded that besides the bit of existential dread, it had gone almost exactly like Mother had predicted. Emanuel von Blackburg was no great prodigy. His social skills were hard-earned, taught over years, yet still comparatively dull, in the same way rock could never become as sharp as steel.

Even his magic lagged well behind his siblings. It was not an issue of affinity… his thought patterns simply did not take well enough to magic to truly excel, as the Doctor had put it. Were he born a common man, he would have certainly still stood above all peers, but among the many branches of House Blackburg, he was barely above average. What he could do better than almost anyone was follow instructions and delegate.

Hence why he had never mentioned Avys at all during the conversation, just as she had instructed him. Just like she had told him to let it slip to Illius who he was going to see next, and then not actually force him to leave until Elizabeth ran out of patience. Though their mother had estimated it would be thirty minutes sooner. Something to note and report.

"What do you think?" He glanced at his 'secretary' who had at some point placed a cup on his desk and started standing behind him. He had never noticed any of it, but that was usual.

"I think your sister could kill me," she stated plainly.

"You are at the peak of Conception," he frowned.

"Even if almost none are focused on combat, my sister is barely twenty." And while he said that, a part of him believed it easily. The same part of him which had shrunk in existential dread at the mere sight of her and kept screaming at the back of his mind throughout the conversation.

"The boy she favors is no different," she continued.

"I can only report what I feel, and those spells are not flawless, but I would advise not treating them lightly. The other three are likewise anomalous, if to a lesser extent."

"Three?" Emanuel paused.

"The invisible man who is not even a mage, yet can pass through solid matter and is completely undetectable to almost all our wards. That third."

"I wish my work here was not suddenly becoming so interesting," Emanuel sighed, then took a sip of the drink.