Chương 220: This Was Not a Hill For Her to Die On

A pair of big, violet eyes seemed to pierce her very soul with such intensity that her heart began to race. Tori could only take another step back. Except, she couldn't go any further. A stone column brushed against the back of her dress. She was trapped.

"Tell me, what do you like most about my nephew?" Princess Celine had grabbed her hands upon meeting her, then insisted on sitting next to her at the dinner table, and now she had cornered Tori during the reception ball. There were many guests all over the ballroom, chatting in small groups, mingling, or dancing.

Piers was indisposed talking to domestic political leaders, Axton remained by his side in case Piers became too uncomfortable, and her friends had already retreated to relax in the garden, away from the sea of powerful and influential guests. Tori wasn't fast enough to join them, or rather, she couldn't lose the energetic princess. Asking for help from the princess' husband and wife did nothing. They seemed to be just as curious about her, too. No one could help her.

Not even the Emperor, who couldn't control his sister to begin with.

"He's intelligent and meticulous, at the same time very efficient with his work." Tori gave the silver-haired woman a perfunctory answer hoping she would take a step back.

"Yes, yes, he's always been a brilliant boy. Once he focuses on something, nothing can break his concentration." Princess Celine tossed her head back and laughed with joy. She held Piers in high regard, and it made sense. Piers was her very first nephew. The Princess must've been ecstatic to spoil him and then heartbroken that Piers did not like physical touch and recoiled violently whenever they tried to show him affection.

She had seemed to almost want to cry after Piers embraced her and all throughout dinner, the Princess asked Tori about how she was able to get Piers to hug others. Madam Georgia had seemed interested in the process and Master Petir told her he admired her dedication to his nephew.

"Yes, it's admirable in a way. He's certainly managed to complete a lot as first prince." Tori put on a hopeful smile. Princess Celine's gaze softened.

"He may love paperwork, like his strange father, but now that he has you, he will make time. I'm certain. My ridiculous, bookworm brother was the same. He was so boring! Of course, he still is, but more so back then. Nothing steered him away from reading about law and politics until he met Monica-""Celine." A low, irritated voice came from behind her. Madam George and Master Petir tensed up and took a small step to the side as a shadow fell over the silver-haired woman.

The Emperor's eyes darkened as he glared into the back of his younger sister's head.

"What are you doing here?" Tori wasn't sure if the Emperor meant to save her or question his sister. Princess Celine pursed her lips for a moment and all her energy seemed to have been drained in an instant. She took a step to the side and turned to face her brother.

"What does it look like I'm doing, Brother? I'm talking to my future niece!"

"Piers and I aren't engaged-""And I am not legally married. What does it matter so long as you've recognized the relationship?" Princess Celine replied with such confidence that there was no way Tori could correct her without a lot of effort, so she just accepted that this was not a hill for her to die on. So this is why the Emperor is the way he is with his sister. I get it now. I get it. Tori's lips pulled into a tight line. The Emperor took a deep breath.

"Celine, you didn't tell us that you were coming."

"Why can't I?" Princess Celine almost pouted.

"Horizon is my hometown. Why can't I be here?"

"You haven't set foot in the city in ten years!" The Emperor's voice shot up for just a bit before he managed to even it out.

"It isn't as if you'll run out of room to house us while we're here," his sister replied.

"Besides, how could I miss Piers' ceremony? This is no simple birthday and you've finally named your heir." She lowered her voice and lifted her shoulders a bit.

"Not that there was a question."

"You weren't at the cathedral for the ceremony."

"But I made it to the ceremony reception." Princess Celine gave her red-faced brother a winning smile. The Emperor's eyes narrowed.

"You came to see the Countess, didn't you? You knew she'd be here."

"What are you talking about? What Countess?" The Princess shifted her eyes.

"The one you're talking to right now."

"Oh, Tori? Brother, don't be silly! It's a pleasant surprise to be able to meet the young lady I've heard so much about." Princess Celine looked at her spouses for affirmation and they nodded. Tori squinted her eyes. What exactly had this woman heard about her?

"Celine." The Emperor took a step forward and Celine finally drew her head back a bit. She seemed to think for a moment before she stood up straight and lifted her chin with defiance.

"All right, I didn't just come for Pier's ceremony, but that was the main goal of this visit! Don't misconstrue my intentions." She swallowed and quieted her voice.

"It's just that I also came because Father said that Tori built a resort on a swamp, and I want to see it." The Emperor's eye twitched and he grit his teeth.

"You-""Your Highness, you should've told me that you were interested in seeing my delta!" Tori threw formalities out the window and stepped in between the two imperial siblings. She clapped her hands together and put on an eager smile.

"It is a coincidence that we are having a celebration next weekend for my good friend's birthday. He's a La Garda student and applying for the first-tier knights, so this may be his last big birthday for a while and we're planning to make it count. Knowing Ewan, he won't mind at all if you and your husband and wife drop by to experience such a celebration." Ewan really wouldn't. His family was coming, as were likely half of La Garda.

Tori had received gifts from Sur to give to Ewan from various knights, her family, and, of course, Ewan's master, Sebastian. Princess Celine's face lit up. She threw her brother a haughty look.

"You see, Brother? Such hospitality!" The Emperor kept frowning and she turned to Tori.

"I've heard so much about your delta from everyone. As I'm traveling around the empire all the time, I've gotten a chance to stay at Lunar Inns. You know, the ones that Axton owns. Of course, we stay there when we can, as we must support my nephew's best friend." Axton would be happy to hear that. Tori nodded.

"I'm very pleased. When our Lunar Pavilion is prepared, I will ask for an invitation to be sent to you."

"I've already seen it." The Emperor unexpectedly spoke up and seemed to gloat.

"The renovations match historical records, but they also have the most advanced crystal technology." He sneered at his sister.

"You've never seen anything like it." The Princess' face turned red and almost scrunched up.

"I will see it soon enough!" Seeing that the Princess had turned all her attention to the Emperor, Tori decided it was time for an escape. Her eyes swept across the room for a path to freedom where she'd avoid anyone that wanted to talk to her on her way to the garden. Piers was still talking to guests and his grandfather was at his side, introducing him to older guests. The Empress was chatting with the visiting duchesses. Axton was approaching Piers to speak.

Assured that Piers would be fine with Axton, Tori took a step to the side.

"I still have some guests to check on and will return soon. Please excuse me, Your Majesty. Your Highness." She gave a smooth, quick curtsy before they could stop her, and then quickened her step as she made a beeline for the back exit. A knight saw her approaching and seemed to know her intention. He stood to the side and opened the door for her. The back hall was lined with knights and Tori was directed towards the garden courtyard where her friends were. She heard them talking as she approached.

From the hall, she craned her neck to the open door and drew her head back. Gideon and Fabian were sitting around the two tea tables and occupied two chairs. This explained why she didn't see them inside. They sat as far away from Ilyana as possible, and Gideon's face was almost green with envy as Ilyana sat across from him and bragged about their summer plans.

"Yes, we're pretty much navigating the coasts of the empire." Ilyana looked smug.

"We're going to visit all the marches. Tori has already arranged it."

"She got approval to visit Buchenberg?" Gideon scowled.

"That's my family's castle!"

"She had to get approval, or we can't visit," Albert said.

"She said that the Marquis General approved of our dropping by ourselves." Gideon's face looked even more irritated. Tori held back her grin and was about to take a step out into the garden when she felt a familiar pulse. She turned her head and froze; in case it was a fluke. Another pulse of energy hit her, and she let out a heavy breath as her shoulders dropped. The crystal table was calling to her. She changed course and instead of going out to the garden, she made her way into the depths of the palace.

The luxurious surroundings became more and more modest until she was in a narrow stone corridor sparsely lit by dim crystals. Her body seemed to know the way by itself, and she found herself standing at the threshold to the room quickly. Tori tilted her head to the side as she saw a man standing over the edge of the table with his hands resting on the edge. He leaned forward and his eyes were closed as he took deep breaths.

"Were you called?" Tori walked into the room and raised her arm, putting her hand behind his shoulder and making small, soothing circles. Piers kept his eyes closed as he took even breaths.

"No. I needed to be alone for a moment to breathe." Tori nodded and removed her hand from his shoulder.

"You lasted a long time today, Piers. From morning to now with little rest. You did a great job." She moved her hand to the crook of his arm to reassure him as she studied him for any sign of discomfort or additional stress. If she didn't know him well, she would think he really was just taking a breather.

"Did the table call you?" Piers asked as he seemed to calm down. The muscles in his arm relaxed and she took it as a good sign of his current wellbeing.

"I felt a pulse, so I came," she said.

"Are there any changes?" Tori turned her attention to the table and squinted. The crystal table always had a faint glow and she found changes visually. She scanned the table for any abnormally bright or dim spots, but didn't find any that stood out at the moment. There were no energy fluctuations either, but she was sensitive to the table communicating crystal placement with energy through light. For crystals, visualizing energy was always her strong point.

She swept over the table once more and settled on where Piers' pale hands rested on the edge of the table. She furrowed her brows and moved closer, taking Piers' hand, and lifting it up. As soon as he stopped having contact with the table, the brighter light faded. She put his hand back and the light grew brighter beneath him. Tori cocked her head and repeated the motion multiple times.

"What are you doing?" Piers asked as he stood stiffly to the side, letting her flop his hand on the table over and over.

"I think the table really wants me to go with you on the break," she said. Did the table know she was overworked, too? Piers took a deep breath and took a small step closer to her. He lowered his head and bent forward, placing his forehead against her shoulder.

"Tori, I'm tired." The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Her stance softened and she raised a hand to rub his back.

"You worked really hard today, Piers. I know you're tired. Take a few more minutes to relax before you go upstairs. It'll be over soon. I promise." She felt him nod against her and she stroked his back, listening to him breathe evenly.

"I don't like this birthday. I want to go to the delta." She was sure that was code for 'I want to go somewhere where I won't be bothered.' Tori cracked a small smile. he'd wished him happy birthday that morning, before the chaos of the day started, but it was so busy, she didn't doubt that it wasn't enjoyable.

"Next weekend, you can relax a bit while everyone is busy with Ewan's party. If you want, you can also come with me to the primary school festival." His hot breath rolled across her skin as he agreed.

"I saw their flier. Their writing is poor."

"They are children, Piers," she told him in a dull voice. She invited him because at such an event, Piers would be surrounded by knights, so he would not be overwhelmed by children. The primary school wasn't very big, either. Tori had been delighted to find out that the date of the festival was the day before Gideon's birthday party in Horizon, thus she had a good excuse not to go when invited. She frowned.

"Wait, it's before your brother's party. It's too much trouble to make a round trip in a day."

"I can make it. Gideon's party is in the evening and is a dinner." That meant that Piers had time to return to Horizon the day after the festival and still attend his brother's party. Which led Tori to another question.

"Why is his party at the imperial palace this time?" She was sure if given the chance, Gideon would try to mooch off the connection to her and have a celebration at Viclya or a game themed party at Duel. Piers didn't answer her immediately.

"He should restrain himself." She turned her head towards him. Did Piers make Gideon have his party at the palace? Piers pressed his head against her shoulder, as if asking her to continue comforting him. She sighed and patted his back. Tori closed her eyes and grounded, cycling energy through the mem crystal resting between her breasts. She spread her energy out and found that Axton was approaching. She furrowed her brows and found it was much easier to find heartbeats.

She instinctively knew who was moving around in the garden. Why Ewan had decided to try the swing while standing on the seat was beyond her, but she made a mental note to check on them before she returned to the ballroom in case he hurt himself or Albert, who was nearby. She knew where each of Piers' on-duty escort knights were, that the Emperor was with the Empress, and that there were three-hundred twenty-seven guests in the ballroom.

She took in a sharp breath and opened her eyes, breaking her concentration and losing the heartbeats all around her.

"Tori?" Piers lifted his head and gave her a quizzical look as his lips tightened.

"Are you all right?" Tori opened her mouth, in a daze, but no words came out. She blinked and looked out ahead of her, trying to collect her thoughts. The more she used the mem crystal, the better she was able to utilize its energy. All the crystal energy exercises Master Ramos made her do to become accustomed to it were working better than expected.

"I'm fine," she said as she lifted her head and smiled at him. She lifted her hands and placed them lightly on his chest.

"How are you feeling? Axton is on his way to get you. If you're still a bit uneasy, take some more time."

"I'm calm now." He cocked his head to the side as he lowered his eyes and frowned a bit.

"How do you know Axton is coming?"

"Crystals." She pointed at her chest, where the mem was resting, and he followed her finger. His face tinted a bit and lifted his head back up.

"Piers, how are you feeling? Can you stand to come back up?" Axton appeared at the doorway, and he stopped. His hands rested on the doorframe on either side of him and he leaned forward, into the room. His gray eyes squinted at them with suspicion.

"Piers, are you ready to go back?" Tori ignored Axton's gaze and looked back at Piers. He lowered his head and then gave her a reluctant nod.

"A few more hours," he said.

"That's right." Tori rubbed his arms reassuringly.

"Just a few more hours and it'll be over." Piers inhaled and exhaled deep breaths. Axton looked towards the table.

"Is there something new?"

"No, the table is telling me to take a break," Tori told him. The corner of Axton's lip curled up.

"I'm fairly certain that isn't something the table can do," he said before looking at Piers.

"But speaking of news, Voss found something good at the construction site in Fendersmith Fields. He said it'll take some time to get something tangible back-""Later," Piers said as he stepped away from Tori and straightened his clothes. He stood up straight, appearing to ready himself to go into the ballroom battle.

"We can discuss this after tonight."

"Right. Save your energy," Axton nodded and stepped aside to let Piers out.

"Tori, are you coming?"

"In a bit. I'm going to go to the garden after this." Axton looked envious, knowing it was much more relaxing than in the ballroom.

"I want to go to the garden...." He muttered under his breath, but still followed Piers out. Tori turned back to the table and took a deep breath. Since she was there, she might as well see if there are any additional changes. She grounded and touched the edge of the table. A ripple of energy melted with the gentle glow, and she looked over the surface to try to find any bright spots. In a small corner of the Central Corridor, along a mountain border south of Nord, the glow was a bit brighter than normal.

Tori closed her eyes for a moment and then opened them again in case she was seeing things. The glow remained, but it was still faint. It seemed to melt west, into the border with Anlar, but wasn't close to Fendersmith Fields. It would be at least a day's travel. Tori wrinkled her nose. That area by the mountains was where Geyser Cliffs was.

"You really want me to take a break, huh?" she said with a slight shake of her head. She took her hands off the table and sighed.

"Well, if the table is telling me, I should prepare myself."

"Be careful!" Master Ramos scolded the imperial knights who were acting as glorified delivery men.

"That is selenite! It will shatter easily and slabs this large are difficult to come by!" Tori remained in her seat at the main work table on the other side of the kitchen. Lodging had been built out for the other crystal masters, but the center area between the two buildings were separated by the adjoining kitchen.

The original shared courtyard with the worktable was between Master Ramos and Instructor Ignatius' quarters, while on the other side, which would face the bay, would have the brand-new selenite slab between Master Hansen and Master Holloway's quarters. Selenite was what they used to charge crystals fast. Considering that their experiments often drained crystals during usage, a large selenite slab that could charge the crystals overnight was of great use to them.

This was a gift from the Emperor after finding out about the steam engine. Piers had presented the findings to his father himself, and the Emperor had sneaked out of Horizon to see and ride the test vessel. He'd almost missed Gideon's birthday party as he'd been caught up in speeding through the bay. Regardless, the project now had the full backing of the empire. More funding could be allocated, as well as people and materials.

The engineers and builders received a monetary award for their work, but Master Ramos and Tori wanted something that was difficult to acquire for Anahata Island. It took a few weeks, but the Emperor managed to get them the massive selenite slab. Of course, the crystal itself was relatively fragile and could splinter and break apart. Tori also knew that its hardness did not make it ideal for being by the water, so the courtyard where it was being installed was essentially a greenhouse from the waist up.

As such, aside from charging, they were not allowed to do experiments inside and it had been fortified with crystals to absorb excess energy in case of explosion. The four masters on the island hovered over the delivery knights like bees protecting their queen to ensure that the slab was installed gently. Tori was waiting for the crystals she'd ordered for another project, also in some way related to ships. At the moment, communication over water was limited to flares and flags, and yelling.

With no way to ground, crystal communication was useless. But if sound and energy can be transmitted through the air.... It was possible, she just had to figure out how to do so with crystals. The little train she'd made of wood and crystal circled around part of the worktable. She furrowed her brows. Despite her last memories in her original world tumbling to her possible death in a train, she still wanted a train system in the delta for both people and goods.

She'd already had city planners lay out prospective transport pathways to connect planned villages, towns, and work areas in preparation. She touched a small crystal on a wooden board carefully connected to the wooden track with scrap crystal wrapped in wire and the small train with little 'cars' the size of her thumb, slowed down. At the moment, she didn't have funding to spare on trains. But that was fine.

That just meant that there was time to do tests and develop efficient and safe trains and transportation procedures. No one needed to die in a train-related accident as she did.

"Tori, the crystals you requested arrived." Tori looked up and drew her head back.

"Are you a delivery man now?" she asked as Piers walked towards her carrying a wooden box in his arms.

"What are you doing here?"

"I am tired of Horizon." Piers frowned and Tori was sympathetic. While his Université workload pretty much ended, he received a new workload from his father as the Crown Prince. From the sound of it, Tori theorized that the Emperor was just starting to throw his own responsibilities on his son. Piers placed the box on the tabletop after Tori moved her toy train to the side.

"Father said that you requested this." Tori sat up straight and pulled the box towards her. She opened the latch and lifted the lid. Inside were pale blue to white crystals, both clear and opaque, layered in wooden trays stacked on top of each other. The individual pieces weren't very large, perhaps as big as her thumb at most. She could feel the excitement bubbling up inside of her as she ran her finger tips over the topmost tray. Piers craned his neck to see what she was doing and raised a brow.

"These crystals have energy that resonates with air," Tori told him.

"When we were in Tres Arcos, Kasey used a charm to track pirates. Charms don't need to ground and are pre-charged, so rather than connect through the ground, energy follows a trail in the air, like oil in water." She looked at Piers with an eager smile she couldn't contain.

"I think that that it is possible to do that using energy manipulated through air crystals." Piers seemed to understand her theory and nodded, but didn't immediately share her excitement.

"What will you use them for?" Tori let out a low, almost diabolical, giggle.

"If sound can travel through air instead of require grounding, then a ship at sea can communicate with another ship, a watch tower, and maybe even a comcry." She was trembling at the possibility and wanted Piers to be excited, too. When he gave her a simple nod, she huffed.

"Piers, do you know what that can mean?"

"Better naval communication." She stared at him for a moment and then blinked.

"It means that when I travel, even if I am on a ship in the middle of the ocean, I can contact you." His eyes dilated just a bit and she lifted her chin in satisfaction. He was finally excited.

"If you need more crystals, I can provide them." Tori laughed and grinned.

"I've just started the preliminary plans. Nothing has come out of this yet." She closed the lid of her box of new crystals.

"You weren't scheduled to come to the delta this weekend. Did you use the box as an excuse to come?" Piers looked in the direction of the other courtyard, where everyone else was. They could hear the various voices speaking as the selenite slab was installed.

"Voss sent a souvenir to his family and sent me something, as well," he said. Tori furrowed her brows and put together the veiled meaning. The Voss he was referring to was Hadley Voss, who currently worked under Kasen as an information agent, and was disguised as a worker overseeing brick production in Fendersmith Fields. In order to keep up his disguise, he had limited contact with anyone who wasn't part of the construction site.

However, it was very common for workers to send things back home, be it money, gifts, or simply letters. Tori recalled Axton mentioning that Hadley was preparing something and later figured it was a map of the tunnels he found at the site.

"What did he send you?"

"Dry wheat cookies, but the wrapping is useful." Now she was curious. She stood up and gathered her box, then walked past Piers to Instructor Ignatius' living room, where she stored some of her things when she wasn't on the island. She carefully put her box on top of other boxes before turning around. Piers had followed her in, and Tori touched a crystal on the wall to activate a silence circle.

"Was it the map?" she asked, after the door closed. Piers gave her a nod.

"From the shape, it was naturally formed. He said that he's found more caves nearby and believes that they stretch quite far." Tori sat on the arm of a sofa and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Then, they'll connect Fendersmith Fields, and that caravan stop, to somewhere else."

"Most likely."

"Where?"

"We don't know yet. I have to send surveyors, but we must be careful. If they are interconnected, then they'll be monitored." Tori let out a low breath and shook her head.

"What is it with these infiltrators and caves?"

"Caves provide a place to hide and travel through in secret," Piers said.

"Such as the smuggler's cave that Axton collapsed on the northeastern border." At the reminder of it, Tori frowned more so. Axton had a chance to look around before he collapsed the tunnels, as he needed a basic idea of what he was dealing with. Tori had initially imagined narrow crevices and maybe one or two large interior caverns. From what Axton described, there were large rooms, and the tunnels could fit a large wagon without a problem. This was not natural. The caves had been hollowed out.

There was evidence of recent human settlement, as well. Surveyors said that some stones were smoothed away from being rubbed against too many times. What was more, there was graffiti in the cave. That in itself wasn't unusual. Even in her own world, some caves had ancient graffiti. It was just a way of letting the unknown know that they existed. What was special was in this case, the graffiti was in Ulmaec - considered the modern descendent of Old Sulfae.

It was also the script used for various languages in the Duraga Federation. And it wasn't only the usual 'so-and-so was here'. Tribe names were carved into the rock along with how many weapons they brought, as if bragging. This meant that what was being smuggled wasn't just spices and animals. People were being smuggled. Specifically, people who came to fight. This left Tori with the unsettled feeling that there were an unknown number of infiltrators hidden in Soleil, amongst the people.

They didn't know how long the cave was in use, or if it was the only one. Surveyors were crawling through the border mountains looking for similar cave systems, and the von Schwert and Nord Marches were strengthening coastal surveillance. If they could stop any more smugglers and enemies, that would be great. But what would they do about those who were already in Soleil? Piers must've noticed the pensive look on her face and lifted a hand, putting it on top of her head.

"Even if there are thousands of their people in Soleil, they cannot do much if they do not consolidate to form a cohesive fighting unit."

"They can still cause trouble, like those smugglers and the spice racket," Tori said.

"Troubles such as those are an easy matter to deal with. Spread too thin, their impact at once is manageable." Tori lowered her head and chewed on her lower lip. More pirates had been caught recently and further questioning led to the same results as they got at Tres Arcos. Someone was paying these pirates, who normally avoided Soleil coasts, to cause trouble, and it reeked of distraction.

Domestic economic issues were forcibly handled by the imperial family using private reserves to calm any turbulence until the new trade evened it once more. Soleil was a several millennia old empire; this was not its first crisis. In fact, from how Piers and his father dealt with it, it wasn't anywhere near a crisis. Their opponents were currently running around with their heads cut off trying to feed their military and arguing amongst each other.

The cavalries on the border with Soleil had been pulled back and it's likely suspected that they were regrouping and trying to support their individual tribes in the midst of the chaos. They did not have the capital to push for further attacks so soon. At the same time... what did that mean for those already in Soleil? Would they try to send support back? If so, from where? She closed her eyes and lifted her hands to rub her temples.

"Honestly, I don't want to deal with this."

"Then do not. It is not for you to concern yourself with," Piers told her.

"Pack for Geyser Cliffs. Everything is ready and they are expecting us. You have your own room with private access to the geothermal baths." The thought of being lazy on the water relaxed her a bit.

"I just have to pack snacks for the trip."

"Good. Do not worry about the Duraga Federation," Piers told her.

"I will take care of it."