Tartus’s firm tone suggested an unspoken truth. The claim of lacking magical power to send anyone but Berthas seemed dubious. Yet, his advice to go alone carried a clear warning: trust no one.

He was right.

In Isilis’s absence, Larhen was in turmoil. There were those plotting rebellion and others dreaming of new beginnings. It was fortunate that the former Empress appeared swiftly, stabilizing the situation to some extent and enabling Berthas some respite.

Without their intervention, his departure to find Isilis would have been significantly delayed.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to leave now.’

Duke Berus approached him.

“Take this with you.”

He handed Berthas a seal.

“Why this….”

“There’s a place in the Maritime Empire with ties to our family. Show them this seal and ask for assistance. They should oblige at least once.”

“If it’s that important, shouldn’t you keep it?”

“Finding Her Majesty is more critical.”

“You don’t think she’s dead?”

“I am a guardian of her true name. If misfortune had befallen her, I’d be among the first to sense it. As a Swordmaster who has sworn a Swordmaster’s oath, you’re in a similar position, aren’t you?”

Berthas nodded at Duke Berus’s softly spoken words. When he first heard of Isilis’s disappearance, he was shocked but not despondent or sorrowful.

He believed firmly that she must be alive somewhere. He had thought that her strong magical abilities would quickly bring her back to Larhen. However, as days passed and then weeks, he began to fear that something was terribly wrong.

He couldn’t hide his anxiety.

What had happened to her? Had she encountered a situation where she couldn’t use her magic, like in her childhood?

The uncertainty made it all the more frustrating.

As if understanding his urgency, everything was arranged swiftly, and soon, Berthas stood on a magic circle prepared by Tartus and Ayla.

“I apologize for making such a request of you.”

“Even without the previous Empress’s request, I would have taken action.”

“Please, safely bring back my child.”

“I understand.”

Listening to the former Empress’ lengthy speech, Berthas didn’t want to hear it. Was this the same person who neglected Isillis during her lonely childhood, now trying to play the role of a parent? Yet, the realization that their control over Larhen prevented a greater disaster calmed his anger.

Berthas suppressed his fluctuating emotions, pondering over the situation.

‘It’s because Isilis is gone.’

Indeed, all the chaos was due to her absence.

Closing his eyes, he prepared himself, feeling the magic activate around him. When reopening his eyes, he saw Allure standing before him.

“Have you arrived?”

Seeing Allure’s expression filled with deep sorrow as he spoke through gritted teeth made Berthas close his eyes once more. He must find Isilis.

* * *

[ Help me. ]

A voice echoed.

Isilis struggled to lift her heavy eyelids. She noticed the seawater grazing over her body without soaking her.

Thanks to Allure’s magic placed on the robes protecting her, his concern had saved her. She tried to stand up but found herself drained of strength. She barely managed to prop herself up on her arms but couldn’t maintain her body.

“Where am I?”

The scenery was unfamiliar, and everything was new.

“No, rather…”

She searched her blank mind for any memories but found nothing. The only clear thought was a name.

“There’s someone there!”

Hearing a shout from somewhere, Isilis turned her gaze. The sea breeze fluttered her robe, revealing her face and her red hair as it spilled out.

The people rushing towards her stopped at the sight.

Instinctively, Isilis tried to move away, but her body wouldn’t respond. Amid the commotion, a man with hair as red as hers approached her without hesitation. His face was obscured by the backlight, though he reached out to her as he came to a stop right before her.

“My name is Manuel. And your name is?”

“….”

“Can you not speak?”

Observing Isillis’s silence, the man cautiously asked, trying to gauge her thoughts. Reading the kindness in his eyes and the aura he emitted, Isillis sat down and slightly parted her lips.

“Erica.”

“Pleased to meet you.”

The man bowed slightly as she extended her hand in a gesture of noble etiquette. Isillis saw him smile broadly in response.

* * *

Berthas’s face hardened as he listened to the recounted events. Noting his expression, Allure bowed apologetically.

“I have failed.”

“It’s not about blame. Aren’t we here to find Isillis?”

“We’ve yet to locate Her Majesty.”

Despite exhaustive searches over the sea towards the Maritime Empire by the wizards, excluding Allure, Isillis remained to be found. Even with the admiral’s cooperation, the search within the Maritime Empire’s waters gave no result.

A shadow of resignation on Allure’s face made Berthas speak up.

“She’s not dead.”

“Excuse me?”

“Isillis isn’t dead.”

The Swordmaster’s oath of existence meant that if Isillis had died, he would have died, too. So, the fact that he was alive meant that she was somewhere alive, safe from life-threatening danger.

‘The necklace didn’t react.’

Yes, the magic item around her neck, designed to transport her to another holder of a similar necklace in danger, hadn’t activated. This meant she was safe, but things had become more complicated. She was safe, yet she didn’t come back. It raised questions.

Berthas concealed his thoughts, insisting to Allure,

“Then, are the others at the Maritime Empire?”

“Yes.”

“Only you came here?”

“I came upon hearing of the Consort’s arrival.”

Berthas wished to go immediately but he needed to meet with Faylos for accurate information.

“Did you come by ship?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s set off immediately after meeting Faylos.”

“The Grand Duke… you mean?”

Allure asked, unaware of Faylos’s true identity as the information guild leader, but Berthas walked confidently without answering.

When he reached the bar Faylos ran, Berthas entered.

The bartender, whom he had once seen before, greeted him and quickly got to the point.

“He is waiting.”

“Where is he?”

“This way, please.”

He followed the bartender through a secret door behind the bar.

Allure’s face had questions left unasked. Berthas was not kind enough to answer his curiosity. His patience was running out, so he chose to keep silent towards Allure..

“Berthas.”

“Faylos.”

Calling each other’s names, they sat down, with Allure taking a seat beside them. The only source of light in the dark room was a single candle.

__

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