Escaping wasn't easy for Sierra. In fact, she was surprised at herself for being able to do this. Normally, this would be an easy feat for a Silent Harmoner of her calibre, but the issue here was the man named Revan.
He was too strong for Sierra. She couldn't even scratch him with her strongest attack. It was that unfair of a match. And yet, her escape wasn't prevented. Did he let her escape? It would be fitting, considering how he stood up once the king arrived.
"Saw your battle. You got deep-fried, huh?" Hearing a familiar voice, Sierra turned to her left, spotting a bloated man with a bushy black beard, his bald head hidden by a sailor's cap.
He was clad in a white apron over his black shirt and pants. His height equalled that of the black-haired man who had just given her a crushing defeat. His approach was that of a casual, bloated man—though it would've been charismatic had he been lean.
"It was a massacre, Augustus." Sierra sighed, her piercing blue eyes meeting his amethyst violet ones, eyes that seemed to hold a hidden burst of power.
"Haha, I can tell, though I am curious. Who was that kid? He seemed a little too strong." Augustus remarked, glancing briefly at the Dimrath, the capital city of Aethelgard, before gazing back at the tired woman, who was leaning against a tree.
Taking out a burrito from his apron pocket, he handed it to her, which she took before taking her bite, her eyes widening slightly as her cheeks flushed.
"This burrito... it is similar to what that man had given me..." She muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible, yet her words reached his ears perfectly.
"Really now? I remember serving him this burrito not too long ago. Guess he kept it with him."
"No. He had created it himself..." She muttered before turning to him sharply. "Wait, you met him?"
"Yeah. He was quite enthusiastic about my beef in the burrito. Even had his partner pay 10 Silver coi—wait! What do you mean he created it himself?! Did he use [Material Creation]?!"
[Material Creation] would make sense, but Sierra shook her head in response, having already previously deduced that this skill didn't make the burrito.
"If he had really replicated your burrito using that, then it wouldn't have tasted that good. Yet... both of these taste exactly the same. There is no difference at all."
One could even say that Revan's burrito tasted better, but Sierra wasn't too sure about it, currently too exhausted to ponder it too much. The concerning part was that he had used something other than [Material Creation] for this, implying that his techniques were on a higher plane of existence.
In fact, she hadn't seen him use even a single authority, making a sweat roll down her cheek at the massive strength he might possess. He was truly one of a kind, and she wasn't even sure if anyone could match him at all.
"Hmm... so he's basically an all-powerful guy who can't be beat, is that it?" Upon hearing Augustus's evaluation, she nodded, her lips pursed at how accurate this was. They were far below him, so for them, this was the perfect description of a man who dealt with her using mere fingers.
"Damn... I mean, as a Silent Harmoner, you're one of the top in the food chain. Perhaps we still do not comprehend what truly lies at the top of this existence." He grimaced, prompting Sierra to narrow her eyes in response.
Silent Harmoners were a special evolution of humans. These were semi-spiritual beings with the ability to interact with the very laws of the world. The primary skills these beings possessed were increased speed and stealth.
Both Sierra and Augustus were Silent Harmoners, with Sierra being an absolute beast, having lived for a millennium. Having initially learned her skills from the bloated black-bearded chef, it didn't take long for her to surpass him.
She then went on to learn more fighting skills from wherever she could, allowing her to harness various techniques and authorities. Eventually, she became one of the strongest Silent Harmoners to ever exist.
After this battle, though... I am not even sure whether that's true...
If she could tell one thing, it was that the black-haired man was something much higher and vast than a Silent Harmoner. Could he even be classified as a part of humanity? She wasn't sure in the slightest.
"We can't be sure of what he is, but what's certain is that I failed at my mission. The princess is still alive." Sierra revealed, prompting Augustus to click his tongue in response.
"Well, damn! The one thing you were meant to do... You didn't do it. Now the kingdom would increase its security. Not to mention that your face was also revealed to the king, meaning going back to the city is dangerous for you." Augustus remarked, his eyes narrowed in frustration, as he stroked his beard whilst thinking of ways they could assassinate the Princess.
"Hmm..." As Augustus was stuck thinking, Sierra seemed too dazed to care, her eyes narrowed and out of focus.
That headpat.... I miss it...
"Maybe attacking her whilst she's outside the city could work. Less security and more success."
It's been so long since... since anyone touched me with such affection...
"Wait... they might probably not let the Princess escape anytime soon after this incident. Damn it!"
Not even Augustus treats me with such affection... why does it feel so cold?
"Hmm... there must be another way... Sierra?"
Why... I miss everyone... why?
"Hey, Sierra? You good?"
I have been alone for so long... why does this affect me so much?
"Sierra! Snap out of it!"
Is this because of that Revan? His touch was so warm... did it really affect me that much—
"Varkana to Sierra!!"
"Eh?" She blurted, turning to Augustus, who seemed to have gripped her shoulders firmly, his expression betraying concern.
"You were spaced out. What happened?" He asked, tilting his head to look at her better.
"... I—"
"—Hey! Aren't you the burrito guy?" Hearing an unexpected voice, both of them turned to their right, finding the man they least expected to be standing in front of them.
Revan faced them with a charismatic stride, a small smile on his face, his ruby-red eyes fixated on the duo, and his clothes radiating his presence even further.
Both Augustus and Sierra gulped, nervous for what was to come.
***
The throne room was drowned in an eerie silence.
Charlie sat on his throne, rubbing his temples as he considered what to do. Not only was the assailant targeting his daughter missing, but so was Revan, the man who had stopped that assassination in the first place.
Beside him, his wife stood, her expression grim, as she embraced Sofamy, caressing her back whilst she buried her face into her mother's chest.
The doors are then abruptly opened as a man strode in the room, his approach harsh and his expression bitter. He had dirty-blonde hair that reached his shoulders and emerald green eyes that mimicked those of the king. His facial features screamed youth and portrayed a beauty never seen before.
Cronos followed close behind him, his brows furrowed in nervousness. Seeing him, Charlie perked up, eager to hear what he had to say.
"Your Majesty," Cronos began as he bowed. "There is no sign of Sir Revan. Sir Vekas is still searching for him."
"Tch! And what about the assailant?"
"She is also not yet found, your majesty." The guard replied, making Charlie click his tongue in response.
"Father," the youthful blonde-haired man called out. "I heard about the attack. Is Sofamy alright?"
"Yes, she is unharmed. Cronos, alongside General Vekas and Sir Revan, was able to defend her. You do not need to worry, Marcus." Charlie replied, his words flustering Cronos with a hint of embarrassment.
The headguard opened his mouth, aiming to shift most of the credit away from himself, but was interrupted by Marcus.
"How could I not worry, Father? My sister was attacked and nearly killed. That assailant murdered nearly all the soldiers protecting her, and you expect me to be fine?" The boy retorted, his brows furrowed and his teeth gritting against each other.
"Also, tell me more about this Revan you speak of. I haven't heard of anyone with that name before." He added, curious to know about one of the saviours of his sister.
Charlie paused, narrowing his eyes before letting out a heavy sigh. It was clear how disturbed he was with everything, including his son's demanding words.
"Son," Androma, Marcus' mother, gently called out. "Your father is currently preoccupied with thinking about what to do. Please give him some space."
"Space? There is no time for that, Mother. I need to know who this Revan is." Marcus countered, not willing to do as his mother said.
"It's alright, Androma," Charlie remarked before setting his gaze on his son. "Sir Revan is the man who helped us win against Broshasa. And then, he also defeated the assailant alongside Vekas and Cronos."
Hearing this, Marcus' brows rose, clearly interested in this turn of events. A mysterious man who not only helped them win a war, but was also responsible for protecting his dear sister.
"I see, and judging from your conversation with Cronos, this man is missing... I would really like to meet him." Marcus remarked, a small smile on his face, before turning to the headguard.
"Tell Vekas to double his efforts on finding that man. If any of you find him, bring him straight here and inform me about it." The prince told him, to which Cronos nodded, his expression firm yet his body rigid.
"As you wish, Prince Marcus." He bellowed before exiting the room to further search for both Revan and the assailant.
Seeing the headguard leave, Marcus turned back to his family, his emerald green eyes narrowed heavily.
"I am the heir of this kingdom, Father. I must make sure that my family and kingdom are safe from threats like these. Hence, it is time we got serious." Marcus remarked, his lips pursed slightly as he glanced at his sister.
"Don't worry, Sofamy. I'll make sure you don't get harmed like this again." He told her softly, a soft smile plastered on his face, before turning to exit the throne room.
"Marcus," the king called out, his voice deeper than normal. "Do not make any stupid decisions, understood?"
"Please, Father. When have I ever made a stupid decision?" He retorted playfully before exiting through the gates.
"That boy..." Androma muttered under her breath, her expression betraying her displeasure with his attitude as she held her daughter closer.
"Are you alright, Father?" A soft, delicate voice came out from Sofamy, her ocean-blue eyes half-lidded as she glanced at Charlie's grim expression. Seeing her concern, Charlie turned to her with a wry smile on his face.
"Don't worry, my child. I am alright." He told her, his voice softened. "Androma, take my daughter to her quarters and stay with her. I need some time alone."
"As you wish." She replied, her eyes narrowed, as she took Sofamy and exited the throne room with pursed lips, aware of the tension her husband was secretly facing.
Now alone, Charlie sighed, his eyes closed as he leaned back against his throne. The sudden assassination attempt, the war they almost lost, and the disappearance of an ally they just recruited; all incidents worked together to drive him out of his mind.
Perhaps my original plan isn't too bad... right? The circumstances surely seemed to dictate that. With everything currently happening, he doubted that his family was safe, as well as those loyal to him.
The assailant who attacked Sofamy must've been a part of the rebels, Charlie told himself, adding further anxiety to his mind over the fate of his family. Either he needed to fix this empire quickly, the way Revan had told him to, or he needed to run away with his family and let this place become a republic.
Yes... This was the only way... right?
***
"Wait, so let me get this straight." Revan blurted, his mouth occupied by the beef burrito Augustus had made for him.
The three of them were seated in a cave near the outskirts of the capital city, Dimrath. A campfire was lit to provide some light as well as the heat needed for the chef to cook more burritos on Revan's request.
"You and the princess had an outrageous conflict decades ago, and now you want revenge on her, so you're planning to assassinate her?" He asked, summarizing everything he had just been told.
"Yes," Sierra nodded, her cold gaze fixated on him. "However, I feel offended by the way you say it. For the record, I am not the one at fault here. She committed an outrageous crime by hurting those I love, and I am simply taking my revenge."
"By killing her? Something's up with that story. You're not telling the full truth, are you?" He asked, hitching the breaths of both silent harmoners.
"I am not sure what there is to doubt, but I speak of the absolute truth." She reaffirmed, her eyes narrowed, not revealing the anxiety she felt within.
"And you only assassinate her now? Sounds a bit fishy to me."
"Several attempts have already been made, boy. We just weren't successful." Augustus intervened, handing him another burrito, which he gladly took.
"I doubt it. Your strength was remarkable, so there was no way you missed the Princess every single time. As a silent harmoner, assassination is supposed to be your strongest area. There's no way you failed multiple times." Revan countered as he ate the burrito, his mouth full as he addressed them with slightly narrowed eyes.
Sierra remained calm, not moving a muscle as she ignored Augustus' shock at Revan knowing their species. She was already aware of his insane analytical prowess from their previous battle. This wasn't a surprise to her.
"I assure you that nothing we are saying is false. You can look through my memories if you want." She pressed, her voice low and measured, composed despite Augustus' reaction to her words.
(Sierra, what are you—)
(I know what I am doing.) She ushered him down using [Mind Web], an advanced version of [Thought Discussion].
"I do not need to look into your memories to tell that you are hiding something." Revan insisted, swallowing the whole burrito before donning a slight smirk on his face.
"Besides, doing that would be so boring, wouldn't it?" He added, making Sierra narrow her eyes.
She was already annoyed at seeing that smirk of his again; the mocking, berating smirk that he wore throughout their duel.
"Look, man. We have no reason to lie to you." Augustus remarked, settling down with her after hanging another burrito beside the fire.
"Judging by your battle with Sierra, you can literally mop the floor with us. Without resistance, at that. There is literally no reason for us to lie to you." He reasoned, though his words only made Revan lean in slightly.
"Yeah... no, I ain't falling for your reverse psychology. Even though telling the truth is the logical course of action, you guys choose to lie to fool me, eh? I ain't that dumb, fellas." He replied, his gaze drinking in the sight of Augustus' lips pursing and Sierra's hands gripping her knees firmly.
Suddenly, a voice echoes from the outside, alarming both Sierra and Augustus, with Revan's brows also raising upwards as he glanced at the cave entrance.
"Oh? Seems like we have visitors." The wanderer remarked with an amused smile on his face.
They then observe a shadow coming closer and closer. Sierra held her sword, ready to cut down the one who had found them. She was certain it was someone from Aethelgard, even though this was supposed to be a remote condition.
They had also suppressed their oathweight almost entirely, so they couldn't have simply detected them here. Even Revan's oathweight was hidden to the point where even she couldn't sense it, so he was out of the picture.
Soon, the shadow revealed himself to be Vekas, his sword raised as he stepped into view, bangs covering his forehead. His black eyes widened, drinking in the sight of the three beings in front of him.
"Oh, Vekas!" Revan greeted, waving at him with a wry smile. "Come in, no need to be shy."
"Sir Revan... what are you doing here?" Vekas asked, tightening his grip on his sword.
"Are there any more soldiers outside?" Sierra asked back, ignoring their conversation, as she got ready to lunge at him the moment he turned hostile.
"... yes, but they won't enter as long as I don't give the order." The general replied before turning to Augustus, his eyes narrowing as he glared at the chef he once met.
"I knew there was something shady about you. Seems like you're working with the one who attacked our princess, eh?" He muttered in disdain as he directed his sword at him, prompting Sierra to get defensive.
"Whoa there, buddy! I mean no harm, trust me." The chef raised his hands in defence, not willing to get on the general's bad side.
"No need to worry, Vekas. They won't bite if we don't make them." Revan intervened, causing Vekas to sharply turn to him.
"Sir Revan, why are you defending them?"
"Because if I don't, I can't know why they attacked Princess Sofamy." He answered sharply, grabbing another cooked burrito and taking a bite.
"I see... so that was your plan. I apologize for doubting you." The general replied, bowing slightly before sheathing his sword and turning to the other two.
"It's time you explained what's going on here." He growled; his piercing gaze was directed right at them.
Sierra and Augustus didn't wish to mess with him. Despite Sierra's victory before, she acknowledged Vekas as someone who was a challenge in normal circumstances. He was a War Saint, after all.
As a War Saint, his semi-spiritual nature was similar to that of silent harmoners. She knew full well that he outclassed Augustus in a fight, so things could become rocky if he were to attack them right out of the blue.
"You do not need to know, Vekas Lundarve. Trust me on that." Sierra replied dismissively, her grip tightening over her sword.
"I'd advise you not challenge me again. Not only is this a restraining field of battle, but unlike before, my Vyr reserves are full. Plus, I have a whole squad ready to help me if needed." The general warned, secretly embedding his sword with Vyr as his pupils contracted to snake-like slits.
He was right. Had it not been for the fact that Vekas hadn't rested one bit since the battle of Broshasa, he would've faced her in perfect condition. However, he was ready to face her again after Revan had healed him and restored his Vyr capacity.
"Hmm... not even a day has passed since our fight... is his Vyr recovery your doing?" She asked, addressing Revan, who was eating yet another burrito.
"Uhhhhh...." He looked away in response, his expression that of an innocent man, confirming her suspicions.
So his restoration surpasses mere physical healing, huh... could he heal spiritual attacks, too, perhaps?
"The princess apparently pissed the girl off, so she tried to kill him," Revan remarked, prompting both harmoners to turn to him sharply, their eyes wide and their teeth gritting together.
"Damn, man! Why did you tell him?!" Augustus yelled, to which Revan simply tilted in response.
"He would've started fighting you guys if I hadn't told him, dumbass!" He retorted, his mouth still full of the burrito.
"Hmm... what exactly did the Princess do?" Vekas asked, confused at the situation. As far as he knew, the Princess wasn't the one who would pick a feud with anyone. In fact, she was one of the purest and humblest people he knew.
"Tell me, what was the exact thing she did? Princess Sofamy is known for her kind nature and benevolence to others, so believing your narrative is difficult." He added, his sword lowered, yet his grip firm over it.
"... she hurt my family. She... destroyed them. That's all I can reveal to you." Sierra replied, her eyes narrowed, and her lips pursed together.
"You must be mistaken. Throughout the seventy-six years of her life, Princess Sofamy hasn't harmed even a single soul. Are you sure you have the right person?" Vekas retorted, clearly finding this narrative hard to believe.
"First Revan, now you too?!" Augustus exclaimed, his brows furrowed in frustration. "Look, kid. What we are saying is the truth! She lived for seventy-six years. Do you really think she didn't harm anyone throughout that time at all?!"
While Sofamy was indeed seventy-six years old, her appearance resembled that of a twenty-year-old, youthful woman with porcelain skin, accompanied by the blonde hair of her father and the ocean-blue eyes of her mother.
"Princess Sofamy has always been a sheltered woman. If she had harmed anyone, the kingdom would be the first to know about it." Vekas pushed, reasoning that the allegations against her were false.
Hearing this, Augustus clicked his tongue. He couldn't find a way to convince the general that their alibi was the absolute truth.
Sierra, on the other hand, merely observed them with an eerie calm, her cold gaze fixated on Vekas before finally letting go of the hilt of her sword.
"I am sure you know how proficient Sofamy is in the use of magic, correct?" She finally spoke, her voice low and even.
"Indeed, to the point that she possesses [Magic Manipulation] ... what does that have to do with anything?" Vekas asked, confused by her words.
"If she has [Magic Manipulation], then using Illusion Magic must be a piece of cake for her. What if she merely manipulated you all to think she was this sweet and sheltered, but was actually doing criminal acts on the outside? What if she's simply pretending to be what you think she is?" She asked, further elaborating her words.
Hearing this, Vekas widened his eyes as realization dawned upon him, prompting him to think it through. Sofamy indeed had a proficiency in all forms of magic thanks to her [Magic Manipulation], so this could very much be possible.
She was also a renowned genius in all forms of magic arts and techniques, having studied several books regarding them and mastered all the techniques written there. She must definitely be capable of pulling off such a feat.
"You have a point..." Vekas remarked before letting go of his sword. "However, if she had really done such a thing, then we would've immediately found out about it. After all, our [Appraisal], as well as other techniques and authorities, far surpass everything in her arsenal. Your narrative doesn't make much sense."
"Or maybe she's just pretending to be weaker than you all." Sierra countered, prompting Vekas to narrow his eyes in response.
"How so?"
"I am sure you all ran [Appraisal] on her multiple times. What if she simply manipulated your analysis to deceive you about what abilities she has?" She asked, her eyes slightly narrowed, as she leaned in slightly.
"... you are experienced with this form of deception, correct?" Vekas asked, his eyes narrowed as he mulled over her words.
"Correct. I used it against you, so she could use it against others as well." She replied, though she resisted the urge to mention how the burrito-loving man also liked to manipulate the analysis of others.
"Are you thinking about me?" Revan asked, donning a puzzled expression.
"No." She replied, lying through her teeth whilst annoyed at his seemingly sharp intuition.
Meanwhile, Vekas could see the logic in her words. Sofamy was a master at everything she studied, including the art of analysis. She herself had [Appraisal], so it's natural to believe that she mastered everything regarding it.
"I still find your story hard to believe, especially since there is zero evidence of it. Tell me, who was in your family? How did you and the princess get into conflict? And what exactly did your family do to make the Princess supposedly harm them so badly that you tried killing her?"
Upon hearing Vekas' questions, Sierra stiffened slightly, though her expression remained calm as ever.
"She's awfully silent about it. Trust me, I've tried." Revan remarked, finally finishing the burrito he was feasting on.
"I have nothing else to tell you, Vekas Lundarve," Sierra replied, confirming Revan's words.
"Sir Vekas! Are you alright?" A voice echoed in the cave, belonging to one of the soldiers who had accompanied the general in finding the Wonderer.
"Yes, I'm alright. There is no need to fret!" The general responded.
"Headguard Cronos wishes to speak to you, Sir Vekas! Should we let him in?" Upon hearing this, Vekas perked up, turning fully to the cavemouth.
"No need. Let me arrive there myself." He called out before exiting the cave.
"Well, now this is a drag," Augustus whined as he ate a burrito he made for himself. "Things are gonna get a lot more troublesome from here, aren't they?"
"They are, and we have Revan here to thank for that," Sierra replied, her voice betraying her frustration at the black-haired man before her.
"Hey! I didn't know Vekas was suddenly gonna show up out of the blue! Cut me some slack, okay?" He protested as he finally stood up, wiping away the dust from his suit.
"Where did you get that dress, anyway? It's clearly not from around here." She asked, observing his outfit with a keen interest.
"Hmm? I always had it. It has been with me for as long as I can remember." He replied, tilting his head at her question.
"Still, that outfit ain't from around here. Maybe from another country?" Augustus asked, to which Sierra shook her head.
"Throughout Varkana, there exists not a single nation that has such a suit." She countered, her eyes focused on the black-haired man.
"Oh? Are you saying you have explored the entire planet?" Revan asked, amused by her words. His ruby-red eyes met her ocean-blue ones with an equal intensity.
Before they could argue any further, Vekas returned, his gaze locked onto Revan.
"Sir Revan. Cronos has informed me that Prince Marcus, the heir to the throne, wants to meet you in the throne room." He revealed, facing him with narrowed eyes and furrowed brows.
What could Marcus possibly want? Vekas knew he was a troublemaker, and if he were to get on Revan's wrong side with his attitude, things might jump to a disaster. It was for this reason that even the King, Charlie, was cautious when talking to Revan.
Meanwhile, the man in question stretched his limbs and then straightened his posture. He seemed relaxed, almost too relaxed, as he faced the general without worry.
"Alright. Let's go, then." Revan remarked before heading to the cave exit.
"Wait, Sir Revan!" Vekas called out, stopping him in his tracks. "What about the girl? His majesty wants her alive."
Alarmed, Sierra held the hilt of her sword once more, ready to strike if the situation turned hostile. Luckily, Revan wished to prevent that, from what she could tell.
"Nah, leave them be." He replied before continuing his stride towards the exit.
"But Sir Revan—"
"—There's no need to bring them in now. After all, I still have some more stuff to talk to them about." Revan interrupted, not turning to even look back as he marched forward.
Turning to the silent harmoners, he narrowed his eyes, glaring at them, before letting out a heavy sigh. He then turned to the exit and followed Revan out.
As they disappeared from the cave, Sierra and Augustus finally let out a breath they didn't even know they were holding. The situation they had gone through was intense, yet they knew that this was far from over.
"Hey, Sierra... those two clearly don't fully believe us..."
"I know, that's why Revan chose to leave us be in the first place." She replied before turning to him, and for the first time in a while, Augustus could've sworn that he saw a ghost of a smile on her face.
"However, one thing is for sure. The Princess will be under actual suspicion, and judging by the power Revan has, he won't fall for her tricks." She remarked, her tone passive, yet he could sense a hint of triumph in it.
"Hmm... I guess you are right... At least something came out well from this situation." He sighed, his gaze landing on the fire that seemed to ignite even further in the tense situation.
"Soon, I will have my revenge. People may claim what they will. Address me as they will. Act against me as they will. However, once I am done, none will matter anymore. I will be at peace." She remarked, her gaze fixated on the fire as well, though it was far more intense as it had its own flare of unspoken resolve.
"Hmm... know this, Sierra. No matter what happens, I shall support you. Even if that Revan boy tries to stop us... I won't abandon you." Augustus replied, a soft smile on his face as he turned his gaze onto her, observing her features softening.
"I see..." Sierra replied, her ocean-blue eyes meeting his amethyst-violet ones with a hint of warmth and vulnerability, one that seemed to make his breath hitch.
"Thank you for always being there with me, Augustus... I really needed you." She told him, before wrapping his arms around him, leaning against his chest.
It was a surprise for the bloated chef, but not an unwelcome one. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. This was one of the rare hugs they shared for the thousand years they were by each other's side.
These hugs... they seem to be getting rarer over the years...