Three hours had passed and there was no sign of change at the Grand Center opera house.
The situation around the opera house is getting crowded by the authority. The Vanguards in Lindheim seemed busy telling people not to go near the opera house.
Isabel stared in frustration while biting her finger and pacing back and forth.
Beside her, Malcolm seemed to be standing relaxed.
"Isabel, calm down. There's nothing we can do either."
An agitated Isabel looked irritated at Malcolm's calm "How can I calm down?! We don't know what happened. Lady Elizabeth is still trapped inside. Why didn't the vanguards do anything anyway. They are completely useless."
"It's not their fault either. They have no abilities related to magic. At least, Lady Elizabeth was not alone. She is with Duke Greyson and I think the young duke will look after her."
Isabel immediately glared at him, "You have no idea what it's like to not be able to get out of Nova Mesto! Undead appeared! I'm not sure the sweet-talker Duke can take care of Lady Elizabeth anyway."
Malcolm just sighed, "I understand you're frustrated. Calm your emotions. It's true that we don't know the situation inside but at least until now there haven't been any corpses or undead sighted."
Isabel gave Malcolm a sullen look as she continued pacing. She realized what Malcolm had said wasn't wrong.
Isabel stopped pacing then took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Trying to calm herself.
"Hey Isabel look at that," Malcolm gestured with his head.
Isabel opened her eyes and turned in the direction Malcolm had told her.
An army of knights appeared. The knights lined up neatly wearing armor with the crest of a horse which was the emblem of Archduke Rondo.
Not only the knight troops arrived but a group of priests and temple knights. Their clothes appear to wear the symbol of the cup. They all came led by the Duke Albert Barrington.
Isabel immediately ran up to Duke Albert while shouting, "My Lord, I need to speak with you!"
The knights standing guard around Duke Albert Barrington immediately blocked Isabel from approaching him.
Duke Albert gestured for his knights to let Isabel pass.
"My Lord, I must report that your niece was trapped in it along with… with Duke Greyson while watching an opera. We have to do something, My Lord.", Isabel said in a panicked tone.
"I understand the situation, Isabel. Our king receives a threatening letter from The Free Insurgents regarding the hostage-taking at the opera house. I, in place of ArchDuke Rondo was appointed to take care of this matter. Wait here until the opera house is safe. And he will help me to destroy this magic wall."
Isabel just realized that Duke Albert was not alone. Next to him was a figure that looked important accompanying him.
A man in a robe and mantle and wearing a mitre. He was Archpriest Jerome.
"Get ready we'll rush in once the magic wall is gone!", Duke Albert shouted in command as he pounded his mace on the ground hard. He then nodded towards Archpriest Jerome.
Archpriest Jerome beckoned to the priests and temple knights who had circled around the Grand Center's opera house. They started chanting prayer spells in ancient languages together.
The magic wall that surrounded the opera house seemed to slowly thin out until it finally disappeared.
"Attack!", Duke Albert shouted loudly.
The knights burst into the opera house. Sounds of people fighting, weapons clashing and gunshots accompanied by screams could be heard from inside.
It didn't take long for the knights to clean up the incident at the Opera house. They free the hostages and arrest some members of The Free Insurgents.
The priests immediately treated the injured ones.
Duke Albert looked at the captured rebels.
"Have they all been caught, Captain?"
The captain nodded, "So far, this is what we've caught. We haven't managed to catch their leader yet. My men are still checking the inside of the building."
Duke Albert glared at the rebels, "Who is your leader?"
The members of The Free Insurgents looked at each other. One of them answered, "We don't know. We are just hired people."
"Tch! Put them all in jail!", Duke Albert snorted in annoyance.
Isabel watched everyone coming out of the opera house but found neither Iris nor Leon's faces.
"My Lord, I can't wait any long-", Isabel turned to Duke Albert asking permission to go inside.
But before she finished her words, Duke Albert immediately raised his hand gesturing, "I understand. Go and look for my niece."
"Malcolm come with me!", Isabel ran into the Opera building.
Isabel and Malcolm enter a state of the opera house that looks messy. Battle marks seemed to be everywhere.
Isabel climbed the stairs and walked towards the place where Leon and Iris should be sitting watching the opera.
"Lady Elizabeth!", Isabel shouted as she opened the curtain covering the room.
But inside it appeared a knight was supporting Leon who looked injured.
Isabel looked at Leon with a pale face, "Iris…where is she?!"
Leon turned his head away from Isabel's sight. Can't answer.
"You… you didn't lose her, did you? You should take care of her!", this time with anger Isabel grabbed Leon's shirt collar.
"Isabel, stop."
Malcolm stopped Isabel, who seemed to be about to punch Leon in a moment.
Isabel took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Trying to control her emotions.
"Where is she? What happened?", asked Isabel while releasing her grip on Leon's collar.
"Someone took her away when she fell…."
"What?! She fell?!"
"Yes. But someone catches her so that she was not hurt. But…that person also took her somewhere else."
"You saw the face of the person who brought her? His hair colors? Or are there any special features?"
"No…. I don't know. He was wearing a helmet that covered his face. All I know is he's a man and wearing all black."
"Sigh… you really-usel-…ugh.", Isabel tried to hold back her words.
"Yes, you're right. I'm useless. You have every right to scold me, Isabel. I should have looked after her.", Leon looked regretful.
Seeing Leon's condition, Isabel could feel that Leon really cared and was worried about Iris.
"Forgive my words, My Lord. There is no use blaming you either."
"I... will try to find her.", Leon replied while forcing himself to walk alone. But only a few steps he seemed shaky and leaned against the wall. It seems he is in pain.
"No. Your condition doesn't allow it, My Lord. You'd better be taken out for treatment first. The two of us will go look for her." Isabel answered while gesturing for the knight who was there to take Leon outside.
Isabel immediately walked away from there. Malcolm quickly followed suit.
"You didn't tell him that Duke Albert was here too?" Malcolm blurted out
"Let it be. None of my business. Soon they will meet too. After all… he seemed to feel guilty. I don't want to add to the burden by telling Iris' uncle to be here."
Malcolm just smiled at that. For him, Isabel is still the same as before. Cold on the outside but actually she is a person who can care too.
Isabel and Malcolm then split up after promising to meet again in the lobby. However, the two of them did not find Iris inside the building.
"I looked for it all the way up to the top but couldn't find it, Isabel." Malcolm replied running up to Isabel who was in the lobby.
Isabel also seems to have just arrived in the lobby.
"I can't find it either, Malcolm. I could see the traces of a fight that led to the sewers. But I couldn't find her either."
"Shall we try to search outside… around the building?"
"There is no harm. You search on the west side while I try on the east side.", Isabel answered quickly.
The two of them immediately left the building and scattered to look for Iris.
"Iris where are you? What happened to you?", Isabel muttered in her heart uneasily.
=====
"Joshua, what happened to you all this time? Why don't you look for me and Isabel?", Iris repeated her question to Joshua who seemed to be silent.
Coming to his senses, Joshua turned to Iris and stared at her for a moment before he finally opened his mouth.
"I… I lost my memory, Iris. It took me quite a while to remember… everything.", answered Joshua in a low and hoarse voice.
Iris suddenly stood up and hugged Joshua.
"I'm sorry… I didn't know what you were going through… You don't need to force yourself to explain everything. It's just that… Isabel and I thought you were dead. I'm so glad you're still alive."
Joshua was surprised. Didn't expect Iris would be so happy to meet him.
Joshua slowly hugged back Iris.
He could feel the sincerity and warmth of Iris that felt comforting… comforting him who was always filled with anxiety… fear… that one day he would turn… into the monster that had massacred the village of Westray.
Suddenly there was a sound like glass shattering in the distance.
Joshua stared at his surroundings with a serious look.
"Did something happen?", asked Iris with a worried face.
"Looks like the magic wall has been destroyed. We can get out of this opera house, Iris."
Joshua suddenly carries Iris in both hands.
"Oh!", Iris looked surprised because of Joshua's sudden action
"Hold on! I will take you out quickly. This is our chance. Who knows they're going to build another magic wall.", Joshua stared sharply.
"O-Okay.", Iris replied with a nervous face.
Joshua's face looked very close to her. She just realized that she and Joshua have been close to each other several times. But it felt different when he previously wore a helmet and now…. he doesn't.
Joshua immediately took the square off to run. With his strength he could easily run and jump high while carrying Iris.
A strong wind hit Iris' face. Her hair was loose. Iris pressed her face against Joshua's chest. Her head was dizzy but Iris tried to hold it back.
Joshua ran swiftly through the halls. Several members of The Free Insurgents appeared, but with his speed and jump, Joshua managed to dodge their attacks and get past them.
Iris' long hair hit Joshua's cheek. Joshua glanced at Iris who seemed to close her eyes against his chest.
"Iris looks different now but she's still the same girl like before… Hang in there, Iris." Joshua muttered to himself.
They managed to escape from the rebels. But Joshua still continued to run without stopping.
"Iris, look. That's our way out. After that we'll get out of here." Joshua whispered into Iris' ear as they reached the end of the passage.
Iris slowly opened her eyes and turned around. Their faces met for a moment. For a moment Iris felt the sadness in Joshua's gaze.
Iris wondered in her heart what Joshua was really going through. She could sense Joshua was hiding something.
"We're going to jump down. Hold on.", Joshua whispered again.
Iris who heard that immediately pressed her face back into Joshua's chest while closing her eyes.
Joshua tried to jump down as smoothly as possible by using some of the balcony roofs as a step down.
"We're safe, Iris."
Iris opened her eyes. She looked around. They were in a small alley not far from the Grand Center opera house.
Not far outside the alley, numerous knights and vanguards were assisting in the evacuation of the audiences who had become hostages earlier. While the priests were busy providing first aid.
"Are you okay? Are you still dizzying?" asked Joshua while holding Iris' hand when he put her down.
Iris stood up and took several steps. Joshua watched her. Make sure beforehand that Iris is okay.
"Go to where the knights are. You'll be safe there."
"W-wait. How about you, Joshua? Won't you come with me and see Isabel?"
Iris turned around. Did not continue her steps and looked at Joshua with a worried face.
"No. Because my existence will dangerous you.", Joshua immediately rejected Iris's invitation.
"Is it because of Seraphine Aile?"
Iris and Joshua looked at each other.
For a moment it looked like Joshua was about to say something but he discouraged himself and chose to remain silent.
"Iris, you there! Thankfully, I finally found you!"
Isabel screamed from afar.
"Go meet Isabel."
After saying that, Joshua jumped up onto the roof of the balcony and disappeared.
"My Lady, are you all right? You look messy. Nothing bad happened, right?", Isabel immediately checked Iris' condition when she arrived.
"I'm fine, Isabel. I'm sorry I made you worry..."
"Why are you apologizing?! It's only natural that I'm the one at fault for letting you go with Duke Greyson earlier. I should have insisted to go with you." Isabel replied while holding Iris' hands.
"What about Leon? Is he okay?", Iris remembered how Leon was when they split up
"Ah, about him. He was minor injured but it's okay. At first he forced himself to come looking for you as well but I sent him to the priests to receive treatment first."
"Thank goodness he's okay.", Iris breathed a sigh of relief.
"Okay. We better get home soon. So, you can rest too. I'm going to find Malcolm first."
"Isabel..."
"Yes, My Lady?"
Iris did not continue her words. It seemed that Isabel didn't notice Joshua's presence in the alley.
"Nevermind. I just want to tell you that I'm grateful to be able to meet you again.", Iris shook her head with a smile.
Isabel nodded.
The arrival of the two of them was immediately greeted by Malcolm when he arrived in front of the Grand Center opera house.
"Malcolm, get us our carriages immediately. We will return to Grassland tonight.", Isabel immediately gave her order.
"Okay."
"Wait! Let me make up for my mistake."
Someone shouted to prevent Malcolm from leaving.
That person was Leon. His condition was much better after getting treatment from the priests.
"Iris, thank goodness you're okay. Because of my carelessness, I put you in a dangerous position earlier."
"Leon, it is fine. It's not your fault. I was careless too."
"It's already midnight. It will be dangerous if you go home now. The distance from Lindheim to Grassland was quite far. Especially with just the two of you looking after her."
Leon said as he looked at Isabel and Malcolm.
"You can stay at my residence which is not far from Lindheim."
"But Leon, aren't you injured too and need rest? Our presence might only bother you…", Iris answered with a worried face.
"Please, Iris. Let me make up for what happened earlier. Isabel, you are her guardian. You know how dangerous a long journey can be late at night especially with minimal guard."
Isabel took a deep breath. She knew what Leon said was right.
"My Lady what Duke Greyson said is true. It would indeed be better if we didn't make the long journey late at night. Even though I know you feel bad but I guess we better accept his offer."
Iris seemed to hesitate but finally nodded with a smile.
"Thanks for that, Iris." Leon replied while kissing Iris' hand.
"On the other hand, Leon, thank you for accepting all of us to stay."
"Oh yes, there is a message from your uncle. He apologizes for not being able to meet you. He had to leave soon because he had some important business to attend to. And he is very sorry that he cannot be with you."
"Uncle was here?", Iris looked surprised.
"That's right, My Lady. I haven't had the chance to tell you yet. But it was your uncle who led the knights to liberate the Opera house Grand Center on the orders of Archduke Rondo.", Isabel explained.
"Oh, I see. Uncle must be in a hurry to leave because of some important business. I can understand. Thank you for conveying uncle's message."
"Okay, I'll get on my carriage. You guys can follow it. My residence is at Red Peak."
Leon left them and entered his carriage.
Iris and Isabel got on their carriage while Malcolm sat at the front with the coachman. They followed the carriage that had brought Leon.
Secretly from a distance two people seemed to be watching what was happening from behind the wall. A woman and a man to be precise.
"Angus, you follow them and keep an eye on them from afar. After my business is done, I will immediately follow you.", ordered the woman.
"Lady Morrigan, may I ask what business they have with us? I thought they were just ordinary nobles unrelated to our mission."
Morrigan grinned, "If my hunch is right, they'll lead us to the man who massacred your village."
Angus looked surprised to hear that. He had been following Morrigan for the past three years to find out what was going on with the village of Westray.
Morrigan is a mysterious witch who doesn't say much. And oddly enough, she likes to change her appearance. Like changing her hair style or clothing style. The way she looks now is also not the way she looked when Angus first met her.
"Very well, Lady Morrigan. I won't take my eyes off of them.", Angus nodded enthusiastically. His eyes were full of vengeance.