I thought about transferring Seraphine Aile into my own body. But is it possible? What if something goes wrong? There must be a reason why only The Chosen Vessel and his descendants were allowed to possess Seraphine Aile.
I also started to collect information related to the history of Seraphine aile. There are not many documents about it. In fact, almost no one discusses its origins.
It's only written that Seraphine Aile is a holy power that was given long ago by the winged people to humans. And only selected people who are directly chosen by the winged people known as The Chosen Vessel may hold the sacred symbol.
Even so, I don't want to give up. All this for the sake of the one I love.
I also decided to try to meet him. Orifiel, the third generation Chosen Vessel, The current holder of the Seraphine Aile. The Chosen Vessel Orifiel lives a solitary life in the Sanctum of Ixenar with her daughter. They live only in the company of a few priests and nuns. However, the place was heavily guarded by palace soldiers.
Orifiel greeted me kindly. He seemed unchanged since the last time we met. His face looked mellow as usual. He asked how I was doing and said that he had heard about what had happened to my wife and child. And he sincerely expressed his condolences.
Orifiel also said that he understands what I'm going through.
I just smiled bitterly. In my heart I feel irritated at him who lives quietly and is fine. But I know that's not true. Just like me, Orifiel lost his wife and son too.
When I asked how he had survived through it all. The period when his wife and son died together. As well as the life he is only allowed to be in the Sanctum of Ixenar. Isolated from the outside world. Orifiel just smiled while pointing at her daughter who was playing not far from him.
"Varos, my old friend. For me my daughter is everything now. She is my source of hope. One day she will receive the same fate as me. That's why I want to make her happy while I can."
I couldn't say anything when he answered like that. I cried in front of him with sobs. As if understanding what I was going through, Orifiel hugged me.
At that moment I thought I was crying because of the grief I was experiencing. Grief over the loss of my family. But later I realized that I was crying because of what I was going to do….
"So how's Iris? Have you got something?"
Joshua who was lying by the fireplace. Beside him, Iris was reading St. Varos book while lying on her stomach.
Iris sighed with a serious face.
"Sigh… sorry Joshua I haven't found any clues to remove Seraphine Aile. All I know is that before there was someone chosen to hold Seraphine Aile. They are known as The Chosen Vessel. And it seems a lot more than I thought."
Iris replied while pointing the page she was reading at Joshua. When she did, the oversized neck of her dress accidentally exposed a portion of her breasts. Fortunately, it is only temporary.
Joshua who caught a glimpse of it immediately turned his eyes towards the fireplace.
"That dress is too big. Should I buy a dress that fits her? But where do I have the money to buy it?", Joshua muttered in his heart.
Feeling no response from Joshua, Iris sat up with her legs stretched out while facing the fireplace too.
"Joshua, may I ask something?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you remember how Seraphine Aile got into your body?"
Joshua turned to Iris.
"I don't remember…. Seraphine Aile was already in my body when I regained consciousness. And make me become…. different. All my senses seem to strengthen and give me strength so that I can easily jump high or run fast. However…."
Joshua seemed to ponder and then looked back at Iris.
"Sometimes it can take over me…. My self-consciousness tends to disappear when I force myself to use it. And when I woke up…. sometimes I can't remember what I did. And I can wake up in a different place before I lose my consciousness."
"Like yesterday when you were unconscious…. You look in pain and babble incoherently…. Even hitting objects near you. It scared me…."
"Sorry, Iris. if I frightened you."
"Not. I mean afraid something will happen to you not scared to see you. At that time, I did not know how to help you. I thought I would lose you again… but luckily… a part of my white magic returned…."
Joshua turned his body to face Iris and held her head.
"Do not worry about me. I can take care of myself. Whatever is happening to me now…. I accept it, Iris. It is my choice and my responsibility. Because of that…. You don't have to think about how to redeem it."
Iris lowered her head.
"How about I don't want to see you suffer. You don't want to meet me and Isabel. Something terrible must have happened to you during these three years."
Joshua gave a bitter smile.
"You're right, Iris. I did something that is unforgivable. And maybe a lot more than I know. Because when my consciousness disappeared and woke up…. Sometimes my body is filled with fresh blood. And I don't know whose blood it is."
Iris gasped in surprise.
Joshua continued his story in a bitter tone.
"I…I'm afraid of losing myself, Iris and becoming someone else or whatever I don't recognize that's inside of me right now. Only when I'm near you guys…. it reminds me of who I am and what I want to do. But I also can't be with you and Isabel…. because I'm afraid I might turn into something else at any moment."
"Joshua..."
"Sometimes I feel like I'm borrowing time. I don't know when my time runs out. But I would be happy if I could have memories with you guys."
Iris hugged Joshua while crying.
"You will not lose yourself, Joshua. I won't let it."
"Thank you, Iris. You really remind me of my younger sister. She's just like you…. Never give up."
Iris let go of her embrace and turned around while wiping away her tears. Her feelings hurt when she heard Joshua's story. But there's something else that makes Iris's heart flustered….
=======
Isabel and Malcolm had been checking inns and bars and even slums all day to look for Iris. But no one can provide any information.
The sky was already getting dark.
"It's no use, Isabel. That man disappeared as if swallowed by the earth. I don't think he's in Lindheim. Maybe this guy took Iris out of Lindheim and hid somewhere remote."
Isabel sighed at Malcolm's words.
"Damn you, Joshua. Where did you take Iris to?", Isabel muttered to herself while biting her finger.
"Should we just go back to the inn and get some rest, Isabel?"
Feeling that there was no other choice, Isabel nodded.
They walked back to the inn. When it arrived, in front of them appeared a carriage and someone seemed to be waiting for them.
"Finally. I met you, Isabel. Ahem… I await your arrival at Red Peak while…. recovering my condition."
Leon greeted them in front of the inn with a smile.
"It seems your condition has improved, My lord. You don't need to go to any trouble to meet me. I was just about to meet you at Red Peak.", Isabel replied in an even tone.
"Oh really? I've been waiting for your arrival since earlier. But because I can not wait, I decided I'll just meet you. Pardon my impatience."
Leon replied his words while still smiling. Isabel tried to contain her annoyance.
"Then would you like to visit inside? But the room I'm staying in is too simple and unfit to welcome you, My Lord. I think it would be best if you returned to Red Peak before nightfall."
Isabel walked into the inn.
"Thank you for being considerate of my feelings, Isabel. That's why I've rented rooms for you and your subordinates in a better place. We'll be staying at the same place, so it'll be easier for us to meet up."
Isabel stopped walking and looked at Leon with a resentful look.
"Don't worry, I'll rent two rooms each for you. So, you don't have to…. Ahem, sleeping together. I've asked my servant to move your things. But it seems that there is nothing that needs to be moved. So, we can leave now."
Leon answered with a smile while giving instructions for the coachman to open the carriage door.
Isabel tried to hold back her emotions and with a calm face entered the carriage. As Malcolm was about to follow her in.
Leon gestured forbidding it.
"You just sit next to the coachman."
Then Leon closed the door before Malcolm could react anything.
Malcolm just shook his head in annoyance and followed Leon's orders.
The carriage walked slowly towards the center of Lindheim. It seemed that Leon had rented an expensive inn since it was an elite area in Lindheim.
Inside the carriage, Isabel sat with her legs crossed while her eyes looked out the carriage window. She had no intention of chatting with Leon.
Leon who was in front of her, gave Isabel a sharp look.
"Isabel, isn't it about time you told me?"
"Tell about what My Lord?"
"About who Joshua is."
Isabel stared back at Leon with a sharp look.
"When I was little, I had a dog. Its name is Joshua. My mom doesn't like it when I say rude things like damn you dog. That's why when I'm angry, I used to say damn you Joshua."
Leon stared in shock at Isabel's answer and then smiled.
"I just found out you have a sense of humor too, Isabel."
Isabel glanced sharply.
"You don't know anything about me, My Lord."
"Don't play with me, Isabel. Sooner or later, I'll find out who Joshua is."
Isabel just kept quiet and didn't say anything. And the carriage stopped at an inn that looked luxurious.
"We have arrived, My Lord!" shouted the coachman while opening the carriage door.
Leon and Isabel entered the luxurious lobby.
While Malcolm headed for another entrance that was intended for overnight servants.
This is the first time Isabel has entered the lobby of a luxurious inn. Normally when traveling with Iris, she never entered through the lobby but rather a door meant specifically for servants like the one Malcolm entered.
"Amazing, isn't it?", whispered Leon as he passed by.
Isabel didn't answer and followed Leon.