The whole royal castle was situated up from the main city, situated at the top of the plains, where tempered territories met plateaux, nestled up there between a few forests.
The outer castle faced southwest, and if one followed the down path from there, they would inevitably end up at gates of the capital. It had three floors, which were either wide or intricate, and it was encased between four small towers, one of which was the extension of the training hall, half opened to the inner yards.
There were two entrances to the outer castle. However, in the center, one could cross it, passing through the low stony ceiling and in between the imposing pillars that escorted the way. Then, they would end up in a guarded court, wide gardens that extended almost further than the eye could see. One could find a few ponds in these gardens, a dozen paths to walk on leisurely, as well as many tended flowers and trees. Hidden far inside those gardens was the inner palace, to which only a few open corridors led from the side, joining the two palaces together. And they were heavily guarded all throughout.
Nevertheless. If one managed to slip past the guards to access the courtyard... Were they to raise their eyes toward the back of the outer palace, they would find an open balcony that towered over the gardens and the fountain. But that would be foolish, right? No one could possibly intrude on the royal private grounds.
As it happened, there was in fact someone whose footsteps sounded, muffled in the grass illuminated by the moonlight. Down there, in the gardens, looking up at the balcony with piercing aurora borealis eyes.
How did that person evade the heavy surveillance? Perhaps thanks to some elaborated trick, or a simple vial of soporific gas. Or maybe, it was made possible by pretending a midnight stroll, staying in sight until the visual impression was that he'd gone back to his quarters.
At any rate, now the man, a figure in the night, stood unseen like an anticipating predator eying his prey. No one saw him, nor heard him, when he jumped, powerful on his feet, in a nigh magical leap to reach the balcony. He landed, featherly light, and walked without hurry to the large glass window, not even glancing up at the lock before a whispered word left his lips, and a fancy mandala of light lit up his fingers, as he pressed them against the glass.
There was an inaudible sound. The man pushed slightly, and the window opened. He stepped inside. But he didn't have time to look around.
"Finally here?"
He raised his head, facing front. There, sitting on the majestic railing, a figure half glowing under the rays of moonlight, a lean black-clad man was smiling at him, almost wickedly. The blue eyes glowed on the semi-darkness.
He didn't dignify the comment with a reply, simply nodding soberly.
Ezera hadn't been waiting very long. Perhaps less than half an hour. He was impressed! But perhaps he should stop doubting the efficiency of someone that was skilled enough to be a spy. Wherever he came from.
"What did you want to show me?" Ilya, as no-nonsense as ever, went right to business.
Ezera's smile stretched even further.
"Come along," he said, before jumping on his feet without a sound.
They walked together. Ezera took the lead, unhurried, and Ilya's steps were heavier as he remained a couple feet behind, more cautious.
"For your personal information, I'll let you know that this part of the palace tends to remain empty as long as the royals and their compagny are retired to the inner palace. No one else is allowed to come in here, we likely won't be bothered."
Ilya nodded, acknowledging the words even though his fist didn't leave the hilt of his sword. At least, his gaze stopped wandering with every crossed path they went through.
"We're here," Ezera eventually came to a halt, Ilya following right after.
He had guided Ilya all the way to the grand doors that read Library in golden letters.
"I thought this might attract your interest. It's locked, by the way."
For a moment, Ilya did nothing. He only took in the hidden room, which was on full display, analyzing it in cold blood, level-headed. All while Ezera only watched him, impassive.
Then, he took a few steps, coming closer to the extravagant doors that weren't used for anything anymore. He placed his hand parallel to it, very close but not touching. He whispered a word that Ezera didn't understand, and what could only be a magic spell lit up between his fingers and the doors.
Ezera hummed, curious.
"Is this what you used to infiltrate the palace earlier? Useful. Is it well known?"
"It is not. A friend came up with it."
Ilya remained focused. Yet, after a small instant of waiting, the lightmade mandala broke away, fading in particules in the air without any effect.
"So?"
"Is it what you wanted my help with?" Ilya asked instead, frowning.
"You could guess I would already have opened it if it were only a question of lock."
The false Count gave a non-commital reply, before mulling himself in a thoughtful silence. After yet a couple of seconds, the man took four steps back and drew his sword.
Ezera's eyes widened.
"Huh. Isn't that exagerated over a door?"
But he divined Ilya had something he wanted to verify. He let him do as he pleased. And so, Ilya prepared to strike, a icy light glowing from within the sword, and for a moment Ezera was worried the entire wall would go down in icecubes.
Thankfully, or unfortunately depending on the perspective, it wasn't the case. On one hand, it was a good thing that absolutely nothing happened when Ilya swung his magical weapon violently at the fragile wood, because it meant there wouldn't be an impossible mess to clean were they to get away safely from this escapade. On another hand, this... made the whole situation far more complex to deal with.
And somehow, the surface that had just been struck didn't arbor any trace of it, not a scratch, and it was as though it had absorbed all the sound that such a hit would usually have made.
Ezera would like to say he was flabbergasted. He was not. In a way, he had predicted it.
Ilya confirmed it.
"It is a spell. A powerful mechanism. But I sense no firelight from it."
"Then," Ezera reasoned, sounding falsely casual, "it must be powered on dark matter. Any idea how to break it?"
Ilya looked back, shaking his head.
"I see. Then... We must figure out how dark matter work first. And why Luversten is in possession of tomes and spells in relation to it."
Ilya nodded gravely.
"Yes. We must."
Ezera sighed. Another mystery to solve. Why was nothing ever easy in his life?
Actually, the easiest part of his life had been the hectic schedule of scientific university. That didn't comfort him at all.
"Alright. Then it's decided. Let me accompany you back to your chambers, then."
Ilya shot him a confused look.
That was at least it, he grinned back. In all parts of his life, however difficult they were, Ezera could pride himself of being ever confusing.
One would argue it was not a quality.