In the evening, the rain was still heavy.
In the dining room of the Dawn Wizard Tower near the Earl's castle, many witch apprentices were having dinner.
The sound of utensils and plates clinked pleasantly as over a dozen witch apprentices dined together, mostly bowing their heads, sipping modestly on white bread, horse meat sausages, cauliflower, and corn and ham chowder.
Arriving in Brittany to be trained under Senator Veronica Bernadotte was a novel experience for the witch apprentices. When Chairwoman Margarita of the Garon Council issued a notice at Skyvault Fortress asking who was willing to go to Brittany, over 70% of the apprentices nominated themselves.
After a rigorous selection, Margarita chose a dozen outstanding apprentices and also placed two of her own direct line witches to assist Veronica. Now possessing her own luxurious wizard tower, she was nearly qualified to join the Inner Circle of Elders, only lacking in seniority.
The apprentices no longer had to endure the oppressive atmosphere of Skyvault Fortress in the Knight Kingdom. Living conditions and accommodations were much improved. Originally built atop a mountain over two thousand meters high, life at Skyvault was far from comfortable, with lower-level apprentices often crammed into large shared sleeping quarters.
Veronica was not known for her temper, and the Garon Council women were similarly reputed. However, Veronica, having climbed out from the ranks of apprentices herself, was well aware of their circumstances and had established effective management systems.
"Look, it's not surprising to see Senator Veronica here, but why is Senator Teresa here?" whispered one apprentice.
At the other end of the dining room, Veronica was dining with Teresa, the two Garon Council women speaking in low voices, appearing not to be arguing.
"Shh, Naomi, keep it down. If we anger the senators, we might be sent back! I don't want to go back to Skyvault!" another apprentice whispered back.
The apprentices whispered among themselves.
"Hurry up and eat, we have other classes tonight. The Earl's tax officer, Gaspar Dun, will give you a math lesson," said Catherine, now a formal witch. Despite her recent promotion to the elite rank, her youthful appearance and tone made her scolding ineffective, sparking more questions from the apprentices.
"Catherine, what is Senator Veronica doing?"
"Catherine, are you teaching us tomorrow?"
"When can we meet His Lordship the Earl? Isn't he supposed to teach us swordsmanship? Why is it always Doris teaching?"
Overwhelmed, Catherine turned to her mentor for help.
"Quiet." Veronica spoke up.
The dining hall fell silent instantly, all apprentices bowed their heads and dared not speak further, leaving only the sound of chewing.
Veronica frowned at the apprentices' demeanor and suggested to Teresa, "Let's go upstairs to talk."
"That would be best," agreed Teresa, her tear mole adding to her cold beauty.
After a simple dinner, Veronica and Teresa headed upstairs, the oppressive atmosphere gradually fading as the apprentices quickly finished their meals and then hurried to rest. In the afternoon, they were sometimes assigned labor or potion-making tasks, and sometimes attended classes. The apprentices had only one day a week to go out, either visiting Ryan's town or enjoying some free time in their rooms.
Veronica opened her reception room, where luxurious warm decor included high-quality redwing wood sofas and several magical lamps casting a yellow glow.
"Such heavy rain." Veronica's heels clicked all the way to the window. Intending to open it but deterred by the rain, she invited, "Have a seat. What would you like to drink?"
"Anything will do," Teresa responded indifferently, glancing around the room and making mental comparisons to her mother's wizard tower.
Although Veronica's wizard tower lacked the historical depth of Aurora's, its luxury was undeniable, especially with Ryan's financial backing making it only a matter of time before it surpassed her mother's.
Veronica opened her liquor cabinet and took out a bottle of sparkling apple cider, pouring two glasses.
With the glasses set, Teresa picked up hers, "It's a bit forward to come at night like this," she looked directly at Veronica, her gaze flickering, "but I think we need to talk."
"Knowing you, Teresa, it's either about Ryan or Elder Aurora." Veronica nodded, her sweet face observing Teresa's cold allure, a fake smile on her lips. "Which do you want to discuss?"
"Both actually, but first, take a look at this." Teresa handed over a parchment.
Veronica took the parchment.
It was a letter from Teresa's mother, Aurora, agreeing to Teresa's request to further strengthen collaboration with Ryan and discussing the funding for Teresa's wizard tower with eight thousand gold marks provided by Aurora; the rest needed to be raised by Teresa herself.
The letter also touched on Veronica's potential entry into the Inner Circle, expressing Aurora's reluctance but noting Ryan's significant influence made it likely.
"First and foremost, I am Ryan's woman, then a Garon councillor. Whether I become an elder is irrelevant to me now; my wizard tower is here in Ryan's territory, not at Skyvault." Veronica frowned.
Veronica pondered the implications of Teresa bringing the letter.
Her role in the council was as a liaison between Ryan, primarily a warrior and noble, who would need magical counsel, and the Garon Council—with Veronica perfectly positioned to fulfill this role.
Becoming an Inner Circle elder held little allure for Veronica, who had no plans to reside at Skyvault.
Realizing the situation was shifting, Teresa's silver eyes sparkled, "Veronica, you've been away from the council too long."
A change finally appeared on Veronica's face; perhaps Teresa was right—she had indeed been away from the Garon Council too long. Since arriving at Ryan's side, all her efforts had been invested in her wizard tower and Ryan's affairs.
"So, has the Chairwoman reached some agreement with Lady Aurora?" Veronica's expression changed, and Teresa noted it as she provocatively crossed her leather-clad leg, "Guess?"
"I'm not interested in playing guessing games, Trovick." Veronica said sternly, "Or shall we end our conversation here?"
The rain outside was heavy, the room silent but for the two Garon councillors, sitting opposite each other, their relationship a complex mix of rivals and colleagues, both casters who should understand each other but faced with overlapping identities.
"Ryan is too outstanding, Miss Veronica Bernadotte," Teresa continued.
Veronica looked up, understanding Teresa's point.
"Let your mother speak with me, Trovick, you're not the decision maker." Veronica handed back the letter, "Let's end this topic here, now let's move on to the next."
Both were intelligent; sometimes, half-spoken words sufficed.
"Regarding Ryan... Trovick, I think arguing further is futile," Veronica's tone was icy, "but first, let's acknowledge one fact, reach a consensus: I was the first to be involved with Ryan, I am the front runner."
Teresa leaned back on the sofa, nodding calmly, "Yes, I admit."
"Then we have a basis for discussion."
...
"The rain is heavy, my lady," Ryan said, strolling by a small pond next to the Lady of the Lake's tower, the torrential rain not affecting them as a protective shield repelled any raindrops.
Ryan's shield was pale blue
, the Lady of the Lake's, emerald green.
"Just call me Lilith in private," the Lady's voice carried a weary tone, her arm linked with Ryan's, "Ryan, my champion, let's go inside, hold me."
"It should have been this way," Ryan whispered softly.
Today, the Lady wore a gray Asuan high elf Phoenix Court phosphorescent velvet classical evening gown, her stunning beauty resting against Ryan's chest, her smile faint, her golden hair nearly touching the ground, her dainty feet gently swaying. Despite her beauty, her pale complexion was evident: "Hold me to the fourth floor, Ryan."
"Lilith, what's wrong? You seem so weak," Ryan asked, carrying her upstairs, puzzled.
"What else? The elven gods are at it again, causing me trouble," she said, snuggling closer, "I didn't want to get involved, but with Asuan facing an invasion from the northern chaos tribes, I had no choice but to fight."
Ryan's steps were steady as he carried her to the fourth floor, sitting down together on a wingback chair.
"A chaos-worshipping northern barbarian army invaded the northern kingdom of Cosqui in Asuan, led by the god-chosen 'Beauty,' Prince Sigvald, commanding an army of over six thousand," the Lady recounted, her face pale as she played with Ryan's dark hair.
"I can't believe the high elves can't handle a six-thousand-strong barbarian invasion," Ryan commented, looking out at the rain, "We know the strength of the high elves."
"That's just it, the enemy is so weak the elven gods don't take them seriously," she complained, "Asuyan sits forever on the Phoenix throne, concerned only with his war against the Bloodhand God Cain, ignoring everything else. The Eternal Queen Elariel is hosting another breeding rally in Avalon, thousands of elves celebrating at a grand breeding party, with neither the Hunt God Cernunnos nor the Mother Goddess Isha caring about the outside conflict. Charis's White Lion guards only care about their own territories and the safety of the Phoenix King and Eternal Queen. Tyronn Lann and Nagareth continue their endless war against Durthu."
"At the council of gods, they all blame each other, but none are willing to intervene, so when Princess Etirala, responsible for defending against invaders, prayed to me for help, I had to step up."
Ryan thought, it's the same among elves, each to their own.
"I heard the Phoenix King is supposed to unite the kingdoms' forces," Ryan ventured.
"The Sea King Fëanor loves to lock himself in the Phoenix Court in contemplation; he's a great diplomat but not a great general," she explained, watching the rain outside, her voice dreamy, "He delegated the military powers of the Phoenix King to Tyrion and Tigris—descendants of the original Phoenix King, appointing them guardians of Asuan."
"And Tyrion and Tigris?" Ryan continued.
"Tyrion is attending the Eternal Queen's breeding rally," she said softly, kissing Ryan's cheek, "He's the Eternal Queen's consort and her god-chosen champion, his relationship with her… is like mine with you."
Ryan was speechless, thinking for a moment, then curiously, "Isn't each Phoenix King and Eternal Queen supposed to be married?"
You elves sure know how to invite trouble with your customs.
"Yes," she smiled seductively, her body exuding a strong iris scent, "but what does that have to do with the Eternal Queen's consort?"
"The Eternal Queen is married yet has a consort?" Ryan commented incredulously, "And Fëanor appointed Tyrion as guardian of Asuan?"
"Ha ha~" The Lady laughed, touching Ryan's face, "Ryan, my champion, elves have no concept of that, the Phoenix King cohabits with the Eternal Queen for a year to ensure the birth of the next Eternal Queen, then they live separately, each with numerous consorts. In fact, in the celestial pantheon, except for me, the gods of the Moon, Dreams and Destiny, the Virgin Goddess of Purity, and I, the Lady of the Lake Lilith, none of the elves have concepts of chastity."
"Okay, I must say I don't quite understand you elves," Ryan quipped, holding the Lady's hand, channeling spiritual energy to help her recover.
"Before we enjoy this night, I have something for you," she suddenly remembered, retrieving a necklace from between her bosoms.
The necklace, crafted from the white gold and diamonds elves adore, featured a black bead at the end, within which a beautiful nebula swirled.
"This is…?"
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