We move forward, the cobblestones of the street echoing beneath our steps. The night blankets the city in a soothing darkness, a stark contrast to the anxiety gripping me. Finally, the large square reveals itself before us, deserted and silent. I let out a sigh of relief. There isn't a guard in sight, not a shadow to break our fragile respite. I turn to Ume, hoping to find some comfort in her gaze, but what I see stops me cold.
Her eyes are wide open, shining with a palpable terror. She remains motionless, as if the world around her had ceased to exist. I have known fear, but what engulfs her now feels deeper, more real. I step closer to her, sensing the urgency to pull her from the abyss.
"Ume, are you okay?"
My voice, though calm, betrays a growing worry.
She doesn't respond, her gaze lost in the void, as if she's seeing something I can't. My thoughts grow tangled. What is going on in her mind right now? What has she experienced to trigger such a reaction? I reach out, hesitating, then gently place my hand on her shoulder.
"Look at me,"
I murmur, my voice softer.
"We're safe here."
A flicker of emotion crosses her face, but she doesn't fully seem to come back to herself. Deep inside, I feel a rising despair. What could possibly frighten Ume this much?
In my attempt to bring her back to reality, I gently shake her shoulders. Her eyes finally land on me, but the terror within them crushes me.
"Wh-Why did-did you bring me here?"
she asks, her voice trembling, a shiver of dread running down her spine.
I take a breath, trying to make sense of the situation.
"We need to get past the rampart if we want to reach the king's castle."
At these words, she collapses at my feet, her breath caught, tears filling her eyes.
"N-No! It-It's forbidden to c-c-cross the library!"
A wave of confusion sweeps over me.
"But I've done it before, Ume. Besides, I'm impressed you know it's a library; I didn't even know until I stepped inside."
I try to offer her a comforting smile, but her fear is like a wall, insurmountable. Her gaze hardens and, with newfound strength, she stands up, her eyes glistening with tears.
"They're coming... no, no! No Naboru, no!"
My heart races.
"Who?"
Suddenly, a deep creaking sound echoes through the air, and I turn toward the great rampart door. It opens slowly, revealing the menacing shadows of two guards. I recognize them—these imposing men who had witnessed the horror of the previous chapter. They stand there, their silhouettes illuminated by a light comparable to dawn, which seems to emanate from their very presence.Dressed in their immaculate surcoats, adorned with red patterns resembling blood, they embody unquestionable authority. Their capes float around them, as if they had a life of their own, while their white-gloved hands firmly hold lances adorned with a sun motif, the tip shaped like a four-branched star gleaming with a sinister glow.Their helmets, forged from solid steel, are terrifying, depicting a sun distorted by tears, and their faces remain hidden behind the steel bars. A spike rises above the visor, a crown of spikes suggesting a murderous devotion.As I stare at these men, I understand the intention behind their approach. They point their lances at us, their air implacable, as if each movement was a judgment, each glance a promise of pain. I can't help but remember. These are the ones, the two guards who ended the life of that man in the square, the ones who offered his death to the public in a scene of horror I'll never forget. Fear grips me, and the thought of facing them again chills my blood.
"Who are you?"
I shout at them, my voice trembling, though I force myself to stand tall. Ume freezes beside me, her eyes wide, desperately searching for an escape, a way to flee these menacing shadows.Ume suddenly straightens, her face pale, and screams at Naboru with desperate urgency:
"Naboru, don't speak to them! They are Legati Aurorae, they are here to deliver divine punishment! They know no mercy! Don't you understand? Their role is to make people suffer, to judge and execute those they deem unworthy! I've learned who they are, I promise you, I've done my role well. I've studied their methods, their rituals. When I was still a maid, I would listen to the stories of those who had the misfortune of crossing their path. They were spoken of like demons, nightmare creatures that feed off the pain of others. My master loved to go out and watch the horrors they committed. I stayed there, hidden in the shadows, listening to the screams of the condemned. I've seen the consequences of their judgment, Naboru! They never leave room for hope. The only thing they care about is punishment! I know what they do to the innocent! They cloak themselves in the appearance of divine justice, but their true nature is that of merciless executioners. They only seek to make the weak and oppressed pay! If you provoke them, Naboru, they won't hesitate to go after you. I don't want you to end up like those poor souls I heard crying in the night! You're all I have, and I can't lose you to their fury! Please, don't make things worse. Trust me, we need to run. They are shadows that move to bring terror, and I don't want to be here when they decide to strike. We have to go, Naboru. We can't stay here. Not in front of them."
I take Ume in my arms, the warmth of her body comforting in this tense moment. I give her a big smile, trying to dispel the fear gripping her.
"Don't worry, Ume, nothing's going to happen to me."
I release her, but a new determination fills me. I turn to the Legati Aurorae
, my mind filled with inexplicable boldness. Stepping forward, I adopt a posture defying all respect.
"So, the Aurorae Things or what ever,"
I begin, in a haughty voice, a provocative smile on my face,
"What are you doing here, hunting down poor souls like bounty hunters? I hope your goddess, Auraclis, is proud of her little guard dogs. I imagine your Auraclis is sitting up there, perched on her throne, relishing your devotion. Bravo! You must be very proud, right? After all, who else but you to deliver such... tender justice? But tell me, don't you feel a bit ridiculous, brandishing your spears like toys?"
I take a step forward, deciding to ignore the danger despite my heart pounding in my chest.
"Maybe you should ask her for a bit of mercy for the souls you torment. Or maybe you're just puppets, dancing on the strings of obedience? I'd love to see your so-called devotion put to the test. Go ahead, show me what you're capable of!"