Later that evening, the group gathered in the inn's modest dining hall. The air was thick as they planned their next move.
"No one knows you kids were at Bagon, and it's better if you keep it that way," Rona said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "It'll only bring trouble if word gets out."
Amira nodded in agreement, resting her chin on her hand. "Uncle's right. The fact that an entire army of demons was wiped out—especially a 5-star demon like Manola—is bound to raise questions."
Leon sighed heavily, slumping back in his chair. "All that demon slaying and we won't even get paid for it. Talk about unfair."
Rona chuckled softly before turning to Asuma. "So, kid, what's your plan now?"
Asuma leaned forward, his fingers tapping the table as he spoke. "We need information. Specifically, we need to learn more about these pillars and apostles. I was thinking of heading east to Talagra City."
Rona raised an eyebrow. "Talagra? Do you mean the headquarters of the Department of Bureau Intelligence? That Talagra?"
"Yes," Asuma said with a nod. "I know someone who works there."
Leon and Amira exchanged surprised glances. Both were taken aback—how could Asuma, who had spent most of his life in the royal capital or secluded in Lyon Village, have a connection within the Bureau of Intelligence? It didn't make sense.
"Are you sure this person will help us?" Amira asked cautiously, narrowing her eyes at him.
Asuma shrugged. "We'll find out when we get there."
"How far is Talagra from here?" Amira turned to Rona, shifting the topic toward logistics.
"Talagra City is nestled high in the mountains of Azel," Rona said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Getting there will take about four days on horseback. It's also a deeply religious city, so you'd better watch out for the zealots and radicals roaming the streets. They're not the friendliest toward outsiders."
"Wait, aren't you coming with us?" Asuma asked, his expression betraying a hint of surprise.
Rona shook his head. "No. There's something I need to look into back in the capital."
"The capital?" Amira frowned. "You only go there for family gatherings. What's so important this time?"
"It's different," Rona replied vaguely, his usual playful tone replaced with something serious. "I'll join you in Talagra after I've finished. But for now, you three need to focus on gathering what information you can about the pillars."
Amira still looked skeptical but chose not to press further. Instead, she leaned back and sighed. "Alright. Talagra it is."
Rona smiled faintly. "Good. Stick together and stay alert. If the pillars are as active as they seem to be, they won't make this easy for you."
Asuma clenched his fists under the table, determination flashing in his eyes. "We'll manage. We have to."
Leon stretched and yawned, breaking the tension. "I just hope this Bureau connection of yours isn't as cryptic as you are, Asuma. Four days is a long trip for a 'maybe.'"
Asuma smirked slightly. "Trust me. They'll help."
Later that day, at night, Avon Village was serene, the kind of calm that allowed thoughts to wander and burdens to lighten. The moon hung high in the sky, its reflection shimmering softly on the still waters. The trio sat on the edge of a weathered pier, their feet dangling over the surface, the water barely rippling below.
"This is peaceful," Leon remarked, his voice carrying a rare sense of tranquility. "It reminds me of the lake near Anor."
Asuma gazed at the moon's reflection, his thoughts momentarily untangled. "It's hard to believe it's only been a month since we left."
"It feels so much longer," Amira added. She rested her chin on her knees, her white hair catching the moonlight. "So much has happened—too much, if you ask me."
"We're lucky to still be alive," Leon said, his tone shifting. "A vampire lord and a Dryad demon, all in just one month. It's like we're living in some kind of epic tale."
Asuma smiled faintly. "We're not just living it. We're writing it."
Leon chuckled dryly. "Well, it's a pretty dangerous story we're penning."
Amira tilted her head, her expression softening as she asked, "About Anami—do you ever wonder why they only took her?"
The question hit a nerve with Asuma, who looked down at the water. "I think about it all the time. Knowing what I know now only makes me wonder more. If I'm supposedly some 'Prince of Mercy,' why her? Why not both of us?"
Leon, ever the cynic, shrugged. "Maybe she's a princess of demons. Who knows?"
"If that's the case, why leave me behind?" Asuma asked, frustration laced in his voice.
Amira placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Does it matter now? What matters is finding her."
Asuma nodded, his gaze lingering on the moon's reflection. "Yeah. Wherever she is, I just hope she's okay."
The silence was warm, shared in understanding. But Amira's mischievous smirk broke the moment. She tapped Asuma's shoulder and raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to stay quiet. Before Leon could react, she sprang up and shoved him into the cold water below.
"What the hell?!" Leon sputtered, breaking the surface and shaking water from his face.
Amira burst into laughter, but Leon wasn't about to let her get away with it. He grabbed her arm and yanked her in, sending her splashing into the lake. The two floundered for a moment before Amira retaliated, splashing water at Leon's face with vigor.
Watching from the pier, Asuma's lips twitched into a smile. For a moment, his worries melted away, replaced by the sight of his companions acting like the carefree kids he'd met years ago.
"Are you two children?" Asuma asked with a playful sigh.
The splashing stopped as Leon and Amira shared a devious look. In unspoken agreement, they turned toward Asuma, their grins widening.
"Wait—what are you—" Before Asuma could react, they lunged for him, yanking him off the pier and into the freezing water.
"You bastards!" Asuma shouted as he surfaced, spluttering and trying to steady himself. His outburst only fueled their laughter, their voices echoing across the quiet village.
For the first time in weeks, they felt like nothing more than a group of friends enjoying a fleeting moment of peace.
The following morning told a different story. Asuma, Amira, and Leon sat slumped in the inn's common room, pale-faced and shivering. Their sneezes and coughs punctuated the silence.
Rona walked in, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "What happened to you three? You look like you've been through a plague."
Leon sniffled, wrapping a blanket tighter around himself. "We… had too much fun."
Amira groaned, burying her face in her arms. "The water got us sick."
Asuma managed a weak laugh, his voice hoarse. "Worth it, though."
Rona shook his head, a chuckle escaping his lips. "You three are hopeless. Get some rest before you end up bedridden. The road to Talagra won't wait for you."
Rona sighted and spent the rest of the day, taking care of them, delaying their trip to Talagra.
The next day, Asuma, Amira, and Leon mounted their newly purchased steeds, their breaths visible in the crisp morning air. The trio exchanged a final wave with Rona, who stood at the village gates, his familiar grin masking a hint of worry.
"Be careful, you three," Rona called out. "And remember, the east isn't as forgiving as these quiet villages!"
With a nod and a shared look of determination, they turned their horses eastward, beginning the journey toward Talagra.
The landscape transformed dramatically as they ventured further from Avon. Unlike the sprawling plains of the western empire, the eastern region unfolded into a breathtaking mix of towering mountain ranges and dense, ancient forests. The road ahead was carved through rocky cliffs, with the peaks of the empire's tallest mountain—the Vaelspire Ridge—looming in the distance, its snow-capped peaks glistening under the sun. The ridge marked the border between the Azel Empire and the enigmatic Yin Empire, and its imposing presence seemed to stretch endlessly into the heavens.
The East held a stark contrast to the West not just in its geography but in its essence. While the western regions thrived on industrial innovation, powered by the Department Bureau's influence, the east was the beating heart of trade. Bustling caravans, richly adorned merchant wagons, and vibrant trade posts dotted the roads they traveled, each brimming with goods and voices in countless dialects.
The trio's journey was tranquil for the most part. They rode along well-trodden paths lined with wildflowers and ancient stone markers, their laughter and conversation filling the gaps between the rhythmic clatter of hooves. Nights brought new wonders, such as a vast forest illuminated by the soft, ethereal glow of thousands of fireflies. Their surreal light created an almost magical canopy as the trio rested beneath the towering trees, the fireflies flitting about like tiny stars fallen from the heavens.
When the road led them higher into the mountains, the terrain became more treacherous. Steep, narrow paths clung to the cliffsides, offering awe-inspiring views that stretched for miles but would test the courage of even the bravest travelers. Leon, who wasn't particularly fond of heights, avoided glancing down and focused intently on keeping his horse steady.
"You'd think the Bureau could invest in wider roads," he grumbled as Amira chuckled behind him.
Their stops at scattered inns became welcome respites, filled with warm meals, lively conversations with fellow travelers, and snippets of news from across the empire. The trio made it a point to exchange stories with others, gaining information about Talagra and hearing rumors of events from both the East and West.
Among the murmurs and tales, one topic stood out above the rest: the tragedy of Bagon. The town's destruction and the eerie defeat of the demon horde had left many puzzled. Some whispered of divine intervention, while others speculated about the involvement of a powerful mage or a rogue adventurer. Few dared to entertain the possibility that a single individual might have wielded such destructive power.
"Do they think the guild took out the demons?" Leon asked during one inn stay, his voice low as they huddled over a simple meal.
Amira shook her head. "The guild wasn't even there yet. I think they're as much in the dark as everyone else."
Asuma remained quiet, staring into the flickering candlelight on their table. The weight of Bagon's destruction still lingered in his thoughts. He couldn't help but wonder what would happen if someone connected the dots leading to him. For now, the trio kept their heads low, blending in among the travelers and merchants as best they could.
The road to Talagra was long and winding, but it brought the trio closer together. They shared tales of the past, spoke of dreams for the future, and joked about Leon's clumsiness with his horse. Yet, despite the laughter, a quiet urgency lay beneath their journey. Each step eastward carried them closer to the intelligence headquarters in Talagra, where answers—and perhaps more dangers—awaited.
As they climbed the steep, winding trails of Mount Tar, the road to Talagra stretched before them like a thread woven through the jagged peaks. The trio's progress slowed as they encountered an unexpected sight—an endless line of luxurious royal carriages, their polished exteriors glinting in the mountain sunlight.
"What's going on here? Is someone from the royal family visiting Talagra?" Leon asked, his voice echoing slightly in the crisp mountain air.
Amira squinted, her sharp eyes catching the intricate crest fluttering on the banners attached to each carriage. "That flag bears the sigil of the Third Princess."
"Urialla?" Leon's tone turned incredulous. "Why is that stone-cold girl up here of all places?"
"The more pressing question," Asuma interjected, his gaze shifting to the heavy carriages laden with goods and treasures, "is what's with all these offerings?"
Amira nodded. "We'll figure it out when we get there. For now, let's keep moving."
As they ascended the final stretch of the mountain, Talagra revealed itself like a hidden jewel cradled among the peaks. The city sprawled across the craggy terrain with breathtaking beauty, its fortified walls and red-tiled rooftops cascading down rocky outcrops as though clinging to the very cliffs. Each building was a marvel of stone and ingenuity, blending seamlessly into the rugged landscape.
Perched on the precipice of towering cliffs, Talagra was both a bastion and a marvel of the Azel Empire. Known as the City of Secrets, it served as the headquarters for the Intelligence Department of the Bureau, a shadowy and critical arm of the empire's administration. Here, the empire's most skilled spies, strategists, and informants coordinated efforts to gather intelligence, protect secrets, and counter unseen threats.
Watchtowers dotted the highest points of the city, piercing the clouds and offering unparalleled views of the surrounding valleys and distant ranges. Fortified walls, adorned with ornate yet functional carvings, gave the city an air of impenetrable strength. Cascading waterfalls tumbled down the cliffs, their sparkling waters weaving through the city's network of aqueducts and fountains, adding a serene beauty to the otherwise imposing locale.
The streets of Talagra were alive with a mix of bustling markets, covert meetings in shadowy alleyways, and the quiet vigilance of watchful guards. The blend of beauty and intrigue reflected the city's dual nature—a haven of espionage and strategy wrapped in a façade of civility.
At the gates leading into the city, a young guard in sleek, bureau-issued armor stepped forward. His demeanor was sharp yet welcoming, a testament to the discipline of the Intelligence Department.
"Welcome to Talagra City," he said, his voice steady and formal as he took note of the trio.
Asuma, Amira, and Leon exchanged glances, their curiosity growing with each step. The mysterious presence of the Third Princess and the royal procession hinted at something far more complex than a routine visit. Whatever awaited them in Talagra, it was clear they were about to enter the heart of the empire's secrets.