As they stepped through the gates of Talagra, the trio was greeted not by the serene, orderly atmosphere they expected, but by the thunderous clamor of an argument that echoed through the streets. A large crowd had gathered near the entrance, with two groups locked in a fierce debate. On one side stood the city officials, clad in their formal robes of office, and on the other, a group of impassioned religious leaders in ornate vestments adorned with symbols of their faith.
"What's going on here?" Amira asked, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the crowd.
As they moved closer, the heated words between the two groups became clearer.
"The control of the Tar Mines has always been under the church's authority! Why must we relinquish our rights over these sacred lands?" a clergyman bellowed, his voice laced with righteous indignation.
"We will not accept these pitiful gifts from the royal family in exchange for our holy mines!" shouted another priest, gesturing angrily at a chest of gold and precious offerings.
One of the city officials, visibly exasperated, stepped forward, his tone defensive. "Why are you refusing? These gifts and gold from the princess herself are more than enough to cover the revenue generated by the mines! It's a fair transaction!"
"This isn't about revenue!" the first clergyman roared, his face flushed with anger. "The Tar Mines are a religious cornerstone of Talagra, a sacred landmark tied to the city's faith and history! How dare you suggest selling such a cherished relic to your greedy royal court?"
The word "greedy" struck a nerve with the officials. One of them pointed an accusing finger at the clergy. "Greedy? How dare you insult the royal family with such slander? Your disrespect should have you hung for treason!"
The verbal exchange grew more volatile, and the air seemed charged with hostility. The crowd began murmuring, the tension rippling through the onlookers like a storm about to break. Just as the argument threatened to escalate into a physical altercation, a detachment of guards intervened, stepping between the two groups and forcibly pulling them apart.
"Rona warned us about the radical clergymen in Talagra," Leon muttered, watching the scene with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. "But seeing them go toe-to-toe with city officials like this? That's something else."
"It's ridiculous," Amira added, shaking her head. "But this is exactly the kind of tension that brews in cities where politics and faith are this intertwined."
Asuma, who had been silently observing, gave a short nod. "It's better if we don't get involved. This isn't our fight, and the last thing we need is to get tangled up in a citywide feud."
"Agreed," Leon said, casting one last glance at the clergymen, still fuming as they were led away by the guards. "Let's just steer clear of all this madness."
"Come on," Asuma said, adjusting the reins of his horse as they continued deeper into the city. "Let's find the tavern. We've got bigger things to worry about than the politics of Talagra."
The tavern, a modest establishment with wooden beams and flickering lanterns, offered a quiet refuge from the bustle of Talagra's streets. Nestled in a shadowy corner at a far table, the trio sat in relative peace, their voices low as they discussed their plans. The scent of roasting meat and spiced ale filled the air, blending with the soft murmur of other patrons.
Asuma leaned back in his chair, his hood partially drawn to obscure his face. Amira sipped her drink, her gaze sharp as ever, while Leon drummed his fingers lightly on the table, his usual restlessness apparent.
"I'm curious," Amira began, breaking the silence. "Who exactly do you know in Talagra?"
Leon smirked, leaning forward with interest. "Yeah, me too. You're not exactly the social butterfly. Back at the academy, you barely talked to anyone. The most conversations I ever saw you have were with the guards at the estate or the academy's teachers."
"Was I really like that?" Asuma asked, tilting his head with genuine curiosity.
"Yes," they both replied in unison, their tone leaving no room for debate.
He chuckled faintly. "I didn't realize I was that bad."
Amira pressed on. "So, this mysterious contact of yours—are they meeting us here?"
Asuma nodded. "I sent a letter while we were traveling. They should be here soon. This tavern was the closest to the city gates, so it made sense."
Their conversation was interrupted as the heavy door of the tavern burst open. The chatter inside instantly hushed, and heads turned toward the entrance. A squad of knights, clad in gleaming silver armor bearing the royal insignia, strode in with practiced authority. Their polished plate reflected the dim light, blinding some of the onlookers. The clank of their boots against the wooden floor echoed through the room, signaling the arrival of someone important.
Behind the knights stood an older man, his demeanor calm but his eyes weary. His simple robe contrasted sharply with the opulence of the knights' attire. His unkempt hair and sagging posture gave the impression of someone who had seen too many battles or lived through too many burdens. Yet, his presence was overshadowed by the figure beside him.
A collective gasp rippled through the room as a young woman stepped forward. Her long, flowing golden hair shimmered under the lantern light, casting an almost celestial glow over the tavern. Golden eyes, brilliant as rare gemstones, swept across the room with an air of calm confidence. Her flawless skin and poised demeanor drew the awestruck gazes of everyone present, envy and admiration alike written on their faces.
She was dressed in the signature black and gold imperial gown, the crest of the golden phoenix emblazoned prominently on her chest—the unmistakable symbol of the Azel Empire's ruling family.
"Kneel!" one of the knights barked, his voice commanding. "You are in the presence of Her Highness, the Third Princess of the Azel Empire, Princess Urialla!"
Chairs scraped against the floor as patrons scrambled to comply, their heads bowed in reverence. The atmosphere turned heavy with a mix of fear and awe. Even the tavern keeper, usually brusque with his customers, dropped to his knees without hesitation.
Asuma, Amira, and Leon exchanged wary glances. Reluctantly, they followed suit, lowering their heads just enough to avoid standing out.
"What is she doing here?" Leon whispered under his breath, his tone filled with disbelief.
Amira's expression remained composed, though her fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly.
"I knew she was here because of the carriages outside the city," Asuma finally said, breaking the silence. His gaze was still fixed where Princess Urillia had departed. "But why is she traveling with Ofas?"
"Ofas?" Amira repeated, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Before Asuma could elaborate, the old man who had entered alongside the princess approached their table. His tired eyes brightened slightly when they landed on Asuma, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Asuma," he called warmly, his voice cutting through the chatter as he made his way toward them.
"Ofas," Asuma said, standing to greet him.
The two exchanged a firm handshake before Ofas leaned in, his expression growing somber. "It's been far too long, Asuma. I heard what happened to Harlon and Guyu. They were good men."
The mention of his father and grandfather caused a shadow to pass over Asuma's face. "Yeah," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "A lot has happened since then."
Turning to the others, Ofas offered a polite nod. "Are these your companions? It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Ofas Gali."
Leon froze mid-bite, his eyes wide. "Gali? Wait—you're the Great Sage? The man of all knowledge, one of the legendary heroes from the Age of Division?!"
Ofas chuckled softly, raising a hand to wave off the title. "I haven't been called that in a long time. Those were different times, and I am no sage anymore—just an old man wandering where curiosity leads me."
Amira and Leon exchanged glances, stunned into silence by the revelation. How in the world did Asuma know a figure from the ancient tales, a man so revered that kings sought his counsel?
Before anyone could ask, another familiar voice joined the conversation. "Ofas, are these the people you wanted to..." The voice trailed off as Princess Urillia approached the table, her piercing golden eyes falling on the trio. Recognition flashed across her face, and her regal composure shifted slightly.
"You three," she said, her voice calm but sharp, "I remember you from the academy. The audacious girl who dared reject Lady Salmai's mentorship, her bold little brother, and the boy of Lyron."
Amira stiffened slightly, while Leon's usual cheeky demeanor faded into something more serious. Asuma stepped forward, meeting her gaze evenly. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Princess."
Ofas raised an eyebrow, turning to Urillia. "You attended the magical academy with these three?"
"Indeed," she replied, her tone clipped but polite. "They were...troublemakers."
"Troublemakers?" Ofas asked, his curiosity piqued.
"They were," Asuma said with a faint grin, pointing subtly at Leon and Amira.
"You bastard," Leon muttered, his indignation drawing a chuckle from Amira.
Urillia ignored the exchange, her focus back on Ofas. "I will leave you to your discussion, Great Sage. We have other matters to attend to." With a curt nod, she turned and swept out of the tavern, her knights falling into formation behind her.
As the door closed behind her, Leon leaned forward, his voice a conspiratorial whisper. "What was that about?"
"Nothing important," Ofas replied, sitting down. "Just a fleeting conversation."
He leaned forward, his expression growing serious. "About the letters you sent me, Asuma. You asked for information on the ten pillars of the Black Guild. The moment I saw those words, I felt a chill. The Black Guild is not an organization to approach lightly. Many have tried to dismantle it and failed—miserably. What concerns me most is your reasoning. If this is about revenge for Harlon or Guyu, I understand. But that path is treacherous, one that leads only to death. I must urge you to reconsider."
The atmosphere shifted, the gravity of his words pulling the trio into an uneasy silence. Ofas's concern was genuine, but it was the kind of concern that came with knowing the scale of the danger that lay ahead.
The room suddenly felt strange, like the air had thickened. The chatter of the other patrons had ceased. Amira glanced around, her expression confused as she realized no one in the tavern was moving. It wasn't just silence—it was stillness.
"What's going on?" Leon asked, his voice tinged with alarm.
"It's a spell," Asuma said, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to Ofas.
The Great Sage met his gaze, his expression unreadable. "A precaution," he said. "No one else needs to hear what I'm about to say. Time itself is frozen for the others. Now, Asuma—tell me the truth. Why are you chasing the Black Guild, and what do you already know about them?"