"Moulin..."
Silver eyes blinked. The silver-haired young man snapped back from his trance, hastily lifting his gaze towards a certain woman. Lady Calanthe wore a feathered while hat, sitting calmly at the window nook. A little spiritual bird sat on her palm and chirped happily while another flew around her hat, pecking at the colorful feathers, trying to catch her attention. Their srizing bodies glistened, made with calm bluish energy. The old sorceress ignored her familiars' little antics and continued to stare at her dazed pupil.
"Ah..." Moulin lowered his head in embarrassnt. "Forgive , I was..."
"I know. It's alright..." Lady Calanthe gave him a worried look before tilting her head slightly. "Do you need a mont?"
With wide eyes, Moulin shook his head. "No... I'm fine. Please continue."
"Alright, did you hear what I just ntioned?"
Embarrassnt turned Moulin's face red as he shook his head once more. Sighing, Lady Calanthe repeated her words.
"The Council has forwarded so concerns. The whole mage wing cannot shoulder the burden of the arcan relics. It seems we need to divide a separate sector. What do you think?"
Moulin thought for a while. The stronghold needed the mage wing for many significant tasks. Obviously, they couldn't also shoulder working with the arcan relics, busying themselves with their duties no matter how important the Arcan was. The idea was indefinitely a good one.
Moulin agreed. The Arcan Sector, a sector of the mage wing prioritizing the study and production of the Arcan relics, would be ford. Calanthe and Moulin planned to submit the request to the Council right after obtaining the approval of the Chief Mages.
That reminded him...
Ever since the debut of the Arcan Relics, the mages have been persistently requesting a eting with him. However, because of his safety, they were instantly rejected by the council mbers. But... perhaps he could communicate with them indirectly. He felt a bit guilty for frequently sending out the famous Spiritual Sorceress to represent him before the public.
Although, Lady Calanthe seed quite happy to do so...
The request was ticulously made and quickly sent to the Mage Wing. Even sothing as small as a letter instantly caused a commotion among the mages. It was a personal letter from the Lynari himself! They discreetly snuck around the Higher Offices, trying to obtain so information. What was it about? They were dying out of curiosity.
Contrary to their enthusiasm, the Chief mages stood under a cloud of gloom. They read the letter with burning eyes, feeling distraught, but understood the concern of the Lynari and the Council. The Mage wing could barely operate with their usual duties with how busy they were. Forming another sector for the Arcan magic studies would be a good decision.
By noon, the Council formally approved the decision. Once more, the Higher offices were busy making preparations.
"So fast..." Moulin muttered, glancing at Lady Calanthe while standing on the mindforge's platform, effortlessly channeling his energy to the snowflake formation.
"It's actually not quite a surprise," Na'El spoke, standing beside Lady Calathe while observing Moulin's progress. "You should see how much your reputation has grown."
"What do you an?"
Na'El suppressed a laugh. His elegant eyes curled into a smile. Suddenly, he began to sing. "Oh, our Lynari, heaven's precious prophet, shed hope on our desolate lives and purify the lands. May your grace spread far and-"
Lady Calanthe finished the song with a calm smile. "-and wide. Eradicate the darkness and bring back the light... "
Moulin's eyes flickered as he listened to the cheery song. Confusion filled his face as his mana flowed steadily from him. "A... song?"
The elven oracle nodded. "A little praise for the savior... They have written poems and tales about you. So have even begun worshipping your patron god. The Unknown Child God finally nad... Morhas, God of Rebirth. I heard children begin praying to him before bed. Moreover, the Silver Scepter has taken up a formal oath to Morhas, inspiring the rest of the people in the stronghold. If I had a nickel every ti I pass by soone ntioning the Lynari, why would I be richer than my beloved king."
Lady Calanthe chuckled before nodding. "The existence of the arcan relics has spread towards allied settlents. The High Lords have inquired with the Council, but a definite reply has yet to be made. Training the magic artificers is currently progressing as well. You have worked hard. A little praise is well deserved."
Moulin revealed a soft smile. "They won't need to wait for too long. The demon sieges must be confronted, and the losing settlents defended. Their attacks have gone far too long. We can't afford to lose more lives."
The elf's eyes softened. The young man before him exuded selflessness and courage. His improvents have exceeded his expectations as he shows more results. Even the mindforge under his control has progressed significantly. Unlike before, he could effortlessly shift his attention despite wrestling concentration upon the mindforge. Admirable.
Moulin, oblivious to his ntor's thoughts, ended his training while his mind secretly wandered. Hadrian's words, before he left kept resounding in his head. A day had passed since their talk, and lord hadn't returned. Though it wasn't the first ti, this ti felt different. Lord Hercullio attends more heavier duties than the locked-up Lynari. He probably won't co back for three days... or more...
Perhaps... he needed so ti to think...
However, Moulin didn't expect to see Hadrian in the evening. Surprising Moulin with his presence by abruptly entering his study. The silver-haired young man froze in the middle of deciding which enchanted wood would amplify the arcan relic's abilities. A variety of choices and samples were laid out on the neat table surface, each possessing interesting attributes.
Wearing a calm expression, Lord Hercullio strode towards the young man, closing the distance between them. Moulin lifted his eyes wide in surprise, realizing how close their bodies were. The lord smiled slightly before reaching out to a certain wood sample from its cushioned bed. His long fingers traced its jagged surface.
"Sandwood would do well to enhance the durability against the oppressive power of the divine." His deep voice spoke, almost a whisper to Moulin's ears.
Silver eyes continued to observe him. "I think so as well..."
Lord Hercullio revealed a faint smile, taking the youth into his arms, pressing his willing body against his. "Do you really place so much trust in ?"
"Yes... " Moulin closed his eyes, breathing his earthly scent. He lifted his arms to hug him back tightly. His voice was a bit muffled as he spoke. "So if you are still troubled, at least believe ... "
Golden eyes deepened. Reveling in each other's embrace, the moonlight captured their silhouettes.
"You are right..."
Moulin paused, hearing him speak after the brief silence. His eyes opened slightly as Lord Hercullio continued.
"I cannot hide from it for long. If it swallows in the end, then at least... I did not turn away."
Concern filled the youth's silver eyes. Moulin pulled away slightly and caressed the lord's face with a helpless smile. "You will not yourself lose to it. I promise you..."
Golden eyes softened. Lord Hercullio closed his eyes, nuzzling into the young man's touch. "Then I shall be in your care, my dear Lynari."
The words they exchanged bind them into a secret promise. As they slept, their souls were intertwined. One could feel the other's thundering heart, the worries, and their searing love. Moulin heard their bond ring like the sound of little bells spreading brightness and laughter in spring. It was the most beautiful feeling.
Although he had missed many people precious to him, if Hadrian were gone... he would undoubtedly be devastated. This boundless love, sothing he had never hoped to possess, had completely engulfed him. The betrayal he had felt in his previous lifeti had vanished, replacing his misery and revitalizing him anew.
Moulin closed his eyes as he drew himself closer to Hadrian's embrace. But even before they shared their feelings, Moulin knew this man had already stolen his heart.
.....
"Blessed Lynari, we are deeply honored to work with you."
The n and won, high-ranking mages of the alliance, lowered their heads in reverence. Moulin, who stood garbed in formal white robes, stiffened as he faced the figures projected by the communication crystal before him.
The renowned and powerful mages, young and old, belonging to the remaining mage factions from the surviving settlents of Corhan, were enthusiastic about being in the presence of the rumored divine prophet, Moulin. They were even more surprised to witness him speak effortlessly with such calmness different from those strict, law-abiding priests and temple worshippers. Elegant and casual, he spreads an aura of comfort and warmth that makes them more relaxed and communicate easily.
Contrary to their thoughts, the said Lynari felt uneasiness poke at him throughout the important eting. Although he was careful not to show his nervousness, Lady Calanthe could easily notice him fidgeting his hands hidden on his back.
This was an extrely important eting overseeing the Arcan Sector's affairs. The training and production have progressed better than Moulin thought. With the sector being led by Lady Calanthe and these distinguished people before him, of course, created a situation where errors remained improbable.
"The Mother Crystal, serving as the central node of arcan relics, a sentient divine crystal that empowers, protects, and purifies, is the greatest asset the alliance possessed. Using it to defend settlents from afar would stabilize bases and save lives. The relic production has smoothly exceeded the optimum rate. Now is the ti to spread its influence."
One of the mages proposed.
Moulin paused and lifted his gaze. "I agree. I have thought of collaborating with the Silver Scepter to spread the influence of the relics."
"Blessed Lynari, the Silver Scepter pledges their loyalty to you. I think it would be their privilege to serve you."
A crease appeared on the youth's forehead. "I am honored, but the Silver Scepter is free to make a choice. They will be under orders and deployed to far lands to defend weak settlents. Their tasks will be life-threatening... "
No doubt, Hadrian would be leading the most dangerous expeditions. Worry filled his heart. He will find a way...
Enlightened by his kindness and concern, the mages shared their agreents enthusiastically.
Once the eting was adjourned, Moulin let out a long exhale. "I never thought I would be facing most of Corhan's powerful mages and seers."
Lady Calanthe revealed an amused smile, "They are all that are left, lured by the opportunity of freeing this desolate lands. We are fortunate the Council approved of these etings. Although fewer as possible, you must make the most of it."
Moulin nodded, quickly shedding his outer robes and nonchalantly folding them over the backrest of a chair nearby. "Now that the affairs of the Arcan Sector have concluded. Let's move forward to another pressing matter."
Moulin's determined eyes abruptly surprised the sorceress. She tilted her head. "And that is..."
Moulin t her gaze. "The Arcan conduit order..."
User Comments
0 comments from readers