We entered the room where a small group of five people waited for us. I ignored the guards around, focusing only on them. The two of them were Spire Casters, an elite of Originium Art's casters, most likely servants and guards of the person we were meeting. The remaining three were people I recognized, two from my lesson on geopolitics in Laterano, one from reports as someone who rose to prominence not long ago.
On one side stood an important noble and a captain of Reichsgendarmerie, Loris Bordin. He was an expatriate from Laterano, so his appearance here was somewhat surprising, but not unexpected. On the other side stood a recently famous Candle Knight. She was recognized as one of the best knights of the current Kazimierz, rising to glory shortly after Margaret's exile.
And finally, the person who caused this meeting, Lieselotte Ewigegnade, the Empress Lieselotte, one of the Twin Empresses of Leithanien. Due to the complicated nature of the Leithanian political structure, calling her rulers would be a little too much, but she was recognized by the people as the head of state. And so, our meeting started.
-"Greetings, Holy Son. Its a honor to be in your light."-Loris was first to speak.
While not as fanatical as most Sankta, he still grew up in Laterano; thus, after seeing me, he instantly knelt in reverence to me.
-"Lord Loris, it's good to see you in good health. It's Son's pleasure to be invited here. Zwillingstürme is truly a beautiful city."-Mostima greeted him in my place.-"Your Majesty Lieselotte, it's a pleasure to meet."
-"Likewise, meeting the famous saintes Mostima is indeed something to celebrate."-The Empress responded amiably.
-"Please, this is just a false title I don't dare to claim. Of course, if our Son were to bestow it upon me, I would be more than happy."-Mostima hinted at me.
-"Who knows what the future holds?"-I gave her a side eye.
I stepped in front of the Empress and took off my hood to greet her properly.
-"Your Majesty Lieselotte."-I bowed my head lightly in greeting.
-"Holy Son of Laterano."-The Empress responded to my greeting with courtesy of her own.-"I heard your name long ago, but meeting you now truly made me consider those legends about you in a new light."
-"The legends of Holy Son are mostly parables and myths, Sankta tend to be a little to enthusiastic toward me, so please take what they say with a dose of skepticism."
-"That might be, but seeing that both daughters of Texas and the Radiant Knight chose to follow you, there must be some truth in those legends. Oh, right, allow me to introduce my knight, Viviana. She agreed to accompany me after hearing that the Radiant Knight might be present."
-"To meet the knight who inherited Margaret's light, let alone a great beauty, the pleasure is mine."-I greeted her in turn.
Viviana was not expecting my lightly flirtatious words, so she blushed before greeting me with a knightly salute.
Following her lead, both Cellinia and Margaret also greeted those present with a knightly salute. With this part of the meeting done, we moved to the adjacent room, sitting around a table while we continued our conversation.
-"What does Son think of Zwillingstürme?"-The Empress asked me.
-"As Mostima mentioned, it's a beautiful city, but even more striking to me are the ever-present Arts we are surrounded by."-I responded while lightly waving my left hand, making the air gleam due to magic.
-"Indeed, many focus too much on the surface, forgetting the origin."-Empress agreed with me, her eyes locked on my left hand with a mix of shock and intrigue.
-"Beauty without substance is nothing more than a golden ring in a pig's snout. Even those delicate vases once existed for a purpose, one that might not be used today, but never lost. Pursuing beauty is not wrong, but losing sight of the essence is."
-"Then what in Son's eyes is the essence?"
-"That depends. In art, it's the original intention; in governance, it's the people, but I feel the Empress wishes to know something else."
-"Yes. What is the essence of Originium? The Originium Arts?"
-"Hmm... That's something I can't speak on easily, as I myself do not understand Originium as much as I would wish I did, but before I thought of it as a scourge, now I see it as a tool. What I will see it as in the future, we can only wait to know. But Originium Arts are different, in my eyes, they are magic."
-"Magic?"
-"Yes, magic. Nothing more and nothing less. To me, magic is taking the power of beings or things greater than us and making it ours."
-"Usurping power beyond us? There once was a man who shared your idea."-The Empress tried to read my expression, looking for something.
-"There must be many people like him or me. Truth Seekers, let's call them that. But sometimes ignorance is bliss, don't you agree, Empress?"
-"I believe that truth can be dangerous, even catastrophic, but even I can't accept living in ignorance."
-"Then you are also a Seeker of Truth, Empress."
My words caused her to fall silent for a moment; whatever she was looking for in my answer, she seemed not to find it.
-"The 18th Kaiserinnensfest is about to take place; we would be honored if Holy Son were to attend as a guest of honor."
-"The Kaiserinnensfest? To be able to listen to Leithanian greatest is something I wouldn't miss for the world."
-"There is still about three months before the festival. Would Son wish to stay here in the meantime?"
-"While I would wish to do so, I still have an obligation to fulfil. If that's not an issue, I would ask Empress to allow me to return a week before the Kaiserinnensfest."
-"Of course, that's not an issue. I'll leave this villa for the Son, along with documents allowing free access to any Spires part of Ludwigs-Universität."
-"I'm thankful for Empress' grace."
-"No, it's our pleasure to host you, Holy Son."
This meeting continued for another two hours, during which we ate a meal and talked about many different subjects, but nothing of substance was said; it was truly a peak of noble discussions. After that, we returned to the camp to prepare for our departure. When we disappeared from the view, the Empress turned to Viviana.
-"So what do you think about him?"
-"About the Holy Son? I think he is both a knight and a noble Spire Caster."
-"That's rather high opinion, can you tell me why?"
-"I talked with Radiant Knight about him, and heard little about his actions and character. While I can't confirm it myself, I doubt she would lie. The Son is someone who stepped in to save those in need, not discrimination between infected and not, but always keeping a distance, treating those who approach him with care but not interfering with those who don't."
Viviana explained.
-"That's why I think he is both knight and Spire Caster. He values knightly virtues and duties, but also pursues something greater, not wasting time for unnecessary things. If Radiant Knight is like a light that guides others, then he is like a solid earth underneath our feet."
-"Earth, huh? That reminds me of a passage from one of Laterano's holy books. 'He shall be born of the mundane, but his fate is divine. The earth shall be his to command, the heavens' wrath a slave to his command.' "
-"I apologize, but I'm not well versed in the beliefs of the Lateran Church."
-"I also wasn't before I heard of his emergence around ten years ago."
-"Is Holy Son's status so important?"
-"Yes. In Laterano, the title of Saint is given to those who lead the Church, but it's not something to be earned through service; it is seen as a divine bestowal. There is no mechanism to give this title; it just appears from time to time, so it's connected to one of many Laterano's secrets. But Holy Son is different. He was born Saint, revealed to the world later as such, but few know that his importance is much greater."
The Empress called to a servant present to bring something.
-"His status is holier than the Pope's; he is a manifestation of the faith, the god in flesh. Of course, only fanatic believers would see him as such, but that might change."
-"Why? There are many religions on Terra, even if the Lateran Church is the biggest..."
-"That passage I recited. Are you aware what the heavens' wrath is?"
-"No. Catastrophes, maybe?"
-"You are partly correct. It's the Originium itself. That passage states that the Holy Son can control the Originium. It's his divine right, and most important characteristic."
-"But that's impossible."
-"I thought that too, but he can do it. There was a rumor that he was infected during one of his travels, and I now believe it was true. But he managed to take control of Originium, turning it into his arm, literally. He accomplished something all think impossible."
-"Then..."
-"The world is about to change. Will you join me at the Kaiserinnensfest, Viviana?"
-"I will, your Majesty. But I have to return to Kawalerielki now."
-"Sigh, why won't you stay here, as my friend and knight?"
-"I'm sorry, your Majesty, but I still wish to go back."
-"Go, but remember to write to me when you arrive."
At the same time, when we returned to the camp.
-"Everything went well."-Mostima stretched, relaxed.-"But after not seeing you for so long, I forgot how good you are at this, Eno."
-"Talking without speaking much is not that hard, you just need to know many complicated words and use them in circles."-I smiled.-"What about you two?"
-"The food was good."-Cellinia, who was mute almost the whole meeting, said directly.
-"It was a pleasure to meet Candle Knight here. Being able to hear first hand of what's going on in Kazimierz is something I'm truly thankful for."
-"I'm afraid that the news wasn't that great, looking at your expression after some point."
-"Yes. I'm worried about my family."
-"Right, your grandfather. I'm sorry for your loss."-I gave my condolences.
-"I expected this to happen, but to think that even the closest allies of my family would use it to attack us, taking what they could, if not for my aunt..."
-"That's how the so-called 'great families' are."-Cellinia commented with empathy, knowing well how things like that worked.
-"What happened doesn't look like a spur-of-the-moment action; it was planned and carefully executed. Either your Nearl family has powerful enemies, or you were chosen as the show of force."-Mostima added from the side.
-"I also believe so. Even before Kazimierz was a place where even honor could be sold at a price, now it could only get worse."
-"Sigh. I'm ashamed that my homeland fell into such a state."
-"This is the trend of the times. Kingdoms fall and rise. Rather than wallow in the depression, we should focus on how to make things better."
-"But can we even achieve any change?"
-"Alone, it'll be hardly possible. But you are not alone."
-"Eno?"
-"How about I send someone to speak up for your family?"-I suggested.-"As my knight, I can't let your family be treated unfairly."
-"But..."
-"Let me ask you, Margaret. Do you wish to truly take the position of my knight? I mean, officially taking vows in the Laterano's Cathedral?"
-"Eh?"
-"While this might sound little cheesy, I truly think of you as a kindred spirit. Your character and knightly nature are something I find dear, so let me ask you this properly. Margaret Nearl, will you take your weapon in my, the Holy Son of Laterano, service?"-I stood up and looked at Margaret in front of me.
She looked me in the eyes, but didn't hesitate and knelt before me.
-"My be it my sword or lance, they shall be at your command."
-"Good."-I nodded.-"Mostima, can you write to the Old Man? I hope he can resolve the situation before I need to act personally for my knight."
-"Haha, the K.G.C.C. is about to get a heart attack."-Mostima was already plotting how to cause them pain.
-"Of course, I hope you also continue to be my knight, Cellinia."
-"Mhmm. I will."
-"And there is one more person I wish to recruit. Shining, would you mind entering into my service?"
-"Me? You should understand that there is no way you could have a Sarkaz as your knight, even as the Holy Son."-Shining furrowed her brows.-"This would cause you enormous troubles and I see no reason for you to do so. Not to even mention..."
-"Why would I worry about such minor issues. No Sankta will dare to oppose my will, as for those outside Laterano, why should I care? I don't wish for my followers to be people who can give me some advantage, but those who share ideas with me, friends and family, if you will."
-"You should already know that I was a Confessarii. You will incur wrath of the Sarkaz hawk faction."
-"I already am their target."-I mobilized my power, making my halo change into its full crown state.-"White crown is something they can't tolerate."
Shining looked at my halo; any words she might have had got stuck in her throat.
-"I don't mind what you've done in the past, I only hope you can accompany me in the future."
She remained silent for a while more before sighing to herself.
-"Then I will do as you say. My sword might be already dull, but if need be, I don't mind using it in your service."
-"Thank you for your trust in me, Shining."
-"My name is Qui'saršinnag, but if you want, you can still call me Shining."-She extended her hand to me.
-"As you know, I'm Eno, but my birth name was Enoch."-I grabbed her hand in a handshake.
With that, my first three knights formally appeared in the world. Years later, there will be stories of three knight orders founded by the Holy Son. The Holy Knights, led by the golden Pagasi, never falter in their beliefs. The Shadows, following the loyal wolf, never in the spotlight, never to fail. And the third order, one that remained unknown to even those closest to the Son, with the sole purpose of ensuring his light was never extinguished.
As my and the Empress's conversations were going on, there was a third, a monologue that took place. Neither I, nor anyone for that matter, knew of it, as it happened in a place hidden behind that Zwillingstürme's clear sky.
-"A Seeker of Truth? Indeed. Finally, a worthy inheritor and collaborator. Let's see how you will do, young Sankta."
No one responded to his words as there was no one to hear them, but even so, some people started moving behind the scenes. Loyal servants doing their lord's bidding without a command, as for those who desired his recognition, even the smallest sound was enough to raise the banner of rebellion.