I left the room after giving Werner contact to Lemuen and Cellinia, leaving them to cooperate on their own. I meanwhile walked into a quiet garden where two famous Knights sat in an awkward silence. Hearing footsteps, both of them looked back, and when they saw it was me who was approaching, both of them relaxed, even showing slight smiles.
-"Thank you, Son, for standing up for me and not reducing me to a commodity to be traded."-Viviana stepped in front of me and bowed to me.
I looked at her, not knowing what to do. After staying silent for a moment, I decided that she deserved to know the truth. As I was slightly taller than her, it was easy for me to cup her face and bring my forehead to touch hers. Ignoring the strange sound of shock and embarrassment she made, I concentrated and passed my memories onto her.
She felt what I was doing and closed her eyes, focusing on the scenes I was conveying to her. First, she saw the scene from my perspective, perceiving the emotions of those present as well as some hidden thoughts read by me. She could feel and know what her father was thinking and feeling then.
Next, she saw our conversation after she left, along with my promise and his vow. I also supplemented some other information so she could piece everything together on her own. When I finished and moved my face again, she collapsed into my arms, crying with quiet sobs. Seeing the usually strong and noble knight in such a state, I hugged her back, trying to help her calm down.
She cried like that for a few minutes, her whole body filled with anguish and powerlessness. Knowing that she was better, I tried to let her go, but she continued to stay in my arms. A long moment later, she moved suddenly, grabbing my cape by my neck and looking me in the eyes.
-"Son, if.. If I were to become your knight, can you save him? Can you stop his tragic plan?"-Her voice was desperate when she spoke.
I looked into her still-wet eyes and decided to tell her my true thoughts.
-"I showed you this because I don't agree with his approach. But I also know that it's not easy to convince someone set on something like this. I will do my best to save your father, but I will also uphold my promise to him. I will make you into a person who can inherit his mettle."
She looked surprised by my words.
-"I will teach you Arts worthy of a title of Kurfürst, so that you can show him that if you wish, you can gain everything with your own hands."
This brought a light of resolve into her eyes, making her return from her melancholy back to the valiant Knight she was. She then stepped back from me, kneeling on one knee.
-"Son, I, Viviana Droste von Hochberg, promise you that when everything is done, no matter the final outcome, my life shall be yours to command."
-"I didn't do that to earn your gratitude. I consider myself Knight, so I shall uphold virtues no matter who stands in front of me."
-"Then I'm even more convinced of my decision."
-"Sigh. Stand up. I won't accept your promise now, Viviana, as it would be taking advantage of your moment of weakness. But I can promise you that should your feelings not change by the day of my departure, I will reconsider then."
-"That's enough."
-"Eno."-Shining picked this moment to interrupt.-"This is all the information Werner gathered on the Echoes and their plans, along with the involved parties."
I skimmed through the rather sizable stack of documents.
-"Bring those back to the mansion. I'll be going back to Ludwigs-Universität to start training Viviana and continue my research."
-"As you command. Margaret, Viviana, I'll leave the Son's safety in your hands."
Two of them nodded.
We quickly departed from Werner's mansion, returning to the Ludwigs-Universität. This time, I didn't enter the underground workshop, but rather moved to a free training room for the Arts. I stood opposite Viviana, who looked like an attentive student.
-"Before we begin, let me confirm facts first. Your innate Art is able to manipulate the light and shadow in your surroundings, am I correct?"
-"Yes, Son."
-"Drop the pleasantries when we are in private, just call me Eno."
-"Ok, Eno."
-"Now we can continue. What is your understanding of shadow?"
-"Shadow? It's something cast when the light is blocked."
-"Yes, that's about the definition. But what is the shadow?"
-"I don't understand?"
-"Arts, or rather allow me to use the term magic as it's closer to me, are more concerned about meaning, not the definition. Use my fire as an example."-I created a golden flame on my palm.-"By definition, flame is destructive, but my golden flame is the opposite of that."
Viviana touched it with interest feeling the warmth but not being burned.
-"That's what I meant by asking about what the shadow is. It's something that hides you, something that consumes light, or maybe something entirely else?"
Viviana appeared to think for a moment, but soon a slight blush appeared on her face. She avoided eye contact as she explained her thoughts.
-"To me, shadow is a place of safety. Somewhere where I can be myself without others judging me."
Her answer did indeed create some gap with the her often appearing in the news as a glamorous figure, making her appear cute.
-"Ehem, then what about light?"
-"Light? Light is something that guides. Noble and pure in essence."
-"I think I can understand your perspective. Before we proceed, let me ask you if you want to be taught like a knight, or like an Arts Caster?"
-"Is there a difference?"
-"Obviously. A knight's duty is to his vows; honor and virtues are not something that binds them, but rather give them strength. On the other hand, Arts Casters seek pure power, even if it means stepping on some taboos."
-"Then I chose knight. But, Eno, may I know what kind of those two are you?"-She returned the question to me.
I looked at her and recited the vows I took.
-"I'm a Mage Knight. As I vowed, I shall pursue the truth into the great beyond, Stars and Moon be my guide. Never to give up honor, never to lose virtues. As I gaze into the abyss of the primeval current, I shall stay true to myself, for this I take up my sword."
Not just her, but even Margaret and Shining, who returned at some point, were surprised when I retold my knightly vows. Margaret, especially, she even repeated them a few times silently, so as not to forget any word.
-"I'm lost on some meanings, but I can understand the general meaning. You are both at the same time, seeking power but not being lost in it, using honor and virtues to stay yourself."
-"Exactly. Ok, enough about me, let's start the lesson. First, we will begin with light. In your eyes, a knight is like a light, so we shall use this point..."
I begun teaching her how to change the nature of her Arts. Light isn't just simple illumination. The light can be a tool for healing and purification, like the Holy Light; it can be an enlightening yet cold light like moonlight, or even alien and destructive light like the rays that destroyed the timeline of the Grail War. The light in Viviana's heart was something between the Holy Light and moonlight, being enlightening and guiding, but noble and bright.
We started by allowing her to use light without a source, like the candles would usually carry. She quickly got a grasp on that technique, forming a motes of light looking like small candle flames around her. Next, we moved to making it useful in combat.
This is where I had Margaret show her application of miracles in combat, as she already was capable of employing them rather freely. She would switch between miracles and her own light Arts to overpower her enemy and defend her allies. Margaret easily agreed, freely sharing her own thoughts and understanding with Viviana. With her help, by the end of the day, Viviana was able to use her flames as distractions and even a dangerous traps.
As she was training with Margaret, I tried to put some techniques I saw in the notes to use. I also consulted Fremont on the Witchcraft, finally getting some directions on that. He lent me a series of books recording many techniques utilized by Liches and other Sarkaz tribes, leaving me to gain what I could from them. And my talent for magic didn't disappoint, allowing me to grasp some basics before we decided to end for a day.
The next day, we continued without interruptions. Today, Viviana focused on learning miracles from Margaret and me, while I discussed with Shining about the Witchcraft on the side. Her Confessarii background gave her knowledge of many obscure Arts and rituals based on Witchcraft. She was also capable of using them, but because she was one of the few uninfected Sarkaz, she never focused on this aspect of Confessarii abilities.
But today my study time was destined to be short, as I received a message from Cellinia that she needed me due to a change in circumstances. I agreed instantly and returned to the mansion to see what was going on. But I never expected to see Cellinia with a Feline gang waiting for me there.
-"Son."-Cellinia acted professionally.
I nodded in response. I watched everyone to get a grasp on current situation. First, Cellinia wasn't in her armor but the clothes one would expect a mafioso to wear. She noticed my gaze, and a small smile appeared on her face as her tail started to slowly move behind her.
Knowing that it wasn't time to admire her, I turned my gaze to the gang present next ot her. At first, they didn't seem like much; at most, I would admire them for being a rare Feline gang in Leithanien. But then, I noticed that everything wasn't as it seemed.
-"A Beast Lord? Interesting."
-"It would seem that Holy Son is well informed."-A lion appeared by the gang side, speaking to me.
-"You can say so."-I looked at the woman who, despite the roughness brought by hard living, carried the nobility only present in those old royal bloodlines.-"Life is truly miraculous, won't you agree, Aslan heir of Victoria?"
-"I don't find it as such. In my eyes, life is the thing most distant from miracles, a harsh reality."-She responded.
-"That may be, even miracles need real power to accomplish. But let's not dwell on the philosophy. What can I do for you, and more importantly, what can you do for me?"
-"I wish to gain your protection."-She was direct.-"I hope to gather backing to reclaim Victoria."
-"You are aware that Laterano is a neutral country."
-"Yes."
-"Then you better have some truly good arguments prepared."-I sat down and waited for her to speak.
She nodded and took out a storage device, handing it to me. Shining took it for me, plugging it into a free tablet and checking the contents. Inside were many recordings of Victoria, all depicting the destruction and cruelty occurring there on a daily basis. The scenes from Londinium were especially tragic.
-"A cruel reality indeed. But what do you want to accomplish by showing me this? Awaken my humanitarian spirit? All people in power know what is going on in Victoria; I'm no different. But that doesn't mean that I would risk the lives of Sankta to save some unknown people."
She didn't respond, but simply swiped on the tablet, bringing up a diagram with photos of some occult symbolism. I looked at it with Shining, our faces growing serious with each passing second.
-"Is that what I think?"-I looked at Shining.
-"Most likely. I can understand most of the components, but there are still many points missing to form the whole ceremony. Whatever Regent is trying to accomplish is beyond a simple taboo. It's a sin against the whole existence."
I nodded, feeling that I stepped into something greater even than the Law lying dormant under Laterano.
-"This indeed changes things, but it won't allow you to regain the throne, but rather bring demise to Victoria. Rather than support you, Laterano would rather condemn Londinium and start a Holy War."
-"I'm aware, that's why I don't seek Laterano, but Son personally. I plan to gather allies, but I require legitimacy to do so. I want the Son to be my backing, not in war, but in politics."
-"Oh? This is indeed something I can agree to do, but there isn't a free thing in the world, especially political one. What would you offer for the right to use my name?"
-"The crown."-She directly gave the greatest treasure away.
-"Courageous, but throne is not something I lack or require. Not to mention, if I wish to gain it, I also can gain a right to claim it without your assistance."-I smiled and let flame appear near me, showing off the Draco Arts.
-"You possess Draco's flame!"-The Best Lord reacted, instantly becoming alarmed and ready to attack.
-"Don't worry, I don't plan to act against you."-I calmed him down.-"So what else can you offer?"
This time, she was silent. This awkward situation continued for some time, until I decided to speak what I wished for exchange of my support.
-"I will help you, but under conditions. First, until you regain your birthright, you'll work for me, assisting on some matters that won't hinder your purpose. And Second, when Victoria is restored, the country shall declare the Lateran Church as the state religion. Is that agreeable?"
She furrowed her brows, thinking about it before agreeing.
-"I agree, but I won't act against my conscience."
-"Good. I'll connect you to the Draco at different time, as they are currently in a somewhat troublesome situation. For now, I hope you can help Cellinia in her actions here in the city. After we return to Laterano, we can arrange more serious matters."
-"Thank you. I, Alexandrina Victoria, promise to uphold our contract."-She extended her hand to me.
-"It's a pleasure to work with you."-I shook her hand.
With another alliance in place, I was getting a cleaner look at the state of Leithanien. It was, as Werner said, the pieces were already in place for the city to erupt into chaos that would change the status quo of the continent. The question is, am I a player, or just another pawn on the board?