Azure Scepter

Page 90

Lady Bloodthorn's eyes were playful as she stared intently at Trier through the ripples on the silver mirror, a slight upturn at the corners of her lips.

“He wants to create chaos with this news. Ha, the paladin is deliberately shattering the apparent stability and order, how interesting.” It turned its head and whispered to the half-elf slave serving beside it, “Guess if I’ll take this bait? If you answer wrong, you’ll die right now.”

The emaciated half-elf froze, his mouth shut by fear.

“Just kidding.” Lady Bloodthorn smiled seductively. “You’ll probably say I won’t bite, but obviously, I have to.”

The half-elf gave a dry laugh, his voice weak and feeble, as if his body was about to be drained dry.

Ms. Bloodthorn frowned slightly, then stretched out her index finger and rubbed her temples vigorously: "Do you know why?"

"I dare not presume to fathom your supreme wisdom..." The half-elf's eyes flickered.

“Boring, you should be asking me that now—but not this time.” Lady Bloodthorn’s face darkened, and her smile vanished. “I need to get that information because the container is essential for my victory. If any other party finds it before me, I will have no chance in this matter. So I must get that information.”

The half-elf slave couldn't understand what Lady Bloodthorn was saying at all. He was so sad that he was about to cry, but he still had to force himself to smile.

Lady Bloodthorn sighed softly. Although this half-elf plaything was cute, its behavior was just too boring.

She pondered for a moment, then issued a new instruction to Orianna, who was operating in the Prime Material Plane—to obtain the results of Trir's prophecy.

Two months ago, when her vessel suddenly escaped, Lady Bloodthorn had Orianna, who was skilled in divination, perform a prophecy to hunt her down. However, even with her help, Orianna's prophecy was still hindered by an unknown and powerful being, and thus failed.

Such failures are common because prophecy requires the boundary between the dream world and the dream realm, where wandering dream realm natives reside. Among these dream realm natives, there are quite a few powerful and malicious beings.

Therefore, Orianna not only received no information, but her soul was also severely damaged by the backlash from the spell. Otherwise, as a legendary spellcaster, she would not have appeared so weak in last night's operation.

—Oriana quickly gave an affirmative reply, while Lady Bloodthorn refocused her attention on the Prime Material Plane.

Perhaps Trier's prediction will bring her even more surprises.

She parted her lips slightly and bit her index finger.

"I'm really looking forward to it."

"Don't worry, I will still keep my promise to you and to Bishop Vercingetorie. I will tell you the outcome of the prophecy when the time comes."

"But didn't you promise to tell that old bastard Oris?" Chief Spy Nordman asked, looking surprised.

Trier took a sip of coffee, blinked, and chuckled, “I didn’t promise to tell only one person. Besides, whoever finds the vessel for the Demon Lord’s descent will benefit the Duchy. By the light of the heavens, I only want to protect the people of the Duchy.”

Nordmann fell silent for a moment, and Edith was also speechless.

Suddenly, Granny Lor, who had been keeping watch, came down from the top of the slope. Her gaze wandered around and finally settled on the magic storage stone at Trier's waist. The wrinkles on her face squeezed out an ugly smile.

"Lord Trill, if I may be so bold, the spells stored in the Spellstone are not the same as your own magical abilities—though my words may not sound as eloquent as a bard's, divination is a dangerous and profound art, and even elves over a hundred years old rarely master it. If you rashly make a divination, you will likely only harm yourself."

“I am a few years older than you, so I hope you will not act impulsively. You should know that in the matter of casting spells, patience and caution are far more precious qualities than fine gold.”

"Granny?" Edith looked puzzled.

The suggestion to seek a solution to the blood plague from Trier was clearly made by Granny Lor, so why is she suddenly questioning Trier now?!

Edith genuinely did not want the two to clash.

She looked worriedly at Granny Lor, and then at Trier.

Granny Lor gave Edith a barely perceptible shake of her head, her gaze fixed coldly on Trier.

Trier remained calm, his smile undiminished by the unwarranted provocation.

“Thank you for your suggestion. Patience and caution are indeed essential for spellcasters.” Trier nodded slightly.

The elderly court monk said in a deep voice, "You probably need some guidance."

"So what are your thoughts?"

“I can help you when you cast a prophecy spell—if it’s a dream prophecy, I require to accompany you,” Granny Lor said after a long silence.

Although Edith was not a spellcaster, as the crown princess, she had received basic magical education and knew that this request was quite offensive, because spellcasters are extremely vulnerable when making prophetic dreams.

Mother Rohr's request was tantamount to asking Trier to have a sharp blade pressed against his carotid artery, and Edith knew very well that Trier would never agree to it.

"Are you sure?" Trier put down the coffee pot and gave Granny Lor a deep look. "As far as I know, the court mages of the Kingdom of Orco have always been of questionable quality, and dream prophecies are extremely dangerous."

“I never joke.” Granny Lor’s face was tense, and the look in her eyes became increasingly firm.

Trier chuckled softly twice, then said, "Okay, thank you for your help. We'll meet here this afternoon—goodbye, everyone."

After saying that, he stood up and left without looking back.

Edith's emerald eyes glanced at Trier's retreating figure, a hint of worry flashing in them. The princess's lips moved slightly, as if she wanted to speak up and offer a word of advice, but in the end, she said nothing.

After Trier disappeared from sight, Edith looked at Granny Lor with a complicated expression.

Granny Lor did not respond, but instead glanced at Nordman: "Sir, Her Highness the Princess and I have something to discuss, please excuse us for a moment."

The chief spy nodded in acknowledgment, then said softly, "Your Highness, I would like to obtain an item that you have used."

"You also want to use prophecy magic to cast a spell?" Granny Lor sneered, directly and coldly rejecting Nordman's request on behalf of Edith. "Once you get His Highness's personal items, you can use them as a medium to make prophecies through the sympathetic law."

“I have absolutely no such intention,” Nordman pleaded, forcing a smile. “It’s just that the lady I favor has asked me…”

Edith was somewhat tempted; she had always enjoyed these kinds of love stories, but the next moment—

“That’s impossible.” Granny Lor narrowed her eyes. “Sir, please forgive me, but my duty is to protect His Highness from harm through magic. I would never agree to something with such a huge risk.”

"You can buy any piece of jewelry, claim it's a gift from His Highness, and then give it to your lover. After all, it's easy for a seasoned intelligence chief like you to deceive a young girl."

P.S.: To make up for yesterday, I'll try to update two more chapters today.

Chapter 181 Playing with Fire

Edith suddenly felt that Granny Lor had become extremely unfamiliar. In her memory, this court mage who had served her family all her life was a learned and gentle old woman. She had never been so aggressive and unreasonable as she was today.

She lowered her head as if trying to escape, gazing aimlessly at the distant Lighthouse Theater.

“Your Highness, are you puzzled?” Granny Lor sighed deeply. “It was I who made the request for Trier’s help, but now she is suddenly showing hostility.”

Edith turned around and nodded slightly.

The elderly court mage narrowed his eyes slightly: "Your Highness, I initially thought that Trill was able to counter the terrible succubus last night because of the magic storage stone he found by chance, but based on my observations this morning, that is by no means the case."

“Isn’t this a good thing? Trier is incredibly knowledgeable; he even knows how to translate the inscription on that ice coffin in the Roland family cemetery,” Edith instinctively defended Trier. “Isn’t a mage’s power largely derived from knowledge?”

“Don’t you find it strange? Please forgive my bluntness, but a young man like him shouldn’t have such a near-…” Granny Lor closed her eyes, as if searching for the right words, “The power of divine spellcasting, by the light above, you are not a spellcaster, you don’t understand how terrifying that level of skill truly is.”

“Fodia told me that Trier was enlightened by the Radiant God.”

Granny Lor frowned slightly: "Your Highness, please tell me, what is the most likely identity of someone with superb spellcasting skills, proficient in necromancy, and who looks very young?"

Edith pursed her lips and lowered her eyes; she did not answer Granny Lor's question.

She knew the other person was implying that Trier was a terrible lich who had possessed other people's bodies.

After a long pause, Edith took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "He is not evil. I am a paladin, and I can sense that Trier could not possibly be a lich who possesses another's body."

“Radiance, you’ve been completely brainwashed by him! How long has he known you? Just a day?” Raoul’s tone grew increasingly agitated. “You don’t understand—it’s actually a good thing if he’s just boasting, it proves there’s no terrible conspiracy behind it. But even that stern-faced Sir of the Scepter treats him with utmost respect! Do you know what that means?”

Before Edith could answer, Granny Lor continued, "That proves Trir wasn't lying at all; his spellcasting abilities are indeed as terrifying as he claims! He even possesses the power to negotiate with Sir Orris! Sir Orris is known for his piety and refusal to compromise with evil!"

She paused, seemingly breathless from speaking too much in one breath: "My dearest little Edith, every move of this terrible monster has a deeper meaning. I swear on my magic, Trier must have other plans, and there is a high probability that he is plotting a terrible conspiracy. He definitely wants to use you—by monitoring his prophecy spells, I can uncover his true colors, I swear."

“Trill only wants to use my identity to get me to evacuate the overcrowded city of Eraf and to block food transport to prevent contaminated grain from leaving the city,” Edith defended unwaveringly. “Please don’t monitor his prophetic spells; it’s pointless!”

“Blocking the grain transport is completely contrary to the policy formulated by Lord Oris, Your Highness.” Granny Lor’s expression grew increasingly grim, and she clenched her fists. “Lord Oris is a divinely inspired, noble paladin. He is your teacher. He would never do anything to harm you, and neither would I.”

Suddenly, Trier's words, "Auris's enemy is the demon lord, but your enemy is not," inexplicably popped into Edith's mind.

At this moment, her thoughts were in complete chaos. Pain and suspicion were like a symphony playing loudly in an auditorium, swirling and crashing in her head. The veins on her forehead were throbbing. She reached up and touched her nose, feeling a warm, damp sensation from her fingertip—she had a nosebleed.

“Even if Trier has ulterior motives, he is at least a powerful spellcaster. As long as he can protect the people of the kingdom, I am willing to believe in him.” Edith covered her nose with a handkerchief, her eyes revealing an unwavering determination.

Granny Lor's expression grew increasingly cold: "You are playing with fire. You have no idea how dangerous and terrifying a lich is."

“If I can better fulfill my duty to protect the kingdom, then I am willing to play with fire.”

Granny Lor's gaze softened slightly, and she sighed again.

"Little Edith, have you really thought about yourself? What do you really want to do?"

“I’ve done my duty and obligations, that’s all,” Edith replied curtly.

“Then I must also fulfill my duty. I will monitor his prophetic spells,” Granny Lor said just as firmly.

After leaving the Regent's Garden, Trier went directly to the kitchen on the first basement floor of the Tower of Stars. He asked the head chef, who was scolding the maids, for some marching rations and drank a pot of coffee made from Suar Island coffee beans. He intended to leave immediately, but after thinking for a moment, he also took an extra Lorraine cheese and honey cake.

After thanking the head chef and maid, Trier set off to visit the seriously injured Fythia.

As he approached Futia's door, an unexpected voice came from inside the room, causing the transmigrator to restrain his aura and stop at the doorway.

“So, you and Trier are actually quite similar,” Neu’s gentle voice came from inside the door.

"Ah?" Fythia's weak voice revealed a hint of joy. "Really?"

“You and he are both stubborn, and equally soft-hearted!” Noy teased, then casually continued, “By the way, how much do you know about Her Highness the Princess?”

"You want to go after Edith? I...I won't betray her."

Noy was silent for a long time before her voice came again: "You have a great misunderstanding about me. I am a priest. No priest spends his days thinking about conspiracies and intrigues. I just want to make friends with Edith."

Faudia remained silent; she was clearly not fooled by Noy's sophistry.

Trier quietly walked back to the stairwell, then stopped concealing his footsteps and went back to the room door.

PS: There is one more chapter

Chapter 182 Alternative Plans

Trier's footsteps echoed down the corridor, and the sounds inside the room abruptly stopped, as if a tape recorder had been muted.

Before he could even knock, the door, adorned with acanthus relief carvings, was pushed open from the inside out, and a smiling Noy peeked out from the crack.

A barely perceptible flicker of panic crossed her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Noy is indeed plotting against Edith..." Trier thought to himself.

Suddenly, an interesting idea popped into Trier's mind.

He pondered for a moment, then deliberately asked, "You seem a little surprised, Noy. You're not plotting anything, are you?"

"A conspiracy? What conspiracy?" Noi remained unfazed. She raised her head, her crimson eyes shining with sincerity like jewels. "I'm using divine magic to help Futia recover from her injuries. She's recovering very well—is everything going smoothly?"

Trier's smile deepened as he gazed quietly into Noe's eyes.

"The room's soundproofing is a bit poor; I heard some things in the hallway..."

Noy's pupils suddenly contracted, but the next moment, she forced herself to maintain her facial expression. She gently took Trier's hand and blinked pitifully.

"Master, if you don't believe me, then read my mind. I really didn't plan anything strange."

Trier's lips twitched slightly.

"No need for that, Noy. I have some things I need you to do."

“It’s my pleasure.” The icy fingertips of the spirit binder gently brushed across Trier’s palm.

“I’m going to use a ritual to perform a prophecy this afternoon, but I’m still missing some materials to draw up the ritual.” Trier ignored Noy and pulled two rolls of paper from his backpack as he spoke. “The materials are all written on the first roll; they’re all common materials.”

Noi sighed dejectedly and reached out to take the paper.

"What about the second roll of paper?"

“A letter to Bishop Vercingetorie. I need him to contact the old mage you blinded with your Sunfire Blast and ask him to go to the City That Never Sleeps in the Great Swamp.”

Trier paused for a moment, then took out a large bag of golden dragons from his backpack.

"Here, for buying materials."

Noi shook his head and did not take it.

"I saw Aunt Rolina this morning. She gave me a large sum of money. Is there anything else she wants me to do?"

"Keep an eye out for reliable mercenaries, the kind that are professional, have their own large arsenal of weapons, personnel, and supplies, and offer military loan services," Trier thought to himself.

Noi blinked, her mind responding, "Master, are you planning to deal with that foolish and arrogant Oris by force?"

"The last resort."

"I will be transferring the Corpse Demon army here in batches soon. If you have time, please find me some suitable places to hide these Corpse Demons."

Noy's eyes widened for a moment, then he smiled: "With mercenaries as cover, those corpse demons will come in handy, right?"

“That’s how it is at this stage.” Trier pondered for a moment, then continued in his mind, “If the plan to mobilize the kingdom through Edith doesn’t work, then these mercenaries can also fight.”

“Master, but how do you plan to pay them? If you intend to fight with mercenaries as the backbone, then the military pay will be astronomical, not to mention their combat capabilities are also very questionable.” Noy looked worried. “—If you just get rid of those troublesome kingdom survey teams and then reunite the nobles of the southern duchy, then with your strength and the local nobles, this crisis can be easily resolved.”

“So this is the last resort.” Trier said calmly. “If this path doesn’t work, then the opponents’ real estate can also be used as collateral for military pay.”