Chapter 156: Journal
"That was pretty fast." Ren said. He sat on his chair inside a large hall that had been built for meetings.
There was a large table that ran down the center as well, with chairs for everyone. Ragna, Leon, Riker, Remu, Silas, Ezra, Luna, Lia, and finally Count Leon were all in attendance.
The meeting was set in place because the count had arrived a week later after leaving, and he brought information for them concerning the issue of the spiders.
"It’s fast because I showed them the scale of the issue. We recorded the whole thing in Oden, and when they saw it, they were shocked.
It is a threat that they never saw coming, and even now, they are not sure if they can even control it. Spiders that are infecting and taking the lives of people, that’s something from a horror story." Liam explained. He pulled out a piece of paper with the Vermilion Kingdom stamp in red wax on it.
"The only thing that makes nobles fear is the threat that could affect them. Right now, they are not sure who is infected or not. It might be their own guard or someone else.
They have already started sending out mages and more to be able to find who is infected, but it is sadly not going as well as they want." Liam stated.
"I told you, they will be able to find the infected, but it would be a long process. So I’m guessing now that you told them about the Primordial Crimson?"
"Actually, yes, I did, and I told them you and your people will be able to find and handle the situation if they are willing to speak to you and pay you something worth your while."
"Seems like it all went well, but I’m very sure your kingdom will not allow me to see the king right away. They will for sure want to put me in my place and ensure that I do not get over my head, right?" Ren asked with a smile.
"How do you know all of this? It seems like you know how we would act before we do."
"That’s simple. Humans are far too predictable, to be honest," Ren said with a calm smile.
"I see," Liam responded and slid the letter across the table. It crossed fast and stopped in front of Ren. He grabbed it and broke the seal, pulling out the letter.
It was basically a longer form of all that Liam had said. It was inviting him into their kingdom, and he was cleared to enter on all levels.
"The person that you will be meeting is one of the dukes. I do not know which of them yet, but it’s a Duke of the kingdom, and he will be in charge of handling everything that’s happening concerning the spider." Liam explained.
"I see, that works for me," Ren said, and then got up. "We will move out tomorrow. Primordial Crimson will be entering the Kingdom of Vermilion properly for the first time."
[.....]
After the meeting ended, Lia found Ren alone inside the cave.
"You followed me, why?"
"I think I found something," she said as she approached. She pulled out a book, one with hard, curved covers and a strap that was locked.
Ren turned around. He looked at the book and then at her. "What’s that?" He asked.
"It’s a journal I found from my father. I searched the entire manor, and this is what I found. I knew it had something to do with the sword because of this." She said and pointed to the front, where there was a depiction of a sword on it. She turned it to the back as well and showed the depiction of a skull.
"Hmm. If you are certain about that, why have you not opened it to read it?" He asked.
"Well, I was worried I could not handle whatever I see inside by myself. I need your help," she said with a pleased gaze.
"Alright then, let’s see it," Ren replied, also eager to see what was inside. She pulled the lock open and began reading the content.
"My daughter, if you find this, then I guess things did not go to plan in the end. I’m sorry, that’s the only thing that I can say.
I was a coward, and I could not step up to the responsibility that was mine to take. I allowed your mother to carry the blade. Years after it happened, and it haunts me every night. Every moment that I see you, I am reminded about the fact that I failed you and your mother.
There is something that you do not know, though, an aspect to this all that your mother begged me to keep hidden from you until it was no longer possible. She wanted me to take this knowledge to my grave.
Your mother is not dead. The sword did not kill her, but it did consume her, turning her into a mindless undead monster that would roam endlessly, consuming the souls of others.
She did not want you to ever know that she had become this, and so she made me swear that after she turned, I would tell you that the sword killed those of none bloodline rather than turn them undead.
That’s the truth of it all. Somewhere in this world, your mother is alive. The only way to find her is with the sword, using its power to connect with her and track her down. I wanted to so many times, but my fear did not allow me.
I would love to say it’s because I did not want to leave you behind, but that’s a lie. It’s simply because of my fear and my fear alone. I do not want you to carry that blade as well, but in the occasion that you ever do, I want you to find your mother at least. You deserve that much, my Lia.
Once again, I am sorry for not being the kind of father an amazing daughter like you deserves."