The Burning Flowers

Chapter III

Upon being escorted from the gondola and into the castle, Ilirianna and the Masters dismissed the Academy students, requesting they be shown to their rooms, before informing Lord Cartigan that they needed to have an immediate and private discussion. The man instantly accepted as he and Ella took the princess, Viiro, Acostav, and Eko down the steps of the eastern tower and through the first floor corridors that led to Saientia's main building. In a similar fashion to the other castles of the Great Cites, the colors of the ruling house, those being black and gold, were quite prominent in the decorations, and due to the overcast day, the hallways were bathed in a dim gray, creating a depressing feeling that set Ilirianna even further on edge. They were then escorted to a private lift that brought them up to the fourth floor where they once again went down a series of hallways before arriving at a small lounge that wasn’t big enough to be the lord’s personal quarters, leaving her to conclude that it was set aside for meetings and discussions such as the one they were about to have. The two guards that were permitted to follow them were then ordered to refuse entry to anybody before Lord Cartigan erected a silencing charm over the door to prevent their conversation from being overheard.

“Alright then,” Cartigan began, moving to take his seat in the large black armchair as he motioned to his daughter to light the nearby hearth. “Given all the need for secrecy, I can only conclude something has gone awry. Is there reason to believe this castle has been compromised?”

Viiro let out an annoyed grunt as he, Acostav, and Eko took their seats on the couch to Cartigan’s left. “There’s always reason to believe the castles are compromised. If Aquesen can be as infiltrated as it was, then almost anywhere can be…and especially with a changeling running amok. I would advise you to hesitate when trusting anybody.”

“Perhaps,” Cartigan replied with a dismissive smirk. “However, we check consistently for biological magic on anybody that comes in and out, and given that Miyon remains in our clutches, I do not fear the Kosah-Rei being in Saientia.”

“You should.” Having remained standing as she preferred, Ilirianna made her statement firm, for she was already displeased by Cartigan’s lack of recognition towards the grave threat they were facing. “With all due respect, I’m sure Lord Malloway would have said the same thing. Yet his own son and perceived wife were his enemies, as was the captain of his guard, the rest of his guard, and the city guard. These people are powerful, intelligent, and meticulous. Just because Miyon is still in the dungeon does not mean there aren’t Kosah-Rei among your soldiers and servants. It’s very possible they’re waiting for the most ideal chance to break him out.”

Viiro, as always, gave her a very blatant look of disapproval, as if despite agreeing with her point, he didn’t appreciate all the positive things she had to say about the Kosah-Rei. Meanwhile Cartigan just gazed at her with unrestrained amusement.

“Well, you seem to have a lot of compliments for our enemies, don’t you?”

“Watch your words, My Lord,” she instantly retorted, wanting to quickly remind him who held the highest status among those in the room. “I simply do not want to underestimate the Kosah-Rei, for if we do, then they will only continue to win. Perhaps you will say the same once you know what happened in Noctalus last week.”’

Cartigan’s pompous demeanor seemed to waver momentarily as he cocked an eyebrow at the Masters. “Viiro, Acostav? What is she talking about?”

The Master of Light remained uncharacteristically silent, as if disinterested in discussing the attack, but Viiro did not hesitate to lay everything out bluntly and efficiently. “Barron Kristoff and Leiolai Sartella led a small assault on Noctalus during the solstice that resulted in the deaths of Lady Clara and my wife, as well as the kidnapping of my daughter, Neah.”

Ella’s eyes went wide with horror as Cartigan sat up straighter, his brow furrowing in shock. “W-what? Ladies Clara and Nium are dead? How? Don’t tell me the Kosah-Rei infiltrated the NightLight!”

“We do not know the details,” the Master of Darkness growled. “But given the state of their bodies, we can at least confirm they became victims of the cult’s combustion magic, and since we still do not understand what causes it, I can’t say for sure how the killer went about eliminating them.”

“Then…were we at least successful in defeating or apprehending Sartella and Kristoff?” Ella pressed, only for her features to make her disappointment clear upon hearing Viiro’s answer.

“No. Sartella slipped away, and Kristoff, well…”

“Hell if we know,” Acostav spat bitterly. “One moment he was in the armor, then just before I blasted that thing apart, he was suddenly gone, as if teleported away. I do not know where he went or how he did it, but there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s still alive somewhere.”

“Then…Neah Noctis…?” Ella turned back to Viiro, a flash of understanding dawning on her face. “You said she was kidnapped… I take it that’s what Nigreos meant when he asked if the Kosah-Rei had reached out to us? You think they plan to ransom your daughter for Miyon?”

Viiro scowled and gave a gruff shrug. “I don’t have a damn clue what they plan to do with her. The kidnapper left behind a note that only claimed she was alive and that they would see us in Stellareid. The implication is that they planned to bring her here. Naturally, we had Noctalus scoured for any sign of my daughter, but we could not find her. Have there been any strange entrances into Stellareid? Any signs of Neah being smuggled in?”

“No, not that I’ve heard of,” Cartigan muttered, reaching up to scratch his chin in thought. “If Neah Noctis is in this city, then the Kosah-Rei were very efficient in sneaking her inside. That being said, I’ll contact Captain Wailang the second we finish here and have every inch of this city searched. If your daughter is in Stellareid, we will locate her. I promise you, Master Viiro, and…” For the first time since the discussion started, Cartigan’s arrogant demeanor shifted into one of empathy. “I’m sorry about your wives. They were reliable allies of ours, and they were very good people. You have my deepest condolences.”

Acostav only managed a weak nod while Viiro grunted a thanks, but Eko gave Lord Cartigan a soft smile and a polite bow of his head. “Thank you, My Lord. With any luck, we will succeed in taking out Vesh, and perhaps we can begin putting these many tragedies behind us.”

“Now, moving us back onto the important topic,” Viiro began, abruptly moving past the subject of the Noctalus Ladies’ deaths.

Once again, Ilirianna could only internally scowl at the Master of Darkness’s heartless attitude. Perhaps he was mourning privately, deep in his thoughts where nobody could see, but from an outside perspective, it almost seemed as if Viiro Noctis did not care whatsoever that his wife was dead and his daughter kidnapped. He hardly seemed shaken, having turned his full attention not to locating Neah, but to the initial plan of escorting Miyon to Erika and luring out Rotana Vesh.

Truly, Viiro, do you even have emotions? What goes on in that head of yours? Even if you’re processing it all deep inside, the way you’re behaving is going to give a terrible impression to the Cartigans. At least Acostav is clearly mourning…

As Ilirianna internally stated, Eganno and Ella Cartigan seemed a bit put off by Viiro’s swift changing of the subject, but if the Master of Darkness noticed, then he completely ignored it and continued on.

“Your daughter mentioned that Uma Miyon has remained uncooperative. Has he truly not let anything slip in all this time?”

Cartigan shook his head with frustration, spreading his hands almost in defeat. “Not even a slight hint. For a magicless, the bastard has a high pain tolerance. We’ve tortured him for weeks and all he does is cackle and gloat, as if he doesn’t see his confinement as something to fear. To be honest, if anything was going to give me the impression that the Kosah-Rei might be planning something, it’s how satisfied he is. It’s as if—”

“He wanted to be captured,” Ilirianna finished, having entertained such a theory once or twice since his sudden and random reappearance. “Like he’s exactly where he wants to be.”

“Yes…” Cartigan agreed with a nod. “My concerns only increase with this odd move against Noctalus, for now I cannot fathom what their plan is. Like I told you before, this castle is safe, but I shall do another thorough check to ease your fears, Princess. Miyon will remain in our grasp for as long as we need him. That being said, have the events in Noctalus changed our plans or are you still escorting him back to Erika?”

Viiro shook his head. “I’m pondering it. I would first like you to permit us access to his cell. I want to speak to this infamous doctor myself. How soon can you organize this?”

“As soon as you need it,” the Lord of Stellareid stated. “I shall have you taken there before dinner.”

“Perfect. Then we have said everything that needs to be said.”

Remaining as to-the-point as always, the Master of Darkness declared the meeting to be concluded, but Ilirianna was not yet finished with Eganno Cartigan. Since she technically had seniority over the Masters, she decided she would step in and take the reins of the discussion herself.

“Actually, there is something I think we need to speak of before we part,” she added, and based on the suspicious glare Viiro suddenly shot her, as if warning her from saying what she was about to say, Ilirianna got the impression he knew exactly where her mind was at. Surprisingly, Acostav hardly reacted, keeping his head down, but since she clearly had the Cartigans’ attention, the princess went on. “Lord Cartigan, I want to request that Rickori Keskivaara be brought here to Saientia so that I may speak with him.”

“Princess—”

“Be silent, Master Viiro,” she snapped, having held her tongue on the subject of Keskivaara long enough. Ilirianna spared the Master of Darkness only a brief glare of her own before turning back to the confused Lord Cartigan, who seemed a tad uncomfortable.

“W-with all due respect, what reason do you have to speak to a man like him?” he inquired. “Keskivaara is an insurrectionist and a traitor. He’s lucky to be a free man with all the anti-government rhetoric he’s been spreading among the Rings. To allow somebody like him access to this great castle…well, was it not you who was so concerned about keeping dangerous people out of Saientia?”

“My Lord,” Ilirianna said, keeping her tone in check so as to avoid deteriorating the conversation. “The People’s Mind need not be our enemy. Everything I have heard indicates that he only seeks fairer treatment for the common people. His rhetoric isn’t treasonous, nor has he ever raised a blade against us. He has only been peaceful, requesting negotiations, and I think that if we sit down with him and have a civil discussion, we can prevent him from even considering aligning with Rotana Vesh and the Kosah-Rei.”

She was unsurprised by Viiro and Cartigan’s obvious disagreement, but she was slightly saddened when even Ella made to speak against her. “Princess, Keskivaara is a threat. Conceding to him means damaging relations with the Company Lords, whose funding and generosity are a very important piece to Stellareid’s success. If we start humoring a man well known for being their enemy, then they may turn against us, and we need their support.”

So that’s how it is, huh? The companies are paying you off and you don’t want to lose your precious money… Damn idiots… Even you, Ella…

Inwardly, Ilirianna was fuming, but outwardly, she was composed. “I’m sorry, but are the Company Lords ruling Stellareid or are the Cartigans? If the Lords are dissatisfied, you remind them who’s in charge.”

“You would suggest turning against some of our greatest allies?” Cartigan spat. “The companies are what keep Stellareid's economy booming. They are the heart of our city, the ones who oversee the scientific advancements, who help to create the technology of the future, and who may one day truly put Ijirians on the moon, yet you would tell me to make an enemy of them to satisfy the ungrateful populace and their self-declared mind?”

“Yes, I—”

“Enough!” Viiro shouted finally, rising to his feet as he stared down at Ilirianna. “That is enough.”

Stunned that the Master of Darkness would speak to his princess in such a way, Ilirianna scoffed and clicked her tongue at him. “Master Viiro, perhaps you should watch how you talk to me. I am above you.”

“And King Markreas is above you,” he hissed. “Last I checked, the king was in favor of eliminating Keskivaara. By His Majesty’s orders, we are not to humor an insurrectionist, and I will not sit here in silent obedience while you openly defy the King of Ijiria. I’m sure he would forgive my actions if he knew why I stepped out of line.”

Having been speaking under the vain hope that the Cartigans would show some critical thinking skills, Ilirianna no longer had grounds to stand on with her father brought into the discussion. Cartigan was smirking at her like she was a petulant and foolish child, Ella appeared disappointed, as if having expected differently from her future queen, and Viiro’s rage had never been more obviously directed at her. Even Eko Luz gave her a subtle shake of his head when she looked him the eyes, indicating that even he did not agree with her. Acostav still didn’t raise his head, but she was sure he was mentally berating her, too. Not a single person in that room was on her side, all of them watching her like she was an idiot. It was both baffling and embarrassing.

There wasn’t a single opening to convince them to see reason.

What the hell? How can you all be so damn stupid?! Rickori Keskivaara doesn’t need to be an enemy! Why am I the only one who can see this?! Am I actually wrong here? Is there something I’m just not getting?! Or is it really just the greed and pride of these fucking idiots blinding them from seeing what I do…?

“To remove a cancer, you must cut out the tumor, yes? You can’t reason with a tumor. You can’t beg it to stop attacking the body. You can’t barter with it, for it is simply doing the only thing it knows to do. That same logic applies to you. The elite won’t listen to the woes of the common man for arrogance is their inherent nature.”

Stop it! Get out of my head, Mallicent!

Without another word, having nothing left to say to them, Ilirianna spun on her heel, excused herself, and departed the room. The second she spotted two servants waiting not far from the guards, she pulled them aside, said, “Have Ryokumo Caeli brought to my quarters immediately”, then requested the one that remained to escort her to her room. Since they recognized her distinct emerald hair, they knew not to question her as she was brought back to lift and taken to the fifth floor above. The Academy students were all staying on the same level, so the second servant split off to retrieve Ryokumo while Ilirianna was brought to her room. She thanked the young man, dismissed him, then headed inside to wait in the adjacent sitting room for Ryokumo’s arrival. Her friend was there in a matter of minutes, knocking rather obnoxiously to tell her it was him without her even needing to ask.

“It’s unlocked, Kumo!” she called out, and soon enough, the wind mage sauntered into the sitting room, grinning wryly as he scanned their surroundings.

“Well, you’ve got yourself a big place,” he mused, though given that the only illumination was the gray natural light coming through the window on her right, she couldn’t fully make out his features. “I’m still stuck sharing my quarters with Glaus and Pafran, and even Nigreos this time, but we’ve only got a room half this size. Truly, I envy you.”

Ilirianna laughed, having needed his flippant and silly nature to ease her anger. “Well, by all means, come and move in with me. I could use the company.” The words were out of her mouth before she gave them any proper consideration, and realizing the implications upon noticing his startled expression, she cleared her throat and smiled awkwardly. “I-I’m just joking.”

“R-right,” Ryokumo murmured. “Of course. Um, anyway, how can I help you? To be honest, I wasn’t expecting a summons so soon. Is there not a banquet this time? Usually, there’s a banquet.”

The princess shrugged with disinterest. “No idea. I didn’t stick around long enough to ask.” The question was clear on his face, so she gave a sigh and patted the spot on the couch next to her. “Come sit with me for a bit, please. No need to stand in the doorway, right?”

Ryokumo did as she asked, walking forward to take the indicated spot. She could tell he was about to open his mouth to once again inquire what she needed, but not wanting to talk just yet, she leaned to her right, resting her body against his before placing her head on his shoulder.

“Uh…?”

“Just for a moment? Please?”

“Er, right. Of course.”

She and Ryokumo had become very close over the years, but she always made sure to keep a somewhat professional distance between them. She was okay with them being friends since her father’s royal team had been very close, but there was no question that she couldn’t allow their relationship to evolve any further. He was a commoner and a foreigner—a man totally unfit to be king by her side. No matter what she wanted, they would not be permitted by Markreas and Toranei to go any further than friends. It was their unspoken agreement, so she knew that leaning on him like this was pushing too far past the boundaries.

Even so, ever since I met him, he’s had this strange way of comforting me. He helped ease my fears in Omaruo, and his jokes always lighten the mood when I’m feeling down. He’s my best friend, and right now, I’m so conflicted and tired. We lost miserably in Noctalus, and I already feel I’m losing in Stellareid. I need his opinion. I need his advice. I can’t…do this alone.

“Kumo?” she finally began.

“Yes?”

“How much of the mission briefing have you read?”

Ryokumo gave a guilty chuckle, causing her to roll her eyes in exasperation. “W-well, it depends on what you define as reading. I flipped through and got the gist of it. No need to worry, Liri… Why?”

Ilirianna snorted, raising her head and turning to look at his confused features. “Rickori Keskivaara. What do you know about him?”

“Ah yes,” he replied. “Well, I didn’t need the mission briefing to know about him! I used to live in Jeysa just across the bay, remember? We heard all about the People’s Mind over there, so I’m quite familiar with his platform. And for that matter, I did read the part about Vesh attempting an alliance with him.”

“Good. Then I need your opinion …” From there, she went on to tell Ryokumo about her own struggles with the Keskivaara situation, describing how her father, the Masters, and the Cartigans all refused to negotiate with him. She talked of how they feared conceding any ground to Keskivaara, as well as Cartigan’s insistence on appeasing the Company Lords. Ryokumo listened silently, giving her the ear she so desperately needed. “Am I stupid, Kumo? Am I the one who can’t see the obvious answer? I honestly think that if we talk to him, somebody like Keskivaara won’t accept Vesh’s offers. If he wants a peaceful resolution the way he claims, then an alliance with the Kosah-Rei should be a last resort. Right?”

Ryokumo smiled warmly and reassuringly, an expression that instantly gave her some semblance of comfort. “I see the issue, yes, and I can say with the utmost confidence that I think you’re correct. I don’t think the others can’t see it, rather they don’t want to. Cartigan made it clear, it seems, that he wants the support of the Company Lords. These jackasses are paying him off, and I’d be stunned if they weren’t filling his pockets even further to encourage Keskivaara’s elimination. He has no reason to think logically.”

“Right… Yeah, exactly,” Ilirianna said, relieved that he was on the same page. “We’re stabbing ourselves in the foot again. The Kosah-Rei only thrived the way they did because we as the government failed the people. If we keep looking at our citizens like our enemies, we’re only going to keep pissing them off until somebody finally does us in… But what can I do about it?”

“Could we not just sneak down there and barter with him in secret?” Ryokumo suggested, but she shook her head.

“Barter with what? I may be the princess, but without the support of Lord Cartigan, my father, and the Council of Elders, there’s nothing I can offer him.”

“Right…” Ryokumo leaned back in his seat, his lips twisted in thought. “Well, it still may not be completely pointless. If he knows Ilirianna Iiji is in his corner, it may at least be enough to sway him away from the Kosah-Rei for the time being.”

“But is that enough to justify all the trouble I’m gonna be in if I’m caught?” she pointed out. “Just like Hiriech, we can’t afford to damage relations with House Cartigan. Should the Lord find out I went behind his back, we may very well find ourselves with an aggressive Stellareid, and right now, we can’t afford to lose the cooperation of any of the Great Cities.”

“Lovely,” Ryokumo grunted. “Oh boy, do I just love the Great City Lords… Bunch of bastards, honestly…”

“Tell me about it… It’s all becoming a little too much… Between this, the deaths of Nium and Clara, the kidnapping of Neah, and…well, Abigail’s pregnancy, I’m getting overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do…about any of it…” She sensed her friend stiffening up, and even though there was plenty on their minds, she decided this was a good opportunity to ask him something. “How are you handling it? Abi, I mean.”

“Handling it? How so?”

“Don’t pretend not to know what I mean,” she grumbled. “Kumo, I’ve never seen you as distraught as you were that night when she told us… You seemed desperate. Then by the following evening, you were back to your usual joking self, but I can’t imagine you picked yourself up that quickly. So I’ll ask again: How are you handling it?”

He let out a quiet breath that sounded somewhat like a self-deprecating laugh. “It seems you’re the one reading me now, huh? Yeah, I’m not handling it well at all. Abi has been like a sister to me for years. I love her, with all my heart. Even before Omaruo, due to our shared backgrounds, I felt a camaraderie with her that I didn’t have with everybody else. I don’t want to lose her, Liri… I don’t want to say goodbye…but it’s my duty as her friend to help her with what she needs… If she wants to have the child in Omaruo with Scott, then I must support her. She needs us…now more than ever… What kind of friend would I be if I stood in her way?”

His voice went quiet, even beginning to tremble, and by the end, it seemed as if he was barely holding back his tears. Ilirianna fully understood what he meant, for she was struggling with a similar dilemma—a dilemma she could hardly dedicate time to with everything going on. Noctalus lost its leaders, they needed to find Neah, they needed to kill Vesh, they needed to prevent a Kosah-Rei/Keskivaara alliance, and throughout it all, Abigail Reiner may be leaving them before any of it was settled.

Turning her body to face him, Ilirianna once again stepped over their bounds and pulled him into a hug, wanting to offer him the comfort he needed. He still didn’t let his sobs out, but she could feel him shaking as he embraced her back.

There they sat, Ilirianna Iiji and Ryokumo Caeli, without a single clue what they were supposed to be doing.

***

One of the conditions agreed upon in exchange for Kloras Glaus’s cooperation in permitting the mission to Stellareid was that Rennigan be given a higher level of authority than he normally would have had. Naturally, the Masters and Ilirianna were still in charge, but something even they could not defy was the requirement that Rennigan be present for any interaction with Doctor Uma Miyon. From what the boy understood, Kloras wanted to be privy to anything the Kosah-Rei leader did or said, and Rennigan was the only person he trusted enough to tell the truth. Therefore, when the time came for Viiro Noctis and Acostav Luz to go see Miyon, Rennigan was summoned from his room and told to make his way to the lift that led to the dungeons beneath Saientia. Upon arriving, he found that the Masters of Darkness and Light were not the only ones present, but Ilirianna, Eko, and Nigreos were also there. He was mildly surprised to see Nigreos among them, for it seemed as if he and his father were not terribly happy with each other at the moment, but he supposed Viiro wasn't one to let emotions get in the way of having his future successor present for such an important meeting.

Very little was said as the six of them followed a member of the Castle Guard onto the lift before descending past the five floors and into the underground. It was a tense silence, one that couldn’t be solely explained away by the oncoming interaction with Miyon, so Rennigan decided to watch the others closely, hoping to catch a glimpse of what might have been the issue. Almost instantly, he realized that there was an odd distance between Ilirianna and the rest. The princess had placed herself on the opposite side of the black and gold disk from the Masters, standing instead much closer to Nigreos and Rennigan. She even spared a subtle look of anger towards Viiro at one point.

Interesting. I suppose something must have happened during Lord Cartigan’s briefing. I wonder what it was, though I don’t suppose anybody would ever tell me.

Soon enough, the disk came to a stop at the entrance of a dark underground corridor. Unlike the dungeons of the Citadel, this basement level actually had proper walls built of dark stone and a tiled floor that looked as if it hadn’t been cleaned in years. Rennigan twisted his nose with disgust at the heaviness of the hallway, but he refrained from voicing such complaints as he fell into stride alongside Eko and Nigreos as they followed Ilirianna and Masters further inside. There were metal cell doors lining both walls, but from Rennigan’s understanding, Miyon was locked away in the higher security rooms, so he steeled himself for what would probably be a longer walk than he expected.

No matter. I’m just lucky to be here at all. After hearing so many rumors from the royal team, I’ll be interested in finally meeting the infamous Uma Miyon. Course, the royal team never met him either, and only knew what they did via Master Nakoma Taurus, so who knows what this man is really like. If only he was more cooperative, then perhaps we could get a better idea of what the hell happened in Noctalus.

The events of the solstice had been hanging over Rennigan ever since they left, as he was sure was the same for the others. But unlike the others, he had nearly died in the attack, and there was no question that Barron Kristoff had been targeting him. Multiple times did the red knight ignore Faye, Hiro, and Jessi to take a shot at him, so it was painfully obvious that the Kosah-Rei wanted him dead, for one reason or the other.

Not that I’m afraid of them. They missed their best chance to take me down before I realized they were after me. Now that I know they’re trying to kill me, I’ll have countermeasures in place, so I’ll be ready. Maybe Miyon knows why…but given the circumstances, I doubt I’ll be given any priority here…

Rennigan glanced sidelong at Nigreos, whose features were stern and hard to read. The few times they rode together from Noctalus to Stellareid, the dark mage had been withdrawn, distant, and flashing between expressions of sadness and anger.

Can’t blame him, though. I may resent Noctis, but I am not heartless. His mother was just killed, and his little sister has been kidnapped. I’m sure that if we try and force information out of Miyon, it’ll be in regards to the attack and Neah’s kidnapping.

After a few more minutes, they arrived at a staircase that took them even further into the ground and led to another corridor, though there was a clear abundance of mana in the air, indicating the presence of security charms that Rennigan was unable to decipher what exactly they did. He considered illusion magic, but for some reason, he wasn’t satisfied with that answer. Knowing how cautious the Great Houses were, he suspected that even Ilirianna and the Masters didn’t know what was protecting the dungeon, so he didn’t waste his breath asking before they came to stand in front of a giant metal door, of which the guard placed his hand against and began muttering countercharms.

This time, Rennigan did recognize the magic, sensing the same security charm that the Glaus family placed over the doors to their money vault beneath the estate. It was a very complex charm that required a particular set of incantations that, should any of them be incorrect, would kill the person trying to break in instantly. At the Glaus vault, the thief would be incinerated. Here, he wasn’t sure.

Once the charm was deactivated, the soldier stepped aside and motioned for them to enter. The Masters went first, followed by Ilirianna, then Nigreos, Eko, and Rennigan, and upon walking into the cell, they found yet another set of security between them and the prisoner. The room was split in half by a series of metal bars charmed to melt anything that touched them, and on the other side of these bars was the Kosah-Rei leader and magicless doctor, Uma Miyon.

The man was a traitor and a mass murderer, yet even so, Rennigan found himself slightly horrified by the person lying crumpled against the wall, his white prisoner’s uniform covered in dry blood and stained with feces and urine. The lack of a smell indicated it was being contained on the other side by the charms, but Rennigan still cringed away as if he could smell it. Miyon’s pitch black hair was disheveled and sticking out, teeth were missing from his mouth, and there were burns and lacerations all over his face. The dim torch lightning just barely allowed Rennigan to make out the fact that his fingernails had all been torn out, and as his eyes wandered lower, he also found that his legs had been severed from the knees down, most likely to make an escape even harder.

Hell… This guy’s basically a corpse already so perhaps Vesh is just going to cut his losses. If Miyon hasn’t revealed anything after all of this, we’re probably wasting our time taking him back to Erika.

Yet, as that thought went through his mind, Uma raised his head and scanned the visitors, his features lighting up with excitement and anticipation, as if he wasn’t in extreme pain, before his dark eyes settled on the princess.

“Well, good day to you,” he rasped. “Or is it evening? It’s hard to tell all the way down here, but no matter… I am elated to finally be in the presence of such a legendary woman! My name is Doctor Uma Miyon of the Kosah-Rei! It is a pleasure, Princess Ilirianna!”