Triss led them through the massive metal gate, where a few Novitcius mages, clad in identical dark outfits, emerged to greet them. The stone path beneath their feet was ancient, dimly illuminated by flickering fluorescent lights, their wires sagging under their own weight. Aurelia and Friederich walked at Triss's heels, while three Novitcius drifted behind them.
As they arrived at the empty courtyard, a strange vessel stood out, so out of place that it disrupted the eerie stillness. Aurelia recognised it immediately — it was a spacecraft from Luna base. Yet another question loomed so heavily in her mind that she couldn't help but probe Triss.
"Why is a DebrisX spacecraft here?" She asked, her gaze locking onto her father's company logo emblazoned on the side of the craft.
"They made an earthfall a few days back, and they've been helping us set up the defence tower ever since!" Triss explained, clasping her hands together excitedly.
As Aurelia's group approached the main building, one man among the three stood out. He was the tallest and noticeably overweight, likely in his fifties. He had dark eyes and short dark hair, with bangs swept to the side, exposing his wrinkled forehead. With a smirk, he waved at them, his peculiar jumpsuit sticking out like a sore thumb. His approach was casual, almost too natural.
Once within earshot, he greeted them with a boisterous, "Hello! Gentlemen and lady~"
Then, as his eyes fell upon Aurelia, his jaw dropped in shock. "Princess Aurelia?!" He blurted out, hastily covering his mouth.
"Yes, indeed she is. And you are?" Friederich questioned him back, sceptically stepping between them after realising the man was standing uncomfortably close to his princess.
"I beg your pardon! How rude of me. I'm David McDonald, employee number 5897L. I've been working with DebrisX as a coordinator for ten years now," He proclaimed proudly before letting out a hearty, raucous laugh.
"Nice to meet you, David," Aurelia replied, softening her voice to appear more regal. "Thank you for your years of service to my father's company."
David nodded vigorously. "Pleased to meet you, Princess! And you must be her prime guardian, Friederich Eir Regis." He bowed politely, but Friederich motioned for him to stop.
"No need for formalities. This isn't a diplomatic mission," Friederich said bluntly.
"By the way, Triss, here, has been a great help! I actually broke my arm during our landing, but she used, um..." David trailed off, struggling to recall the term. Googlᴇ search n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
"Iasis," Triss supplied calmly.
"Yes! Yes! Magic is incredible!" David exclaimed. He could almost hear Jack laughing at him, reminding him of all the hours wasted arguing about the existence of the arcane — Jack had been right all along, and David had been too stubborn to believe it.
"Well, David, thanks for helping with the lighting set-up here," Triss said, appreciating his efforts in integrating technology with the ancient defence tower and improving the residents' quality of life.
"Don't mention it! It's the least I can do~you did fix my arm, after all. I might as well put it to good use!"
David checked the time on his bulky wrist device. "I've gotta run! I bid you farewell, m'lady, sirs, and madams!" He said before fading into the distance.
"What a nice uncle," Aurelia murmured, watching the gleeful man return to his craft. Supplies were scattered beside it, suggesting they were in the midst of repairs or maintenance.
Soon, Aurelia, Friederich, and Triss arrived at the dining hall, where they received their food rations — a simple loaf of bread and a bowl of pulled beef soup. The meal was bland and tasteless, but Aurelia didn't complain. She was grateful to have sustenance and a roof over her head.
Triss's hospitality was evident as she recounted her story. She had been stationed here for six months, studying diligently, honing her arcane abilities, and assisting villages by treating wounds and diseases. The once-abandoned defence tower had essentially become a makeshift hospital.
"Well, we aren't the warmongering type, so this is the least we Renaissance mages can offer," She said in her ever-divine voice, clasping her hands together. "Which is why the gods and goddesses protect us from the malicious titans."
Friederich exhaled deeply, justifying things differently in his mind. "It's because, one, the castle is in the middle of nowhere, and two, it's close to Mirehaven, a haunted forest. There's literally no strategic advantage in attacking this garrison. More importantly, the defence tower had no barrier up and appeared abandoned."
"I... um... I know you feel differently. I'm terribly sorry for sensing your thoughts. It's an innate arcane trait of mine... one I sometimes struggle to control," Triss admitted sheepishly, averting her green eyes.
"Wait, what? You're a clairvoyant?" Aurelia asked, both amused and intrigued. It was rare for Novitcius to develop clairvoyant abilities unless their bloodline had deep ties to future forecasters, also known as, fortune tellers.
"Yes... I have Proleptis, but I can't control it well. It happens randomly, like just now." Triss explained, ashamed of herself.
"I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or your beliefs," Friederich apologised with a slow nod.
"No need, Sir Prime Guardian. It's not your fault for pondering ~ it's my fault for prying into your mind."
Aurelia shot Friederich a cunning glance. "Don't think anything perverted around her, or she'll sense it," She whispered teasingly, causing him to flush red.
"Of course not! Why would I?!" Friederich blurted out, clearly embarrassed, while the girls chuckled in response.
As night fell, silence enveloped the garrison. Yet, one elven man remained awake, training alone in the northern training grounds. The two halves of the moon shimmered through drifting clouds, casting a serene backdrop, perfect for focus and discipline. Friederich conjured his light swords, summoning and dismissing them in succession. He started with a few, gradually increasing to twelve at once, their ethereal glow illuminating the surroundings.
He practised tirelessly, refining his footwork and fencing techniques until his body was drenched in sweat. His coat clung to his form, accentuating his lean, sculpted physique.
"Let's try to exalt," Friederich murmured to himself.