Chapter 44: Embers 4

A few days has passed. Clervie has been regularly reporting to Crucabena for appearance's sake. I don't know if she feels relieved since Clervie has been feeding her "Good" news or if she has something up her sleeves since she has been quiet these past few days.

I have also been observing around, trying to understand how the Fatuus work under her command. Children who haven't been recognized cannot learn of their inner workings. Of course, Clervie and Peruere are part of those not yet recognized so I wasn't able to get information out of them. As for Polochko, guards stationed around the orphanage are not very high-ranking and are shuffled into multiple platoons so they get replaced all the time. I wonder how the spy managed to stay here for years. Must be one of Dad's tricks.

I have seen the children train and participated in it myself and all I can say is that it's... It's spartan-like. Not all the kids are subjected to such intense training but they have a "basic" regime to follow that is pretty hard to do. And those who can't pass are sent to The Doctor. 

I can't say I'm surprised. Just from the game alone, he has already committed several war crimes or inhuman practices and I've seen some of it personally.

I am currently walking around after an hour of intense training. My body is not as sore as when I first started training but I could still feel the unease and tension in my muscles.

"Look at these bad boys," I said as I flexed my not-so-big arm muscles with exaggerated confidence.

"You look dumb."

A voice from behind startled me out of my reverie. Her slim but athletic body was soaked in sweat that dripped out of her clothes.

"A-haha" I scratched the back of my head. "So, what do I owe you the pleasure, Madam Peruere."

"I need to talk to you,"

I glanced around wearily. There were people around us. Some are young children, some are teens, but most of them are adults with weapons. There has been a surge of troops deployed lately for some reason. 

"Let's go somewhere more private." 

***

We hid behind the nursery building where babies are usually taken care of. The House of the Heart rarely has infants, so the place was perfect for discreet conversations.

"So what is it?"

"I want you to take Clervie away."

"What?!"

She clamped her hands on my mouth before I could say anything else. "Listen," She whispered. "Mother has been treating us better lately, and considering she is trying to win you over, I think it's better if you take Clervie with you."

"That doesn't make sense. What about you? You know her—she won't come without you. Hell, I would even say she won't leave behind the others either."

"Look, I know she won't," Peruere said, her voice firm. "That's why I want Mother to be the one to order her."

"That..."

I trailed off. Knowing Clervie, she won't leave behind the others to save herself. She would even suffer in their stead.

"At least tell me the real reason why you want me to take her."

Peruere's expression shifted, a rare shade of vulnerability crossing her face.

"That night, I realized something." She began, her voice low and quiet. "Not everyone can handle this pressure we're in. Not Clervie at least." She paused, her tone was full of resolution. "I am confident to come out on top, but not Clervie. That's why I'm asking you to take her—get her out of this place."

"Let me think about this."

I pondered, her words weighing heavily. If I take Clervie away what would be the effect on this? Will Peruere still get her vision or will she even become the new Knave?

Thoughts and scenarios circulated in my mind. Torn between choices, I asked. "Did you talk to Clervie about this?"

"No. She doesn't know."

"I think you should talk to her first. I can't do anything if she doesn't want to leave."

Her eyes widened, and she seemed surprised by my response. "You'd take her?"

"If she agrees then yes."

Immediately, her face brightened, but it didn't stay for long and her unreadable expression returned to her face.

"Leo, thank you." 

Without another word, she left in a hurry, running down the corridors to find Clervie.

"Thank me later when she agrees..." I muttered to myself as I watched her go.

***

I haven't seen Peruere or Clervie since our conversation. It was already lunchtime when I saw a glimpse of an angry Clervie. There was no doubt about what happened.

Assuming her decision wouldn't be changed, I rushed towards the post that Polochko was guarding. In there I saw him munching on some biscuits and approached him.

"Hey, Polochko, are you free?" I whispered as I glanced around.

"Yes, young master. The others are taking their lunch so they'll be back soon."

"I see," Without wasting a single second, I asked. "How strong are you compared to the Harbingers?"

A frown appeared on his face as he stopped munching on his biscuit. "Young master, what are you planning this time?"

"Just answer me Polochko,"

"I could win against a few of them, but mostly I'll get killed without knowing how."

"Is Crucabena part of the few?" 

"Young master, you're not trying to make me kill her right?"

"I'm not, so, is she part of the few?"

Polochko contemplated. "If it's her then... I think I can match her but I don't think I can win."

"Good, now we just have to bait her alone."

"Young master..." Polochko looked at me, his eyes full of disbelief and worry. "Are you seriously trying to kill a harbinger? Her Highness the Tsaritsa won't be happy about this."

"Try? No. We will kill her. And they will have no reason to be sad, We're going to crown a better Knave than that Karen."

"At least wait for reinforcements, Lord Pantalone would send some." 

"Dad might not send any, he has always been obsessed with my results. Dad would probably just watch and be happy whatever the result might be." 

"That's..." Poloch tried to speak but no words would come out.

"You've been with him longer than I am. You know what kind of expectations Dad has for me." 

Dad has always been aware that I didn't let out everything I knew. He always finds ways to force me to reveal my cards which was done on a daily basis.

"Anyway, enough of that. Why is there a surge of Fatuus lately? Are we going to war or what?"

Polochko replied as he munched on his biscuits once more. "There's an operation somewhere in Sumeru. I don't know the details but they're trying to get the alliance of a tribe on the Desert of Hadramaveth."

That sounded familiar.

Several voices echoed on the buildings as they approached. "I'll try to find a way to isolate her, get some information about the squads that'll join. I'll put the other guards with the group to keep them away."

"Let's not do this young master."

"See you later, I said as I sneaked on the side and left.

***

After Lunch

After eating lunch I wanted to do some personal strengthening training. Polochko was not here by my side which made it possible for me to do my unholy business.

I informed Peruere and Clervie that I'd be back late tonight. Clervie was mad. She questioned me if I knew what Peruere was planning which I confirmed. After that, things have been smooth.

My guards stayed by my side as we navigated the forests of Fontaine. I was searching for abysmal energy that I could use to empower myself. There's a limitation of my ability to release energy. Just like Kamera, I needed to charge before I can use my powers. 

The form they take will depend on what I could imagine.

Walking in the woods, the smell of winter snow permeated the air. The forest that once had a vibrant color of green was now covered in pure white dust of snow.

We stopped in the middle of a lake that had a yellow tree standing alone in the middle.. Its leaves wore an eerie shade of yellow, it's as if the tree was digesting itself from within. The water that circled the tree wore a distinct mushy green that seemed to scream danger. Looking at it, I can't help but feel disgusted at the sight.

I stood still, my heart racing. A mix of excitement and alarms of danger echoed on my mind, each telling me to do the opposite of the other.

I reached my hand closer towards the waters. With each moment, a sense of familiarity creeps in.

As I touched the water, a negligible cold sensation entered my fingers and rested in on my heart before slowly entering my soul. 

The wind brushes by and a wet squelching sound reverberates behind. It's thumping and popping grew louder as it approached. I looked behind in curiosity.

My eyes laid upon a slime the same size as I am, it had a darkish blue color with horns on top of its head, or what I could call a head since its whole body was circle-shaped.

My guards were not as alarmed as I was, their expressions were a mix of amusement and superiority. 

The slime approached us with scorn on its face. With a thumping sound, it jumped high in the air. Before it could land, a hammer met its fall and it was mushed into a puddle of water.

"Hey, you didn't have to do that!" 

My guards were nonchalant as they apologized. I knew it was hostile but something in me thought how cute that slime was despite it's enraged behavior.

I approached the puddle which the slime turned into. With a touch of my hand, a surged of corrupted energy enter my body as the darkness vanished and a pristine blueish white color remained.

"Rest in puddles,"

Returning to the lake, I puts my hand down again as it absorbs the filthy energy that covered the whole lake.

As time passes, the energy inside the lake seemed to have no ends as I kept sucking them. With each moment, voices with words I could not understand entered my mind. Images and emerging emotions that I never once felt surfaced.

More time passed and the shade of night covered my weary body. Sweat and dirt covered my clothes and I could feel blood on my mouth. Finally, my mind could not handle the whispers which turned into screams. 

An edging lust for violence whisked away all the desires as I took my spear. "Spar with me a bit, I can't go back like this."

With my declaration, my guards held their weapons as they readied. A pair of purplish misty horns emerged on my forehead as my eyes turned red.