Duke Windsor Part 2

"That's done, now to meet the Duke."

Theo was taking his time and gently striding through the carpeted and well decorated hallway. He was on his way to the office of Duke Windsor as he just finished eating. 

He did feel sleepy and his body desired to take a nap after the hearty meal he just partook, but the thought of what happened while he was unconscious gnawed at his mind which denied him of his rest.

If it was that grave, the duke would most definitely tell me everything as soon as I woke up, but he also didn't tell me that everything was good, meaning there was bad news and good news.

Theo genuinely dreaded what kind of news that the Duke intended to tell him, but all he could do was tread firmly and continue to uphold his vow and ideals moving forward.

Theo arrived in front of a familiar double door. 

He had visited the Duke Windsor's estate before, because his father treats the Duke as his close friend and his mother and the Duke's sister were also very good friends, so it was only obvious that Theo knew where places were, especially the office of the Duke.

Knock* Knock* Knock*

"Name yourself" A familiar voice spoke far inside the room

"Its Theo, Uncle John" Theo responded

"Come in"

Theo opened the door and revealed an office that was similar to his father's. 

Filled with documents that he was occupied by, they especially piled up after the recent incident. 

The Duke pointed his hand at the sofa in front of his desk, while picking up and reading another document he had to sign.

"Sit down, I'm almost done with something, I'll talk to you in a moment"

After another five minutes papers getting flipped and a quill getting used, The Duke finally placed his quill down and got up from his chair to the sofa in front of Theo.

"Sorry, It was just the matter about the construction workers that are rebuilding Apple town, the weather isn't favoring them well, so they requested more materials because some of it got weathered by the rain." Duke said while rubbing his forehead in exhaustion.

Theo shook his head and spoke.

"It's ok, Uncle John. It wasn't even that long"

"Good then back to our earlier business. Good news or Bad news first? Pick"

The Duke didn't even prance and dallied around, he went straight to the point.

Theo hearing Duke's question pondered, but ultimately decided after a few seconds of contemplation.

"Bad news first"

The Duke nodded approvingly at his reply.

"I would have picked the same, Bad news always comes first in my agenda, so I can get it over with"

The Duke took a deep breath and spoke with a straight face.

"Three of the expert tier holy knights you brought died"

"!?"

Sh*t…

Theo reflexively clenched his fist and grinded his teeth.

He expected something far worse, but the death of the people who accompanied and listened to his orders didn't make their lives any lighter.

"They're family have been all well compensated and they've already been given the Funeral of honor."

"..."

Theo could only listen in silence.

There was an undeniably large amount of frustration that was swallowing him.

If only he planned better.

If only he brought more Holy knights with him.

If only he was stronger.

Those thoughts flooded his mind, making his breathing slightly unsteady and aching his heart.

Theo unclenched his fist, staring at his palms, feeling as if blood of the fallen was dripping down from them.

The weight bore into his soul, the blood and responsibility was most definitely his.

But it was inevitable.

It was saddening but they were the ones that decided to hold the line and protect the innocent, they decided themselves to serve imperial blood and the empire, and they decided to lay their lives at that singular moment, no one else.

They could've ran and saved themselves but they stayed firmly for others, for the sake of the people of Virtus.

Which reminded him of his sister's figure, who would stand in the front for the people of the world and sacrifice her life for the sake of the people of Alethea.

So, Theo took a deep breath, unclenched his fist to relax and clenched them once more.

All I can do is not let their sacrifices be in vain. Moping around and being all depressed would be a dishonor to their sacrifice. I shall do my duty as the prince of Virtus and make all of you proud.

Duke was observing Theo's reaction and actions and felt relieved. 

He was happy that the kid in front of him had a heart of steel, but it was nonetheless warm and righteous.

A quality that's rare with nobles or royalties in the world. 

Seeing Theo actually feeling regret, but not drowning on it was a sight to be proud of. He also didn't treat the lives lost as insignificant numbers, but actually see the worth and heaviness of the fallen have.

His father would definitely be smiling right now if he saw this. 

Theo glanced up and saw the Duke smiling, which made him tilt his head in confusion.

"Is there something wrong Uncle John?"

"No, I was just looking forward to giving you the good news" Duke said to avert the subject from him to another

Theo nodded, signaling the Duke that he was waiting for him to speak.

"We lost three benevolent Holy knights, but their sacrifice essentially saved everyone else. All of them are waiting for you at a temporary settlement nearby ready to thank you."

Theo smiled and sighed in relief.

Good, my conscious wouldn't hold if I didn't at the very least save all the children.

Sky, was especially who was going to be an important figure for the next generation. 

"I also wanted to ask something Theo, mind answering my questions for a bit" The Duke said, retaining his soft smile.

"Do you know the reason why they attacked the town specifically? Was it because of you or maybe there is some kind of deeper meaning behind the dungeon break? The timing of a demon trapping you and the dungeon break happening almost consecutively at a time, means that both were orchestrated by the demon. I just wanted to confirm if you were really the sole reason for the attack or there was another objective that the demons wanted to achieve?"

Luckily for me, Mr Ravager gave me an important piece of information before he turned into crsip.

"The demon apparently wanted to aim for the new saint that appeared in Apple town, but changed targets after seeing me visit there."

There was never a mention of a saint in the game at all, so finding out one exists in Apple town was a surprise to me as well.

A saint signified the representation of a certain God, which could hold the vessel of the power of god, essentially having the authority of god in physical form.

There were three people he knew of that were currently held the title of saint.

One was the his mother Aurora, that held the title of Saint of Light

The second was Selene, who held the title of Saint of Death,

And the third one was Kali, the younger sister of Selene, the Saint of Darkness.

It was the whim of the gods whether you get chosen or not. Even Theo didn't know any further information than that.

If there really was another saint inside Virtus, then it was most definitely going to be the Saint of Life, who never appeared in the game.

There was also a specialty that saints were adept with other than using authorities of a god. They also have high compatibility with the holy attribute.

They're existence was the bane of all demons, so getting rid of them at a young age was the best possible solution for the demons, because having less hurdles like saints would give them the luxury of thoroughly dismantling Alethea easier.

So yes, Selene would be so much more broken if not for the fact that she was getting held back by her debuffs, but her debuffs are also the reason why Selene could potentially take another route, but that's something that they had to find out on their own, because achieving it was impossible in the, but now? 

Theo believed Selene will take on new heights.

Obviously Theo as well, but that's later in the story, it would be a shame to speak about it now.

The Duke's eyes lit up in response

"Is this true!? A saint!?" 

Theo nodded 

"Yes, the demon said that he was aiming for a saint"

Theo knew that he was one of the highest priorities in the kill list of the demons, because of his talent and status. He was also a person akin to a saint, being able to easily manipulate the Holy attribute almost as well as a saint could and murdering him would cause a fissure between the two nations of Virtus and Vitoten, because his life and Selene's were the symbols of peace to this current era. 

Selene and Theo knew if one of them dies the anti-imperials from both countries would blame the opposing country to make a reason for conflict once more straining the relationship once more, giving the demons the chance to slip in and send their minions, creating more chaos and lessening the power of the two strongest nations on Alethea.

"Then do you have time now to visit them? The children?"

"Now?" Theo asked, tilting his head.

"Of course, I can most definitely spare time for the new Saint of Life."

Duke stood up from the sofa and started heading towards the door.

"Come on, I'll guide you there personally, Prince Theodore"

Theo got up as well and followed the Duke, but felt that there was something lacking with the conversation.

That's it? No more other questions?

Theo felt that the Duke purposely left out the other questions for his sake.

But why?

He wasn't sure with the answer but he had an inkling that his father informed him of something to prevent the Duke from questioning him.

And why was that?