Chapter 298 - Stribog's Message

"Your Highness, what should we do now?" Fredek asked Alistair, who remained silently looking at the ripples of the gateway to the other dimension.

"What foolish question is that? There is a portal that's open, so, of course, we must cross!" Ivan totally looked like he deemed Fredek's inquiry idiotic as he played with the portal with his hand, inserting and then pulling his hand back, making the ripples stronger like when someone played with water.

"Your Majesty," Fredek began with obvious exasperation at Ivan. "We cannot do that."

"Why not? We're kings. We can do anything we want," the Flame Emperor countered with one red brow raised, making the other sigh.

"It's because we're kings that we actually can't go," Alistair then said afterwards, ending the questions. "Before we leave, we need to settle everything in our respective kingdoms first or it would be chaotic. As I can't trust anyone there, it's only I or Fredek that can leave Ritz for a period of time."

As if finally realizing the problem, Ivan paused. "Oh."

It was the truth. After eliminating the noble faction which plotted the death of Alinea, Alistair had yet to replace them. Since that time he came out as a Returner to Ancestry, he hadn't had time to deal with the reorganization of Ritz as he had wallowed in grief after, and then became busy with searching for Alinea's soul.

Even if he's a Returner to Ancestry – the most powerful one at that, there was no telling what would happen in Ritz if he left without proper arrangements. If he had to go, he should formally transfer power to Fredek so he'd keep things in order in his absence.    

"Why don't you go back to the castle and make arrangements, then so we can leave immediately afterwards?" Ivan suggested.

"Your Majesty, you're going too?"Fredek was surprised.

"Of course. You can't leave me here. I'll go where adventure calls," Ivan answered with a grin, his smile making his jade eyes gleam in anticipation.

Alistair shook his head at him as he chuckled. "You sound so eager to go, Kres. Don't you need to go back to your kingdom first?"

With that question, Ivan's grin widened. "There's no need," he answered with confidence, and the two sighed, remembering why the Flame Emperor was this bold.

Ivan might be the emperor or Kres, but he's always on the go. He preferred to survey his kingdom and to go to quests in person; therefore, his absence was the norm in Kres. His brother, Mikhail, was the one acting as the king whenever he's away, and was actually doing a great job, as the younger prince was good with business and diplomacy.

The only reason why Ivan was still the king was that aside from being the firstborn, he's also the strongest among the royals of Kres as the master of the twin vermillion birds, Rashel and Bebe.  Also, as a warrior emperor, and a charismatic leader, Ivan was beloved by his people – and Mikhail had expressed and insisted that he's happy being the second-in-command when Ivan told him he wanted to abdicate the throne and his younger brother refused.

"Right," Alistair uttered as he shook his head at his friend.

Just then, the energy of the portal changed as light radiated from within. Fredek immediately stepped in front of Alistair and Ivan. Even if he was the one with the least power among them, he was a loyal vassal that would protect his liege at all costs.  

"Your Highness, Your Majesty, please step back," Fredek requested as the ripple changed and the energy within it started radiating malice.

Alistair and Ivan, even if they knew that they were far stronger than their friend followed to show their respect to his loyalty. All three of them backed away for more than a couple of meters from the portal as they waited for the owner of the energy to arrive.

But Alistair recognized the malice and tapped Fredek on his shoulder. "It's fine. That's Ocypete,"he said, and the wind caster relaxed.

"Oh," Ivan placed his arms across his chest as he too waited for the harpy to arrive. "Your brother must have sent news," he added as the blue harpy appeared.

Ocypete did come with a message. As soon as she arrived, the harpy bent on the ground to hand a letter to Alistair. The harpies might love Stribog, and only acknowledge him as their one true master, but they held Perun in high regards as well. It was the reason why the king was able to command them and keep them in line the entire time he possessed Stribog's memories and divine powers.

Alistair inclined his head as he took the letter from Ocypete and thanked her. The harpy, having finished what she was tasked to do gave a bow before turning to leave. All three of them watched as the wind elemental entered and vanished within the portal.

"Why did you let her go? What if you want to reply to Stribog's message?" Ivan asked.

"It's fine. Ocypete did what she was asked. If Stribog did not tell her to wait, it meant that the letter didn't need a reply. In any case, if needed, I could send a reply on my own."

Alistair checked the envelope and frowned as he read his brother's handwriting. It was something they'd never seen before.

"What's that?" Ivan asked with a frown. "What are those sticks and squares?"

Fredek cleared his throat and answered. "It must be the writing system of that world. Maybe, his Highness' brother forgot that we cannot read letters from that place."

"That idiot," Alistair sighed as light enveloped him, and it settled in his eyes. He then reached out a hand to touch Fredek's and Ivan's forehead alternately, and the two were surprised when the writings on the envelope became intelligible.   

"Cedar Palace…"

"Is that where Stribog is?" Ivan asked, then signaled for Alistair to open and read the message.

However, as the Ritz King read the missive, the expression on his face changed from frowning, to bewilderment, then to grief and horror. He let go of the letter as if he was burned as he swayed on his feet. If it weren't for Ivan who had immediately grabbed him and supported his weight, he would have fallen on the ground. It was as if Alistair had lost all the energy in his body, the same way that happened when he found Alinea's lifeless body in the cavern.

"What happened?" Ivan asked although he already knew that it was something bad.  He wondered if Alinea had perished on the other side as well, as Fredek picked up the letter and checked its contents.

Fredek's eyes widened in horror, before casting a worried look at Alistair, who had buried his face in his hands.

"What is it?" Ivan asked worriedly as Alistair began to shake. "Did something happen to Ali over there too?"

Fredek shook his head before speaking. "No, Your Majesty. But the dark one… the one we thought was an enemy is not the enemy at all. She's Perun's daughter, Alencica."