Chapter 835

Chapter 835: Report from Elendor

“Before that, take a look at the report,” a tablet pulled before Igna’s face. ‘Report: Elendor,’ read the title. Glare in the irritation of interruption during the painting had éclair nonchalantly raise a hand and leave, towards the archway. ‘He knows the expressions are for show, maybe he knows too much,’ brush dipped in turpentine bearer of an insanely strong scent, a mixture of alcohol and something dark and rough so was the prevalent odor emitting off the painting. The chair retreated into the shadows, he swiped across the expensive-looking device, smudging the edge in an oily red, ‘-by unknown,’ said the attachment.

It began with an italic, “Greeting,” Igna squinted at the choice of font, “-to whoever is reading my report. I suppose it ought to be someone very high in the pecking order. Not to worry about me, formality has never been my strongest suit. On the day Elendor declared their betrayal on the Federation, I was sent by lady Elvira to seek the truth. On my decade-long adventure, I discovered truth and secrets. Before I begin, I’ll recount the events in no particular, knowing when and what happened won’t matter since it already has. My job was to investigate, and here is the fruit of my labor. Currently, I’m in the employment of a law firm in the employment of the royal crown; I made quite a name in fighting impossible cases. The only way forward was to enter the upper echelon’s circle, the path of a noble was cut in the great economic collapse of my sponsors, what better way than to be equal, my job requires they speak the truth – the best possible outcome. Firstly, my duties were to investigate what happened to the Phantom forces, the events were wiped from the mouth of many, I searched, got involved in a dangerous dispute between an army officer and a member of the underworld, the former ordered the assassination of the latter – the discreet matter backfired and the matter slipped into a newspaper’s sweaty hands, they publicized the ungodly act, in the end, the officer had to stand before a tribunal of stubborn fools. Meanwhile, my dictator of a boss forced his defense in my hands, more details will require a deeper dive, hence, a citation to the actual case file,” the sentence ended by the letter [1]. “-All said and done, not to brag, I won and easily. Afterward, the officer took me to his private chambers, we became good friends along the way, and for my efforts, he knew my gluttonous hunger for hidden files and conspiracies. I saved him from death – you see, the man was a hoarder, unable to relinquish files, part of his habit allowed for his safety. Nothing like a little friendly blackmailing. By the lucky turn of events, I made my name known and got a handle on what happened during the evacuation, the battle of Endrona. Phantom’s forces were trapped and killed one by one, a betrayal from those they protected, Lieutenant General Ostha of the Elendorian army made a deal with King Juvey, Phantom on a silver platter in exchange for peace. After reading the report, he forcibly took the papers and burnt it, insurance or so he said. Once again, I was left to wander the land of Elendor in search of the unknown. The more time passed, the greater grew my workload and the more information I gathered. By some miracle, years after, I stood before the Queen’s castle, her and King Juvey were in bed, I was called to negotiate the term of their changing sides. Queen Ela seemed pleased by the arrangement – her fake smile said otherwise, my place isn’t to judge. She surrendered her power for a shot at peace; the Imperial influence slowly muddled through the gates and invaded Elendor. A new order soon beckoned change – and I don’t remember when exactly, a shift strangled the common. I was tasked to evacuate lord Elon – don’t ask how, I pulled so many strings, nearly blew my cover to save the man. The estate was captured, I was drafted to compile papers for a lawful acquisition. More trips, the outside world affected our politics, the Federation’s dismantling had a profound impact on Ela – she’s kept as a pretty bird, caged inside the castle to only be admired from a distance. I’ll stop my storytelling, here are the facts, Elendor betrayed Phantom seeing a dire situation. The Queen had to get in bed with someone she hates, the rumors of Elendor having been part of the Empire are true, she has intended to fraternize, be an olive branch into Iqeavea, a scheme plotted by the emperor. Trades were established through her, they did everything in her name, it’s sickening, a pawn used till dust remains. I know what’s going across the mind – the facts sound closer to opinions. Elendor is part of the Wracia Empire, the sympathizers of Queen Ela have been killed and removed long before the plot to attack Glenda, it’s a shithole. The Queen didn’t betray us, it was her entourage undermining her influence. Remember my cover almost being blown? Turns out, the Queen had her doubts which turned confirmation when I hid, giving orders about their plans in attacking Lord Elon’s estate. She stopped and stared, I won’t forget her regard, it was kind with an understanding smile, “-to the ruler of Hidros, forgive me for betraying the alliance I swore to protect with my comrade, Staxius. The death was planned, I tried my best to stop him, sadly, the man was too ready for a fight, which inevitably cause his demise. I betrayed my friends and I regret it to this day. I won’t ask to be saved, my title is nothing more than a pretty podium, I don’t have influence or authority – Juvey’s a crazed bastard, throwing me from bed to bed. I don’t expect sympathy or forgiveness, I’ll pay my debt,” her condition for silence was I included those words in the report. After said day, I spent most of my time at the castle, helping the few followers escape the kingdom. Thus ends my report, to whoever is reading, I have a simple request – when time is right for my extraction, I want the strongest fighter to be our guard, I’m getting her majesty away from the kingdom,” he pulled from the report and landed on the painting, ‘-I figured as much, the queen is a double spy. Seem the creation of the Federation gave her real hope, a chance to escape her cage of backstabbing. What’s done is done, the past doesn’t matter, Elendor’s part of the Empire, and we have an armistice,’ the focus landed on bluer font, “-Extraction scheduled for the first week of February,” said a message from éclair.

A wandering maid joyfully made for the orchard, “-pardon me!” thundered a voice on the hill. She locked, her basket dropped, ‘-King Igna,’ she sweated, he rose and stormed to her side, “-am I interrupting?”

“N-no, my l-liege.”

“Good,” he pressed his lips in a straight line, “-would it be possible for someone to take my supplies to the atelier?”

“Y-yes,” she gulped.

“Good,” he nodded, “-have a pleasant day,” he stormed inside the castle, vehemently looking for the prime minister, the trip went from a populated area near the throne room to a restricted council area up to one of the many towers. *Clash,* the doors echoed, a chamber of screens laid before him, éclair sat in the middle, raising an eye to Igna.

.....

“Who dares interrupt the meeting?” fired one of the screens.

“Majesty,” said éclair, “-why are you here?”

“Hamer’s Inc,” he said and made for the center, “-the extraction of Dyu, member of the Ghost Squad. He asked for the strongest fighter to be sent.”

“Igna,” said Elvira through another screen, “-tis a bit rude to interrupt.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, turning to be shoulder to shoulder with éclair, “-I read the report, and I presume everyone present has a role in the coming operation?”

“Master,” sighed éclair, “-tell me you’re not planning to join the battle?”

“I think I am,” he smiled, “-under the guise of a simple fighter. We can’t bring much attention; an agreement was signed.”

“Wrong,” interjected lady Courtney, “-the peace agreement hasn’t been signed yet. It won’t be official until Alrosia is recognized as an entity.”

“More the reason for discretion. The report omitted the part of Dyu wanting to extract the Queen from Elendor.”

A darkened ‘-what,’ flashed the many screens, “-tis only fitting.”

“No, I’ll ask Dyu to stand down,” fired Elvira, “-I won’t endanger the King of Hidros in a petty rescue mission of a snake, who knows, her kindness might be another ploy.”

“We agree,” said the room of elites, “-the queen of Elendor must be shunned for her actions.”

“Wait,” lady Courtney slid across the refusal, “-Igna, tell us why you want to save her. Is there merit? The operation is under the jurisdiction of Phantom, last of which I heard is to be under lady Elvira’s command.”

“Frankly, there’s no merit,” he shrugged, the audio-only screens lit to show faces, “-the more I think of their betrayal, the less I see her name. In no reports was the queen ever directly involved, her attitude remained more or less the same before and after Dyu’s stumble. If Elendor’s truly not in her control, what’s the point of her being there. She’s the queen and may provide crucial information on the Empire’s activities. A turned spy is more useful than resentment. The request is selfish, I will accept aunt Elvira’s judgment, Dyu asked for the strongest fighter, be mindful of what the request means.”

“We simply cannot endanger the king in a simple rescue.”

“I agree, powerful as he is, going into enemy territory is asking to be captured. We have no idea on neither the technology nor weaponry.”

“I vouch for my master,” said éclair, “-bringing one of our own homes is a priority. I don’t want a repeat of December the 15th.”

“I’m biased,” giggled Courtney, “-do what you wish, Igna, the only condition is victory.”

“Comes to what lady Elvira has to say.”

“Fine,” she caved, “-do what you want. My only condition is stealth, under no circumstances is the identity to be revealed, do I make myself clear?” The room fell into silence, the screen toggled and the lights flickered.

“How fun is it to trouble me?” inquired éclair.

“Very,” he replied, “-I appreciate the support, éclair.”

“You know full well I was going to accept Dyu’s request.”

“We’re similar when family and friends are in question,” he waved and slid down the spiraling stairs. The bottom gave onto an empty corridor at the far edge of the castle, empty save a gust and whisper, “-master, I have news.”

“Out with it.”

“It’s true, the underground area is used in rituals. A new warping spell is utilized to sneak in and out of the area, as for the procedure – countless couples have intercourse and sacrifice animals as well as slaves. The kiosk and its device are made especially for Queen Eia, she’s the priestess from what I’ve observed. Nicola and a few others take turns getting the blessings, it’s sickening, she enjoys the torment and torture, pure lust and desire in her eyes.”

The fist clenched, to which the breathing steadied, “-about the area, anything else?”

“The structure says it hasn’t been used till recently, I ought to guess after the marriage?”

“I see,” he turned and ambled along the hallway, “-I knew she wasn’t a lady of her word. Continue observing, I have something else to attend.”

“As is wished, master,” Vengeance faded, and as fate would have it, Eia clambered up another remote set of stairs headed under the castle, she rose her head to lock onto Igna, her clothes were ripped, blood dripped down her thighs and ended on the mossy-stone steps.

He stopped and stared top to bottom, ‘-pathetic,’ said the expression. Her feet froze, the knees buckled, ‘-what have I done...’