Despite the brazier being lit, the light was too dim to illuminate the large circular room, allowing those present to remain hidden in the gloom.

"I would hope that no one present had anything to do with this situation."

"I think it's all Marton's plan. He's been trying to plant his own men among us for years. If he could find out the Duke of Derry's membership in the Order, killing him could have been his message to let us know he's still determined to wipe us out."

"He sent the message when he ordered those guns. At this point, I don't think anyone here or anywhere can have any doubts about his intentions."

"I don't know. He seemed genuinely surprised to me. I fear that damned boy might have had a hand in it."

"That man would lie even on his deathbed. There is no point in trying to read his mind."

"I still maintain that it is too dangerous to proceed any further. I officially ask the Council to postpone the matter."

"Postpone until when? When Marton has put that little girl on the throne and dragged us into another war? With the Union, the Empire, and the Free State allied, Connelly is left alone."

"And yet he is still militarizing the borders and spending mountains of money on war. And to make matters worse, he now intends to forge ties with that nation of faithless heretics. If we leave him alone, his actions will lead to disaster."

"Why take unnecessary risks? Today's events have unsettled many of the undecided. We may not be able to prevent the succession, but we can always depose the Princess at a later date."

"Why just depose her? We have dozens of assassins in our service. I say we settle this the old-fashioned way, like our grandfathers did."

"This is unacceptable! We've discussed this before! She may be half foreign, but she still has royal blood in her veins!"

"If the Prince had thought to father a true heir instead of sleeping with that foreign woman, we wouldn't be in this situation. Why should we feel guilty about doing what is necessary?"

"There is no point in arguing among ourselves. But I too believe that acting now would be unwise. We should stick to the original plan, and wait at least until Daemon Haselworth has departed."

"No. Now is the right time."

There was a long silence, broken only by the confused murmur of others present.

"Grand Master..."

"Never in the entire history of Connelly has a Prince Ruling been deposed. We cannot set such a precedent. The pre-nomination party has been postponed until next week. This gives us the time we need to act."

"So you really intend to move forward?"

"None of us expected Marton to turn to the Free State. We all know that Daemon Haselworth has a vast and effective network of spies. If they were to serve the Count, it would only be a matter of time before they could trace our identities. This alliance must be prevented at all costs. Not only our safety is at stake, but Connelly's very soul. In any case, I do not intend to go back on my previous decision. Regardless of whether she is of royal blood, Lady Elizabeth is but a pawn in the Count's game, and it would not be right to take her life. We'll take her back to the world she came from, and to which I'm sure she wants to return."

"But Grand Master, the question of the Duke of Derry's death remains."

"From what I have seen, I too have my doubts that Marton had anything to do with this. The man may be a liar like no other, but his astonishment at what happened seemed genuine. And while I cannot say with the same certainty, I believe that Daemon Haselworth is not involved either."

"So you think he's right? That someone outside the Order tried to use one of his comrades to harm Marton?"

"With the information we have, that seems like the most plausible answer. However, we must also think of the worst, that is, that somehow the Count managed to discover Derry's membership in the Grand Council, and killed him to send us a message."

"Which means that if Marton could trace him back, he could also trace our lower-ranking brothers, whose true identities are not as protected as ours."

"...That means we'll have to resort to drastic measures. For years, self-centered and ambitious individuals who join it only for their own gain have soiled the order. It will be an opportunity to get rid of these unworthy individuals once and for all."

It was impossible that such a proposal would not arouse complaints.

"Grand Master, are you sure this is really necessary? They are our brothers. And we could be wrong about the Count."

"Besides, so many deaths could attract dangerous attention."

"Not if we can shift the blame for these deaths onto others. It is well known that the first thing to do before staging a coup is to get rid of as many opponents as possible."

When the Grand Master made a decision there wasn't much one could do to object.

"So be it. May Gaia enlighten us."

"May Gaia enlighten us."



Despite being the land of the Circle, of mercy, and of the outlawing of slavery, Connelly was ultimately a nation where human life was not valued much more than anywhere else.

But despite this, one could not remain indifferent to the worrying number of deaths that followed the death of the Duke of Derry.

In many cases, an inexperienced eye might have seen these events as entirely accidental – hunting accidents, falls from horses or choking at table – but anyone with even the slightest knowledge of how power games worked in the Principality could not fail to see them for what they really were.

The victims were mostly bourgeois, nouveau riche and in some cases members of the minor country nobility, of various political affiliations and thoughts and without any apparent connection between them.

Such a succession of deaths, however well disguised, could not leave anyone indifferent, and fear began to mount. It got to the point that no one who held a shred of power felt safe anymore, and in the blink of an eye gossip turned into slander.

And unfortunately for him, the Earl of Marton soon found himself a favorite target of accusations, especially when the affair of the cannons purchased in the Free State became public knowledge.

Those who still had the privilege of seeing him in person described Marton as on the verge of a nervous breakdown, an emotionally shattered man no longer able to mask his state of mind as he was used to doing.

As for Daemon Haselworth, after lighting the fuse that had set fire to all that disaster he seemed to have disappeared into thin air, hiding away with the Grand Duchess and her harpy in their rooms in the palace.

In this surreal and inappropriate situation, the grand ball that preceded the ceremony to nominate Connelly's successor to the throne finally arrived, and never before had it taken on all the characteristics of a showdown.

How would it have ended?

Perhaps not even the omnipotent Gaia could have foreseen it.

Although wounded and overwhelmed by scandals, Marton remained a politician with few equals in the history of his country, and his charisma could still make the difference.

The ball was his last chance. The last moment in which he could try to win over as many undecided people as possible to his side.

He knew it; and so he had prepared himself properly.

At moonrise, while the great hall of the Council Palace was a riot of dancing, music and food, he showed up at the party wearing his best suit, his golden insignia, the green sash of Prime Minister and the medal of valor that his government had awarded him after the victorious campaign of the Flor.

He arrived quietly, without announcements or fanfare, like a secret agent trying to approach his targets from the shadows.

"For a guy who just turned an entire country upside down, you seem a little too calm." he grumbled when he and Daemon met at the dessert table. "I'd love to have you thrown out, but the damage is done."

"I wouldn't be so pessimistic, Prime Minister. The party's just getting started."

"Come on, let's not kid ourselves. This morning a giant sign appeared in Thenen Park: Bring Me a Match! With a roast pig lying on a papier-mâché tube shaped like a cannon."

"Bland. And unimaginative."

"Some nobles wouldn't even speak to me. Even if by some miracle I could convince some of the undecided to support me, I don't even trust my own ministers anymore. May I know why you wanted to give me those cannons?"

"I didn't give them to you. You bought them. The bill of sale is on your desk."

"Do you take me for a fool? That bill is a forgery, top to bottom. Very poorly written, too. Even that idiot brother of mine could imitate my signature better, and I'm talking about the brother I had in my other life. You know what they say in town? That I paid for them out of my own pocket. What in God's name are you up to? I brought you here to help me, not to destroy me."

The Count of Montesol arrived a few minutes later, still accompanied by his faithful maid; he had the face of someone who was seriously beginning to reconsider the choices he had made throughout his life.

"Well?"

"From bad to worse. We've convinced Bhaum, but Wilson seems on the verge of reconsidering."

"Damn. With the support he has, he'll bring in who knows how many more."

"Watford's trying to convince Frost, but Roda is doing everything he can to stop us."

"How I wish I could have him thrown out."

"Perhaps if Her Majesty were here..."

"No way. Her presence would be seen as a blatant attempt to influence the vote. Besides, the last thing I want is for her to be here swimming in this shark tank. How's the security at the palace?"

"There are guards everywhere, and Lady Taka personally watches the rose garden. The landing stage is manned, too, but I wouldn't worry about that. With the wind this evening, anyone trying to approach from the sea would crash into the reef."

"You are very zealous, Count of Montesol," Daemon said. "Your loyalty does you credit."

"My father and grandfather gave their lives in service to this country. I would do anything for Connelly's sake."

Among the guests at the party was Cardinal Lestshire, and the reason for his presence was known to all. Daemon met him after taking leave of the Count, or rather after dismissing him rudely.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mister Haselworth. Although I would have preferred it not to happen under these circumstances."

"I wish I could say the same thing. I never wanted my first embassy to a foreign country to end this way."

"For what it's worth, I want you to know that if the Council of Nobles elects me, I will do everything I can to prevent them or anyone else from acting against the Free State. Unfortunately, that's all I can promise you at the moment."

"So you intend to accept the appointment?"

"I love Gaia and the Circle, but I also love my country. My conscience dictates that I do so. I do not want to see Connelly torn to pieces by greedy nobles who would use her for their playthings."

The Cardinal then sighed: "If only I could ask Lady Valera for advice. I need her wisdom now more than ever."

"By the way, have you seen her again?"

"Of course not. Not even the Holy Father is allowed to interrupt a priest's meditation. She brought only bread and water with her to her cell. Her faith is truly a dazzling light that illuminates the hearts of us sinners."

"I agree with you. I wouldn't deprive myself of her advice for anything in the world."

"I see that Lady Montgomery hasn't arrived yet either. Is everything all right?"

"Yes, don't worry. Now that she is Grand Duchess, she is keen to give the best possible impression of herself, especially at such a delicate moment. Probably she's still dressing for the party."



Taka knew what the other palace guards thought of her.

They called her Watchdog, but she didn't care.

When they pulled her from the sea clinging to a wreck she remembered only one thing, like a mark burned into her head that nothing could erase: her duty was to protect the young woman they had saved with her.

Himiko.

Himiko was her whole life, and like her she had no memory of who she was or why they had both ended up adrift so far from what everyone said was their homeland.

This had made them feel close, strengthening a bond that had clearly lasted a very long time.

Then Himiko had fallen in love with the Prince, and a moment before taking her last breath she had made her promise to protect the fruit of that love just as she had protected her.

And so she had done.

She had cared for and protected Elizabeth with all her might, first during her childhood in the countryside and then even more so as Crown Princess. She knew that she had sometimes been too strict and protective of her, and this had certainly contributed to her reluctance towards rules and impositions.

But even so, as she grew up, Taka couldn't help but see Himiko in her; the same free spirit, the same love for life, as well as an incredible intellect inherited from her father that made her the perfect heir to the throne in the eyes of those who knew her.

Realizing that Elizabeth had no real interest in taking on the responsibilities others wanted to place on her shoulders, Taka initially strongly opposed her being named heir to the throne. Unfortunately, those were matters far beyond what she and even Elizabeth herself were capable of deciding, so in the end they both had no choice but to obey.

If nothing else, her skill with the sword had earned her such a reputation that since they had set foot in Hadowald a few years before, no one, even in the most complicated moments, had ever dared to raise a finger against Elizabeth.

At least, until that night.

Taka was patrolling as usual the garden and the rose garden that overlooked Elizabeth's rooms, a forbidden and fenced place that only the Princess and her trusted guard could access.

All her senses were sharpened and ready to pick up even the smallest threat, and yet the girl did not notice the intruder who appeared from beyond the wall until he was almost on the verge of striking her from behind.

"Edmond, what are you doing?" she shrieked, recognizing her attacker.

He was one of the palace guards with a bad reputation, in fact it was said that he often worked as a henchman for nobles or anyone who could pay him.

He was also theoretically known as one of the worst swordsmen in the entire corps, yet that didn't stop him from engaging Taka in a fight where the girl had to use all her skill to avoid being overwhelmed.

"Damn you! Since when did you become so good?"

He didn't respond and continued to attack, but as time passed Taka began to take his measure and managed to regain control; and she could have even won, if it weren't for the fact that once he realized he couldn't beat her, Edmond decided to take out a gun, shooting a strange translucent bullet that lodged in his opponent's shoulder.

Such a thing would have been little more than a scratch to her, but as soon as Edmond pointed a finger at her, Taka's body was literally engulfed by an invisible fire, which, although it did not cause burns or scalds, caused her to feel such excruciating pain that she lost consciousness within seconds.

"E... Elizabeth..."

With Taka knocked out and tied to a pillar, the guard lit a torch on the cliff side terrace, its light piercing the darkness to a large Jormen ship waiting mile away.

"Boss, that's the signal."

"It's time." Ignes said, shouldering her enormous axe. "Let's go."

The ship then moved toward land, managing to tame the rough seas and the strong wind as only true Jormen could do, and quickly reaching the palace's small dock.

"Finally." Ignes protested as Edmond approached them. "You took your time."

"We had to wait for the changing of the guard. You have ten minutes from now."

"We have to deal with that guard dog."

"I've already taken care of that. The coast is clear. You remember your orders, right?"

"Yes, yes. Don't kill anyone, take the brat and take her north."

"The middleman awaits you in Ardeer Cove. We'll wait half an hour, then raise the alarm."

"All right, let's get to work. Snort, Bill and Tade come with me, the others stay on the ship. Be ready to sail as soon as we get back."

Ignes and her men then climbed the steep, narrow steps to the gardens, and using the nets in the rose garden, they climbed up to the windows of Elizabeth's room, catching the princess in her sleep.

"Your carriage has arrived, Your Highness."