Chapter 227 - Black Wisp and Snakes

The music of Magierstadt was lively and uplifting, but it also harbored the feelings of old folklore. "The firefly will guide us into our chosen path!" said one of the magician citizens. "The firefly, which is the symbol of our country, is a mark of peace!"

Orwell walked with Ezekiel Unsterblich and Anakin Disfiegro towards the Firefly Feast. The streets of Magierstadt, as usual, were brimming with tourists that admired the culture. In every possible aspect of Magierstadt, magic was applied. From the artificial fireflies illuminating the paths, down to the barrier that was cast into the entire country. Although Magierstadt is merely an island, the country was a flourishing land that was the epitome of peace between the two continents.

Orwell Lotheringwood was able to escape the inquisitive citizens who clearly wouldn't let him go. The two who accompanied him were also with the person he was about to see. But then that left Orwell with the question of what was their relationship with Faustina, especially Ezekiel. 

Ezekiel Johann Unsterblich wasn't a person to easily bring to your side. Was it because Ezekiel was Lucas Feuerlon, Faustina's 'brother'? If so, then that would probably make sense. But then, what about Anakin Disfiegro? If Orwell's memory serves right, Faustina and Anakin's sister, Lilianne, weren't on good terms. It was highly likely that Lilianne, given her personality, would tell Anakin to be friends with her enemy… but then, Anakin's personality was also another thing to ponder upon.

Orwell saw him several times in balls held by several nobles; back when he was still 'Moscow'. However, that Anakin simply scoffed right at him. He was a proud and young son of a nobleman rising in power, so it was given he would ignore Orwell, a mere son of a baron, at that time. 

But it seemed like he changed.

His face seemed to be more at ease now, and he was respectful. If he was only hiding his real face, then he's good at doing it.

"Well, I'm surprised that Faustina's with the two of you." Orwell started. It wasn't that he's suspicious, but he also needs to get at least an overview of Faustina's progress. She isn't here merely to study, after all. She was here under the orders of the king, which is precisely why Orwell is here.

"Well, we were having dinner together," Ezekiel said with a smile. "And that's when we stumbled upon Anakin and his sister, so the four of us ate together."

Orwell could imagine Lilianne's face fuming in a wave of masked anger. He knew that the youngest daughter of the Disfiegros was head over heels for Ezekiel. He sighed, thinking of the poor Faustina who probably had to deal with that for the entire duration.

"W-wait," Orwell stopped, realizing something. "So, you left her alone with LIlianne Disfiegro?"

Before the two can respond, a girl came running towards them, and threw herself to Ezekiel; she buried her face against his chest. Her shoulders shook as she clutched the fabric of Ezekiel's clothes. 

"Lilianne?" 

Orwell stares at the girl whose alluring face was covered in tears. 

"Ezekiel…"

Ezekiel was clearly confused, but he still embraced her back to console her. In the middle of the street, the two embraced each other. It garnered attention from almost everyone, and Orwell was certain that this would be the talk of the town for the next night. Ezekiel Unsterblich, embracing a girl. That was new; and people who pried a lot will have this spread to the academy. Anna Unsterblich has eyes everywhere.

"Ezekiel…"

Lilianne sniffled. 

"Faustina, she…" Lilianne sobbed. "She hurt me…"

**

Sheila had just returned to the street of Magierstadt, looking around. She sighed; this is all just a pretend investigation. There was nothing notable that was happening here… or so she thinks. Sheila crossed her arms. It would be a matter of time before the king escorts Faustina back to her dormitory. She had already fallen asleep.

Sheila gritted her teeth. That girl.

She didn't want to think about her. After all, she had already set a trap.

That's right; this night, she had settled things for good. That girl wouldn't ruin their life anymore. This night, she decided to settle things for good. 

"The king will have no choice," Sheila smirks.

That's right. The king will have no choice—and even if he suspects her, Faustina would be gone by then. And when she's gone, the king will have no choice but have his world revolve around her. She will be able to stay with him for as long as he lives. Even if the king will doubt her, and perhaps hate her for it, he wouldn't be able to cast her away.

She is the servant of the Feuerkriegers and an essential ally to his plans.

He couldn't do all of this without her.

Compare to that girl, Sheila is an indispensable asset.

"Once he absorbs her mana…" Sheila snickered. "Everything will be back to normal."

As Sheila continued to walk to the aisle of the street, she felt it. Although she was glamoured as a normal girl, she was able to sense a certain force that gave off unpleasant feelings. And as Sheila continued to amble forward, she began to see it even with her blind eyes.

A black wisp.

And that black wisp was following a girl. As Sheila walked closer and closer, she was able to detect three familiar presences. One was the same blood as the girl's, one that bore the firefly insignia, and "Mister Orwell."

Orwell Lotheringwood beamed. "Ah. Let me introduce you all to my niece—Shiva."

Sheila, who is in the form of a little girl, bowed gracefully to them.

"Hello, everyone. My name is Shiva Moscow."

"What a well-mannered girl," Ezekiel Unsterblich smiles. "It's like she isn't a child."

As expected, Ezekiel Unsterblich was able to pierce through her glamour, which isn't as strong as Faustina's. 

"Oh my. I'll be expecting your debut to high society," 

The girl. Sheila was able to see it better. The black wisp that followed her was also able to pierce through Sheila's glamour.

It seemed like there will be fruit to this investigation, after all.

**

Alexander Octavius Ein Feuerkrieger stares at the sleeping face of Faustina. It seems like she still couldn't fix her leaking mana. But that is to be expected; Faustina had just started learning magic. It was only natural that she wouldn't be able to handle the king absorbing her mana.

"Faustina," the king murmurs as he stares at her face being illuminated by the light. Her cheeks were plump and rosy, and her glamour had now begun to come back as he returns it back to act as a seal as well. Like a cover—but there was still a leak.

She clearly doesn't remember that night. Based on her surprised face, she doesn't remember him coming to her dormitory. The embrace. The kiss on her neck. None of them.

He felt guilty.

"You won't remember this again, won't you?" The king asked as he ambled his way towards the woods. 

He would need to return her to the dormitory.

The king halted, stopping in his tracks.

And then, he flicked his finger down.

He slowly turned to the side, "a snake?"

A snake was now pinned to the ground; its eyes into a hostile slit. The king narrowed his eyes; the years he came here, there was no snake—and he was certain these types of snakes slithered not in this part. 

The king then swept his hand to his front and to the other side, pinning the snakes down to the ground. 

Another one from the branch that lunged itself towards them fell to the ground as the king used his magic to paralyze them,

Snakes.

The king narrowed his sapphire-blue eyes. The snakes had a purple-green color, a certain shade that is associated with high levels of venom. One bite from this and in just five minutes, without an antidote, would kill a normal person. 

These types of snakes do not reside in Magierstadt.

Which leaves only one explanation—

Someone brought them here.

The king narrowed his eyes. Did someone anticipate them to come here?

More snakes of the same type came to attack, and the king now decided to obliterate them all. The snakes had razor-sharp fangs that dripped of high concentration of venom. It could clot the blood in seconds, and could fully incur damage to internal organs in a matter of minutes. These snakes usually appear in the second continent, Zweite… it's either someone had let them go in here…

Or…

The king stares at the floating island in the distance. 

He heard that Magiestadt had been conducting researches of all kinds.

"But are they that careless to release these snakes here?" The king realized that the meticulous professors and researchers wouldn't do this.

"Someone released them here." The king stares at Faustina. 

The king narrowed his eyes, in his mind was the face of Sheila's remorse.

"She doesn't have the power to do this." The king then tightened his hold around Faustina, bringing her closer.

"Someone powerful."

Someone that can use evil.