Chapter 85: A New Arrival (2)

Rainer’s group entered through the Fairy Ring and appeared to the shock of several guards at it.

He stood there waiting but kept [Arcane Awakening] at low power in case of combat. The rest of his party entered. And the guards [Appraisal] forced a variety of expressions across their faces as they took in the whole group.

“Tell my father, Lord Winmere of the Winter Court, I have returned,” Elru spoke.

As quite well known amongst the Fae, Elru shocked the guard quite a bit. To see her traveling with the [Archon] brought about a large confusion.

“Right away Maiden Elru,” He ran off while the others went to warn the courts. Lord Winmere was not one to often participate in politics and wasn’t at the meeting currently going on.

Using [Arcane sight] from the start, Rainer was aware why they had seemingly left him alone. A strong Fae in Glamour stood off to the side.

[Fairy, Male, Runic Fae Assassin(2nd) lvl 7, Runic Knight lvl 14]

Rainer focused an [Arcane Presence] to expel the Fae from the Glamour while he pretended to not care about him anymore. In truth, everyone stood on guard.

He knew sooner or later he’d have to reveal whatever Fae they sent to watch him while he was here; he’d rather get that out of the way now. And more importantly, show his earlier acts of forcing them out of their Glamour as intentional.

Being caught the Fae just continued standing there in the same manner. Trained since a young age, his experiences covered what to do on the rare chances of their Glamour being broken.

But none of the practice scenarios included an opponent who broke your Glamour and then just ignored you. Even the well-trained Fae could only awkwardly stand there not understanding what he should do or even say.

Rainer continued his waiting. According to Elru, it was best to wait for a Fae to come to escort them.

To both his surprise and relief it was Prince Laneth who arrived first.

“Earlier than expected,” He spoke before his eye were drawn toward Elru. He couldn’t help but smile seeing how much more entertaining the situation had just become.

“Thanks for coming to get me, but we are in a bit of a rush,” Rainer quickly turned serious.

Laneth only nodded before waving Rainer to follow him.

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“I’m looking for a Fae. Her name is Quera and she served in the Palace. I have no idea where she is though or if she’s even alive. But I need to find her. The matter is important.”

“Let us go to the Watcher first. Then I can take you where we are keeping those expelled from the Palace,” Laneth responded.

He was supposed to guide the [Archon] to meet with the courts, but he knew trying to force him wasn’t an ideal thing. But, he still said his concerns.

“The Court will not take it well that you are ignoring to meet with them first,” Laneth advised.

“I agree, Rainer,” Theodore added, “Not that you’ll change your mind.” Unlike Laneth, Theodore knew the reason for him cutting down Divinity itself was the same for his goal coming here now. Luna.

And offending the Courts isn’t even on the same level for Rainer as Luna. And more importantly, the one who saved and let him meet her in the first place.

“Then off to the Watcher,” Laneth said.

“Watcher?” Rainer asked.

It was Elru who spoke up, unintentionally reminding Laneth of how strange her presence her was.

“As you know, our bodies disappear on death. So many years ago, a system was put in place. At birth, we have a token that is magically tied to us. Upon death, it changes from gold to black and can be used by the family as a memory. Otherwise, we may never know when any of us are no longer here.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

They moved through the air at Laneth’s direction. Seeing the magical constructs that held Rainer’s enchanted overcoat together, he grew confused.

“Might I ask why you haven’t repaired your coat?”

“I haven’t had time to seek out a Magic Crafter,” Rainer said, “I’d like to find one here if possible.”

Chuckling Laneth spoke again.

“why don’t you just repair it with Mana?”

Rainer looked at him confused.

“It has a Self-Repair enchantment on it as well you know. All you have to do is flow a bit of Mana into it.”

“Elru, can you do it?” Rainer asked. His Mana wasn’t exactly suited to be flowed into enchanted items. It was how he destroyed them instead.

Elru nodded with a slight blush on her face. Having appraised his coat quite a while ago she had forgotten about its repair function in her more explained description of it.

Dissipating her constructs, she placed a hand on his back. But nothing changed.

“It’s rejecting it…” Elru said.

Rainer thought for a moment before just deciding to try it. With the smallest amount of Mana he could muster, he found the coat quickly began repairing its holes. Just a few points of Mana and the black overcoat with faint Runic lines of violet returned to its old form.

“How’d you know?” Rainer asked.

“I appraised it. I imagine traveling with Maiden Elru, you would know about it,” Laneth grinned causing Elru to look away.

Rainer only laughed before his expression turned serious.

They were not here on vacation.

--

The city itself was a mix of white stone and wood that seemed to be naturally grown from the ground. Appearing as if a wealthy district the houses were quite large and extravagant. Expensive looking cloths hung from the windows, and some of the white stone was instead painted in various colors.

Entering a large building at the edge of the city Prince Laneth guided the group past any guards.

“I’m afraid your friend Quera Mileah is no longer here,” The Watcher spoke. He held the rectangular token in his hand, as in truth, he could only hand it over to any of her family. He looked at the Human strangely but in the end, the older looking Fae didn’t seem to pay them any mind beyond that.

“What about any family?”

“I’ll find out for you, do you think-“

“Wait a moment,” Rainer interrupted as he felt his familiar bond with Luna shudder, “I need some time to myself.”

He looked toward his group members, and no one objected. Theodore nodded before nudging his head toward the two Glamoured Fae. With his high-leveled [Soul Detection] he managed to notice them.

They started tailing the group as soon as they entered the city. Many Fae seeing the strange Human and even odder companions gawked and stared. But with Prince Laneth nearby, none in the city said anything.

With news spreading of Yulia’s demise a mix of mourning and hidden celebration spread. Many did not leave their house often at such a time. The Courts could not hide the death of the Queen herself, only the means.

“There aren’t any others but those two,” Rainer quietly confirmed.

Rainer quickly left the large stone building and flew straight into the sky. The blue sky which lacked any star lighting it. Its light that covered the horizon did not seem to have a source.

One of Glamoured Court Assassins took flight to follow him, but an Arcane-Infused yell sent his ears ringing and him barreling back into the ground. He just barely managed to avoid a damaging fall.

“Back off,” Rainer growled as he ascended upwards.

High enough so they could no longer be seen, Luna exited Rainer’s jacket. She returned to full size before immediately hugging Rainer.

Rainer heard her sobs as he held her, not yet knowing what to say. And so, he only floated quietly.

“She died because of me, Rainer…” she mumbled into his shoulder.

As Rainer thought what to say he recalled their first meeting. Quera had helped Luna escape and bought her time, but it could a question as to whether she truly accomplished anything. Were it not for Rainer’s Mana covering the two from tracking Magic, eventually Luna would just be recaptured.

Even with such low chances, she still tried to help her…

He returned her hug a bit harder. With Yulia dead he lacked any place to aim his anger at such a thing, and could only lament his inability to help Quera in time. He wondered now if she had family or anyone she cared for. For that was all he could do now.

And so, he found the words to speak to Luna.

“Luna. It was her choice to make. She had to have known how low the odds were. Not only of her own survival but of actually getting away. Of you truly escaping Yulia even if you did manage to leave the palace. And yet she still made the choice. She still chose you. Be happy of that.”

One hand wrapped around her and the other patted her head.

“The only thing you can do for Quera now is to treasure the gift she gave you. We can look for any family of hers as well. Even if we were too late to help Quera, I’m sure she would appreciate it wherever she may be now.”

“Rainer…Quera talked about her mother….do you think…”

“We’ll find her soon,” Rainer responded. He too wished he could thank Quera for bringing Luna into his life. And if he couldn’t thank the person themselves he would help those they cared for. He thought to the [Fruit of the World Tree] in his possession and made a decision.

The two stayed in the sky for several minutes longer before she returned to his pocket and they flew back down.