The Pillar of Enera

[Chapter 35 part 4] Rose – Argent Tobaskus

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…

Wait, maybe I can do something about this. Rose didn’t know about Lily, but she was certain Astra owned a sizable fortune. Nero manages her investments.

“How much would it take to bring the Undercity’s security in line with the rest.” She inquired tentatively.

The figure she received caused her blood to drain. “That… much?”

Argent chuckled, “The Undercity makes up twenty eight percent of the Isle. Raising its ISF presence from undermanned to overstaffed would require considerable expenses. There’s the salaries for new recruits, the hiring process, the training, the equipment, the construction of new facilities…” I’m a little naive.

“Were you considering approaching Astra?” Argent peered keenly.

“I was.” Rose admitted.

“It’s a sound idea. Lily can’t provide us additional funds as it’d be seen as usurping the steward’s budgetary control. However, an infusion from Astra Skyfell is a different story.” Argent smirked wickedly. “Sarah Godspeed is rumored to be intimidated by the new guildmaster, and I doubt she’d dare raise a fuss.” Mother can indeed be terrifying.

“I’ll send you an estimate for a fifty percent increase in the policing force.” Argent finished. “You can try with that smaller number."

Rose wondered why Arther Bard hadn’t considered the approach before immediately recognizing her foolishness. He took time off to personally resolve the Isle’s woes. That intervention was worth more than any monetary aid.

“Is there more you wish to see?” Argent asked.

“One last detour, please. The crime scene where people were cut in half.” With three reference points, it’d be possible to roughly triangulate the Blood Arena’s entrance.

Dockside towards the bottom, an isolated house was walled off by a crystalline barrier. Surprisingly, there was already an ISF airship parked outide. Why are they investigating a week later? Two officers exited the dwelling, followed by a brown-haired man clad in amethyst armor.

“Cedric Grinfield has finally shown up.” Argent commented.

“Thanks, seeing the location is enough. We can go now.” Rose spoke as calmly as possible.

“I should talk to him while we’re here,” Argent landed. Damn it!

Leaving her, Argent went to greet the immortal avenger. Time slowed as Rose watched them confer shielded from her hearing. Cedric turned towards her and their eyes meet. Keeping his gaze locked, he spoke again. If Argent isn’t on my side, I’m screwed. A few seconds later, the conversation moved on, and Rose breathed again.

I must alert the others. Rose discretely activated her wrystal and composed a message, her thoughts forming into words.

‘Cedric Grinfield is on the Isle. If I’m not back at the Rose Palace in ten minutes, assume I’m dead.’

It’s overdramatic, but it’s how I feel. Sending the warning, she lamented her luck. What were the odds? The answer hit her a second later. Emerit would’ve said this outcome likely. Had she not been paying attention? This spot was the first place the doppelganger hater would visit. I should’ve avoided it like the plague.

Rose agonized while Argent and Cedric bantered. Look on the bright side, she rationalized. We discovered his arrival. If she made it out of here, it’d be a win.

Two minutes later, the men parted. Cedric jumped away, rattling the surroundings, and traveled up counterclockwise, passing a dozen layers with each leap. It’s over. Argent returned, apologizing for the wait.

Once airborne, Rose spoke softly, “Could you drop me off at the Rose Palace’s south terrace?”

Argent nodded. As they wordlessly ascended, Rose gathered the courage to inquire about the meeting.

“We discussed the killings.” Argent said. “Cedric agrees the Laughing Man is the culprit. He believes the motive is either a message or a lure.”

“A message or a lure?” Rose repeated confused.

“Either there are doppelgangers on the Isle or the Laughing Man wants Cedric here for some reason.” Argent clarified. Got it.

“On a side note.” Argent said as they touched down. “Your voice sounds similar to Lily’s.”

Offering the sincerest thanks she could manage, Rose took her leave. He suspects and it’s my fault. He’d gotten as much out of her as she had out of him. Rose walked inside to find dire expressions.

“Tell us what happened.” Lily demanded.

Rose offered a brief overview, upon which Lily spoke again, “You should all head below. The Rose Palace isn’t safe, and neither is the Guild——”

Boom. The palace trembled from a terrace landing. Cedric was standing outside. Why’d I assume we’d have time? I should’ve gathered us below!

“Stay calm.” Lily whispered, eyes on the amethyst figure. “And if things go south, head to the Inner Palace while sticking together. I can’t protect you if you’re apart.” She approached their guest, speaking cordially. “What brings you here?”

“You should know already.” From the terrace archway, Cedric scanned the room with jaded eyes. “You’re protecting them. Why?”

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.” Lily played dumb.

“I asked an old contact if their were any recent exceptional fighters at the Stone Coliseum. He told me about this group of mysterious ninjas who had showed up right around the murders in the Undercity…” His gaze locked with Rose’s again. “I knew there was something familiar about you. You’re Lily’s doppelganger.”

“Not all here are clones.” Emelia cut in sharply. “You’ll be making powerful enemies if you act recklessly.”

Cedric studied Emelia and then the rest of them. “True… There are three I don’t recognize: yellow, green, and the boy with headband. I’ll attempt to spare you if you don’t get in the way.” He really intents murder…

“Aren’t you supposed to be a hero?” Soul implored.

“I’m an avenger first.” Cedric stated. “Not that it matters. Sola’s taint is irreversible.”

“What if they were untainted from the beginning?” Lily countered. “They come from Earth’s End, not the plains of Jabor. Astra brought them. She considers them her children.”

For a fraction of a second, Cedric hesitated. Then he shook his head, “Even if true, I swore an oath to hunt down every last one. A promise I will never break.”

He reached for the sword, but paused, “Does this means Earth’s End was breached? By whom?”

Lily winced, “We don’t know. They were gone when Astra showed up. She’s confident immortality remains safe, but the secret of doppelgangers might have leaked.”

“And she kept quiet to protect her children.” Cedric concluded, drawing a violet blade. “I must report this.”

“You’ll not harm them.” Lily snapped, a vermilion staff appearing in hand. “Are you arrogant enough to face me in the Rose Palace?”

Phoenixes filled the room around them, and hundreds more swarmed outside. Cedric observed coldly, “Do you reckon the prospect of death has ever stopped my ‘Righteous Fury’?”

At the words, his armor and sword began to glow, a pulsating red flowing over in waves. If they fight, it’s not just us who will lose our lives.

“So these are Sola’s doppelgangers?” A voice rung out from above. Kara slinked into the room through the archway, crawling over surfaces like a spider. In contrast to the tenseness below, the cat-eared immortal was smirking in amusement.

“Kara…” Cedric seethed. “What are you doing here?”

Kara lay down lazily on the ceiling, “When I saw you leaping to Rose Palace so energetically, my instincts told me to follow.”

“Don’t interfere.” Cedric glared upwards. “I’ll even consent to that duel if you leave quietly.”

“Why do later what you can do now?” Kara replied coyly.

“These children must be executed.” Cedric stated solemnly.

At this, Kara burst out laughing, “And they call me the crazy one! Are you even listening to yourself?”

The amethyst immortal ignored the mockery, “This doesn’t concern you.”

Her snickering subsiding, Kara dropped down next to them, grinning wildly, “Oh but it does! You see this boy ——What’s your name again?”

“Silver” Her brother answered confused.

“Silver here is my pupil.” Kara finished smugly.

“Me too.” Kate jumped in. That’s right, she’s the strongest aura master on Enera. Kate doesn’t want to miss the opportunity.

Kara played along, “These two are my disciples. It’s my duty to protect them.”

“They must perish.” Cedric warned. “Please move aside.”

On a different wavelength entirely, Kara smiled eagerly, “And, if you were to murder them, then I’d be justified in killing you. No one could complain.”

I get the feeling that she’s never the reasonable one. If a fight was to be avoided, Cedric would have to back down. They watched the purple immortal struggle internally.

“Fine,” Cedric sheathed his blade, the light ebbing from his armor. “Reporting the breach at Earth’s End takes priority over an unwinnable fight.”

Kara was disappointed, “Where’d all your vigor go?”

“I’m sorry, Kara,” Cedric answered sadly. “but I doubt my Righteous Wrath will ever work against you.”

He turned to Lily. “I may be retreating, but I’ll return. Count on it.” With that he departed as quickly as he’d come, and everyone sighed in relief.

“What a waste.” Kara lamented. She walked over to Silver and Kate, the Aura covering her hands transforming into giant claws which grabbed them both.

“Training starts now.” She said pleasantly, hurling them towards the Pillar. With a leap, she followed, leaving everyone in shock.

“Aren’t you going to stop her?” Rose demanded of Lily, who was frozen, mouth agape.

“She can’t.” Wise explained. “The beast of Sanrune is stronger. If she does, she’d get intercepted. Both would fall to their deaths.”

So we just let them get kidnapped right in front us? While Rose was grateful that Cedric had been chased off, that didn’t mean they could just allow this to happen. Could they?

“Astra is going to kill me.” Lily mumbled.