The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 103: Inside the tower

Chapter 103: Inside the tower

"What...What is going on?!"

Briella exclaimed in shock at the sight before her. The loud explosion alarmed Ivran and her. They hurried to here at once.

But the first thing they saw upon arrival was Althea standing with her spear pierced through the heart of the frail-looking girl they were supposed to be healing. It didn’t help that Hestia stood between them, wrapped in vines and dried smears of blood over her clothes and face.

Ivran didn’t say anything. He observed the surroundings in silence. As an old Knight, he had seen far more disturbing things. He left the ladies to recover from their shock.

Briella’s shrill voice pulled them out of their stunned state. Hestia retracted her vines and hugged Alice’s lifeless body. Althea gave it a jerk, pulling it smoothly, careful not to harm the woman’s body anymore.

They laid Alice on the floor, with care and respect. She attacked them but her last words...rather her tone and look sent shivers through them. It would be hard to explain to others. Only they knew how it had felt.

"She was being manipulated...I think. She attacked us," Hestia started to talk. The others leaned in. Even Althea didn’t know the specifics. She happened to be near when she saw Hestia struggling on the floor.

"It started when the old man from the slum rushed out of his son’s room to get a clerk..."

Hestia narrated how she met Old George, diagnosed Gorge, and finally the words and behavior of the young boy, recovering from his captivity. Althea helped her with the battle part of her story, especially the final moment.

"We are lucky you were there, Hestia," Briella said, sighing in relief. "If it had been someone like me, I would have knocked the boy out and taken his words truly like the ramblings of a boy on the verge of madness."

"I just trusted my gut on this. But the enemy has gone too far this time. They brainwashed her so much, she forgot her true self," Hestia said with gritted teeth.

"Do you think she was injected with something that made her act like this? And maybe acted as the source of the light that gave her a boost in strength," Althea spoke with a frown. She felt as if something was missing but she didn’t know what.

"That makes sense," Briella said. "But It’s over now. You guys should take a rest. I can take the first watch."

Both ladies nodded. They could use a rest. They could use some alone time to give their minds a rest.

"Hold on."

The ladies were already turning to leave when the old Knight stopped them.

"Hestia, you came here on a gut feeling that the boy’s words held some meaning, correct?"

While uncertain where the wise Knight was going with his question, Hestia responded with a nod. Her reply brought a frown on Ivran’s old face.

"So, why are you ignoring the other part?" Ivran asked. Seeing her look confused, he explained.

"The boy never said they were here, in front of the steel doors, did he?"

Hestia’s eyes opened wide. She understood where Ivran was going with his question.

"No. He said they already went through it."

Hestia spoke while she turned to face the massive doors. They seemed closed but were they truly?

"Exactly," Ivran said with a solemn look on his face. "We need to check the doors. Besides, the boy spoke about ’she’ and ’him being led inside." Ivran looked around and said, "There is no one here!"

Ivran’s logical explanation was convincing enough. All four rushed to the door. The massive door was closed. Hestia put her hands on the door and gave it a push.

Creak.

The faint sound of a rusty hinge horrified them. Hestia paused, opening the doors further, and turned to look at the others.

Althea gave an encouraging nod. Hestia exhaled deeply and then resumed pushing the door open completely.

They entered the dimly lit tower cautiously. An enemy that could enter the most secure tower of the castle without setting off the alarm wasn’t someone they could afford to underestimate.

Hestia was the only one in their group who had entered the southern tower before. She looked around to see whether something was amiss. The tower was wide and housed little inside, making it easy to check.

The chests, armor, weapons...everything was in place. She didn’t see anything broken or missing. Nor did they detect the presence of anyone else.

But just as they heaved a breath in relief, they heard someone. It was soft and soothing.

"You are strong."

They eyed each other and started to move in the direction they heard the voice come from.

"Keep feeding."

The voice grew louder and was filled with pride and care.

"Mama needs you to give more energy."

"You are my precious..."

The voice was now near. The group had reached a large, vertically-placed, semi-transparent cylindrical container. The voice came from the other side of the container.

The group examined the container. It was filled with some sort of colorless liquid. Their eyes widened when they saw the vague outlines of two females encased within.

’Which one is the Witch? And who is the other one?’ Hestia wondered but she didn’t voice it.

The voice had stopped. Knowing that they were discovered, they didn’t tarry. They moved quickly around the container.

"LIRA!"

Hestia exclaimed when she saw the blond-haired female Knight. Like many in the castle, she was on good terms with the Healer Knight.

"Ssshhh!" Lira hissed at them vehemently. "Don’t shout. He is already edgy today." She whispered, caressing her belly.

Only now did Hestia notice that the slim Knight had a belly. She looked far in her pregnancy as if she could go into labor any minute.

’There was nothing there this evening!’ Hestia thought, feeling her senses warn her. She averted her eyes quickly.

Her gaze landed on the floor between Lira and the container. A rune circle was carved on the floor. The circle was rotating slowly. Thin streams of liquid flowed out of Lira’s belly toward the circle.

"I-Is that blood?" Briella asked nervously.

"Yeah," replied Ivran.

"But why is it gold and black colored?" She asked in a panic.

Ivran didn’t reply immediately. He saw how the female Knight remained carefree and only focused on the thing inside her. The thing inside wriggled wildly as if trying to escape from inside her.

"According to scriptures, the beings who have transcended the constrictions of the Heavens and deities of time immemorial. Black indicates cursed blood," he explained slowly. Lira wasn’t looking at them but continued to smile and cooed at her belly. "The only being that has both is the unborn infant of the first god!"

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Two figures emerged out of the shadows of the container. They were on the other side of the container. The one, who was clapping, gave them a broad grin while the other hid his face under a hood. He was shaking a bit as if he was nervous.

The one with the broad grin spoke to them.

"Truly remarkable. With just a few clues you managed to deduce these many things. I almost wish we didn’t have to fight. Any chance you can ignore us for a little while longer?"

The man was looking at them with a genuine smile after posing such a ridiculous request that made Hestia and the others wonder if he had a few screws loose.

"Of course not," Hestia snapped. "Who are you guys? And what are you doing?"

"Oh sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Elron, chef and brewer of the Dawnbringers. My partner here is a shy one. Don’t mind him," Elron responded, sounding apologetic. "As for what we are doing here? We are trying to revive a Witch. We are using the deity as an energy source for her. Neat, right?"

Hestia and the others didn’t respond. The friendly guy gave them the creeps. They only knew one thing. They had to stop whatever they were doing. But just as they moved, Elron snapped his fingers. A row of smoky figures appeared before them.

"I really hoped we didn’t have to fight," Elron said as a full circle glowed on the back of his hand with shining runes within. The sight of it made the Knights shudder. It would be hard to fight against a Refined Knight.

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