The Saint Quarters stood at the entrance of the village, a grand and imposing structure where most of the saints of the 17th Legion of the Lunar Kingdom resided. Unlike the village's simpler dwellings, it was a fortress of faith and discipline, constructed from solid stone bricks. A vast, manicured field of finely cut grass spread out before it, punctuated by two elegant fountains. At the entrance, a statue of a veiled woman loomed over all who entered.
The Lunar Kingdom's military was divided into seventeen Legions, each commanded by a formidable leader. These Legions, in turn, were organized into battalions led by captains. Some Legion numbered as many as ten thousand men, while others had as few as a hundred. The 17th Legion was no exception, having over 1200 men.
As Sophia approached, the guards at the entrance snapped to attention and saluted her. She was the Second Captain, a position of high authority, responsible for commanding a battalion of over a hundred saints within the Legion.
'Perhaps she's more impressive than she lets on,' Izikel mused.
The building itself was shaped like a grand church, and upon stepping inside, Izikel realized it was indeed one. The first chamber was a sanctuary, lined with rows of polished wooden chairs, all facing a raised podium bathed in candlelight. This was where Lyzah waited.
Sophia led him through a side door, up a narrow flight of stairs, and finally to a heavy wooden door. Without hesitation, she pushed it open.
The first person Izikel saw was a man standing before a broad wooden desk—Saint Raynoel Argenthex. The sight of him sent a spark of recognition and anger through Izikel. This was the man he had seen in Lyzah's dream, the one who had encouraged the battle and hesitated to intervene.
Izikel's eyes darkened with animosity. He could see the moment Raynoel noticed, shifting uncomfortably under his gaze.
"Welcome, young lord. I'm relieved to see you safe and well," Raynoel said smoothly.
'Of course you are, after nearly getting me killed,' Izikel thought bitterly. If anyone was to blame for what happened, it was this man. He should have known better, yet he had simply stood by, enjoying the spectacle.
'What a buffoon.'
Before he could voice his thoughts, a deep, gravelly voice sounded from behind him.
"I don't think we should still be calling him 'young lord.' He is about to be officially acknowledged as Priest."
Izikel turned sharply. A tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick black beard and a low-cut hairstyle stood near the doorway. A ghastly scar ran diagonally across his left eye, marking him as a man who had seen more than his share of battle.
Izikel's breath hitched.
The image of his dream surged forward, vivid and undeniable. This was the man who had severed his head with a single, merciless swing of his sword.
His blood turned to ice. His chest tightened, his breath caught in his throat, and a deep-rooted fear paralyzed his limbs.
"Wh-who are you?" he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.
The man tilted his head slightly before stepping forward and taking his seat behind the massive desk. His movements were calm, unhurried, yet radiating undeniable authority.
"I am the Commander of the 17th Legion of the Lunar Kingdom, the Silver Sword Saint—Flavius Argenthex. Are you well, Lord Izikel?"
Izikel stood frozen, stunned. 'He is the Legion Commander?!'
It wasn't until Sophia placed a hand on his shoulder that he finally managed to steady himself.
"He's fine. We just came from the Old Tree. That might be why he's a bit unsettled," she said, her voice smooth and controlled.
Flavius sighed. "I see. Then I assume Markis has already told you everything?"
By now, Izikel had gathered his composure. He swallowed hard and nodded. "Y-yes, he did."
"Then there's no need to worry. The family Bishop has already been informed, and all our savants and scholars are researching our archives on the Druids. I am confident they will uncover something soon."
Izikel nodded slightly, though his mind remained clouded. 'What does this mean? The man who killed me in my dream is the Legion Commander. Could it be a warning of what's to come?'
He forced himself to focus as Flavius continued.
"Before I explain why I summoned you, my nephew has something to say."
The shift in his tone was subtle, but the atmosphere in the room grew heavy with unspoken authority. His sharp gaze flicked toward Raynoel, a silent command that carried immense weight.
Raynoel's jaw clenched. "Do I really have to apologize to a child when I didn't do anything?" he snapped defiantly.
"I said… my nephew has something to say," Flavius repeated, his voice calm but laced with a pressure so intense that the very air seemed to tighten around them. He allowed his divine Aura to fill the room.
The air was so tight Izikel could barely breathe. It was so powerful that he couldn't even think of moving.
Raynoel bit his lip, fists clenched at his sides. He bowed his head at last. "Lord Izikel, I apologize for endangering your life. I take full responsibility for my actions. If you wish, I will renounce my position as First Captain and resign immediately."
Izikel blinked. That was… unexpected.
Flavius's gaze remained steady. "Lord Izikel, whatever punishment you deem appropriate, I will uphold it."
'Oh, so I get to decide if he keeps his position or not?' Izikel thought, weighing his options.
He considered the implications carefully. Raynoel had undeniably wronged him, and a part of him wanted to see him punished. But removing the First Captain of the 17th Legion would create a powerful enemy. Even if Raynoel wasn't plotting against him now, taking his rank would certainly push him in that direction.
'One less potential enemy,' Izikel reasoned.
After a long moment, Izikel finally spoke, his voice steady. "All is well that ends well. There's no need for this mistake to take more than it already has."
He offered a small smile as he said it, though the weight behind his words lingered in the air.
Flavius and Raynoel seemed momentarily taken aback. His response carried a wisdom beyond his years, a level-headedness that neither had expected.
From the side, Sophia observed with a quiet sense of pride. Over the past few days, she had already noticed the subtle but undeniable change in Izikel. It was easier for her to accept, knowing he had lost his memories. Still, the way he carried himself now—it was nothing short of impressive.
"If that is your wish, my lord," Raynoel said, straightening his posture.
Sophia's smile deepened, her silent approval shining through her eyes.
Izikel kept his face composed, but inwardly, he knew this was the best course of action. Raynoel deserved punishment, but the event that led to this moment had also brought him here. Perhaps, in some strange way, it had all been fate.
'Although the Legion Commander may not take it to heart, I doubt Raynoel would have felt the same.'
As he thought about them both, a realization dawned on him, one so obvious that he wondered why it hadn't struck him sooner. They shared the same noble name—the Argenthex. The connection was there all along, and yet, it was only now that the pieces were beginning to fall in place.