Hate me, Miss Witch!
Chapter 38 - 33: Swordbearer (Combined)_3

Chapter 38: Chapter 33: Swordbearer (Combined)_3

An elegant female voice arose within the Astral Realm communication.

Seeming to notice Fioran’s addition, the speaker paused, then gently lifted the hem of her skirt and performed an impeccable noble courtesy to her.

"Your Excellency Fioran."

"You are the one from the Abyss Plane..." Fioran said with some surprise. "I didn’t expect even you to be involved this time."

"After all, it happened right beside me," the speaker’s voice remained graceful. "And before Princess Isadella, my past identity needn’t be mentioned."

After exchanging a few words, Fioran too began her report promptly.

She succinctly presented the information collected from the Azure Garden ruins and the conjectures Adams had made.

At the end, Fioran hesitated for a moment before speaking again.

"Your Highness, I wish to temporarily resign from my position as Supervisory Envoy and return to the White Tower."

"Before the Tower Master entered a self-sealing slumber, he left behind a few cryptic words. The appearance of this Echo of History may have profound effects on the entire White Chalk Tower."

...

"You may."

"After all, this was the promise I made to you when you swore to follow me."

This was the first time a third party spoke in the Astral Realm communication.

Through the blurry light and shadow of the communication, one could discern a girl with long, silver-white hair dressed in a black and red military uniform.

What was even more striking was her noble and majestic aura, which made observers involuntarily overlook her age and appearance.

The Second Princess of the Fresta Empire—Isadella von Freysberg.

The current Emperor of the Fresta Empire had been seriously ill for many years. Compounded by numerous intractable historical problems, the nation was in turmoil. Great Nobles and many hidden powers, both domestic and foreign, had long been restless, leading to countless incidents of infiltration, internal sabotage, and civilian uprisings.

And yet, this vast nation was still maintaining a balance amidst such internal and external troubles, showing no signs of decline under the covetous gaze of many powers—

One could say that much of this was thanks to the efforts of this Second Princess.

The Second Princess’s gaze shifted from Fioran, returning to the first speaker: "What about his experiences before the age of eleven?"

"The specific details are no longer verifiable. Shiayar and Enola only came to the attention of official organizations after entering the Empire Capital," the first speaker replied.

"However, there is reliable evidence to suggest that both he and that Enola are from Ceylon."

"Ceylon?"

The silver-haired Princess’s voice took on an added note of interest. "Are you referring to Ceylon, that northern city destroyed eight years ago?"

"Correct. Everyone thought it was the work of a Titled Rank rogue Beastmaster, who was wanted by the theocratic kingdom and wandered everywhere," the first speaker continued.

"But, if someone hadn’t leaked the information, how could the attacker have timed their strike so precisely? They attacked right after Ceylon had just repelled a violent surge of the Northern Territory Beast Tide, when all the powerful individuals within the city were gravely injured, leading to such a massacre."

Princess Isadella’s voice paused slightly. "If I remember correctly, the ’Winter Flower’ from the 8 Great Oath-Sworn Families of the Empire was exterminated in Ceylon."

"That’s right."

"Therefore, when you combine Shiayar Egutt’s youth with his demonstrated Beastmaster talent, his outstanding business acumen, and his smooth handling of affairs, many informed powers speculate that he might be the sole son of the Count of Austere Winter who died in the beast tide, and the only survivor of the ’Winter Flower’ family from that disaster."

"A survivor from Ceylon, the sole heir of the ’Winter Flower’ family... quite interesting," the Second Princess mused, a hint of intrigue in her cool eyes.

She paced a few steps, her high-heeled boots CLACKING sharply on the hard ground. The distant rumble of magi-cannons carried through the Astral Realm communication. Her Royal Highness was communicating from a battlefield.

After a long while, Isadella spoke again.

"In your personal judgment, what is your impression of this Shiayar Egutt?"

"How should I put it..."

"I know Your Excellency Fioran and Your Highness both speculated whether he is an ancient powerhouse whose soul has reawakened, or perhaps someone who has supplanted such a figure," the first speaker said.

"But from my perspective, Shiayar doesn’t seem like one of those deeply cunning, veteran schemers, his mind constantly full of plots and calculations."

The first, eloquent voice hesitated a moment, as if lost in thought.

"He is greedy, cunning, and glib. He’s a drama king who loves to play dumb, and he absolutely wouldn’t lift a finger unless there’s profit in it. He forms his own judgments on everything and staunchly believes in his views, unmoved by others’ opinions or public sentiment. This means he’s extremely difficult to control or restrain through ordinary means."

The soft voice held an indefinable emotion.

"But—"

"If he decides to do something, he has never failed. This is also plainly evident in his track record."

"If Your Highness desires a subordinate who is dedicated, loyal, and faithfully executes your wishes, then Shiayar Egutt is obviously not a good choice."

"However—given the current internal and external crises in the Empire, I believe he may be able to accomplish things that such loyal mediocrities cannot."

"In short, I believe he is qualified to become an ally of the Empire, to become a ’Swordbearer’."

"Very well," Isadella acknowledged.

In the image of the Astral Realm communication, the silver-haired Princess turned slightly.

An astonishing aura burst forth from her, causing many nearby soldiers to turn their heads.

"Then, once the border conflict is resolved—"

"I will personally oversee Shiayar Egutt’s Swordbearer examination."