Austin would be lying to say that he wasn’t nervous as the carriage advanced toward the headquarters.
He has been growing stronger at a very questionable pace. Now, such a drastic change can happen under two circumstances: First, if the person has double awakened like Rhea, which was like one in a thousand years of luck. Second...the person has gotten involved with the other side.
The other side in question was, naturally, the demonic side.
Consuming the dark water, many people have shown tremendous growth in the past. Around a thousand years ago, when demons were reigning supremacy, talented humans were forcibly made to consume Dark Water to change into useful soldiers. And those without talents were treated as slaves and livestock.
Now that double awakening is something that cannot remain hidden for long, they must be assuming that Austin has gotten himself involved with the demonic side.
And Austin had all the reasons to. After all, his brother has snatched the throne for him—or what they might be thinking.
’If they put me into an interrogation cell, there is a very high chance they would get to know about my system and, possibly, reincarnation.’ Their interrogation devices are impossible to fool. Considering that the Union Council is the most powerful body of judiciary and executive, Austin cannot appeal anywhere else to protect himself.
That’s why, he has decided to reveal himself to be a double-awakened.
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His second Shard? Raijin, of course.
He can summon it on a will and can control it like his Shard.
....however, it would be troublesome if someone else tried to grab it. Considering a Soul Shard can’t be touched or used by someone else, but Raijin can be, they would instantly know that Austin is lying.
That’s why he needs to be careful, or this would be game over.
"Nervous?"
Hearing the voice, which generally calms him down, Austin sighs before nodding, "Yes, kind of."
Valerie smilingly leaned her head on his shoulder, as she muttered, "It’s the same for me. However, there is something that tells me, that we don’t need to be."
Austin hummed in questioning, "What do you mean?"
Valerie shrugged, "I don’t know but it’s just instincts. As if, I know that this invitation was never meant to harm us."
Austin helplessly smiled, "I hope your instincts are not playing games with you."
Holding her hand fondly, he leaned back and allowed himself to attain some much-needed rest.
The most crucial factor during this meeting with Madame Selner would be calmness.
Once he loses his composure, it’s game over.
....
The carriage came to a pause not so long after.
The tournament venue was just half an hour away from the city where the Headquarters was situated.
Valerie and Austin stepped out of the carriage, with their hands connected, before they looked at the tall building before them.
The last time they came here, they only saw the headquarters from far away.
However, this time, they were going inside.
"Did you receive anything from Sebastian, recently?" Valerie asked. She remembered it was him who went inside the last time and showed no fear when doing so.
A person worthy to be admired by her Lord.
Austin hummed, "He was worried about this meeting, but he couldn’t have traveled from the capital in such a short time, and I didn’t ask him as well." Sebastian was currently in the capital, taking care of the King and rearranging things in the Council.
After Aiden’s plans were uncovered, and his room was searched, several things came up.
That’s why, the post of Chief Advisor and the Finance Minister were currently empty. And the few who helped Aiden in keeping his crimes a secret are also held captive.
Eryndor was actually in its most vulnerable phase as of now. Any nation going through an internal feud becomes an easy target for others.
Thankfully, currently, Drenovar was in support of Eryndor, and the other major nations had no interest in conquering a small nation such as Eryndor.
While talking about the possible crisis that Eryndor might have to face, Austin and Valerie arrived in the waiting area.
"Wait here, I will go inform them," Austin said as he left Valerie to sit on the resting bench before he walked towards the reception counter.
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"Excuse me," he called out before the lady in the reception looked at him, "I have a meeting with Lady Selner." Saying so, he was about to show her the letter, but,
"Yes, I will call someone to guide you." She didn’t even verify his identity and instantly picked a small round artifact and called someone.
Austin returned to Valerie and sat down beside her, "They are sending someone."
Valerie nodded, as they sat silently in the waiting area.
A few minutes passed before someone appeared from the corner, and told them, "Please come with me."
Austin and Valerie got up and began following the man.
They were led through a complicated path. A series of connected galleries, and none of them held any significant signs or decorations to tell them apart.
"This...is quite an interesting construction."
The soldiers smiled, "This place is built like this to prevent ambush attempts. We are told to learn the pattern from the first day we join. It’s like our daily routine, to revise the routes three times a day, and since we are forbidden to make a map, all we can rely on is our memory."
Austin was surprised. That sounded quite complicated and tough.
’The soldiers here are built differently...’ He can sense the faint aura releasing from the man. He might be moving ahead of them without having any means to surveil their movements; Austin knew that if he showed slight hostility, the man would counter it most probably.
Valerie, on the other hand, was trying to remember the routes. However, by the seventh gallery, she lost interest and just began following him mindlessly.
After seven or so minutes, they finally came to a halt before the door.
A large brown wooden door, with a golden door knob.
Just when Austin and Valerie were about to enter the room, the soldier suddenly bowed before them and said,
"I am thankful for what you did in Drenovar. My brother was also among the soldiers; that’s why I feel indebted to you two for saving his life."
Austin and Valerie shared a glance, before the blond one said, "We are glad that we were there to help."
The soldier raised his head, and with a smile, he walked away.
Austin turned toward Valerie before giving her nod and knocking on the door.
"Come in," Almost instantly, a voice rang from the other side.
Austin was surprised, but he didn’t delay in twisting the door knob and opening the door.
As they entered, the gentle scent of jasmine struck them.
The room was quite simple and elegant, with a few showcases on the left and bookshelves on the right.
A few meters away from the door was the desk where the lady sat.
Short violet hair, purple eyes, and a youthful face. The lady was sitting with her elbows resting on the table and a thin smile on her red lips.
Valerie froze nearly seeing the beautiful face, as she inwardly muttered,
’Wasn’t she supposed to be an old granny?’
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