"Sir Grimdawn!"
Eren's attention resumed on Rhea again as she called out to him. By this point, each member of Rhea's team had rushed to their captain's side, witnessing the brutal injuries she had suffered at the hands of Eren. The sight had ignited a fierce determination within them—they couldn't remain mere spectators aboard the ship any longer.
Meanwhile, Eren's subordinates remained stationed aboard the Freya, their unwavering loyalty a testament to their confidence in his safety. They awaited his orders, knowing full well that he would emerge unscathed from this encounter.
Vigilant eyes locked on Eren, Rhea's gaze held a mixture of wariness and admiration. As she dreamt of receiving a title from the kingdom herself, a glimmer of ambition shone in her eyes.
She recognized the gravity and prestige associated with these titles—Edinburgh didn't bestow them upon just anyone. Eren's extraordinary prowess in battle had set a standard that Rhea couldn't help but aspire to.
Until today, she had believed she was making significant strides on her own path to prominence. But her confrontation with Eren had shattered her illusions, unveiling the vast chasm that separated them even when they both were in the C-Rank. It had become clear that if she desired the coveted title, she would need to transform herself into someone truly formidable.
"Just call me Grimdawn," Eren replied with a nod, acknowledging Rhea's gaze on him. He didn't harbor any concerns regarding the attention his title brought; instead, he hoped it wouldn't hinder his actions and objectives.
Aware that her team should return to the safety of the ship, Rhea motioned for them to retreat. Once they were out of earshot, she cleared her throat, assuming a formal and precise manner that reflected her past service in Edinburgh's army. Meeting Eren's eyes, she nodded respectfully before speaking, her words laced with a newfound politeness.
"Affirmative, Grimdawn. Master Sorin has informed me of House Slughorn's treachery against Edinburgh. I'd like to apologize for my rash decision earlier. If I had known what I know now, I would have..."
A wicked smile curled upon Eren's lips as Rhea's sentence hung in the air. "Keke. there's no need to apologize. And it's not like your actions have spoiled our plans. There's still time, Expert Rhea," he interjected, his voice infused with a tantalizing blend of nonchalance and conspiracy.
"You can aid us in eradicating these traitors. And in doing so, you might earn the recognition you desire from the kingdom of Edinburgh."
Eren's words struck a chord within Rhea, the promise of recognition igniting a newfound interest and determination. She was now ready to collaborate with Eren, united in their quest to bring House Slughorn.
***
The River Lithe stretched out before them, its tranquil waters shimmering under the moonlight. Two figures, both rankers, swiftly traversed the river's surface using their nimble movement spells. They aimed to reach the outskirts of Erbaia, a region that held the promise of an escape from the encroaching siege.
As they ran, their steps leaving fleeting imprints on the water, Silas couldn't contain his mounting anxiety any longer. His voice trembled with a mix of fear and frustration as he turned to Sebastian, seeking guidance amidst the impending threat.
"Fuck! Grandpa Sebastian, where will we go from here? Whole of Edinburgh will soon chase us down. All of us. What… what the fuck should we…"
The gravity of Edinburgh's pursuit loomed over him, threatening to consume House Slughorn entirely. While Silas, an Expert-ranker, harbored little apprehension when it came to ordinary confrontations, the prospect of an entire kingdom opposing them instilled a primal fear within him—a survival instinct that couldn't be easily dismissed.
Sebastian, however, paid no heed to Silas' distressed pleas as they ran side by side. The old man, visibly exhausted and out of breath, refused to let weariness hinder his resolve. With a sharp retort, he cut off Silas's words, his voice laced with fury and urgency.
"Shut your insolent mouth and keep running, you naive brat" The Myriad Potioner barked, his gaze fixed ahead, unyielding. "I have a plan, but there's no time to explain. Run, Silas. Run as if honoring the sacrifice of those who perished aboard our ship depends on it."
Sebastian's words resonated with a sense of vulnerability rarely seen in the seasoned potioner. He understood the impending doom that loomed over House Slughorn more intimately than anyone else. The situation wasn't as black and white as Silas perceived it. The fact that Edinburgh had asked House Remus and Eren to carry out their bidding indicated a lack of concrete evidence against House Slughorn.
The potions concealed within Brewmaster's Bounty held the potential to expose their betrayal, yet Edinburgh hesitated to make it public. With the ongoing war against Layos, the revelation of House Slughorn's treachery would tarnish Edinburgh's reputation and sow seeds of doubt among the rankers fighting for the kingdom. The very foundation of their trust in one another would crumble, hindering their ability to unite against their common enemy.
Furthermore, the news might inspire other independent factions to follow House Slughorn's example, seeking personal gains and destabilizing the delicate balance within the kingdom.
Edinburgh's internal security needed to be maintained when its forces were concentrated over its borders. It couldn't afford any form of inner turmoil at this point.
House Slughorn needed to be dealt with silently, allowing Edinburgh's war campaign against Layos to proceed without repercussions. Instead of deploying their own forces, the kingdom had orchestrated a scenario in which the White Raven Guild and House Remus could act against House Slughorn. This plausible deniability shielded the kingdom's existing alliances, ensuring minimal disruption among the other Houses.
Rodrick, poised to take credit for House Slughorn's downfall within Anfang's inner circle, understood the importance of maintaining tranquility within Edinburgh's borders. A clandestine eradication was the preferred path to preserve the kingdom's reputation and unity.
Therefore, Sebastian believed that the kingdom of Edinburgh wouldn't try to attack House Slughorn openly. Instead, it would ask other forces and mercenaries to do its job in a covert manner.
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