NOVPUB
Chapter 346: 346
Drowz and Wulv exchanged a glance, their own expressions mirroring the gravity of the situation. Wulv nodded. "Please, let us know if there’s anything we can do to help."
Zephyr inclined his head in gratitude, then turned to Terra. "Come with me, brother. Father will want to hear of this."
Terra stood, his footsteps now echoing with a strange heaviness, each one leaving a deep impression on the floor. Yet his face remained calm, eerily so, as if he were containing a storm within.
When they reached Ikem’s quarters, the door opened before they could knock. Ikem, seated calmly with a drink in hand, looked as though he had been expecting them. Ursula was beside him, braiding his hair.
He sighed as he glanced at his sons. "I sensed a disturbance. What has you both so serious on this day of celebration?"
The brothers bowed to both Ikem and Ursula before Terra spoke, recounting what his daughter had reported about the attack and the stolen relic. Contrary to their expectations, Ikem did not react with alarm. Instead, he regarded his sons with a thoughtful gaze.
"You’re both smart enough to recognize my current position," he said quietly. "The only advice I can give is to keep your actions measured and controlled. Remember all that I’ve taught you."
A wave of sadness passed between Terra and Zephyr. They had held onto the faint hope that their father’s reaction might be different, that he would be there to lead them through this crisis. But now, they saw clearly that he was preparing to leave, that his time on this plane was nearing its end.
Sensing the shift in the room, Ursula knocked Ikem on the head before drawing both sons into a warm, firm embrace. "Your father means to say that he will be watching you closely," she reassured, her words filled with both strength and love.
Ikem let out an indignant huff. "I never said that, woman!" He looked ready to argue further, but a stern glance from Ursula silenced him, and he downed his drink instead.
Terra and Zephyr exchanged a look, their hearts lightened somewhat by the scene. They saw a glimpse of the carefree side of their father, a side that carried far less weight than before. He had done all he could for centuries; now it was their turn to carry on his legacy.
As they turned to leave, Zephyr casually swung an arm around Terra’s shoulders, calling out with a grin, "We should have Stepmom convince Father to give us one of his treasured wines. At least two centuries old!"
Ursula caught on to the ruse immediately and turned to Ikem with a mischievous smile. Ikem, already one step ahead, was backing toward the open window. "Get back here and give the boys what they want!" Ursula demanded.
Ikem didn’t hesitate—he leapt from the window, shouting over his shoulder, "You’re lucky she loves you, boys!"
Zephyr and Terra laughed as Ursula pursued Ikem. But as their mirth subsided, they shared a determined look. Their duties awaited, and they needed to get to the bottom of the attack. The stakes were higher now, and they would face them together, as their father had taught them.
Looking at the now silent Terra, Zephyr asked, "What do you plan to do, brother?"
Terra stayed quiet for a moment before replying. "I’d thought about going directly to the Omadi kingdom to see what their so-called visitor was doing in my lands. But now, thinking more calmly, I suppose I need to get home first and reassure my people."
Placing a hand on Zephyr’s shoulder, Terra continued, "I’ll leave the strategizing to you, brother—thinking isn’t exactly my strength. But know that I support any decision you make. And if you find out who’s behind this, let me know."
Zephyr watched silently as Terra left, his steps quiet and no longer heavy.
"Do I visit Omadi’s son myself, or should I send an envoy?" Zephyr thought as he made his way back to the throne room.
Opening the door, he saw Terra bidding farewell to everyone. Zephyr’s entrance drew the attention of the room, and Terra gave him a nod before leaving.
Zephyr looked at those gathered and announced, "The competition will proceed as usual. This is only a minor setback and will be dealt with shortly."
Everyone nodded, and then Zephyr turned to Wulv. "May I have a moment alone with Prince Wulv?" he requested.
The others exchanged looks before leaving the room. Zephyr sighed as he poured two cups of wine, handing one to Wulv.
"Björn’s followers were the ones who invaded Terra’s land," Zephyr revealed.
Wulv’s eyes widened. "Have they really become that bold?" he asked, bewildered.
Zephyr nodded. "That’s what I want to discuss. Among all of us, your people know the most about Björn and his followers, given that you share the same continent. Have there been any notable movements on their end lately?"
Before Wulv answered, he knowingly asked, "Your father and Lady Ursula didn’t react much to this news, did they?"
Zephyr recalled his father’s reaction and nodded. Wulv chuckled. "Same with mine. When I reported this development, all I got was a raised brow before he went back to spending time with my sister."
Zephyr took a sip of his wine. "I’ve long wanted my father to take a step back and let us handle things, but now that the chance has come, they’re not around to see what we can do."
There was a moment of silence as they both drank before Wulv spoke. "I wonder if you know anything about the demon on the southern continent."
Zephyr nodded, and Wulv continued. "This will make it easier, then. We recently learned that this demon has some kind of alliance with Björn’s people. We’ve observed a female figure bearing features of those from the southern continent, bringing change among the people of Björn. Whereas before, Björn’s followers who sought only war and bloodshed, now under her influence, they’ve started operating with more sophistication."
"Her background remains unknown, aside from her link to the demon, but we believe she’s been the driving force behind the spread of Björn’s religion to other continents."
Wulv paused thoughtfully. "Given what we know about her and the state of Björn’s followers, it seems out of character for her to risk such a reckless move. There might be more going on than we’re aware of."
Zephyr nodded and added, "I didn’t want to interrupt, but we also have someone akin to a demon among us. He recently informed us that the demon on the southern continent might be attempting to overwhelm Björn with faith energy, possibly turning him into a puppet for war."
"Now that you mention this woman and her efforts to spread Björn’s religion beyond their borders, it starts making more sense."
Zephyr and Wulv’s expressions grew serious as they considered the audacity of Björn’s followers in targeting Terra’s lands.
"If they’re willing to provoke us like this, they must have something planned," Zephyr muttered, his gaze hardening. "Björn’s followers are moving so openly after our action against them—it’s unusual. We need to figure out their endgame."
Wulv’s brow furrowed. "They struck on a day when all eyes are on the capital. Maybe they wanted the Terra Clan distracted by the celebrations. But why now? And why specifically target Terra?"
Zephyr thought back to Terra’s expression, the way his brother’s usually unshakable composure had nearly cracked with anger.
"There must be something in Terra’s lands they want badly enough to risk possible conflict over. Terra didn’t mention what was stolen, but it must be significant." Wulv looked thoughtful as he said that.
Zephyr Knew Wulv was hinting for him to say what was taken so he added, "It’s not exactly a secret. You know about the mana-rich fruits and plants we exclusively share with your family and other godling royal family"
Wulv nodded, and Zephyr explained, "What they took was just a branch from one of the trees."
Wulv’s eyes narrowed in confusion. "The people of Björn have little interest in mana-rich plants; they gain neither power nor pleasure from them, even with their recent shift in behavior."
Zephyr nodded thoughtfully. "And yet, the priest was willing to give his life to ensure this branch reached this mysterious figure’s hands."
The two exchanged a look, a mutual understanding sparking between them as they began piecing together the mystery.
"If Björn’s people truly have no use for Terra’s flora, then why risk so much for a mere branch?" Wulv questioned, his tone skeptical.
Zephyr’s grip tightened around his cup. "There are two possibilities. Either someone is trying to frame Björn’s followers to incite conflict between our lands, or the priest acted on his own with a purpose we haven’t yet considered."
Wulv’s expression shifted as he contemplated the idea. "Perhaps he was proving his devotion to this ’unknown figure’ by delivering something rare from Terra’s land. It could be more of a token of proof than a valuable object. By infiltrating Terra’s territory, he could demonstrate his loyalty and capability."
