Chapter 26 - The Hidden Prophecy

After the Court session, William met with the Princess and asked how the case was progressing. She told him that despite her sleepless nights, she and her assistants were working nonstop to investigate and filter the reports they had received from citizens regarding suspected Pentalium members. One by one, families across the Kingdom were being cross-checked against the Inquisition's findings. Soon, they would have a comprehensive list of those who had betrayed the Kingdom.

The Princess also congratulated William on his hard work in developing Tarwood. She had heard of its rapid growth but apologized for being too busy to visit. As she spoke, her eyes fell on the young woman standing beside William, staring in shock. Julie quickly bowed before the Princess, bewildered by how casually William spoke to royalty.

The Princess chuckled at Julie's reaction. "No need for such formalities. But tell me, how did you and William meet?"

Julie enthusiastically recounted their encounter, but before she could finish, the Princess smirked and teased, "It sounds like William caught something else when he caught you after that Inquisition agent pushed you." Julie flushed crimson while William rubbed his forehead in embarrassment.

William shifted the conversation and informed the Princess that he would accompany Julie and her research team to the Keep, where a newly discovered mural was being studied. He then requested that the Princess ensure their protection. "The Inquisition has their eyes on them, and the Pentalium may soon follow," he warned.

The Princess nodded. "I will assign more knights to guard them. I promise you that."

William hesitated before making one last request. "John and I need your help relocating Ingrid's people. The snow is worsening in the north. The Capital is much warmer, and it would be safer for them."

The Princess considered this. "I can instruct the Kingdom's border guards to allow them entry as citizens seeking to assimilate. And as proof of their intention, I will designate them as workers under Tarwood's expansion through an official decree." She smiled. "You are determined to take care of them, right?"

Before William could respond, a tall figure emerged from the crowd—the Inquisitor. His presence cast an immediate chill.

"I see," the Inquisitor said smoothly, having overheard their discussion. "So the Kingdom will now open its doors to assimilated barbarians. If it is the Princess's will, I will honor it." His tone was polite, but there was a sharpness beneath it. He turned to William. "But be ready. Barbarians have a way of turning against the civilized. I have seen it before. The Sand People entered our realm under the guise of peace, and soon, half the Kingdom was infected with their propaganda."

The Princess narrowed her eyes. "You forget, Inquisitor. Our ancestors, too, were once outsiders who built this Kingdom. The very foundation of our civilization was shaped by those who chose to integrate."

For a brief moment, the Inquisitor said nothing. Then he smiled. "Of course, Your Highness. But history has a habit of repeating itself. Let us hope this is not another mistake."

With that, the Princess and the Inquisitor departed to continue their work. As they left, Rolfe and Duke Lenato approached William and Julie.

The Duke beamed. "William, I must congratulate you. Tarwood's goods are being bought all across the Kingdom. I wish my son would also take an interest in business."

Rolfe scoffed. "I'd rather be a knight. That's the only dream I have."

William took the opportunity to thank Rolfe for standing up against the Inquisition's brutality. "I only wish I had your courage."

Rolfe smirked. "It was nothing. If anything, I still owe you for saving my father from those masked figures. One day, I'll repay that debt."

As the Einherjars bid their farewells, Julie turned to William, stunned. "You are well-connected, aren't you?"

William sighed, recalling the countless times he had nearly died. "It comes at a cost."

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The journey to Margaret's Keep was long but lively. Julie and Harold spoke at length about the perplexing red paint found on Zonian murals. Harold theorized that it was merely an artistic expression, symbolizing the bloodshed in their history.

Without thinking, William corrected him. "No, the red paint is a message. Only Zonians can read it."

Julie and Harold turned to him in shock. "How do you know that?" Julie asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity.

William cursed himself internally. He had spoken too freely. "I just thought—maybe their eyes work like predatory birds in the north? Some nocturnal hunters see colors that others cannot. Perhaps the Zonians evolved similarly."

Harold hummed in thought. "An interesting theory, but there's no evidence for it."

Julie, however, took note of William's words, filing them away for later. "Northern birds? Have you spent time among the mountain tribes? I heard they are excellent hunters yet have acquired a different moral system than us."

William smiled at the thought. "I used to be like you—skeptical, close-minded. But then Ingrid showed me my errors. It only takes a little kindness to understand them."

As he shared his experience living with Ingrid's people, the research team listened in fascination until they reached the Keep.

When they reached the Keep, the ruins loomed before them. The town surrounding it had been abandoned, overtaken by nature. The sewer water overflowed, the streets were lined with broken weapons and rodent bones, and only the seawall remained intact.

William felt the weight of the past here. His reckless actions contributed to the start of a civil war. If he had been more patient, would fewer people have died? He stepped over a fallen doll near an open manhole; his thoughts clouded with guilt.

They arrived at the stables where additional knights had been stationed. Harold noticed the increase in security and asked one of them why. The knight responded, "The Princess ordered extra protection. She's looking out for you."

Julie blushed, realizing William had personally requested their safety. He might act tough, but she was beginning to see his kindness.

As the researchers excitedly explored the ruins, William moved without enthusiasm. Unlike them, he had been here before. He knew every hallway, every scar left by the battle. Julie noticed his distant expression.

"You've been here before, haven't you?" she asked.

William only nodded.

Finally, they reached the mural's excavation site. The knights built the stairs while the research team was gone. William pushed aside his thoughts and focused on helping the researchers dig.

Julie was patient and playful as they worked, making the tedious task more bearable. William noticed the other researchers avoided her, likely because of her overly energetic nature. He found it amusing rather than distracting.

While digging, William observed the soil layers around the mural. Something didn't match. The layer above the mural was different from the one beneath it. He suppressed the urge to activate his Sense; revealing his red eyes here would only cause panic. Instead, he waited, watching, knowing the truth would surface soon.

At night, while the researchers slept, William explored the Keep alone. In the depths of the ruin, he stumbled upon an old meeting room. The fireplace still held burnt parchment. Curious, he retrieved the fragments, carefully piecing them together. Only a few words were legible:

"Death Shade… name it Chalice." "…It killed our first target… reduce effectiveness." "Prophecy."

William frowned. The word 'prophecy' stood out. Before he could analyze further, a gust of wind scattered the fragile remnants out the window. Frustrated, he turned to leave—then he saw it.

A faded red inscription on the stone archway.

He pried the slab loose, revealing a Zonian engraving identical to the one found in the Silverhand mine. The markings pulsed beneath his fingers. Activating his Sense, he saw writing come to life, shapes twisting into stories.

It told of a star falling to the earth, a sign of the Zonian prophecy's fulfillment and an omen of rebirth.

The Zonians had named their order after it.

Pentalium.

William sat in silence, realization washing over him. This was the room where it all began, the birth of Pentalium. Were his parents part of them? Had they abandoned him in defiance of their cause? It didn't matter. He had been given a different path shaped by Eldric, the Princess, and his friends.

The following day, William revealed the stone slab to the researchers. Their excitement was overwhelming. The mural was complete—a rare, intact artifact.

Julie turned to William, her heart racing. He had saved her life, and now, he had turned their study into the discovery of the century.

As the day progressed and the team resumed digging enthusiastically, Julie whispered to William, "You know, I think I understand the red paint now."

William looked at her. "What do you mean?"

She traced the markings. "These aren't just symbols. They're emotions. Hate, love, fear. Every brushstroke means something."

William's fingers followed hers. "And this? The curve around the figures?"

"Love," she murmured. "Their love for family."

For a brief moment, their hands lingered together, tracing the lines of the past. The world around them faded, and in that instant, neither pulled away. Their hearts beat as one.

Neither realized it yet, but this moment marked the beginning of something greater than they had expected.

As their feelings for each other grew, their days of digging became more bearable. On the fifth day of digging, they completely unearthed the mural. Harold placed the stone slab in the mural's center, and the research team celebrated. They all began to laugh and cry merrily, for they celebrated a Zonian mural, a rare find in this age.

Their celebration continued until the night. The camp was joyous, and even the knights celebrated with them. They sang and merrily drank until they could not stand.

While everyone is enjoying themselves, William goes to the mural to finally see it with his eyes. The symbols come to life and tell William their secrets.

A red star fell from the heavens, bringing war to the land. Tribesmen descended from the mountains, slaughtering all in their path. The weak perished to plague, while strife turned brothers against each other. Discord spread, leaving the Kingdom fractured and leaderless. But from the ruins, a warrior would rise. A Zonian warrior of great strength who would destroy the plague and unite all under his command. His deeds would make the people see him as their savior. Discord and strife deafen in the ears of his followers. Ultimately, he would rule the Kingdom, ushering in a new era of Zonian dominance.

William's blood ran cold. War, Plague, Strife. All of it had already happened. The Inquisition's revelation of Pentalium's crimes left the Kingdom in discord. But in the last part, a Zonian warrior would emerge.

He wondered who it would be. Will it be hailed as a hero after Abigail's fall? Like the Inquisitor? Willaim began to view the Inquisitor as a man who fits this prophesized warrior. The Inquisitor is trusted by the King, the Princess, and the younger people, and slowly, more people respect his actions despite his brutal methods.

Suddenly, a faint sound caught his attention. William turned off his Sense and turned around only to find Julie.

William forced a smile as Julie reached him. "Why are you out here alone?"

"Just… admiring our discovery." William smiled and commented on the mural's beauty while looking at Julie.  

Julie took his hand, her cheeks blooming with happiness. "Then come join us. This is worth celebrating."

As Julie led William back to the camp, neither realized the danger that had entered the tunnel from the other side of the sewer.

The tall silhouette remained hidden in the sewer's shadows, listening for enemies. It had only just arrived from the other side of the sewers. The mural had been uncovered, and the prophecy had been revealed.

The figure opens their red eyes, smiles, and sheathes his bloodied sword. It saw the mural and memorized its contents.

The figure turned and disappeared back into the sewers without making a sound, delighted with the mural's prophecy.