章 23: Beyond the inner wall part 1
(Please read the note at the end. I'm sorry for the confusion)
The one her master mentioned was here already but the sultan could not help but feel unsettled by this turn of events. It had seemed too 'ordinary' for something that had been foretold as a prophecy.
"Are you disappointed by something? Do not be sad child, all is as it should be. I do not wish to see you sad in my last moments" the elder sounded content with her present condition and it made the sultan's heartbreak.
"Why do you need to go away? If she's a miracle worker then she can certainly do something to prolong your life" The old lady was someone the sultan looked up to.
She had been the guiding light in her life, the one who had raised her after she had been orphaned in that tussle of power so long ago.
Her mother had died when the 'court of Isis' fell but the other lady had never made her feel anything but loved.
And now she was going away as well.
"She might be able to but I have no will to cheat death a second time. Besides, you no longer need me as well. I know you never asked for the burden to lead this city but hang on for a little longer. Your freedom is right around the corner"
The sultan looked like she did not believe the elder.
"But why her and not me? You took me in but you refused to acknowledge me as a member of the court. Was I not good enough?" the female asked, anger clear in her tone but the other did not answer her.
No…
Perhaps the other could no longer answer her.
The sultan had no will to have a look at the figure who had raised her. She could not look and see the result of her labor. Her chest hurt.
"Rest well mother. I will carry on your will" the sultan's voice broke at those words but her body did not turn to look at the dead body.
"But do not think for a second that I will accept that healer just because you said so. This is our beloved city and she will have to prove herself if she wants to live here" the sultan finally left the room.
There was no need for anyone to check on the old body since it was dead. The other had held onto as long as she needed to…
…just enough to meet the 'healer she had dreamed of' so long ago, the one born of the gods, and then she had perished.
And with her, she had taken the small and hopeful girl.
"Maybe I should send a message to evacuate the surroundings" the sultan muttered as the building behind her caught fire.
The evidence of this palace would be eradicated by the fire in mere minutes, leaving behind nothing in its wake.
The elder had gone away in the traditions of her court - burned after her death to clean herself of all impurities. Not even her asked would remain, blown away by the falling rain.
And it was falling heavily, drenching everything in its path. Maybe the lower city will finally flood this year.
But the fire behind her still burned bright, magic making it resistant to the water of the rain for as long as it took to reduce everything to ashes.
"Fire. Hurry and run away" and so the night passed but no one lost their lives in the resulting fire.
...…..
Iris only heard of the fire in the morning but she was not surprised to hear it. The sultan was somewhat of a pyromaniac when the mood suited her.
But whatever the sultan did in her free time was no longer a concern of hers.
"So, did you hear anything of what we just said to you? Hey, Iris?" Diana waved her hand in front of Iris's face to get her attention.
The group was finally together again in the morning and Diana had thought of it as the best time to give out details of the day before.
"Yes, I did. You managed to acquire enough resources to open your business in town. I reckon that Arya managed all the talks" Diana seemed to pout at her words but it was a friendly pout and a small 'how did you know?'
Arya sat straight in the chair adjacent to her wife, her face twisted in a suffering expression that asked for pity from Iris.
"So, what are your plans for today? Arya and I need to head into the town to settle yesterday's matters. We are thinking of getting an apartment as well there" good. Finally, Iris could be left alone.
"Let me know if you need any financial help" but from the looks on the couple's faces, help would not be needed.
Nicole stood outside the door but Iris was sure the other had her ears pressed right against the door. The other likely was going to report everything that happened here to the Vizier later but Iris did not mind.
"Hey, answer my question. What are you thinking of doing today? I know, you can accompany us to the town" Diana cheered at her own words.
Arya frowned even deeper, clearly not liking that idea and Iris was just as unenthusiastic.
"No need. I need to report to the Sultan today. We are going to start working on some things so I'll be busy today" Diana's enthusiasm instantly went from 100 to 10.
But Arya successfully distracted her while Iris proceeded to walk away from the couple. They were no longer her responsibility.
Especially now that they could stand on their own two feet.
"Did the sultan agree with all this?" Nicole, who had been outside the whole while, could not help but question.
Iris just held her hand up, the sign of the court shining brightly in the soft blue-green color and giving off a comfortable feeling.
"Yes. Her message said that she would take us to the remains of the court today" which had been odd but pleasant.
The remains of the court referred to the place where the 'court of Isis' had stood previously. Iris had no idea where it was though since she had never ended up finishing the novel.
But had been about to come up when she left the novel hanging so it surely existed somewhere.
Maybe even nearby since the party had been in Oreta when they had been asked to visit the court.
There was a huge power sleeping there that they needed to retrieve and out of the thirteen courts, it was the only one who could be ventured into without offending anyone.
Holy Maiden Lunadel had even joined the MC's party at that point. As a potential harem member, of course, and had been tasked to lead them there.
Iris was excited about this trip but nervous as well.
The sultan was waiting for them at the site of the burned building, her gaze looking at the cleared away rubble in laziness.
"Looks like it's time for us to go. I would prefer to leave Nicole here but it is up to you" The sultan asked, not sounding very enthusiastic.
Leaving Nicole behind was something Iris would prefer as well but it seemed not to be an option. So the other would, unfortunately, accompany them for a little longer.
And as they started moving, it was not to the outside of Oreta but the inside of the city. Somehow, it was starting to feel like a big joke to Iris.
And this one was not funny.
クリエイターの想い 
daygon_yuuki
daygon_yuuki Sooooo, I made a big oopsie whule posting chapters and somehow posted a future chapter. Please ignore that and read this one. Also, act surprised when that one comes out.
I'm so sorry
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