In the Belmond Hotel in Lothern's outer city, Sulia was fully armed, her Lioness Sword strapped to her side. The beautiful queen of the Knight King paced impatiently around her room.
Lilith, who had been staying here, had already departed for the kingdom of Saphery to assist Teclis in defending the Tower of Hoeth.
The entire hotel had been taken over by three battalions of the Old Guard. Soldiers were everywhere, and though initially tense, Sulia realized that under the protection of magical barriers, the chances of enemies breaching the city walls and attacking them were slim. She ordered 300 men to patrol outside while the rest remained on guard inside the hotel.
The High Elves' attitude towards Bretonnians had changed significantly after the Battle of Dragon Fjord. They sent generous provisions and even covered three months' wages for the Old Guard, labeling it as a "reward."
Though initially uncomfortable accepting the money, Lilith convinced Sulia to take it as a gift, and so she did.
Now, however, Sulia found herself restless. Even with guards patrolling outside, she couldn't relax and continued pacing.
In contrast, Olica was at ease. She hadn't even changed into combat gear, still in her usual black-and-white lace maid outfit, with a black woolen high-elf coat draped over her shoulders due to the cooling weather, giving her a coquettish charm. As she cleaned the room, Olica glanced at Sulia's anxious expression and laughed, "My lady, there's no need to worry. Relax; no Chaos demons can breach Lothern's defenses—at least not yet."
"Why are you so certain, Olica?" Sulia's sea-blue eyes fixed on the dark elf maid, eager to learn any valuable information from this mysterious figure. "Do you have something to tell me?"
"I'm just saying that there's no use in worrying, my lady," Olica replied with a sigh, putting down her enchanted broom, though her eyes gleamed with amusement. "You don't understand Asuryan—nor does Lilith, for that matter."
"And you do?" Sulia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'd like to know more about who you are and how much you know about the elven gods."
"Asuryan has died many times, my lady," Olica's sweet smile turned cold. "Do you know why the first Phoenix King, Aenarion, received no help from Asuryan during the Chaos invasion?"
"Why?" Sulia felt she was finally beginning to grasp the depths of Olica's mystery.
"Because Asuryan had already been defeated by the Chaos gods and killed in the realm of the Empyrean," Olica answered icily. "It was only after Aenarion sacrificed his life and soul to the Phoenix Flame that Asuryan was able to be reborn."
"What?!" Sulia's eyes widened as she started to piece together the implications. "I thought…"
"Asuryan can indeed resurrect indefinitely, and he truly doesn't concern himself with the fate of this world. He has etched its destiny into the Phoenix Pyramid on the Isle of Flame," Olica said in an indifferent tone, as though she were recounting someone else's story. "Nobody cares or reads it in detail, though—not even Asuryan's followers or the Phoenix Guards. Malekith's betrayal was anticipated by Asuryan, as is every step towards the End Times."
"If fate is already written, then what's the purpose of our resistance?" Sulia countered.
"Asuryan is the creator god, the world's initiator, but he cannot control fate. That realm belongs to Lilith. Asuryan reveals the beginning, while Lilith weaves the threads that change fate," Olica nodded. "Now you understand why Lilith is always stirring up trouble while Asuryan has secluded himself in the Phoenix realm for seven thousand years?"
"So, what does this mean for Ryan's safety?" Sulia asked, trying to make sense of it. Her sharp mind suddenly clicked. "Wait, are you saying Ryan and Vulkan's mission to steal the Phoenix Scrolls was foreseen by Asuryan?"
"Hehe, that's why I enjoy speaking with you, my lady," Olica replied, her smile genuine. "Compared to you, Morgiana is arrogant and dismissive, listening only to Ryan and Lilith. Veronica has a bit of cleverness, but she's just as devoted to Ryan. Emilia is intelligent but doesn't devote much energy to these matters, and then there's the mother-daughter duo—one is a lovable, if foolish, mage buried in her studies, while the other just wants a few extra pieces of meat on her plate."
"I understand now." Sulia closed her eyes and nodded. "Thank you for sharing this, Olica. I'll wait patiently."
"My lady, I have a suggestion," Olica said. "Would you care to join me in watching a… fascinating show?"
"A show? Now?" Sulia asked, puzzled. "Do you mean leaving here?"
"Of course. How else will we see it?" Olica's lips curled with intrigue. "Care to join me, my lady?"
"…"
About thirty minutes later, they found themselves in the outer city of Lothern, near a small High Elf palace known as the Palace of Dark Tides.
A small gathering was taking place. High Elf nobles toasted one another, enjoying fine wine and delicacies. Even with the night's storm, the Chaos incursion, and the constant mobilization of Lothern's defense forces, they continued their revelry.
Under the protection of an enchantment, Sulia and Olica observed from a distance, and Sulia was shocked to recognize the individuals present.
Seven members of Phoenix King Finubar's inner cabinet were gathered here!
"What are they doing here?" Sulia whispered, unable to believe her eyes as she glanced at Olica. "Could it be…"
"That's right. Among these cabinet members are our plants," Olica replied, pointing out several individuals to Sulia. "Just wait; I'll signal them to begin the operation, which will align with the Witch King's strategy and compel the Phoenix Guards of the Flame Pyramid to mobilize."
"Plants? Who are they?" Sulia asked, now truly wary of Olica's power.
"The Phoenix King's Minister of Internal Affairs, Kosian, a follower of Khaine."
"The Minister of Commerce and Public Works, Silafien, a follower of the Pale Queen."
"The Minister of Finance, Sindrel, an agent of the Cult of Excess."
"The Minister of Justice and Chief Judge, Gondir, a pawn of the Witch King."
"…Finubar's survival is nothing short of miraculous," Sulia muttered in disbelief.
Though these officials held prominent titles, they were technically Finubar's personal advisors. The power of the state lay in the hands of the High Elf Council of Princes, with the War Council acting as its executive body.
"These ministers aren't aware of each other's true allegiances," Olica explained with a smirk. "In fact, each one works diligently to gain Finubar's trust, inadvertently ensuring his safety and forming an efficient council. Their internal rivalries serve Finubar's interests rather than harm him."
Moments later, another High Elf minister entered, accompanied by a limping man. Sulia recognized them immediately—it was Chancellor Shaer and Ditalerion.
"Shaer works for Morathi," Olica revealed, her voice tinged with amusement. "That much I recently discovered myself."
"What about Ditalerion? Is he a plant too?" Sulia asked, feeling a chill down her spine.
"No, he's just a servant," Olica shook her head with a smile. "He knows nothing. A pathetic soul trying to climb the High Elf social ladder. He's more a family member than a representative of House Bennister, and I suspect he's only here as a reward for serving you and the Knight King well last time."
"What should we do?" Sulia asked, unsettled. Five out of seven members of the Phoenix Court's cabinet were compromised!
"We do nothing except signal them to begin," Olica replied, taking Sulia's hand. "Shall we, my lady, unless you'd rather stay and risk being suspected?"
---
Typically, traveling from Lothern's inner city to the Isle of Flame by elf boat would take three days and nights.
Yes, it was that far, but from the Isle of Flame one could still see Lothern—a marvel of the ancient Old Ones.
Ryan and Vulkan, however, were far faster than any ordinary High Elf sailor. Shortly after setting out, Ryan used his psychic powers, propelling the small boat across the sea at an incredible speed.
A few hours later, the Isle of Flame was in sight.
A small island emerged from the inner sea. It looked like a volcano, with palm trees covering its slopes and terraces adorning its sides. At the highest point stood a colossal stepped pyramid, the mark of Asuryan and his Eye of Fire blazing atop the peak, eternally watching over the surroundings.
A thick mist from the storm blanketed the Isle of Flame, obscuring visibility.
As their boat neared the island, Ryan spoke softly to Vulkan, "Brother, there are many guards on the dock."
"Yes, they seem aware of the Night of Sorcery's dangers," Vulkan observed. Several Phoenix Guards were overseeing hundreds of militia guarding the dock. Phoenix statues lined the pier. "There are too many for us to take out at once. We'll need a plan."
"Shh," Ryan whispered, cautiously navigating the boat as he surveyed the area. "The Phoenix Pyramid is guarded by over a thousand silent Phoenix Guards. They have vowed eternal silence, never to utter a sound."
"Silence is such a bore. My
more… fallen sons are fond of noise," Vulkan joked as he rowed, considering their options. "There's a small grove of palm trees over there. How about we dock there and hide?"
"That area has guards too," Ryan noticed, his gaze shifting toward the grove. But he suddenly spotted a stretch of beach with no guards nearby and had an idea. "Brother, have you ever heard of a little maneuver called 'ground sailing'?"
"Sounds like something unfriendly to my Phoenix guard persona," Vulkan chuckled, catching on to Ryan's plan. "But I understand you. Indeed, it's time to show these old-fashioned Asuryan loyalists what progress truly looks like."
"Let's go!" Ryan activated his psychic power, enveloping the entire boat.
With a "thud," the boat slid onto the beach, startling a nearby patrol of Phoenix Guards.
In the palm grove at the foot of the Phoenix Pyramid, a five-meter boat lay as though washed ashore by the waves. Astonishingly, it had traveled over two hundred meters up the sandy beach, creating a massive pit where it landed.
"?" A fully armored Phoenix Guard in flame-colored cloak and helm stared at the boat in confusion.
"…" Another Phoenix Guard examined the boat and confirmed it was an elven civilian vessel. "…"
"!" One guard felt the boat's bottom, noting it was undamaged, which puzzled him further.
"…" After scanning the empty beach, the Phoenix Guards quickly gathered to lift the boat and carry it back toward the dock. Once they had left, silence returned to the grove, with the trees swaying under the storm.
Two hours later, a bright fire flared up from Lothern's direction.
On the Phoenix Pyramid's peak, Cadroin, the commander of the Phoenix Guard's Flame Squad personally appointed by Asuryan, frowned as he observed the flames rising from Lothern.
The capital hadn't been the target of the main Chaos assault, so why the intense firelight?
At that moment, Cadroin felt a powerful presence—an aura radiating from the Pale Queen herself, the highest deity of the underworld. The icy chill and terrifying energy made him shudder, and he remembered a dark elf woman he had captured thirty years ago, whom he had nearly executed but ultimately spared on Asuryan's orders. That dark elf woman had been exchanged to retrieve Finubar's son, Prince Yrian, who had been exiled after recklessly venturing into the Ship Graveyard.
This time, she would not escape!
With resolve, Cadroin sounded the bells of the Isle of Flame. In silent coordination, the Phoenix Guard rallied. From the Phoenix roost, dozens of fiery phoenixes took flight, turning the stormy sky red with their flames as they formed a wedge formation and bore thousands of Phoenix Guards toward Lothern.
The Flame Squad, deployed!
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