Chapter 63: Remus

Inside the castle it seemed nobody was home yet both girls felt like they were being watched. The courtyard was decorated with banners, carrying the same heraldry that was on Sigismund’s cape. On the walls carved images of knights stood vigil, made out of the same stone as the walls itself. They were life-like, smooth and tall. Almost 4 meters in height, holding different weapons; swords, halberds, axes and spears in their right and a tower-shield in their left, also painted with the noble heraldry of the Rákóczi family. 

 

Walking through the now snowy, inner garden that was a perfect circle, Hiyori couldn’t help herself but look further up, at the clear sky, already starting to see some stars appearing while the sun was still setting. It was the same sky she saw from back home yet she was far, far away from it, already feeling a bit homesick. Flinching a little, the thought settled in her and couldn’t get away from it; How did Everlong felt? Did he feel homesick too? But unable to go back by now? Or was it just her nativity that was asking these questions. It was Aoi’s words that shook her back to reality.

 

“Oh… the garden has the same amount of paths that the wheel has on their shields!” spoke out, floating a bit higher than them, watching it from further away.

 

“Good catch!” stopped Everlong, looking at her “They also correspond to a constellation and when the time is right, this place can function… in some other ways too.”

 

“Like?” asked Aoi, curious, voicing the same question that popped up in Hiyori’s mind too.

 

“Artifact creation. I can’t say more as even I don’t know everything! It is their family’s secret! Some things can’t be shared with outsiders~” smiled, continuing walking along one of the clear paths but stopping before they reached the wooden door in the side of the castle, under an old archway above them.

 

“Is something wrong?” asked Hiyori, watching Everlong’s face from the sides. 

 

“I don’t know yet. I did not expect the Templars to be here! Neither Sigismund! But I should have known the former rears its ugly head when the latter is present.” said, watching the bronze doorknob, not opening it yet.

 

“I don’t really get it!” commented Aoi, floating down, arriving next to them after she checked out one of the statues, higher up. What she did not notice was that the statue’s carved helmet was inclined downwards a little, following her movements… same with the rest of its kin.

 

“Sigismund was born with a gift and could bless artifacts with… power. Everything he wielded or wore was much more effective than in others’ hands. Of course it was not without its drawbacks, the things he touched broke down after a short period of time.” started to explain, while his own mind was trying to figure out the reason behind his presence.

 

“Did the Templars want to get their hands on him?” pondered Hiyori, letting her thoughts free, giving voice to them. 

 

“They did.” smiled Everlong “But he was fiercely loyal to his family so they killed him.”

 

“But-!” Hiyori wanted to say something but her eyes met with Aoi’s at that moment. “Never mind. What happened next?”

 

“His father, George, made a deal with an angel. He traded over precious artifact and received a holy armor in return. It keeps his son alive and also benefits from his inborn gift! Even better, it is made by them so it won’t deteriorate.”

 

“Ouch! I bet the Templars were not happy!” chuckled Hiyori.

 

“They were not!” nodded Everlong with a nostalgic grin “Even worse, Sigismund returned their favor and recruited around a 100 of their people.”

 

“Hah!” laughed Aoi too but Everlong was not done.

 

“And killed another 100 who refused. So yeah… it resulted in a 40 year war between the two parties! This happened a long time ago but to this day, the Rákóczi family and the Templars are at odds… but I know they still tried to tempt him multiple times in the past centuries! They never gave up on getting him to join their side. Even more so, that he has such a valuable, holy relic on him now! ” shook his head with a smile.

 

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“What about his father then? I get why Sigismund is still alive, but… what about George? You saved him but… even then, he should be old, no?” asked Hiyori, as she knew why Everlong was alive but others…?

 

“Wel…” thought Everlong a little, how to answer Hiyori’s question but his hands already opened the door and it revealed a big hall and were greeted by a hearty laughter.

 

“I made a pact with the devil!” echoed a strong, healthy baritone, accompanied by something crunching. “Hah, your nerves are still not there!” scoffed the owner of the voice, clearly aiming his words at his current guest who crushed the edge of their table where his hands laid.

 

“Ah…!” flinched Hiyori. She was too immersed in Everlong’s tale to realize they were no longer alone. 

 

At a big and long, oval table sat a middle-aged man, with black hair and a long, bushy beard. He was brimming with energy and draped in emerald colored, silk clothes, decorated with golden buttons and a thick, black fur coat hanging from his shoulders. He just nodded towards them, smiling with a friendly expression. Unlike the other person who sat at the other side of the table. He wore white, thigh garments, wrapped around his body. Against the cold he had a thick, similarly white coat hanging off of his back, decorated with a big, red cross. He was similarly close in age to them, clean shaved and with a slick, combed back, brown hair. Turning his head towards them, his silver colored eyes were cold as steel, looking directly at Everlong. It was hard to read his thoughts but both girls were sure, he was not happy to see them.

 

“She is still young and inexperienced!” nodded back Everlong at George before looking towards the templar. “Long time no see Remus!” greeted him but he just blinked his eyes as a response before turning his head back towards George. 

 

“Then we have an agreement?” spoke, his tone raspy and dry, making Hiyori feel like she was listening to sandpaper being grinded against a block of wood. 

 

“For now.” stood up George, fixing his clothes “But if this is another attempt on my son’s life, all the Sigil Bearers in Pannonia are going to sweep your order out from the region! Permanently!” 

 

“Noted.” stood up, bowing as etiquette required and he started to leave. As he walked past by Everlong, his fingers at the end of his gloved hands flinched but before anything could happen a green flash passed by them. 

 

“?!” jumped up Hiyori and Aoi at the same time as they looked behind them, seeing a transparent, glowing and sparkling arrow nailed to the floor, pulsating with energy.

 

“Don’t.” walked towards them George, his words aimed at Remus while he was twirling the end of his beard with a slightly glowing finger “You are in MY house! It's none of your business who my guests are and why are they here!”

 

“Apologies.” echoed his dry voice again, already walking past Everlong, not even looking back. His feet crushed the energy arrow, stepping on it without a problem, clearly demonstrating his opinion before leaving for good.

 

“Sorry about that!” clapped George, arriving before the trio, grabbing Everlong’s hand, shaking it. “It is great to see you!”

 

“You too, old friend!” laughed, patting his hand in return. “I did not expect to meet neither your son nor this old codger!” shook his head Everlong. 

 

“Me neither! He arrived just after my son came back! I have a hunch he was following him… hah! Politics are politics, no matter the participants! So, what can I do for you? You were pretty tight lipped in your messages!” clapped, looking at the two girls. 

 

“About that… let’s talk somewhere where… private.” looked around, watching the hall, decorated with old suits of armor, knowing they were… not empty.

 

“I see.” turned his face more serious before nodding. “To my study, then.”

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