Repentance

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Chapter 54

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Cyan's eyes flashed open after getting another vision of the future, sweating profusely at the impending downfall of the Empire but also at the scale of magnitude that would result in a new age where a man's death would change the entire world in its wake.

Gasping in fright of what she had just seen, she couldn't fathom the full details of the vision as it wasn't clear in what she exactly witnessed, but she knew that the empire was in grave danger—more precisely, the capital city itself. For if this man she saw in her mind would come, then the fall of their great empire would become reality.

Dropping her bag, she nervously paces around in the quiet library with only her anxious display and a book Cyan is holding in her left hand. "What have I seen?" Her fists start to shake uncontrollably when the memory about a crucified corpse of a tortured man begins to haunt her thoughts.

She devoted herself to becoming a follower of Zodther and learning the magic that this world has to offer. However, what she witnessed was something serious. An event so big that it might lead the entire empire to ruin and many more countries thereafter if not handled properly.

Stopping in her tracks, she looked down at her feet with contemplation; the vision of the future wasn't bad but actually a good thing. If Cyan had allowed this to transpire without telling the queen, then that young man could bring an end to the current era and possibly a beginning to a new age where harmony could be finally achieved.

Although her faith in the current government isn't the best as she only cared more about the knowledge they have, it still doesn't take away the fact that the Queen has been merciful enough to allow Cyan to research everything she wants, whether it is the books, materials, or tools required for her studies.

Part of her duty is to uphold it, but is it morally right to continue this regime? The people under Cinder's rule are suffering greatly due to greed, exploitation, mismanagement, and favoritism. People are suffering a lot, to the point that it makes them become criminals themselves to survive, while the rich become wealthier than ever before.

The thought of her continuing this is wrong. No, she couldn't just let it happen. "I must warn her; if she can do something to prevent their empire from falling to ruin, then the books here will never be gone." Taking deep breaths for the final time, she regained her composure as her gaze steeled with resolve to correct her mistakes.

Lifting her head up, she scanned around the library, where Cyan could learn as much as she wanted regarding the arcane arts from historical books containing knowledge about past eras in regards to the time when The Dark Lord tried to invade their continent many years ago.

There is a vast collection of books that extends over thousands of shelves filled with tomes, scrolls, and parchments written by renowned scholars, philosophers, and magicians from all over the world. The shelves seem to go on for miles, and the ceiling is painted with intricate patterns of different colors that resemble the four gods of order.

Anyone working for the Empire is allowed to come in and borrow books for as long as they like, and if they wanted to, they could even buy the book. The smell of leather and parchment fills their nostrils, and the soft candlelight casts shadows around the room.

Many tables and chairs are scattered around, where scholars and students study or discuss various topics ranging from philosophy and magic to religion and history. Lanterns and chandeliers hang from the ceiling, illuminating the spacious interior.

Plants and trees decorate the corners of the walls and bookshelves. The floor is tiled with marble and adorned with various rugs. It's a beautiful place to read or just spend their day in, as the very ambience of the place is simply wonderful.

Not many people are here today due to the fact that most were not taught to read or write letters, which is mostly done by those of noble birth or scholars; that is, everyone else usually prefers to find a place outside where there's fresh air.

Large shelves of books tower over her, filled with different titles and author names. After being taken by the general, she spent hours upon hours reading them, discovering how vast this world can be, how diverse its people are, and how the history of the land itself can be interesting despite the violent and tragic events they have endured.

Sighing exhaustively, Cyan couldn't continue admiring this wonderful sight and proceeded to make her way towards the exit, passing through the dozens of shelves and tables with open books where other people were reading. All the while carrying the leather book she recently picked up.

Just then, a firmly metal hand touched the back of her shoulder, making her almost scream in fright as she instinctively turned around while taking a few steps away from whoever tapped her on the back. "Who are you!?" She yelled out in panic when her eyes widened upon the discovery of being greeted by a familiar knight.

"Long time no see, kid," Gus awkwardly replied back, scratching the back of his own head while averting eye contact with the magician. "Where are you headed, by the way?" Trying his best to not make this any more uncomfortable than it should be.

Raising her brow, she became puzzled why one of the general's closest friends and allies was looking for her, although she began to expect the reason, "You wanted to hear my latest vision of the future again?" Cyan wasted no time in guessing what the man intended to ask.

Closing his eyes in remorse of hearing what she had said, "I'm not here to bother you about it; I came here in asking you about something else." Despite the discomfort of the subject, he slowly opened them to reveal a glint of determination: "Do you think we should report this vision of yours to the queen?" He questioned the little girl in front of him.

That was a rather odd way he was saying it; she never saw him actually questioning anyone regarding the situation but only following orders or requests given to him by the queen herself. On the other hand, what he proposed to her is completely out of the ordinary, for Gus had never done something like this before.

He is the type of man who is loyal to the Empire he has served for so long, going out of his way to ensure Cinder's goals are fulfilled, even if it means killing his enemies by brutal means. Hence, hearing him say this in a doubtful tone was alarming, to say the least.

"You are asking me whether I should tell her what I saw?"

She was baffled by this sudden request. The two rarely see each other and are only known acquaintances; their only meetings were mostly due to how useful she was to them in regards to seeing the future; hence, they work together at times, but that is as far as it is.

As the armored brute nodded, he took a step forward to Cyan and said in resoluteness, "You and I both know that the Empire is corrupted beyond saving. This kingdom's system has broken and it is rotting away. People are currently in unrest to feed the queen's selfish desire to get everything she wants while innocent civilians are dying in vain for nothing at all," his expression hardens as his eyes are filled with conflict.

His words are a slap in the face as she heard them, for she, too, knew about this and is also troubled by the issues the Empire faces every day. She wishes it would get better, but knowing so many evil men and women are running the show is not in her favor of improving the nation and its people.

The system itself is broken—a cruel, ugly, unjust, and unfair system that only benefits the wealthy. In truth, she never cared about it in the first place. Its the library they have provided for her to read and take knowledge at the cost of ignoring all the suffering people deal with on a daily basis, which she saw as insignificant compared to the limitless possibilities of learning something new.

Shaking her head, "my stance on the state everyone is in is not my concern; it is knowledge alone that matters in my eyes." She closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them once more with no emotions present in them whatsoever behind her glasses.

Her cold words struck Gus; it was uncomfortable to hear this from a child in all places: "You don't care at all about innocent lives that are being slaughtered and ruined?" His frown deepened by a noticeable margin of disappointment at her reply.

Shrugging nonchalantly, "not really; I don't wish to be involved in conflicts of the masses; wars and struggles are not my thing. Books and magic are the only things that have importance in my eyes." She uttered these words as if it were no big deal: "So what is it to me if the Empire fell as long as I still have access to an unlimited source of information that can benefit me in the future?" She is coldly chuckling as she stares into Gus' eyes, challenging him to argue any further.

Expressing discomfort upon listening to the girl's reasoning, he glanced down onto his feet for a brief moment before looking up to see hundreds of books laying around the shelves of their walls as he recalled how he became one of the long-lasting knights who served this kingdom faithfully to the end.

He and his fellow soldiers have worked so hard to bring order to the citizens, having fought countless battles against both the rebels and monsters alike in order to maintain peace. And yet, it turns out all of it was for nothing when Midas daughter took over as the new ruler.

His eyes lifted up at the ceiling, remembering his own brutal beating of an innocent man. Seth did something to him after he himself lost; it wasn't physical pain, mental pain, or even emotional pain. What the young man inflicted on Gus was far worse when he showed him a mirror.

For the first time, he felt guilty about the things he had done. Perhaps he is beginning to have a change of heart after arguing with Solana; maybe it was because he met the holy man on their journey to the village. Nonetheless, the image of that man's broken body is enough to make him consider his life choices.

"I'm going to report the queen about my vision," she said without much hesitation while putting her finger on the bridge of her glasses as she started to fix them. "My place is to serve her as token of allowing me to stay here, and that's what I'm going to." Straight to the point and lacking emotion for girl in her age, despite how young she is.

As she turned around, prepared to leave the library altogether, Gus hastily called her name, causing Cyan to turn and stop just to stare at him in response. "I'll come with you," he nervously asked, conflict were shown in his eyes as they remained firm. "Just in case something happens, please let me come along with you to meet the queen."

On one hand, he is loyal; on the other, he is deathly afraid of Cinder for who she is. Their queen is not a normal human like she used to be; rather, she is a depraved creature that hides inside the form of a beautiful woman and has no problem displaying such cruelty to others when angered.

One wrong move can get them in serious trouble. And seeing a kid confronting a monster would upset his superior greatly, for the general always occupies the girl whenever Cyan needs to report something related to her ability to see the future. Without Solana, Cyan would be seriously hurt or, worse, killed.

She turned around; confusion sprung into her face as the child took a few steps forward while cautiously approaching the knight before tilting her head curiously and asking, "Why?" Unable to understand his intentions of accompanying her in meeting the Queen, it was rather unexpected and surprising to hear out from him of all people.

"You don't know what kind of person she is; she's not like you and me. She's a cruel, twisted monster that loves toying with people for her own amusement," he whispered his warnings in low volume to avoid anyone hearing them. "She's a vile woman and intolerant of people who question her authority."

Cyan narrowed her brows when he spoke of those insults of their queen; she frowned in displeasure at his statements alone. "It is going to be fine. Solana, and I always visit her. Cinder seems to be reasonable." Her voice didn't change, but there is a certain disbelief in them that he can clearly feel.

Seeing her reaction, Gus was deeply troubled and frustrated. He wanted to also explain how she is a manipulative person but decided against it: "Just let me occupy you in case anyone tries to harm you. You'll be under my protection while we get to her private quarters." His suggestion was sincere, which made her finally accept it in defeat.

"Fine..."

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by 3 Armored Kittens · Prodromos v.1.1 - World Anvil 0.9.15.043 © 2017-2024 [en] | Anvil Time: 12:55, Dec 27 2024