Between Two Souls , Chapter 21
Vernus grabbed John by the shoulder, his face filled with disbelief.
"Wait! Just hold on a moment! What do you mean by minimizing the Zelestrian invasion? Don't you have all the technology needed to stop them? I mean—your rifles! Those things can fire projectiles that pierce through armor in rapid succession! You should be mass-producing them to put an end to this war! What do you mean by 'minimize'?!"
Vernus was firmly convinced that the Ancestor Order could help Arestiana—or any other kingdom—win a war easily, thanks to their superior technology.
John turned around, his temper beginning to flare.
"It's not that simple, Vernus! Have you forgotten what happens when we expose Earth's technology too openly? Many of our agents have been killed—five of them were trained by you. Did you forget that? You yourself nearly died trying to save Erika."
"But this war will take far more lives than just a few of our agents. You weren't always like this. You used to be so... direct. Attacking with everything we had."
"I KNOW! I SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT!"
John brushed Vernus' hand off his shoulder and shouted, admitting his past mistakes.
Vernus was taken aback by the change in John's leadership style. John locked eyes with him this time, determined to explain the flaw in Vernus' logic.
"In theory, yes, we could defeat them. But mass-producing firearms requires knowledge, materials, and vast space. We are a group of scientists, engineers, and specialists—but we are not omniscient. Our knowledge has its limits. Perhaps some among us do know how to build those rifles in theory—but in practice, that takes highly complex machinery. And to make that machinery, we need other machines first. Then we need skilled laborers to operate them, and a large enough area for full-scale production. This kingdom simply doesn't have that yet."
"So... what? Are we just going to sit here and do nothing?" Vernus asked, frustrated.
"Of course not. We'll fight back more strategically," John said, pulling out a scroll and handing it to him. "Take these blueprints for advanced cannons, muskets, and mortars. Give them to the artillery blacksmiths of House Adrestia. And remember—only the smiths led by Damar the Dwarf. Not the Hermann family."
"I know that dwarf, but what's wrong with House Hermann?" Vernus asked as he accepted the scroll, tucking it into his belt.
"They can't be trusted," John said grimly. "They've been secretly selling weapons to unknown buyers. This all happened while you were inactive. My agents managed to sabotage a few of the trades and gather intel. The weapons they sold? Cannons and muskets. At least some of them were damaged before they could change hands."
Vernus began to speculate as well.
"Is it possible… that some members of the royal family are conspiring behind the king's back?"
"Whatever the case, we must keep our eyes and ears wide open. Now, it's up to you—either join the briefing with me, or deliver the blueprints now. This is the only type of weapon we can mass-produce at the moment," said John, his voice steady.
"And what would I miss if I didn't come along?" Vernus asked.
"As usual, the briefing will be sent to each agent's phone. Though, of course, you won't be able to ask questions directly," John replied as he turned and walked toward the briefing room.
"Very well, then. I'll deliver these blueprints instead. By the way—who sabotaged the Hermann family's illegal weapons shipment?" Vernus called out.
John paused, glanced over his shoulder, and gave a faint smile.
"You can probably guess."
"Hmph, it must've been Erika…" Vernus muttered.
With that, he exited the headquarters, carrying the latest weapon schematics with pride. There was a quiet satisfaction in his steps—knowing that his pupil had completed such a dangerous mission successfully. Now, he needed to hurry to meet the dwarf who would forge these new weapons.
Back inside the base, John made his way toward the briefing room. At the corridor, he was joined by Mark, who had just come from the library.
"That old man in the turban was right… my methods were too frontal," John murmured.
"You mean Ibrahim? Our leader?" Mark asked.
John chuckled. "Of course, Mark. I don't know… I miss that old man sometimes. Alright—gather Father Peter, Blake, Andros, and Bridgette in the briefing room."
"Andros? That android bartender? You're going to reprogram him?" Mark brushed aside his long hair, revealing a puzzled expression.
"Yes. I'll reprogram him to act as a security robot. Since we'll be actively outside during the war, someone—or something—needs to guard this place. I'll upgrade him and arm him as well."
Mark understood immediately and left to gather the others, while John began preparing the materials and tools for the upcoming briefing.
".................."
Meanwhile, Adrien and Vino emerged from a hidden passageway of The Order's base. The area surrounding the entrance was a dilapidated slum, but waiting outside were their horses. Vino explained that Erika had brought their mounts there earlier.
They both mounted and began their journey toward the Adrestian royal palace. Along the way, they passed villagers and townsfolk—some still casting judgmental glances toward them. The past still lingered painfully in people's hearts, especially over the fact that a prince had married an elf.
Adrien noticed Vino was anxious. In response, he guided his horse closer, riding side by side with her.
Thankfully, the palace was not too far. Soon, they reached the first gate of the fortress atop the hill that surrounded the castle. The road spiraled upward.
"My husband…" Vino called softly.
"Yes?" Adrien replied gently.
"You once printed a picture using that box-shaped device, didn't you?"
"You mean the computer at the base? Yes, I still keep it in my room," Adrien replied.
"That painting was done by someone from Earth, right? Doesn't that mean you were popular there? How did you become famous?" Vino asked with curiosity.
"Uhhhh… I don't really know. Somehow it just happened. But it was cool," Adrien said. "Though sadly, I can't just show it to my friends freely."
"Friends? Do you mean our friends from school back then?"
"Yes, and I also made new ones from the orphanage. Some of them came from faraway places… though many of them were forced to come here. Most of them were slaves."
"Do you still meet them often, Adrien?"
"Ever since I became active in the royal court, I rarely see them. I visit now and then, though."
"Taking on new responsibilities can be difficult. Adrien… do you have any plans for when you eventually ascend the throne?"
"I expect that my coronation will be a difficult day—war is already on the horizon. So I'm not hoping for much. But as for you… I'm thinking of building you a private laboratory and founding an alchemical company, one that develops medicine for various diseases. Our kingdom is in decline when it comes to healthcare."
"Really? I mean, thank you! That's truly my dream. But… will the people accept me?"
"Once you prove yourself, yes, they will. As Erika once said, people eventually come to realize the truth. I believe that."
"Thank you… But actually, that's not the thing I want the most. Can I ask for one more thing? It's been my dream for a long time. It's not expensive or anything… hehe…"
Vino blushed and smiled shyly as she prepared to say it.
"What is it you want?" Adrien turned to her, curious.
"Can I talk… as much as I want? You won't get mad, right? I've always felt happy just knowing someone is willing to listen to me."
Adrien was silent for a moment, puzzled by his wife's unusual request.
"Of course. I love hearing you talk…"
"Really? HORRAY!" she exclaimed with joy.
"Of course. So, what do you want to talk about?" Adrien asked, mentally preparing himself for whatever might follow.
"Uhhh, where do I start? OOH! Did you know? Bridgette actually had a boyfriend. She was going to marry him. But then he suddenly disappeared without a trace. She waited for him for so long… until she nearly gave up. That's why she's now focusing more on the restaurant and The Order. Oh! Do you want to hear about my past, the one I never told anyone back in school?"
Adrien turned to her and nodded.
"Great! So, did you know… I was actually abandoned as a baby in front of the Celje family's home. My step-father, Chriesa Celje, took me in during a heavy storm. He taught me so much. He saw my potential in chemistry and physics. I experimented with many things, and that's why he let me play in his lab. He raised me… even though my stepsisters and my mother hated me. One of them even threw something into my right eye—so badly that I almost went blind. That's why I cover my right eye with my hair. He took care of me until… well, just a few months ago, before he passed away."
"O-oh… I'm sorry…" Adrien's expression turned somber upon hearing her story.
"It's alright… That's the past. Now, I have you."
Vino smiled and quickly changed the subject. "Oh! I want to talk about some of my experiments. You know? Lately I've been studying gunpowder and some of the weapons used by the kingdom. I've been trying to figure out how to make muskets and cannons shoot more accurately over long distances. So, yap yap yap yap yap…"
(Vino continued talking endlessly without running out of energy.)
She went on and on about various things during their ride up toward the palace. Adrien, although he didn't catch everything, still managed to respond and keep up with his hyperactive wife. After several minutes of riding, they arrived at the palace courtyard. Even after dismounting and walking into the palace, Vino was still talking. But Adrien didn't mind her chatter at all.
From far above, on the roof of the palace, Spectre—the mercenary—sat silently, watching from the shadows. He was waiting for the right time to meet the prince.
Meanwhile, Adrien and his wife walked through the halls, approaching the throne room to meet his father. Adrien mentally prepared himself. He knew this moment would be difficult, and the news he carried… might not be easy to hear.
.........…To Be Continued.........…