"I don’t know," the young fisherman said, scratching the back of his head. "I think it’s a woman or something."
The older man sputtered. "A woman?" He turned to the young fisherman and pulled him back. "Boy, what’s wrong with you? That’s a Mermaid!"
"It’s not—"
The young fisherman’s protests were interrupted as the figure in the net jerked. A young woman stood up, tearing the seaweed and the fishes off her with her one remaining arm. Blood dripped off the stump on her left, as the broken mana crystals fell off her torn and tattered clothing.
The two men backed up as red lines formed throughout her body. Her eyes flashed with fury.
"I’ll kill her. Goddess damn me if that isn’t the last thing I do!"
Chapter 38: Interlude V - The Emperor
The Fiend has a daughter. She has the potential to become a bigger threat than the Fiend herself. Send Inquisitors to my location.
— Saintess Lilith
It was morning when the message reached the Xan Palace. It came as an encrypted message. Not that it mattered since it immediately spread quickly throughout the military wing— by the time it reached the Xavier’s ears, everyone important had already heard about it.
Well, everyone that was important excluding Xavier himself. It could be argued that he was the most important individual not just in the Xan Palace or the Holy Xan Empire, but the entire world. Not that he thought of himself that way. But it could not be disputed that he was the Emperor of the largest and most powerful nation in the world.
Regardless, the message reached him last, and when he read it, he spat out his drink.
"The Fiend has a what?"
"A daughter, your majesty," Emlen— his Steward— said.
Xavier rose from his seat, putting down the cup of tea back onto its saucer as he wiped himself down. "And you’re sure this is true?" he asked.
"Yes, your majesty." Emlen’s facial expression did not change as the Emperor straightened his uniform, trying to appear more befitting of his imperial station. "The telegraph was not only written in code that only high ranked officials would know, but attached with the special designation Saintess Lilith was assigned for her most recent mission. It has been verified by Saint Justin to be legitimate."
Placing one hand on his chin, Xavier began pacing back and forth as he considered the implication of this. Bigger threat than the Fiend? he thought, furrowing his brows. That’s dangerous.
It wasn’t an Empire-ending kind of a danger. If the Fiend and her many accomplices such as the Imp, the Nuckelavee, and the rest of the Shadow’s Evangelium failed to topple the Holy Xan Empire, a single girl shouldn’t either. No, the threat here came from what she could possibly do if she gathered powerful allies.
Currently, the Dark Crusaders were barely in the radar of the Empire. Not only were they located in the continent of Vitae— across the world— but the Holy Xan Empire was currently engaged with… a more troublesome problem.
Xavier’s eyes flickered as his gaze found the report lying on his desk. It was the most recent report on the team of Inquisitors led by Saint Noelle against the Cult. And from what was detailed in the report— they were all dead.
It was a terrible loss to the Empire. A tragedy that would have to be announced at a later date— when people weren’t as panicked over the Abominations that came from the same group that killed Noelle.
And while Xavier had met him before, it was only through his reputation that Xavier knew he was a kind man. He was not the most powerful Saint, nor the most well known one. But still a kind man. It made Xavier’s heart ache knowing such a man died when it could have been prevented. Perhaps if Theron did not fail...
Xavier paused. He turned to his Steward, standing back straight to the side. "Was Saint Theron not the one who slew the Fiend half a year ago?"
"Indeed he was, your majesty," Emlen said, bowing his head slightly. "I believe it was during his pursuit of the Cult where he found the Fiend hiding in a small village on the outskirts of the Rem Republic, although I can find further details about this encounter if you wish it."
"No, that’s fine Emlen." The Emperor shook his head. "I am sure I would recall a mention of a daughter, had such a thing been brought up."
The Steward raised an eyebrow. "Do you suspect that Saint Theron omitted this information, your majesty?"
"Perhaps," Xavier said, rubbing his chin. Finding his coat and donning it, the Emperor combed his white hair back with his hand and strode around his desk. "I will bring this issue up with the Church. Inform the Grand Inquisitor and all the relevant nobles that there will be a meeting tonight. We will discuss this issue there. Otherwise, ensure that speculation remains at a minimum. There has been enough instability within the nobility as of late."
"As you wish." Taking a step back, Emlen bowed as Xavier passed him. The two Sacred Guards behind him held the grand double doors open as the Emperor left the room. "And may I inquire as to where you are headed, your majesty?"
"To speak with Saint Justin. I desire his counsel."
Xavier walked through the halls of the palace, drawing eyes from those who saw him. It was not unusual for the Emperor himself to make an appearance in his own palace, but this was not his palace. Well, it was not his part of the palace.
Currently, Xavier was in the religious wing of the palace. The Xan Palace was not just a single structure reserved solely for him. Rather, it was split into four quadrants: the imperial wing where the Emperor presided, the
