CHAPTER 199: CHAPTER 199 - SCHEMES

Lucien and Marie stepped out of their room, chatting lightly. Their expressions relaxed after a long week.

Unexpectedly, they found Eirene in the lobby, seated across from the innkeeper. The two engaged in a quiet conversation.

As soon as Lucien and Marie appeared, both women turned toward them.

Eirene stood with her usual serene smile. "Good day, Wolf Brother and Sister."

Lucien and Marie returned the greeting politely.

Lucien tilted his head. "Miss Eirene, are you here to ask for our answer?"

But Eirene shook her head patiently. "Actually, I came for something else..."

The three of them took seats around a nearby table. The innkeeper soon approached with a tray, setting down three steaming cups of Tranquil Bloom Tea. It’s a fragrant, pale-blue brew said to calm the mind and ease the flow of mana.

As the gentle aroma filled the air, Eirene’s smile faded into seriousness.

"I must ask the two of you," she began quietly, "please don’t leave the city for now. Something... has happened."

Lucien and Marie exchanged glances. Their relaxed expressions vanished.

Lucien leaned forward slightly. "What happened?"

Eirene’s tone was calm but her gaze was sharp.

"Three days ago, the sects of Nephralis and Varkhaal set up camp around Aurion. They’ve begun attacking travelers entering or leaving the city... and they’ve even sent spies inside our walls."

Both Lucien and Marie tensed.

Marie frowned. "For what reason?"

Eirene looked at them for a moment... before she spoke again. "They’re searching for two humans. A man and a woman."

Her gaze lingered on them deliberately.

"You wouldn’t happen to know who they are, would you?"

Lucien met her gaze evenly. His expression didn’t waver. He chose his words carefully before answering.

"Humans, you say? I thought the Celestial Race already took all surviving humans under their care. Are these sects... simply trying to stir trouble?"

Eirene exhaled softly, studying him. "Perhaps. And even if those humans were indeed here, senior Dawnbinder wouldn’t hand them to those vile sects."

She sighed and continued. "Senior Dawnbinder has already refused to grant them entry. It goes against his creed. He’ll never allow bloodshed or chaos in his city. But he also can’t retaliate openly. Things are... not that simple."

Lucien’s brows furrowed. "Then... is there something deeper behind their actions?"

Eirene nodded slowly. "Yes. Have you heard of the Origin Core Fragments?"

Lucien and Marie both nodded calmly.

Eirene’s expression darkened. "A traveler was captured by the Nephralis sect but managed to escape using a talisman. He reported something alarming to Senior Dawnbinder. Apparently, the two humans they’re hunting allegedly stole their sect’s fragments."

The table fell silent... until an unmistakable "pfft" broke through it.

All eyes turned to Marie.

She froze. "...Meow? I mean, woof!"

Eirene raised a brow. "Do you know something about this, Sister Wolf?"

Lucien’s gaze sharpened, cutting to her.

Marie coughed, waving dismissively. "Sorry, sorry. It’s just... that story sounds absurd. Two humans stealing something that valuable, right under their noses? What are those sects even doing? Hosting tea parties?"

Even Eirene couldn’t help a small smile.

"Never underestimate humans, Sister. They may be fragile but they have a knack for the impossible. And I can personally confirm the story’s authenticity." Her gaze softened though her tone stayed firm. "After all, I can tell when someone lies."

At that, Lucien and Marie couldn’t help but gulp.

For a heartbeat, the table went still. Lucien and Marie exchanged quiet looks... neither daring to respond.

Eirene’s tone shifted again. "Regardless, you’re safe here. Senior Dawnbinder would never allow harm to come to Aurion. His oath binds his soul itself. And if a true criminal hid within these walls, he’d cast them out personally. He is fair... and terrifyingly impartial. But as you know, the true villains are those sects."

She paused, letting her words sink in.

"The only reason he hasn’t gone out to confront them is because he knows what they’re trying to do. The Nephralis and Varkhaal are setting a trap."

Lucien’s gaze sharpened. "A trap?"

Eirene nodded. "Think about it. They know Dawnbinder’s nature. They know his creed forbids indifference to suffering. So why stay camped outside his walls? Why insist the fugitives are here, without a shred of proof... instead of searching elsewhere?"

Marie blinked. "Wait... you mean—"

Lucien caught on. "They’re baiting him."

Eirene’s lips curved slightly. "Exactly. It’s refreshing to speak with sharp minds. Yes, they intend to frame him. The moment Senior Dawnbinder leaves his dominion to strike them, they’ll accuse him of being the thief. The stolen fragments, the fugitives, the chaos... everything will point back to him."

Her voice dropped lower.

"After all... who would believe that two insignificant humans managed to steal from two mighty sects? But if the name ’Dawnbinder’ is involved, even falsehood sounds plausible."

Lucien leaned back with a thoughtful sigh escaping him. "Clever. And dangerous. How is senior Dawnbinder?"

Eirene nodded. "Indeed. He’s staying calm for now, refusing to take their bait. If he acts rashly, it’s not just travelers who will suffer... but the entire city, and perhaps even his soul oath itself."

The three sat in silence for a while.

Marie clenched her fists. "Those scheming bastards... I hate people like that."

Lucien turned to her then back to Eirene. "So what should we do?"

"For now," Eirene said gently, "stay within the city until things settle. Senior Dawnbinder will handle the rest."

Marie groaned, crossing her arms. "So basically, stay put and sip tea while the world burns?"

Eirene smiled faintly, raising her cup of Tranquil Bloom Tea. "Sometimes, little sister, patience is the sharpest blade."

Lucien looked at his cup, smirking slightly. "Then I hope this tea’s as sharp as she says."

Marie snorted. "If it is, I’ll need another cup."

Eirene chuckled softly. "You two are truly amusing companions. Even in troubled times, you stay composed."

Lucien and Marie exchanged a glance.

’If only she knew...’

...

Silence lingered over the table long after their laughter faded. Only the soft curl of steam from the Tranquil Bloom Tea broke the stillness.

Lucien’s fingers tapped lightly against his cup. His eyes were distant.

He wasn’t just thinking about the sects outside... He was thinking about what to do next.

’This entire mess... started because of us.’

Lucien was now troubled. He and Marie were the humans the Nephralis and Varkhaals hunted. Yet no one suspected it. Their beastman forms concealed their truth perfectly.

But even if no one knew, that didn’t erase the cause.

’If Dawnbinder’s city is dragged into this because of us, then we owe him more than silence.’

Lucien’s gaze sharpened.

"Miss Eirene," he called out suddenly. "I may have an idea."

Eirene looked up from her cup as curiosity flickered in her eyes. "An idea?"

Lucien nodded. "The sects outside... They’re searching for an excuse to paint senior Dawnbinder guilty. So let’s take that excuse away."

Marie leaned forward, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"Let them in," Lucien said simply.

Both women blinked.

Eirene’s brows furrowed slightly. "You mean... allow the Nephralis and Varkhaals to enter Aurion?"

Lucien met her gaze steadily. "Yes. If they’re truly searching for fugitives, then give them the chance. Under strict conditions, of course. Limited numbers, no disturbance to citizens, or whatever you see fits."

He sipped his tea before continuing.

"If they refuse, their motives become obvious to all. If they accept, they lose the freedom to act as they please. Either way, they’re trapped."

Eirene’s lips parted slightly, surprise flickering before amusement replaced it. "You think... like someone who’s lived far too long, Brother Wolf."

Marie smirked. "That’s a fancy way of saying he’s manipulative."

Lucien shot her a flat look. "I prefer strategic."

Eirene chuckled softly, then nodded with approval. "A clever idea indeed. You would turn their own deceit against them. Senior Dawnbinder will certainly want to hear this."

Marie tilted her head. "And if they actually agree?"

Lucien’s eyes gleamed faintly. "Then we move to the next step. It will be our turn to act, Marie."

Eirene noticed the shift in his tone. The kind that hinted he already had a second plan. But she didn’t pry. "Very well. I’ll bring this to Senior Dawnbinder. It may finally force the truth into the open."

Lucien bowed his head slightly. "That’s all I ask."

The three sat in quiet understanding. Outside, faint bells rang through the city. The evening hour. And somewhere beyond Aurion’s walls, the two great sects stirred restlessly in their camps.

They wouldn’t know it yet... but their trap had just been reversed.

Eirene left soon after, heading to deliver Lucien’s proposal.

•••

By the time the next dawn rose, the city was already whispering. Word spread that Dawnbinder had extended an official decree to the two sects camping outside.

He allowed them to enter Aurion under watch. The news struck the Nephralis and Varkhaals like thunder.

Inside their joint command tent, tension buzzed like static.

The peak Ascendant Realm Nephralis slammed his fist on the table. "That Dawnbinder... He has seen through our plans! He’s allowing us to enter his city? Ha! Do they take us for fools?"

His Varkhaal peer beside him, hissed low. "And if we refuse? The world will know. Dawnbinder’s decree has already reached everyone’s ears. Refusal means admitting deceit."

Silence fell.

If they accepted, their claws would be bound by Aurion’s laws.

If they refused, the others would question everything they claimed.

For a long time, no one spoke.

Then the Nephralis leader stood slowly. His tone was icy calm.

"We accept. But..." he smirked thinly, "we won’t leave empty-handed."