CHAPTER 45: MEET OZIEL RADCLIFFE

Morning arrived with the team gathering in the common room for breakfast, the usual routine of planning their day while consuming cheap porridge and bread. The atmosphere was lighter than previous mornings, confidence building from successful recruitment of sources and Helena’s commitment to publishing their exposé.

"We should visit Elizabeth at the Temple today," Mariabel said between bites. "Helena needs her testimony about the Pope’s involvement and we need to explain what we’re asking before she commits to something that dangerous."

"Agreed," Raze said, though something in his gut twisted with unease he couldn’t quite identify. "The sooner we coordinate with all our sources the sooner Helena can complete verification and move to publication."

They finished eating and departed the Copper Rest together, navigating through morning crowds toward the Temple district. The capital was busy with its usual chaos of commerce and traffic, nothing immediately unusual drawing attention.

But as they walked Raze noticed something that made his Combat Reflex prickle with warning, guards wearing Lord Venn’s crest were scattered throughout the streets in numbers far exceeding normal patrol presence. They stood at intersections and near major buildings, watching crowds with professional assessment that suggested active surveillance rather than routine security.

"More guards than usual," Aslan observed quietly, his enhanced senses noting the same pattern. "Venn’s people are everywhere this morning."

"Probably increased security after whatever triggered his paranoia," Kael said dismissively. "Corrupt lords get nervous and overreact with shows of force, doesn’t necessarily mean they’re looking for us specifically."

Raze wanted to believe that but his Absolute Genius was connecting patterns that suggested otherwise, the guards weren’t just present but positioned strategically to observe traffic moving through the district, their attention focused on people rather than general security concerns.

They continued toward the Temple and the situation became more obvious as they approached, the usually busy entrance was experiencing significant traffic problems with long line of supplicants waiting to enter. Priests stood at the doors checking everyone who attempted entrance, their scrutiny far more intense than the casual verification that normally occurred.

Complaints rose from the waiting crowd, people protesting the delays and demanding to know why sudden security measures were being implemented without warning. The priests offered no explanations, just continued their methodical inspection of everyone seeking Temple access.

Raze’s unease crystallized into certainty as he observed the scene, this wasn’t routine security enhancement or random paranoia, this was coordinated response to specific threat. The guards throughout the district, the increased Temple security, the careful screening of everyone attempting entrance, it all pointed to someone hunting for specific targets.

And the timing was too perfect to be coincidence, they’d made contact with Elizabeth just days ago and now suddenly the Temple was locked down with Venn’s guards saturating the surrounding area.

"Stop," Raze said quietly, grabbing Mariabel’s arm before she could continue toward the Temple entrance. "We’re not going in there."

"What?" Mariabel turned to him with confusion. "We need to speak with Elizabeth, that’s the whole point of coming here."

"Something’s wrong," Raze said, his mind working through implications rapidly. "Look at the security, look at the guards, this isn’t normal Temple operations, something happened and they’re hunting for someone."

"You think they’re looking for us?" Kael asked skeptically.

"I think Elizabeth is in trouble," Raze said, certainty growing as pieces connected. "She helped us make contact with Lady Anastasia, she facilitated meetings between strangers and a noble woman whose husband is corrupt lord, if anyone discovered that connection she’d be vulnerable to retaliation."

"The Pope," Mariabel breathed, understanding dawning. "If the Temple leadership is protecting Venn’s interests like we suspect, then Elizabeth helping us would be seen as betrayal of institutional priorities."

"Exactly, and now the Temple is locked down with Venn’s guards everywhere," Raze said, pulling them away from the crowd. "We need to leave this area immediately before someone recognizes us from descriptions that might have been circulated."

They moved quickly but without obvious panic, navigating back through the district while avoiding direct sight lines with Venn’s guards. The tension was palpable as they maintained casual appearance despite the urgency driving their retreat.

Back at the Copper Rest they climbed to their room and locked the door, the temporary safety allowing them to discuss what they’d observed without fear of being overheard.

"Alright, explain your thinking," Kael said once they were secure. "Why are you certain Elizabeth is in trouble rather than this being unrelated security enhancement?"

"The timing is too perfect," Raze began, his Absolute Genius organizing the logical connections. "We made contact with Elizabeth five days ago, she facilitated our meeting with Lady Anastasia and knows about our investigation of Venn, now suddenly the Temple has extreme security and Venn’s guards are saturating the district."

"Someone discovered her involvement," Mariabel concluded. "Either through surveillance or because she was reported by Temple staff who noticed her unusual activities."

"And if the Pope is protecting Venn’s interests like we suspect, then Elizabeth’s cooperation with us would be seen as direct threat to that relationship," Raze continued. "She’s probably being held somewhere in the Temple, either imprisoned or worse, and they’ve locked down access to prevent anyone from reaching her."

"That’s speculation," Kael warned. "We don’t have proof Elizabeth is actually in danger versus this being unrelated development."

"My gut says she’s in trouble," Raze said firmly. "And if I’m right then we caused it by involving her in our investigation, we owe her help regardless of whether her testimony is important to our case."

Silence fell as they processed the implications, the moral weight of having potentially endangered someone who’d only tried to help a sick child settling heavy across their shoulders.

"So what do we do?" Aslan asked quietly. "We can’t just walk into the Temple and demand they release her if she’s being held, that would expose us completely and accomplish nothing except getting us captured too."

"We need help," Raze said, his mind already working through available resources. "Someone with enough power and authority to intervene in Temple affairs without being dismissed or eliminated, someone who has reason to oppose both Venn and corrupt religious leadership."

"Lady Anastasia," Mariabel said immediately. "She has resources and motivation to help, plus she knows people we don’t have access to."

"Exactly," Raze confirmed. "I need to go to her estate and explain the situation, see if she has contacts or leverage that could help extract Elizabeth from whatever situation she’s in."

"We should all go," Kael said. "More people means more ability to handle complications if things go wrong during the approach."

"No," Raze said firmly. "Venn’s guards are everywhere and they’re clearly looking for something, four young cultivators traveling together would draw exactly the kind of attention we’re trying to avoid, one person moving alone is far less conspicuous."

"That’s dangerous," Mariabel protested. "If something goes wrong you’d have no backup."

"And if we all get captured trying to move as group then Elizabeth gets no help at all," Raze countered. "This is the smart play even if it’s not the safe one, I go alone to minimize exposure and you three stay here ready to respond if I signal for assistance."

They argued for several more minutes but eventually Raze’s logic won out, the tactical advantages of solo movement outweighed the emotional desire to stay together. They established emergency signals and contingency plans if he failed to return within specified timeframe.

"Be careful," Mariabel said as Raze prepared to leave. "Lady Anastasia’s estate might also be under surveillance if they’ve connected her to our investigation."

"I’ll use the back approaches and avoid main routes," Raze assured her. "Anastasia showed me alternate entrance last time specifically for situations where discretion was necessary."

He departed the Copper Rest through the side exit, navigating through back streets and alleyways rather than main thoroughfares. The journey to Anastasia’s estate took longer using indirect routes but reduced his exposure to Venn’s patrols that were clearly hunting for something.

The estate’s perimeter showed increased guard presence when he finally approached, men watching the main gates with professional vigilance that suggested they’d been instructed to report all visitors. But Raze avoided the obvious entrance, instead circling to the eastern wall where Anastasia had shown him the concealed passage during their previous meeting.

The underground tunnel was exactly where she’d described, hidden entrance disguised as natural drainage that actually led beneath the estate walls. It was tight and uncomfortable and smelled like decades of accumulated moisture, but it worked, emerging in the gardens well inside the security perimeter.

Raze moved quickly through the cultivated landscape toward the manor house, staying low and using foliage for cover until he reached a service entrance. A guard stood nearby but appeared more focused on external threats than interior movement.

"I need to see Lady Anastasia," Raze said quietly, approaching the guard with hands visible and non-threatening. "It’s urgent and she’ll want to hear what I have to say."

The guard’s expression was wary but professional, clearly having received instructions about potential visitors. "Name and business?"

"Raze Dragonheart, she knows me, tell her it’s about the people who cured her son."

Recognition flickered in the guard’s eyes, apparently Anastasia had briefed her security about potential contacts. "Wait here," he said, moving to an interior door while another guard kept watch over Raze.

Minutes passed with tension building, Raze hyper-aware of his vulnerability standing exposed in the gardens while Venn’s forces hunted through the capital. Finally the guard returned with Lady Anastasia herself, her expression mixing concern and curiosity.

"Raze," she said, gesturing him inside quickly. "What’s happened? Why are you using the secret entrance?"

They moved to a private sitting room where they could talk without being overheard by staff or guards. Raze explained rapidly, detailing their observation of increased security, the Temple lockdown, and his conclusion that Elizabeth was in danger because of her cooperation with their investigation.

Anastasia’s expression darkened with each revelation, fury building as she processed what the Pope had likely done to the Temple sister who’d helped them. "I always knew Reginald was corrupt," she said, her voice tight with controlled rage. "But I didn’t realize he’d go this far to protect Venn’s operations, imprisoning or worse a member of his own Temple staff just for helping save a child."

"We need to get her out," Raze said. "Not just because her testimony is important to our case but because we’re responsible for putting her in danger, she helped us and now she’s paying the price."

"Agreed," Anastasia said without hesitation. "Elizabeth doesn’t deserve to suffer for doing the right thing, and we can’t let the Pope’s retaliation go unanswered."

"Do you have resources that could help?" Raze asked. "Someone with enough power or authority to intervene in Temple affairs without being dismissed or eliminated?"

Anastasia was quiet for moment, internal calculation visible in her expression. "I might," she said slowly. "There’s someone I’ve been helping recently, a man with significant combat capability who owes me debt for medical treatment I provided when no one else would."

"Who?" Raze pressed.

"He’s complicated," Anastasia warned. "Extremely skilled but difficult to control because of personal demons he struggles with, I found him recently in terrible condition and have been treating him while he recovered, he told me that whenever I needed repayment for my help I should ask and he would provide it."

She stood and gestured for Raze to follow, leading him through the manor’s halls toward the residential wing. "He hates himself for something he refuses to discuss," she continued. "Some sin or failure that’s consumed him with self-loathing, but his skills are genuine and when he’s sober he’s one of the most capable fighters I’ve ever seen."

They reached a door near the end of the corridor, Anastasia paused with her hand on the handle. "He’s been staying here while recovering from the condition I found him in, I’ve kept his presence quiet because I wasn’t sure when or if I’d need to call in the debt he owes me."

She opened the door to reveal a modest room with simple furnishings, a single occupant sitting near the window staring out at the gardens with distant expression. The man was perhaps late twenties with short dark hair and black eyes that held depths of pain and guilt, his face bore roughly trimmed beard that spoke to minimal attention to appearance.

He wore simple tunic and pants, practical clothing without decoration or style. A sword hung on his hip, the weapon looking well-maintained despite its owner’s otherwise disheveled state, the blade itself was extraordinary even at glance, craftsmanship that suggested master smith and user who understood true quality.

The man turned as they entered, his expression shifting from distant contemplation to polite attention. "Lady Anastasia," he said, his voice carrying hint of roughness like someone who’d spent too long not speaking. "I wasn’t expecting visitors."

"I’m calling in the debt you owe me," Anastasia said directly. "There’s someone who needs rescue from Temple imprisonment and you’re the only person I know with skills necessary to accomplish that."

The man’s eyes sharpened, interest replacing the distant pain that had occupied them moments before. "Temple imprisonment," he repeated. "That’s significant challenge, the Temple has excellent security and political protections that make direct assault complicated."

"I’m aware," Anastasia said. "But you told me when I needed your skills I should ask, so I’m asking, will you help rescue someone who doesn’t deserve to be imprisoned?"

The man stood, his movements carrying grace that spoke to extensive combat training and natural athleticism. He studied Raze with professional assessment, evaluating the young cultivator with eyes that had clearly seen significant violence.

"Who’s the target and why are they imprisoned?" he asked.

"Temple sister who helped investigate corruption," Raze explained. "She facilitated meetings between us and Lady Anastasia to help cure her son, now the Pope has likely imprisoned her to prevent her from testifying about his protection of a corrupt lord."

Something flickered in the man’s expression at the mention of corruption and protection, recognition or perhaps sympathy for someone punished for doing right thing. "And you want me to extract her from Temple custody despite the political complications that would create?"

"Yes," Anastasia said firmly. "You owe me for saving your life when you were barely conscious from drink and self-destruction, this is how you repay that debt."

The man’s jaw tightened at the reminder but he nodded slowly, acceptance settling over his features. "Alright, I’ll help extract your Temple sister, but I need details about the facility and security before planning approach."

"Thank you," Anastasia said with genuine relief. She turned to Raze. "Let me introduce you properly, this is the man who’ll help rescue Elizabeth."

She gestured to the swordsman who stood watching them with professional focus. "Raze Dragonheart, meet Oziel Radcliffe."

The name hit Raze like physical blow, his entire body freezing as his mind struggled to process what he’d just heard. Oziel Radcliffe. The Gallant Failed Knight. The man who would become the strongest swordsman across all twelve nations. The legendary fighter who trained Alex Dawnsblade himself in the game’s future timeline.

Standing right here in Lady Anastasia’s guest room, recovered from the drunken self-destruction that had consumed him after his disgrace, ready to help rescue Elizabeth from Temple imprisonment.

Raze’s carefully maintained composure shattered completely, his mouth opening and closing without sound as his Absolute Genius tried and failed to calculate the probability of this encounter. He’d been planning to search for Oziel eventually, to recruit him for training before anyone else recognized his potential, but finding him here already connected to their operation through Anastasia was beyond improbable.

"What the heck," Raze whispered, the eloquent response completely inadequate for the situation but the only words his shocked mind could produce.

Oziel’s eyebrow raised slightly at the reaction, confusion evident. "Do we know each other?" he asked carefully. "Your response suggests recognition but I don’t recall meeting you before."

Raze’s mind raced through explanations that wouldn’t reveal his game knowledge or reincarnation, trying to find rational reason for his extreme reaction to hearing that name. But nothing came, no clever explanation that would make sense without exposing secrets he couldn’t share.

Anastasia watched the exchange with growing concern. "Raze? Are you alright? You look like you’ve seen a ghost."

"I’m fine," Raze managed, forcing his voice to work despite the shock. "I’ve just heard stories about Oziel Radcliffe, didn’t expect to meet him here."

"Stories?" Oziel’s expression became guarded. "What kind of stories? My reputation was destroyed when I failed my lord, most people who know my name consider me disgrace rather than someone worth telling stories about."

The bitterness in his voice was evident, the self-loathing Anastasia had mentioned clear in every word. This was the broken version of Oziel, the man consumed by guilt over failure that hadn’t actually been his fault, years away from becoming the legendary swordsman who would train heroes.

But the potential was there, Raze could see it in his posture and the way he carried that sword, in the professional assessment of threat and the combat-trained awareness of surroundings. This man was already exceptionally skilled, he just didn’t believe it anymore after whatever had destroyed his confidence.

"We can discuss my reputation later," Oziel said, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "Right now we should focus on planning the Temple extraction, time is critical if your source is imprisoned."

Raze nodded, forcing himself back to the immediate crisis despite the shock of this encounter. Elizabeth needed rescue and Oziel was offering to help, the implications of meeting the future legendary swordsman could be processed later after they’d saved the woman who’d helped them.

But as they began discussing extraction plans and Temple security, Raze’s mind continued spinning with the impossibility of this coincidence and what it meant for everything he’d been planning.

The game had just changed in ways he couldn’t have predicted.

And standing before him was living proof that fate had patterns beyond his ability to control or anticipate.

The question was whether this unexpected convergence would help or complicate everything they were trying to accomplish.

Only time would tell.