Chapter 34 ❆ Nemeria

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After bringing back the kid to the Temple, my relationship with the Vertvaldenians housed alongside us improved by a huge leap. I tried to say I hadn't been of much help, but they insisted on showering me with gratitude in place of the actual guy who helped the kid.

Having inadvertently stolen credit from Black Flame, I felt very guilty.

Later on, I was told the child was called Oleyn.

The fact that I also brought back some bread further ingratiated myself with everyone. It was a startling development, one that I didn't expect would actually happen.

I could glean Mistress Kora was very proud. Mistress Veronika too. They had been urging me to connect with them for a long time, but I had a phobia of large crowds. I could tolerate the fear, but I wasn't very comfortable. These folks were very community-centric, which posed a very big challenge for me.

"Evy. Evyionne. Such a good child," said the old lady. "You come and eat with us, ah? So many fresh things here."

"Thank you, grandma." With flushed cheeks, I stepped forward to partake in the meal.

I admit to being a shy soul. I never really had the confidence nor courage to step forward and forge a better relationship with them. What more, I didn't have the guts to accept their kindness considering they were not living well, but I also didn't have the heart to turn down their sincerity.

I suppose these reasons were among the few as to why Elion was so hesitant in asking for my help. But now, I knew where he was coming from.

Having to live the way they did—helpless about the local language and culture...I couldn't even imagine half of it. What I saw today was only a fraction of the sufferings they have gone through.

As I dug into the bowl of foreign cuisine, I felt warmth and connection that I never realized I was missing. A sense of familiarity...a way to have my questions answered. It was a step closer to my origins.

This emptiness—I suddenly realized it was there. My mother's death had left a hole in my heart. Though I was very contented with the company of my mistresses, nothing would beat the presence of blood-related kin.

I would have the chance to find out more about my birth parents. It was just a matter of planning out how to do so.

The prospect of getting some clues made me very nervous. I thought of bringing it up many times, but I never actually had the heart to do it.

I was scared.

"Elion asked me a favor," I said, stirring my bowl of hot stew. "I have been learning to speak Sarenillian with him for a while."

"It doesn't seem so. You've gotten a tight grasp of it," said one of the elders.

"Language is my forte," I replied with a smile. "Also...I have been reading up on books from Vertvalden for a while. My...mistresses used to buy them for me all the time. I love books. And I love learning.

"I never really got to see either of my parents and I don't get anything other than what I see in the books, so..."

I bit down on my lip, lowering my eyes to evade the pervasive gaze of the old matriarch. She was the oldest and wisest among the community here. People looked to her for guidance.

"What troubles you, child?" the matriarch asked.

"I..."

"Is it about your origins?" she asked.

I looked up and nodded.

"After we finish eating, why don't you come to my tent later and tell me what you have about your parents?" She gazed into my eyes searchingly. "Or do you not know anything?"

"I do know something. I was left a token of them when I was young..."

"Then you come to me later and we can talk about it, okay?" she offered. "For now, let's eat. What is that favor that Elion asked of you?"

"I was wondering if you were interested in learning Lovardi, to start," I said. "Communication with the locals will be much easier if so. I can help everyone with learning. Otherwise, there's also Veneryali, which is the language of the capital. A lot of people speak that here as well."

"I really cannot tell you started learning Sarenillian not long ago," the matriarch said, laughing. "You sound like a native."

"I have good foundations, and I'm an avid learner."

Lies.

"Then...I think this is a good opportunity for our people. If you can teach them the ways of Erindal, this continent, it would be good as well."

I was delighted. I had scoured through countless books out of curiosity and now, there was an opportunity to impart this knowledge. I have had thorough training in etiquette under the mistresses as well, so I would know of the customs. If not, I could always research.

"I would be honored!" I said.

"I heard you were training for the tournament though. Will this be alright for you? Will you have enough time?" the matriarch inquired.

"No worries! I know how to manage my time!"

I caught Elion's gaze as I spoke and there was enthusiasm and gratitude in them. He gave me a nod and I nodded at him in return.

Mealtime breezed by. I placed down the empty bowl which was being collected for washing by a young lad and thanked everyone for their generosity.

"My tent is over here, child." She pointed to a colorful tent in the corner.

"Let me just go back for a second," I said, and ran back into our spot.

"You seem to be getting along with them well," Mistress Veronika said with a smile.

I nodded shyly, slipping through the flaps and crouching down towards my side of the place. I rummaged through what meager possessions I currently had and came out with a golden robe tailored from my baby blanket.

I had it folded neatly in my arms. I remembered Mistress Neilly telling me that the material was quite precious. I wouldn't doubt it if the people could recognize it, so I stuffed it carefully into my sleeves, out of sight.

I then carefully made my way to the tent the matriarch had pointed me to and sounded a greeting at the door.

"Come in."

I slipped through the flaps and sat in the meager space cautiously. The tent inside was bare, save for a couple of trinkets hanging from the ceiling. They brushed lightly against my face.

I carefully avoided the hanging charms, fearing the delicate-looking crafts would be harmed by my ceaseless swaying. However, they made subtle tinkles that tickled my heart. The images on the hanging charms reminded me of my crib when I was born into this world.

The matriarch smiled at my nervous countenance and gestured. "Sit."

I did.

"Now, how can I help?" she asked.

I pulled the fabric out of my sleeve and showed it to her. The smiling matriarch was stunned to silence. Her wrinkled eyes widened into spheres.

"This..." the old woman stammered. "How did you get this?"

"It was my baby blanket. I was wrapped in it when my mother found me," I replied.

"That golden fabric...is worth its weight in gold," the matriarch said. "No. Not just gold. It's something even more precious."

"Do you know where it's from?" I asked.

"I know not much because this is an affair of high-borns. This old woman is hardly well off, you see." She laughed. "Astoria is the only place who can afford to give such a precious thing to a newborn like yourself...Do you know your parents' names?"

"That..." I trailed off. I knew their names. Konnyr and Elleria.

"Let me tell you this. This fabric is called the golden thread," she said. "It is woven from the silk of Nemerian spiders and it is known to be tougher than any armor. This is worn exclusively by the royalty. Commoners and other nobles have no use for it."

"Nemerian spiders?" I echoed.

"They are exclusive to Astoria..." she said. "And it seems an emblem has been embroidered here as well."

She showed me the underlying pattern on the weave—one which I hadn't noticed before. It was a constant pattern that was lost in the weave of the fabric, so light that one wouldn't realize it was there.

"A...nine-legged spider," I said.

I recalled seeing a nine-legged spider on the flags around the house. It was a hallmark memory in what little time I spent with my family.

"What does this mean?" I asked, switching back to Sarenillian.

"This...I recall it is the family emblem of the Nemerian duchy. They're a long-established clan in Astoria who regularly competes for the title of Warrior King each generation."

"Do you know who the current king is?" I asked.

"In Astoria? Before we left...that would be Tresel. Quite an old folk," she said.

I felt sullen. I thought she would say my father's name. It would be much easier to track them down.

"If you are to find your parents, you must go to the duchy of Nemeria in Astoria. That is most probably where you are from!"

I nodded resolutely. "I understand."

Having this much clue about my parents, I was already very contended. Now, my search would not be so aimless. I finally had a place I could go back to.

"However..."

I looked up.

"Nemeria is the hotspot of the Unseen. It is where we believe the sickness has begun. Nobody recognizes it anymore," she said. "It has fallen."

My blood went cold. The hope I grasped for a moment was rapidly yanked away by the news.

"I would suppose that the reason why you were separated is precisely because of the tragedy many years ago," she said. "It will not be easy."

I bit my lip.

"Thank you...you have helped me a lot."

I slinked back into our tent in mood worse than when I left it. The mistresses saw through me and said nothing, allowing me to sink into depression and sleep the rest of the afternoon away.

I did not spend much time wallowing in negative thoughts, nonetheless. Eventually, I went back to training for my upcoming fight with Black Flame. Elion was there to help me with simulating his moves, but he could not replicate the exclusive footwork and technique. Considering this, I decided it would be better if I could build on my other strengths instead.

The rest period eventually concluded and the competition resumed in full force—with an even brighter spirit. We were finally down to eight disciples. Three of us would be eliminated to make way for the final five. Tension was tight among the participants and the excitement was high among the audience.

I could hear someone whining, "Why can't it be eight students? Surely they can make room for three more! Having to accept only five each year! Why?"

The third round would be opening with the loser's tournament. The Temple was ruthless to be beginning with the elimination, but this was a welcomed sight. After the two elimination battles, we would be down to six, and there would only be one more person to be kicked out from the group.

Considering my position in the competition, I was already guaranteed a place in the top six. I would just have to worry about squeezing into the top five, especially if I lost to Black Flame.

Which was very likely.

I grunted.

White Face and Stone Guardian were up first, followed by Eren as Weeping Siren against Defiant Soul. After that, it would be Silent Dragon against Mushroom Soup and, finally, me against Black Flame.

All four fights would be held today with certainty. They were preparing to conclude the competition within the week. At most, we would have every other day as a rest day.

I heavily exhaled.

Somehow, I could now sympathize with Eren's dilemma. Now it was my turn to be nervous. I felt like I was sitting on a bed of needles. I squirmed in discomfort. My stomach twisted like a washing machine on high and there was a thin layer of cold sweat on my forehead. Eren soulless like usual. Though I could not see her face, she was motionless and staring into space.

I sighed again.

Maun was, like always, chipping away on a block of wood. It had finally begun to take shape in his hands. He'd been working on the thing for a few days now.

During our last day out, I got him a set of carving tools and he'd been very keen on using them these past few days. He was just casually exploring what he could do with them and he'd already improved so much.

Should I start carving too? He seemed so relaxed!

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