Two days and two nights had passed. Rudra watched the surroundings as the FIDELIUS Party approached the borders of Lisithea, on the Lottrengarth road. The military presence was evident, with the civil protection order in effect. Upon reaching the rendezvous point, Lisithea's informant, codenamed "Obelisk," was waiting to guide them to Lord Lisithean.
"Obelisk, it's been a while." Leslie greeted her acquaintance.
"Leslie… good to see you alive again. Come with me, it's not every day we get free access to the front gates," the informant Obelisk replied to Leslie.
The city seemed to be on high alert, and tension hung in the air. Obelisk, a man with striking features, led them through the streets to Lisithea's palace. Few people walked the streets, mainly merchants and residents, while the entry of outside goods was strictly monitored.
"Wow… it's pretty busy here, isn't it?" Gael asked, observing all the military commotion present in the environment.
"Well... it's sickening to see all of this." replied Alyfir, agreeing with Gael's statements.
"The city has received many attacks since Aleonia's troops traveled to the lands of Galèsia. However… many of the letters from the country's main court were negative." stated Obelisk, in order to explain the reason for such decisions.
"Our Lord is very cautious about your safety and that of your people, so within the city you can rest assured."
"He must have control over everything that comes in and goes out, right…" Augustus was impressed by Lord Lisitheus's perspicacity.
Upon arrival, they were greeted by the housekeepers and directed to Dallbert's room in Lisithea's house. He appeared to be a middle-aged man with brown hair and white streaks, with an imposing and serious aura. The group was led to Dallbert's room, and his brother Ferdinand, where they began to discuss Magnusson's letters.
"Lord Dallbert, Lord Ferdinand. It is an honor to see you again," Leslie respectfully greeted Lord Lisithean.
"Leslie the hawk… I see you are doing well since the 128 days since we last saw each other." replied Lord Dallbert, pleased at Leslie's arrival.
"and I see that this must be the group that Magnusson had spoken of in a letter."
"... Edgar, my nephew, I see you have joined Magnusson's venture."
"...Edgar… is his nephew?..." Rudra thought to himself about the revelations in the new environment he found himself in.
Dallbert stands up from his chair and tells everyone to stand up and follow him. Lord Dallbert, along with his brother Ferdinand and the FIDELIUS go to a private room to discuss. The room had huge shelves and books on them, as well as an ornate window in the back and a table with a chair in front of it.
Dallbert had sat down on it while everyone else was seated.
"Okay… now that we're more comfortable-" Dallbert said.
"I would like to know what my friend Magnus has that is so, so important to tell me in these letters."
"Bart, the letters." Leslie had signaled to Bart to take Magnusson's three letters out of his bag.
"aa–affirmative!"
And so he did. Bart had delivered Magnusson's letters to Lord Dallbert at his desk. The lord had broken the wax seal on the first letter, along with that on the second letter, and at once began to read.
"..."
"..."
Silence hung in the air as Dallbert remained focused on reading Magnusson's letters, leaving everyone in the room apprehensive about the dense and mysterious atmosphere.
"But what–"
Dallbert, on hearing the statements contained in the letters, was surprised and astonished.
"But that's–"
"Elianne, bring us some water!" Dallbert ordered his housekeeper to bring them something to drink, due to the great surprise in Magnusson's letter. Dallbert's hands were shaking and his eyes were cast down in terror by the statements in Magnusson's letters.
"Lord Dallbert, you—!" Leslie asked the reason for her lord's agitation.
"These revelations are extraordinary! They explain a lot about why this war is raging," exclaimed Dallbert.
"But… such statements… based only on assumptions and theory?"
"Magnus, you–"
After the revelations of Magnusson's letters shocked the room, Lord Lisithean decided to welcome the FIDELIUS for two days, long enough for Dallbert to draft a response to Magnusson's letters, and also dismissed the rest of the group, leaving only Leslie Westellis in the room. The knights occupied empty rooms in the palace, preparing for the next step.
In his chambers, Rudra was organizing his thoughts about what had been taught in that room, when he was surprised by a commotion outside. Then Rudra decided to observe the commotion, from a balcony that was in a room above. When he went to that room, he found a young woman there.
"..."
Rudra stood still before that beautiful figure. She had blond hair, a very well-adorned dress, which expressed nobility.
" auld'knaphfer . (Knight.)"
"!"
At that moment, Rudra knelt down after realizing who he was addressing.
…She speaks in the ancient Lustric language?…
" These bells ring at all times… constant and loud warnings."
" banarch… banarch, sebn inf kµndalç. (marches… marches, sound of steel.)"
" Scuraem Bavaria lebn Untearmitt'm, the smegeuch palbardein signik'f Airen. (the intermittent war cries, the smell of gunpowder polluting the air.)"
" Zeneff'd' Haiffsur… Bellef'd Gar'rrastoer… Naug Saench Laskif. (Houses destroyed… families ruined… senseless losses.)"
"…Her accent… Basically perfect… She's a descendant of Lustria, just like those at court…"
The maiden spoke of the horrors she had witnessed in the city. She expressed her doubts about the control of power and the meaninglessness of the incessant events. Rudra, keeping silent, listened attentively.
"..."
She turns her deep clear blue eyes towards Rudra, who keeps his head down.
"Knight, how will we end? How will this war end? How many lives will be taken until the last soldier falls?"
"..."
Rudra, astonished by such questions, answers objectively and reservedly:
"Your Highness, I do not know the outcome of this tortuous scenario in the eyes of all the civilians of Aleonia."
"However, I am just a pawn, fulfilling my duties, in order to help bring this tragedy to an end…"
"...forgive my manners."
The young maiden introduced herself as Arianna of Artas, Dallbert's only daughter. Arianna, before leaving, asked the knight his name, and Rudra replied that he was called that because he had no name of his own.
"Good riddance to the knight, I hope to see you alive."
The maiden leaves the room, leaving the knight alone in the room.
A day had passed since the knights arrived in the city of Lisithea. That afternoon, in Dallbert's room, Leslie discussed with the lord the contents of the letters and the search for Magnusson's guesses.
"Lord Dallbert, these letters… are they really that shocking?"
"Hawk, you have no idea what nonsense I just read from that old man…"
Dallbert shared his concerns about the radicality and ambition behind this purpose.
"Read it with your own eyes then."
Dallbert hands the letter to Leslie to read what was written in it. After a few minutes of silence, Leslie is surprised by the statements made by Magnusson in the letter he was reading.
"But that's–"
"Exactly… that was my reaction a few minutes ago too," Dallbert replied to Leslie's surprise at the letter's contents.
"But… ancient writings, materials sealed by the goddess Al'lethia in the sacred church of Superbia… he can only be referring to–"
"Archimetia. Exactly what I thought, Leslie."
Tension built in the air as the mysteries of Magnusson's letters were unraveled.
"Long ago, in Aethromaquia, Gods and colossal Beasts constantly fought over the Lunar Crown, the symbol of greatest omnipotence in all existence. Centuries and Centuries passed, in a violent war that devastated many lands, until a being conquered it. Al'lethia, the goddess of Crystallia, took the Lunar Crown for herself, and banished the tainted beings. Sealing them in a great Tablet, created by a race of nearly omnipotent beings called the Archimetia Dragons, who gained the trust of the goddess, allying themselves to end the carnage that was the war.
The conversation was interrupted by the entrance of a messenger-general, accompanied by an informant from Magnusson, bringing critical information to Lord Dallbert.
"Lord Dallbert, with your permission."
"What do you want, Obelisk? Can't you see we're in the middle of an important discussion?"
"Sir, our southwestern front has reported that the Galèsia troops who have taken over Balterlutt are heading this way!"
"There are more than 30 thousand armed men!"
"What-"
Leslie and Dallbert, agitated by such information, decide to act as quickly as possible on the situation:
"Uurgh…!"
"They should be here by dawn. No… sooner than that..!" Leslie asked regarding the soldiers' imminent arrival.
Dallbert thought deeply about this, frustrated and apprehensive. Then he decided to face reality.
"Listen Leslie the Hawk, I'm going to be realistic. We don't stand a chance against those barbarians."
"Even though Lisithea is a city with the lowest death and attack rate, we will not be able to resist such a massive force."
"..."
"Lord… Dallbert." Leslie replied, Dallbert's melancholy statements.
"Listen well, send this letter back to Magnusson… and, take your knights, and my only daughter and escape from here as quickly as possible."
"There is an internal hatch, kept for this situation. It was created by the Artas for this type of situation."
*Brahnn!* – The door opens abruptly.
"Leslie, Uncle Dallbert–!"
Edgar, Bart, Gael and Alyfir had invaded the compound upon hearing the news. Leslie and Dallbert were already aware of this information.
"Aaa the city is in chaos! People are desperate" – exclaimed Bart.
"I have already given the next instructions to your leader, nephew. You and your companions, get ready."
"Leslie, follow me to the main hall."
Edgar and his group returned to their posts and got ready, while Leslie and Dallbert headed for the main hall.
In another scene, in Arianna's chambers, she was combing her long hair and received the news from a housekeeper.
"Miss Arianna, you must flee immediately!"
"But how–"
"Wahhhh..!" Sounds of garrison soldiers could be heard outside the city.
"What is happening?"
Arianna gets dressed and decides to go towards her father, accompanied by the governess. Approaching the middle of the Hall staircase, she calls out for her father.
"My father!"
"Arianna, my daughter."
Dallbert is surprised by his daughter's call, who comes towards him, asking him what had happened.
"Father, what's going on?"
Dallbert holds Arianna's shoulders firmly, and looks into her eyes, expressing firmness in the words that will be spoken.
"Daughter, listen to me. You will have to be strong, very strong."
"Strong? What do you mean strong!?"
"What's going on!? Hawk, say something!"
Leslie remained silent, frustrated, his jaw clenched, his teeth clenched.
"I don't have time to explain, we have to be quick."
"Elianne, take her out of here along with her things."
"Yes, my lord."
So, Elianne left, taking Arianna with her to her room.
"...Ferdinand, my brother."
"Come with me."
"Yes… brother."
Dallbert and Ferdinand headed to the office from before, where they would discuss Lisithea's future, given the possible impending tragedy.