It didn’t take long for the train to arrive in the borders of Lazon. Stepping out the train Mavin found out that he didn’t recognize Tolea any longer. The city had changed. The houses were well-maintained, the poor roads were made into asphalt. The banners of Lazon flew proudly alongside the Empire. Entering the city with Natalya he realized that the machines made by the Holmians, the innovation in technology made it easier to till the land.
This is new to me, Mavin thought to himself. He walked alongside Natalya who eyed the area as if she was familiar with it. Mavin stopped on the side of the road, adjusted his gloves, and looked at her. “You’ve been here?”
Natalya nodded slowly. Her eyes on the buildings. She rubbed her right hand on her jacket. Then she watched the horse-pulled carriages passing them. She eyed the clothes of the Lazonians. They wore dresses and wrapped fur around their arms or around their neck. Not to mention that there were many people that carried a sidearm. Most of them were revolvers, some had daggers on their belts attached to their belts
“Lazon is pleasant,” she said, caressing her silver hand. “Air is clean and the people are well-armed and loyal.”
Mavin nodded. He shoved a fist in his jacket. He and Natalya walked along the sidewalk and entered a shop. The two ate inside the shop, and got out after. It was evening so they went and booked a hotel. The receptionist gave a double-bed and led them to the third floor.
Taking his jacket first, he sat down, looked to the side, and stayed on the seat. Natalya walked around the room, looking at the wallpaper, and then sliding her hand on the table. She walked to the bed and laid her back on it. She reached out to her bra, and then dragged herself like a snail, placing the back of her head on the pillow.
“You’ll go blind if you look at the light.”
“Electricity…Greater Lazon had always been innovated. Your Cousin is impressive, even back then, it was hard to even try and compete with them. You can have all the power in the world, the knowledge of the future, but it was hard to get through to your Cousin.”
“Did you do anything?”
“No, I didn’t dare to clash with him. Lazon was not the place I had visited. I only visited this city, and a few villages where I was led to believe that there was valuable information in them. I only realized later that you have burned the Magi and Nuller out of this place already so it was a fruitless search.”
Mavin narrowed his eyes. His elbows leaned on his lap. “Are you going to say this to anyone?”
“I’m not stupid. Knowledge is power, husband. But you know what’s interesting? All our actions have underlying effects. Each action causes a reaction, and even if you have the power and knowledge. It changes the outcome and would require you many tries. A single mistake will cause a ripple and at the same time I came to learn that no matter how much you move the pieces. There is always something and someone that would topple it. Do you know? I made a mistake because a single cup was broken. That broken cup cost the person that would agree with me. on another time, to refuse me so flatly. One wrong mistake, and there would be a reaction. It’s like trying to move the sands, and even then can you even remember every detail unless you have a photo-like memory? I don’t think so.”
Mavin did not disagree. He sat properly on the chair, and leaned backwards. Mavin saw many things changed that weren't in those ‘memories’ and had directly caused things to change. But he didn’t do it alone, who could change the look of a beach with only a bucket and shovel? Even if he has that, then the flow of time would soon frustrate them to no end.
“I’m sure you had people working with you.”
“I have, but I do not have Capital and wealth. Even if I did take over my family, it would require me years to do it. By the time you’d end up becoming a Magi and Nuller hunter.”
“I would what?”
She shifted her eyes to him. “You’ll become a killer. You’ll spend that time until you’d meet me.”
“Is that in your vision?”
“Yes, honestly, it really is fitting that no matter where I go. You’ll end up coming to me. Although you did blow up that nest with that bomb, the Nullers and Magi still have the Mark and the Bloom to collect spark. It’ll just be a war with the Machines of the Holmians, and the Empire. The Demikins would arrive from the east, and nations would just continue to fight. Vulcans were terrifying because they have the innate ability to match them. And even without them, the Nullers and Magi can only maintain the battle. Be glad, you might just end the war between them this time.”
“No, that would be too ideal and naive. They’ll try to seek the production of the weapon. It would be a constant battling in the shadows, trying to acquire one another’s secrets. That’s the thing about a weapon that could trample a nation and force them to submit. It can deter them, prevent them from attacking, but at the same time cause more chaos, just in the shadows alone.”
“Hah, true, even if you did cripple the Spark, those who had sought power will continue. But that points me to one thing, husband. You said that the ‘natural’ would still continue to exist, so if those artifacts that were made naturally exist. Then wouldn’t they be able to use their powers? Not to mention that the Nullers use the mark in accordance with their own technology.”
“True, they would be able to use it, but think of it like this. Before they had only to gather that power through using their body as a catalyst, I made it into a resource that they have to collect. There will be a limit to what they can gather and even their body that is attuned to the Spark will produce only so little.”
“Can I still produce Spark then?”
“No,” Mavin denied. “I crippled your attunement of the spark. With the removal of your mark you do not have that attunement. Besides, just shoot them in the face if anyone appears like that.”
Natalya narrowed her eyes. “Those boons of yours are natural, right? So what about those who have the same boons?”
“They might be stronger than expected. Unless you have millions of years of existence, can you honestly believe that you can search every person in the world? Ask every pedestrian within that timespan?”
“Maybe, but I rather not dare to think about it,” Natalya shuddered. “No one would be sane enough to do that unless they really are carefree and undying.”
Mavin cracked his fingers. “Nat, you’re not trembling?”
“Ah, it happens when I have fits. I’m fine as long as you are nearby.”
“Are you really sure about this?”
“What? That I want to stay married? I know that you are doing this for the purpose of acquiring the rights to mine the resources in my family’s duchy. I don’t mind it. How many times do I have to repeat this through your head? Just imagine this, the world to me is like this dark hallway where simply no light can be found. I would just be walking endlessly in this dark hallway aimlessly. I…need you to light the path for me. You are my lamp, and without you it would be the same as walking blind.”
“I cannot get used to it. To this, especially with your bloody history.”
“Please, I did far worse in my visions. It might be my reality, and maybe I have become mad. But still, who in the world would get along with me other than the person who is called the Ghost of Dinia? Who else can Lady Bellatrix, the Lady of Death share her passions with? There are only a few who’d even understand me and even if you are reluctant? So what? I’ll chip on your heat until you let me in.”
“You…do you realize how embarrassing some of your words are?”
“Embarrassing? I’m just being honest. We have grievances, I understand that very well. But even so at least let me make it up to you. I do adore you in my own way.”
“No, maybe it’s just that you forced yourself into this thinking.”
“Are you driving me away by saying that? That my feelings are nothing more than me forcing myself? So what? I don’t care about that, and I simply want you. Or is it because of the Princess, your sweetheart? Or that bitch from the Bradley Family? Trying to tell me what I want? Please, that won’t work on me.”
“You sure are open about this.”
“Why would I not? I sincerely like you and I don’t deny my feelings. I even told you all my crimes, bared my heart for you, and you still don’t get it? No, you do, but that Princess is still pricking your heart and I can’ get in because of her. That’s it isn’t it? You pretend to be so hardened, but nonetheless you always have a soft spot for that ill woman.”
“Yes, I do.”
Mavin didn’t deny it. Natalya’s eyes lost light for a moment. Then it glowed brightly as well. “Ah, no wonder, come on, don’t give that look at me, I promise I won’t try to blow her head off with my Ziba. I mean, you have to look after me, right? Or is that it? Now that you’ve tasted me you want to throw me away? I mean men do like to conquer other bodies of much more beautiful women. Then you’d be someone who has a master key and I am nothing more than a fresh lock that had been opened. Isn’t that it? If one man could open a hundred locks, then he’d a master with a ‘key’,” she snorted. “But a woman that can be opened by so many keys is nothing more than a defective product.”
“What are you even saying, woman?”
“I am telling you that you are the only key that opened me you halfwit.”
“Goodness…do you not feel embarrassed saying that?”
“Why not? You’re my husband, oh my, are you one of those who think that women can’t be vulgar and have no desires? Be glad Mavin Tomas! You married someone who can educate you about womanhood.”
“I don’t. And did you forget? Please, I live in a region that has Aunties swinging their logs and axes at their husbands and saying vulgar things every day when they think that no one is listening. If you’re going to speak about how your period is going, how your underwear has too many holes and such, please leave me out of it.”
“Well, I know you’re no chauvinist at least. I wouldn’t marry someone like that. You are a gentleman, so gentle that sometimes you’d let someone do those things to you.”
Mavin looked at her eyes dimming again. “No, I only know that the moment someone that has the Imperator’s Mark gets a hold of me. I wouldn’t be leaving alive and I would be at mercy. I long had accepted that if that ever happens. I will just resign to fate.”
“I see. But I do mean it. Even if you do hate me, I’ll try to chip the walls of your heart. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t. I’ll…at least try to respect you as my wife. But if Countless Elma hears what I did to marry you and the reasons why. She’d try to slap me to death.”
“Countless Elma, your Cousin’s, the Lord’s wife, right?”
“Yeah, I think she’d be surprised that I brought a wife with me. Ah, I’ll be meeting their daughter now, huh.”
Mavin couldn’t help but lift his lips at the thought of that. Then he noticed Natalya’s stare at him. “What?” he asked her. She shook her head, and rolled to the side.
“Your niece…huh.”
Mavin raised a brow at her rather subdued tone.
“What about Elea?”
It didn’t take long for the train to arrive in the borders of Lazon. Stepping out the train Mavin found out that he didn’t recognize Tolea any longer. The city had changed. The houses were well-maintained, the poor roads were made into asphalt. The banners of Lazon flew proudly alongside the Empire. Entering the city with Natalya he realized that the machines made by the Holmians, the innovation in technology made it easier to till the land.
This is new to me, Mavin thought to himself. He walked alongside Natalya who eyed the area as if she was familiar with it. Mavin stopped on the side of the road, adjusted his gloves, and looked at her. “You’ve been here?”
Natalya nodded slowly. Her eyes on the buildings. She rubbed her right hand on her jacket. Then she watched the horse-pulled carriages passing them. She eyed the clothes of the Lazonians. They wore dresses and wrapped fur around their arms or around their neck. Not to mention that there were many people that carried a sidearm. Most of them were revolvers, some had daggers on their belts attached to their belts
“Lazon is pleasant,” she said, caressing her silver hand. “Air is clean and the people are well-armed and loyal.”
Mavin nodded. He shoved a fist in his jacket. He and Natalya walked along the sidewalk and entered a shop. The two ate inside the shop, and got out after. It was evening so they went and booked a hotel. The receptionist gave a double-bed and led them to the third floor.
Taking his jacket first, he sat down, looked to the side, and stayed on the seat. Natalya walked around the room, looking at the wallpaper, and then sliding her hand on the table. She walked to the bed and laid her back on it. She reached out to her bra, and then dragged herself like a snail, placing the back of her head on the pillow.
“You’ll go blind if you look at the light.”
“Electricity…Greater Lazon had always been innovated. Your Cousin is impressive, even back then, it was hard to even try and compete with them. You can have all the power in the world, the knowledge of the future, but it was hard to get through to your Cousin.”
“Did you do anything?”
“No, I didn’t dare to clash with him. Lazon was not the place I had visited. I only visited this city, and a few villages where I was led to believe that there was valuable information in them. I only realized later that you have burned the Magi and Nuller out of this place already so it was a fruitless search.”
Mavin narrowed his eyes. His elbows leaned on his lap. “Are you going to say this to anyone?”
“I’m not stupid. Knowledge is power, husband. But you know what’s interesting? All our actions have underlying effects. Each action causes a reaction, and even if you have the power and knowledge. It changes the outcome and would require you many tries. A single mistake will cause a ripple and at the same time I came to learn that no matter how much you move the pieces. There is always something and someone that would topple it. Do you know? I made a mistake because a single cup was broken. That broken cup cost the person that would agree with me. on another time, to refuse me so flatly. One wrong mistake, and there would be a reaction. It’s like trying to move the sands, and even then can you even remember every detail unless you have a photo-like memory? I don’t think so.”
Mavin did not disagree. He sat properly on the chair, and leaned backwards. Mavin saw many things changed that weren't in those ‘memories’ and had directly caused things to change. But he didn’t do it alone, who could change the look of a beach with only a bucket and shovel? Even if he has that, then the flow of time would soon frustrate them to no end.
“I’m sure you had people working with you.”
“I have, but I do not have Capital and wealth. Even if I did take over my family, it would require me years to do it. By the time you’d end up becoming a Magi and Nuller hunter.”
“I would what?”
She shifted her eyes to him. “You’ll become a killer. You’ll spend that time until you’d meet me.”
“Is that in your vision?”
“Yes, honestly, it really is fitting that no matter where I go. You’ll end up coming to me. Although you did blow up that nest with that bomb, the Nullers and Magi still have the Mark and the Bloom to collect spark. It’ll just be a war with the Machines of the Holmians, and the Empire. The Demikins would arrive from the east, and nations would just continue to fight. Vulcans were terrifying because they have the innate ability to match them. And even without them, the Nullers and Magi can only maintain the battle. Be glad, you might just end the war between them this time.”
“No, that would be too ideal and naive. They’ll try to seek the production of the weapon. It would be a constant battling in the shadows, trying to acquire one another’s secrets. That’s the thing about a weapon that could trample a nation and force them to submit. It can deter them, prevent them from attacking, but at the same time cause more chaos, just in the shadows alone.”
“Hah, true, even if you did cripple the Spark, those who had sought power will continue. But that points me to one thing, husband. You said that the ‘natural’ would still continue to exist, so if those artifacts that were made naturally exist. Then wouldn’t they be able to use their powers? Not to mention that the Nullers use the mark in accordance with their own technology.”
“True, they would be able to use it, but think of it like this. Before they had only to gather that power through using their body as a catalyst, I made it into a resource that they have to collect. There will be a limit to what they can gather and even their body that is attuned to the Spark will produce only so little.”
“Can I still produce Spark then?”
“No,” Mavin denied. “I crippled your attunement of the spark. With the removal of your mark you do not have that attunement. Besides, just shoot them in the face if anyone appears like that.”
Natalya narrowed her eyes. “Those boons of yours are natural, right? So what about those who have the same boons?”
“They might be stronger than expected. Unless you have millions of years of existence, can you honestly believe that you can search every person in the world? Ask every pedestrian within that timespan?”
“Maybe, but I rather not dare to think about it,” Natalya shuddered. “No one would be sane enough to do that unless they really are carefree and undying.”
Mavin cracked his fingers. “Nat, you’re not trembling?”
“Ah, it happens when I have fits. I’m fine as long as you are nearby.”
“Are you really sure about this?”
“What? That I want to stay married? I know that you are doing this for the purpose of acquiring the rights to mine the resources in my family’s duchy. I don’t mind it. How many times do I have to repeat this through your head? Just imagine this, the world to me is like this dark hallway where simply no light can be found. I would just be walking endlessly in this dark hallway aimlessly. I…need you to light the path for me. You are my lamp, and without you it would be the same as walking blind.”
“I cannot get used to it. To this, especially with your bloody history.”
“Please, I did far worse in my visions. It might be my reality, and maybe I have become mad. But still, who in the world would get along with me other than the person who is called the Ghost of Dinia? Who else can Lady Bellatrix, the Lady of Death share her passions with? There are only a few who’d even understand me and even if you are reluctant? So what? I’ll chip on your heat until you let me in.”
“You…do you realize how embarrassing some of your words are?”
“Embarrassing? I’m just being honest. We have grievances, I understand that very well. But even so at least let me make it up to you. I do adore you in my own way.”
“No, maybe it’s just that you forced yourself into this thinking.”
“Are you driving me away by saying that? That my feelings are nothing more than me forcing myself? So what? I don’t care about that, and I simply want you. Or is it because of the Princess, your sweetheart? Or that bitch from the Bradley Family? Trying to tell me what I want? Please, that won’t work on me.”
“You sure are open about this.”
“Why would I not? I sincerely like you and I don’t deny my feelings. I even told you all my crimes, bared my heart for you, and you still don’t get it? No, you do, but that Princess is still pricking your heart and I can’ get in because of her. That’s it isn’t it? You pretend to be so hardened, but nonetheless you always have a soft spot for that ill woman.”
“Yes, I do.”
Mavin didn’t deny it. Natalya’s eyes lost light for a moment. Then it glowed brightly as well. “Ah, no wonder, come on, don’t give that look at me, I promise I won’t try to blow her head off with my Ziba. I mean, you have to look after me, right? Or is that it? Now that you’ve tasted me you want to throw me away? I mean men do like to conquer other bodies of much more beautiful women. Then you’d be someone who has a master key and I am nothing more than a fresh lock that had been opened. Isn’t that it? If one man could open a hundred locks, then he’d a master with a ‘key’,” she snorted. “But a woman that can be opened by so many keys is nothing more than a defective product.”
“What are you even saying, woman?”
“I am telling you that you are the only key that opened me you halfwit.”
“Goodness…do you not feel embarrassed saying that?”
“Why not? You’re my husband, oh my, are you one of those who think that women can’t be vulgar and have no desires? Be glad Mavin Tomas! You married someone who can educate you about womanhood.”
“I don’t. And did you forget? Please, I live in a region that has Aunties swinging their logs and axes at their husbands and saying vulgar things every day when they think that no one is listening. If you’re going to speak about how your period is going, how your underwear has too many holes and such, please leave me out of it.”
“Well, I know you’re no chauvinist at least. I wouldn’t marry someone like that. You are a gentleman, so gentle that sometimes you’d let someone do those things to you.”
Mavin looked at her eyes dimming again. “No, I only know that the moment someone that has the Imperator’s Mark gets a hold of me. I wouldn’t be leaving alive and I would be at mercy. I long had accepted that if that ever happens. I will just resign to fate.”
“I see. But I do mean it. Even if you do hate me, I’ll try to chip the walls of your heart. Don’t forget that.”
“I won’t. I’ll…at least try to respect you as my wife. But if Countless Elma hears what I did to marry you and the reasons why. She’d try to slap me to death.”
“Countless Elma, your Cousin’s, the Lord’s wife, right?”
“Yeah, I think she’d be surprised that I brought a wife with me. Ah, I’ll be meeting their daughter now, huh.”
Mavin couldn’t help but lift his lips at the thought of that. Then he noticed Natalya’s stare at him. “What?” he asked her. She shook her head, and rolled to the side.
“Your niece…huh.”
Mavin raised a brow at her rather subdued tone.
“What about Elea?”
