Chapter 656 Chapter 114 The Approach of Night
Even though it wasn’t winter on the Aer Continent, the sun set unusually quickly. By the time Verafia followed Tais to the balcony at the front of the castle, the twilight hues on the horizon were already fading.
A bluish tint of night dyed the edges of the sky, while the璇月’s light cast a clear, frost-like glow upon the ground.
Verafia couldn’t help but gather her skirt slightly. On her slender wrist, an exquisite bracelet embedded with flame gems shimmered faintly.
Thanks to the magic bracelet Ig had painstakingly commissioned an alchemist to craft for her, she—lacking any demonic power and as delicate as a sickly girl—could continue wearing light, pretty dresses instead of thick, cumbersome robes, even in this frigid wasteland of a continent.
However, just moments ago, perhaps because night was approaching, a long-absent chill had slipped through the gaps in her skirt and brushed against her skin, making her shiver involuntarily.
“Ah… so cold.”
Admittedly, it felt rather embarrassing for someone like her—a Flame Goddess—to complain about the cold. But since no one here knew her true identity, Verafia couldn’t care less.
She lifted her gaze, searching for the young man who usually brought her warmth, only to remember she had left him in the castle’s great hall. With no one beside her, she turned a pitiful look toward Tais.
Well, this behavior didn’t clash with her persona—a fragile, pitiful young lady too proud to ask for help, the kind that made people want to ruffle her hair.
Noticing her gaze, the girl from the Kasha Cult curled her lips into a faint smile. Gently taking Verafia’s delicate little hand, she let a wisp of demonic power flow through her fingertips—a surprisingly gentle warmth, rather than the expected cold.
“Miss Verafia, even in the deepest night, the wind has never been this cold before… You can feel it too, can’t you? This chill isn’t merely physical.”
“Hmm, so you mean… this is the Frost Calamity’s will spreading?”
In response to the girl’s question, Tais simply shook her head lightly. Her fine, delicate lashes partially veiled her pale blue eyes as she suddenly let out a soft laugh.
“You should understand this better than I do. Sir Trist Horn—I’ve long heard of his name. In truth, compared to Miss Shiel, he is the true ruler of Vinash City. With his power, whether it’s the cultists or the Frost Calamity’s will, spreading through this city wouldn’t be difficult.”
Verafia looked up at her, and the silver-haired girl smiled faintly. By now, the twilight had dimmed almost into full night, and firelight flickered to life around the castle.
The flames illuminated the knights’ armor, refracting threads of dazzling brilliance in the darkness.
After a long silence, Tais suddenly spoke. “Still, it’s fortunate that Miss Shiel hasn’t completely fallen into his grasp.”
Verafia understood her meaning.
Earlier, when Trist had intercepted them, his primary goal was likely to seize Shiel—the lord disguised as a young girl—even more than capturing Azer.
Though Irene’s appearance had forced him to abandon the attempt, the knights gathered around the castle—claiming to be there for the “Count’s safety”—were effectively cutting off Shiel’s connection to the city.
These knights were soldiers under Count Hyde and Count Albert.
Verafia recalled how Shiel had sent someone to verify the knight captain’s words, only to fall into a long silence upon hearing the news, her exquisite face paling like snow.
Did Shiel believe these two lords shouldn’t have their knights imprison her in the castle?
The girl blinked thoughtfully.
“You’re looking at these knights,” Tais’s clear voice murmured beside her ear. She smiled faintly. “But since they’re merely surrounding the castle and using the excuse of ‘protecting the Count,’ at the very least, it proves that, publicly, he still needs to respect Shiel’s status.”
Verafia nodded, her golden eyes fixed on the girl’s face.
“Besides, Miss Verafia, you mentioned that Lord Trist told you he would put Azer on trial during the Divine Hymn Ceremony in three days.”
“His words were clearly meant to force Shiel to appear that day…”
Verafia trailed off, then suddenly raised her eyes, her golden pupils gleaming. “Wait—are you saying that day could also be our opportunity?”
“Miss Verafia, you’re not as fragile and merely beautiful as you pretend to be… I think you’ve already anticipated this.”
Tais smiled at her, her delicate face serene and ethereal under the clear moonlight.
Verafia scratched her hair sheepishly, thinking, *I only said that to maintain my persona! You didn’t have to expose me… Now I look ridiculous.*
Still, Verafia had indeed been considering Trist’s mention of the Divine Hymn Ceremony three days later.
It wasn’t just about Azer—it also involved the Cardinal who wielded Mistetinn’s Staff and the Fire Saint.
She lifted her gaze, peering toward the edge of the castle. The city, having endured the day’s chaos, had settled back into the quiet of night, with the church’s lights burning brightest.
This was the religious heart of Vinash City… Naturally, the Divine Hymn Ceremony would be held here.
Cardinal Bro, the envoy of the “Fire Saint” and a saint of the Church, was likely deep in meditation within that building.
Tilting her head, her golden eyes glimmering playfully, she asked, “But what about the Cardinal’s stance… Do you know, Tais?”
“Though Cardinal Bro holds a revered position in the Church, he’s known more as an ascetic. He rarely leaves the Church… We don’t know much about him.”
Tais shook her head.
“Is that so…”
Verafia murmured. Despite the girl’s words, her face showed no trace of worry. After a moment’s thought, Verafia found a reasonable explanation.
After all, Cardinal Bro was one of the few Saints on the Aer Continent, and as the wielder of Mistetinn’s Staff, his martial prowess alone surpassed anyone in Vinash City. Moreover, as a high-ranking Cardinal, he stood at the pinnacle of religious and moral authority.
If he were truly aligned with Trist and the Frost Calamity, why would Trist need to be so cautious in dealing with them?
Yet… no matter how reasonable the reasoning, it was still just speculation. Who could say this Cardinal wasn’t merely putting on a facade for greater gains?
“Then, Tais… is there anything you know that you can tell me?” Verafia lifted her gaze slightly, her dazzling golden eyes fixed on the girl’s face as she asked softly.
