NOVEL NEXT Chapter 675: -123- "Forgotten
The encounter on the streets of Winter Castle seemed to be just a minor episode.
However, Sebastian keenly sensed that after witnessing the power displayed by Astrid, Marquis Vladimir had become noticeably distracted.
Sebastian caught the subtle change in the Marquis's expression, his smile still unfading.
But he had already made some judgments in his heart.
He had heard Marquis Vladimir's exclamation loud and clear.
When he had invoked the spirit resonance to aid the girl Astrid in establishing a connection with the True Ancestor, only he had cried out the term "Divine Favored."
If he had been a clergyman recognizing Astrid's state so quickly, Sebastian wouldn't have been surprised, but Marquis Vladimir was not a clergyman, he was merely a Mage of the Blazing Sun Level.
So, there was only one possibility.
"He has seen other 'Divine Favored'; he knows what the posture and aura of the 'Divine Favored' are like."
Sebastian judged in his heart.
And considering the identity of Marquis Vladimir, as well as his relationship with Duke Stefan Sobieski of the Northern Territory, together with all he had observed and tested along the way, Sebastian quickly arrived at a further speculation:
"It seems... the Duke of the Northern Territory wants to unify faith, and it is certainly not just about integrating the forces within the Northern Territory..."
"Lord Sebastian, we have arrived."
The voice of Marquis Vladimir interrupted Sebastian's thoughts.
Progressing along, the group finally arrived at the residence of the Northern Territory Duke, Winter Palace.
Sebastian pushed down his thoughts and said with a smile:
"Marquis, thank you for your escort."
Marquis Vladimir also smiled:
"It's my duty. My brother is waiting for you in the palace; please accompany me to meet him."
Sebastian nodded and followed Marquis Vladimir into the castle.
At the same time, a certain speculation in his heart grew stronger.
He had come with Lotti.
Logically speaking, as a priest, Lotti should have been the main force in "proselytization."
However... Marquis Vladimir only mentioned him and did not mention Lotti.
Like the Royal Palaces of the various countries of Yonette, the Winter Palace of the Northern Territory Duke was equally luxurious.
The style of this castle palace clearly drew inspiration from the countries of Yonette, particularly the New Moon Kingdom, with decorations quite similar to those of the New Moon Kingdom.
Upon entering the palace, Sebastian finally met the ruler of the Northern Territory, Northern Territory Duke—Stefan Sobieski.
Stefan Sobieski looked to be a man of about thirty years old.
This young ruler, although he had not yet reached the Legendary tier, already possessed an immeasurable and far exceeding ordinary Blazing Sun demeanor.
He had a beard, a robust physique, and a gaze as sharp as an unsheathed sword.
Upon seeing Sebastian, he burst out laughing, his voice thunderous:
"Hahahaha! You must be Mr. Sebastian, the Crimson Blade; welcome to the Northern Territory. I've been waiting for so long and have finally welcomed your side! What do you think, is our Northern landscape... completely different from the south?"
Looking at the enthusiastic Duke Stefan, Sebastian smiled and gave a courteous response:
"Indeed, it's different. Prairies, forests, canyons, glaciers... The topography of the Northern Territory is more magnificent and more vast than that of the Yonette in the south."
"Hahahaha, Mr. Sebastian, you are such an eloquent speaker. I have prepared a grand banquet for your Envoy Group. Please be sure to attend tonight!"
Duke Stefan laughed heartily.
Sebastian also smiled:
"Then I thank you for your invitation."
Duke Stefan was a very talkative person.
Starting with the landscapes of the Northern Territory and the invitation to the banquet, he quickly opened up a conversation with Sebastian.
This ruler of the Northern Territory seemed quite curious about Yonette culture and Elf civilization, asking many questions about Elf culture and the customs of the various countries of Yonette.
Although Sebastian was not human, as an Elf who had traveled through the countries of Yonette for many years, he had a considerable reserve of knowledge.
He could answer each and every question posed by Duke Stefan.
The host and guest enjoyed each other's company, and the atmosphere was quite congenial.
However, neither Duke Stefan nor Sebastian ever mentioned the Holy Royal Court.
The two chatted about everything under the sun.
Until... the sun gradually began to set.
Seeing that the time was about right, Duke Stefan reluctantly ended the conversation, laughing:
"Speaking with Mr. Sebastian has truly been enlightening. It's about time. Please, move to the Winter Palace's banquet!"
However, this time, Sebastian did not respond directly.
His gaze swept over the guards standing post in the palace, and noticing his action, Duke Stefan subtly reacted and said to the guards:
"You... may step down for now."
The guards respectfully excused themselves, moving outside the palace, while Duke Stefan again looked at Sebastian with a smile:
"Mr. Sebastian... do you have some secret matter to discuss?"
Sebastian did not continue changing the subject.
He straightened his expression, collected his smile, and his face took on a significant depth:
"Your Grace, the true purpose of inviting our Castel envoy to the Northern Territory... surely isn't to spread the faith of the Holy Royal Court, is it?"
Upon hearing Sebastian's words, Duke Stefan didn't show a look of surprise.
He laughed heartily, but soon after, he also restrained his smile, and his expression became solemn and dignified.
He looked meaningfully at Sebastian and said:
"Mr. Sebastian..."
"You... and the Castel family you follow... don't really worship the Moon God and the Holy Royal Court either, do you?"
...
"Astrid! You little brat, come back here now!"
On the bustling streets, Northern Territory warrior Balder chased after his daughter, shouting as he went.
However, the girl didn't stop at all and continued to charge forward without looking back.
The Northern Territory warrior felt helpless.
He stamped his foot and had no choice but to quicken his pace, chasing after her.
But this chase turned out to be a full fifteen minutes.
Balder was amazed to find that his usually not very physically outstanding daughter seemed to have an inexhaustible energy today, running nonstop without a break.
Even he, a tier-entering Transcendent, was getting a bit tired from the chase, yet... the girl seemed to have boundless energy, not slowing down at all.
The more Balder chased, the more amazed and bewildered he became.
It wasn't until he followed his daughter leaving the bustling Winter Castle to the quiet outskirts that the non-stop Astrid finally came to a halt.
"Ah... Astrid... you... you little brat... finally stopped... when did you... when did you become so good at running?"
Balder was gasping for breath as he spoke.
"Father!"
Astrid looked behind the Northern Territory warrior with alertness:
"Nobody has caught up, have they?"
Balder blinked blankly.
He glanced behind him, shook his head subconsciously, and then, as if realizing something, his expression gradually became serious:
"What exactly happened? Did you... get into trouble? Are you hiding from Marquis Vladimir?"
"Father! I haven't caused any trouble!"
Astrid said.
After speaking, she glanced behind her father again, pursed her lips, and said:
"I am, indeed, avoiding that marquis, no... I should say, I'm not just avoiding him, I'm also avoiding the Castel Envoy Group!"
"The Castel Envoy Group? Why are you avoiding them? What... what exactly is going on?"
Northern Territory warrior Balder looked bewildered.
"Oh, Father! Didn't you just hear what I said? The power of the Totem! I have wielded the power of the Totem!"
"Our Free Tribe Alliance has not been abandoned by the Gods! I have just... received divine revelation!"
"Those envoys from Castel are subordinates of the Holy Royal Court Saintess, they came to the Northern Territory to proselytize! They want to destroy our faith! They... are our enemies, of course, I have to avoid them!"
Hearing this, Balder finally understood what the girl was getting at, and he looked at his daughter in astonishment:
"Wait, are you serious? You mean... you can actually use the power of the Totem now?"
"Yes, Father! It's true! I really received the divine favor, and I was able to wield the power of the Totem! I used the power of the Totem to defeat that guy Gunnar!"
"If you don't believe me... see for yourself!"
Saying so, Astrid closed her eyes and once again attempted to draw forth that strange power by following the sensation from before.
But... this time she failed.
"Huh? Where is my Totem power?"
The girl looked somewhat bewildered.
"Astrid..."
Seeing his daughter's persistence in her Savior, Balder felt somewhat helpless.
And noticing the doubtful look beginning to form on her father's face, the girl immediately became anxious:
"Father! I'm not lying to you! It's true! I really have received the deity's favor!"
"We were wrong! We didn't get any response from the Gods, only because the Holy Emblem we worshiped wasn't complete!"
"If we pray to the true Holy Emblem, we will receive a response from the God!"
Saying that, Astrid picked up a stick from the ground, intending to draw the true Holy Emblem.
However, just as the girl was about to trace from memory, she suddenly froze.
Her mind went blank; her expression became puzzled; her movements uncertain.
Her hands trembled; her voice quavered:
"Wait..."
"What was the true Holy Emblem of my lord?"