NoGift 165 THE DAY OF THE FESTIVAL

The Festival of Creation.

It would usually begin with the Pope signalling the start of the festival.  Then there would be a parade of the ten talents cultivated by the Temple.  They were orphans who grew up under the care of Temple.  Every year, ten of them would be chosen to showcased their talents during the Festival of Creation.  After the parade, a public performance would be held at the plaza.  

The one who performed best would be rewarded by the Pope himself during the Blessing Ceremony.  Where the Pope would pray to Gaia and thank her for all the blessings she gave this year and wished that she would continue to bless and protect them in the upcoming year as well.  The ceremony also involved the Pope giving offerings.  These offerings often involved expensive treasures donated to the Temple. 

It would be held during the night and would be attended by not only the local populace but the visitors in the city as well.  They would all pray alongside the Pope.  Others could also give their offerings if they wanted.  Most do because they believed that if they could also give an offering, then they would most likely be blessed by the goddess in the upcoming year.

Inside a three-storey mansion on the residential area, Aspen was standing near the window, looking at the people probably walking towards the direction of the plaza.  

"Seeing them celebrating so happily, they probably don't have any idea about what happened last night at that auction," he said looking back at the prince.

He was actually really mad when he learnt that the second prince was not invited to the auction.  It was a clear provocation.  As if the Temple was directly saying that the prince didn't have the qualification to attend.  But when he heard about what happened, he's actually thankful that the prince wasn't there to participate in that mess.  

Apparently, during the auction last night, Archbishop Stillwell suddenly turned crazy and attacked the Pope.  Of course, he was immediately subdued by the knights.  But then, he became even crazier and just used his Gift to attact everyone.  Some of the guests were injured, so the Pope had to act himself.  He managed to stop the Archbishop.  He even apologized to the people there.

Now, no one had any idea what had happened to the Arcbishop.  The Temple wasn't even releasing any news.  

"Today is the festival, they wouldn't allow that kind of news to spread," Winter said.  He was just not sure if that's only for today or if the Temple would just keep it that way and treat it like didn't happen.

He was about to say more when his sPhone vibrated.  He checked it and smiled unconciously when he saw who it was from.  But once he read the content of the message, the smile on his face disappeared.  It was slowly replaced by shock.  And then his expression became extremely serious.

Aspen immediately noticed his change and asked, "Is something wrong, Your Highness?"

"I received a message from Argent."

The Duke of Hanover?  Aspen thought of the silver-haired duke.  "Did the duke say something?"

The prince showed him the message which was a bit surprising.  But that surprise couldn't hold a candle to the surprise he felt when he read the message.  He couldn't help but furrow his brows.  "Does Your Highness think that it's credible?"

"It is," Winter didn't hesitate to say.  Argent was not the type to send a message like this just for fun.  Which meant that he really would do what he said he would.  

"Then, are we going to follow up after what the duke planned to do?" Aspen asked, a bit uncertain.

Winter put away his sPhone.  "We will."  If they managed to do a good job, then the result would only be good for his image.  "Gather all the guards.  We're going to go to the plaza."

Aspen followed what the prince ordered.  As he walked out of the mansion's drawing room, he suddenly remembered Nikolai's evaluation of Argent Blackbourne - a very troublesome enemy to have.

He didn't know how the Temple pissed the duke.  But right now, he couldn't help but feel a little bit sorry for them.  Only a little bit.  Because those people definitely deserved what's coming for them.

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"Brother, is it really alright for you to go there alone?" Aurum asked looking at her brother who's now wearing a hood to hide her silver hair and real face.

They were at the front of Casa Royale together with Clay.  There were hardly any people around.  Because most of them were at the plaza to hear the Pope's speech that would signal the beginning of the festival.  That's why right now, they could talk as they please without worrying that someone would hear it.

"I'll be fine.  They still need me for something so I doubt that Pope would dare to hurt me.  But if you're still worried, don't forget that Viper and Lynx would be there to follow," Argent said, not a bit nervous.

Aurum frowned.  She's still against the idea of her brother meeting the Pope alone, even if those two assassins were following her secretly.  Although successfuly saving the elf was already a plus in Aurum's book and made her trust them a bit, she still couldn't help but worry.  Her brother's safety was not the only one involved in this but their mother's as well.  How could she not worry?

Argent immediately noticed her sister's state.  She reached for her hand and held it.  "I'll be fine.  I promise you, after this day, we'll be reunited with Mother."

Aurum squeezed her brother's hand.  "Then I promise to my part of the plan."

"And make sure to leave the city as soon as you're done."  Aurum nodded.  Argent then looked at Clay who was standing silently at the side.  "Protect her."  

"You don't have to ask me that," he said.

The three separated, Aurum and Clay went towards the plaza while Argent walked in another direction that would inadvertently bring her to the Northern forest.

She only walked a couple of steps when she suddenly received a call from her light brain.  She thought it was White.  Thinking that White and Black might have encountered a problem, she immediately went towards a narrow alley before answering it.  But the voice that she heard was completely unexpected.

"Argent," said a very familiar deep voice.

"Lei Feng?"

Chapter end