Truth Weavers

Chapter 13.3, Year 960 of Chronicle of Truth, The First Month of Yellow-Green Field Season (3/5)

Translator: Lizz

The mages of the Iron Fortress were generally allowed to freely leave the castle town. However, unless they had a valid reason, such as an official mission, they must return before sunset. Despite this rule, Zechs and Aster had watched the sunset outside the castle on several occasions. Aster had arranged something with the gatekeepers, likely using his status to secure their outings.

On this particular day, Aster once again negotiated with one of the gatekeepers, and the two were permitted to go into the town even though the sky had already turned red.

The bustling streets grew even livelier at dusk, with appetizing smells filling the air. The scents of various spices brought in from foreign lands mingled together to the point where it could even make one feel slightly nauseous. As the sun set, the cold became more biting, yet the flow of people never ceased, and the calls of street vendors rang out with such vigor that it seemed to chase away the chilly wind.

The two walked silently along the path they had traversed countless times before. Unlike the slums, this street was lined with orderly buildings. Slightly removed from the town’s bustling commercial center, it was a residential area for middle-class families. By the time they reached this area, the crowd had thinned considerably, and everyone they passed hurried home, hunching their necks against the cold. The lively shouts of children that echoed during spring and summer were now silent in this winter season. Ahead of the residential area stood an old clock tower, no longer in use.

Originally, the clock towers were built on the east and west sides of the town to mark time for the people. However, the previous King desired a more beautiful and elaborately designed structure that would become a town landmark. As a result, a taller and more magnificent clock tower was erected in the center of the town about thirty years ago, replacing the old ones.

Although the old clock tower no longer kept time, it remained freely accessible, and during the day, it served as a perfect playground for children. At one point, it almost became a hangout for delinquents, but the residents drove them out to maintain security in the area.

The two carefully opened the decaying door on the first floor to avoid breaking it and entered. They climbed the spiral staircase all the way to the top, where they found a small door that could only fit one person at a time. Beyond it lay the iron ladder used for adjusting the clock mechanism. From this place, they could see a panoramic view of the town of Rhiannon, as well as the royal castle glowing in the light of the setting sun.

When Zech came here with Aster for the first time, he experienced first hand why the castle was called ‘The Silver Castle’. Against a background that seemed to dye even the air red, the white palace stood tall. As rumored, its color truly glittered like silver as it reflected sunlight, and its figure mirrored on the calm lake’s surface was breathtakingly beautiful.

That beauty remained unchanged even today. However, with the sun almost entirely hidden now, the castle was sinking into the darkness. It appeared as though it was decaying, and that sight was somewhat unsettling.

The two listened silently to the bustle of the town for a while, watching the lights in the houses illuminate one by one.

“Zechs, have you noticed the state of the town?”

“The state of the town?”

Unable to grasp the intention behind the question, Zechs repeated it back. When he turned to look, Aster was wearing an unusually serious expression.

“There are fewer goods in the market.”

“That’s because it’s winter, isn’t it?”

During winter, the harvest of crops naturally decreased compared to other seasons. Zechs had convinced himself that a quieter market was only to be expected. However, Aster slowly shook his head.

“Do you remember the markets from last year or the year before? It’s true that even in Rhiannon, harvests dwindle during winter. But to compensate, goods are brought in from southern towns and foreign countries, even more than usual. Winter clothes sell well too, so there’s typically an increase in yarn and textiles compared to summer.”

Upon hearing this, Zechs remembered his first winter in Rhiannon and how astonished he was by the abundance of goods in the market. In Daza, not to mention Lille, winter markets were always sparse. Meals primarily consisted of preserved foods, which felt somewhat lackluster.

“It’s not just that. Didn’t you sense the tension throughout the town? It’s usual for us mages to be disliked, but this goes beyond that.”

Zechs noticed what Aster had pointed out too. Insults had always been common, and there were instances where objects had been thrown at them, but the outright murderous intent they encountered in the slums had been unprecedented. At that moment, they had indeed been intent on killing their team. If there had been just one more provocation, everyone of them might have armed themselves and attacked.

“That’s true. But why? I haven’t heard any stories recently about mages causing trouble with the residents.”

“No, it seems the northern region is becoming unstable.”

“The north… Cadenza?”

Aster nodded solemnly.

It was a well-known fact that in the farthest northern region, which was once foreign territory, there were still those who resisted and refused to accept Lavarta’s rule. Zechs, who had spent his boyhood in Lille, a place closer to Cadenza than to Rhiannon, had often heard its name. Situated amidst the Sera Mountains, Cadenza had transformed from a poor, frigid village into a prosperous town thanks to its silver mines, only to decline again once the veins were exhausted. The people of Lille, seeing them as foreigners, seemed indifferent or even took delight in Cadenza’s fall from grace. However, Zechs couldn’t help but sympathize with its people, who were forcibly annexed into Lavarta’s territory due to battles instigated by Lavarta, and had since been forced into a drastically different way of life. He, too, knew what it felt like to have his life dictated by those in power.

“Recently, it seems that the people of Cadenza have begun organizing resistance movements. Rumor has it that they are receiving aid from Ermine. They are said to be hiring mercenaries, gathering weapons, and making moves to prepare for serious conflict.”

Ermine was a major power located to the east of Lavarta. It possessed a far larger territory than Lavarta, and had the longest history of any nation in the Sailamabad region. It was also a country that entirely rejected and banned mages and magic research. Zechs had heard that for many of its citizens, mages were akin to characters from fairy tales due to magic having been banned for so long, but it was hard for him to believe that. At the same time, it was also a nation with strong influence from the Barterion Church, which regards the magic vein and mages as inherently evil. While the state and church were officially separate, the authority of the Barterion Church’s High Priests remained strong, and there were regions where life was said to be hellish for those with guiding veins.

Currently, a non-aggression treaty has been established between Lavarta and the neighboring nation, but Lavarta’s national power was far superior. There was no telling when the treaty might be broken.

“Why do you know about this… and what does it have to do with the state of the town?”

“Well, let’s just say I have my own network of information.”

For a brief moment, Aster spoke playfully, but his expression quickly turned serious.

“The King has reportedly begun secretly sending reinforcements and supplies to the northern region. That might explain the shortage of goods. Moreover, it seems that public order in the north has already started to deteriorate. The knights are probably too preoccupied with Cadenza to address the situation. Apparently, bandits have increased significantly. Such unrest and tension inevitably tend to spread.”

“Is it spreading as far as Rhiannon?”

“Yes. That’s why the knights are now cracking down even on the small-time thief groups in the slums that they had previously overlooked. It’s likely an effort to prevent further disorder, and perhaps to secure scapegoats.”

“…Scapegoats, now that’s unsettling… But it is rather fitting, isn’t it?”

Zechs clicked his tongue lightly.

The boys from the slums were likely captured to serve as a warning. It was meant to convince the residents that the worsening public order was their fault. The nobles and royalty didn’t want the creeping anxiety to be blamed on the war.

As he thought about how them mages were used as pawns in such a ridiculous and futile manner, Zechs felt an anger with no outlet.

Ultimately, both the mages and the Seldians were ‘scapegoats’. The political unrest in Lavarta had been ongoing since the war with Shale forty years ago. The citizens had redirected their anxiety and anger about this situation towards the Seldians, who were prone to causing trouble. And the contempt for mages was even more ingrained in everyday life.

Lavarta was a hierarchical society. There was a king, there were royals, there were nobles of upper and lower ranks, and even among the commoners, clear distinctions were made based on wealth, even if not legally defined. In this setting, everyone strove not to be at the very bottom. However, no matter how hard one tried, it was impossible to become a noble. Commoners remained commoners. Thus, a social rank lower than commoners was created, a rank more despised than any other. That rank belonged to the mages.

Zechs did not fully understand all of this. However, he felt that the disdain directed towards them was unreasonable and was gradually realizing that it was being manipulated with some deliberate intent.

“…Do you know why mages aren’t allowed to wear cloaks?”

“No.”

“Have you ever thought about it?”

Zechs quietly shook his head. Now that he was asked, he realized he’d never given it any thought. He simply obeyed because he was told not to.

“You can probably guess why carrying swords is prohibited.”

“Well, it’s probably so we don’t suddenly stab someone.”

Even though mages were unarmed, they had magic at their disposal. However, in a direct confrontation between magic and a sword, the sword would usually prevail. A sword could harm an opponent as soon as it was swung, while magic took time to invoke.

“It’s for the same reason. With a thick coat, you can hide as many weapons as you want underneath it. This rule is meant to prevent that.”

Aster explained, and Zechs was simultaneously convinced and astonished by this extreme measure. It was excessively thorough. Sensing Zechs’ reaction, Aster smirked.

“In other words, they must have understood just how much resentment they had provoked from us. Even so, they felt they had no choice but to persecute mages.”

The smile on his friend’s face was not the usual cheerful, good-natured one; it was closer to the sarcastic, mocking grin that he occasionally displayed.

“They’re afraid.”

“Afraid?”

“If mages and the Knight Order were to seriously go head-to-head, no one could probably say for sure who would win. That’s just how powerful mages are. Generations of kings have understood that. There could have been a path to join forces and protect the country together, but they chose not to, and turned mages into their slaves instead. Utter foolishness.”

Even hearing this, Zechs couldn’t immediately accept it. While he had always thought the emotions directed at them were unreasonable, he had never considered that they stemmed from fear. He had always thought they were simply being looked down on.

“I’ll tell you another story.”

Aster turned towards Zechs, who was perplexed, and raised his index finger.

“You know that once a mage enters the Iron Fortress, they’re allowed to bring their family to Rhiannon, right?”

Zechs nodded lightly.

It was said that, because living in the capital was guaranteed, there were families who had previously considered their mage child a burden but would then appeal emotionally to win them over.

“And you probably also know that Commanders and higher-ranking officials often have spouses or children. Despite mages being inherently disliked, why can they still marry? Simple: the country arranges it.”

Aster, who had casually answered his own question, left Zechs wide-eyed.

“For what purpose?”

“To hold them as hostages.”

Once again, the casualness of the reply rendered Zechs speechless.

“They say it’s common sense that everyone values their family. Even if it’s a loveless marriage, living together for a long time can foster attachment, and even more so if children are involved. By placing the mages’ vulnerabilities here in this town, the nation ensures that the mages won’t turn against them.”

Aster, now sporting an apparent smirk, turned his face toward the silver castle sinking into the darkness. As Zechs watched his face illuminated by the moonlight, he opened his mouth like a dying fish. He wanted to say something, but no words came out.

“The name Iron Fortress, some might simply think it’s to contrast with the royal castle, which is referred to as ‘Silver’, but that’s not the point. Just as the name suggests, it’s a prison. A cage to confine the mages. Or perhaps, a birdcage.”

As he said this, Aster slightly lifted the silver medal hanging from his chest. It depicted a naked sword trapped inside a birdcage.

While Zechs remained speechless, Aster suddenly slumped his shoulders and sighed. The smirk was no longer on his face; instead, he just looked tired.

“…Sorry, I’ve said too much.”

Then, Aster turned back to look at Zechs.

“It’s about time to head back, to the cage.”

With a face that seemed to simultaneously accept something and resolve to act on something else, Aster opened the door of the clock tower.