Chapter 155: Eighteenth Episode: Chapter 1 (2/2)
”Okay, okay sir!” Messier smiled while waving his hands. ”I can already see that you're also a member of the Andrews. Just speaking about the matter of the Eastern crusade, you're also like... uhh...”
”A heightened rabbit?”
”More or less!”
Oscar and his Military Intelligence Division Head burst into laughter but they quickly fell silent.
”Any news about Aeolia?” Oscar suddenly asked.
Messier shook his head, ”Lady Countess Antonia Horman's family is very influential locally. She won't encounter any problems, rest assured!”
”But... it's been more than two months already!” Oscar wrinkled his eyebrows. ”Aeolia knows how to take care of herself, but Annie... to think of it, I have never been apart from Annie for so long! After my growing up, I have been busy with my own matters and Annie busy with household duties, but... there will always be that slight uneasiness.”
Messier nodded his head in understanding. ”Don't you worry, aren't we almost there? Moreover, the troops ahead won't let anything happen to both the countesses.”
Oscar gave an Ola, ”Yes, it indeed is that way! If Aeolia were to so much as lose a hair on her head, then I will let Mike really become a true gay.”
Mike wasn't a gay and he has emphasized this point to many people. He was interested in women, the kind with enormous bottoms, gigantic breasts and those that swayed when they walked. Countess Aeolia and Lady Countess Antonia Horman weren't the types he liked. So all the while, this Lieutenant has only been cheap in his talk but didn't take any horrid moves.
One could tell that Aya and Annie still quite liked this big-sized, small-eyed Suziloan. They have to discuss everything with the Guerilla Commander before making a decision. Mike, in turn, has exceptional respect for the two women and even referred to them as ”the angels bestowed by the Marshal”!
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As compared to Steiermark, Astonia was more deserving of the address as a mountain city. This was the homeland of Lady Countess Antonia Horman in true sense, but it wasn't her birthplace, merely the home of the Horman Family. The Horman Family has a long history, through the numerous rise and fall of the mountain area that remains standing until this day.
Astonia was situated among the group of volcanoes in Westria Province and was surrounded by the volcanic lakes scattered everywhere. This was the Empire's most well-known tourist spot in the south. The big nobles who have time on their hands would set up villas that occupied a vast area and of bizarre designs.
Astonia produced an abundance of star fruits and lime. These were two completely different things, but they allowed the peasant households in the mountains to exchange them for rations. In each of the little farms scattered over the group of volcanic rocks, star-fruits would be left out to dry all year round and at the same time, each household would have a little stone house that burned lime.
During spring, the various volcanic lakes would transform into a gleaming, crystalline light blue shade. The farmers who resided at the edge of the water would at this time dump the hatchlings of the ”Red Tailed Fish” into it. By the time summer arrives, also the time when the lake water turns into a sapphire blue, the harvest season would arrive The hatchlings have grown up and the people would call them ”Golden Trout”. The autumn of Astonia was the most beautiful season. The lake water became erratic. In the morning it would still be a deep green, but the heavy rain in the afternoon would turn the rich pool of colors into that of green grass. Although the group of volcanoes by the lakeside was always that bare over the past 100 million years, the Ivies and red maples that covered the whole valley would radiate a mesmerizing splendor. When there was a breeze, the orderly sound of rustles would drift throughout the mountains and valleys.
This was the homeland of Lady Countess Antonia Horman. Unfortunately, she returned to her homeland during the winter. There wasn't much to be said about the winter of Astonia. The hardworking farmers would hide in their stone houses where a fireplace was lighted. The nobles would also at this time slip back to the polluted metropolis. Astonia would instantly quiet down, with only the occasional earthquake and cries of the soldiers of the Guards during their drills.
Annie has already stayed at the ancient castle of the Horman Family for half a month. At the very beginning, she really enjoyed the tranquility here, but as the days dragged on, she couldn't bear it anymore. Oscar's excitable shouts weren't here and the Young Lady who kept holding on to her hand and prattled away, wasn't here, only a Countess who was missing the entire day.
What was Aeolia busy with? Annie never asked. She knew that she and Aeolia were two completely different people. Aeolia schemed discreetly, has keen eyes, was rigorous in attending to matters, and always made insinuations when she spoke. As for herself? As an old woman, aside from stitching and patching, what else could she do? Annie wasn't someone who was fond of pondering. After feeling sorry for herself a moment, she forgot about this matter.
Aeolia again went out. She brought with her the few most vigilant special soldiers from the guerrilla group. It seemed that the rascal Mike has also left, but it wasn't together with Aeolia. When Annie's imagination ran wild, she pricked herself with the silver needle. She stared momentarily at the drop of fresh blood and at the end cast aside the work on hand. That was supposed to be an undergarment. The Lady Countess was very skilled with her hands and has already completed the intricate lace lining.
”I really should do something else!” the Lady Countess muttered softly. She realized that she already couldn't stay away from Oscar's big family.
At that moment, the slap of the gangplank suddenly sounded in the Horman Family's ancient castle. The gangplank was an ancient doorbell system that was used to notify the castle to receive guests. The sound emitted by this thing was immensely chaotic. None of the nobles used this anymore, but the Hormans perhaps didn't like the stillness of the castle. They have always kept this four hundred year old doorbell system.
”Guests? This is indeed something new!” The old Count Horman stumbled and rushed towards the gatehouse of the ancient castle. He saw that the soldiers of the guards were drawing the windlass, raising the portcullis of the ancient castle.
”What a gorgeous carriage!” Count Horman sized up the vehicle stopped in front of the castle's main house with awe. ”In this troubled world, there are still people who use carriages decorated in gold leaf? Aren't they afraid of being robbed by bandits on the road?” murmured the old Count as he staggered out of the gatehouse. Those of his age just loved saying these.
”Lady Countess Teresa Boustead is here to call on the ancient Horman Family. My mistress has brought an exquisite gift for them.” A young man dressed as a valet saluted respectfully towards the household manager in front of the castle's main house.
The household manager accepted the gift, then only did the valet open the door of the carriage.
Count Horman again started mumbling, ”Boustead? Boustead? What is the young lady of the Boustead Family doing here?”
”Welcome!” Antonia came out of the archaic entrance. The Lady Countess evaluated the Lady who had come without an invitation. She could tell at a glance that this Lady absolutely wasn't born of nobility. This was because although the accessories she wore were exceptionally elaborate, the earrings, necklace, and rings weren't of the same style. Noble ladies who went out to pay a decent call definitely wouldn't commit such a mistake.
Lady Countess Boustead has already presented her gift to the host as per ancient custom. The household manager of Count Horman tore open the colorful paper that was used to wrap the gift in the room. This was also an ancient custom. The household manager had to assess the extent of their generosity in receiving the guest according to the gift they brought.
”But... do you know what this is?” the household manager spread out his hands towards the old count.
Upon hearing that, Count Horman came forwards. The gift from the Boustead Family was a whole piece of... uhhh... a whole piece of red rock.
Having no choice, the old count could only present the gift that made no sense to his niece. Antonia stroked it and weighed it. The experienced Imperial household servant finally said, ”This is a fine piece of bloodstone, produced in the far east. It can only be exchanged for with gold of the same weight!”
The old count immediately turned towards the household manager, ”Tidy up the best guest room and prepare the best meal.”
Lady Countess Boustead appreciated the volcano museum inside the castle. All the great nobles have at least one relatively strange hobby. The Horman Family's was known far and wide for collecting peculiar stones.
Antonia personally served Lady Boustead black tea and fresh milk and then invited her to sit in the living room that was filled with ”craggy, bizarre rocks”. Sizing up the daughter of Titan's great merchant from a woman's point of view, it was regrettable to say that Annie didn't find anything worth mentioning. The Lady, who was still in her early age, was as ordinary as her name. If one really insisted on flattering Lady Boustead, then we could say that the teenage girl has a very keen eye.
”I am here for the meeting with Countess Aeolia!” After finishing a cup of black tea, Lady Boustead stated the purpose of her coming.
”Oh, I apologize!” Antonia bowed slightly, ”Aeolia went out early this morning!”
Teresa rolled her eyes and settled back slightly into the sofa, ”if I may, I'm prepared to wait for her.”
”Of course!” Antonia nodded repeatedly. Honestly speaking, she didn't quite like the look in Lady Boustead's eyes because she saw that it concealed too many much subtleties.
Just when both the women who didn't quite get along well arrived at the end of their patience, the gangplank of the castle's gatehouse again sounded.
Antonia finally expressed a genuine smile, ”Aya must have returned!”
Indeed Aya had returned. Behind the Countess was a group of knights in full armor. Aya gazed at the carriage in the stables and shot a look at Lieutenant Colonel Mike by her side. The ”gay” didn't say anything, but he intuitively grasped the situation.
”Thank heavens! You've returned at long last! Were you the one who invited the Lady?” Antonia greeted Aeolia in the lobby of the main house.
”Yes, I apologize that I didn't give you prior notice.”
Antonia shook her head, ”Hurry now! However, I must warn you in advance that the Lady's lifeless words are just simply outrageous!”
Aeolia laughed, ”I'll manage. Besides, the members of the Boustead Family all have that half-dead look!”
Antonia took the fur from the young countess but immediately covered her nose. ”Oh gosh, young Aya, did you just go to the abattoir?”
Aya was already sprinting up the stairs but suddenly came to a halt and flashed a mysterious smile to the Lady Countess. ”You're about right!”
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The hot tea was changed yet again. Teresa used the opportunity of the other person refilling tea to assess the military secret agent in the legends. From how she saw it, Countess Aeolia Siva Wimmester was more a pampered noble lady and had completely nothing to do with the Andrew's Military Investigation Bureau! But in reality? According to a few highly reliable sources, it was precisely this Lady before here that planned and later carried out the secret operation to rescue Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette.
So in other words, when dealing with such a freak, she must raise all her vigilance, otherwise... Teresa spread out a paper map onto the table.
”My family has already received General Vangol Abberning Hagrid's message, and... we have made our choice!”
Aya nodded and didn't even take a glance at the map, ”I am perfectly clear about your choice, but there aren't any marks on this map. Could it be that this is the choice of the Bousteads?”
Teresa shook her head. The mission entrusted to her by her family was to try her best in dealing with the influence that O'Neil Andrew Morisette represented.
”This map indeed isn't marked up, but please don't doubt the sincerity of my family in cooperating with His Highness Prince. I came here to designate that area. I will enter the mountainous area with His Highness Prince's combat unit.”
Aya finally took the paper map and evaluated it dubiously.
”Is this really required?”
Teresa nodded, ”It indeed is! The rebels in the mountains are very cautious. They have always covered the eyes of visitors and then move in circles around the mountains and lastly will they only lead us to the highly concealed base of operations.”
”You've been?” Aya's eyes widened. She gazed with disbelief at the Lady before her eyes.
Teresa promptly denied it, ”Naturally, I have never been there! But the followers I brought have all been to that place. However, they also can't tell the exact location of that place and can only tell when they're there.”
Aya gave a light laugh. She knew that the little lady before her was exceptionally intelligent. If she were to follow the prince's intent to carry things out... then it was really such a pity!
”Your followers... are referring to them?” the Countess asked while beckoning towards the knight standing at the entrance.
The sound of military boots stamping on the ground rang out from the corridor. Countess Teresa Boustead twisted her head around, appalled.
Two knights dragged a huge sack in. The sack was flung towards Lady Boustead's legs. Teresa covered her nose because the sack was emitting a revolting smell that made one feel nauseous. It wasn't difficult for her to guess what the soldiers have done to her followers.
Aya again gestured towards the knight and he immediately undid the mouth of the sack. Teresa subconsciously shot a glance into the sack. Oh gosh! She started to retch violently because she has caught sight of many familiar faces, but only the faces, as they were merely heads.
”Now do you know why your elders sent you here?” Aya tossed her handkerchief to the poor teenage girl. ”Because old Boustead must have foreseen this scene and only sent a minor character who can be sacrificed anytime.”
Teresa panted heavily. She was still in a state of disbelief, or one could say that she absolutely couldn't comprehend what this was all about.
Aeolia pushed the knight but he didn't take the sack of heads away.
The countess lifted the young girl's chin and stared at her ordinary face.
”This world has one truth! No one can avoid a blood debt after violating the Andrews! Your grandfather understood this and so does your father. That General Hagrid knew this as well and so they have made full preparations.
”What... what... what preparations?” Teresa stuttered. She realized that she couldn't look away, her gaze kept staying on the sack of heads.
”Hehe!” Aya shook the map. ”If my master really can disregard former enmities, then the Boustead Family will choose to cooperate. I believe that your followers can definitely point out the location for the Guards.”
The countess said while using her nails to outline a circle.
Teresa's eyes widened, ”How... how did you know?”
Aeolia shrugged, ”There are nine heads here, there is bound to be one to tell me.”
Lady Boustead was cowering back into the sofa, ”What... what do you intend to do? Hasn't my family already decided to cooperate? What... what more do you want?”
”I've said that your family and the Hagrid Family have made full preparations!” Aya raised her teacup in satisfaction as if she took great pleasure in tormenting this weak little animal.
”According to reliable intelligence, the Boustead Family and General Hagrid have once again used the same old tricks of year 791; an Italia mercenary group and another elite unit of the Hagrid Family. They plan to ambush along the way. Of course, it's in the case where the negotiations have fallen through. If my master really cooperated, then I believe all these wouldn't have happened, but now the problem is... our negotiations have really fallen through!”
”Wait! Hold it! The negotiations haven't even started right? You didn't even name the terms of His Highness Prince O'Neil Andrew Morisette!”
”There isn't a need for it!” Aeolia sized up the young lady of the Boustead Family with amusement. How could she still not get it?
”Such a negotiation absolutely doesn't exist! If possible, my master will push all the members of your family onto the guillotine. The crucial point was that my master has not been able to determine the whereabouts of the Boustead Family all the while. As for you, little lamb, do you now know that this is all just a trap?”
Lady Boustead gazed at the countess incredulously, ”No! It's not like this. I... General Vangol has guaranteed this meeting.”
”General Vangol?” Aeolia sneered, ”There will be someone who will deal with him, rest assured!”
”But... but didn't His Highness Prince reach an agreement with General Vangol in Vielonna?”
Aya was a little impatient. She didn't know what this young girl was fantasizing about.
”Vielonna is the Military Command Center of the Fifth Region, the headquarters of the Hagrid Family. Who would go against General Vangol, who possess several tens of thousands army there? My master isn't a madman!”
”Just what exactly... does your master want to do? Tell me! I beg of you! Perhaps... perhaps the situation can still be salvaged!”
Aya finally nodded, ”Yes, perhaps the situation can still be salvaged. So you should first tell me where your family members are hiding. After that can I only tell you what my master plans to do!”
Teresa, at last, calmed down, ”You're dreaming! I won't tell you until I die!”
”Hehe!” Aeolia grinned and turned towards the sack of heads, ”These are all devoted warriors, but my knights still can find a way to make them tell me what I want to know. So I believe that you will too!”
The icy wind in the mountains suddenly whistled violently and the daisies in the vase withered in the blink of an eye.