“We are going to the Twilight Sovereigns…?”
Kael blinked in surprise.
The first question that came to his mind was simple.
Why?
What reason do they possibly have to go there?
Let’s not even mention the fact that these Ashen Heights were at the very corner of the world and getting there might take a month,
The very fact that the family that lives there were once tyrants was hardly something that would help them.
They were doing all this to maintain their reputation, weren’t they?
How is associating themselves with tyrants going to help them?
Kael had too many questions in his mind and despite not knowing him well, Lavinia could tell what he was thinking. After all, any normal person with a working mind would consider all these things.
And Lavinia had answers to all of Kael’s questions.
“The Treaty signed between the Dragonborns and Velmourns was a harsh one for the Velmourns, and it wasn’t just these two nations that signed it—every nation in Nerathis did.
Because of their actions, the Velmourns were forced to live in a cold, rugged mountain range riddled with rockslides, thin soil, and harsh winters. The land in Ashen Heights is infertile, with little agriculture beyond hardy root vegetables, mosses, and mountain goats.
The Treaty also mentioned how the Velmourns would be isolated—they would have no trades or diplomatic ties with any nations. The Ashen Heights became a quarantined zone, unmarked on most modern maps.
However, it wasn’t all bad.
Wanting to make sure that his people survived, Vorgath made it so that no nation would attack the Velmourn lands unless they made the first move.
If we go there and the Velmourn Family decides to shelter us, no nation in the world can rightfully harm us. It will guarantee our safety for a good while, and we will not have to hide in order to protect ourselves.”
To use the harsh treaty to her advantage—that was Lavinia’s plan.
Just that…
“And why would the tyrants once known for their brutality shelter the Princess of the Family that overthrew them and the Hero their enemies summoned?”
Kael questioned directly.
Honestly, according to what Lavinia said, he would be glad if they didn’t execute them in public the moment they got there.
“They are not the Velmourn Family they once were. According to the reports, they have changed.”
Lavinia answered.
“Changed?”
Kael frowned.
“According to the Treaty, the Ashen Heights were left alone, but this didn’t mean the world forgot that they existed.
The Velmourn Family was the strongest family that has ever existed in the entire known history of Nerathis. At their peak, it was said that they had the power to conquer the entire Nerathis.
Such a force, no matter how weakened, cannot truly be left alone. Spies kept an eye on them and sent annual reports without fail, and according to those reports, the Velmourn have changed—so much that even the Steel Dragons have abandoned them, refusing to even recognize them, let alone bond with them.”
“And you believe that?”
Kael raised his eyebrow.
Once again, his paranoia had taken over, and it wasn’t uncalled for.
The Family of Tyrants changed so much that even their Guardian Beasts abandoned them?
How does that make any sense?
It was much more believable that all of what Lavinia said was untrue and the Velmourn were preparing their rise again.
Maybe the spies were compromised and were feeding wrong information to make other nations let their guard down.
Lavinia, who heard that question, smiled a little.
This was also her first reaction when she was reading about the Velmourn Family.
But she then shook her head.
“Of course, there is still a chance that all of this is a lie, but the spies’ reports aren’t the only evidence we have. Travelers, wanderers, and mercenaries who were stuck there in all these centuries and have returned say the same thing. Even the Drakthar sent one mercenary there 20 years ago, and when he returned, he confirmed all the reports to be true.
1200 long years have passed.
Their change wasn’t sudden,
It was gradual.
And it was so deeply studied that the reports the spies sent were compiled and books related to Velmourn History and how the Family of Tyrants changed were written down, with different philosophers and psychologists giving their own input in the matter.”
Lavinia then looked into Kael’s eyes and continued,
“And because I was interested in the subject, I’ve read all of them.
I cannot present my statement as a fact, but I do believe that the Velmourn have truly changed.”
“So you believe that they will shelter us?”
Kael questioned.
“They are closed off to the real world, but there have been cases where a few people have settled with them.”
Lavinia answered.
Kael stayed silent for a while, thinking everything through.
Seeing his hesitation, Lavinia suddenly said something even she didn’t believe she was saying,
“Kael Carter, I have had 3 years to think about it.”
“What…?”
Kael narrowed his eyes.
“Ever since I was captured, I have been thinking about what I would do if I ever escaped alive.”
Lavinia began.
“I did not plan revenge—I could not see a way to win—but…
I did plan a place I would like to die in.”
“The Ashen Heights…?”
Kael raised his eyebrow, guessing the answer.
The Princess nodded.
“I have been entranced by their culture a long time ago. At first, it was merely curiosity. How could people live in such conditions? But as I read and learned more, I started feeling a sense of attachment.
A place where ranks do not exist.
A place where everyone is treated equally, the elderly and children are taken care of, while the young and able do their best so they and the people they love can survive.
It was a pure society,
A place where… I might not be betrayed.”
“A place where I might not be betrayed, huh…”
Kael repeated those words.
It wasn’t just Lavinia—those words resonated with Kael as well.