The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 29.2
“Where on earth is this valley? I’ve searched every map, and there’s not even a hint of it,” Nazz exclaimed, pulling at his hair in frustration. He and Rene had spent the night trying to decipher Michelini Luten’s cryptic message after his outburst.
“Remember that red brick building we passed over the mountain? The entrance to the Black Forest is right there,” Rene said, attempting to ease Nazz’s frustration.
Nazz looked at Rene skeptically. “You’re saying there’s a valley in the middle of that forest? That’s ridiculous! It’s hard enough just to enter the forest, let alone grow Mandrakes there.”
“Think outside the box. Where would be the most secretive place in the duchy?” Rene countered.
The Black Forest, also known as the Forest of Death, was an expansive woodland in the southeast of the Scarran Mountains, separating the Sais Empire from the Tatar Kingdom. The forest surrounded the Duchy of Ajauntice, and the trees were so thickly forested that they formed a sea.
“Growing herbs in a place where sunlight doesn’t penetrate during the day?” Nazz scoffed.
“Mandrakes feed on blood and don’t need sunlight,” Rene reminded him.
Nazz shuddered. “No way. We can’t even enter the Black Forest. Who in their right mind would venture in there?”
“Maduse,” Rene replied calmly.
“What? People from Maduse can’t enter the duchy,” Nazz exclaimed, his voice rising. As flawed as the duchy’s defenses were, it was inconceivable that someone could break in so easily. Rene remained nonchalant.
“Of course, the marquis didn’t do it himself. That’s not Maduse’s style. He would have found someone to cooperate with him in the duchy,” Rene replied calmly.
“It’s a possibility, but it’s just speculation,” Nazz said, adopting a commander’s tone.
“When Odin Maduse came to the duchy, I disguised myself as a mercenary wizard and infiltrated his entourage,” Rene continued.
Nazz nodded, knowing Rene’s ruthlessness towards their enemies. “And what did you find out?” he asked.
“At the time, I overheard Odin and a giant talking several times. They kept mentioning a key,” Rene revealed.
Nazz muttered yesterday’s words from Michelini. “When the full moon rises, the path between the valleys will open,” he said, deep in thought.
“A key that opens a path? That’s not impossible,” Rene said, squinting her eyes as she considered the implications. As the gravity of the situation sunk in, Nazz groaned and rummaged through his hair in frustration.
Suddenly, there was a cautious knocking on the door.
“Madam, what’s with the knock between us… Please come in,” Rene called out warmly.
Nazz’s eyes widened as Evelyn suddenly appeared. “Madam!” he exclaimed, standing up from his seat to greet her. As Evelyn approached and exchanged eye contact, Nazz pulled out a chair for her.
“Madam, I have something to ask you today. When you were at the Marquis of Maduse, have you ever heard of the word ‘key’?” Rene asked.
“A key? What kind of key are you talking about?” Evelyn replied, looking puzzled.
“Anything,” Rene said.
Evelyn pondered abstractly about the question. A key is a key, is there anything special about it? Then she remembered something.
“Oh! I’m not sure if this is the answer you’re looking for, Rene…” Evelyn hesitated before speaking.
“Just say whatever comes to mind,” Rene encouraged her.
“My mother was unusually fond of keys. She put locks on every room and every box,” Evelyn revealed.
“Are you talking about Lady Maduse, the Countess?” Nazz asked.
Evelyn sighed before continuing, “Yes, my mother was a very secretive person… She put the same ring on every key. Do you happen to know about globe amaranths?”
Rene nodded in recognition. Nazz, who was ignorant of the flower, tilted his head in confusion. Rene drew a round flower shape with her finger on the table, and although Nazz still couldn’t identify the flower, he quickly nodded when Rene glared at him.
“My mother used ruby and gold globe amaranth decorations on all of the key rings. My grandfather gave this to me… Would you like to see it?” Evelyn gestured to Sophie, who was standing behind them, to bring a small box.
Sophie opened the box, revealing a splendid necklace that shone brilliantly. Rene couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.
“I’m not sure if it’s related to the key, but it just came to mind,” Evelyn muttered.
Rene smiled broadly. “Any clue is good. Can I keep this necklace for a while?”
“Of course. I brought it to ask you about it because I don’t think my grandfather just gave it to me,” Evelyn said, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Madam, can I ask you one more thing? Have you ever heard anything about the Black Forest from Marquis Odin?” Rene inquired.
Evelyn was surprised by the question and fell silent for a moment. “No, in fact, we central women don’t know much about the Black Forest. It’s just a rumor and doesn’t make much sense to us,” she said calmly, but with a hint of sadness in her voice.
Rene noticed this and asked, “Is it uncomfortable to talk about the Black Forest?”
Evelyn hesitated for a moment before speaking. “People said the Black Forest cried on the day Liv was born… The blood of a traitor… The Black Forest wept when he was born…”
She couldn’t finish her sentence because her throat felt tight. The memory of that day was as if it was trapped in a misty haze. “On the day Liv was born, what had actually happened?” she murmured sadly, her voice trailing off.
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