Around 90 years Before Our Arrival...
Emerada Lugnica was born.
3rd Person POV
"Lady Emerada, your breakfast is ready." A knight, the princess's personal one, came over and knocked on her door.
"Go away, Hugo, I don't wanna get up yet! It's such a beautiful morning with warm weather, what is the problem with waking up a few minutes later?"
"Princess, your punctual manner is leaving you already..."
"And since when did you define my standards, Hugo?"
"I...fine. I'll wait until you wake up, Lady Emerada."
After her knight left her to her own businesses, she gave a slight squeal of delight before immediately opening her window to breathe in the fresh air. She twirled her feet and legs to give a slight dance as she glanced at her friend on the balcony.
"So, Emma, did it work?"
"Well, this beautiful lady definitely at least has the knack to drive my own knight away, Solace dear."
The boy sitting on the ledge of the balcony smiled, and took this chance to enter the room. Hugging his friend tightly since they hadn't seen each other in two weeks, this sign of affection between the two warmed their hearts.
This boy was named Solace Ars Goetia, or so he said. A person who, in his own words, came beyond the Great Waterfall. His stories often fascinated Emerada, who was but a mere caged bird compared to him, who could roam freely wherever he wanted to.
"How's the company coming along, darling?" Emerada asked, interest shining in her eyes.
"Ah, you mean Auriga? It's coming along quite nicely. I even got a headquarters set up in Banan already, so business should be booming when it starts, if it isn't already in our sub-stations."
Solace was a somewhat ambitious boy. He already created his own company due to his otherworldly knowledge, and sells insanely useful products with concepts never seen before, which attracts a nice amount of attention from merchants. Unfortunately, the methods he uses to produce them was not exactly approved by the nation, since when he revealed his power, it was frowned upon. The only reason he was even able to stay alive in the first place was because Emerada had supported his inventions.
At this precise moment, her door opened and closed so fast that it took the princess by surprise so much that she fell back onto her bed, startled. The one who entered so abruptly took one look at Solace and sighed.
"Should've known the one I sensed was ya, smart brat." Hugo said as he gave Solace a pat on the shoulder. "Be more careful next time when you're sneaking through the balcony, a maid saw you while you sat on the ledge, you know."
"Okay, okay, Hugo. Have you been taking good care of my Emma?"
"Your Emma... well, aside from her usual feistiness, she's been quite fine, if you ask me. Could do a little fixing with the attitude."
"My attitude does NOT need fixing. Isn't that right, Solace dear?"
"Uh, right, yeah..." Solace nervously sweatdropped as he whistled before looking away from Emerada, desperately trying to get out of the situation he's been roped into. If he took Hugo's side, he would have to face Emma's wrath later. However, if he did take her side, it might result in some serious issues for her future.
Thankfully, the young inventor did not have to make a decision, as a maid came into the room, and saw the three talking.
"Ah, young master Solace, I see you have arrived without warning, yet again." She commented, a little harshly, in Solace's opinion.
"Sorry about that. I'll be sure to not sneak through the garden next time."
"Your antics give me quite a lot of work to do, you know, Auriga's leader? I had to convince my colleague that it was just the princess's friend, and that took a LOT of convincing."
"I know, I'm sorry!" Solace said, exasperated.
"Yeah, lay off Solace, won't you, Sofia."
"But princess, for you to support a guy like that..." Sofia argued, a bit untrusting towards the boy.
"My darling is my darling. And that's final, Sofia."
The maid sighed, and the quartet eventually got going to do their usual business.
Solace POV
It was supposed to be the best day ever, since today will be the day I finally manifest the courage to propose to Emma. To be honest, I never expected to even get a love life when I first arrived here.
Because now, I'm Solace Ars Goetia. The name Tenrai Kanna... is now but a thing of the past.
I've done so much to bring her out of that shell, and even now, Emma struggles to maintain her public image while trying to change her attitude towards the general public. It wasn't easy, as she used to be such an arrogant little spoiled brat.
As I prepared the ring in my company, a sudden crash sounded outside, and I noticed one of my most trusted attendants tumble in with a pained look on his face.
"Boss... run!" He screamed at me, but before I could even ask what was going on, he was stabbed from behind, revealing a figure I knew all too well.
"You." I said to the man, my voice dripping with venom. "16th, why are you here?"
"Vanity wished it, of course. My question is, why are you not following orders, 11th?"
"My authority is my power. It manifested within me because I was the right person to have it."
"And? When did you ever put the disloyalty to use? You never betrayed anyone, after all."
"That's true, 16th, but if you think you could bribe me, the Wizardum Improbius to work on your side-"
"Don't talk to me like that! We all knew it was you who betrayed the Schlizirkel, not us. If it weren't for Vanity, you would be-"
"Please calm down, Archbishop."
A petite white girl wearing her robes came into sight, and Solace gritted his teeth in anger. "What is the meaning of this, Pandora?"
"Wizard Ars Goetia, I think you're misunderstanding here. I never would send out any kill order for you, since you are quite appealing. However, it was mostly because you are in the path of the creation of my new archbishop."
"New archbishop... what do you mean?" Solace stuttered, unable to believe what he just heard.
"Sloth, Wrath, Greed, Pride, and Gluttony are all assembled, so all that's left is Lust. And unfortunately, you're protecting the one who's compatible with it."
"You... you think you can make Emma one of your wretched pawns?! In your dreams, Pandora!" Solace said as his anger erupted, and dashed towards Pandora.
"Wizard Solace should be smashed into a wall."
And in that instant, Vainglory's authority activated, sending Solace flying into the stone wall. However, Solace did something unexpected: a flip in midair that allowed his foot to step into the wall and jump back to his original position.
"Oya? What is this? You can counter that? How surprising, Wizard."
"You... don't get to decide my fate, PANDORA!" Auriga's building roof launched off, and tornadoes full of sand rushed towards Pandora, along with new spears of metal and concrete forming out of the air, ready to strike.
"Die, Witch of Vainglory!" Solace shouted as he prepared to unleash his ultimate move, until he realized a sword was protruding out of his stomach.
"Did you forget about me, Improbius, 11th?"
"Damn you, 16th..." Solace cursed as he fell to the floor, weakened severely as Pandora vanished as quietly as she came, and the 16th retreated as well.
"Emma... don't listen to them..."
Solace Ars Goetia, outerworlder, took his last breath as his wishes left unheard.
Emerada POV
Solace... is dead?
I was utterly devastated when I heard the news. What could've happened? He never mentioned that he had any enemies of sorts.
Hugo, who I sent out to investigate among the Knights, returned and he was carrying... oh no.
"Solace!" I cried out. I dashed towards my darling's body as I embraced him one last time, only to feel something weird in his pocket. I took it out as I began to read the mysterious letter that resided within.
Dear Emma,
If you found this, it probably means I have unfortunately, died.
To be honest, I don't know why anyone could've wanted me dead. Except for the fact that some people bear quite the heavy grudge towards me for betraying them...
But just know this. I will never betray you. You, the person who lit up my life in the darkest hours, is one that I will treasure forever, before and after death.
-Solace Ars Goetia
P.S. I'm sorry, truly.
"Solace..."
I went around asking for details on who could've possibly killed him in the next few days, and I suddenly received one of Hugo's messages. It contained a detailed report of my older brother's plan, who usurped Solace's business after his death. My father, the king, was also on board due to the fact that my brother told him that Solace was messing with evil and taboo objects...
"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN, TABOO OBJECTS?"
I yelled at them when I confronted them, unable to contain my anger any longer.
"Calm down, daughter. Don't you know that he was always a weird kid anyways? Besides, it's much better to use him before he decides to rebel against us."
"SO YOU KILLED HIM?"
"Sister, that kid was trouble. He was related to multiple murders and assassinations all across the four countries. At least if he dies, the trouble will be quelled."
"And where did you get that evidence from, huh? Probably the ones who wanted him dead!"
"Please don't question our most trusted intelligent bureau, sister. It doesn't do us or them any good if you can't keep your emotions under control."
With that, Emerada was forever shut out of the official throne room of Lugnica. And with her continued rebellion and disrespect towards her older sibling and father, she was branded somewhat of a madwoman in the capital, despised by all.
Things took an even worse turn when the entire royal family caught a contagious disease, including her father and brother. While they were able to live a bit longer, Emerada never received treatment from any side, except for Hugo and Sofia, who tried their best to care for her every single day, until...
That night she sat on her bed, wondering about if Solace really is dead because of his so-called 'crimes'.
No way... Solace will never do that.
THEY are all lying. All of them. It's their fault.
Ah, Solace... it seems I'll come to meet you soon.
Emerada felt the cold seep into her body, as if falling into the water with no way up. Just as she embraced the darkness, a voice stopped her.
"How do you do, Bishop Lugnica?"
"Huh?"
Emerada turned around, only to realize that nothing is moving. She tried to move her blanket, or move at all, but it just won't budge.
"Ah, child. It seems like your misunderstanding something. Don't be afraid, I'm only here to help you."
"Who... are you?" Emerada said. It seems funny, since her body couldn't move, but she could talk. What a weird sensation indeed.
"My name is not relevant for this conversation, but I am known as the Witch of Vainglory."
"Witch of... Vainglory?" Emerada asked, confused. She had definitely heard of the Witch of Envy, who destroyed half of the world 400 years ago. But this woman definitely was not her, despite also claiming to be a 'Witch'.
"I am the leader of an organization known as the Witch Cult, and it seems that the Lust Witch Factor is compatible with your body, so I'm here to invite you to join us."
"Join you? I'm a weak princess on the verge of death, and the entire world despises me anyways. What makes you think I could help you?"
"Oh, you poor child, Bishop Lugnica. Our organization is full of people despised and wronged by the world, so you needn't be afraid. Besides..." Pandora said as she took out a tiny gem, shaped like a star of sorts. "This power will help you gain the power you desire, in order to avenge your late betrothed."
"It can... avenge Solace?"
"Then... I will take it."
Emerada followed the instructions of the enigmatic woman, and plunged the star-shaped gem into her stomach, which then pulsated loudly as she coughed out blood. Before she could accuse Pandora of tricking her, though, her wounds began to heal, and her body felt lighter than ever.
"What is...this power?" Emerada muttered as she looked at Pandora.
"You'll get you used to it, Bishop. Sloth was also quite feisty and confused when he received his, and who can blame him? After all, it is your lust that drives it in the first place."
"Welcome to the Witch Cult, Bishop Lugnica. However, considering that using your former identity might be quite the hassle when you conduct business, you know?"
Emerada looked at Pandora in a weird manner, a quick form of disgust, to be mild. Why would she need another name? Was her name not good enough?
Before she could open her mouth to argue, she remembered that Solace also had his own alias. And now, Emerada Lugnica was dead to the world, so using her name would indeed be troublesome. But what to name her, after all? She never thought of an alias in the first place, so...
Then she had an idea. Pandora promised her to find Solace and successfully avenge him, so what's stopping her from getting what she wants? After all, Solace did tell her to utilize every resource in her advantage, just as he had, before he...
That... is my disloyalty, Solace.
Aw... aren't you just an adorable little goat, Emma?
Her beloved's voice rang in her head again, and the word finally came to mind. Solace's most endearing nickname for her, the little goat. The brightest star in the constellation of Auriga, as he once told her...
"Capella. That's my name, from now."
Solace dear, just wait.
Your death...your murderers, will not go unpunished.
I am now... reborn.
Y/N POV
I awoke in a dark realm. The effects of Flowing Memories seems to have ended, but I don't see Capella anywhere, and I don't seem to be in the blood bubble either.
"Hm. Are you awake, L/N-san?"
"Who-" I said as I turned around to face a boy, who sat gracefully on a pile of iron sand, staring down at me from high above. Confirming that I was indeed conscious, he slipped down and created a sofa, inviting me to sit next to him. The kid had a weird outfit, with a flat cap and a nice beige coloured cape, and red eyes that matched a certain familiar merchant.
"Are you perhaps... Solace Ars Goetia? Or should I say... Tenrai Kanna?"
"Ha! I liked your shrewdness, Y/N-san. Few people know my real name, in this world or the last. I bet you have many questions for me, Warlock of Deceit. However, my time is here is short, since there is a limit to how long I can stay here. If not for your predecessor allowing my visit, I would've never reached you."
"Then what do you like to tell me, Vanishing Child?"
"Vanishing Child?"
"You were a kid who mysteriously disappeared around 15 years before my arrival. The guy who vanished into thin air in front of a crowd of people. So I would say you're quite famous."
"They made me into that big of a deal?! Eh..."
"Anyways, know this. The Witch of Vainglory will come after you one day, and so will the 16th, possibly many others. I know you might seem strong now, and definitely way stronger than I was, just know that I have my power that can help you."
"Your...power?"
"My Authority. My Witch Factor."
"HEH?! You're an Archbishop too?"
"No. I'm a wizard. The Wizardum Improbius."
"Huh. And how is it going to help me, exactly?"
"Cautious as always, huh?" Solace smirked. "You know the answer already, don't you, Warlock of Deceit, Liberator? My witch factor lies somewhere in the world. And I know that beside myself, only you are worthy of it. So, in the meantime, take care of my Emma, okay? Make her happy since... I wasn't able to in the end."
"I will hold you to that promise, Tenrai-san. That's what I intended to do from the beginning, so don't worry, Wizardum Improbius."
"Hehe... hahahaha..." Solace suddenly started laughing a little out of nowhere, before calming himself down. "By the way, Y/N-san, just call me Solace. I kinda don't want to be reminded of my former name anymore, okay?"
"Sure, but you have to drop the -san too."
"Sigh... we would've gotten along so well if I was still alive. Now, hold this." He said as he threw me a shard of dust-coloured metal, and pointed at it. "That will tell you to retrieve my witch factor when it gets close. If you do find it someday... well, I suppose that we'll meet again. See you until then, Liberator."
With that, Solace disappeared without a trace, and I jolted back into the waking world.