CHAPTER 5, REUNION IN BARENISS

  It has been days since we broke from the jail. On our way to Bareniss City, we’ve heard nothing—no rumors of Grant’s capture, no whispers of pursuit. That’s a good sign. It means they’re still out there, heading for Bareniss just as we are.

  Bareniss City-I have no fond memory of it. During the Civil War, they declared neutrality, claiming both sides were riddled with scandals.

  They turned their backs on us, pretending the Geolin fraud didn’t exist—pretending we were just as corrupt as the Eiffels. All our house did was work with Boris Starson to reveal the truth. All we did was expose the truth. We worked with a terrorist, yes. The leader of the Crime Syndicate. But he had the evidence to bring the Eiffels down for the massacre.

  Had Bareniss stood by House Sibelius, the war would have ended years earlier. Fewer people would have suffered. During that period, Bareniss held the strongest Shin master army, the Divine Legion, for being the sponsor of Shin Academy.

  And yet, even after joining Omenmia, Bareniss acts like a kingdom of its own—sheltering enemies of the state.

  But given our circumstances, we need them.

  Bareniss is a neutral ground, and right now, neutrality is our best weapon.

  I exhale slowly. Baz does know his geopolitics.

  Bareniss has a reputation as the safest city in the land. Its laws are enforced with unyielding precision, far beyond anything seen in Gustan. If Omenmia City is the safest city in the empire, then Bareniss is something else entirely—a city that feels like it belongs to the Goddess realm itself.

  Almost too perfect.

  The noble house of Bareniss is House Jones—nobles in name only. The real power lies with Clan Uda, a merchant dynasty that built its empire on trade and influence. It was they who founded the Divine Legion, led by the esteemed Shin master, Obelius Uda.

  Obelius was my classmate in Shin Academy. As the son of a merchant, he knew how to play the game—polished, diplomatic, always careful with his words. We were quite close back then.

  Until the war.

  Until the moment I asked for his help, and he refused—hiding behind his ‘unshakable’ moral standard.

  Dominic interrupts my thoughts, “We’ll need to get entry passes. Hopefully, they won’t give us trouble.”

  I nod subtly.

  Bareniss is strict about its rules. Like most cities in Gustan, an entry permit is required, but Bareniss goes a step further. Their special entry passes don’t just allow entry—they dictate what you’re permitted to do within the city.

  To obtain a higher-level pass, a good record and a strong first impression are crucial. But above all, what matters most is your reason for being here.

  As a major port city, Bareniss thrives on trade. Because of this, merchants typically receive higher-level passes more easily.

  We, however, have no goods to trade, which makes securing a merchant pass far more difficult. Sneaking in isn’t an option—not with the Divine Legion’s strict patrols. Getting caught would be a death sentence.

  Neither can we bribe them; the Divine Legion is hard to sway with gold bars. They are ideologues. Also, they are paid well.

  Then it hits me.

  Baz didn’t just load our cargo with unnecessary goods.

  He was disguising us as a merchant guild from the very beginning.

  For the first time since I woke up in Felicia’s body, I don’t feel like I’m fighting alone. Baz saw what I couldn’t. Planned for what I failed to. If I had men like him in the past… No. I did. I was the one who demoted him. I failed before. But this time, I will not.

  What had Grant done to deserve such a loyal and intelligent subject?

  Before we reach the city gate, I hand my rapier to Dominic and pull on a cloak we bought along the way. If we’re both visibly armed, it will make for an unfavorable first impression.

  At the gate, we greet the city detectives—members of the Divine Legion. Clad in full plate armor and helmets, they stand like immovable sentinels. Even for Shin masters, wearing such heavy armor all day is a waste of energy. And yet, they do it. Perhaps that’s why they are so respected—even among other Shin masters.

  Shin mastery relies on opening energy pathways, allowing energy to flow freely through the body. While physical fitness can expand these pathways, true mastery requires a silent mind, a cleansed mental state. Being more physically fit can help broaden the pathways, but cleansing the mind is still more important.

  Most Gustanese Shin masters have long abandoned this balance, favoring raw power and aggression over the old ways. But the Divine Legion still clings to both—the warrior’s discipline and the Shin master’s art.

  “This way, please,” one of the detectives says.

  They lead us to a room within the gate.

  “So, what brings you to Bareniss?” the second detective interrogates us in the room.

  We’re seated across the table.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “My lady is here to visit her cousin. I’m her personal guard,” Dominic says.

  “And who is her cousin?” the first detective asks.

  “What is his name? And what is your lady’s clan name?”

  “His name is Butter Philson,” Dominic says smoothly.

  The detective raises an eyebrow. “Butter?”

  “Yes.” Dominic continues his lies, “He is a sea trader. He is going to come back soon. In the meantime, she would like to travel in the city.”

  The detectives exchange glances.

  “Centralners?”

  “Yes, old Bennett District.”

  The detective pushes the pass across the table. “Class Five. This is a one-time entry only. No nighttime strolls. No access to the restricted markets. Daily reports required.”

  He leans in slightly. “Break any of these, and we will not tolerate it. Understood?”

  “Sign your name. Don’t even think about writing a fake one. This contract is magically infused,” the detective says.

  Dominic hesitates briefly. I tense.

  We don’t know if the magic is real. But if it is… we should not lie.

  “My lady cannot read or write—an unfortunate birth condition. I’ve been her voice and hand since we were children. May I sign for her?”

  “If this is the case, no.” He pulls back one pass. “I shall see you two travel in single. Understood?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Dominic signs his real name. The ink settles naturally.

  Is there magic? I can’t tell.

  They hand us one pass.

  “Enjoy the city, m’lady.”

  I nod.

  We finally leave the gate to the city. The moment we pass through, the air feels… lighter. Less tense.

  The buildings are colorful but orderly. No beggars. No merchants shouting for business.

  Instead, people stroll calmly in the parks. Children laugh freely, playing without fear.

  For a city with such strict rules, there is no tension, no stress. Not because they are scared of punishment—but because they trust the rules to protect them.

  I used to travel by carriage to Bareniss. I never care to bother with the vibe of the city. This is a brand-new experience for me.

  A pair of Divine Legionnaires march past us, their heavy armor clanking in perfect sync. They don’t glare, don’t harass, and don’t demand bribes. They are here to keep order, nothing more.

  Bareniss is a good place to live if you follow the rules. Especially during the Civil War, when chaos swallowed the rest of the continent, Bareniss remained untouched.

  But rules are rules. And right now, we don’t have much time.

  The sun dips lower, shadows stretching across the streets. Dusk is coming. We need to find an inn fast. Without a night pass, staying outside after curfew is not an option.

  We arrive at an inn in front of the market called Hero’s Journey. It’s one of the bigger ones in Bareniss. Considering the size of Grant’s crew, this one has a higher chance for us to encounter them.

  As Dominic checks at the concierge, I stroll around in the lobby. It is elegant but not luxurious. There’s a soothing scent from the wood.

  They are using the Uxiospean imported light system. Unlike fire lamps, they are bright and stable. Our palace was in negotiating in importing this magitech system.

  The years of wars made Omenmia extremely efficient on battlefields more than any other country, but we also lost years of development. Uxiospea, as a newly emerged empire, focuses on magem and its application in every possible way, exceeding us in every aspect of technology. We will probably win a war against them, but not on magitech.

  On one of the walls, city rules are clearly hung for every traveler. There are no excuses for not knowing them. The laws are actually acceptable. Nothing too extreme, but no excuses if you break one.

  “Felicia?” a familiar voice breaks through the air.

  It’s Grant.

  I turn around and see him in a bathrobe in front of me. He rushes to hug me.

  “I thought I lost you,” he says. “Why are you making me worry like this?”

  Why is he wearing a bathrobe in the lobby?

  I push him away and point to his robe with irritation.

  He blinks. Completely confused.

  “What’s the problem? You know I do this all the time in the palace. Why does it matter here?”

  Because this isn’t the palace. This is Bareniss. The city where any social misbehavior can get you fined.

  All around us, well-dressed merchants and polished adventurers glance sideways, trying—and failing—not to stare. A child points. A waiter recoils like he’s seen a crime scene.

  This is the worst way of getting attention.

  Grant just stands there. Hair unbrushed, with slippers, radiating “I’m home, I do what I want” energy.

  How did Felicia survive all these years?

  Dominic shows up behind me.

  “Who is this?” he asks.

  He served in the army for years. How could he not recognize Grant?

  “Who are you? That should be my question. I’m the Lion Prin…” Grant says but is stopped by Baz dashing from behind.

  He covers Grant’s mouth in case the prince proudly announces his forbidden identity.

  “Nice to see you again, Felicia,” Baz says. “And you must be the gentleman who saved her from the fight. I give you my sincere thanks. May I have your name?”

  “My name is Dominic,” he replies.

  Suddenly, a woman dashes out to hug me. It’s Mop.

  “Mommy!” she yells.

  Mommy? Felicia has a daughter, and she is extremely powerful. How? My face is in awe and confusion.

  I realize Dominic is in shock, too. I shake my head to show that I don’t know either.

  Grant and Baz seem rather timid with this revelation, and they assume I know. I missed out on some major information.

  Mop is rubbing his face on me like a little child.

  “Mommy, I love you,” she says.

  Mop clings to me tighter, warmth emitting from her tiny frame. It’s childish, absurd, impossible—And yet…

  Luna used to hug me like this.

  A trail of tears comes down on my face. My arms wrap around Mop before I can stop myself. For the briefest moment, I let myself believe it.

  I wipe my face quickly, only to catch a glimpse of the three men smiling. Grant, grinning like a fool. Baz, enjoying the warmth of the moment. Dominic, smiling at my happiness.

  Maybe the Goddess is also trying to tell me to give a second chance on my daughter.

  I let go of Mop and realize something–this is not the full crew. The warmth fades in an instant, replaced by my cold calculation.

  I check around to see if Benica or Sharon are here, too.

  Baz notices I’m looking around and says, “Benica is already asleep. For her right now, the most important thing is the bed. Sharon is waiting for us in the dining room.”

  He grins with frustration.

  It must be a terrible journey to handle Grant and the three girls without my support. I tap on his shoulder and give him a nod of appreciation, which makes him grin even more.

  Baz changes his expression suddenly and implores, “Let’s join in a dinner together. We have plans to do.”