War Chronicles of the Land of Twilight

“Welcome and thank you for coming.”

“Weary from your long journey, you must be tired.”

“We appreciate the time you have taken amidst your duties as the protector of the key.”

“Your loyalty would surely please His Majesty, the Abyssal King.”

In the grand corridor of the Abyssal King’s castle, four people gathered. As soon as they did, four handmaidens appeared where there was no sign of them just moments before. Gorda, who had been to the Abyssal King’s castle before, still did not know where these “four handmaidens” came from. He had long suspected that the other three were just as clueless.

The four handmaidens had identical physiques and wore the exact same outfits, consisting of only black and white. Their long skirts concealed their feet, and from the flared sleeves, hands in black gloves peeked out. The skirts and sleeves were loose, but the bodice, chest, arms, and neck were tight and somewhat restrictive. The collar was long, extending to right under their chins, completely hiding their necks. They wore large, square head coverings, from which black cloth hung down, covering their faces. The black cloth concealed everything except their mouths, which were just barely visible.

The four maidservants had identical facial features, making it impossible to distinguish them by their physical characteristics. Each of them had a clear and beautiful voice, which sounded different yet indistinguishable when one tried to focus on the nuances. They spoke with a mysterious tone and intonation.

The only way to tell the four maidservants apart was by the tools they held in their hands. The first maidservant carried a candlestick. The second held a call bell. The third had nothing in her hands. And the fourth carried a small key.

The four maidservants addressed the four visitors. “Are you the guardian of the east, the master of the ‘Fortress of Izun,’ and the wielder of the ‘Demonic Sword Gorda’?”

The first maidservant, holding the candlestick, asked the question. “That’s correct,” Gouda replied calmly in his composed voice.

“―― Guardian of the West, Lord of the ‘Seikai Observatory,’ the ‘Witch of the Three-Eyed Romaria,’ is that correct?”

The second maid holding a bell asked.

“Yes, of course, there’s no mistake.”

Romaria answered with a chuckle.

“―― Guardian of the South, Lord of the ‘Forest of Violent Consumption,’ the ‘Devouring Curse,’ is that correct?”

The third maid, holding nothing, asked.

“No problem. I have obtained His Majesty’s permission.”

The man called Curse answered, nodding.

“―― Guardian of the North, Lord of the ‘Necrosas Tomb,’ the ‘Pope of Thirst, Ringel,’ is that correct?”

The fourth maidservant with a small key asked,

“Of course, we are honored by your presence this time.”

Ringel answered with a bow.

Once the visitors were confirmed, the four maidservants bent their knees and hips to show a welcoming attitude.

“We have duly confirmed your identities.”

“Once again, we wholeheartedly welcome your visit to the castle this time.”

“We will guide you, the esteemed ‘Four Great Lords,’ to the presence of the throne.”

“Allow us to lead you. Please, this way…”

The four maidservants split into two groups on each side, placing their arms with palms up against their chests, deeply bowing their heads, and inviting the Four Great Lords into the depths of the grand corridor.

＊＊＊

As Gorda, Romaria, Curse, and Ringel the person’s called the Four great Lord’s, began to walk towards the depths of the seemingly endless grand corridor, their four handmaidens followed suit. The handmaidens walked in a formation surrounding the Four great Lord’s, perfectly matching each other’s distance and stride. The scene resembled that of jailers escorting prisoners or knights carrying fallen warriors to a state funeral. Above all, it appeared as if a barrier was isolating the guests from something.

As the handmaidens led the Four great Lord’s deeper into the corridor, they began to recite something akin to a spell.

The first handmaiden, holding a lit candelabrum in both hands, chanted, “I am the ‘Illuminator.’ Even on moonless nights, I shall light the path so you do not lose your footing.”

The second handmaiden, ringing a bell, chanted, “I am the ‘Announcer.’ Even when all are asleep, I shall alert everyone with my bell, so none are unaware.”

The third handmaiden, with empty hands folded over her stomach, chanted, “I am the ‘Guide.’ Whether blind or deaf, I shall take your hand and guide you so you never lose your way.”

The fourth handmaiden, pressing a small key to her chest, chanted, “I am the ‘Sender.’ Even when longing for home consumes you, I shall ensure you do not turn back and deliver you to your destination.”

Then, the four handmaidens chanted in unison, their voices merging into a single, perfectly harmonized tone, “To the presence of our lord, ‘Abyssal King Lizarria’…”