Gunmage-Chapter 282: The priestess and the mirror

Deep within Cross Manor, in the lavish bedroom once reserved for the disowned Lyra Cross—although that title no longer held any weight—change lingered in the air.

Now that she had lost the duel, "disowned" was no longer an accurate word to describe her.

Soon, she would be granted a larger, more opulent room befitting a direct heir of House Cross. A chamber lined with velvet curtains, gold-gilded mirrors, and flocks of servants, all poised to cater to her whims.

Lyra now belonged to the Cross family. Which also meant she was now shackled by every obligation and expectation that came with the title.

Across the room, Xhi sat in a modest chair by the window, a book open in her hands, though her eyes had long drifted from the text.

She hadn’t spared much thought for Lyra’s fate. Now she was worried about her position. Perhaps she should head to the Von Heim manor instead?

Just as the thought passed through her mind, she stiffened.

Something was... off.

She stood abruptly, her eyes narrowing.

Slowly, she walked around the room, scanning every corner with practiced scrutiny. Her frown deepened.

She passed the mirror—then stopped, retraced her steps, and stood before it.

Her gaze locked with her own reflection. But only for a moment.

Then she spoke.

"Are you recovered enough to make direct manifestations like this?"

Her reflection answered.

"This is not a direct manifestation. Nevertheless, yes. I am strong enough. All thanks to Lugh."

"Lugh?"

Xhi’s brow furrowed, puzzled.

Her reflection’s lips moved, independent of her body.

"The stronger he becomes, the more influence I can project."

"I see,"

Xhi murmured, her tone unreadable. She asked, simply,

"Why are you here?"

"To give you your next task."

Xhi waited in silence.

She did not have to wait long.

"Kill Lyra Cross."

Xhi straightened. Her eyes briefly glimmered with an emotion too fast to name—then, just as quickly, it vanished.

"Why?"

She asked carefully.

"She is a hindrance to his completion,"

The reflection replied.

Xhi’s lips pressed into a line. She exhaled faintly.

"If I kill Lyra, Lugh will die."

Her reflection frowned.

"He can’t kill himself. We have a contract."

"No one said anything about him killing himself."

A heavy silence settled between them.

The reflection narrowed its eyes.

"Explain."

Xhi spoke.

"The world has become far more dangerous. He won’t take his own life. But he also won’t fight to survive... not if Lyra dies."

"He knows the consequences,"

The reflection insisted, its tone sharpened.

"He wouldn’t care,"

Xhi replied.

The reflection’s mouth moved again—this time the words came rapidly, frustration leaking through every syllable.

"Then give him more bonds."

Xhi shook her head.

"That would lead to the same problem."

The reflection snarled, its calm crumbling.

"Why!?"

Xhi’s voice remained level.

"Humans are... difficult."

A click of the tongue followed. Then—

"Do something about it."

"I’m trying,"

She answered coolly.

Her reflection’s expression shifted again—this time cold and accusatory.

"You’re trying? Then why does it feel like you’re doing the opposite? Why does it feel like you’re interfering with my plans?"

Xhi’s body twitched, almost imperceptibly. But she said nothing.

"You’ve done something unnecessary."

Xhi defended immediately.

"A temporary vessel cannot compare to the real thing. We need to think beyond the present."

Her reflection quieted. Its tone flattened, mirroring hers.

"I never held any expectations. It would be foolish to believe he could succeed where countless others have failed."

"He won’t fail this time."

Her voice carried conviction.

The reflection sneered. But the expression felt hollow, like a mask—habitual, rehearsed.

"And what makes you so certain?"

Xhi inhaled slowly.

"Because I am here."

Silence stretched, long and taut.

Then, her reflection spoke.

"My arrangements will continue. If you think you can do better, then prove it. With actions—not words."

The presence faded. Her reflection returned to normal.

Xhi exhaled slowly, her fingers briefly curling against her robe.

Just then, the door opened.

Lyra stepped in, wrapped in a velvet bathrobe, her damp hair towel-dried into a loose coil, dropping to her ankles.

Her voice was casual, even tired.

"I heard Lugh already left. What a shame. I wished he could’ve stayed longer."

But her face twisted bitterly as she remembered the duel’s result.

"Those fcking elves."

Now, she was officially Cross property. Her freedom hung in the balance. They’d probably start forcing her into those stuffy noble gowns. Just imagining it made her stomach turn.

She still hated the outcome—despised it—and the only reason she hadn’t already exploded was because of Lugh’s advice.

As she stood grumbling, she finally noticed Xhi’s stare.

"Uh... Xhi?"

She asked, blinking.

The priestess didn’t answer. Her gaze was locked on Lyra—sharp, static, unreadable.

Lyra’s throat tightened. Her hands flexed.

The air felt heavier now.

Then, Xhi spoke. Her voice cut clean through the tension.

"We need to talk."

Lyra hesitated.

"About what?"

"The Devil Sea. And the deal Lugh made to let you all escape."

Lyra’s brows furrowed, clear confusion settling across her face.

"Deal? What deal?"

...

Outside, in the winding courtyard of Von Heim manor, the chatter of returning youths filled the air.

The carriages had finally arrived, and the younger generation dispersed in small clumps—some quieter, some more energetic.

The events of the duel had pulled them closer together, if only slightly. But the looming white walls of the estate served as a stark reminder that familial unity was still a fragile thing.

Amidst them, Selaphiel found herself trailing behind, burdened by the unusually chatty presence of Lugh.

His change was abrupt—as it always was—but even she found the shift disorienting.

"When is the selection?"

He asked.

"Just a few days from now,"

She answered.

"And it spans all of Ophris?"

"Yes. Yes, it does."

Lugh frowned, then muttered,

"If you had the resources to fund such a grand event, why is the Jade Tower doing nothing about the war?"

"They are doing something."

"Wait, really?"

He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"...They’re just not doing much."

Lugh scowled.

"You know what? I think I might just join the military full-time."

"Oh no you don’t."

"Why? Who’s going to stop me?"

"Now listen here, you—"

Their back-and-forth was cut short.

Another presence approached—an elf, one Lugh recognized instantly.

Lance.

He ignored Lugh entirely, his voice clipped and urgent.

"We have a problem,"

He said.

"They’re back."

End of "Volume 2: All pieces on the board"

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