The gondola eventually made a smooth landing near the heart of the Rising Isle, where a central island featured a magnificent waterfall cascading into the network of waterways winding through the city. The island was adorned with numerous grand structures, each unique and intriguing in its own way.

One building appeared as though carved from a vast vein of pearly moonstone, ascending towards the heavens like a beacon. Another presented a stark contrast in its more—to Scarlett’s sensibilities—’modern’ look, reminiscent of a lofty clock tower embellished with a gleaming dial for a face. A third combined elements of a palace and an aqueduct, with great spires and a large section that arched over to an adjacent island, diverting water from a waterfall there to nourish a magnificent fountain at its front.

The architecture in general bore many of the characteristics of Zuverian craftmanship, utilizing standard pale stone interspersed with elegant marble columns, yet it exhibited much more complexity and grandeur than your typical Zuverian ruin.

Scarlett observed her companions marveling at their diverse surroundings as the group followed Principal Wizard Bunce through a spacious plaza towards a domed building bustling with robed wizards entering and exiting it. The building was large enough to fit several of Scarlett’s mansions in Freybrook inside.

The Chamber of Conjunction was a unique location even here on the Rising Isle, since it was the only place where external magic could penetrate the Isle’s defenses. It also housed the Kilnstones, where Scarlett’s party should have originally arrived.

The detour hadn’t been part of her plans, but she didn’t mind it too much. If anything, it had served as a decent introduction to this place for her party.

As they crossed the island, Bunce explained the purpose and significance of the various buildings until they finally reached the Chamber of Conjunction. Once inside, they were met with a mess of different chambers filled to the brim with wizards and other individuals, creating a chaotic scene that made it difficult for Scarlett to discern what was going on. Bunce quickly led them away from the central chambers, ascending to the higher levels through intricately designed corridors seemingly carved straight from a quarry, with stone veins seamlessly running through the floors and walls.

Eventually, they arrived at a small vestibule featuring a broad window at the far end, framing yet another breathtaking waterfall flowing from a crescent-shaped structure carved into a cliffside amidst lush greenery. The chamber contained a central arrangement of chairs and tables set above a transparent floor, revealing a mesmerising display of moving, flowing lights. Emerald crystal sconces hung from the walls, bathing the space in a soft, ethereal glow.

“Baroness, Grand Wizard Hartford will meet you here,” Bunce informed Scarlett, gesturing towards the empty chairs. “Regrettably, I hear he had to attend to some urgent business, but he should return shortly. One of the inconveniences of our limited numbers is that we are often pressed for people, and the services of wizards of his calibre are all the more occupied. This may differ from what you are used to on the mainland, but your understanding is appreciated.”

“Very well,” Scarlett responded in a neutral tone, watching Allyssa and Rosa wander across the room to the window.

It seemed like they hadn’t had their fill of sightseeing yet.

She looked at Bunce. “Would it be possible for us to explore more of the islands beyond what was shown on our route here?”

The man seemed momentarily surprised by her question but then nodded. “Of course. It shouldn’t be a problem, provided it’s only until the Grand Wizard arrives.” He motioned towards the two Associate Wizards with him. “However, I will have to ask that these two accompany you to guide you through the permitted areas.”

Scarlett turned to her companions. “Then you may all feel free to explore at your leisure.” She glanced at Bunce. “Time should not be an issue as long as I remain here, no?”

He blinked. “No, I suppose not.”

“You’re not coming?” Allyssa asked.

“I have already seen enough of the Isle for now,” Scarlett said. “I prefer to conclude my meeting with the Grand Wizard first. Since I doubt it will be of interest to any of you, I thought you should take this opportunity to see what more this place has to offer.”

Rosa regarded her with a questioning gaze. “…You sure?”

Scarlett met the bard’s violet eyes. “I am.”

After a brief pause, Rosa shrugged. “Well, I won’t say no to exploring more of the sights. I’d always heard stories that others made up about this place, but now I can do that myself without them being entirely fabrications. And being here certainly beats the gloom of Freybrook in winter. Might even be able to cheer up some of the local mages with a song or two.”

“Please ensure that you don’t disrupt the work of our wizards,” Bunce interjected cautiously.

“Don’t worry, I won’t,” Rosa reassured him with a smile. “Music is the antithesis of ‘disturbing’, and I’m sure your cooped-up colleagues won’t complain.”

The wizard seemed unsure whether he should say anything more, but after a brief exchange with his two junior wizards, he finally gave a reluctant nod. Rosa and Allyssa made to leave, but Fynn and Shin didn’t move.

Scarlett allowed a faint smile as she looked at the two. “I believe I will be safe even without both of you here to protect me.”

Fynn’s whole demeanor basically screamed “I’m staying”, while Shin’s expression didn’t reveal much at all. After exchanging looks, Shin moved to follow Allyssa and Rosa, leaving along with the Associate Wizards.

Scarlett then focused on Fynn. “Are you not interested in exploring more of the Isle?”

He shook his head. “No. I’ll have more chances later.”

“…That is true, I suppose.”

“I will also take my leave for the time being, Baroness,” Bunce said, offering a polite smile. “Your visit was rather sudden for us here on the Isle, so I need to ensure that your accommodations have been properly arranged. I’ll return after your meeting with the Grand Wizard. Is there anything else you require before I go?”

“There is not.”

“Excellent, excellent. Then I’ll see you again shortly.”

With that, the wizard also departed, leaving Scarlett and Fynn by themselves. Fynn seemed to first turn his gaze to the see-through floor and the moving lights below, his brows furrowed in thought. It didn’t take long for him to shift his attention, sitting down quietly on the floor by the entrance, closing his eyes in meditation.

Scarlett watched him with slight amusement. Was the light show too much for his tastes?

Walking over to the center of the chamber, she chose one of the more comfortable-looking chairs and settled down, her own attention turning to the scenery outside the window.

She had to admit, it might take some adjustment to get used to this place. She’d grown pretty accustomed to living as a noble in the empire at this point, and the overall atmosphere and way people looked at her here on the Rising Isle was very different from that. Even Principal Wizard Bunce’s efforts, while likely well-intentioned, fell short of the formalities she was used to by now.

The subtle missteps and demeanor did irk her slightly, but she was willing to tolerate them. She had been aware that the mages of the Rising Isle handled things differently even before she came here. This might even be a bit like how an interaction between a noble and most modern people would have played out.

And although her visit was primarily motivated by advancing Arlene’s quest, she was also eager to explore some of the notable locations here on the Isle. The places she was interested in wouldn’t be among those Rosa and the others were currently visiting, though. No, she had her eyes set on the places she wasn’t allowed to visit.

And if she played her cards right, her status as an outsider wouldn’t necessarily hinder her from doing so.

Much of that would depend on her upcoming meeting with this ‘Grand Wizard Hartford’, however. She was curious about him, given the name and his apparent status, but there was also a part of her that felt slighted at his mere existence.

Who was he to go around using her name?

She pushed those intruding thoughts aside as best she could, her eyes moving to the entrance, as though the man in question might appear any second now.

He did not.

That was fine. She could be patient.

…Although it dawned on her that she had no idea how long she was actually expected to wait.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

To pass the time, she took out a book and began reading, but after a few minutes stretched to twenty without any sign of his arrival, her displeasure began to mount. She wondered if this was just how the Isle usually treated dignitaries.

Surely the Imperial Chancellery would have warned her if they expected her visit to be problematic in any way?

When her frustration began to reach a point where it was becoming slightly challenging to keep it under control, a figure finally appeared at the entrance. A man, looking to be somewhere in his fifties, entered wearing a distinguished set of black robes. His features were sharp, suggesting he might have been quite a looker in his younger days, with styled, short black hair greying at the temples and a groomed beard. The gold trim of his collar shone brightly, and he leaned on an ornate black staff topped with a striking gemstone.

His approach stopped at the entrance, however, his gaze falling down on the motionless Fynn. A slightly befuddled and gruff expression crossed his face before he shifted his focus to Scarlett. “…You are Baroness Hartford, I presume?”

She nodded. “I am. And I presume you are Grand Wizard ‘Hartford’?”

“Simply call me Gaspar,” he replied, his expression easing somewhat. “It will be easier that way.”

Scarlett observed him closely as he crossed the chamber. She had actually meant that more as a subtle probe regarding his name, but she couldn’t tell if he’d caught that or not.

The man settled into the chair opposite her, resting his staff behind him while casting one last glance at Fynn, as if assessing a particularly unruly rare beast.

“He is one of my retainers,” Scarlett explained, mostly managing to keep her voice neutral. “His manners may appear somewhat peculiar to those from the Rising Isle, but you do not need to pay him any mind. He often takes the opportunity to meditate during long, undue waits.”

Gaspar raised both eyebrows, but soon refocused on Scarlett. “Apologies for the delay. I would have been here sooner, but there were some unforeseen complications with one of my disciples’ research endeavours. It could have led to my being short one disciple, so I spent more time admonishing the fool than I had anticipated.”

Scarlett regarded him with a measured expression, but she couldn’t detect any lie. “I see.”

This didn’t really change the fact that she’d been waiting here for a while. He could have notified her about the delay, or at least informed Principal Wizard Bunce. She suspected that the man in front of her wasn’t accustomed to being placed in charge of handling outsiders like her.

But he seemed to be making an effort at civility.

“The Isle has been buzzing with mentions of your name this past month, Baroness,” Gaspar continued after a pause. “If the rumors are to be believed, you supposedly possess insights into the Zuver that rival those of esteemed figures such as Arch Wizard Aubrianne or Myerscough, heralding a new chapter in Zuverian research.” He shook his head, the skepticism clear in his tone. “I won’t hold you to such inflated hyperbole. The junior wizards get too easily excited, even when there have only been two new discoveries of Zuverian sites. They forget that your background is imperial nobility, not wizardry.”

Scarlett’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And what exactly are you implying with that?”

“I mean to say that, despite your collaborations with Master Docent Mendenhall of the Elystead Tower, you have yet to author a treatise or publish any substantial scholarly work for the academic community to review. Thus, skepticism is only natural regarding the validity and depth of your research. I would not claim to be a proficient administrator simply because I once headed a village, and the same applies here. Unless I am mistaken in assuming that you are not a conventional scholar and researcher in the field of Zuverian studies?”

Scarlett held his gaze for a moment. “…No, you are not.”

She wanted to be annoyed at him, but he did have a point.

“Then expecting scholarly contributions from you is hardly fair or right, despite your key role in uncovering new sites of import,” Gaspar said seriously. “This is why the council’s urgency in granting your request to visit the Isle puzzled me. Though they are not all focused on Zuverian research as I am, it was strange nonetheless.”

“While I may not have expertise comparable to yours, the tangible outcomes of my discoveries speak for themselves. From what I have heard, thanks to my recent efforts, more Zuverian relics have been unearthed in these last few months than in the last five years combined.”

“I don’t dispute the importance of your findings, Baroness. My concern lies with those who might exaggerate their significance and risk diminishing the work of many lifelong researchers.” The man sighed. “But my personal views are irrelevant now, and I will not place the burden of them at your feet. The council disregarded my vote on the matter and clearly values your contributions highly enough to sanction your visit. As your appointed liaison, I will fulfill my role.”

“…I respect your commitment, even if it comes with reluctance,” Scarlett said. “Should you find the task that unwelcome, however, you could simply ask that the responsibility be assigned to someone else. I will not take offense, and I am confident that I can work with whomever is decided upon.”

“That is not how things are done here, Baroness. There was a reason I was chosen, regardless of my personal opinions. Now, let’s focus on the matter at hand rather than prolong unnecessary discussions.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands together. “You have indicated in your correspondence that your findings in the Zuverian ruins east of Faybarrow—discovered along with Master Docent Mendenhall—reference secrets yet to be uncovered on the Rising Isle. Now that you’re here, it’s time you elaborate on what you meant by that. The prevailing assumption surrounding your visit was that you intended to contribute to our research endeavours in some way, but I do not find that particularly likely.”

“You are correct in a manner, then. That is not my goal.”

Scarlett’s original pretext for wanting to visit the Rising Isle involved possessing potential secrets related to the Rising Isle itself. Despite centuries of mage habitation, the Isle still held mysteries within it, several of which were featured in the game, so her claim wasn’t completely unfounded.

However, she had been deliberately vague on the specifics, aiming to gauge what degree of freedom she would receive on the Isle before revealing too much. Considering the potential value of anything related to the Zuver, she had been expecting the Isle’s wizards to show interest in almost whatever she proposed.

“Before we proceed, I have a question,” she began.

“And what is that?”

“I would like to understand the extent of my permissions as an imperial envoy here. Specifically, what restrictions apply to my movements?”

A slight frown crossed Gaspar’s brow. “That information should already have been communicated to you.”

“Yes, but I was not given specifics. I understand that general access is permitted under supervision, but I assume this excludes high-priority areas such as the Astral Sanctum, the Veiled Library, or the Halls of Echo?”

Slight surprise showed on the man’s face. “I wouldn’t have thought you to even be aware of those places, to be frank. But yes, those locations remain off-limits, even with an escort.”

“What if I told you that I possessed information that could uncover secrets unknown to you in one of those locations?” Scarlett asked.

Gaspar watched her silently for a few seconds before answering. “Should that be the case, the council would need to convene and consider whether it’s feasible to grant you temporary access. The possibility of such a scenario was considered when we first handled your request, and I know that they may allow you inside the Veiled Library, but I cannot guarantee the same for the other places. Before I can even relay your request, I must know which location in particular you’re interested in and why.”

Scarlett made a show of considering her response for a moment. “My interest lies in the Astral Sanctum. I prefer to withhold the exact reason and details until I can receive at least the council’s preliminary approval, however. I am well aware of the value of the information I possess.” Seeing the man’s frown deepen, she added, “Suffice it to say that I have reason to believe there remain parts of the Sanctum that are undiscovered.”

Gaspar stared at her. “That’s ludicrous.”

“Not at all,” Scarlett replied.

The man studied her intently. “…I do not particularly like working with those who keep secrets, Baroness, but fine. I will present your request to the other members of the council.”

“When can I expect their decision?”

“The earliest would be tomorrow. A matter like this requires a majority of the council to convene.”

If that was the case, then Scarlett should probably be glad they only needed one day. Given wizards’ notoriety for immersing themselves in their own research and ignoring secular matters, gathering them on short notice sounded like it could be a challenge. The Rising Isle’s council had fifteen members, comprising all their Grand Wizards as well as three Arch Wizards, representing probably one of the most formidable assemblies of pure magical might in this world.

“Then I will await their decision tomorrow,” Scarlett said.

“Is there anything else you wish me to communicate to them?”

“My request to access the Astral Sanctum is currently my primary concern. However, I would not be opposed to the council discussing extending me additional privileges based on the potential value of my findings in the Sanctum. Future collaborations between us would undoubtedly prove immensely beneficial to both parties.”

“…We’ll consider it.” Gaspar gave her one last look, seeming ready to leave.

“There is one more matter.” Scarlett stopped him.

He paused, eyeing her. “Yes?”

She crossed her arms. “It cannot have passed your notice that we share a name.”

A scoff escaped the man. “No, it has not.”

“This fact has…caught my interest. The Hartford barony dates back to the empire’s founding, and so there have been several branches of it over the generations. Do you perhaps hail from one of these?”

A mix of disbelief and incredulity entered Gaspar’s expression as he gave her a long look. “Surely you would know that better than anyone, Baroness? You imperial nobles are those who are obsessed with lineage.”

“While I have considerable knowledge of my family’s history, it does not encompass every branch, especially very distant ones. I am not aware of any connections to the Rising Isle, hence my inquiry.”

“And what if I tell you that we have no relation?”

Scarlett studied him. Annoyingly, that possibility bothered her more than if he’d said there was a connection.

“Is that truly the case?” she pressed, her voice coming out a bit more confrontational than she intended.

The man did not seem to miss the intensity in her question. “Baroness, do not think that our shared name imposes any obligations between us.”

Scarlett’s expression hardened. “That was not my implication.”

Gaspar’s demeanor also turned more severe, but he remained silent for a moment before shaking his head. “To give you a proper answer, no, my family has no link to your house. My predecessors have been established on the Rising Isle for generations. If our shared surname intrigues you, I suggest you investigate it from your end. It is none of my business.”

Standing up, he adjusted his robe and collected his staff. With a more formal tone, he added, “If there’s nothing more, I’ll relay the council’s decision tomorrow. Should they approve, I will likely be accompanying you to the Astral Sanctum as well. Meanwhile, I believe Principal Wizard Bunce was responsible for any other inquiries or needs you may have. Direct any specific requests to him unless they pertain directly to your visit’s purpose.”

Scarlett watched him for a moment, brow creased, but nodded. “That will be all for now.”

She felt like there was more to the story, but clearly, she wouldn’t be getting anywhere with him right now. It was a shame, because she had also intended to inquire with him about details related to Arlene’s quest, but consulting someone more receptive was probably better.

Grand Wizard Gaspar Hartford bid his goodbyes, passing by Fynn on his way out. After a short while, Fynn opened his eyes and looked at Scarlett.

“You’re good at making people angry,” the young man remarked.

“…Go back to your meditation,” Scarlett said.

She turned back to the window, allowing some of her own frustration to subside. She might have let herself get a bit too carried away there, but Gaspar wasn’t too bad. She’d dealt with worse.

That said, she couldn’t help but wonder why most of her first meetings with powerful wizards always seemed to start so poorly.