Emilia, Coquelicot and Valimir had returned to the inn well after midnight while Xamiliere was left behind to watch over the unconscious necromancer, as they didn’t want to risk bringing Anastacia into the city. After sharing the news about the plan’s progression, Valimir returned to his brother’s shop and the others retired for the night. Coquelicot broke into Anastacia’s room and slept there. Being a trained soldier, she was also the only one who got some proper rest instead of worrying over Anastacia’s condition.

As the sun began to rise, Emilia woke up feeling just as tired as she was when she finally fell asleep, if not more so. Sylvia’s weakened presence was upsetting to her to say the least. With her uniform strapped on, she headed to the kitchen for some breakfast and found King, who was feeding a sandwich to Coquelicot.

“What?” The high inquisitor asked bluntly. She was clearly annoyed already, and laughing at her would have probably ended poorly.

“Nothing. Nothing. You do you.” The priestess said and tried her best to not grin like an idiot.

Emilia had spent quite a lot of time in the kitchen and knew her way around it. While Rosie was busy taking orders and preparing them, the priestess prepared her own meal and tea. Just as she sat down to enjoy it she stopped suddenly.

“My Lady is back!” She yelled and ran out.

Coquelicot didn’t seem too interested in what was happening and continued eating.

“Shouldn’t you be going too?” Rosie asked, she was worried that something had gone wrong.

“Why? I’m not a part of their idiocy. I hope Anastacia kills the spriggan, your less hairy half is actually kind of competent and losing her would be a shame.” Coquelicot explained.

“Really? You know, the high inquisitor I met a bit after Gil brought Anna in, was a respectable person with a mission.” Rosie said and hit the counter in frustration. “What I’m seeing now is a pathetic, petty wretch. I get it, what happened to Alizarin is terrible and you need time to work through it. But with the way you are now, I’d be surprised if your rebellion lasts for an entire year before people start to get sick of you. So get your shit together and go see what’s happening with Anastacia, and take Gil with you.”

Surprised by the innkeeper’s sudden outburst, Coquelicot got up and left the kitchen. Gilbert was by the door, wondering where the priestess had run off to. Coquelicot gestured for him to come along and headed for the field they had left Anastacia on. While walking with Gilbert, she considered telling him that Anastacia had killed Alice. Since according to the reports from her spies in Valor, the apprentice inquisitor and the old adventurer were somewhat intimate, so it would have served as a bit of payback for what Anastacia had done. But Rosie’s words had made her rethink some of her actions, and it did seem like she had lost her edge as a professional.

Gilbert had noticed that the necromancer frowned even more than usual. “You look like you’re trying to figure out something. Anything I can help with?” He asked to start a conversation.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just trying to figure out how to run things back home. Running a rebellion is a financial nightmare.” Coquelicot lied from the top of her head.

“I can imagine. How do you guys even make money?” Gilbert asked. “I don’t remember Mournvalley’s economy being too healthy.”

“We have our sources. But other countries are rather pleased to fund our activities, and in exchange we promised to give five combat trained necromancers to serve in their armies. Of course, the ones we’re training will all still be loyal to us in the end, but that’s just how the world works. Getting people to see that we are just as useful as we are terrifying is what matters.” The high inquisitor explained. She figured that Gilbert wasn’t the type for politics, so sharing some of the rebellion’s secrets wouldn’t be too problematic.

They continued to converse until they could see Emilia, Xamiliere and Anastacia in the distance. The young necromancer seemed to be awake and hadn’t attacked anyone, which was a good sign.

“How are you feeling, Anna?” Gilbert asked.

“I didn’t know my head could hurt this much…” She answered and covered her eyes with her hand. The bright morning sun didn’t help her condition. “I don’t think I’ve eaten or slept for the last 2 days.”

The bracelet was no longer on Anastacia’s wrist and according to Xamiliere, it had just broken off a few minutes before she woke up. Everything about her behavior suggested that its effect had also disappeared, so they declared the plan to be a great success.

Coquelicot had stayed silent and just observed the situation. She realized that there was something they didn’t know yet. “Anastacia, do you remember everything? Just yes or no is enough.” She asked.

After a brief silence, Anastacia sighed. “Yes.”

“Then we will talk about it after you have eaten.” The high inquisitor stated and turned away to return to the city. “Believe or not, it’s nice to have you back to normal.” She admitted, but only after making sure no one could hear her.

Having successfully escaped the bracelet, the version of Anastacia that had met Alabaster had been taken to Sylvia’s plane by the goddess herself. It wasn’t that different from Alabaster’s chamber, but instead of darkness, they were surrounded by light.

“You live here? Do you not get bored at all?” Anastacia asked and looked around for anything, but the emptiness spanned infinitely in every direction. “I sort of expected this to be a paradise or something.”

“Ah but it is a paradise! I can see and feel all the joy, kindness and love my true followers experience.” Sylvia said and spun around gleefully. “But I understand your point. An earthly being needs earthly things. If you need something, just ask and I shall manifest that for you to the best of my abilities. You are a guest of honor after all!”

“Some scenery would be a nice start. I’m getting really tired of this infinite nothingness motif.” Anastacia pointed out.

Sylvia turned to her and placed her hand on Anastacia’s chest. Suddenly the goddess’ palm sank into it and Sylvia pulled out a lump of something. While Anastacia screamed and checked her chest for holes, Sylvia threw the lump into the air. It quickly spread to form what Anastacia had asked for, tall trees that didn’t let sunlight reach the ground, soft moss and shallow pools of water. Anastacia recognized the location as the forest where she had met King.

“You never cease to amaze me, my child. I was expecting for the inn you reside in to appear, but this is what you wanted. Most delightful! But what is far more interesting is the faith you have.” The goddess smiled and sat at the edge of a pool. “You, dear Anastacia, have followers! I was prepared to use some of my faith to realize this wish of yours, but somewhere out there, you are worshipped.”

Anastacia was extremely confused by what she meant. There was no way anyone would worship her, not even in Mournvalley. Being the anchor was certainly considered to be an honor, but no way she would be worshipped for that. Suddenly her face lit up and she began laughing uncontrollably. “It’s the goblins! I can’t believe that counts!”