In the newly refurbished reception hall of Red Swan Castle on the outskirts of Trier.
The crystal chandelier overhead shone dazzlingly even in daylight. The chairs, coffee tables, and piano needed for salons had all been separated off on the other side of the room by a long bar. Only two armchairs stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows facing downtown Trier, through which the city walls and the golden spires of the Sacred Heart Cloister were faintly visible. Two red-haired men occupied them.
One was the current owner of Red Swan Castle and the hidden master of the Sauron Family, Weather Warlock Glaide Sauron. He wore a leather hunting jacket, fitted riding breeches, and black boots that kept tapping against the thick carpet. His gaze rested on the other man.
The latter wore a black waistcoat over a white shirt. With his right ankle resting on his left knee, he sprawled in his chair and gazed lazily at the rising sun.
"Stare at it all day if you like. Your Lord still won't grant you a Conqueror characteristic. If you want it, go and take it yourself."
Glaide gave a derisive laugh, then picked up the glass of dark red wine beside him and took a sip, letting the bloodlike liquid seep past his lips.
"Medici, you should know that your last chance is already gone. Besides, I don't think you ever really tried. Were you afraid of that wom... that Goddess?"
He added.
Medici cast Glaide Sauron a sidelong glance from his chair. He bounced the foot resting on his knee, pointed to one of the faint scars on either side of his face, and said:
"I'd originally saved you a spot here. Looks like you don't need it to be this noisy."
That had been Sauron's mouth back when