"Your Highness!"
Yidel approached with several maids, bowed respectfully to Qin Ran, then waved a hand.
The maids carrying three trays stepped up to Qin Ran.
On the trays lay a robe, a cloak, and fresh flower petals.
The petals were ordinary fresh flower petals, nothing worth mentioning.
The robe and cloak, however, were different.
The robe was black silk. Folded on the tray, most of it was hidden, leaving only a section of the front clearly visible, embroidered with golden patterns.
Qin Ran knew those patterns well.
The eyes of the Beast of Desire!
The cloak was white, its edges stained gold and crimson, like the last light of sunset or molten steel. In truth, it was... blood!
This was one of the Nick Dynasty's traditions.
They mixed their enemies' blood with gold and smeared it along the edges of their cloaks.
Herbert had told Qin Ran about this peculiar tradition more than once.
Qin Ran was hardly qualified to pass judgment on a dynasty's traditions, but wearing such a cloak was absolutely out of the question.
Besides, surrounded by Otherkind harboring sinister intentions, only a complete idiot would take off his equipment to put on two flashy, impractical garments.
So Qin Ran glanced at the trays and headed outside on his own.
"Your Highness! Your Highness!"
"You must put on your ceremonial attire!"
"It's tradition!"
Yidel called repeatedly from behind him.
"Tradition?"
"The Nick Dynasty is already gone. What tradition is there left?"
"Even if there is... how many people actually uphold it?"
Qin Ran asked without looking back.
"Well, well..."
Yidel was at a loss for words.
Because it was true!
Even the Otherkind in Calhart Barracks who most faithfully observed the Nick Dynasty's traditions did not do so out of any longing for the dynasty.
They