CHAPTER 20

From the luxurious balcony of his quarters in the Temple of Exactness, the Mathematician watched the chaos unfold in his city. From that height, he could see the fires and the smoke beginning to cover Mu.

The Executioner appeared beside him and bowed before his lord.

“Can you imagine how my mother managed to instigate chaos in the city? I never thought she was capable of even compromising Muspelheim to achieve her goals. How many good citizens have already perished because of her childish revolt?”

“My eyes and ears are investigating, my lord.” Said the Executioner. “It’s not conclusive yet. I cannot say for certain that this was her mother’s doing. It wouldn’t be impossible, but I consider it unlikely.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Several witnesses claim to have seen two individuals who do not match the characteristics of ordinary Mu inhabitants. I deduce they are Nidhogg tribe savages. A survivor from the calderas swears he saw one of these individuals, a woman, manipulate magic in a powerful way without reciting enchantments. She made strange movements that looked like a dance to activate the spells.”

“What?”

That information triggered an alert in Ivan. Could there be more experts in BahDehToh techniques than he'd thought? Are they mercenaries hired by his mother?

“The woman, according to the witness, defeated the guardian automaton alone.”

“She defeated Surtr? Alone?” Asked the Mathematician, incredulous.

“It’s as he said. Whether it’s true or not... I see no reason for him to have lied. Unless he’s also part of the conspiracy and spreading false information to hinder our investigation. My own daughter is properly interrogating him.”

“Your daughter, huh?” Ivan said, rolling his eyes. “Tell her to try not to kill him during the interrogation.”

“Certainly, my lord. We are taking the proper precautions.”

“And what explains this strange reaction of Yggdrasil? Why is this happening?”

“Something triggered a chain reaction that is taking root in Yggdrasil. They seem to be energizing and becoming unstable. Muspelheim is being destroyed because of this. Now it’s as if the city is under a big bomb.”

“This has happened before. When the third Mathematician descended into the undergrounds and faced the first rebels. The roots glowed green, probably resonating with his energized pendant. How the Mathematician of that time resolved the situation isn’t very clear in the historical records.” Said Ivan.

“What do you mean, sir? That someone with the royal family’s pendant was down there?”

“My mother handing over one of the family relics to rebels could be an explanation. But that doesn’t explain the supposed savages or how someone uses a forgotten technique to make shortcuts when conjuring magic.” Ivan sighed, disappointed for not knowing more. “Please, redouble your efforts to clarify this.”

“Certainly, sir.”

“And the situation in the Hvergelmir hall, is it still at an impasse?”

“Yes, sir. If we attack, we risk the lives of all the Physiques. Not to mention the danger of damaging Hvergelmir itself. It’s not really a fight, but a test of endurance and patience.”

“We will need to act. They are already defeated. Public opinion firmly believes the fires are a kind of divine punishment for her disobedience. The so-called dossier she distributed lost relevance after the cries of the fire victims. She has no support to govern.”

“All the high-ranking officials of Mu have renewed their vows of loyalty to Your Axiom.”

“Perfect. And my son Lúcio?”

“His mother still has custody of him in the Hvergelmir hall.”

“She’s gone mad. She’s intoxicated with power. Take me there. I want to speak with the Mother of Logic, personally.”

•••

At that very moment, somewhere else in the Temple, the Guard of the Mathematician was securing Natasha, his wife, and Lucas, the heir to the Throne of Precision. The guards remained outside the room, guarding the door.

Natasha had been confined to her own quarters for a long time since Ivan deprived her of her voice. Dark circles had taken over her face, and there were no tears left to shed. She was in a state of deep sadness, only comforted by the presence of her eldest son.

“Mom... I'm scared,” said the boy, only 11 years old. He was also breaking down; until then, he had been strong and the anchor for his mother. Still, the war cries and explosions echoing through the city were too traumatizing for someone who had never experienced any shock or unexpected event in life.

To both of their despair, shouts came from outside the room.

“What's going on out there? Guards? Guards?” asked the boy.

After a few seconds, a woman in armor with gold details and a mask identical to the Executioner's entered through the door.

“The daughter of the Executioner... What are you doing here? Did you come to take care of our security?” asked the boy.

The mother realized this woman wasn't there to help; quite the opposite: even without being able to speak a word, she was muttering for her son to hide behind her.

“What's wrong, mother? What do you mean?”

The masked woman revealed the sword she carried on her back. The blade was covered in blood—blood from the guards lying in the corridor outside the room.

“I believe the lineage of the Executioner should follow a new directive. To swear loyalty to someone else,” said the masked woman. “I brought a message for Lady Natasha: ‘Natasha, you will never be the Mother of Logic. You do not have what it takes for that role.’”

Natasha screamed, but no one in the Temple of Precision heard her.