“Let’s go, darling!” Yrsha urges Spoof as they saw the spectacle made by Ivy Hellbeing and Meriyal Breille. She drags him into a corridor and heads to an empty room.

Upon entering the dark room together with Spoof, Yrsha immediately closes the door shut and cast a soundproofing magic together with a spell that blocks any magic residue from leaking. Spoof immediately took his coat and other things off.

“So, are you ready?” Yrsha said as she also took off the robe impeding her movements.

“…” Spoof nodded.

“[Arcane Verfolgng.]” A map of the whole landscape of the Einhart Territory comes into a projected visual as Yrsha commanded.

Shown in the map are hundreds of dots that are color green, however, there are several yellow colored dots that are moving by the edge of the Einhart Territory. Spoof also took a peek at the map and started pondering.

“These are unwelcome visitors. As you can see, there are a lot of them in a different location. According to Sir Falikh, Princess Meriyal Breille had assassins sent to her during her visit on the Mesola Kingdom. It’s not weird for the same incident to happen here.” Yrsha reaffirmed as she started navigating the map closer to the location with yellow dots.

“Darling, are you sure you alone is fine? I can go if you want.” Yrsha worriedly said to Spoof.

However, Spoof gives Yrsha a thumb up with a smile of fearlessness. Before Yrsha knew it, Spoof has already donned his work clothes and spun the scarf around his neck.

“Well, you’re strong after all. If you return safely, I’ll give you a…reward…~” Yrsha whispers seductively at Spoof’s ear and the person himself shivers in delight and nodded vigorously.

“Have you memorized the placement of the warps? I’ll give you the necessary items so you can access them, okay? Also, I’ll communicate with you through this so please keep it with you.” Yrsha said as she gave a cerulean stone on a ring to Spoof.

“Since my specialty is arcane magic, I made it possible so I can communicate within my own territory. That said, off you go!~” Yrsha said as she wraps Spoof with a lavender glow and sometime after, he vanishes.

“Now then, I’ll try to navigate him to the directions where the lost dogs are.” Yrsha said as she sat down on a chair as she overlooks at the map.

While Spoof and Yrsha already made their move, in the hall…

Ivy and Meriyal step closer towards the king of the Kerias Kingdom and look at him face-to-face. King Ridil himself braces his own self at the face of two personages with an absolute presence of a ruler.

There are wise kings and there are those who are born to lead. King Ridil knows himself that he is neither of those. However, these two in front of him are also neither of those but rather, they are those with born authorities with a high pedigree of charisma.

“King Ridil looks troubled. At least he knows the gravity that those two carries. Even how strong I get to be, I can never ever attain such overwhelming authority.” Reysha thought as she stood up and walked new to Aspara.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, you two are your Highness the Demon Lord and the famed Fourth Princess of the Breille Kingdom, no?” King Ridil asked as if he is treading in a thin ice with a perplexed countenance.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Please, do not be so tense. We are only guests and you are the King of this land. Please defer from anything too formal.” Ivy said while sprouting a smile that seemingly taunting.

“Demon Lord Ivy, please make your statement a little bit more aligned with your expression. For now, it’d be best if we show a favorable impression, no?” Meriyal said without hiding anything despite her words.

“Show a favorable impression, yes? But that’s a little too demanding of you, Princess Meriyal. It’s a little suffocating to keep up faces. It’s rude, yes, but I don’t think showing any faces besides my true one would be ruder.” Ivy said in a manner that seems so natural for her nature.

“Is that a norm in your kingdom? It’s something all the kingdoms should learn. Anyway, it’s a bore to talk with a little time right now. If possible, I want to discuss matters that would be more productive.” Meriyal replied with an implication.

“How should I respond to this? They may have said that this is my own Kingdom but relations with the Breille Kingdom should be improved to fill the agricultural gap and diplomacy with the Demon Kingdom would be a deal I may never ever encounter again. For now, I'd them to take their time and try to lighten the mood.” Ridil ponders deeply.

“You two aren’t really hiding anything. I suppose what Councilor Aspara said about the two of you are right. We can’t be discussing official matters now, can we? It’s your friend’s birthday after all. I wholeheartedly welcome you two as a special guest.” Ridil said as he glances at Reysha.

“It pleases me how you quickly acknowledge me and Demon Lord Ivy. I will assure that all of us will benefit from each other. It is also to mend our wounded diplomatic relations from before.” Meriyal said as then formally gave Ridil a respectful bow.

“As for me, Ivy, will be looking forward to a positive outlook with our newfound acquaintanceship, King of Kerias, Ridil Kerias. Also, it’s a pleasure to meet your dear Queen too.” Ivy said as she then gave Ridil a bow and greeted Aluria.

“Yes, I look forward to our further talk in later dates.” King Ridil bows down to the two of them. “Were they…testing my mettle by that short and brief exchange?” Ridil then thought inwardly as he looks at the figure turning around from him.

Even though they said that he is the king of his own land, as may as well be the one with resources they are looking for, for King Ridil, he knows that the two would be able to contribute greatly to his kingdom and further bolster what they are lacking.

“The first and crucial step for the three kingdoms to merge forces is done. Although I didn’t think that the roles would be reverse between King Ridil and those two, it still worked out in the end.” Aspara evaluated what she saw in front of her.

“Sir Falkh, I am quite unsure how they were able to go around about that talk.” Oliver whispered to Falikh as they are still standing at one corner of the hall, trying to thin their presences.

“It is as simple as you saw, Oliver. King Ridil is nowhere a pushover despite being manipulated by Aspara. We can assume by that that Aspara can only control certain decisions made by King Ridil. From here on out, it was a psychological battle. At first, one would think that King Ridil would see if they are trustworthy, however, Princess Meriyal and Demon Lord Ivy are by far, too overwhelming. The tides were turned and the battle turns into if King Ridil has what it takes to be trusted battle.” Falikh explained without missing a beat.

“I see. The rests are now clear. Princess Meriyal and Demon Lord Ivy talked in a carefree manner to lure King Ridil into a circle of thought to make him acknowledge his position subtly. It was to save his face from this crowd and to make it seems like they are already in friendly terms.” Oliver added to Falikh’s conjecture.

“Yes, in the first place, The Demon Kingdom Sirius, by what Ivy said, is already a powerful and prosperous kingdom. The only problem is the distance between the Breille Kingdom and the Kerias Kingdom.” Falikh clarified.

“Since the Breille Kingdom is closer to the Sirius Kingdom, they have received trades from them firsthand and as we talk, their kingdom is growing economically and militaristically at an accelerated upkeep. If King Ridil made a misstep here, well, it’s up to us to do something about it.” Oliver said she heaves a sigh.

“Okay! Since the first phase of our plan is filled in and it seems that Miss Yrsha and Spoof has taken their posts for security, it won’t be that long before the second phase starts. Oliver, be ready.” Falikh asked Oliver with a grin.

“Yeah, we will be killing three birds with one stone!” Oliver also smiled as she looked back at Falikh.

The night is still young and Falikh and Co. plans are to satisfy three goals. The pieces are now moving one by one but the main show is looming around the corner.