“Hey, the commotion out there has died down.” Aspara called out to Falikh with knitted brows.

“Oh! King Ridil, Queen Aluria, have you two decided now? With the turn of events, things will go roughly from now on.” Falikh said with a grin.

“The battle outside was…too abnormal and the influx of magical energy was also indescribable. From what I observed with my wards, there are three people that came but only one stood out.” Aspara told them about her observation.

Aspara then wears a grim countenance.

“It was a woman with power rivaling or even greater than Reysha, Ivy, and Victoria altogether.” Aspara announces.

Knowing what that means and what kind of situation the Kingdom of Kerias was plunged into, King Ridil fell into a deep silence with a countenance of foreboding exhaustion. He turned his sight towards Oliver who has revealed her true identity.

The form of the Maelous Kingdom’s true Sovereign, Olivia, dons her moonlight colored hair ridden with and draped fox ears and nine tails brushing the floor, a beauty and radiance that can never ever be found within the commoners and even royalties alike, that is the true beauty of the sovereign with her ephemeral glow that afloat in the atmosphere.

“The true sovereign that we thought to have perished in the war between the Mesola Kingdom and the Maelous Kingdom appears in front of us. Originally, we would have sent help to the Maelous Kingdom, however, the Mesola Kingdom holds certain reigns over us at that time.” King Ridil tell as he kneels in front of Olivia.

“You are only the king by title. I have no business with you as you are not descendant of the royalty of our Kingdom. The one I want to decide about this matter is you, Queen Aluria.” Olivia pointed at Aluria with her fan while looking down at her.

“The blood flowing within me is thin. It’s so stale that we cannot exhibit features akin to beast race. Still, are you fine with me, O’ Sovereign Olivia?” With a meek but serious voice, Aluria voices while kneeling in front of Olivia.

“You are not serving for I am also a purpose of a tool. I am going to re-establish my kingdom all the while being led by the lost prince of the Mesola Kingdom, Falikh.” Olivia turns her head towards Falikh.

“What is the--!? Are you saying you trust the man who caused the ruin of your kingdom?!” King Ridil broke out in a shout as he glares at Falikh.

An immediate unrest unfurled on King Ridil’s countenance as he is well aware of the downfall of the Maelous Kingdom through horrendous tactics and strategies that undermine war conducts. Simply put, Falikh is considered to be a man of ruthless nature.

Hiding his identity within counties was not because he is specifically on the run in his own Kingdom but because a lot of people within the military know well how Falikh looks like.

Breach of war etiquette, an inhumane strategy that led the harsh downfall of the Maelous Kingdom, and most of all, his mysterious nature and unobstructed way of thinking, that’s how people perceive the young commander who is Falikh.

“That man is…beyond shame!” King Ridil breathed those words with disdain.

“I am well aware of those facts. That’s why I trust him because he promised me. Not to fell the Kingdom of Mesola Kingdom but to rebuild the Maelous Kingdom. And for that, I am in need of assistance from you, King Ridil and Queen Aluria.” Olivia said with a faint smile.

“However, the situation has drastically changed now. We have a new enemy and there’s the need to build diplomatic relations with the Demon Kingdom Sirius and the Breille Kingdom. King Ridil and Queen Aluria cannot decide immediately on the next step unless we consult with Princess Meriyal Breille and Demon Lord Ivy Hellbeing.” Aspara immediately intervenes in the conversation.

“Even if we give our answer now, nothing will change of what’s about to come. If the Mesola Kingdom really intends to wage war, then forming alliances would be the wisest…” Queen Aluria laid down her own insight.

“I see. Since the Mesola Kingdom will throw their weight pretty soon, I guess alliance is really in need, however, assisting the Sovereign of fallen Kingdom Maelous is a different matter. I want you to consider that.” King Ridil threw in words that may have implied something else.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

“Ah, so you are throwing a bargaining chip now! Alliance with the two kingdoms is different indeed. Assisting Olivia’s wish will cost the Kerias Kingdom a huge amount of resources after all and the gain from helping out shall not be immediate so you are quite perplexed.” Falikh playfully worded while looking at King Ridil with ridicule.

“Sir Falikh…I am not forcing them. It will be their own wish whether they want to or not. Even if the Maelous Kingdom was the original founder of the Kerias Kingdom, I want to respect their will.” Olivia immediately rushed to clear it up with Falikh.

“Ah, that’s no good. If they don’t agree, then Falikh’s wish won’t be realized, no? That’s why we shall hear their conditions and decide after that.” Mika appeared in the veils of darkness from one of the halls that leads to this place, the Einhart’s garden.

“Mika! Do you have any idea what’s happening outside?” Falikh happily greeted Mika with a smile.

“Ah, I don’t have that much to bring however they have successfully repelled the intruders. I heard that there are only three enemies and they subjugated the two while the last one, presumably the ringleader, escaped.” Mika said so while wearing a bit worried face.

“Madam, what…is going on?” Aspara noticed Mika’s unrest and took the initiative to ask.

“The two that they subjugated are what they call homunculus and they are par with the famous commander Ersha Einhart, each one of them.” Mika said while letting out a sigh.

“With Ersha?! You mean to say that they have people that can fight toe to toe with her and yet, they send them here carelessly?!” King Ridil exclaimed with a pale countenance.

“It could also mean that they are not afraid to expand two or three people like that. That implies that they may have more fighters like that…” Aspara concluded.

The news suddenly overcomes them and the one who agonizes the most is King Ridil.

“So this is where things go downhill if we don’t make a decisive answer, huh. Sovereign Olivia, please give us some time. I’d like to carefully tread into this matter. I will briefly give my answer after the negotiation with Princess Meriyal Breille and Demon Lord Ivy Hellbeing.” King Ridil said while he bows his head deeper.

“…I already told you that it will Queen Aluria to decide. Well, as long as yours and her answer aligns. For now, I’d like this matter to be only heard inside this room. We have so many identities to keep so I ask of you with utmost secrecy to hide our positions.” Olivia closes her eyes to close the matter.

“We shall. For the betterment of the future, expect a favorable answer.” Queen Aluria promises.

With that, the secret meeting in the crisp and cold night has concluded. An undecided King Ridil and Queen Aluria emerge with various thoughts swirling inside their heads while Olivia is ridden with anxiety for their answers.

Meanwhile, in the outskirt of the Kerias Kingdom Capital, a lone man walks in the shroud of the trees.

“Finally…I found it.” Raising his hand, the golden staff gleams at the streak of moonlight struck it. It was Derill, the man who decided to Genesis’ follower and deemed his life for her to use.

Derill told Falikh and co. that he shall stay behind the ruined cabin by the lake. His real intention and purpose of being there were to find the staff called Claimh Solais, Genesis’ ultimate weapon.

After a few days of swimming in the lake, Derill successfully found the staff and proudly holds it into his hands.

“Lady Genesis, I hope you will praise me for this. Is what I wanted but… Miss Alef and Lady Genesis…I want to make sure that they are fine. Rather than thinking of my own happiness, I want to see them getting along with each other…” Derill said as he cast his sight on the ground while he walks.

“I’m soaking wet too…cold is abounded to get me later, hehehe…” He weakly laughs while his body shivers from the breeze of the night.

“Oh, that’s dangerous! You shouldn’t walk drenched like that while your sight is on the ground.” A voice suddenly entered Derill’s ear.

It was a sweet and alluring voice that Derill immediately shot his eyes towards the source of the voice.

Sure enough, he had his mouth hanging and his eyes bulging because of the girl that called out to him. However, it was not only because the girl was mesmerizing but also…

“L-Lady Genesis?!” Derill shouted while looking at the girl who he thought of Genesis when in reality...

“Oh, you know of mother? Then this should be quick, no? I am her daughter, Exodus. I’m lucky to find you in the midst of the night while escaping.” Exodus smiled sweetly with a face tinged with cherry bloom.

“L-Lucky? Ahehehe…I think I am the lucky one to see someone as stunning as you, Lady Exodus. You are a spitting image of Lady Genesis.” Derill said in embarrassment.

“Yes, I’m so lucky!” Exodus replied but her hand has immediately seized the Claimh Solais on Derill’s hands. “I’m so lucky that you have the possession of this! I thought that mother has it for herself. This is indeed a weapon I duly need!” At a split second, Exodus sprouted a smile devoid of anything warm. If anything, her face is now twisted with a crazed smile.

“Wha--?!” Derill immediately fell on his butt from Exodus’ sudden change in expression and terror immediately crept on his back.

“I have to thank you and you caught my attention! I am grateful for your service in helping my mother to reach godhood! For that, I, Exodus, will make you my most powerful specimen.” Exodus said as she proceeds to swing the staff on her hand.

CRACK

“Argh!!” Derill cried as his legs were immediately crushed. Tears of fear started streaming down from his eyes as the girl in front of him suddenly exudes an atmosphere that nothing alike with Genesis.

“How lucky! Let’s go!” Exodus happily said as he grabbed Derill by his clothes and starts dragging him.

On that very night, Derill feared for what to come to him. He can only pray nothing but the safety of his Dear Genesis and Alef.