Sitting on her throne, high up in her tower, Dorothy was shifting through the dozen screens floating in her surroundings with an utterly bored expression. Her fingers were drumming against the armrest while her chin rested on her right hand as her eyes grew increasingly dull over time.

“Queen Dorothy, I will ask again, do you wish to share any more information about the event that led to the capture and execution of the criminal known as Omid The Scorched, and what about his Mecha? It’s a weaponized Frame that belongs to our planet, previously stolen by the criminal.”

Through the screen, the image of a man with slightly wrinkled and sunken eyes could be seen. He addressed her with certain issues related to the now deceased Omid. The most noticeable trait of the old man was the excessive pieces of jewelry adorning his whole body as well as the yellow bars of tattoos that resembled miniaturized streams of molten lava that were brimming with vitality. The twisting lines covered the man’s face and went through his whole body. Dorothy's head tilted ever so slightly to the side as she looked at the man for some time, tense moments that seemed to stretch till eternity, before releasing a sigh, “You know… I was thinking… are you under some kind of misconception? Since when does Oz have to answer to Ifrit?”

She spoke in a soft and mellow tone, befitting her graceful demeanor, but even from the other side of the screen, the wrinkly-faced man shivered as he heard her voice filled with undeniable dignity.

Her eyes quite literally started shining as if they were filled with innumerable stars as she looked at the man with unveiled indifference, “I was kind enough to listen to your yapping for some time now because I do not like flaunting my authority on weaker civilizations such as yours. But, I will be clear now. Do not take my kindness for weakness. Omid is dead and everything on him belongs to the person who killed him. They then sold it all to Oz. If you have any problems regarding this issue, tell your Sultan to come and duke it out with me.”

The man bristled at her naked provocation, but no matter how angry he was or whatever he felt, he did not have the guts to provoke Dorothy. The Djinn as a race were certainly at the upper echelon in terms of personal power but Oz was not to be trifled with. The chances of the Ifrit System winning in a full-scale war were close to zero, they could not mess with Dorothy.

“I apologize for any indiscretion.” The ambassador gave a low bow with an arm to his chest but Dorothy simply scoffed at the man, ignoring his fake act. Instead, she focused on one of the other participants who had been silent throughout the meeting.

“Princess Sheherazade. It has been quite a while.” Even as a woman, Dorothy had to admit that Sheherazade was in a class of her very own.

Sheherazade was covered from head to toe in gold, silver and other pieces of expensive jewelry, not unlike the ambassador who spoke out of turn previously. However, whereas that man looked like nothing more than a gaudy nouveau riche, Sheherazade was the very incarnation of elegance itself.

Obviously, even through her veil, it was possible to notice the white marking coursing all over her skin that seemed to be quiet and graceful, much unlike the other markings that could be observed in most members of her race. However, the power hidden within could not be denied, veiled under the misconception of elegance and calm.

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She was a white flame. The highest known level that a Djinn could possibly reach. If there was one person Dorothy was wary of in the entirety of Ifrit, it would be this calm woman.

“Queen Dorothy. I have only but one question… Is she alright?” Her voice was soft and feeble; so much so that one would never imagine the kind of power that was hidden behind her fragile and weak appearance. Her whole being was like the veil covering her face, hiding all of her secrets behind a thin illusion.

“Should you not ask her this yourself?”

Sheherazade only shook her head in reply, “I have been unable to contact that child for years now.”

“I see.” She could only direct a pitiful look towards Sheherazade. She did not understand why this woman who was once known as the White Sun was in such a situation at the moment but it was not her place to judge. Everyone had their circumstance, she was not any different.

“She is alright, is all I am able to convey. Quite energetic even I would add.”

“Humph!”

She ignored the snort of the stupid ambassador and crossed her legs, “Well, I believe I have humored Ifrit enough as is. Validate the kill so that the Guild can send me Omid’s bounty. Furthermore, as I had to personally move for this matter, I will consider that the Ifrit’s system owes me a favor. I believe a new suit would be appropriate enough for my time. Ideally, one that is compatible with the power of flames. I will send you the measurements later.”

The ambassador nodded and closed the connection.

“Thank you.” Sheherazade gave a grateful smile to which Dorothy answered with just a simple shrug, “Why thank me? I am just interested in the technology of your armor. Now if I happen to gift it to someone else then it has nothing to do with you…”

Sheherazade’s smile stretched further at her words, “I will make sure the Queen of Oz is not disgraced and will send one of our best armor suits. May the warmth of the sun always be with you and may your decision be forever illuminated by the light of knowledge.”

The screen closed after Sheherazade gave her farewell, leaving Dorothy with her few close attendants.

“What do you guys think?”

“I think that I will be busy studying the armor that we will receive to make sure it isn’t filled with traps. The Sultan would be more than happy to kill Morgiana and chalk it up to an accidental malfunction.”

Dorothy nodded at the only screen that was devoid of any image representing the person on the other side. Clearly, he didn’t like to be seen while talking. The voice of the one who had answered was cold and had a certain robotic cadence to it.

“Indeed. Thanks, I will have to count on you for this. Scarecrow, don’t forget to help out to the best of your abilities. We don’t want them to plant any detrimental software either.”

“Understood.”

“Would they even dare? Last I checked, the Sultan is even more cowardly than I am.” Lion mocked.

“And that is exactly why we must be careful. At the end of the day, he is still a white flame as well.”

“The chances of him succeeding under my watch are barely one in a hundred thousand. But I will heed your words. I believe you should visit your guest. It seems like he is finally about to wake up. A fascinating matter I must say. It’s a shame you refused to let me take a sample of his blood.” Scarecrow added.

Dorothy shook her head with a tired sigh, “Sometimes, I believe you are the one who should have been searching for a heart rather than Woodman.”

“What can I say? The mind is heartless.”

She could only chuckle at his sarcastic remark before standing up from her throne. She was happy to hear that Noah was finally waking up. She wondered what kind of changes she would witness.

As Scarecrow mentioned— it was truly fascinating.