Diantha’s speech deeply resonated with the audience. The words held immense potency, directed solely at them, making them feel genuinely cherished. With exuberant cheers and tears of joy, Diantha was celebrated as she gracefully ascended to her designated corner. Beyond just her eloquent speech, Diantha was held in deep affection by Gracia.

The audience failed to grasp the underlying implications behind her words. They interpreted it as a speech by Gracia’s daughter, expressing how much she cared for its citizens. Or, even if they did recognize the implications, they remained indifferent.

Diantha’s speech was as much of a political statement. First, Calling the state of Gracia a Nation was taboo. The same is true for any of the 9 states of the Laks Empire. The Empire had conquered 9 Nations and turned their Rulers into the Nobility of the Empire. So the nation became the state of Laks. To call Gracia a Nation is to question the Empire’s authority over its state.

Second— she openly embraced the rumour alleging her involvement in the slaughter of her family. Along with it, she declared her willingness to destroy The three houses, if it ever posed a threat to the peace of Gracia. Or, This was the last farce she would tolerate from Laurent and Lambert's house.

Yet, the biggest cause for concern was Diantha declaring herself as the Ruler of Gracia, denying the existence of a three-house power division, or being subject to the authority of the Empire.

The people of Gracia did not think much of it. However, the audience was not limited to Gracia's locals alone. There were wanderers from neighbouring states, external to the empire, as well as journalists and, naturally, a handful of enigmatic figures.

Their reaction to this speech varied from confusion to horror. Most of the Journalists were horrified— they believed Diantha had doomed Lancaster house, or to a lesser extent, the state of Gracia. Those journalists who were present in the Castle earlier believed Diantha was High on power after hanging a blade on the Inspector’s neck and had forgotten her standing.

Finally, a select few individuals dispatched by great powers, who meticulously shadowed Diantha's every move, found themselves perplexed by her actions. As it stood, they remained incapable of comprehending the motives behind these actions. Simultaneously, they knew Lady Lancaster's Cunning. While considering the possibility that it was a meticulously crafted strategy was a viable option, it failed to address a fundamental question: Regardless of an ant's cleverness, it cannot evade or outrun a descending footstep— its fate is to be crushed.

At the same time, everyone acknowledged that there was a storm to come, one that may truly usurp the peace of Gracia.

…….

“Quite the show, you’ve given to the world,” Ilona mused, she was sitting at the edge of a large sofa, with Winny on her lap. An overly excited creature of energy jumped at her, before taking the seat beside Ilona. “My dear, have you decided to finally kill your old master?” and earned a pained noise in return.

“I’ve long delayed the inevitable, hoping for them to change is as beating a dead. They are too far corrupted.”

“And of the Laks, What will you do?”

“Nothing, Empire cannot move against me, at least right now, shall they do— I’ll drop the whole of Gracia on their Capital.”

“Drop? This place can fly?” Iris asked she was in a good mood as she felt the warm Audience cheering.

“Fly? This is flying—” Hecate looked at her, eyes wide, “You don’t know? Gracia is a floating Kingdom that is chained above the Er Sea by the Empire.”

Iris nodded in understanding, as now the reason became clear why she had sensed the clouds to be nearer here than in her village. “Can you control it?” Iris looked at Diantha who took a seat beside Hecate.

“Have a seat. No, only the First Lancaster,” Diantha pointed at the Giant statute whom they had just paid respect to, “Grace Lancaster had the strength needed to move this place, after her death, Gracia has not once moved from Er sea.”

“I see,” She had an inkling of a belief that Diantha could, otherwise she would not have made that statement. The way Diantha smiled at her contemplation only strengthened her belief.

Iris also noted another person that she had not seen all day, Healer Natasha who greeted Diantha. She looked perfectly fine right now, unlike the morning. Iris wondered if it would be appropriate to ask about this morning.

“Good evening to you too, Natasha,” Diantha greeted.

Natasha turned her attention to Iris, “Lady Ilona asked me to check your Familiar.”

Iris nodded, dreading, She did not want to hear what Nash might have found out. She turned to Ilona.

“She was refusing to eat anything, and her mana’s feels… sad? So, I had her take a look.” Ilona clarified. Iris did not mind, she should’ve done that herself.

“So, I found out something very concerning. She is addicted to Mana cores, and her internal organs have undergone a detrimental transformation, restricting their function to the consumption of Mana cores alone—nothing else.”

“Is it bad?” Hecate asked.

“Very bad, unlike when we consume food and excrete faeces. Consuming mana cores accumulates something called filth— and it does not leave our body until we have an episode. An Episode is a very violent rejection from the body that overloads the heart until it bursts, and there’s no cure for it. You can consider it a miracle that Winny did not have an episode, but if she does, it's over.”

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Iris stood quietly, she did not have anything to say. She had conceived that the situation might be bad, but she hadn't anticipated the extent of its severity. All this time, she clung to the hope that this world might have a solution.

“Why does she have this kind of problem?” It was the first time Ilona showed concern in her voice.

“Mana cores are the safest thing to eat in Labyrinth,” Iris spoke in a small voice, saying that did not change the situation.

“Hmm… it is not incurable. I think the magic of Eve can heal this.”

“I am incapable of performing Healing Magic,” Iris replied. She knew the magic of Eve had a price and only she was the one who would pay.

“There are other ways to perform Magic of Eve than having a curse placed on you. A seed from the Tree of Eve can help you.”

“Where can I find it?” Iris asked. She could cry from happiness— it solved her last concern. After finding the blade and the seed, She could die in peace.

“Only on the Last day of the 12 moon cycle, the tree of Eve bears a seed— you can win it that day.”

“That’s three months away.” Hecate chimed in.

Natasha and Felix took a seat on a second sofa behind theirs.

“Thank you,” Iris muttered, she felt tired.

“Hey! Don’t be so distant, I will have you know, I was going to save Winny myself if Master did not suggest something.” Hecate wrapped her hand around Iris from behind.

“I know you would have.”

“You were just going to pester Lady Ilona to help you,” Felix added from behind, making everyone laugh.

The Inspector began to address the audience as the Earth Element Mages began erecting a stage for the battle.

“On that Note, I have located Edeath. It is in the Shattered Realm. There are three possible locations that you might have to look into.”

“Shattered Realm? Isn’t that where Roundtable was born?” Diantha pondered.

“It was. Isolde dropped Edeath during the battle and has not extracted it since. I shall forewarn you, she is rather crude about her possessions, If she suspects for a moment that you've come across the Edeath, she will likely make an attempt to reclaim it.”

“She can have it back after I’ve saved Winny,” Iris replied.

“And If she tries to take it before that,” It was Diantha who posed the question.

“She simply cannot— unless she is as strong as…” My Mother, Iris did not say that. She did not know much about her Mother herself.

“She is closer to me in strength,”

“Then, I will force an agreement, if the need arises,” Iris added with the utmost confidence.

Ilona chuckled, finding amusement in her words. “Regardless, I will provide you with a map and supplies that will help you locate it.”

“Thank you. I thought you were going to tell me the location after I win the tournament,” Iris asked, She did not think they had known each other long enough to warrant this display of trust.

“You will leave after the tournament even if I disclose the location now.”

“What If I run away?” Iris, of course, was just curious.

“The world is not big enough to hide you. Jokes aside, You are one of few living mages who believes in the Creed of Mother. I am sure you will not do something lowly like breaking an agreement without a cause.”

“Few?” Iris asked, she thought most mages should be aware and follow it, “Why? We are all blessed, shouldn’t everyone be following the creed.”

“The environment of Labyrinth makes you think creed is above all. However, in a world filled with people who are born without an ounce of mana, dependent on their ruler to safeguard them, such a scenario is poised to culminate in a catastrophe. What if a ruler loses to a cruel and worthless trash who is just strong, he will leave his subject to misery. So with time as civilization evolved, Creed faded into the past.”

“I… never thought of that,” Iris muttered. She felt guilty for assuming it was wrong to not follow the creed.

“Nothing is inherently wrong, just the situation. The Greater Labyrinth is a place that will glorify the creed as things that inhabit it are incapable dying, yet wish to die in glory, and with dignity.”

“You are aware of Labyrinth's past?” Iris wanted to know many things about Labyrinth, but most she knew was that it was a hellhole.

“I do, Let’s continue this topic another time. It seems that the first match is about to commence.”

“Why did you not tell me about duels and creed, it is all so cool?!”

“You’re a child Hella, and until you’re considering living off as a wandering mage, Creed is useless… The moment you start having people you love— Creed is a burden that you cannot bear.”

……..

Inspector Finished a long script he had his peon write and plopped down to his seat.

“We will begin our opening Battle. To make it exciting we have a special Match— Ryan Reed, Legion Commander of Laurents, vs. Felix Stel, Son of Lord Jeremiah— The Legion Commander of Lancaster as well as Empire’s General.” The announcer’s voice reverberated through the Coliseum.

“That… that has to be a mistake, Right?! How can they make Felix fight a Level 5 in Opening, Isn’t it supposed to be a showoff?” Hecate asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“It was Hestia’s Call, She has purposely chosen this match.”

“That Vile—”

“Hecate!” Ilona interrupted.

“I’m sorry.”

“I was going to fight sooner or later, It does not matter.”

“Felix.”

“Yes, My Lady?”

“You’ll give up as soon as the Battle starts.”

“But—”

“You’ll have ten more fights to prove yourself— this is not the one.”

“As you say, My Lady.” Felix took off his coat and left the room.

“To think they will make him fight Reed’s Brother of all people.”

“He is the most Vicious Knight in Laurent’s roster as well, if he does not give up fast, this won’t end well for him,” Nash muttered quietly.

….