I thought over the implications of what the God of Mercy said. Madeil is the reincarnation of Apis, my little brother from my past life. I might potentially have another enemy out there, and Khonsu was also still alive after 500 years.

“I feel like I’ve heard the name Khonsu before…” I rubbed my chin.

Hurun silently waited as I thought things over.

“Sure, I’ll be happy to meet him, but not today. I’ve got a bunch of things to look over. Also, you can tell Horus and Mett about what happened. In the meantime, is there anything else for us to talk about?”

The old god shook his head.

“None for now. Since I have your permission, do you mind if I delay your discussion with Huros for a short while? I believe learning of your past life may be relevant to getting him to help you more than he would otherwise.”

I nodded.

“Sure. I’ve got a few things to do. When should I be back?”

“Feel free to visit again whenever you like. Talking to the other gods should take no more than fifteen minutes.” Hurun chuckled and stood up.

“Goodbye, young one.”

As Hurun bid me farewell, light covered my vision. Before I knew it, I was seated before the shrine of Mett in the Sept manor. In my hand, I held the mana core that Lady Mett had given me, and I was already wearing the ring of mana regeneration she had given me. I stood up and walked outside, where Nico and Jezibel were waiting for me. When Jezibel saw me, she ran over to hug me and greeted me. At Nico’s urging, we then followed her to the dining hall, where the Sept household was having lunch.

As Nico opened the door, nearly two dozen pairs of eyes were waiting for us. Inside was an army of servants, Jezibel’s little sister Tanni, and the members of Nico’s family.

Sitting next to Tanni was a middle-aged woman dressed in a gorgeous, jade dress, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Nico. She was entertaining the little girl while the servants were laying down plate after plate. Across from her sat a young man who seemed to be in his mid-twenties. He wore a plain, but impeccably groomed officer uniform. The only ornament on his clothes was the crest of House Sept emblazoned on his sleeve – the statue of Lady Mett holding a scale and a sword. The young man was busy speaking with the man at the head of the table, who I assumed is Nico’s father and the Head of House Sept.

He was a large, well-built man with the most magnificent beard I’d ever laid eyes on. The Sept Patriarch wore rather strange, yet no less fancy clothing. It was a dark beige suit covered in frills and accessories. I never thought a walking cane could look majestic, but the wooden one laid against the table next to him was just that.

As we entered the hall, the occupants turned to look at us.

“Hey Bel! Is that Kiara with you?!” the girl said waving straight at me.

I smiled and waved back to her.

“I am glad to see you too, Tanni. Where’re the rest of your siblings?”

“They’re already back to running the caravans. Tanni and I are about to pack up and follow after them tomorrow.” Jezibel answered for her.

Huh.

In the meantime, Nico bowed her head lightly to the rest of her family, who were observing me curiously.

“Father, Mother, Brother; allow me to introduce you to my friend, Kiara.”

“My warmest greetings to you, Miss Kiara. My name is Anta Sept. I’ve heard a lot about you from my dearest Nini. Take a seat – we’ve much to talk about!” Miss Anta said warmly.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Hmm…” Nico’s brother seemed lost in thought.

The Sept patriarch introduced himself then gently nodded his head and gestured to Nico.

“I am Harakhty Sept, though I am better known to the public as Duke Sept, the Head of House Sept, and High Judge of the Tameryian Supreme Court. It is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Nicotris, as your mother said, please help your friend to her seat.” He said with a deep, rich voice.

Jezibel took a seat next to her sister, while Nico sat next to her brother across from them and had me sit next to her. By then, the servants had finished laying down all of the plates and stood near the walls. A veritable feast waited for us to dig in.

“Let us offer a prayer of gratitude to Lady Mett, the great patron of our family…” The patriarch said, closing his eyes as the rest of the table and the servants followed.

***

Everyone ate in silence. The food was so good that I barely had time to pay attention to anything else, but I did notice Tanni trying to talk to me with a mouthful of food. Jezibel quickly put a stop to that, and time passed by quickly enough that the plates were wiped clean.

As the Sept patriarch led a prayer of thanks to Lady Mett, the servants began to take away the plates then left for the next room. From the faint noise through the door, they were just starting their own lunch after we finished ours.

“…and for that, we solemnly pledge our loyalty and gratitude once more to you, Lady Mett.” The patriarch said, echoed by the rest of his family.

Jezibel, Tanni, and I did not take part in the prayer.

As they opened their eyes, the first to speak to me was Nico’s brother.

“So, you are the dragon that came to my sister’s aid. You have my gratitude. Still, I wonder why you would do that. I thought you dragons thought yourselves above the troubles of lowly mortals like us?”

“Ozier, watch your tongue! That is not how we speak to guests, and ones we are indebted to, no less.” His mother scolded.

“The daughter of our Lady’s archenemy conveniently befriends Nicotris and has a solution for her status condition, and her only motivation is her alleged friendship with Nicotris? Forgive me, mother, but I cannot help but be suspicious.” He said calmly.

His mother’s frown only deepened.

“Young man, I have not raised ingrates in this household. No matter your suspicions, you must treat her with respect. I swear, we shouldn’t have sent you to the military academy. That place churns out brutes.”

Before the young man could reply, his father responded.

“Your mother is correct, Ozier. There are ways to put your suspicions to rest without making your sister lose face and offending her guest, even if you did not mean to offend. As the heir to our House, you ought to do better. Perhaps classes on etiquette instead of your training sessions would do you some good.”

At that, the man finally winced. The patriarch then turned to me.

“I apologize for my son’s words. He did not mean to offend. Still, we are indeed curious. Why have you befriended the champion of your mother’s enemy, and why go so far to help her?”

All eyes turned to me, and I felt a little awkward by all the stiff formality.

“I don’t know what answer you guys are expecting from me, but its not that complicated. A friend needed my help, so I offered it. Whether it was Jezibel with her father, Nico with fighting the assassin’s guild, or finding a cure for her status condition. More importantly, I’m here to bring some news about that.” I said, pulling out the rank A mana core from the phoenix.

Everyone around the table leaned in with interest.

“So, the Life Dragon is preparing a ritual…”

***

“A true elemental…” Ozier said in awe.

“That’s not guaranteed to happen – Uncle Dimri said there’s a chance, but the ritual’s result is not entirely predictable.” I warned cautiously.

Nico’s mom reached over the table and held my hand between both of hers.

“Thank you so much, Kiara! We’ve been so worried about my baby girl’s future. I couldn’t sleep for months!”

Nico said nothing, but it wasn’t hard to tell how she felt judging by the faint red on her cheeks and how interesting she found the wallpaper to be.

“Lady Azoth, it seems that you’ve placed our household in your debt once more, and our honor cannot allow you to leave unrewarded. Is there anything in particular you would like us to do for you?”

I shook my head.

“Thank you, but there is no need for that. Lady Mett has already given me a number of rewards of her own.” I said, showing off the ring and the arcane rank A mana core.

“This will not do, young lady. Lady Mett’s boons are a separate matter from our House’s debt of gratitude towards you. We will give away our nobility itself away before we throw our duties upon our Goddess.” Lord Sept said solemnly.

The other members of House Sept, including Ozier, nodded in agreement. I scratched my head a little. What could I ask for that I can’t already get on my own?

“Thank you for your offer, but your good will is enough of a reward for me. I am sure you would help me if our roles and fortunes were reversed.”

A faint smile found its way to the duke’s face.

“It is rare to find such virtue, young lady. Please follow me to my office, I have something for you. Nicotris, Ozier, the two of you should follow as well.”