The Two Empresses
Plan

3 Days after the meeting

Lao stood alone in the hall of the temple of Lord Oorun. His eyes were fixated on a misty forest painting with a sparkle at some point.

"Did I make you wait a long time?" cerlina asked as she walked into the hall.

"Not at all, Great Priestess," Lao replied as he paid his respects. Cerlina waved her hand and gestured to follow her. The two walked out of the hall and into a large room with a soft sofa and a marble-clad coffee table.

"Sit. I'll have someone make you some tea" Cerlina said gently.

"No need, let me, please" he said, flicking his fingers and a set of teapots and cups appeared on the table. "I hope you.ah, you don't mind."

"Can we leave this formality?" ask Cerlina lirih. Lao simply nodded, then made a soundproof shield so that no one would hear.

"I'd better add security, just in case," Cerlina said calmly. He flicked his fingers and several wolf spirits stood guard outside the room. "Can you just call me Cerlina? The Great Priestess is no match for me."

"All right little lady. You're really cute, you're a real lady. Not like your little sister..well, barbarians?" comment Lao.

"Compared to barbarians, he is more like a gentleman with a bad attitude" Cerlina replied with a small laugh. "So, what do you want from me?"

"I want to invite you to work together on a plan, but the decision remains in your hands. Please read this report first before deciding," Lao said while presenting a report. Cerlina read it briefly and was surprised. Carefully put the report even though his hands were trembling.

"Since when?" Cerlina mutters.

"Yes?"

"When did they plan this?" ask Cerlina lirih.

"I don't know when, but this is the info I got from Julian" Lao said.

"...what about Saciel?"

"We will keep him out of this matter and so will you."

"I? But I'm not the head of the Arakawa family" Cerlina said.

"Although not as the head of the family, you are still counted as a representative. You are twins, your strength is equal" said Lao.

"I'm not as strong as my brother. He was more radiant, more confident and admired by many."

"Don't do that. You're strong too, believe me," comfort Lao. "Oh yes, Saciel managed to defeat Vristhi."

"...er, you're not talking about Vristhi Rosemary the necromancer, are you?" ask Cerlina in doubt.

"Good God, tell me is there anyone else who has the name Vristhi in the whole land of the Respher?" lao said while holding back a laugh.

"No," Cerlina replied embarrassedly. "But..Isn't Vristhi always superior against Saciel?"

"To be honest my sweet, Saciel is the most powerful among the 7 Eternal Wizards. The thing is why Vristhi always excels against Saciel because he is always in a hurry in the fight. Sometimes, his emotions are easily ignited even though it's not like Comet."

"You are right" said Cerlina.

"Tell me one thing. Vristhi used the bodies of your parents against him."

"A..what?! It was an abuse against my family!" cerlina. "Where is he? I'll teach you a lesson!"

"Prophey! Patience, duh. You and Saciel are just the same, equally emotional. Sit down, calm down okay?" lao said soothingly, his hand patted Cerlina so that the Great Priestess would not let go of her emotions.

"Huft, okay. But I want women not to know themselves to be punished according to their actions" Cerlina threatened.

"Good, fine. I'll punish him later, but can we focus on our problems?"

"... hmph, your mouth is really dangerous" Cerlina said. "Then what's your guarantee?"

"What if..Saciel's salvation?" Lao.

"You looking to die?" cerlina. A deadly aura emanated just from his body.

"But you guys also failed to bring him home. That means the bail's failing."

"Not really. There are still 3 more people who will deal with it" said Lao kalem.

"You're pretty sure you can bring her home" Cerlina said.

"Anyway, she's a woman. His stamina is not well controlled. Take it easy, I guarantee he will go home," Lao assured. "So, what about our cooperation?"

"You know what we're going to do could potentially turn us into traitors, right?" ask Cerlina.

"I knew. So choose, Miss Grand Priest. We don't have much time."

"...alright. I will support you. But I can't give you any help because of my position" Cerlina said.

"No problem" replied Lao. "We must fight for what is right for us."

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"Oh, are you sure you want to go? Your face is as pale as paper," Max quipped as he watched Saciel wearing a coat.

"We've wasted time here" Saciel replied briefly.

"Heh, isn't it your fault that it collapsed after the fight with that necromancer?" insinuations again. Saciel was just delinquent, yet he was speechless and busied himself with supplies.

"Nee~ I want to stay here" pinta Kezia.

"No. We must not disturb the habitat of the dragons, Kezia. We have to go" Saciel said firmly. Kezia pouted, his hands directly hugging the dragon babies who were engrossed in play.

"Should I give Miss Ackermann a punishment?" ask Parvati.

"No, there's no need. Just drag him," Max said. Kezia flinched and his face creased further, his ears down and tail between his legs.

"Good, sweet as a frightened puppy" Parvati said.

'I wonder at your absurd praise, ' Phillip said. "Have you finished cleaning?"

"Already," Saciel answered briefly. His eyes glanced at Max who was carrying Kezia with one hand.

"Huuu! Don't want to!" jeremy Kezia.

"Himself we're in danger, okay? Be a good boy" comfort Max as he goes ahead. The others walked on without a sound. A few dragon children followed, but Parvati chased them away with a sharp and cold gaze.

"I hate nii," muttered Kezia.

"If you hate me, I'll just die at the border" Max replied. Kezia hugged her sister tightly and pinched her cheek.

"Can't!" sahut Kezia's. "Nee! Nii wants to leave me!"

"Dead with me later, let your brother go alone," Saciel said as he tried to grab Kezia, but was rejected by Max.

"Don't touch her, witch," Max said coldly. Saciel fell silent, then walked back while cursing the demi-human youth in his heart.

"Sa-ci-el dear~ Where are you going? The city of Careol is not in that direction" said someone. All flinched and turned around, finding Julian standing behind them with a mesmerizing smile. Phillip stood before Saciel with a protective gesture, while Max and Kezia sharpened their vigilance.

"Good day, Mr. Zografos" Parvati said, saluting.

"Have not seen each other in a long time, Parvati. So.. You're helping them?" ask Julian calmly.

"You're right. I helped Miss Arakawa and Mr. Arlestine to take these two demi-humans away to their country."

"You know the consequences, don't you? You'll be labeled a traitor in this country. Well, even though the two witches were actually fugitives," Julian replied as he pointed towards Saciel and Phillip. "Saciel, let's go home. You're as pale as a dead man here."

"Don't get in the way, Julian. Even if you break my legs and hands, I'll leave anyway" Saciel refused.

"If that's what you're asking for, I'll grant you your wish" Julian said coldly.