The Two Empresses
Arakawa Heritage Treasure

The young man standing before Phillip smiled a sly smile, but his eyes were soft. Phillip took a few steps back, wary of his domineering existence.

"You're so scared, Phillip. I just want to say hello" Lao said casually.

"While you're just saying that, at least stop spreading the aura of death. That's scary" Phillip replied. Lao laughed loudly and patted Phillip on the shoulder.

"I'm sorry, it's my custom" whispered Lao coldly. Phillip was unable to cover up the fear and trembling that surrounded him. "So Saciel, you actually threw out 1 billion Furst for human sake...no,*tamer*this?"

"Is there a problem with my decision?" ask Saciel kalem.

"Well, no problem. I'm thirsty, what if we have tea first? I heard here there is a cafe that is famous for a reliable pattisier working there," Lao bargained.

"If you pay for it, it's okay. Me and the others just happened to be so hungry" Saciel replied. "Show me the way, Lao."

"It is with pleasure, Princess," said Lao. They walked side by side towards the cafe, but the gloomy and tense atmosphere did not escape the small entourage. Kezia struggled spoiled in Saciel's arms, but dragged a glance at Lao who was smiling.

"That little girl is interesting" Lao said. "It's like he's not an ordinary demi-human."

"We are of noble descent" Max said.

"He? Did ya? Nobility or...royal family?" ask Lao. Max frowned, but ignored the question and stood beside Saciel. Lao smiled and stopped in front of a building with Greek architecture dotted by ivy plants on its pillars. "Oh, we're here."

"Oh? Looks promising. You bought it, huh? 600 Million is still in hand, right?" chirp Saciel as she walked in, followed by the others. Lao walked at the very end, trying to hold his tongue so as not to spew a scathing mockery at the red-haired witch. Just throwing his butt at the chair, Saciel's quite echoing voice inside the room shocked him.

"Bring all your special menus, Noir Rose tea one teapot and premium steak for 6 people."

"Hey, what are you crazy about? What did you order that was a little?" ask Phillip to panic. Saciel did not budge, glancing at Lao who was frowning. "Saciel!"

"Be quiet, Phillip."

"Saciel's sweet, don't be so rude to Phillip. Soon your face will get old, you know," Lao said.

"Hohoho, just calm down. My beauty will not fade with time because I am immortal" Saciel said scathingly.

"Nee, I'm scared" whispered Kezia. "That guy is more terrifying than the necromancer's brother."

"I know, just relax. He won't do anything here" comforted Saciel as she gently rubbed the little girl's head. "While I doubt my own words.

"I'm not that crazy, Saciel. Rather than that, I have news for you. From Miss Great Priestess," Lao said mysteriously.

"Oh? Attractively. I think you intend to drag my sister into politics huh?" asked Saciel coldly. After all the orders had been served, Lao showed off a ring with the seal of the Arakawa family coat of arms.

"You! Goddamn it, where did you get that goddamn thing?" saciel Maki. Lao placed the ring on top of a piece of sachertorte and gave a faint smile. "Jawab, Lao Requiem!"

"I'll answer if you can keep your attitude, miss. Sit down" said Lao. Saciel sat back down with a strong indignation on his face. Lao took a sip of his tea and played the ring, then looked at Saciel with a triumphant look. "Give your father the one who gave it."

"Omong empty! The ring was lost in my grandfather's generation" Saciel argued.

"What if it's just a lie?" ask Lao coldly. Saciel was stunned and stared at the nanar on the ring. "You know why your father didn't give you this precious thing or Cerlina?"

"Sorry Phillip, I can't. This is a very sensitive thing to interrupt" Lao replied firmly. Phillip was unable to wiggle, his gaze falling on the ring that was the center of their attention. Saciel was silent for a moment, his gaze blank.

"Saciel, look at me" call Lao. Saciel raised his face and looked at him blankly. "Why don't you check the authenticity of the ring?"

As if struck by lightning, his long and delicate fingers instantly snatched the ring and examined it. "It.fake."

"WHAT?" the other sahut. Lao laughed gleefully while occasionally hitting the table hard.

"So.that's a toy?" ask Kezia. "Why did you do that?"

"Good question, ahahaha. Sorry, ahem. The original ring was lost, but not completely lost. I wonder how mentally strong this temperamental girl is..gah!"

"Prepare to go to hell, motherfucker!" maki Saciel while pulling Lao's collar. Kezia struggled half to death holding Saciel who tried to stick a butter knife into his head. The other guests could only watch, some started gossiping. Max and Nero were just enjoying, not intending to help at all.

"But Lao, if you have a fake, then you know where the real one is, right?" chirps Phillip.

"Sure.kah! Only! L-let me go," Pinta Lao. Saciel dropped him mercilessly and sat down in the style of a tyrant king ready to slaughter the accused. "Ohokay!"

"Speak before I cut off your tongue" Saciel said. After successfully scooping up as much oxygen as possible into his lungs, Lao sat down in an elegant style and thrust out a map."I don't want a map..."

"It's a map to get the ring, but all I have is half way through" Lao said. Saciel frowned and picked up the map. "I think you know the path."

"I'm not sure, but I feel like I've been through it."

"Nee, do we need to find the ring?" ask Kezia.

"I don't have much time with you, stupid witch" Max said. Saciel put down the map and ate a piece of cake voraciously.

"I think he's worried" said Nero.

"Nee?"

"Forget that ring. I don't need it" Saciel said annoyed. "No fool would look for that useless ring."

"Not useful you say? The elders just wanted this ring and you just threw it away?" ask Lao in wonder.

"What's so special about the ring?" ask Kezia.

"Well, that's a secret. But bring this map. Maybe you'll need it one day" Lao said. He stood up and left the table.

"Hey, don't forget the treat!" saciel's Saut. Lao gave a thumbs up and paid for it, then left the cafe.

"What's your next plan?" chirps Phillip.

"Still the same. No need to worry."