The Two Empresses
Mizuki City and Coup

"Seriously? Great, you must be using a sneaky way," said Saciel. Nero just shrugged, but his eyes were fixed on Kezia who started to open his eyes. "Aah?"

"Nii~ nee~," call him spoiled. Max immediately picked up the little girl and patted her on the back like a baby. The one held only muttered uncontrollably and occasionally rubbed his face with affection. They immediately walked towards the portal gate followed by astonished and dislikeful gazes. Saciel only sighed and kept walking until his steps came to a halt in front of a city filled with demi-humans and mermaids.

"Wow, this place is so pretty" Phillip said. The town of Mizuki was no ordinary place for Ceshier, as the small town was the largest trading center after the capital. All the buildings are brown sand, decorated with various forms of shells or the rest of the shipwrecks. The street is made of thousands of pearls arranged beautifully and glistened over the sun. Street lights are made of giant clam shells with light bulbs of giant pearls. They did not realize a pink haired haughty woman was walking towards them elegantly.

"Welcome to Mizuki City, Grand Duke Ackerman" he said, saluting. "I hope you enjoyed this place, but I didn't expect you to bring another continent's fugitives here."

"Marchioness Geliza, we're really sorry not to inform you officially of our arrival. May we not offend you," Max replied in an elegant style that Saciel thought was on a level with a prince.

"Grand Duke huh? Wow, it turns out that they are of noble descent as well" Phillip whispered. Saciel just nodded and noticed Marchioness Geliza who looked like a jellyfish. Her hair was wavy, yet it looked slightly transparent under the sunlight. His skin was pale, but the hue of his face was still visible. A pair of green almond eyes did not look friendly when glued to Saciel.

"What do they want here?" ask Marchioness Geliza.

"We are looking for a treasure belonging to them that is hidden in this place" said Kezia. The Marchioness glanced at Kezia with a look of wonder.

"Miss Kezia, I don't remember your body being this small" he said. Kezia flinched and hid behind Nero's back, his body trembling.

"Down your voice, don't let them know" Max sizzled half-threatening. The Marchioness covered half her face with a fan and grinned behind it.

"I'm sorry for my impoliteness. What if the Grand Duke and the others stop by my residence for a cup of tea?" bargained for.

"No, we're in a hurry. Maybe next time," reject Nero quickly. "Can we access the southeast?"

"...that place is a sacred place. No one ever dared to approach except the bishops."

"Why sacred?" phillip asked unconsciously. The Marchioness set her sights on Phillip with a slab look.

"Because there is an heirloom in the region and no one can pick it up or touch it" replied Marchioness Geliza.

"Sorry, can you tell us the details?" please Saciel.

...****************...

Careol City's

"Capturing that haughty girl alone can't! What are you guys really doing?" maki Elder Erika while hitting the table hard. The heads of the noble families only fell silent, not daring to speak.

"Huh, basic is useless. Plus the family of 7 Eternal Wizards is not at all helpful. They must be on Arakawa's side" he lamented. "Where is the Great Priest?"

"He is currently in the temple with close supervision" the bodyguard said.

"Hm, great. Don't take your eyes off her. We don't know how cunning the girl is" Elder Erika said. "You all go, except the elders."

Everyone except the elders left. The Yorktown elder advanced carefully.

"Erika, you know Cerlina's position is pretty strong in Careol. If we hurt him even if it's just a fingertip, I'm sure there will be a coup" the Yorktown elder said.

"I think I can help" chirped someone cheerfully. He stepped in calmly, his entire body covered with a large hood. "Have not seen each other in a long time, Erika."

"Don't call me by my name, it's rude."

"Come on, you don't have to be that me. We are friends" he said gently, but there was no hospitality in it.

"What do you offer?"

"That's easy. You can make the girl sick with poison" he said, taking out a small bottle of sparkling blue liquid. "Give a single drop to the food and suffice to make it limp. You can make scented candles to add to the effect."

"Erika, you seriously want to poison Cerli..I mean the Great Priest?" asked an elder, half scared.

"If you don't like it, you can go. But, I'm sure you won't be alive today" Elder Erika threatened. The elder fell silent and lowered his head, not daring to go against the threat.

"I'll prepare the best waiter to do it. Slowly, we're going to make him suffer" Yorktown said. The hooded figure grinned, then gave the bottle to the Yorktown Elder.

"Remember, a drop is enough. More than that, he could die" he reminded. "Well, although I'm sure the immunity is pretty high."

"No, he's weak. Too weak to the point that much time was spent in his room" Elder Erika quipped.

"Ck tsk, Erica. Do not underestimate the weak. We don't know yet, it's possible that he hid great things behind his weakness" the hooded man reminded. "I have to go. Too long here can attract people's attention." He hurried away and left the elders. He passed Parvati who was cleaning the hallway with a broom in her hand.

"Oh? Hello, ma'am," she said calmly. Parvati only saluted and continued her work, but did not offend the hooded man. "I didn't expect a creature like you to interfere in worldly affairs."

"...astaga, I don't understand your words" Parvati softly quipped. The hooded man simply laughed and resumed his steps, leaving the palace with a hideous smile on his face.

"Miss Vristhi, Mr. Requiem would like to see you, ", said the butler. Vristhi who was engrossed in reading put down her book and turned to the butler, gesturing to tell Lao to come in. When Lao entered with his brilliant smile, Vristhi closed the book loudly and scowled.

"I hope you have a good enough reason for this" said Vristhi fiercely.

"Don't be angry, honey. You're so scary, seeing me is like looking at trash? Well, I'm here to ask you to meet the Phoenix family and raise the oldest child in the family as the new representative of Comet's successor."

"...you know it is taboo for the Phoenix family to appoint women as representatives of the 7 Eternal Wizards?"

"The heads of their families are also unreliable. Their choice is either her stay or it ends. Easy right?" reply Lao relax. "He's more talented than Comet."

"I agree, but still their tradition will hinder this idea."

"Threat only. Choose a new replacement lift or exit section 7 Eternal Wizards? We don't have much time. And I don't know how much longer Saciel will be back" Lao said. Vristhi sighed and stared fixedly at Lao.

"Time goes on, Lao. And our chance to protect Cerlina is only once."

"I knew. My time is up, I have to go somewhere else. Phoenix business I'm handing over to you, Crown Princess."

"It's not just me Crown Princess at Careol. There's still others" Vristhi replied with a sweet smile for the first time.