The Two Empresses
Reunion and the Hatred from the Past

"You're a maid, aren't you?" chirps Saciel. Parvati just laughed and nodded. Tension could not be lost from him, but he tried to calm down to face Parvati.

"Miss just calm down. I can guarantee the safety of the little wolf girl who is here, even for the sake of the humans who are in the human village," Parvati said.

"Well if you say that. I'm gonna go, but I gotta take them."

"I will not ban. Excuse me," Parvati said as she stood up and walked out. Saciel rushed up to the second floor and entered Kezia's room.

"Phillip, Kezia, get ready. We're gonna teleport to the human village."

"Huh?! You insane? Do you really believe in that maid?" jolt Phillip.

"I trust him more than I trust those stupid elders. We don't have much time. Ah, I hope you have enough mana to do teleportation magic."

"Uhh, even if it's enough, my energy is still below 50 percent, so I'll lend you some Mana."

"Kezia coming?" ask Kezia.

"Dear, we'll see who the demi-humans are there. But our teleportation will be quite far from the village" Saciel said.

"Why?"

"Well, because humans and witches have their own problems. It'll be clear later, huh?" he said as he stroked the confused Kezia. "Take the potion, chances are we need it."

"Here," Phillip said as he showed off the potion bottle. "Renquet of transfiguration, right?"

"Rubber. Hold onto me, we'll start teleporting him" Saciel said.

"Be careful, Miss," said Auntie.

"Thank you Bi. Home business I'll leave it to you." After Kezia and Phillip hold the tip of Saciel's clothes, the witch flicks her fingers and moves to a lake where the water is crystal clear.

"Where are we?" ask Phillip.

"There is Diamond Lake, about 10 kilometers from the human village" Saciel said, checking the map he was carrying. "Well, I think it's going further than this but. Let's hurry, we have a little time."

"You're not planning on walking, are you?" chirps Phillip, his face is pale.

"No, no. I know you're weak, so I'm gonna call a ride for us. As for how you are, I can't afford to spend all my mana."

"Okay, leave it to me" Phillip said. His hand slowly emitted a soft blue radiance and directed it at Saciel.

"Oh, how much are you too. This is more than enough. Thank you, I'm glad to be able to refill ehehe."

"Yes, you're really spoiled, aren't you?" chirps Phillip. The insinuations simply shrugged and recited the mantra. His delicate hands should be stained by the thick red liquid that falls soaking the ground.

"Nee, your hands are bleeding" said Kezia.

"This is to call the animals a call," Saciel replied as she gave a sweet smile. Slowly a large animal leg emerged from underground.

"Lion?" chirps Phillip.

"No. It's a hellhound" Saciel said. The big creature began to appear. A wide grin coupled with pointy teeth is able to exert pressure on the surrounding. Her eyes were bright red, with her irises deep black in color. His body was clad in black fur, but some wounds became tattoos on his body. Kezia and Phillip were stunned to see it.

"K..are you crazy?! Are you sane enough to summon a hellhound?" phillip maki.

"Well, because I only have a hellhound. I didn't have time to make a contract with another animal" Saciel replied as she scratched the back of her head. Phillip could only growl in frustration seeing her.

"Is the hellhound bad, nee?" ask Kezia.

"For witches, summoning a contract animal from hell is taboo" Saciel replied.

"And damned. Not all witches are capable of doing so, not even the royal family. Lucky you didn't call him in Careol" Phillip said.

"I don't want any more trouble, especially when it comes to titles and elders" Saciel said. "Oh yeah, this hellhound is tame. He won't eat you without my orders."

"Your last sentence didn't make me comfortable, stupid," Phillip said. The three immediately climbed onto the back of the hellhound and continued on their way.

Chasata Village

The villagers of Chasata were huddling in a cottage belonging to a middle-aged man who was half blind. They were fixated on the appearance of a young half-wolf man lying helplessly on the bed.

"That werewolf is seriously injured?"

"How can you?"

"I heard he fell off a cliff."

"really? I think he lost the war and ran away."

The crowd was instantly silent when a quirky young girl came, followed by an older young man.

"I don't remember this place was a circus. Get back to work and don't push the guy away. You don't know the customs, gossiping right near the sick" he said scathingly. They just kept quiet, one by one starting to leave the cottage.

"Miss, you are really creepy," chirped the young man behind her.

"It's been a long time since you've visited, Village Chief."

"Please call me Jess, Uncle. I'm here as Uncle's nephew, not the village chief" he said kindly.

"You're a good girl. No wonder your father is so proud of you" said Uncle Olan.

"So, how's he doing right now?" ask Jess.

"He's still unconscious, but his injuries don't threaten his life."

"Oh, thank goodness. I just got word from Careol City that one of the 7 Eternal Wizards is coming to pick up the guy."

"Oh? Could it be from Arakawa?" ask Uncle Olan.

"Oh, I don't think it makes any difference. Merely, I haven't seen any guard soldiers come to isolate our village."

"Miss, there's a report from the barricade. A hellhound was seen heading towards the village" chirped the young man behind him.

"Dog hell? Oh, I think I know who that is. Order the gatekeeper to welcome them, Carl."

"None right."

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"Oh, Chasata Village is already starting to be seen. We're almost there" chirped Saciel.

"Ugh, that's good. I don't know why my stomach is nauseous, is it because I'm nervous?" reply Phillip.

"Nee, are they bad?" ask Kezia.

"No, they're not evil. Take it easy, nee and nii will protect you, "he replied as he stroked his head affectionately. The hellhound paused some distance from the gate, slowly lowering his body so his passengers could get off.

"Why don't we just stop in front of the gate?" ask Phillip while jumping down.

"We can't scare the villagers, okay? Don't act stupid" Saciel quipped. After everything went down, the hellhound disappeared behind the thick smoke. They walked closer to the gate and found several guards standing by there.

"Are you a messenger from Careol City?" ask the guard.

"Yes. But sorry, I didn't bring a warrant from the royal side. Is this enough?" tanyanya while showing the emblem of the Arakawa family.

"How is it? We're not..."

"Please enter. The village chief wants to meet you, all of you," cut Carl out from behind the gate.

"Master, but they don't have a warrant" said the guard.

"The mandate of the village chief is absolute. Are you doubting it?"

"I apologize for my indecision" said the guard. They rushed to open the gate without a sound.

"Follow me" said Carl. They walked into the village followed by confused, fearful and suspicious gazes from the residents.

"Why do they see us like that?" ask Kezia.

"Because they're afraid of witches, even of you, too" Carl said.

"The witch's relationship with humans is a little bad, Kezia. I'll explain later" whispered Phillip. They arrived in front of a minimalist house at the end of the village. Jess stood there with her friendly smile.

"It is an honor to welcome you here. My name is Jess White, head of Chasata village."

"It's an honor to be here. I'm Saciel Arakawa, along with my two friends Phillip Arlestine and Kezia Ackerman. I'm sure you understand the situation."

"of course. Come, I'll show you the place" Jess said. They walked towards Uncle Olan's cottage, where several guards were on full alert.

"How is he doing?" ask Phillip.

"She survived, but is still unconscious. Right now all we can do is wait" Jess said. They entered the cottage and greeted the host.

"Alright, since the place is not too wide should one of you stay here," said Jess.

"I'll wait here" Phillip said.

"Seriously?" ask Saciel.

"It's fast, we don't have much time" Phillip said. Saciel nodded. Together with Kezia they immediately headed towards the room the half-wolf youth was lying in.

"Please" Jess said as she opened the door. The two of them immediately entered and found the young man asleep.

"Dii!" jeremy Kezia. He immediately hugged her and sobbed, in contrast to Saciel standing there. His face was pale, the lightning of hatred was clearly visible in his eyes.

"Why...he's your brother?"