Ceres

69

"This humble servant greets the Empress."

A woman wearing white long gown with a flower bracelet in her left arm respectfully bowed to the empress of the Sea God Island. The empress was standing in a room with a large glass window overlooking the whole island's capital city, Undine. Her back was facing the woman from the Sea God Temple.

Without turning her body to face the priestess' servant, the empress spoke calmly but her voice contains a majestic aura.

"What business does the temple have with us?"

"This humble servant was asked to relay a message to the empress. The priestess received an order from the Sea God."

The empress knitted her brows. She doesn't like those who are not straight to the point.

"Speak."

"Great Magi Conference."

When those words were spoken, the empress immediately turned around and clenched her fists. Her brows were knitted and her lips were pursed. She couldn't help but get a headache.

What is the Great Magic Conference? It is the greatest magic competition of the continent that happens every five years. Every kingdom, every school, everyone who is considered a genius of the young generation would gather to compete in that prestigious and well-known competition. Of course, the Sea God Island would also send their representative. One must know that Sea God Island is considered as a kingdom which nourishes their citizens in the one and only Sea God School. Everything in Sea God Island is controlled by the Sea God Palace and Sea God Temple.

However, what gives the empress a headache is that, this is the first time that the Sea God Temple meddles with this event. The Sea God School is controlled by both forces but, only the Sea God Palace sends representative to the competition. If the Sea God gives an order, does this mean that the Sea God Temple would send in a representative, too? Also, what do they want to achieve by meddling with this event at this time?

"The priestess wants the empress to know that the Sea God Temple would not send any representative for the Great Magi Conference. The priestess only wants the empress to know that the priestess will be attending the event and thus, the convoy of the Sea God Island would need to prepare for the Sea God Temple."

The empress really didn't like the Sea God Temple. Even this servant of the priestess doesn't show any respect to her and stood straight when speaking to her.

"Is that all?"

One of the eyebrows of the empress is even raised as she shows her disdain towards this priestess' servant.

"Yes. With the message received by the Empress, this humble servant will now leave."

The said servant respectfully bowed, once again, and then turned around and left the room.

"There must be something else that is why that priestess would like to come and witness the competition."

---

"This..."

The royal king of Fay kingdom is currently holding a letter in his hands. This letter was sent by Lennard during their trip to the Winsterein kingdom. The letter states how they encountered an assassination attempt but saved by a mysterious person.

It was sent when they were preparing for travel with Ceres and Gil.

"Your Majesty, this servant was not well prepared and thus, wasn't able to protect the royal siblings. Please, punish this one."

It was Rupert who said those words. He was also the one who personally selected guards for the trip.

"It's all our fault. We didn't think that someone would be bold enough to really assassinate my children. These people think that they can easily bully our kingdom? Well, they can think again. I will not cut ties with Winsterein but I will not allow my daughter to be married off to that kingdom. It is too dangerous."

Rupert can only sigh. Even though the king doesn't want to punish him, both of them knew that he will punish himself when the king isn't looking. However, the reason he sighed was because the king cannot really think straight and right when it comes to the royal princess. Whoever the princess marries will definitely bring trouble unless, it was someone from a no name village.

"It's good they encountered someone who helped them. Because I trusted those kids, I didn't send any spies and secret reinforcements. But since something bad happened, I will issue an order to secretly protect those kids. Rupert, go and tell those guys what they need to do. Also, I want that person who saved them to be investigated. If he has evil thoughts, eliminate him as soon as possible."

Rupert said he understood and immediately went away. The royal couldn't help but massaged his temples.

---

While Ceres and Leonard were waiting for Gil, they set up a campfire somewhere in the forest. They decided to wait here for Lennard and Leona since it's only a half day away from the capital. Gil was, on the other hand, handling some bad guys to the local authorities in the capital city. Also, Ceres ordered Gil to scout the capital for any news.

The four-day travel that Lennard thought they would need to take only took two and a half day. As soon as they reach this meeting point, they would travel towards the capital.

Leonard witnessed how Ceres and Gil did their so-called mercenary job. He was actually speechless. He never thought that anyone can capture or kill a number of people that fast. It was as if everything was smoothly planned by Ceres and Gil, from the bandits' movements to the moment they land in Ceres and Gil's hands. Leonard also thought that maybe, Ceres did talk to those bandits ahead of time and just made everything up.

While Ceres was roasting a rabbit, Leonard took the chance to talk to her.

"I... I haven't thanked you for saving us back then."

Ceres only nodded. Although deep inside, she was surprised that Leonard was already changing his attitude towards them. She thought that it would take him more time. She even thought that even when she appears in Fay kingdom in the future, Leonard wouldn't give up on his pride.

"You really don't talk that much, huh?"

Ceres, once again, nodded. Leonard returned his gaze to the fire.

"Can I ask you something?"

Ceres didn't reply or moved. Leonard only thought of this as a yes. Also, if Ceres didn't answer then, that's it.

"Back then, the assassination attempt... You knew who did that, right?"

Ceres stopped roasting the rabbit and shared it with Leonard.

"Eat."

This took Leonard by surprise. He didn't think that Ceres would speak but, it wasn't about his question. He took the other half of the stick with the rabbit meat and started biting the meat.

"What will you do after you find out who did it?"

All of a sudden, Leonard turned his head to look at Ceres. He was caught off guard by her question. What will he do once he found out who it is?

The most common answer would be to exact revenge. What else is to be done? However, it seems like Ceres' question is a tricky one. Depending on his answer, Ceres might or might not give the answer he wants. So, he kept on pondering about the question.

What will he do?-tbc