Chapter 98: The Monarchs’ Pact

A short while later, right at noon, Dion, Mei, Luna, Sheila, Aria, Cleo, and Gina gathered in the meeting hall with Kenzo and Haruto behind the partition screen. Kenzo sat cross-legged on the floor right behind the table, while Haruto stood at his side. Mei bowed down on one knee in front, followed by Dion, Luna, Sheila, Aria, and Cleo, while Gina perched right on top of Dion’s head.

The room fell into silence as Kenzo and Haruto’s attention drifted to Gina, who was currently gnawing on Dion’s hair out of pure frustration, her face practically screaming, "This isn’t a walk outside! I wanted to go out!" Dion remained still, occasionally stroking Gina’s head. After a brief pause, Mei spoke up.

"Your Majesty, as requested, the rest of us have come to present ourselves. We are also joined by Cleo from the Kingdom of Lutherias," Mei said.

"Rise and sit," Kenzo replied.

The six of them stood up instantly and sat cross-legged on the floor. Haruto stepped forward and drew back the curtain. Moments later, two palace attendants emerged from the room behind Kenzo, pushing a table bearing a fairly large round mirror. The table was set down beside Kenzo. The moment Cleo saw the mirror, she immediately recognized its function and lowered her head.

Before long, the faces of King Alexius and Mateo, the Kingdom’s Defense Minister, appeared within the mirror.

"My apologies for summoning you here on short notice, Royal Mage Cleo, but as the kingdom overseeing the continent, we must ensure certainty," Kenzo said.

"I understand, Your Majesty," Cleo replied, keeping her gaze down.

"Cleo, I’ve already explained everything about you to King Kenzo. Go ahead and reveal your true form, you have my permission," Alexius offered warmly.

Cleo hesitated for a moment before standing up and running a glowing hand down her face. The horn-like bump and her mouth’s fangs reappeared. Kenzo and Haruto remained completely composed, looking as though they had already known all along.

"So it’s true... you’re an SSS-rank, and your class isn’t All-Around Sage... but Demon Witch, one of the classes held by the seven demon generals of antiquity," Kenzo stated.

"That’s... correct, Your Majesty," Cleo admitted.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty Araki. I was the one who altered her class to All-Around Sage and registered her into the academy to keep her safe," Alexius chimed in to explain.

"Think nothing of it, Your Majesty Alexius. In fact, I’m grateful you did, because through this I can see the true character of your niece," Kenzo replied.

Cleo raised her head at Kenzo’s words, glancing over at Mei and Dion, who both gave her reassuring nods. In the mirror, Alexius leaned back into his chair.

"I’ve already dispatched scouts to Minatheras. The situation over there is beyond dire, the capital is completely inaccessible, and Northkeep has fallen under undead control. I have officially closed the Lutherias border connecting to Minatheras," Alexius reported.

"Hmm... then the legends were true. Darkness is rising, and the Goddess’s Tower is about to manifest," Kenzo replied.

"Indeed. I’ve already informed King Lamberd, and the Kingdom of Thetor is preparing to dispatch reinforcements to Lutherias, as we will likely bear the brunt of the impact first and serve as the front line for all realms," Alexius added.

Listening to the two kings converse, Luna, Sheila, Cleo, and Aria’s expressions darkened entirely. Now they understood why Olga had fled alongside the city of Mageford to their territory, it had all been carved into the ancient reliefs. Sheila then raised her hand, drawing the attention of Kenzo, Alexius in the mirror, and everyone else in the room.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty, but what about Northgard?" Sheila asked.

Kenzo and Alexius fell silent for a moment before Alexius turned back to face the mirror.

"I sent the exact same notice to them alongside Thetor. But unlike Thetor, who responded immediately, Northgard has offered no reply. Since it’s only been a day, however, I believe we should wait a little longer," Alexius explained.

"I see... What on earth is that idiot doing... Don’t tell me he’s out somewhere fooling around," Sheila grumbled under her breath.

"So... what should I do now, Uncle?" Cleo asked Alexius.

"I heard from Your Majesty Araki that you’re engaged. Is that true?" Alexius asked.

Cleo flinched, caught off guard by her uncle bringing it up so abruptly. Without thinking, her head instinctively snapped toward Dion. Naturally, Alexius followed her gaze, locking eyes with Dion through the mirror.

"And who might you be?" Alexius inquired.

"I am Dion von Oswald, the lord of the territory located at the heart of the Dark Forest," Dion introduced himself.

Alexius was visibly taken aback, freezing for a solid five seconds before regaining his composed demeanor.

"Ah... so you’re the gentleman Your Majesty Araki mentioned," Alexius remarked.

"Indeed, Your Majesty Alexius. He is the man I spoke of, and the future husband of my daughter, Mei," Kenzo declared loudly.

Alexius scrutinized Dion intently. Kenzo even asked Haruto to move the mirror directly in front of Dion, which only made Dion grow more visibly nervous. After scanning Dion up and down, back up, and down once more,

"Very well. Lord Dion, I ask that you take my niece, whom I consider my own daughter as your wife. Please look after her and protect her within your territory," Alexius said, bowing his head slightly.

"Huh... um... uh... okay," Dion stammered nervously.

Alexius’s gaze then shifted to Gina, who was still furiously nibbling on Dion’s head. A faint smile touched his face.

"And that little dragon... is that Gemmeth?" Alexius asked.

"Her name is Gina, Your Majesty... she’s the daughter of Gemmeth, her mother," Dion replied, deliberately holding up the squirming Gina to show her to the mirror.

"Ah... I see. Then everything aligns with the royal family’s prophecy," Alexius said calmly, though his expression darkened slightly.

"Um... Uncle, you really give us your blessing?" Cleo asked, still unable to believe it.

"Of course. And please do not bring dishonor upon the Kingdom of Lutherias, for you are a representative of our realm," Alexius stated firmly.

"But... I’m not..."

"You are my daughter. There will be no further debate, and don’t go filling your head with foolish thoughts. You are the pride of Lutherias, your physical traits are no barrier to your achievements," Alexius interjected, cutting her off.

Hearing Alexius’s booming voice, Cleo instantly lowered her head, her lips trembling as her face went pale. It was clear she held deep respect and a bit of fear for Alexius, even through a communication mirror.

"U-understood, Your Majesty," Cleo stammered.

"Um... does the King of Thetor already know about this, just as you mentioned, Your Majesty?" Aria asked.

Alexius turned to look at Aria, prompting Haruto to shift the mirror over to her. Alexius studied Aria while resting his chin on his hand.

"Ah... you’re the third princess of Thetor. What was your name again?" Alexius asked.

"Aria, Your Majesty," Aria answered, bowing her head.

"I see. Move it over a bit more, please," Alexius instructed.

"Right away, Your Majesty," Haruto replied.

At Alexius’s request, Haruto stood in front of Luna and Sheila as well. Alexius observed both of them, stroking his chin thoughtfully. Suddenly, "Hahaha!" Alexius burst into boisterous laughter that echoed throughout the chamber.

"So you were already aware that things would turn out like this, Your Majesty Araki?" Alexius asked.

"I only discovered it while looking into my daughter’s affairs, Your Majesty Alexius," Kenzo answered.

"Very well! In that case, we must hold a summit immediately. The Kings of Thetor and Gred need to be informed of this, and we will persuade them so that all four kingdoms authorize entry into the ruins within your territory, the key to unlocking the seal at the heart of the Dark Forest," Alexius stated.

"Precisely, Your Majesty Alexius. That is why I convened this meeting. It appears the time has come for all kingdoms to unite and take action against what’s coming," Kenzo added.

The two kings continued to talk animatedly, their voice echoing in the hall as they discussed military strength, defensive formations, and the power hidden behind the seal. Dion, Mei, Luna, Aria, and Cleo, who looked visibly relieved with tears welling in her eyes, listened quietly.

Sheila, however, sat cross-legged with her arms folded across her chest, deep in thought. Dion noticed her expression, and Gina hopped right into his lap.

"What’s on your mind, Sheila?" Dion asked.

"That bastard stepbrother of mine and my power-hungry stepmother would never respond to something like this... It looks like I’ll have to go back and seize control of Northgard from his hands," Sheila said, her tone laced with irritation.

Hearing Sheila’s words caught Dion completely off guard, while Luna, Aria, Cleo, and Mei turned to stare at her. Even Gina looked up at Sheila, whose expression had gone fierce. Dion shook his head and rubbed his face, looking so utterly exhausted that he seemed to age five years in a matter of seconds.

"Damn it... don’t tell me after this we have to head to Northgard to stage a coup... and that’s definitely no joke... taking over a kingdom... which means war, revolution, or whatever you call it... All I wanted was to live a quiet, peaceful life... Ugh... what a pain," Dion complained in his head.