Chapter 658: “Since when did you grow so moist?”

Who was to say how the meeting ended. Looking back, after the parle, Igna and Eira casually left. A distraught Courtney and irritated Elvira beckoned another conversation. "Any thoughts?" wondered Elvira, her mouth intent on spouting viciousness.

"They're close for enemies. Eira's part of the family, I can't undermind her title and prestige."

"She's attained divinity; killing her would be close to a miracle. Should we really buckle under what was said?"

"I know one thing for sure, Igna's town suffered the brunt of the last attack. He has the right to decide if she stays or not, and my gut says, the boy has decided. Shouldn't you be leaving for Arda, the council has matters to discuss, get on out of here." With a click of the tongue and a low hum, the unimpressed nightwalker faded into bats who took to the skies. From below the office, granted not to human sight, bats flew across. 

"Rare sight," commented Eira. 

"Lasted longer than I imagined." Vibration caught his attention, '-forgot it was on silent,' fifty missed calls and twenty messages displayed alongside the prince's username. He visibly cringed, to which, an observant Eira asked, "-all good?"

"No…" returned a monotonous answer, "-Julius's moving like a crazy companion." 

"I don't know what to say," the question would soon be answered. Yonder approached, or rather, pelted, the roar of a fast machine. Two seconds later, the red car screeched, the visitors were startled in fear of an accident.

"Get in," said the driver, "-RIGHT NOW!" 

Scene moves to the outer edge of town, Julius's complexed face resolved to a single frown, "-Igna, are you serious?"

"Don't ignore your big sister," voiced Eira immediately behind Julius, "-where're the prince's manners." 

"Sister," he paused and glared the mirror, "-not the time."

"Come on, Julius. Don't make a deal out of it. Do you really think I'd jeopardize our safety for nothing?" 

"Bringing the ice-princess isn't for nothing."

"Whatever," he side-glanced the window and glossed over Julius's worries. She took the queue and spoke, "-Lucifer's gone. I've changed side again."

"Why…"

"Are you up to date with the news?" inquired Igna in a pestering manner.

"No, I was too busy, I keep up with local news, why?"

"I'm engaged to be crowned Empress of Alphia. This means, the Haggard, yes, our family, will be in major political affairs. Granted, my first name may change, still, a member of the family is to be Empress of one of the biggest nations."

"If I were you," firmed Igna, "-I'd be happy she returned. The pain of big sister on the battlefield was annoying, not only must we care for the schemes, there's the blessing of an Ancient Dragon and the godhood."

"Seriously?" the mood swayed, "-give me a moment."

"Where are we headed?" 

"To the capital," said he, a portal of whitish hue materialized in the middle of nowhere, the empty roads didn't care whatsoever if the car or ten disappeared. Rosespire shone, within the walls were renovated buildings. A boom in business and tourist lifted the people's spending power, moreover, the overall rulership sufficed as told the smiles. Larger roads led into a cascade of smaller buildings; stairs of which halted at a road, next to laid a massive theater. Rustic in architecture, Julius pulled into the adjacent parking lot. A sparkle of recognition reawakened the tired guard. 

"Tough day?" he hailed.

"Master Julius, I hear the lady's performance is admirable as always."

"And I see you haven't lost the drowsiness," the party passed the cabinet. Up weather-stained stairs came the receptionist, who, after a look, said nothing, the door seamlessly opened.

"Are you a walking free pass?" 

"Stop joking," he meaningfully walked at a faster pace. Therein, the melodic muffled sound of piano sprung life in their step. Heavy door left ajar widened, a singular spotlight shone on the pianist and her instrument. A scan aided by Éclair showed renowned names of wealthy traders and owners. Nobles gathered to a reserved area at the top.

"A private recital?" suggested Eira.

"Yeah," they eased into cushioned seats, "-let her soundscape guide us." 

Meanwhile, after the same hour, the council of noble rejoined under the same banner. Representatives were suddenly called for an audience; a dejected look justified their anger and mannerism. Thus, she spoke of Eira's return, a piece of information only Aurora and Julia swallowed. Alaric and Gabrielle were apprehensive, dutifully so. The demands were quoted exactly to avoid miscommunication. The council went on for hours, to which, the theater's minute guests scurried one after the other. A sweat-heavy Lizzie panted; Shanna's green hair gracefully watched on her daughter. "-Good performance," she said to be startled at an opened door. Blond, white, and a mix of white and red entered, the princess's expression changed to a smile, "-BROTHER!" she leaped into Julius' arms.

"Lizzie," he smiled, "-long time, good performance!"

"I thought you'd never come," said Shanna, "-I see there are guests."

"Good afternoon, auntie," said Igna.

"Hello granny," yawned Vanesa, "-pops, I can't sleep…"

"A rare occurrence," said he.

"Brother Igna, you're here too?" her hazel pupils warmly watched in curiosity.

"Good performance."

"Who's the girl?" inquired the ex-queen.

"My daughter," he replied. Eira and Shanna exhaled a baffled cough, "-excuse you?" they asked.

"What… can't a man have a child these days?" Eye to eye, the imaginary scene of a linear pathed town appeared, a virtuoso against a koala. Dust from the street, wind from the west, and amber color from the setting sun. Pistol at dusk, a gesture would equal death, the children's stare-off begot less attention.

"Eira."

"Mother."

"Cut it out," said Igna to Vanesa, "-Aunt, Julius, and big sister. Please take your time and discuss the affairs, I wish not to intrude." They solemnly agreed, "-take care of Lizzie too." 

What else can be said? He walked out of the building in the company of children. 'Enough politic for one day,' they skipped to a rather quaint fast-food area. Fixed tables and chairs, a singular tree hung its foliage over the eaters. "Ice-cream," said Vanesa, "-I want one."

"I'll have two," glared Lizzie.

"One each," he smiled and hurried to a smaller round table. Passersby, dressed in casual clothes, took notice quickly. A man in a suit caring for girls in elegant dresses. Neighboring tables assumed him to be the stereotypical rich guy, obnoxious and smug. No heed on the surrounding, '-aunt Elvira's at the council, the new rule will have to bring Arda under one. Julius and Lizzie have abdicated their claims on the throne. In a time of crisis, I don't think the nobles would mind either. Maintain the feudal rulership or change to a more democratic way of government. A dictatorship could work, out of the three, maintaining feudalism is better. Arda's traumatic experience under the church's dictatorship has very well wiped the mind of the populous. Hard for me to think, they need a ruler, someone to make decisions. We ought to move past the dated days of kings and nobles, Alphia's a prime example, they're just fine under the semi-democratic and feudal rulership. The people were adamant about letting their emperor be in power, got to hand it to them. Saddens to see such a fruitful land be soiled at the hands of fake believers. The pest of Kreston will never die, a damn cockroach. The fate of an entire continent rests in the Haggard's hand. Once Eira is married, the scope of our influence will be untouched. Julius would fit the title of king, knowing him, he'll refuse. I see only a single way, Queen Shanna returns to the throne, a job easier said than done. Many will argue she's the reason why Arda fell into cacophony, and as is, we can't refute their worries. Mistakes are spotted easily, no matter the great done, the jealous shall always have their way.'

"Stop thinking so heavily."

"Big sister?" focus returned, "-how long was it?" 

"Two hours," she said.

"What about Lizzie and Vanesa," the questions answered themselves, the duo lent on his legs and napped. 

"Where's Julius and aunt?"

"No idea?" she shrugged and pulled a stool, "-Igna, you were right to bring me here."

"The mood sure looks relieved, the shoulder stands proudly, what happened?"

"We fought," she chuckled, "-fought until the hatred displaced for laughter. Julius and I realized the points were the same in ideals, the application differed. Mother sure was excited to see us argue, she but sat with hands on her chin and smiled. Creepy if you ask me." 

"Not creepy. She's happy her family is back together. Look at Lizzie, isn't her face of a blissful individual?" 

"Since when did you grow so moist?" frowned she, "-aren't you supposed to be the slayer of a seven thousand army?"

"Oh, don't worry about that," the bicolored pupils swiftly reddened, "-tis all in a day's work."

"Tell me about Mantia; what does it feel to know just about everything in the world?"

"I can't explain the sensation; the events feel repeated. Domain expansion, ability granted to symbol wielders, you used earlier at the office."

"Yeah, I had to. A Haggard must have some aggression in the negotiations." 

"Strictly magic wise," *Mana-Control: Five Fingers Variant- Rainbow,* "-I hold powers to any type of magic imaginable. Don't even have to use my mana." 

"Still using magic?" her tone waned, "-Igna, I thought the powers would be more impressive. Magic in our age feels outdated. Even adventurers stray from the arts while in combat."

"Let me tell you something when magic dies out and humans evolve to not be able to sense or use mana, a simple fireball spell will feel as strong as a gun. The cycle of life and death, wait and watch, the magic of this era will be hailed as ancient arts."

"We can safely say death isn't an issue. Watching the populous grow and evolve sounds fun, and boring." Shanna and Julius joined the conversation, "-welcome back," said Eira. 

"I've spoken to Éclair; a jet is on its way. We'll fly to Arda."

"We headed the to Southern airfield?"

"No, not the airport. We're headed to Phantom's private one." 

Blood-King's council, a short fifteen-minute break intervened to the final debate. Aurora stood strongly for Eira's propositions. Gabrielle and Julia were neutral. Alaric strongly opposed the traitor. 

"I can't accept her return. She brought on the hurt. If not for the wall, we'd have lost in another attack. Glenda's but a mediocre town, we can't allow Igna's land to be given greater importance."

"Alaric," said Julia, "-the arguments are valid, we might upset the nobles if we focus on a single man, a boy rather. Even now, the title of Viscount has had the others furious. None want to speak out, they'd rather choose the shadows."

"We can't entertain everyone," interjected Aurora, "-Julius and Igna saved our land, don't forget. If not for the latter's party, there wouldn't be any of us left. Phantom helped the castle's capture, I say this with confidence, traitor or not, the Haggard Dynasty stepped in to handle a mess a runaway child caused."

"They wouldn't have needed to if the girl had remained quiet," fired Alaric, "-don't get me started on the Queen, she fell prey to Lucifer's charm."

"On that point," said Gabrielle, "-we might also blame the council of races, they openly accepted his entrance. I watched how he acts and speaks, the man has charm and intellect, no way we had seen this coming." 

"Don't stray off the point," voiced Elvira, "-Eira's not interested in Arda's land. She wants to restore the continent for a stable future, the lady's engaged to be Empress of Arda." 

"Economically speaking, we're barely making progress," facepalmed Aurora, "-raising taxes will break the livelihood of many. The coffers might last another year if we are conservative… Repairs and afterwar recompensating, the noble lords and army need to be paid. Food supplies are also slim, more have fled for the protection of the Blood-King's faction." 

"What do you propose," frowned Alaric.

"Let the royal family figure it out. Igna's said to accompany the princess, right?" 

"Correct."

"Shall we decide?" proposed Gabrielle.

"Just to be clear, we have three choices, accept, neutral, and oppose."

"I disagree," said Alaric.

"I'll wait and watch," nodded Gabrielle. 

"Same here," added Julia.

"I also wish to wait and watch," said Aurora, "-my allegiance stands firmly on Eira's side."

"Thank you for your time, Eira's party will land at the capital later in the night. To confirm, the council has accepted to wait and watch."

"Correct."