Chapter 901 An Important Guest

Two weeks have passed since Rae joined Ascent.

Each passing day had another life-changing decision for the people suffering under the previous unjust rule. In these past two weeks, Arthur was absent from the world because he was stabilizing his powers. Thus, Ai had to respond to each threat or peace treaty.

Indeed, some offered peace treaties. It happened early in the morning when Ai woke up to find Layla sitting by her bed. It had been a while since they met, making the saint jump to greet her.

"Calm down, Empress," said the grieving knight with a smile as she received the hug. "I am not dead yet. Just had to tie some loose ends."

"What loose ends, exactly?" asked Ai as she broke off the embrace before seeing a sad smile on her face. "Did something happen?"

"It was something I had to do a long time ago. I entered the Light Prison and interrogated the researcher who had executed the emperor's command. He was the person to kill the rest of the orphans."

Ai was silent as she heard that before sitting properly and holding her hands. Layla smiled as she returned the favor. Then, she started telling Ai what she had been up to.

"I located where he disposed of the bodies and gave everyone a proper burial. It was easy given my new blessing, but… I could not recognize the bodies. Most were eaten by beasts or degraded by time."

"Layla…" Ai said with a pout. She did not think that her friend would undertake such a task. "You should have asked us to help. We have many knights who would do these things."

"This is my punishment for letting go too quickly when Lyle fought in the darkness all this time. I always considered him a traitor because of what he did for his grandfather, but… it seems he was the only one who never forgot his family. I died, but you healed me. Grandfather was set to be executed, but Arthur saved him. All of us were fated to die somehow, but the only one of us who did, in the end, was him."

"You should not feel guilty for being alive, sweetheart," said Ai as she hugged her again. Layla returned the hug this time, albeit slowly. Then, she started sobbing in a low voice as if trying to hide it. "I feel happy that you are here."

Layla cried for a while before becoming silent again and wiping away the tears. She pulled away from Ai and turned around, seeming not to want her friend to see her expression.

"Look at me," said Ai.

"I was told that I have an ugly crying face," said Layla as she finished cleaning her face before turning around. Then, Ai noticed her in a shirt and trousers, with her black hair tied behind her back. "And you are the new empress. I cannot allow you to see such an ugly face."

Ai opened her mouth to rebuke her but simply smiled and started giggling. As she left her bed, a knock came on the door. Layla glanced at it before looking at Ai, who nodded after adjusting herself.

The one who entered was Rain, taking long steps while examining Layla from head to toe. If the two women did not know her, they would have accused her of being a leering pervert.

"You look quite beautiful in those clothes," said Rain while licking her lips. Layla shivered.

She might indeed be a leering pervert.

"Is there something wrong, advisor Rain?" asked Ai with concern.

"I apologize for the intrusion so early in the morning, Empress, but an important guest awaits your presence. She arrived moments ago, and I had to rush in to get you."

"How important can a guest be to rush the empress?" asked Layla with surprise. Rain gave her a wide smile before walking to the window and opening the curtains.

"Since our guest is quite in touch with nature, we have allowed her to wait in the garden. You can see for yourself how important she is."

Ai and Layla shared a glance before the two walked toward the window. As their eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight, they could see the gardens surrounding the palace. Several benches were inside them, and the guest was sitting on one. It was a beautiful woman with green hair.

"Who is that?" asked Ai with confusion. Layla squinted her eyes to get a better look but simply shook her head. Rain was speechless at the clueless two women before covering her eyes. She remembered she was dealing with toddlers.

"This is the Healer Princess of Janea and the current Heir, Tiara," said Rain as she looked alongside the two. "She came here with a message from her mother, the Queen. It seems the two want to ask for our help with their problem."

"…as what?"

"As a nation, of course," said Rain before closing the curtains. "Janea is the nation of nature, and an alliance with them would yield great benefits. However, we need to know what their request is firsthand. You can change your clothes."

Ai was silent before walking toward her wardrobe, filled with dresses befitting an empress. The two women left, and after a few minutes, Ai came out ready. Her clothes were enchanted with runes, making the wearing automated; the hair was the same.

The three started walking while being greeted by countless knights and officials. All of them were deterred from their way, although most wanted to chat with the empress. However, the glaring tall woman behind her seemed like a natural barrier.

"Can we find a spot for Layla in the royal guards?" asked Ai with a smile after seeing how useful she was. Rain glanced at the two before giving them a knowing smile.

"You are the empress, so there is no we," said Rain with a shrug. Ai turned to Layla, probing her reaction. She looked pondering, so Ai said no more.

As the three exited the palace, they came across a particular man. His tall and thin frame made him quite eye-catching, not to mention his identity.

"Good morning, Empress Ai," said Yuran as he bowed. "I have some information to share if you have the time."

"Go ahead, sir," said Ai, not daring to show disrespect toward a member of Ascent. "Is there something that the Seika needs?"

"I came here without his knowledge, but I am sure he would agree that I chose to deliver the news promptly. The guest you have now is a friend of Ascent, and she has even healed the Seika at certain times before.

The three women seemed shocked by the news. If anything, the seven families would want to kill Arthur, not heal him. However, none of them knew this fact because it was a secret even from the new members of Ascent.

"Therefore, I wish she would be treated as a friend, not an enemy," said Yuran. "I suspect her request involved Ascent, but you have become the medium to that."

"I understand as much," said Ai with a frown. "However, why not seek Ascent directly?"

"If done in such a manner, Janea would face the world as well, and they might not be able to handle that. In any case, hear their request, and the Guild Master will look into it later."

Ai nodded and watched the man bid her farewell. Then, the three arrived at the gardens to meet the embodiment of nature. Plants and vines grew beneath her feet before climbing her body as she sat on the bench. Birds of different kinds flew to rest on her shoulder, with even rabbits sleeping at her feet.

"…greetings," said Ai with intrigue as she stared at the woman. As soon as she noticed them, the animals and plants retreated from her body as the woman gracefully stood. Then, she bowed.

"Greetings to the Golden Empress of Ilios," said Tiara with enough respect that made Ai like her. "I apologize for coming so early in the morning. However, I was sent here by my mother, the queen."

"Since the matter seems urgent, then I feel glad that you came early," said Ai as she gestured for the princess to sit. Then, she walked to sit beside her. Layla seemed to object, seeking to warn Ai that this was dangerous, but Rain stopped her. "I heard that you were a friend."

"I dare not claim to be one," said Tiara with a smile before glancing at the palace. "However, some people are worth befriending, even if we must fight them one day."

Ai furrowed her brows, but she knew that prying into her matters was not what they had to discuss. Thus, she did not say a thing and waited for the princess to step forward.

"Janea is dying," began Tiara, making the three shocked. "It is ironic that the land of life is dying. However, this is reality, and we cannot face it alone."