"Sarakiel, I hope you will join me for a drink as soon as you return."
The knight was bewildered of the invitation that he had just received, since they were both unaware yet of the outcome of this venture. He settled on humouring the Emperor, considering that there was no harm in doing so.
"I do not fancy alcoholic beverages, Your Majesty."
"How disappointing."
"Though, I prefer tea. The farms located in the Helian Fief cultivated the finest of tea leaves after all."
"Then I'll prepare them once you've accomplished your mission."
The Emperor laid his hands on Sarakiel's shoulders, gripping it tightly, as he locked gazes with the knight.
"That is why make sure to come back with the Percival brothers."
Sarakiel felt the pressure through the heat of the Emperor's touch. It was a novel weight to bear for the young knight. If he could guarantee the efficacy of this strategy, then their ability to fend off the unwelcomed creatures from dominating this world would achieve new heights.
'Guess there's no helping it.' The knight thought, reasserting his resolution.
"I will only accept your offer if you order a year's supply of tea leaves from my dear farmers, Your Majesty. Also, I would appreciate it if you do not put sugar cubes in my precious cup of tea."
The Emperor lowered his hands, a smile plastered on his visage.
"Black tea it is. Get going you bastard."
"With pleasure, Your Majesty," Sarakiel uttered as he knelt on one knee in a servile manner.
Duke Sarakiel Helian then stood up and marched in the direction of the one-dimensional portal that appeared in the middle of the audience room. The rectangular passage looked similar to a canvass painted with the picture of a grey sky signifying an impending rainstorm.
Void of faltering, the knight entered the gate.
From the cushy warmth of the palace's interior to the bone-chilling coldness of the island, the significant temperature change startled the man. In addition to that, he was hailed by the perpetual stoic face of his commander. Sarakiel gave a salute and extended his greetings straightway.
"I address the Knight Commander, Lord Mikhail Percival. I grant you my gratitude for opening up the gate."
Mikhail bowed his head as a sign of recognition. Sarakiel proceeded to observe his surroundings and was baffled that there were no assailants in sight. Knowing that his commander was quite tight-lipped, he initiated their conversation with a query.
"I previously thought that you're surrounded, My Lord. That doesn't seem to be the case. How did you find this hideout?"
"Listen to me, Sarakiel."
Shortly, an odd wind passed the space they were dwelling on. Sarakiel gazed at the eyes of Mikhail, quite disturbed of his commander's intonation.
'Is this fear? Is Lord Mikhail afraid? I need to know about what's happening.' It was an unusual emotion for the first seat holder of the Rounds to possess, validating why Sarakiel was surprised.
"Do speak, my Lord."
Mikhail heaved a sigh, exhaustion evident in his weary mien.
"We are inside the distortion barrier that I erected once I got rid of all the enemies in the area. However, I cannot sustain its activation any longer. Khamael is holding off on his own down the southern shore. To think that-- Damn it!" Mikhail then pounded the tree trunk that was within an arm's reach from him, wrath exuding in his aura.
"To think what?" Sarakiel inquired, not the least perturbed of Mikhail's show of rage since time and bravery was of the essence in this operation
"A Demon Noble, another one has appeared. There are now two of them. "
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
'What spell is that?'
Lauviah was weirdly skeptical of the prayer that the maids enunciated.
'A prayer? That might be an ancient spell rather than a prayer. Some words are familiar. I think I've read them from a grimoire somewhere. I'll go and find it.'
"Can you please repeat the passage for me?" The Countess requested to the twins, in the event that she remembered a few terms mistakenly.
The maids turned their gazes towards each other, reading their expressions as to how they would respond to the Countess request. After a few seconds, they nodded their heads and faced Lauviah once more.
"We forgot."
"Yes, we forgot."
"But-" Lauviah wanted to persuade them, but she was duly interrupted by the twins.
"Tara doesn't want to, my head hurts!"
"Don't bully Tara! Sura is mad!"
Countess Lukan looked at the fuming maids and figured they won't yield. She couldn't take these two maids seriously, seeing their unprofessional response.
'I bet they're unable to take care of the Empress' needs because they're too childish.' She thought to herself of the first impression she had on them.
"Alright, I won't pester you about it anymore. Alternatively, please do me one favour."
Hearing the Countess' surrender, Tara and Sura hurriedly agreed and nodded their heads in reply.
"Can you solicit a bit of time from the Empress? It won't exceed an hour, I swear."
Simultaneously, the two handmaidens tilted their head to the side, pondering on the service.
"Hmm."
"Hmm."
The female knights patiently awaited their decision. After all, they couldn't proceed with anything if the apology doesn't transpire.
"Alright, We'll do it."
"We will."
It's the answer that Lauviah desired to hear, so her countenance has enlivened a tad.
"Really? Thank you very much!"
Tara and Sura turned their backs on the visitors, crossing the foyer thereafter. They succeedingly tramped on the central staircase to reach the second floor. When they landed at the top, the two immediately pivoted their feet to navigate the right corridor -- They were on their way to the chamber at the end of the hallway. The sound of wood creaking played every step they made.
Upon pulling in, the maids stalled a foot away from the entrance, knocking twice on the door to the Empress' chamber.
There was no answer, so they knocked yet again. However, there was still no counterreaction.
"Strange, why is the Empress unresponsive? Did she not hear our knocks?"
"Come to think of it, I can't make out the Empress' voice. Wasn't she praying?"
"That doesn't make sense. Is she asleep?"
"She hasn't drunk her medicine. She shouldn't sleep."
"Let's look inside."
"I agree."
Tara knocked on the door one last time to let their Master be aware that they were coming in.
"Your Highness, excuse us for intruding."
"Excuse us."
Sura rotated the knob and drove the door open, the hinge producing a resonation of a hushed screech.
"Your Highness?"
"We are h- What?"
The maids' furrowed their eyebrows in unison, perplexed of what was happening. Instead of seeing the Empress settled in her chamber, the chilly breeze that lingered inside the empty bedroom embraced their arrival.