"Let's begin with the discussion of the future." Draxus let out a serious expression which got the people inside the entire room to turn their gazes on him. "I'll be blunt and straightforward. I, Draxus Heimdal Kingfisher Preeliance, would like to propose a fully fledged alliance to the Holy Kingdom of Santuria." Niloufer widened her eyes in complete surprise on Draxus who suddenly proposed something that could change the entire country. "What benefit will you get for forming an alliance with us?" Draxus simply smiled as he continued his words after the question. "There's no need for my side to benefit, as we're simply following a simple goal." Axel's eyes narrowed down suspiciously but Draxus was focused on Niloufer. "Let's say that when you enter the alliance, there's simply a lot of benefits to come to you. First, one representative from the executors, the archons, or the emperor himself will visit to check the state of affairs. If you need or require assistance, we will help you in your issues free of charge. Any kind of trouble will be cleaned off easy as pie, so in trouble you can kiss goodbye." While placing his cheek on his right hand which is resting on the armrest, Draxus smiled once more while making a gesture of a chef's kiss. "Aside from that, various quality of life improvements. The details will be given by our emperor himself. And moreover, never-ending peace, when the time our goal has been completed, we will enter a reign of peace where there is no need for civilians to live a life while fearing war and pillaging." With a bold proposition and a confident face, Draxus made the pope, Niloufer ponder deeply. "Lord Kingfisher, it is indeed beneficial for our side to join forces with Preeliance. However, it is difficult for us to accept an alliance where the other party will not get any benefit, I apologize but this is a suspicious offer that you have given us." The six other party members looked at Draxus who was pretty much turned down. "Understandable, then how about making it clear that the information about this ritual is confirmed or not." The pope turned her gaze to Axel and Gwen and commanded them to leave. Seeing that action, Draxus then ordered the rest of his group to leave along with the deaconess and the hero. "Everyone, take your leave and study your notes. Livi will give you a summary of what had happened." The six members nodded and left the room calmly.
"Alright. Now it's about time for you to come clear about the matter. What the fuck do you think you're planning to make your child do?" With a cold tone, Draxus allowed himself to reveal a dangerous side to the pope. The pope calmly answered while looking down as if she's unable to connect her eyes to Draxus. "The ones that are in-charge of the rituals are the Cardinals. It's something that even I as a pope cannot stop. They seem to be led by both the hero and one other person who I don't often see, but it's a person that hasn't aged. Before I became the pope, I saw him with the former hero." Draxus facepalmed as he was completely felt off about the atmosphere of the current hero. "Figures, so the hero position is quite shady?" Niloufer nodded slightly as a response which got Draxus to sigh. "Haaaah... Getting raped by all the guys in the country. What shitty ritual did we get here? I don't believe in gods, but, even I know that churches don't do this utter bullshit where they give a sixteen year old kid extreme trauma. So, what happens if the Deaconess gets pregnant?" The pope pondered for a bit before giving an answer. "During the baptism, the young man that's always with the hero and never ages performs the baptism. They seemed to have placed a magic circle whenever a person gets baptized, there's a difference to males and females." Draxus focused his eyes on Niloufer with a serious expression. He began thinking about various things to try and connect them together. "[Connecting our blood together]... [All guys in the country coming here to violate the deaconess]... [Shady hero]... I have a feeling that the hero will be in this with them. Have you gotten the name of the person performing the baptism?" The pope shook her head sideways to tell Draxus that she couldn't. "He was wearing a hood the whole time, and a mask." Draxus leaned forward to ponder deeper. "In that case, the ritual is happening on her birthday right? Do you think you're capable of postponing it to a later date?" The pope shook her head once more as if she had already given up. "How long has this been going?" With a minor level pressure, Draxus asked the most important question. "Around ten thousand years..." Draxus sighed once more before turning his head to the window. "There's a barrier that prevents me and my group to use magic. Do you know the sources of it?" The pope turned her eyes to Draxus who was looking at the window with an expression that spells seriousness. "If I remember correctly, one person was holding the main source of the barrier... It's an artifact that produces a magic barrier that prevents anything from being casted unless the blood of the person was registered into it or the extensions. The extensions can be found on each corner of the capital city. So they're quite far from each other..." Draxus simply smiled as he finally got a plan out. "Alright, I got myself a plan. But before that, I'll ask you one more time. Would you like to join hands with the empire of Preeliance? Draxus stood up and offered a handshake after moving closer to the pope. "Alright. I, Niloufer Santuria will forge an alliance with Preeliance. I will help the best I can for your plan to succeed." Draxus then began explaining the idea he had in his mind to her. With extreme level risks but with a serious face, he gave her one assurance. "I, Draxus Heimdal, disciple of Serkyrio Kaiser will not fail on my mission." After a while Draxus and the pope left the room as the time just hit past ten. Draxus went to a different room where he found Olivia who was talking with the rest of the members. "Everyone, alliance has been formed, but I have some instructions for everyone. I won't let you guys go alone with the hero. He's conspicuous as he's one person who is leading the ritual. However, in three days time at twelve midnight, the ritual will begin, and we're here to crash the party. Olivia, go with Pauleen and Juniper to find one sculpture that looks like a stone lamp, and break it. There will be trouble that you'll face but you three can surely handle it together. Pauleen's [Creation Through Art] will be a very powerful asset for you three. You'll be heading southeast. Jay, Audrey, the two of you will be heading to three of the sculptures. Your mobility Jay will be the most essential part of this operation as you need to destroy it all within five minutes per sculpture. Judging by your speed, it will be just in time for the three girls to destroy the last sculpture. Maria, once you feel the magic interruption become undone, begin using anti-brainwashing magic, you'll be placed on the highest point by Jay. It might be proven difficult as you're going to use it on the entire city by itself. I'll handle the center of attraction where I have to fight two highly dangerous people at once. One of them could be the hero. Once all four sculptures are destroyed, rendezvous down to the cathedral. I'll recap the summary just before the operation. While for now, simply focus on moving around as guests of Santuria." After explaining the plan for the first time, Audrey had a face where she looked excited to crash a party. The others were overwhelmed due to the new plans Draxus had after explaining the fact that the ritual was unpleasantly true. They were then invited for lunch with the pope and the deaconess.