The moment Aqua and Azure made their entrance into the office, every gaze fell on them.
Sheira stared at her with tears filling her eyes, and Mia looked as if she were a hair's breadth away from jumping at Aqua. She nervously rubbed the back of her head and waved. "Hello everyone, I am back."
In the next moment, Sheira inched closer before pouncing on Aqua. "Aqua! You are back!"
She chuckled and placed her hands around Sheira's waist. Her lips stretched into a thin line. "I am so glad to see you healthy. All of you," she said, smiling while looking over everyone.
Mia attempted to discreetly scuttle over, her eyes darting from Enlil to Aqua. Of course, Aqua noticed it immediately and gave Mia a soft, affirmative smile. "Come, Mia."
The small professor slowly got into her embrace before wrapping her arms around her waist. "Teacher, Sheira said that the visions were likely real. I remember being splashed by some dark water, it hurt so much."
Aqua panned her gaze toward Enlil, Avaros, and Aurora.
They looked at her with worry.
Aqua separated herself from Sheira and Mia before raising her hand. "I will need you to tell me exactly what has happened in your visions. After that, I will deal with the savages."
Enlil looked at Azure, who just nodded.
Everyone in the room explained their experience, one by one. Each new piece of information filled out a puzzle in her mind.
They spoke of warhorns before an army of monsters and savages invaded. The savage leader carried the divine artifacts, which they used to destroy a barrier that Mia had created.
I am impressed she was able to create such an impressive defense in such a short time. Aqua nodded along.
However, with each word the elves spoke, she fumed further. It took everything she had to not go and deal with the savages. However, her anger was quickly suppressed when Azure grabbed her arm.
Her fiancé looked at her with a warm smile, making Aqua's heart skip a beat.
Her smile really is calming.
"Aqua, we need to prepare for defense. If what Sheira said is true, then we need to brace for impact," Mia said.
Aqua shook her head, separating herself from Azure. "We will not be defending, instead. We will crush the savages."
She slowly approached the window and leaned forward. "I have rewritten history to make sure that these sinners cannot harm my family. Those visions you experienced gave me everything I need to know."
The comment left everyone present speechless, yet nobody could say anything. Most looked at her as if it were no surprise, except Enlil, who looked at her as if she were a crazy woman.
Azure glared at him, forcing him to keep his mouth shut.
Her friends and lover were safe, and that was all she could possibly ask for. She crossed her arms and turned toward the group. "While it is not something I prefer, Azure had expressed a desire to take vengeance on the enemy herself. I wish to ask everyone here, if you wish to counterattack these sinners, or leave them to me?"
Sheira shook her head. "Absolutely not, we are not letting you handle everything on your own. This is our home, and I refuse to be a damsel who sits idly while the heroes do the work."
Aqua chuckled. She had expected that from Sheira.
"Then, I will make sure that you have a guaranteed victory," she said while peering at others.
She would not have faulted them if they wished to leave it to her, on the contrary, she wanted to deal with the enemy herself.
Yet not even a single soul wished for that. Nobody here had a desire to use her power. Black Flame, you were really stupid to think that Azure or even Sheira and others here would use me.
The Black Flame remained silent, hidden in the far corner of her mind.
Azure placed her hands in a 'V' shape and stepped next to Aqua. "I would suggest against bringing everyone to deal with the rotten monsters. A single hit rots away your body, and they are incredibly fast."
Aqua nodded. "I will not allow anyone here to fight the rot," she said, ignoring Azure's pleading eyes.
However, after a single second, Aqua's expression cracked, turning her gaze toward Azure. "Except you, you can fight it, but only in my presence. Understood?" She asked.
Azure saluted. "Yes, ma'am!"
Avaros raised his hand. "I would like to kill their chieftain, he had given me, Lady Mia, and Lady Aurora quite a thrashing, not to mention it hurt a lot when he splashed me with rot. If what Lady Aqua said is true about the visions being true, I would like to redeem the honor of my past self."
Mia and Aurora's expressions saddened. "Mia and I agree with Sir Avaros. We want to make their chieftain pay for what he has done."
That savage still used rot according to them. I will need to give them some kind of protection. She then turned to Enlil, the only person who remained quiet.
"Lady Aqua, I do not think my skills would do us any good in the defense. I am far too weak, weaker than even some students. Everything I had done in the vision was dying," he spoke solemnly.
Aqua's lips stretched into a line. "I understand, do not worry, the savages won't be an issue for too long. I plan to deal with this kingdom's plight… permanently."
After a moment of silence, Azure cleared her throat and spoke. "I believe that Squire Enlil's duty should be to make sure that students do not panic and to be ready to defend the academy in the unlikely scenario that some savages survive."
The headmaster tapped his fingers on the table. "I understand. You can count on me for that."
Then, Aqua's eyes fell on Sheira, who was drilling her toes into the floor. "What's wrong, Sheira?"
The princess placed her hands together, as if in prayer, and bowed. "I would like to kill the dragon swarm that appeared! I believe I am the best-suited person to deal with the dragons," she said, fidgeting with her hair.
Everyone stared at her.
"Stop staring at your princess like that. I am the second most powerful person present here, and the dragons do not use rot, so I am a perfect counter," Sheira spoke proudly. She was now a fledgling goddess, and as such, she had a duty to defend her lands.
Aqua hummed, her fingers pinching her chin. Sheira was certainly a good choice to deal with the swarm, possibly the best after Aqua herself. What was more, Aqua could not refuse Sheira when she looked at her like a sad puppy.
And not to mention the fact that it would be an ideal opportunity for Sheira to exercise her great power. However, what worried her was the so-called Dragon God Zm'aj.
She carefully observed Sheira before sighing. She should be on a similar level to him if she removes the bracelet.
"Sheira, a being that called himself Dragon God Zm'aj, was the leader of the swarm. Are you sure you want to do this?"
While the news made others reel back, including Azure. Everyone knew about the terror of a Dragon Lord, and the princess wanted to fight such an unstoppable monster.
However, instead of panic, Sheira's ears twitched, and her eyes sparkled. "Can I?! Mommy, please, let me fight Zm'aj!"
"Sheira, I cannot let you put yourself in so much danger. I think this is one issue that we should leave to my star," Azure interjected, making Sheira pout.
Aqua sighed. "If you are sure, Sheira. I will make sure you aren't hurt."
Her beloved tilted her head, staring at her for a moment before relaxing. "If Aqua says it is all right, I have no complaints."
"Yay! Thank you, Azu!" Sheira exclaimed, barely containing herself before coughing into her fist. "I mean, thank you, ma'am!"
Aqua enjoyed the sight of her comrades and friends for a moment. "Then, it is decided. I will meet with Soleah so that the city knows what is about to happen. Wait for me in the courtyard."
Her dearest placed her hand on Aqua's shoulder. "I would like to go with you, Aqua."
The touch made Aqua's lips stretch into a small smile. "Are you sure? I will be back shortly."
"Do I need an excuse to want to spend time with you?" Azure asked.
"I suppose not," Aqua responded.
"Wait," Sheira attempted to speak up, but Azure glared daggers at her, making the princess back off. "Never mind," she pouted.
Azure walked behind Aqua's back and stood on her right side, her hands resting in the 'V' position. She smiled warmly and leaned toward Aqua, her eyes closed.
In an instant, the duo disappeared and, in an instant, appeared inside the queen's office, deep within the Onost Palace.
Before them were Soleah and Lucia, who seemed in deep conversation before noticing a new arrival.
Soleah blinked. "Aqua? Azure?"