The summons of the seventh emperor, Verleon. The invitation for the empire's elite to the palace.
[House Merleon]
Mother, you have something to tell me?
The invitation from the palace—you must fulfill your responsibility. Gather the four brilliant subjects of our household. We need to decide who will be part of the expedition.
Yes, Mother, I will do what you say.
[A maid]
Your excellencies, you have an unexpected visitor. It is the high priestess that wishes to have your time today.
"I will be with her holiness in a minute. Tell her I have an important matter to deal with, so ask for her patience, for I will be with her."
I will do as you say, your excellence.
The door closed....
Mother, what does Her Holiness want to talk about?
I think there will be changes to our plan, but the support of her holiness is a great chance for us. You must go now; we need to prepare.
Then I will excuse myself, your excellence.
[In the guest room]
Good day, Your Holiness. Her Excellency will be with you in a minute. I'm asking for your patience.
It's fine; you can go now.
I will be outside, your holiness.
[The Saintess's POV]
"She's really having her time. This house is getting its power as time goes by. I'm visiting unannounced, but I have no choice. I have these unsettling feelings about the event that's going to unfold. The eminent power that I can feel is not good."
The head of the house, Merleon, is on the way to the guest room...
Greetings, Your Holiness, what are the important matters that you wish to tell me? For you to visit unannounced.
Take your seat, your excellence, as we will have an important discussion.
Did you receive the letter his highness delivered to this household?
Yes, holiness, the content is quite shocking. What could be the emperor's plan? For him to gather the elites of this empire.
Did the holy cathedral receive the message?
That is the reason that I am here today, Your Grace. The church does not want to be part of the expedition.
Your Holiness, forgive me, but it seems like the emperor wants to hold the holy artifact of this empire.
The holy artifact that has been left untouched and the divine power that has not been seen for a while give me a premonition. The power and the danger that it gives.
And what do you want me to do about that, Your Holiness? Why are you telling me this instead of His Highness the Emperor?
Your Grace, we both know the greed of the newly reigning emperor. As the closest mentor of his highness, you know better than anyone what he was.
Send him this message.
"The people that will hold the holy artifact are not one of his people; they are one of the crowd, not stained by nobility and power. The heart of the divine future is in their hands. The divine power—she's unknown; she will be seen for the very first time in times where blood will be shed, in the shadow of the forest of deception. They will meet her in agony and despair."
This will be my last message to his highness. "The church will close its door for the imperial family. The future of this empire lies in the hands of its people. The first storm is approaching. The future that has been written sleeps in the deepest part of the imperial palace and on this land. The hourglass has begun ticking."
Why now, your holiness?
The long battle for the throne has come to an end. The future of our empire is not unknown. It is already written. The stage is complete, and the actors are starting their own roles in the play.
What is the future of these houses, Your Holiness?
I can not answer such a question, your grace. The future of this land is not in my hand. Perhaps, one can change the future but not its fate.
To protect, you need to be strong; you need to live to have that future.
Your Grace, your daughter is the most brilliant person in this empire. Do not be so hard on her; she will be part of the expedition—a strong one at that.
Of course, Your Holiness, you do not have to point out the most obvious thing.
You know she's not the person I'm talking about. The one that is not here. The one that you're trying to hide, your grace. You cannot predict the future, so I will tell you these.
"The one that you abandon will be your downfallor the strength of this stronghold." The decision is not up to you to make.
[She was shut for a moment, thinking.] What she has done. She was lost for a brief moment. A silent voice in her head is starting to engulf her.
I do not know what she's saying. What does she mean by that? I only have one daughter, and she's right here, in this house. ]
The blow of the wind will start changing soon enough. The other stronghold of this empire will be shaken. The battle of honor and desire for power will begin.
Wait, your holiness, what do you mean about my daughter?
It is not the question for me, your grace. I have no right or authority to tell you. I have only seen a particle, a fragment of the future.
It would be your responsibility to find out on your own. The history of these houses, the empire, and the rest of its foundation. You have the access and authority closest to the heart of the truth. It will be your own quest.
That is the reason why, among the seven households, I choose to be in here. Each of you holds your own weapon. That can destroy each other. But the biggest threat among them all is the imperial bloodline. The highest blood dynasty of Celisvaron.
What is happening, your holiness? Tell me with your own mouth.
[The saintess looks at her blankly in the eyes.] It is the eyes of someone who is lost to the truth. She herselfdoes not know the reason behind the fragments. But one thing she knows: she needs to tell what she has seen. The chaotic fragments of the future
It is a long day for me, your grace. I myself do not know the answer. Everything that happens has weakened my body. That is why I did not waste any moment I had. I have aged enough to witness the greatness of the human empire. I can feel my time deteriorating.
"I leave everything to you, my dear Monica Merleon."
Find the answer to your own question.
I'm sorry, Your Holiness, if I have gone too far. I'll let you rest, and the carriage is waiting for you outside.
Thank you for everything. Have a good day, Your Excellency. I will be on my way.