Chapter 118: Talk and preparation

"For now, let this meeting commence," Aleister announced, taking in everyone in the room. He studied those who would be participating in the festival. Most here were mere children, but did that make Galadriel seem desperate? Perhaps, but the fact of the matter was that these few currently in the conference room were the most qualified for the festival. With this team, they could win the final festival and gain the ultimate prize for the kingdom.

Though it did irk him somewhat that their trump card was not here, though it would be more apt to call him a wildcard. Even so, he was currently even more valuable than Lucinda herself, being able to match Selwyn simply made him all the more important. Though King Thordan's worries were not unfounded, the boy had a lack of respect for authority, seeing as he saw fit to do his own thing rather than attend an important meeting. Still, this was just a small problem, nothing to lose one's head over. For now, he would focus on those before him.

"Now, I thank you all for coming on such short notice," he started, his voice smoothly gliding through the room. "As you know, this will be the last annual festival. The Gods themselves will be spectating from their realm to determine the victors."

"Still, we have a lot to deal with," Victoria voiced. "Seeing as Verdantis apparently has more than five Inheritors. Dante himself is already too strong a threat, having to deal with other threats on top of him would be impossible. That is why I propose we have Vel'ryr engage with Verdantis first. At the very least, let Dante and Selwyn clash and tire each other out."

Lukas rubbed his chin in thought, "They will most likely have one piece of magitech with them and the Von Auerswald siblings. Your spawns would be forced to employ Familial Arts, Lady Gregory, and once Lady Mirabella masters it, she will have Arcane Ascendance. Would it not be best if we have them battle against one Von Auerswald?"

"I cannot keep the transformation longer than sixty seconds, unfortunately," Agatha broke, a frown settling on her lips. "I've yet to research ways to increase my mana."

"Well, one common theory is that mana is like muscles, as in straining your mana and honing it can help you use it more effectively and increase it, though it is but a theory currently. Worry not, I shall find a way to help you and dear Mirabella with your mana training," Victoria informed.

"But you two should not worry too much. Even if you can only maintain Arcane Ascendance for sixty seconds, that will be more than enough!" Astrid cheerily stated. "I do possess the Divine Construct Codice Ruptor and the holy sword Fyrir. And Lukas has his own Divine Relic. You two are not alone, so fight with the knowledge that we have your backs."

"Well spoken, Princess Astrid," Guinevere mused, a smile playing at your lips. "Yet the kingdom still has one Divine Artifact left. We have yet to find someone compatible, though we have twenty-five days left, I suppose. How about you? Adrian, was it? Think you could handle it?"

The boy gave a wry smile, "I am not that well-versed in close-quarters combat, so it would be wasted on me," he denied. "Still, are we not forgetting... what was his name, Mikoto? He seems to be an integral part of the festival."

"Yeah, he's freakishly strong," Mirabella admitted. "But that guy is always off doing who knows what. I wonder if he'll even show up for the festival."

"I have met him back in the castle," Astrid muttered. "He was quite the eccentric fellow. He also said you were madly smitten with him, Mirabella."

"What!?" The aforementioned girl was immediately red in the face. "That guy's full of shit!" Astrid merely giggled as Lukas sighed to her side.

"Please, Lady Astrid, do not tease Mirabella like that during an official meeting," the would-be knight pleaded.

"But it's so fun~" Astrid argued.

Quickly clearing his throat, Aleister spoke up, "The Divine Construct Codice Ruptor and the holy sword Fyrir. The former is a Divine artifact wielded by the unknown God. The holy sword Fyrir is a blade forged by the fairies who collaborated with elves and dwarfs, quite a powerful blade from what I heard from old tales. It seems to be a more natural counter to even something like Nihil, despite it not being Divine in origin." He mulled. "I did not know you even had that in your possession, princess."

The aforementioned girl sheepishly scratched her head, "Well, I was supposed to keep it a secret. I had to go through quite a few violent and absurd events just to be worthy of Fyrir." The princess shuddered with a distant look in her eyes. "Fairies can be cruel."

Agatha took a glance at her own fairy companion.

"What? I'm not that cruel! I swear!" Cor'nella protested. Agatha did not seem convinced.

Victoria, at any rate, looked intrigued. "That does significantly boost our chances. And what of you, Lukas? What weapon do you possess?" The aforementioned boy took a glance at the crown princess, who nodded in turn.

"It's Karqan. It was possessed by the storm God," he started. "It has no form, so to speak, but the ability grants the user control over the skies and... more."

"These weapons, just how secure are they?" Agatha could not help but ask. If such weapons were to be stolen...

"Worry not," Astrid affirmed. "These weapons have chosen us, the Divine Constructs at any rate. They are bound to our souls in essence. Stealing them is all but impossible. With Fyrir-"

"The blade is sentient," Cor'nella cut off. "Fyrir found you worthy, so it will not leave your side. And seeing as my kind helped make him, it is quite the loyal blade." She puffed out her chest in pride.

"Heh, I suppose a fairy would know best," Astrid smiled before turning to Agatha. "But see, there's nothing to worry about regarding them. They shan't be stolen." Well, it was a sensible worry, but like the Harbinger Lucinda had access to, the weapons she and Lukas possessed were bound to them on a deeper level than merely being a part of their will.

"That is good, though I expect nothing less from such legendary weapons," Victoria murmured. "At any rate, we should divide you all equally. For now, our biggest threat would be Dante."

"Hm?" Mirabella tilted her head. "Not that Selwyn bastard?"

"He is dangerous in his own right," Victoria admitted.

"Even with Arcane Ascendance, I'd be hard-pressed to defeat him," for the first time, Lucinda spoke up. She was content to listen, but she supposed she could participate. "The Von Auerswalds have foreign abilities, different from magic."

"Ah, yes, I recall," Victoria started. "Those born from the Von Auerswald bloodline are chosen by one great dragon. They inherit abilities and furthermore have their own mockery of a transformation."

Adrian hummed with interest, "I am confused. With all that, how is Selwyn Von Auerswald not the highest priority?"

"The Inheritor of the God of strength," Victoria pursed her lips. "Among the Inheritors, he is without a doubt the strongest. Within the whole of Verdantis, including even the most powerful sorcerers, that still holds true. He's fought the Divine Beast Altera for five days and nights and emerged victorious. He only relies on his own strength, not any kind of magic. And he's hardly ever even used Arcane Ascendance, and yet he is still hailed as the most powerful Inheritor. He is just as much of a monster as Selwyn."

"That strong?" Mirabella could not help but blurt out.

"That strong," Lucinda confirmed. "I could only ever match him briefly with Arcane Ascendance, but well, even with my reserves, I am only able to keep that form for thirty minutes."

"Indeed, Dante is our biggest threat, yet we dare not forget the other Inheritors," Aleister cut in. "With these twenty-five days left, we must reinforce ourselves. Agatha, you shall focus on training your mana. Mirabella, you shall need to focus on accessing Arcane Ascendance. On that front, I may be of help. Lucinda, on your front, there's not much that needs improving. As for the Divine Artifact, I may have a candidate in mind."

Astrid gave her sister a proud smile, "Worry not, Mira. Arcane Ascendance will be no issue for you, I'm sure!"

"I hope," Mirabella huffed. She had not tried to access it yet, but from what Agatha said, it was easy. But knowing her own luck, it was going to be a lot more difficult.

"If all is decided, then I will leave the planning to you, Victoria," Aleister started. "With that, this meeting is adjourned, and if anyone sees Mikoto, please direct him to me." Oh right, Mikoto was still missing. She could not help but wonder what that boy was up to now.