Target found

After trying a few spells, the girls decided to call it a day. The princess and Reim left the chamber while Atropa tidied things for a bit. 

She sensed a familiar presence and saw a fox jumped gracefully from the open window and entered the hidden chamber. 

"Rei, you finally showed up." The girl greeted. 

The fox landed on the floor on all fours and suddenly turned into a human. However, its ears still remained and its bushy nine-tails bloomed behind him. 

"it took some time before I could confirm the reports, but here." Rei handed her a bouquet of pale blue flowers which was preserved in a rather huge resin. 

"A bouquet of Halliwell…" the girl smiled as she took the blooms. "well done!"

"I never knew they were that many." The girl mused as she temporarily stored the flowers in one of the compartments. 

"Those are the people behind your father's fall. The head of the houses who betrayed their kingdom." Rei said as she handed her the list. 

"These noble houses were against my father's decision. They had been trying to get the throne for themselves. Unfortunately, the Enclave stepped in." Atropa muttered as she perused the list. 

After a few minutes, she simply put the list down as if she had lost interest. "They got what they deserve." 

"So, what have you gathered for me? You really took a long time getting back here." The maiden reminded. "Aside from collecting the Halliwell, of course." 

"We'll, it seemed that the former king of Azalea who had supposed to be banished was taken in by the current king." Rei shared. 

"Reed must have pitied his father. He had always been soft compared to Briar." Atropa could not help but comment. "So, does that mean that he is Azalea right now?"

"The kind did not allow him to enter the palace, but instead he allowed him to live somewhere near the border of a duchy in Azalea. The king rarely visits but a knight and a servant were assigned to watch him." 

"I see. Anything else?"

"If we are planning to attack the former king, we have to be careful." The fox said. "I could sense sinister magic around the area he was staying." 

"If it is magic, I think I could deal with it." Atropa said with confidence. "She had gained leverage after she acquired Lumina. 

"I hope you will be strong enough. Your magic is not that stable, so fighting that sinister force might be a bit too much." Rei expressed his doubts. 

"Then, I will just have to prepare." The girl murmured. 

After a few minutes of discussing their plans, Rei asked. "How is my child doing?"

Atropa smiled. "The princess had taken a liking to Reim." 

"Sounds good." Rei looked like a really doting father. 

Rei had mellowed down for the past few months. Bringing his cub to be Rozen's familiar made him act more mature than he normally was. 

Atropa was quite glad that he became a little more serious now. 

They were both interrupted when all of the sudden the door sprang open. 

The pair instantly have their guards up and got ready to attack. 

"Geez, is that how you greet your friend?" A wizard sauntered in the chamber. 

"Zeke! You almost gave me a fright!" Atropa cried as she dispelled her magic and gave the wizard a hug. "I miss you, bro!" 

"I miss you too, princess." The wizard hugged her back. "You've been up to no good lately. I am having a hard time covering for you." 

The maiden broke free from his hug. "I haven't done anything wrong." She denied. 

The maiden then clapped her hand, in response the door closed and locked itself. She then snapped her fingers and the barrier which Zeke tore down had been repaired to prevent any information from leaking outside. 

"I know that you have been using the knights and the nobles who betray your father as seedbed for the Halliwell." Zeke said sternly. 

"Busted…" Rei said under his breath. 

"But, I wanted to know how you got entangled with that taboo in Hopley." Zeke tapped his staff and the seats moved towards them. He motioned the two to take their places. 

"I am not in any way associated with that taboo. You do know how I feel about sacrificing children." Atropa cried in defense. 

"I am aware that that was not you." Then, Zeke told her about the culprit in the Hopley incident and how he was unable to recreate and activate the pentagram. "But the ones watching over the prince had been suspecting you already." 

"I wasn't careful enough." She whispered. 

"Anyway, the taboo seemed to have knowledge of the ancient dark arts. He was able to create a spell to open the portals to Mageram." Atropa explained. "I only tried to retrace the spell. But I did not know that I would be able to activate it." 

Atropa then told the two about her adventures in Mageram. Rei was quiet and the wizard seemed to be very much disturbed. 

"Lilian, you have to be careful. You have accepted a task from the forefather without knowing what it was. You are putting lives in jeopardy." Zeke advised after he had given much thought regarding the matter. 

"I know…"

"Why don't you stop this ridiculous plan of revenge?" he asked. 

"I can't… Rei had found the main target. This is my chance to avenge my parents and the people who died that day." Atropa reasoned out.

"Lily, even you exact revenge, it will not bring the lives of those who died back." The wizard said. 

"I know, but at least, I would achieve the justice and peace that I longed for." She answered. 

To protect the girl, he tried his best to cover her tracks. If he gets the chance, Zeke also tried to stop her from getting revenge. But Zeke could not persuade her to desist her ridiculous plan of punishing the former king of Azalea. 

He wasn't able to prevent her from going after Bulrush who had reappeared in Azalea.