"Hah, I really want to get this and just go home."
Staring at the list in her hand, Aria just sighed.
"So, this is my dream."
"?"
A murmur from the distance piqued Aria's interest.
Walking toward the voice, Aria noticed a boy and girl engaged in conversation.
She knew them both so well.
Thump.
A sharp pain struck her heart as she simply observed them.
"Elior."
"Hmmm?"
Turning toward her direction, Elior stood face-to-face with her.
"E-Eli...or."
Sniff.
Tears streamed down her face, uncontrollable tears at that.
Elior quietly left Lyra's side and walked toward Aria.
"I really worried you, huh?"
Patting her head, Elior gently stroked her hair.
"You idiot."
"You idiot."
Aria looked Elior directly in the face.
"Do you know how worried I was?"
Sniff.
"I thought you were at death's door when I saw you."
"Covered in blood, looking pale"
Sniff.
"I was so scared of what could have happened to you."
She kept on pouring out her frustations while Elior just smiled gently as he just continued stroking her hair.
"I know."
"I may not be able to make up for it, but you are free to use me to your heart's content."
"You better"
"I won't accept otherwise"
"Okay"
Aria tugged tightly at Elior's shirt.
"Waaaah!"
Her cries echoed through the street as Lyra quietly watched them.
'I'm really sorry for worrying you.'
After a while, Elior looked down at her.
"How do you feel now?"
Slowly lifting her head from his chest, Aria's face was quite red.
Well, considering how much trouble he had caused her, it was understandable.
"I'm good... thank you."
"So, what are you and Lyra doing in town?"
"My brother is taking me out on a date."
Lyra said it proudly, puffing out her chest.
Elior's eyebrow twitched at her statement.
"Don't put weird thoughts in Aria's head."
"We're actually just seeing Solariath today."
"You?"
"Dad sent me to fetch some stuff."
"What is it about?"
Elior's curiosity was immediately piqued.
"Something about some hunt."
"Did you say something about a hunt?"
Elior asked, suddenly tightening his arm around Aria's shoulders.
"Elior?"
"Oh, I'm sorry."
Elior gently removed his hand from Aria's shoulders.
Lyra simply observed the conversation quietly.
"I get shaken up too quickly at her words."
"So embarrassing."
Lyra suddenly spoke.
"Say, Elior, why don't we accompany Aria today?"
Elior stared blankly at both of them.
He wanted to object.
He was already tired, and the last thing he wanted was to spend the rest of the day walking around town.
But he didn't exactly have the option of saying no.
"Sure."
Deep within their throne room, colossal pillars disappeared into the darkness above.
The Imperions sat upon their respective thrones, unusually silent.
None of them looked comfortable.
There was only one reason for that.
The Primarch stood in their presence this time.
"Thank you for attending at such short notice, Imperions."
"No problem, Primarch."
All of them responded in unison.
None of them could afford to act as casually as they usually did in front of the Primarch nor complain or fight amongst themselves.
"So, what are your status reports?"
"Nothing on my end."
The Imperions answered in unison.
"Well, I have something to report."
One voice spoke amidst the others.
The statement immediately piqued the Primarch's interest, as well as that of the remaining Imperions.
It was Morth's voice.
"Speak."
"Thank you for such consideration."
Morth straightened herself before continuing.
"One of my officers, Li to be precise, had a rather peculiar situation to report."
"Mmm."
"Apparently, one of my contracted subordinates, the human Moren, organized a mission in order to weaken the forces of the Union."
The Primarch gaze hardened.
"Wasn't that the one at Astralis Academy?"
"Yes. You are right."
"You guys failed, didn't you?"
"Yes sir, you are not wrong."
"So, what seems to be the issue?"
Morth's expression darkened.
"I want to kill the one who ended the life of my contracted."
"Why is that?"
"He has weakened me in a way."
Morth stared toward the ceiling.
"Even though I hated my contract with the human, it still takes a toll on me when one of those miserable pests loses their life."
Her thoughts were clearly clouded by vengeance.
The Primarch remained silent for a moment.
"Hah."
His sigh echoed through the throne room.
"Even if I say no, your anger will not cease."
His gaze settled upon Morth.
"I want you to do nothing. Do not attack or take any action until you have at least found out who the extinguisher of your pest's flame is."
"Yes, sir."
Morth casually bowed her head in respect.
But her thoughts were anything but obedient.
'Fuck.'
"Sir, if you allow me, there is an actual way to weaken the Union."
Chron finally spoke.
"Do you understand the implications of your words?"
"I do"
Chron understood the weight of his words.
One wrong sentence could determine whether he walked out of this chamber alive.
Raze clutched his fist.
"Is such a thing even possible?"
The others looked on in silence.
Murmurs began to spread through the chamber.
Some were expressions of curiosity.
Others were filled with concern.
The Primarch stared at them, clearly irritated by the growing noise.
"Silence."
His voice echoed throughout the room.
The murmuring immediately ceased.
The Primarch's attention returned to Chron.
He was more interested in the peculiar plan the Imperion was proposing.
"Is it even possible to weaken the Union?"
His expression hardened.
"You know how much of a thorn they have been in our side, especially when it comes to keeping the Demon King at bay."
Chron smiled cheerfully.
But when he spoke, his expression became completely straight.
"Yes."
A brief silence followed.
Chron's smile returned.
"Weaken the seeds..."
He paused.
"...before they have the chance to sprout into flowers."