Transparent

There were cheers all around. The celebration began. Leva Veral cast Veretta an inspecting glance.

" How beautiful you look, miss Veretta," She commented.

"Thank you," Veretta reddened slightly," Miss Leva also looks very elegant,"

"Yes, fortunately now the castle is ours, we can bring provisions from our territories,"Leva explained.

"It seems you're planning to stay a while,"Michael remarked sardonically.

"Our nations must stay united so no event like this can occur again," Estelle cut in fiercely.

"The south requested to join our forces," Darius enjoined," Perhaps we will finally have a united continent again,"

"And who will rule this united continent?" Michael asked with a cold smile.

"It need not be ruled by anyone! " Darius protested, "We can work together as equals,"

"That is the problem with power. For one to have power, another must go without," Michael smirked," the more power, the more conflict. How much power do you think one would have if they conquered the whole continent, Leva?"

"How insolent!" Estelle interceded," What exactly are you insinuating? What's more, you would address the Grand Wizard directly?"

"That's quite alright, your majesty," Leva smiled," I understand your concern, Grand wizard. I assure you the wizard's counsel is not a political sect. We will relinquish our control as soon as we are requested to do so. But let us take our minds from politics for the afternoon, it is too cheerful a day for such talk,",

"Cheerful?" Michael said cuttingly," Just because the mountains of dead have been swept away, does not mean we are safe. Ace, who you call your friend, has been kidnapped. Silthus has a scroll that could grant him unimaginable power. What exactly is there to be cheerful about? You act as though the battle has already been won. Won't you share the source of your confidence with us?"

"Outrageous!" Estelle exclaimed. Others in the group joined in her disapproval. The atmosphere began to tense.

Leva held up a hand patiently," Please, let us be civilised. Michael has asked a question and I will answer. In essence, the battle has already been won. Without the stones, Silthus cannot open the holy scroll,"

"You realise he will no doubt hold Ace's life as leverage for the stones?" Michael interrogated.

"The Red General is a seasoned warrior," Leva answered indifferently,"He will not succumb to Silthus' magic. So we too must have faith in his resolution,"

"Forgive me, Miss Leva," Tomas piped up quietly, "but you don't mean we ought to leave Ace in Silthus' hands, do you?"

"My child, we all care for Ace. However, we must remember he is not one of us. He is a demon Lord,"

"A demon lord?" Veretta glanced at Leva surprised by her callous tone, "What does that mean?"

"Before the demon world was destroyed, the demons had ranks. A demon Iord was considered to be the most powerful of demons, only under their king. Demons, you see, do not have souls as we have. The greater their power, the further from humanity. Ace has serviced humans as well as a demon could. But now we must prioritize our own people. Surely, the Grand Master will agree with me? You have seen the wickedness of demons first hand,"

Michael smiled,"I will give you the same answer as I gave the Emperor of Rotan,"

The group paid heed expectantly.

"If we kill all the demons, who will we use as an excuse for our wickedness?"

Leva's expression showed displeasure for the first time. She lay her glass down firmly, " Well, do as you please, Michael. But we must have the stones. They cannot fall into Silthus' hands,"

"Are you asking or threatening?" Michael grinned darkly.

"Give us the stones," Estelle demanded, "they do not belong to you! They are emblems of the four great nations and must be returned,"

"Where they can be stolen again?"Michael smirked.

"Estelle, you would have our friend die, for a bunch of shiny rocks?" Tomas added with growing impatience..

"Those stones are much more than that," Leva shook her head, "they are the difference between heaven and hell for all mankind,"

Yona quietly stood up," I have heard enough,"

"Yona?" Tomas entreated worriedly.

"Grand wizard," Yona addressed Leva directly," You are not a friend to my master, nor have you ever been. If you attempt to take stones, I will kill you,"

Upon saying this, a crowd of armed guards formed around the dinner table. Their swords were pointed at Yona's throat. Tomas at once rose in protest.

"Grand wizard! Please ! "Veretta pleaded,"She did not mean it,"

"Of course she meant it. She is a demon," Leva smiled coldly.

"It seems then, we are at an impasse,"Michael chuckled, " How shall we resolve it? In my day, it was easy to remedy such problems - A battle of magic. Magic is afterall a battle of wills. Whosoever's cause is true will prevail."

"A barbaric solution, for a barbaric man," Leva said with a small smile."If such a thing were to occur, the stakes must be made equal. Our best warriors, against yours. If we win, you give us stones and...you stop in your pointless pursuit. Serve the kingdoms again as you once did,"

"Then if you lose, you will not only hand us the stones and the men to save Ace, you must renounce your title. These two must also be readmitted back to the college," Michael grinned.

"Surely, such an arrangement is weighted in your favour?" Estelle scoffed.

"Then I will make a concession, "Michael smirked, "You can arrange the order of the fights,"

"That is..." Darius began hesinstantly.

"We accept," Leve interrupted.

Yona swiftly left the room followed by Tomas. Michael and Veretta rose to leave. Michael paused for a moment, then glanced down.

"So Darius, whose side are you on?"

"... it's not about taking sides," Darius wavered," I believe Ace should be saved, but we cannot give the stones to Silthus, "

"I see," Michael returned with a cold smile.

Afterwhich, Michael departed from the room without any further questions. He and Veretta emerged in the hallway. Yona and Tomas had taken off at haste. They returned to Veretta's room alone. The moment the door closed, Michael laced his hand through Veretta's hair playfully.

"Are you sure you don't want to be on the side of your idol?"He asked ruefully.

"Leva Veral will always be someone I look up to, but that does not mean I agree with all of her beliefs," Veretta returned calmly.

"How mature," Michael smiled," but I had the distinct impression that did not care much for Ace,"

"I don't like him if that's what you mean," Veretta replied frankly, " but if you ask me whether I think he should live or die...then I think the answer is clear,"

"You would save him even if it meant Silthus was able to gain absolute power?" Michael questioned.

"Are you trying to change my mind?" Veretla asked curiously.

"Answer my question first," Michael replied reticently.

"I believe that you would never risk giving Silthus more power than yourself," Veretta stated flatly,"I also think even if we lost the battles, you have no intention of giving the stones to anyone. You simply use these games to get what you want - Like Leva Veral's army. You provoked her into showing her hand. You say you hate politics, but you are rather good at it, don't you think?"

Michael stifled a laugh.

"What?" Veretta frowned, "Did I get it wrong?"

"No," Michael tried to conceal a grin,"I'm just impressed,"

"I know you better than you think," Veretta replied flatly.

She took off walking adamantly away from Michael's laughter. He gave chase after her and they collided on the bed.

"I wasn't trying to make fun of you," he smiled warmly, laying beside her,"it's just I...I'm not used to being seen so...transparently,"

"I suppose that would put you at a disadvantage," Veretta raised an eyebrow reproachfully, " You use ambiguity and distraction to reach your goals. For instance, you still have not answered my question,"

"Ah, you noticed that," Michael conceded with a weak smile," well, since we are speaking so honestly, I will tell you the truth. I think you ought to take Leva Veral's side,"

"What?" Veretta sat up straight, staring at Michael irritatedly.

"Just hear me out," Michael countered,"If, for any reason, I fail, it's better for you to have sided with Leva Veral. She has sway with the college and the power to protect you and the others. You respect her. Just tell her you changed your mind,"

"Why?" Veretta scoffed," I made my choice by bringing you back to life and the consequences of that action are mine to carry. Even if I was concerned about that, I don't believe you will fail,"

"Let's say I do succeed, what about the future ?" Michael enthused.

"The future?" Veretta's Brow furrowed.

"If I save Ace, what happens after that? What about the rest of your life? " Michael gripped her hand softly,"Didn't you want to become a master at the college?"

"I..." Veretta let out an uneasy breath, " You make it sound as if you aren't going to be here?"