When no one responded, Virtius spoke up. "Let’s get back to the agenda."

  He gestured toward the Virgo Celestius.

  "Vivian, my dear, you brought this revelation before me. You claim to possess something so exquisitely powerful that it could put an end to these tedious, petty wars."

  The blonde nodded slowly and rose from her seat.

  "Not exactly in my possession, but please, hear me out, Zodiac Council," she proclaimed, though the nervousness in her tone was evident.

  Serene snorted softly, unimpressed. The others strained their ears in anticipation, except for Whisper, who had remained completely still since they entered the room.

  Virtius encouraged her to continue.

  Vivian took a deep breath and spoke louder this time.

  "I have found what I believe to be limitless mana."

  "Psst! Limitless mana?" Serene scoffed, clearly amused. "What even is that?" She folded her arms, glaring at the Virgo Celestius.

  Vivian flinched, visibly intimidated by the Celestius of Scorpio.

  For the first time since the meeting began, Whisper moved. He leaned slightly towards his arcane relic, and Yappy whirred to life.

  "Master says it is possible. Mana is life, and life is limitless," the relic spoke in a robotic tone.

  Virtius pondered for a moment before nodding.

  "I do agree with Capricorn."

  Then he turned back to Vivian.

  "So, pray tell, how exactly?"

  "Yes, Imperator," Vivian swallowed, trying to steady her nerves. "Through one of my Novitcius mages, I received a message from Princess Aurelia Sol Solara. She claims to possess limitless mana."

  The weight of her words settled over the room, thickening the air with tension.

  Yappy's mechanical voice rang out again.

  "Princess Aurelia? Of Solis Aeternum?"

  Vivian nodded slowly.

  "It has been verified. My Novitcius mage performed a channelling ritual with her."

  A deep chuckle rumbled from Virtius.

  "A bottomless well? Surely, we could put that to great use," he mused, resting his chin on his sharp jaw.

  "So how exactly are we going to do this? Where is the girl?" Serene asked, her scepticism clear on her otherwise pale face.

  Jovian shot her a glare, barely restraining his irritation toward the Scorpio Celestius.

  "She’s in Hasenwald, on her way to us as we speak," Vivian answered with a firm nod.

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  "Hasenwald? Ohhh, the Wildren city, just east of Porand, right?" Elenore turned to her sister excitedly.

  "Yes, we visited that rural place two centuries ago. At least the riverfall was grand and beautiful," Serene replied, closing her eyes momentarily to relish the memory.

  "If that's the case..." Jovian rasped, dragging out his words, "I believe she’s too valuable to travel alone. May I suggest we send an envoy to escort her?"

  Vivian shook her head.

  "According to our intelligence, the enemy is planning an attack on Porand, and they are monitoring our logistics closely. Sending an envoy would raise suspicion."

  "Indeed..." Virtius nodded, rubbing his chin. "If she truly possesses limitless mana, then reaching us should not be an issue. Crossing a border should be trivial for her."

  "However," Vivian added calmly, "I will arrange a safe passage for her once she arrives."

  "Great! My dear, you are always so thoughtful and calculating," Virtius praised her.

  "I can't wait to meet her!" Elenore interjected excitedly. She spun towards Whisper.

  "Right, Whisper? Imagine how many cities you could build with limitless mana!"

  Whisper remained frozen, offering no response.

  Jovian turned to the window, allowing the silence to settle in.

  Suddenly, the hairs on his arms stood on end. A chill ran down his spine. His gaze fixed on the distance as a soothing aura erupted outward.

  “Oh my Gaia…”

  It came from Germund.

  "Celestius…" Jovian’s panicked voice cut through the silence.

  Everyone turned towards the window, their eyes widening in bewilderment.

  "The wave of life nudges against my soul…" Virtius gasped in awe, his usually half-lidded eyes now fully open, his purple glittering with surreal beauty.

  Elenore’s eyes brimmed with tears.

  "Like Gaia herself, reincarnated from the heavens," she whispered, her voice echoing through the chamber.

  As the Celestius Mages marvelled at the distant surge of Aurelia’s mana, Serene grimaced, clenching her fists.

  ***

  After the long meeting concluded, everyone left through their respective portals.

  Vivian, as the host, remained at the entrance, seeing them off one by one. Only Jovian and Whisper remained.

  "Sir Jovian, would you like to rest first? I have prepared the best room for you and your niece," Vivian offered kindly.

  "Thank you, that would be great. Ziyue has grown fond of glamorous things. She’s quite the materialist — especially when it comes to anything fashionable and shiny."

  Vivian chuckled softly.

  "How old is she now? She was so little when we first met."

  "Huh… Maybe 18."

  "You don’t know exactly?" she asked, raising a brow.

  Jovian nodded sheepishly.

  "Talk to you later then," he muttered, slouching slightly.

  "Alright! Have a nice rest, Sir Jovian," she said, bowing low as a gesture of respect, given she was the youngest among the Celestius Mages.

  Jovian hesitated for a moment before turning back.

  "Vivian, I’ve performed too many teleportations trying to find Aurora—all in vain," he admitted, his exhausted face contorted with frustration.

  Vivian’s expression softened.

  "Let not your heart be troubled. Empress Aurora is the strongest of all. Some say she defies fate itself and bends the will of the gods.

  She has unmatched power. And above all, she has never lost a single battle since her reign began. If any conflict stands in her way, she will overcome it. I believe that’s what Sir Virtius believes as well."

  Jovian’s tired gaze softened. He nodded solemnly before resigning to rest.

  As he entered the lift, Vivian noticed the armoured figure who had remained standing there the entire time, Yappy resting in his palms.

  "Umm, Sir Whisper, should I prepare a room for you too?" she asked uncertainly.

  Silence.

  He did not answer. He did not move.

  After a brief pause, he simply waved his gloved hand, casting a teleportation spell, and stepped through the portal without another word.

  "He… is quite the oddball of cast iron…" Vivian mused to herself.

  With everyone finally gone, she relaxed her shoulders and exhaled deeply.

  "Phew… I’m glad that’s over," she muttered softly, wiping sweat from her forehead.