Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1308: Making Aether guilty: Part-1

Aquaris Naiadae Empire...

Archpriestess, Saintess, and two High Priests and 4 Followers arrived at the Aquaris Naiadae Empire.

Beneath the barrier, the group’s arrival was heralded by the faint shimmer of magic still humming beneath their feet.

Since the Teleportation array remained intact... Aether himself had ensured the doom barrier would not block the teleportation... There was nothing to worry about.

Its function did not depend on fleeting Arcane energy; the very roots of the land powered the transport.

Saintess glanced at the two High Priests and four silent followers, their robes trailing mist behind them.

She asked the Archpriestess in a measured tone, ”Why are we bringing them as well?”

The Archpriestess replied with a calm, ”They are the true connection to the people. I believe they must see this moment with their own eyes, witness the truth unfold, and carry it in their hearts. Only then will the others understand what truly stirs within these walls.”

Among the countless crowds, these individuals had been chosen for their undeniable influence. Each one was recognised by name and face, a symbol of trust for the entire city.

The people themselves had chosen them.

The masses yearned for certainty... their words and worries needed to reach the ears of the Archpriest, not be lost in the silence between higher powers. It was not a matter of distrust toward the Saintess or Archpriestess; rather, the people hungered for understanding.

They needed their chosen to see, to know, and to speak for every trembling heart in Aurora.

However,

/Aether just told me to pick them/

The Saintess felt the whisper ripple through her mind. She lifted her brows, a silent question flickering behind her eyes.

The Archpriestess offered only a faint shrug.

Even now, none of them truly grasped Aether’s intentions.

Why must he draw out this process, gather witnesses, and twist a simple engagement into a spectacle?

As they marched towards the palace, a hush fell over the onlookers. The city’s citizens peered at the glasses with furrowed brows, a silent storm brewing behind their gazes.

They already suspected the truth.

Were they coming to reclaim Aether?

Meanwhile, the High Priests and Followers drew together, cloaks huddled tight as they spoke with bitterness,

”Look at them being happy” one hissed, voice trembling with resentment.

”Do you feel it? They celebrate as if our Archpriest was theirs to claim,” another whispered, voice rough as gravel.

”They must believe their happiness will last”

”They do not yet understand—our Archpriest belongs to us, and always will. Nothing changes that truth.”

They reached the palace at last, gates opening without a sound. As they entered, a young maid stood ready in the vast antechamber, bowing with formal grace.

”Hmm? It appears our arrival was foreseen,” one High Priest muttered.

The Archpriestess’s gaze hardened, ”The Empress is never ignorant. She knew the instant our feet touched Naiadae’s soil.”

High Priests and Followers gulped in fear... even without powers, the Empress still knew them?

A monster indeed!!

As the maid led them to the throne room, her footsteps echoed softly across the polished stone.

She paused before the grand doors, then pushed them open with practised grace.

Everyone’s eyebrows rose in surprise... within, the Zephyra People were already seated at a massive circular table.

Kaelen, Aria, Liora, Maelona, and two top elders flanked Kaelen, while four more elders provided protection and support.

The High Priest’s lips twitched as he whispered, ”What are they doing here?”

One follower replied in a low voice, ”Who knows... perhaps they were already in the midst of some private council.”

The Archpriestess, unable to hide a faint smirk, muttered, ”You truly think they would summon us into this chamber while conducting separate affairs? No ruler in their right mind would be so careless.”

At that, realisation flickered in their eyes. The High Priests stiffened, muttering, ”O-Our Archpriest?”

Archpriestess nodded, her gaze sharpening. ”It seems the competition has become fierce,” she whispered, eyes settling on the head of the table—where the Empress herself, Marisandra, sat with a bearing both regal and faintly dismissive.

”Welcome... Archpriestess, and... Chosen One,” Sandra intoned, inclining her head only slightly, motioning for the newcomers to sit at her right hand, while the Zephyra occupied her left.

Archpriestess acknowledged the invitation and moved to her seat with measured dignity. She noticed immediately: the chairs had been arranged in precise accordance with the number of arrivals.

Nothing was left to chance.

Even the followers, usually required to stand, were granted seats equal to the others. Some hesitated, uncomfortable with the honour, but the Archpriestess compelled them to sit.

Across the table, two elders flanking Kaelen exchanged glances, each frowning slightly before one let out a short, annoyed snort. Their disapproval was barely concealed.

When everyone settled, the room grew hushed. The Empress Sandra leaned forward, her gaze sweeping across, ”Well then,” she said, ”may I know the reason for your sudden visit? I trust it is a matter worth disturbing the order of this empire.”

Kaelen began to answer, nodding respectfully, ”Empress Marisandra, we have come to—”

Before he could finish, the Archpriestess interjected, her tone clipped with irritation. ”There is no need for pretences. We are both aware you already know the reason for our arrival.”

Kaelen blinked, caught off-guard, a faint flush creeping up his neck. ’Does she truly?’ he wondered, glancing at Sandra, who only smirked back at the Archpriestess, ’So she does know.’

One of the elders leaned toward Kaelen, whispering in a firm, steady tone, ”Your Majesty, stay composed. This is your first official meeting with other rulers. There is no shame in unfamiliarity. Hold your head high, show no weakness. Sit straight, and remember—never bow to uncertainty.”

Kaelen nodded, straightening his posture. Maelona and Liora exchanged a brief.

Sandra nodded, ”I suppose that much was clear from the beginning,” she hummed, then her tone shifted, voice slicing through the chamber,

”Let me say this once: Aether will marry my daughter and ascend as the next Emperor of this Empire.”

As her proclamation settled over the room, the reaction was instant—

”No way!”

”We will not allow it!”

”This is Balsemphy!”

”Aether belongs to us!”

”He protected us from every danger. He is our guardian!”

”He is our god!”

The High Priests, Followers, and Elders erupted in protest, their voices clashing in a rising tide of outrage, while others remained silent.

One murderous glare from Sandra cut through the chaos. Instantly, the room fell into a heavy hush,

”Just because you sit at my table does not grant you the right to speak to me. Am I correct, Rulers of Aerionis Zephyra and Elysiumis Aurora?” Her misty eyes were fixed on the floor.

The Elders and Priests followed her gaze. In that moment, they saw it—a blood trail, vivid and fresh, streaking across the blue marble.

The sight made their throats tighten in fear.

Kaelen gently reached out, steadying the Elders with a firm hand. ”Forgive their words, Empress,” he said,

Sandra regarded him, her expression unreadable, then turned her attention to the Archpriestess, who only snorted and muttered, ”I will keep them in check.” Her blank, unblinking gaze settled on her own group, and they fell silent.

Kaelen glanced around, seeing the strain etched on every face. No one dared break the silence, not even the boldest elder. He found Maelona’s gaze—she nodded, calm as ice, giving him silent permission to speak.

Kaelen drew in a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and addressed...

”Empress Marisandra, as we have witnessed, it appears Mr. Aether himself was caught off guard by these events. We suspected, perhaps, that you compelled him into this engagement. I would ask to speak to Mr. Aether directly.”

The Empress’s gaze snapped to Kaelen. Her eyes scanned him slowly, up and down, as if measuring his worth.

Kaelen’s heart pounded, but he refused to look away.

Why did they all act with such fierce intent?

Was this not acting? A false game?

Or... something really going on here?

Sandra’s gaze shifted to Liora, who watched her with a hint of pride, even a smirk at the edge of her lips. ’Not bad for a new ruler,’ Sandra mused. Then she turned her gaze to the Archpriestess.

”Do you share the same sentiment?”

The Archpriestess nodded without hesitation. ”Yes. We would see him in person. He remains our Archpriest as well.”

Her group echoed her, nodding with silent urgency, fear and hope mingling in their eyes.

Sandra blankly stared at them, before she simply shrugged her shoulders. ”It seems everyone here has misunderstood my intentions.”

”Huh?”

Sandra nodded slowly, ”It’s not me who wished for all of this... My daughter may have orchestrated this entire scene, but as many of you know, some of you more than others... In the past, Aether took care of my daughter... due to several complications, you know”

The assembly nodded as one... Aether was a slave and all.

Sandra continued, ”Because of that bond... my daughter grew close to Aether, perhaps closer than anyone would have thought necessary. What blossomed between them was a love that neither I nor anyone else could prevent.”

Several elders exchanged surprised glances, eyes drifting to Aria, who remained seated with a perfectly blank expression.

Sandra’s gaze swept the table as she spoke, ”So, yes—I did not force anyone. It was my daughter who seized her opportunity and made her feelings clear. As her mother, I could do nothing but accept her choice... and Aether accepted it as well. Does this clarify things for everyone present?”

Around the table, fists clenched and jaws tightened... If this story were true, their chances of changing fate had withered.

The High Priests turned pale, exchanging desperate looks. One leaned toward the Saintess and whispered, voice shaking, ”Saintess, you must intervene... Bring Aether here, and we will handle the rest.”

The Saintess hesitated, uncertain. The High Priest’s eyes glistened with pleading, on the verge of tears. ”Please... do this for us. It is our only hope.”

With a heavy, burdened sigh, the Saintess turned to Sandra. ”Even if what you say is true, we would still speak with our Archpriest. If he truly wishes—”

Sandra’s eyes flashed dangerously. ”Are you deaf, child? Did I not state the truth plainly enough? Is my word not sufficient for you?” Her gaze turned threatening.

The Archpriestess’s eyes narrowed, her tone grave. ”Restrain yourself, Empress. She is still a child, nothing more.”

Sandra met her with a deadpan stare. ”Then you should have left her behind, Archpriestess, instead of parading her here.”

The air itself turned icy, tension tightening every breath. Kaelen swallowed hard, a chill crawling down his spine.

’Are we certain this is all an act?’ he wondered.