<h4>Chapter 221 Themandments have made their move?</h4>


    (POV: Akashic Records)


    In the courtyard of the White Pce, bathed in the golden rays of the setting sun, Rivka and her faction of knights stood resolute, their white dragons poised for departure. The gentle breeze swept through the air, causing their armor to shimmer.


    Aurelia, the not-so-benevolent Empress of the Aurelian Empire, approached Rivka. Her amethyst eyes sparkled as she sped Rivka''s hand.


    "Rivka, I''m putting my trust in you," she dered, "don''t fail me."


    Rivka, the esteemed knight andmander, bowed deeply, her blue eyes a true reflection of loyalty.


    "Empress Aurelia, I shall deliver on your trust," she vowed.


    Aurelia''s smile widened. "In case you need additional support. I''ve made arrangements," she revealed.


    "Is it Miriam?" Rivka ventured to guess.


    As stiff as Rivka was, the only person she could rte well with other than Empress Aurelia was— Miriam the Seeress (the 2ndmandment?s protector).


    Aurelia shook her head. "No, my dear Rivka, it isn''t Miriam."


    "Oh? Then who?" she asked.


    "It is Gi—"


    Before Aurelia could finish her sentence, a tall figure emerged from behind, stretching leisurely. "Rivka, my love, I was afraid you''d leave without me," Gideon''s voice boomed.


    Rivka''s brow furrowed, a shiver of disgust ran down her spine. "What''re you doing here?" she demanded.


    Gideon''sughter filled the air, a rich baritone that resonated with warmth. "Ah, you underestimate my loyalty," he quipped. "I''m joining you on this mission."


    Rivka''s eyes narrowed, frustration bubbling beneath her hardened exterior. "I don''t need your help," she snapped.


    Gideon''sughter reverberated through the courtyard.


    There was evident frustration on Rivka?s face.


    "You don''t have a choice, my love," he pat her on her back. "Empress Aurelia specifically requested my assistance on this mission."


    Intrigued by this revtion, Rivka turned towards Aurelia.


    "Is what Gideon says true, Empress Aurelia?" she asked.


    Aurelia''sughter floated through the air, her pale cheeks tinted with a rosy hue. "Indeed, my dear," she giggled. "I feel safer knowing that Gideon will be by your side."


    Blushing ever so slightly, Rivka nodded gratefully. "I''m honored that you worry about me, Empress," she admitted with a soft voice.


    "Ah, I wish you''d crush on me like you do Empress Aurelia, Rivka," Gideon teased.


    "Shut up," Rivka replied firmly.


    As the banter concluded, Ignatius, the trusted advisor of Aurelia, stepped forward, holding a scroll in his outstretched hand. He solemnly ced it in Rivka''s waiting palm.


    "This is the letter, Rivka," he told her. "It grants you credibility as a delegate from the Aurelian Empire."


    Rivka carefully tucked the scroll into the inner pocket of her long white jacket.


    Aurelia approached her once more.


    "Remember, Rivka, for now... diplomacy is key," she advised. "Avoid conflict with the two kings and any other attendees at the conference. We first need an agreement that they''ll willingly submit to a theocratic rule."


    "Which should be easy, seeing as the Archbishop is in support of our actions," Ignatius added.


    "Understood." Rivka stood at attention.


    "Oh, and Rivka? Onest thing..." Aurelia spoke.


    A sharp bow from Rivka, "Whatever you need, mdy."


    "Don''t forget to drag my dog back to my Empire."


    "Lumiere, the Curse King, if I''m not mistaken."


    "Yes, you can break his spirit a bit... just make sure by the time he''s back here, he''s an obedient little dog."


    "I can do that," Rivka stated.


    "ALRIGHT! LET''S GO!" Gideon grinned.


    "Don''t start any unnecessary fights Gideon dear," Aurelia waved.


    "I can do that," Gideon replied confidently. "Provided no one steps on my toes," he whispered to himself.


    Rivka ambled towards her majestic white dragon, Gideon leisurely striding beside her. The sun-kissed courtyard glimmered as they prepared for their journey to the Cross Kingdom.


    "Why don''t we just teleport there? It''d be so much faster," Gideon mused.


    Rivka cast him a sidelong nce.


    "I know you''rezy, Gideon, but let''s not bring yourziness into this," she retorted.


    Gideon raised a single eyebrow. "Oh, is that so?" he responded.


    Giving him a knowing look, Rivka continued. "We''re going to fly to the Cross Kingdom," she exined. "Teleportation would make my knightszy, and I''m not thrilled by such a feeble idea."


    Gideon yawnedzily, feigning disinterest. "Whatever you say, my love," he drawled, his tone nonchnt.


    Rivka gracefully mounted her regal white dragon, settling herselffortably in the intricately designed saddle. With a swift movement, Gideon nimbly joined her, settling behind her.


    The duo settled into their positions.


    "Just a friendly reminder, Gideon... Lay a finger on my waist, and I''ll tear your soul to pieces."


    Gideon''sughter rumbled through the air. "Understood," he responded.


    Truth be told, Rivka could "literally" tear his soul to shreds.


    When it came to [Spirit Magic] she was unrivaled.


    With a gentle signal, the white dragon spread its majestic wings, lifting them effortlessly into the boundless heavens. The wind ruffled Rivka''s red hair as they soared through the cerulean sky, bringing them closer to their destination.


    ...


    Ignatius and Aurelia watched as the white dragons gracefully soared through the vast expanse of the cerulean sky.


    "Empress Aurelia," Ignatius began, respect weighing heavily in his voice. "Do you truly believe Lady Rivka possesses the necessary strength to face this challenge?"


    Aurelia''s eyes followed the majestic dragons, her expression thoughtful. "What do you mean, Ignatius?" she asked.


    Ignatius took a moment to choose his words carefully before responding.


    "Lumiere, this Curse King they speak of, possesses enough power to rival that of an Imperial Dragon... I just wonder if Lady Rivka is truly prepared to face such a formidable adversary."


    Aurelia nodded slowly, her gaze returning to the dragons.


    "You speak the truth, Ignatius," she said. "Though it''s worth noting that the Imperial Dragon Lumiere fought against, Eunaria, is considered to be the weakest among them."


    Ignatius pondered her words, a contemtive expression crossing his face. "I suppose you''re right, Empress Aurelia," he admitted.


    Aurelia''s eyes narrowed slightly.


    "Now that Lumiere''s nearly caused a Grade 0 level threat, it''s time for me to act as one of the Five Orders," she dered with conviction. "Everything has and will go ording to n."


    A Grade 0 level threat were individuals who possessed the ability to bring about the end of the world. Grade 0 to 4 were the descending rankings, and it usually appeared on the status disy of anyone who had gained enough recognition by the omniscient church.


    When Lumiere almost drowned all of existence in darkness, that was him causing a Grade 0 level threat.


    "Why, then, Your Radiance, are you not the one personally engaging in discussions with the kings of the Cross and Shield Kingdoms?" Ignatius asked.


    Aurelia offered a faint smile. "I''ll l only make an appearance if Merlin is present," she replied. "Unfortunately, the chances of that happening are quite low."


    Their conversation faded into the wind as the dragons continued their breathtaking flight.


    This was the first action that would change the course of history.


    The Grand Conflict is on its way.