Machina Arcanis: Two Worlds Collided
Chapter 175. Hidden Agenda

The royal entourage from the Osten Empire was welcomed with a grand and warm ceremony, despite Empress Aurora's request for a more subtle reception. Prime Minister Ryusei, however, insisted on a formal welcome, complete with close allies and a full complement of royal guards. The buzzing noise reverberated from above, from full coverage of security over the Solis Aeternum’s horizon.

For the occasion, the Prime Minister wore a gleaming white suit with exquisite gold accents. He led the Astral Empress and her escorts through the hallway, their footsteps creaking on the tatami mats and the floorboards beneath.

“Wow! That’s a traditional screen from Solis Aeternum!” Cartier pointed at the wall, a spark in her eyes. The shoji screens on both sides were painted with historical depictions from the Age of Mythology, long before the rise of mortals.

"This is amazing, Empress!" Cartier exclaimed with pure ecstasy. As a keen historian, she added, "You have one of these in a storage room at the castle too!"

Aurora turned, her own curiosity piqued by the fuss. The Empress, dressed in a black gown with a low split below her knee, exuded her usual regal glamour.

The party slowed to a halt. Ryusei leaned down towards Cartier, a gentle expression on his face. "Well, little lady, not once has any child complimented us on our traditional arts. My, I do wish my daughter had been this excited when she was younger."

Cartier glanced at Aurora for permission, and the Empress gave a slow, deliberate blink of endorsement.

"Prime Minister Ryusei, how long ago was this painted?" Cartier asked, pointing.

‘A long time before I was born. Perhaps around 800 CE, so eighteen hundred years ago, give or take,’ Ryusei replied as his red-haired daughter, Aurelia, joined them.

"Also, these are real gold-plated with an ancient surface protector," Aurelia added, tracing the panel with her finger. "Try it. You won’t be able to scratch it."

"I didn’t know that! That explains why there’s no sign of weathering at all. Truly, an art form preserved forever!" Cartier marvelled, her touch soft.

"See, Father? I do learn a lot, despite not sharing her level of curiosity," Aurelia quipped.

After a few minutes of analysing the piece, Cartier blurted out, clapping a hand over her mouth, "That must be the depiction of the Divine Finale!"

The screen showed the god of lightning and celestial storms battling a group of titans in a vicious and powerful clash. The detail in the background was immense, featuring archers, mages, and a creature resembling a long serpent. Most awe-inspiring of all, the lightning in the painting seemed to shimmer with a holographic sheen, created by a special kind of paint.

Aurora nodded in agreement. "Great observation, this marked the end of the gods and the beginning for us mortals," she mused aloud.

"This ink must be arcane!" Cartier inspected the shoji screen with wide eyes, causing Triss and Aurelia to giggle fondly.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"A good eye, young lady," another high official commended her keen observation.

Soon, they proceeded with the day’s agenda. A feast to sate their hunger, followed by a short, private conference to strengthen the diplomatic bonds between the two empires.

The party continued along the path to the dining chamber. Inside, buffet-style meals were laid out in an alluring display, with ingredients sourced from the best of all seven continents. The cuisine consisted mostly of seafood, cooked to enhance its natural flavours, as if it had come straight from the sea. Dishes included roasted oysters with cheese, tuna and salmon sashimi, and lobster, to name a few.

Aurora, flanked by Cartier and Triss, sat at the central circular table. Ryusei, Aurelia, and his high officials sat on the opposite side.

Or a room discussing the weighty matters of empire, the air was deceptively light, thanks to the Prime Minister's silver tongue and sharp repartee. He skillfully guided the conversation, touching upon matters of empire without delving too deeply into technicalities. Aurelia listened intently at his side, likely taking mental notes.

A Wildren maid, a cat-like demi-human with a dark spot at the centre of her face, arrived with macaron towers of various colours. The almond-based confections drew the eyes of everyone in the room. The buzz of conversation faded, leaving only the traditional music in the background.

Ryusei’s eyes widened slightly, and he motioned the maid, Yammi, closer. "Yammi, my dear," he began, then hesitated. "I forgot to inform you that we wouldn’t need quite so many, since… umm…" His voice trailed off.

Instead, he turned to Aurora. "Astral Empress, since you will be departing from Porand soon, I thought I would prepare Celestius Vivian’s favourite treat." He cleared his throat, a faint flush of embarrassment on his cheeks.

Aurora dabbed her lips with a napkin. "My apologies, Ryusei. I should have informed you. Despite her busy schedule with the border skirmishes, she sends her regards."

"No, no, Empress. The fault is mine. I was a little too excited to see her again after all these years," Ryusei said, wiping his hands. "It must have been a decade now since she graduated from the institute."

Triss could not hold her curiosity and visibly shifted in her seat. "Prime Minister, if I may? Does that mean Celestius Vivian studied the arcane arts? Is that correct?" she asked, a surprised look on her face.

"Yes, she did. From a very young age, long before she even had her first Epopteia ritual. Come to think of it, our little Cartier here reminds me of her," Ryusei added, a sense of longing in his dark eyes as he glanced at Cartier. A soft, collective chuckle went through the room.

"The law of attraction always brings the brightest and the most charming together," Ryusei quoted wittily, his words accompanied by a gentle smile. He then turned to his maid. "Yammi, may I bother you to pack these and send them to the Celestius instead?" Yammi nodded gracefully and withdrew quietly from sight.

Waiting for the right moment after her meal, Aurora deliberately cleared her throat to signal the turn in conversation. "Ryusei, can we be brief during the conference?" Aurora began, her tone straightforward.

Ryusei glanced at his officials, realising it wasn't a request, before replying promptly. "Yes, we have no issue with that. However, do you need extra time for other matters, Empress?"

Aurora propped an elbow on the table, tapping her cheek. "Something like that." She turned to Triss on her left. "Terissa, the people we're after. Are they here?" She probed.

Triss stole a glance at Aurelia and blushed. "Umm… I do not see them here."

"Are you looking to meet with someone, Astral Empress?" Aurelia asked, her demeanour unnaturally calm and composed.

"Apparently, I am," Aurora answered.

"May I ask why, if you do not mind my intrusion?" Ryusei probed, holding up his hands in a placating gesture.

"You may not. This is highly classified, for now," Aurora stated, gesturing to her lady-in-waiting. "Terissa, give them the names, so it can be arranged," she instructed sharply.

Triss reluctantly scanned the room, as if to confirm the person she sought was truly absent. "Umm… Friederich Eir Regis, the Prime Guardian." She announced with an uneven voice.