Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem

Violina woke up shortly before it was time to meet with Frida and Bartuk again. She was a little groggy after spending several weeks pretending to be an ice cube, but she quickly caught up. She didn't like Bartuk, but she was interested in what Frida had to say.

The meeting was a little more peaceful than their first. Zach and the others even actually introduced themselves this time. The others just said their names, but Zach went all out and dropped all of his Titles and connections in the most ostentatious way possible.

He even asked the Empress Dowager how many of the imperial lineage had to die before he could succeed the throne as the Empire's only Archduke. It was a good thing Ursula knew that Zach had no actual interest in the throne. He just wanted to know his position in the line.

Surprisingly, it wasn't a triple-digit position. Less than a hundred people had to die for Zach to get a claim to the throne.

His full name. His position as Archduke. His four Titles. He even explained the meaning of his four titles. Thanks to the Emperor's words about him shedding his skin and saving the people of the east, regardless of Sesha or Imperial origin, also helped him clarify the meaning of the Skinless Savior of the East.

He wasn't the Traitorous Savior of the East. It was more like the Unbiased Savior of the East. But Skinless sounded better.

He also mentioned that he was the person to graduate from the Academy for Summoners with the highest grades in history and in record time. The only one who was close was Ozra, or she would have been if she hadn't been expelled.

The only parts he didn't bring up were his familial connections and his connection to the Hydra.

Frida regretted asking Zach about his identity again. She had never met someone who could prattle on about nothing like that. But it was clear that Zach was an important person. It was just unfortunate that he was important enough to be the one leading the talks between the two sides.

Finally, Zach's rambling about himself ended, and Frida could kick Bartuk's shin, waking him up from his nap. He jerked awake and wiped the drool from his mouth, pretending like nothing had happened.

Then, they quickly went over what the two Orders wanted in more detail. It was simple, really. They wanted to be led by the hand into Gjula. That was doable. It also aligned with Zach's plan.

After going over the details, it was time for Frida to make her pitch to Violina and try and convince her to at least visit the Order of Vatar's headquarters. Of course, Frida was confident that Violina wouldn't want to leave once she stepped foot there. It was paradise for everyone with talent in ice energy.

It might not necessarily be the best place in the world for a practitioner using ice energy, but only because it was already in use by the Order's devout followers. It was still a great source of pure ice energy and the home of a vast library of ice arts. There was also the blessing of the Goddess of Ice to be received if one showed their devotion to Vatar through achievements and faith.

Anerias looked on with mixed feelings as Frida told Violina about all the benefits of joining the Order of Vatar and moving to their headquarters. It all sounded like things that would benefit Violina and her familiars a great deal.

He wanted the best for Violina.

But it was on a whole other continent. It was incredibly far away. There was no guarantee that she wouldn't be bullied or mistreated, and there would be nothing Anerias could do. He wouldn't even know about it if it happened.

However, he held onto hope. Violina's expression didn't budge during Frida's speech. She was composed and extraordinarily calm all the way to the end.

"I think this is an opportunity," She said as soon as she was far enough away that Frida couldn't hear her. Anerias' expression crumbled, and he looked at Violina crestfallen.

"An…" Violina noticed his expression and stroked his arm as she took a step closer to him.

"Come with me," She said.

Anerias shook his head. Violina's eyes widened. Was he saying he didn't want to?

"I already asked yesterday. The territory around the headquarters is wide. Unless I join the Order, I won't even be allowed to set foot there."

"Then—"

"Frida won't allow me to join the Order. It's one thing if I just don't have an affinity for ice. They still need workers and staff. But since I have such an affinity for fire, my presence would disrupt the place and the Order…" Anerias stroked Violina's cheek with the back of his fingers. He would follow Violina to the ends of the world and back, but he didn't have the strength to go against an entire religious order.

Not yet, at least.

"I won't stop you. I don't want to stop you. Go. You heard what Zach was going to do, right? You won't be alone over there. I'll come find you."

Violina nodded.

"If you're too slow, I'll be the one to find you."

Anerias smiled and chuckled.

"I can't wait."

Anerias had his hands on Violina's face, hesitating. Violina did not hesitate. She grabbed Anerias' face and pulled him in for a kiss. They weren't saying goodbye just yet, but Violina was making her decision. This was solidifying both her decision and their feelings for each other.

They would be apart in body but not in spirit. They would not forget each other just because they were apart and in a new place.

Zach, Dukiel, and Nessa looked on with warm smiles.

It had only taken five years for the two to finally make decent progress. They had tiptoed around each other and almost permanently gone their separate ways several times due to their cowardice.

Now, they would be going their separate ways, but it wasn't too late. They still had a day or two to fully indulge in each other before setting off.