"T-this…" The three exclaimed with ridicule. How could Eli think so far ahead?
"Young Eli… Aren't you thinking too much about this? I'm sure the princes wouldn't be that evil to perform that scheme." Queen Tehila asked cautiously.
But Eli couldn't let her guard down. This pattern, she knew very well. When a threat on the throne comes, the one who desires the throne most could do genocidal things such as this.
Shaking her head, she politely replied,
"Your Highness, the situation right now was grave because the threat of Leon being back to the race for the throne is evident. Remember how vicious the scheme was done to you when you got here.."
At the words of Eli, everyone was reminded of the fact that someone had used Queen Tehila to cause trouble for the Empire. Those people who didn't think of the consequences of their evil schemes towards the well being of the empire will not hesitate to hurt the people out of greed.
Besides, Eli's words was never to accuse the princes of the Empire, but the enemy camp as a whole. The princes are merely their tool to take control of the Empire.
"Then what should we do.." Emperor Valentin uttered in a grave expression. He displayed a bit of understanding about Eli's reasoning.
Furrowing her brows, Eli thought for a moment and replied, "Is there any other reason for the bells to ring?"
The three contemplated for a while.
Leon also thought deeply. While thinking he unconsciously looked towards Eli's direction. A thought came after looking at her.
"There is!" He exclaimed, however uncertainty appeared in his face. "The appearance of a holy mage.."
"Indeed.. It is one of the others." Emperor Valentin followed while still in deep thinking.
"The bell will ring for three reasons, a victorious event occured in the empire, such as the crowning of a new emperor or winning a major war. A mournful event, such as death of many people, or a member of the imperial family, or appearance of a great war. The third one is the appearance of a miracle, such as the birth of a talented member of the Imperial Family and the appearance of a holy mage."
After explaining these things, he furrowed his brow because of the dilemma, other than this, how in Prasinos will they explain the sudden ringing of the palace bells?
"We...We can say that it was caused by the appearance of a holy mage." Leon voiced his opinion.
"Could we use that?" Eli asked with a serious tone.
"We could, but only if the temple also feels that it was also the cause of the ringing of bells. The appearance of a holy mage is a major affair in the temple, because that would mean another priest candidate will join their ranks." Leon replied calmly.
He wanted to say that he had a hunch that Eli might have the powers belonging to a priest, however they are still not certain at this point.
"But how will we convince the temple to think otherwise?" Emperor Valentin asked with hesitation. Fooling the temple is not an easy task.
"First stage is that we insist on saying that there was no one in the Imperial family who birthed a newborn." Eli uttered.
"The next stage is to actually pray that someone will appear to have holy powers." Leon continued as if synchronizing with what Eli wanted to say.
"In order to do that, we can buy time by asking everyone to subject themselves through holy testing." He continued.
"It was a good plan, however.. The temple really needed an oracle to be convinced.." Emperor Valentin replied with a dejected expression.
The two youngsters are indeed a good combination when they are scheming. However, faking an oracle is out of their abilities.
"An oracle… hmmm." Eli contemplated. She could ask the guardians to do that, probably. But how will she explain this to the Emperor and Queen?
While the trio was brainstorming, Little Han woke up with a whimper and his small face threatened to cry.
"Aaaaak.. Wooo."
"Oh, our grandson must be hungry. Let us set aside this conversation and feed Little Han first." Queen Tehila suggested.
Leon and Emperor Valentin nodded in hesitation, their faces showing that they would continue the conversation outside until they solved this matter.
Soon they exited the room, while Eli proceeded to feed baby Han. The second time was much easier for her. She had gotten the feel of how to position her body, as well as how to put Little Han's weight properly on her arms.
As she dotingly looked at Little Han who was looking so innocent and vulnerable in her arms, she couldn't help but remember the warnings given by the guardians.
It must be because of the ringing of bells.
She summoned the book, along with Wisey. First she asked Wisey how she was able to appear as if giving an oracle last time when they talked with Leon and Kayden about Elise's demise.
"It was purely the Great One's will to do it. Other than that, I really have no way to make myself deliver an oracle."
With no choice, Eli proceeded in using the book. After ensuring that Little Han was satisfied with his meal, she laid him carefully in the crystal shell cradle.
Then she proceeded in using the book, navigating it with extreme familiarity, she found herself typing another question in the 'Ask the Heavens' page.
She typed, "How to summon an oracle to make the temple believe that a holy mage appeared? The bells of the Empire rang, we suspect that it was because of Little Han's birth. We wanted to prevent enemies on targeting Little Han and also protect the people from unintended harm due to suspicion."
Then answers immediately popped up.
--
Coolest Awesome Zale The Water Guardian answered:
"Woah, young one, are you scheming to lie to the temple? That's bad!" *insert suspicious emoji*
The Fiery Guardian Ignis answered:
"Do you need one? I'll send it right away.." *insert like emoji*
Coolest Awesome Zale The Water Guardian replied to The Fiery Guardian Ignis:
"Woah the godfather strikes first!" *insert like emoji*
The Fiery Guardian Ignis Replied to the Coolest Awesome Zale the Water Guardian:
"It is to be expected. I'm Little Han's godfather." *insert proud emoji*
The Green Hansum Guardian answered:
"There you go Eli, you don't need to stress yourself. " *insert smiley emoji*
Sky Guardian Celeste answered:
"It's good that you came up with this countermeasure. Don't worry about what Zale says about lying, we can always make it the truth." *insert wink emoji*
Amihan Wind Guardian answered:
"Leave it to us!"
Coolest Awesome Zale The Water Guardian replied to Sky Guardian Celeste:
"Hey hey hey! Why are you bullying me? I was just teasing her! The oracle must be true anyways ahhhh!!!" *insert pouting emoji*
--
Eli couldn't help but smile in great surprise at the guardian's answers. She typed her words of gratitude before keeping the book of knowledge.
Soon, several guests came to visit her and Little Han.
First was the project team, who now were also preparing to go back to their respective hometown after a month of working through the project.
They expressed their great thanks to Eli in making them a part of the history. They also relayed the Emperor's decision to give them awards of honor for successfully doing the project, along with Eli as the inventor.
They didn't forget to adore Little Han who was looking cute and charming after being fed sufficiently.
They circled around Little Han's cradle, squealed in delight to see him peacefully sleeping even with the commotion around him.
The next one to appear was Azayn, Kayden, Koehtlar and Chief Eirllon, who also expressed their well wishes to Eli and Little Han.
Kayden couldn't help but be emotional as he held Little Han in his arms.
This was Elise's baby, the only legacy she left in the world. He looked at the recovering Eli who also equally used her life to bring Little Han to the world, he casted a grateful look.
Which Eli fully understood. She replied with a nod and a knowing smile.
Grandpa Andi and Grandpa Ben were elated to see Little Han healthy and without complications. They quarrelled about how long each of them would hold Little Han.
They continued to bicker with each other, with Eli laughing softly at the side. These two grandpas were like her father figures. She couldn't help but thank the Great One in letting her meet the two.
However, just when they were about to finally settle the debate on who's gonna hold Little Han more, an agitated Emperor Valentin appeared rushing to Eli's room with a hint of fear and disbelief.
"Your Majesty, what happened?" The Grandpas asked in alarm. To see the Emperor act like this in panic, it must be a major event.
"An oracle… An oracle really did appear!" He said while a wave of goosebumps crept all over his body.
--
In the guardian's realm, the five guardians spent a rare time together after visiting Eli's cottage.
They all wear a look of nostalgia and happiness.
"Have you seen it clearly?"
"Yes, my own two eyes really did see.."
"The Great One was really not joking with us…"
Ignis, Sylvain and Celeste exchanged in a conversation. While Zale and Amihan just watched silently. The three had always been the senior among them, while Zale and Amihan were fairly new guardians.
They were silent for a long time, until Ignis said in a resolute expression,
"This time, we were given a second chance. Let us protect Little Han properly. This time.. For sure!"
Everyone nodded in agreement with a grave and serious expression in their eyes.
Ding!
A chime was heard. A magical box appeared in front of each of them.
If Eli was here, she would have her eyes wide open because this 'magical box' appeared to be a magical version of smart phones!
"Ohohoho, the chance to protect him came too early, it seems." Zale said in an amused voice.
The Esteemed Guardians of Prasinos proceeded to focus typing their replies fervently in long silence, like a group of teenagers fully immersed in their own smartphones.
