“Visitors who asked for me by name?” Gaius asked, holding on to a book. “Who are we talking about here?”

“How about you make a guess?” Isabelle’s grandmother asked. “And Isa, is his head that fun to play with?”

“It is,” Isabelle replied.

Gaius, whose cheeks were currently under assault from a pair of soft hands, was once again rendered speechless, so he decided to compromise by rubbing his hair on Isabelle’s lap. Reading a book while having a lap pillow was one of the greatest joys in his life, something he didn’t know he lacked up until now.

“Go ahead, keep spoiling him.” The old lady tapped her feet twice. “He might become useless at this rate.”

Gaius got up reluctantly. He had been hiding in his room for the past few days with Isabelle as company, only emerging from his room for food. Since Isabelle had followed his lead, in some ways, her grandmother had gotten angry at how Gaius was monopolising her granddaughter, so…

At least Madam Amelie had the sense to not go in at night, though.

“So, grandmother,” Gaius began, “who’s the visitor?”

“Someone who can fire our whole family,” she replied, a hint of rebuke in her words. “Make sure to watch your words.”

“If anything happens, just move to the North then,” Gaius mumbled.

“What was that?”

“N-nothing.” Gaius took Isabelle’s hand and got her to follow him. Her hair was a bit messy, so he ran his hand through to neaten it. To be honest, Gaius didn’t want to move from his position at all, but since visitors had called on him…

“Do I look fine now?” Isabelle asked.

“You’ll always look fine to me,” Gaius replied.

Madam Amelie rapped their heads. “Stop flirting and move! Don’t go keeping the Minister of State busy!”

Rubbing their heads, Gaius and Isabelle fled from their angry grandmother, arriving at the living room within a few seconds. There, seated on the floor, was an unfamiliar woman, who was busy fending off a curious and giggling Jusis.

“Isi! Gai!” Jusis’ eyes flashed as he caught sight of Isabelle, and the little toddler waddled over to them, to the clear relief of the newcomer. “Hug!”

“There, there.” Qi surged out from Gaius’ hand, lifting him up to eye-level. The little fella had learnt their names over the past few days, primarily because Isabelle’s grandmother had been shouting their names every few hours or so, in a bid to get them into the living room. As a result, the two hadn’t had more than three hours of uninterrupted time to themselves, but Gaius didn’t dare to voice his sadness at that fact.

While Jusis made himself comfortable on Gaius’ head, he looked at the newcomer, who was dressed from head to toe in a set of flowing blue robes. Despite having just stood up in a less-than-graceful fashion, there was a stately air of sorts around her, like the regal bearing Queen Hyperion exuded — clearly, she was someone very important in the Republic. Isabelle’s grandmother had hinted at that too; this person was apparently someone who could turn the Lorenze family into a jobless bunch.

A quiet chill settled into his veins as Gaius looked the newcomer in the eye and gestured for her to take a seat at the dining table. “You are?”

“Minister of State for the Republic of Francois, Pauline de Francois,” she replied. “Well met, Lost Star.”

“Call me Gaius. I’m here on a honeymoon,” Gaius replied, gesturing at Isabelle. “With my lovely…wife. Not on official business.”

Despite this being his first time referring to Isabelle as his wife, she didn’t show any signs of discomfort or embarrassment. As expected, she was also on guard against Pauline De Francois.

“To my knowledge, you have not taken up any position in the North,” the Minister of State replied.

Gaius paused. “Not as an emissary of any nation, in other words. What business does the Minister of State for the Republic have with a young man enjoying his time with his beloved?”

She narrowed her eyes slightly, and then took a step back to curtsey. He could feel Isabelle tense up at that sight; she had picked up on something Gaius hadn’t. It wasn’t something he could ask about, however.

The silence persisted for a moment longer, before the Minister of State sighed. “You are…truly as unique as the rumours say.”

Gaius didn’t even know what rumours about him were flying around at this point in time, so he glossed over it by shrugging. “Would you like a drink?”

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Isabelle choke down her laughter. The minister herself had an odd look on her face, and in that sudden moment of silence, Gaius took the opportunity to pour out a glass of water for everyone present, even Jusis.

Wetting his throat, Gaius leaned back on his seat, holding on to Isabelle’s hand under the table. Although he treated both Kolya and Galina with a surprising level of casualness, Gaius couldn’t quite do the same to the Republic’s Minister of State, since they weren’t exactly anything beyond acquaintances.

Therefore, some level of formality was needed — even if this was just a visit without any ceremony. Clearing his throat, Gaius asked, “Minister Pauline, to what pleasure do I owe this visit to?”

“I came here to make your acquaintance, Lost Star. No, Gaius.” She smiled, and then mirrored Gaius by leaning back on his seat. “And of course, his lovely partner. I wanted to see the man Pinnacle Kolya described as an invaluable asset in the war to come.”

“Invaluable asset…” His lips twitched. “Did he really phrase it that way?”

“You must understand that I am bound to courtesy in my choice of words.”

Isabelle giggled. “What are you going to do when you return home?”

“Me?” Gaius rubbed his nose. “Maybe educate him on why I’m an invaluable asset with my strength.”

Minister Pauline choked on her water.

“Are you alright?” Isabelle asked.

“I’m fine, thank you.” The air of formality around the Republic’s Minister of State, however, hadn’t survived its encounter with the bout of sudden choking. “To be honest, I have no intention of being your enemy or anything. If history — and my intelligence — hasn’t proven me wrong, it seems that any nation that has beef with you hasn’t enjoyed the experience.”

“That’s rude.” Gaius picked up the jug of water. “But do you want another cup of water?”

After pouring out a second cup of water for Minister Pauline, Gaius felt more at ease. She didn’t give off the unapproachable vibes that Queen Hyperion had, and besides, he had Isabelle with him, who was giving him all kinds of moral support by holding his hand.

“So, you’re just here to check out my personality?” Gaius asked.

“Please forgive me rudeness in that aspect,” Minister Pauline replied. “It is my duty to check on people who wield incredible strength, and see if they are of any threat to my people. Three or so years ago, I had some familiar spirits who were subordinates of the late Lifespring enter my nation. They were there under the banner of peace, but it would have been infinitely preferable if they came to make war.”

“That is…really unfortunate,” Gaius replied, keeping his face straight. “However, I do not intend to cause any destruction or anything, so please be at ease. I consider myself a pacifist, after you.”

Minister Pauline choked at those words.

“That’s rude,” Gaius replied.

Jusis, who was sitting on his shoulder, nodded along too. “Rud!”

“My husband tells the truth,” Isabelle added. “He has not gone out of his way to antagonise anyone or anything. If you pay close attention to his actions, you will realise that his actions are a response to something, and nothing else.”

“I watched him kill the Human God on a live broadcast,” the minister replied pointedly. “I trust that you will find it acceptable if I were to disagree.”

“In his defence,” Isabelle argued back, “he was initially there to watch the unveiling of the Display artefacts. Kolya and the others didn’t let him know that the Human God was likely to show up. When the Human God did show up, my husband was forced to fight to protect me and the members of his family.”

“Is that so?” The Republic’s Minister of State rubbed her head. “That does sound like the crafty Kolya I know about. Either way, however, someone of great power, a killer of the mightiest being within the Five Lands, has shown up in my nation. That is an undeniable fact.”

Gaius could sense the two ladies chucking imaginary bolts of lightning at each other’s face, and then cleared his throat.

Isabelle looked at him, and then flushed. “My apologies, Minister Pauline.”

“Oh, no. I can understand where you’re coming from,” the minister replied. “Well, it is true that nothing has happened so far, so my assumptions might be flawed. Very well. Moving on to the next topic.”

“The next topic?” Gaius asked.

“Yes.” She cupped her chin. “Our Republic has a policy to offer any and all victims of the Second Extermination citizenship within our nation. You count as one of them.”

“What of it?”

“I’m here to extend that offer to you, personally.”

Gaius couldn’t help but note the emphasis she placed on that last words. Squeezing Isabelle’s hand, he looked directly at the ruler of the Republic and let out a long sigh. “What does me being a citizen of your nation net you?”

“An opportunity to make fun of Pinnacle Kolya — ahem. My apologies. It seems that I let out my true thoughts there for a moment.” Minister Pauline closed her eyes for a moment. “Your presence as a citizen of our nation will help the Republic’s standing in the War Council.”

It was a rather familiar term to Gaius.

“The one Kolya convened sometime back,” Isabelle supplied. “Remember? When we were at Dai-Yukimono and talking about Xanadu?”

“Ahh.” Gaius rubbed his eyes. “I remember now. So, what about it?”

“All four continents are required to supply a certain amount of fighting strength to the frontlines,” Pauline replied. “Someone like you, for instance, would limit the number of troops or resources we need to provide, if you’re registered as our contribution. Of course, we will provide substantial compensation.”

“Isn’t that a problem for me, then?” Gaius narrowed his eyes. “I have a vested interest in ensuring that this war is won. I’m not interested in watching the Five Lands scheme against each other while an external enemy threatens our very existence.”

Silence fell for a moment.

“Unbelievable,” Minister Pauline murmured. “Our intelligence didn’t have you pegged as a heroic type.”

Gaius grunted. “Don’t think too hard about it. I have to, because I must. That is all. You might think that this war is a way to weaken the Assembly and the other nations, but do not forget the lives those that will be lost. I have no intention of risking the lives of those I care about.”

He looked straight at the Minister of State, and after a minute of silence, she broke her gaze.

“We consider issues on a different level, Lost Star.” She closed her eyes. “You look at the world. I look at my nation, my people. You speak of the future as if it is a bright one, but I haven’t forgotten the darkness wrought by human hands. You are free, unfettered. I, however, bear the yoke of an entire people.”

“I know.” Gaius let out a small sigh.

“Do not think ill of me, Lost Star. We rulers think of lives as numbers; that is our unavoidable, unfortunate destiny.” She got up. “We shall see each other on the day the Great Divide falls. Be well, Lost Star. May you find peace in your choices.”

“The same for you,” Gaius replied, standing up with Isabelle and seeing her to the door. Before she could leave entirely, however, Jusis extended a hand to Minister Pauline.

She took it, albeit reluctantly. “Once again, I look forward to your presence at the Great Divide.”

Gaius nodded. “You too.”

After exchanging a few more words, Gaius and Isabelle watched the ruler of the Republic leave. Closing the door behind them, he left out a huge sigh, before shaking his head.

“She isn’t the only one who’s going to think of this war as a way to rebalance power,” Isabelle murmured.

“There’ll definitely be other people,” Gaius replied. “This is the best opportunity in a hundred thousand years to rewrite the balance of power…assuming we win. They’re very optimistic about our chances, for some reason.”

The two of them sighed.