City of Priestella

Office of Deputy Secretary of the Interior

"Councilor Alvinczi, you usually call me to your office. Had I known you were coming I would have cleaned up and had the latest reports from the various cities and villages ready for you." Deputy Secretary Apocalypse said while looking slightly surprised at the old sage.

"I usually do call you there. However, I have decided to pay a visit to the most efficient secretary I have ever had pleasure of making acquaintance of." Alvinczi warmly praises Otto.

"Thank you, sir. Allow me to pull up a chair for you and some vintage wine." Otto said before turning away to grab a chair.

"There will be no need for that Otto. I was coming to inform you that you are being promoted to Secretary of the Interior." Alvinczi said to Otto. Alvinczi noted that Otto does not usually give off noticeable signs of emotion this time he could see the surprise in his green eyes.

"Isn't that position reserved for those who sit on the council of Sages?" Otto questioned.

"Yes, it is reserved for the sages. That is why the council has agreed to promote you to sage. To take my position." Alvinczi announced.

"I presume you are retiring now to your estate. If I am correctly guessing the Witch's appearance has shaken you and left you in poor health." Otto said.

"A keen eye as ever Otto, The Miasma from her appearance has affected my health and two knights have fallen ill. The nation is going to need a leaders that are not old and sick, councilors that can keep up the dragon maidens. I no longer fit those qualifications unfortunately. So, I have decided to give it to you. Do you accept my responsibility?" Alvinczi questioned.

"I am honored that you think I can perform the duties of the position and I humbly accepts the position and will to the best of my ability serve the Dragon nation." Otto pledged to Alvinczi.

Alvinczi nodded pleased at this. "I will have the official ceremony planned two days from now.

"Good luck to you Otto" Alvinczi said to Otto before heading out the door.

"Thank You" Otto said to his back, once the door is closed, he implemented anti eavesdropping magic circles he had secretly placed in his room. He pulled out the vintage wine and poured a glass then headed to the large window in his office overlooking the city before allowing himself a small smile.

"Satella, you always had a tendency of being helpful to others without realizing it. That boy all that time ago would have not been able to reach you if I hadn't fought those slavers while during that he rescued you. I wonder how different are you now, Since that boy's murder and your imprisonment. I wonder why exactly you rescued that Archbishop specifically. Did he remind you of that boy long ago? A descendent? Or something else? I hope to see you again to catch up on old times. That is why I have created copies of my body and slowly stored them across the four kingdoms to ensure my mind and soul survive the years. Though I have suspicion that the Court Mage Roswaal L. Mathers is Roswaal A. Mathers a student of the Witch of Greed." Otto thinks to himself, while in his thoughts his conversation mirror Metia activated, he picks up and answers the call.

"These is Otto Apocalypse. Who am I speaking with?" Otto questioned.

"This is Serpent. My agents have spotted the path the witch has taken and have come up with possible villages and locations she has possibly taken up shelter in. They are as follow: the villages of Reichenbach, Aspen, and the village of Marengo. Those three villages have essentially been abandoned due to disputes over the throne also there is forests they could have taken refuge in. But they have been considered unlikely." Serpent reported.

"Hm, send some scouts to the village too see if there any signs of a denser than usual miasma concentration in the villages." Otto ordered him.

"As your command." Serpent replied then deactivated the Mirror.

"I should have my various estates prepared for them and me. My servants are loyal to me through careful selection by my own hand." Otto thought to himself before finishing his glass and sitting down in his chair to continue his work.

Three days later

Sage Otto Apocalypse step out of village at Marengo village with some of his loyal cult members stationed around the village. He headed to the largest house sensing the miasma being the heaviest there. He takes a short breath then knocks on the door. The door swings open and he takes note of the shadows moving slightly away but remaining ready to react in a second. He sees the shadows are guiding him to a certain room in the house. He walks to the dining room. He takes one last breath hands were slightly trembling. He opens the door and looks upon Natsuki Subaru who stared at him with distrustful look. While next to him also staring at him was Satella with some surprise and warmth in her eyes

"Hello Satella and Subaru. I, Sage Otto Apocalypse comes to serve you and to assist in your endeavors and hope that perhaps some of your goals align with mine." Otto said with a smile on his face.

Meanwhile

Reinhard on the carriage slightly twitched. Suwen took noticed of this.

"What is it? Is there a threat that you sensed?" Suwen questioned.

"No, My apologies. I just sensed though Od Laguna a momentous event that will change the world has occurred. "Reinhard said.

"Maybe it was a good thing." Emilia said hopefully. Reinhard said with some doubt

"I hope so too."