"Zora, I wanted to ask you what if there are people who are willing to take a stand against the ways of the empire and it's officials who are blinded by greed? What would your stand on this matter be?"

Jacob waits for Zora to speak while looking at her with intent hoping that her answer would be what he expects.

Zora's crimson eyes met with Jacob's. The tension between them grew thicker and people who passed them by can't help but take a second look.

"Jacob, I would like to pretend that I didn't hear you speak of what could be misinterpreted as a suggestion for a rebellion against the empire."

Silence. It was as if time passed slowly and everything was silent as the cold night air makes it way to Jacob's body, wrapping him entirely and not letting him escape.

He would have believed Zora even if she lied just this one time but her answer made it painfully clear.

"You are a good soldier and I respect you but if the time comes that such thoughts would elude your mind then I would come for your head."

Zora meant every word, and because she can't stand how heavy the atmosphere is between her and Jacob, she took a step towards the entrance not sparing any more thoughts about their conversation.

Oleander was a beautiful place with lanterns hanging all over the place, ornamental plants decorating the rooms, and the alluring scent of flowers in the air made it even more breathtaking as it already is.

Jacob and Zora was led inside a small room where Jacob said they would wait for someone.

There was silence as they face each other, sitting on the floor while waiting for Jacob's acquaintance whom he said was the one who helped him track the ninth mana wielder, and is one of the guests who frequents Oleander.

But Zora felt that something was amiss.

She noticed it as soon as they entered the brothel but it seems like it was not the case for Jacob. He looked calm but the air around him surely changed after the conversation they had.

Zora thought of this as Jacob getting into his role of being a businessman who is on a trip with his business partner who he wanted to show around Oleander.

But Zora was still not completely convinced. She only set aside the thought of the possibility of Jacob setting her up into an obvious trap because she wanted to atleast believed that the ninth mana wielder does exist and that salvation is not out of her reach yet.

"Zora."

It was Jacob who called her name and broke the silence first.

"Yes?", She answered swiftly.

"The guest will be here soon but we would look suspicious just being by ourselves in this room that's why I want to tell you in adva—"

"Oh my!", A voice along with the sound of the door opening suddenly interrupted the flow of their conversation. And Zora who was on alert almost followed her instinct, and with her abilities, she would have bit her finger and made needle-like weapons and fired without any second thoughts towards her target.

But she was relieved to have stopped herself because the person who showed up unannounced is far from an enemy.

"I couldn't believe it myself when I heard the news but it is such an honor to serve you tonight, General."

The lady with a fox mask on did a graceful bow towards Zora who was evidently confused. The lady was with two men who looked like they work in the brothel. One was holding a tray with what looked like expensive ceramic teapot and cups, and the other one was holding a musical instrument Zora does not recognize.

"And you are?"

"Oh my, my, my! Do forgive me for being disrespectful. I am the lady in charge of your entertainment tonight. Do let me introduce myself."

The masked woman put her hand on her chest and with perfect manners, bowed her head slightly and her crimson lips formed into an alluring smile.

"My name is Natsuki. I am the woman in charge of Oleander, and I am again expressing how honored I am in serving you both tonight. It is a pleasure to meet you Lord Joseph and General Dolores."

Zora still not letting her guard down looked at the strange masked woman with piercing eyes but noticing that she would only make herself look suspicious by being on her toes would be a dead giveaway.

She could ruin the plan Jacob carefully made so that she could meet with the ninth mana wielder.

Zora decided to relieve the tension on her shoulders and sat up straight, her crimson eyes peeking from her hat with the intention of giving the idea that she is interested of this 'entertainment' the woman spoke of.

"What do you mean by entertainment? Forgive me for my foolishness but it's my first time coming to a place like this."

The woman hiding behind her mask was smiling ear to ear seeing the reaction of the General.

Natsuki always viewed the General as someone sharp and that she could easily read between the lines but letting this chance slip by of her letting her guard down even for a moment would be a mistake she could not afford.

And seeing that Jacob brought the General to this room meant that the final verdict is finally decided.

Sadly, Zora did not pass the test that Jacob laid out for her. It means that Zora was to be disposed of immediately.

Jacob, the friend and comrade of Zora Clyborne was truly loyal to her.

Natsuki know of this even before the Emperor asked for her cooperation in his grandoise plan. She knows because she admires Jacob so much who she owe a lot to.

But war indeed changes a person almost immediately. Jacob saw what the war has done to not only Asphodel but to different nations who was caught up to what the people in power consider as 'entertainment'.

After being promoted to Liutenant he swore allegiance towards the Emperor of Asphodel who plans to overthrow the greedy nobles and the eight mana wielders who are loyal to their sworn oaths.

And Natsuki, who Jacob sought out to for help in the name of peace agreed to help him in assassinating the biggest thorn on the Emperor's side.

And that thorn was none other than Zora Clyborne.

"Ah, yes! You see, dear guests. Entertainment meant a lot of things here in Oleander. It entirely depends on what kind of 'entertainment' that you want to find."

The fox masked lady signals the two men besides her to serve tea to the two guests while she distracts them.

The two beautiful men immediately made their move. The one carrying a musical instrument sat down on a corner of the room and started playing a melody that was pleasant to the ears. The other one holding the ceramic cups and teapot gracefully placed the cups in front of Jacob and Zora. He poured them tea from the same pot.

"Why the need to be vague? I would like a more direct answer, Natsuki."

Zora's voice was commanding and it nearly intimidated Natsuki but she made sure that her expression would not change.

Clybornes with their sickening bloodlust and domineering attitude truly makes Natsuki's stomach turn.

"Zora, the lady is just here to entertain  us while we wait for the opportunity to meet with Oleander's most prized flower. It's common for her to talk in circles as part of her performance. Isn't that right, Natsuki-san?"

Jacob smiled at the masked lady but his eyes was telling her a different story entirely.

She smiled back seeing the tea being poured on Zora's cup.

"Yes, it is as Lord Joseph said. Now, let me first entrance you with a song, shall I?"

"A song are you kid—"

Jacob tugged at Zora's side and with his eyes tells her to stop what she was about to say.

Zora sighed and with nothing else to do she let the show go on. The tea in front of her suddenly looked very refreshing because of how annoyed she felt.

Natsuki seeing things unfold smoothly as planned started to begin the main show for tonight.

The lanterns around the room were dimmed so that the men who was ordered to be on standby outside wouldn't be seen. And, with her flamboyant performance she would distract Zora and Jacob would convince her to continue drinking the tampered tea with which poison and sedative was poured into.

Although, their plan seems to be going well. Natsuki cannot shake the feeling that what they are doing could be a mistake that they will soon regret.

"Do allow me to begin— The Song of A Thousand Cranes."

Music from the instrument played by the young man filled the air and the sweet voice of Natsuki soon echoed inside the small room.

Zora still felt some kind of anxiousness bubbling inside her but deciding to drink the tea served to her in one go made her nerves calm down.

'The tea tastes disgusting.'

Zora was unable to enjoy the tea fully because of it's bitter taste but it has a calming effect that made her want to down more of it.