Peaceful Life System: I only need to live peacefully
Chapter 129: Planning (1)

Chapter 129: Planning (1)

"We need to make a public announcement, which will reassure him and allow him to come out with whatever he has."

"Hmm." Everyone in the room fell into a deep thought.

"But how will we do it? Do you just want us to go into the public and announce that we are safe? Will that even be impactful enough to reach father’s ears?" Marcus asked.

"We just need the right stage." He closed his eyes for a moment, focusing his thoughts. "First, I need to speak with the High Archon."

Wide Aura Sense [-50 Goodwill Points]

He extended his senses, searching for Seraphina’s powerful, distinct aura. He found it, a sharp point of light in the Noble’s Quarter. He focused his will, casting a mental spell across the distance.

Distant Whisper [-50 Goodwill Points]

"Dear High Archon Seraphina. Riku, this side. I know you are busy, but I really need to meet you for something important. I do not know where you are, but I will wait for you at Lysaria’s manor. You’d better hurry, lest I take her away with me."

Annnddd. send

Riku had a mental giggle. Seraphina would have no way to contact Riku back, so he was sure that she would immediately come to visit Lysaria. Now, he needed to go there as well.

"Everyone, I will be back in some time. Till then, please rest."

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Riku didn’t waste a moment. After leaving the Hummer estate, he teleported to a quiet alley near Lysaria’s temporary residence. He walked to the front gate and knocked.

A young attendant opened the door, and upon seeing Riku, her face was slightly confused. Riku, knowing that it could cause problems for her, apologized, saying wrong house, and then teleported straight to Lysaria’s room.

"Riku!" Lysaria, who was reading a book, exclaimed, surprise all over her face. "What happened? Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine, Lysaria." Riku reassured her with a smile. "But things are moving quickly. I am here to meet a friend."

"A friend? Me?" Just when Lysaria was about to get lost in her thoughts, the manor’s front doors burst open.

A furious, panting High Archon Seraphina stormed in, her breathing heavy from her hurried journey across the city.

"Where is Lysaria?" Seraphina asked an attendant roughly. Worry and anger were clearly evident from her voice.

"Young miss is in her room..." The attendant tried to explain, but before she could say anything else, Seraphina was already gone.

Soon, she arrived at Lysaria’s room and saw Riku sitting with her.

"There she is..." Riku gave a slight grin.

"You!" Seraphina hissed, pointing a trembling finger at him. "How dare you send me such an insolent, threatening message! To summon a High Archon as if I were some common lackey! Do you have any idea of the punishment for threatening a Vestal under my protection?"

Riku simply chuckled, his plan having worked to perfection. "My apologies, High Archon. But as you can see, it was effective. We needed to speak, urgently and privately." He gestured towards the parlor. "Shall we?"

Seraphina glared, but seeing Lysaria’s concerned face, she gave a curt nod and swept into the room. Then, she immediately sealed the door with a silencing ward.

"This had better be worth it," Seraphina said, her voice dangerously quiet. "You have forced my hand, Riku. Now speak."

"I did it because we have a problem," Riku began, his tone serious. "Lord Arnold’s family is safe for now, but he is still a fugitive. As long as he believes his family is in danger, he is neutralized. The Society will continue to hunt him. We need him to act, but how do we send him a message that his family is secure without tipping our hand to the entire conspiracy?"

Lysaria looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

Riku gave them a quick backstory of what had happened after he had split from Seraphina yesterday. He left out some of the fights and cruelty, as he did not want to dampen the mood further for no reason.

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, processing the tactical dilemma. She began to pace, her mind, accustomed to navigating the complex politics of the Church, immediately seeing the challenge. "A private message is too easily intercepted. Not that we know how to find Old Chamberlain Lord Arnold. A public one could be seen as a declaration of war against the Vaynes, putting the Hummers in an impossible position." She stopped, a sudden, sharp light entering her eyes.

"However, I might have a solution to your predicament."

"What is it?" Riku asked eagerly.

"Not so fast. You have to promise me that you will keep your hands off Lysaria if I help you, and you cannot try and be with her in the future." Seraphina bargained, clearly still angry at the earlier message.

"Sister...." Lysaria spoke petulantly, her face turning slightly crimson.

Riku smiled. He very well knew what Seraphina was concerned about. The rules for Vestal Virgins were ironclad, and even the slightest deviance would mean death. However, he did not want such a thing to ruin his friendship with Lysaria.

He still wanted to see her lead a peaceful life at Elowen, bickering with Sherry and looking after the church of light there.

"I cannot promise all of it, Seraphina." He shook his head with a sense of finality.

"What? You still harbor such ideas? Do you know the punishments? They will..."

"I know it all, Seraphina. And do not worry. I will do nothing that will endanger someone’s life. That much I can promise you," Riku said, his right hand on his heart. "For everything else, let us let nature take its course."

"You.... fine. I am powerless to do anything anyway." Seraphina sighed.

Maybe I would have to find a way later to relieve Lysaria from the service of the sacred flame. Only that would ensure that no customs were broken, and she would be free to find her happiness. Seraphine thought in her mind

"So, can you tell us the plan now?" Riku urged.