Chapter 69: Paragon

Hearing that term, Claire briefly tenses up and then immediately recovers her composure. She seems triggered by it, feeling conflicted.

"A Paragon, you say? Now that’s troublesome."

"So what’s this thing you call a paragon?"

Shifting his gaze between those two women, Azrael is hoping one of them can give him answers. Claire and Carlene look at each other before Claire returns her gaze at him.

"In the Tixiar Empire, there is rumored to be an elite group of powerful individuals working directly under the emperor called the Paragons. With raw power rivaling that of an archdragon or greater, each Paragon is a formidable force on their own."

"Are you suggesting that some of them are more powerful than you, Claire?"

"I am afraid so. Each member of the Paragons is either an awakener or a powerful pseudo-awakener at the very least."

There is little information regarding the mysterious Paragons of the Tixiar Empire. Their numbers are still unknown even in the empire’s internal affairs, but it is confirmed that there is a powerful unit working for the emperor.

Claire and Carlene are both aware that the Paragons have powerful individual members. They know some of them are more powerful than the Great Sorceress herself, as they have seen a few of them in action.

That is why Claire momentarily felt a cold shiver in her spine when Carlene mentioned that one might be on board to Roheazul.

"Since one of the Paragons might get involved in this, we might hear more of Carlene."

They just lost interest in the conversation, and Claire is retaking her seat again. Sensing that this is going to be a serious talk, Azrael takes his seat again.

Remembering something probably unimportant, he has yet to see what Claire finds weird about Carlene. In addition, they have not explained to her how he got the hero’s looks. Though he has no reason to reveal that to this calm and calculated foreign noblewoman across the table.

"Alright, Carlene. Now that one of the Paragons might be joining the war, the empire, or especially the emperor, must have an objective to achieve Western Revoria."

"You picked this up fast, Claire," Carlene positively compliments her, being as sharp as she remembers. "I, too, believe that they send one of the Paragons for a reason. It must be something big and grand."

"Do you have any idea what their objective might be? You wouldn’t come to arrange a meeting with us if you were empty-handed."

"Well, how do I say this?" Carlene pauses for a second. "Let’s say that a fleet that big, and in addition to the Paragon, is probably more than enough to fend off Siafran’s army. In a scenario where Roheazul and Tixiar managed to stop the Siafran forces, what do you think their next step would be?"

"Hypothetically, if they realized that the Siafran Empire is a force that can be taken head-on, the Tixiar Empire might lend Roheazul a hand to take the offensive instead. Or perhaps the Tixiar Empire would take over the Kingdom of Roheazul and establish its colony in the west."

"Both are plausible reasons. But personally, I do believe that the Tixiar Empire would go with the latter. They have been trying to spread their influence to the west, and they might use this opportunity of a war to finally achieve that."

Throughout the centuries, the Empire of Tixiar has been expanding its territory beyond the central region of the continent. They not only invaded nations or lands of other races, but they waged wars against humans as well.

Currently, the Tixiar Empire has occupied a portion of the Southern Continent through its mighty navy. Beyond that, they have occupied and controlled a few, yet important, maritime choke points throughout the world. The empire is basically dominating the sea routes, which brings them wealth through tolls.

Claire and Carlene think that the Tixiar Empire has finally initiated their plan of dominating the west. That might explain the need for one of the Paragons in the reinforcements for Roheazul. But they are things that are unclear.

"But why would the Tixiar Empire want to establish its influence in Western Revoria?" Like them, Azrael also wants to know the answer to that question. "Is there anything significant in the west that they want?"

"Other than its vast territory," Carlene answers his question. "The only thing I could think is that the Tixiar Empire wants full control of the untapped resources of the Detho Forest. It could be they want access to the ocean."

"I see." Azrael nods as Carlene makes a great point before he asks her a question. "So what are we going to do with this information? It is not like we have something to do with the Kingdom of Roheazul or the Siafran Empire."

Azrael speculates that Carlene, who is the noblewoman in the Siafran Empire, might deliberately relay that information to subtly ask for their assistance. Upon observing her, she reminds him of an acquaintance of him in his previous life repeatedly telling him how good a certain game was. Before he knew it, he had installed it on computer. He does not want to fell for that trap.

Claire is thinking the same thing as him. She has known Carlene for a long time, and she has been asking Claire for favors several times before, which Carlene respectfully gave back over time.

"I know you well, Carlene. Get straight to the point. Tell me what you are up to this time."

"Very well." Carlene put down her cup of tea at the table, indicating that she has been cornered by them. "I am aware that I am about to ask something big, but listen to me."

"Let’s hear you out," Claire says as she straightens her back.

"I greatly appreciate it." Carlene then briefly glances at Azrael before she continues. "You might all know about my awakened ability, which allows me to be reborn after death. But the thing you didn’t know is that I have been reborn as an empress of Siafran one time."

"Wait, really?" Shocked by the sudden revelation, Claire gapes while Azrael and Alina seem slightly surprised by it. "That’s news to me."

"Yes, it’s true."

"When did that happen?"

"Almost a hundred years ago."

"A hundred years..." Recalling the empire’s history, Claire immediately figures it out. "Are you saying that you were the empress of Emperor Adler Manndier the First?"

"Precisely."

Carlene casually reveals that she was once the wife of the first emperor of the Manndier dynasty in the Siafran Empire. The man who rose to the top and massively improved the empire.

At that time, Carlene never met up with Claire personally, though she once sent her a letter stating that she has been reborn without revealing who she has become.

Filing up the information she has gathered, it makes clear to Claire why Carlene did not bother to show up. Now that Carlene has revealed that, Claire definitely has some questions to inquire about.

"So did that mean that you are the one behind his glory?"

"Not quite," Carlene answers, which does not match Claire’s expectations. "He had been a brilliant man since he was young. A once-in-a-generation genius, they dubbed him. I am just merely his wife that has supported him since the beginning."

"I see."

Carlene was once a marquis’s daughter engaged to the soon-to-be emperor. Although their marriage was political, both of them genuinely loved and remained loyal to one another until their last breath.

That raises another question from Azrael.

"If you are married to the emperor, does that mean you are related to the current imperial family? Perhaps you approach us so that you can protect your family from the threats of the Tixiar Empire."

"You are right, young man. The truth is, a few of them even know my real identity. My grandson, the current emperor, is actually asking for my help in case the Tixiar Empire invades immediately after confirming that they have sent reinforcements to Roheazul. I also fear that enemies might have known my existence as well."

Her words are genuine and seem void of lies, but Azrael and Claire are still skeptical. They look at each other for a second to establish a telepathic conversation to decide. Carlene just silently stares at them, nodding to one another, respecting their privacy.

"All right." Claire turns her gaze at Carlene with such seriousness. "After discussing it, we decided to lend our hands to you. Don’t treat it like we care about the empire. I am doing this solely because you are a close acquaintance of mine."

"I greatly appreciate it, Claire." Carlene bobs her head for a few seconds to show her gratitude as a noble of the empire. "The Siafran Empire will definitely grant you your appropriate rewards. But it really saddens me when you demote me to just a close acquaintance."

"..."

"Now then," Carlene then shifts her attention to Azrael. "Can you introduce me to this young man?"