The conversation in the chapel didn't last long.

Or rather, once it was realized that Theodora had become a Demigod, the conclusion of the conversation was already predestined.

As Apilius thought, the historical mission of all the regimes throughout Sirius, whether in Olympia City or the Orthodox Church, was to retake Constantinople. Everything else had to take a backseat.

In the face of a formidable enemy, there could be no senseless internal divisions.

However, due to past coup events, the attitudes between Theodora and Zoe were already irreconcilable, forcing Apilius and the Orthodox Church to choose one over the other.

If Zoe were chosen, The Azure Longsword would certainly turn against them, and considering their intricate connections and power behind them, the current Crusade could end prematurely.

Thus, choosing Theodora was the simple option.

Thira emerged from the small chapel and waved to Aske, who was still chatting idly.

"Is it settled, Thira?" Aske asked.

"Settled." Thira nodded, "By the way, I'll be restoring Theodora's identity soon."

"Good." Aske smiled.

Beside them, Captain Erwin silently gaped. He initially thought Aske was a servant of Her Majesty Theodora (since he'd followed behind her the entire time upon entering), but their familiar tone suggested a more egalitarian relationship.

Interacting on equal terms with Her Majesty... At this thought, a certain incredulous conjecture suddenly leapt into his mind.

With the support of the Orthodox Church, the power grab by Theodora was no longer in doubt. The final step was to confront her sister.

As for her sister, who was still oblivious, she should still be daydreaming about restoring the empire in the royal palace of Olympia City at this moment.

On the way to the palace, Theodora couldn't contain her excitement, and her steps quickened involuntarily.

"I never imagined," she remarked, gazing at the pedestrians by the roadside, "Aske, what you said turned out to be true."

"What turned out to be true?" Aske asked curiously.

"The 'other path' you mentioned back then." Theodora turned around, smiling at him, "To become a mercenary, gain enough power to change the world, and then... change the world."

"I didn't expect you to remember." Aske mused. This was the excuse he used to whisk away the young Empress on the eve of Constantinople's fall—that he'd become a Demigod and single-handedly restore the nation. He'd never truly assessed its feasibility, he just said it offhand.

"Of course." Theodora nodded, "Otherwise, why would I have chosen to go with you back then? Just for your glib tongue?"

"Did I leave such a bad impression on you back then?" Aske asked, surprised.

"Yes, very bad." Theodora chuckled, "You were eloquent, but always gave an unreliable feeling. Not to mention you wanted to recruit me, an Empress, as a mercenary. I really wanted to know what was going on in your head."

"Well, it seems what I said was rather reliable, Your Majesty." Aske replied.

"Indeed." Theodora nodded, "Looks like I should give you a reward."

"Reward?"

Theodora didn't answer, instead suddenly clasping his hand.

Her right hand was soft and warm, with a peculiar, intoxicating sensation. Aske instinctively wanted to let go, but Theodora, with a radiant smile, firmly held onto his left hand.

"Relax, my Co-Ruling Emperor, we're about to defeat the first enemy of our Empire."

————————

Theodora entered the palace, holding Aske's hand all the way, completely ignoring the astonished crowd around them.

Almost everyone in this palace was a servant, guard, or bureaucrat of Apilius or Zoe, and of course, they recognized Her Majesty Theodora.

Seeing the former Emperor affectionately holding a stranger's hand, striding forward with an impressive momentum, everyone was nearly stupefied.

As Theodora headed towards the place where Zoe was located, a few guards brought by Zoe stepped up to block her:

"Your Majesty, please..."

"Get out!" With Theodora's scolding, the guards were immediately flung by the air currents to the walls on either side, completely unable to break free, only futilely flailing their limbs like fish pinned on a chopping board.

In the hall of the palace, Zoe was still rambling on, while Apilius listened with a smile, having no opportunity to speak.

"I hope that upon returning to Constantinople, at least the purple curtain in the Golden Governance Palace, will be preserved by those barbaric Seljuks." Zoe said with a certain haughty triumph, "As well as our bedchamber and the back garden..."

Upon mentioning "ours," she suddenly paused, as if finally remembering she had a sister, then her expression turned cold:

"I just wonder where Theodora has run off to, whether she's alive or dead now."

"Would you rather she was alive or dead?" Apilius suddenly asked.

"Oh, Grandfather, what does it matter what I wish?" Zoe, sensing the probing tone of her grandfather, coldly replied, "If she isn't dead, yet has married some crude mercenary, doing menial chores such as washing and cleaning every day, I think she might be better off being trapped in the past Constantinople."

"But I feel quite the opposite, foolish sister." The door suddenly burst open like a storm, and Theodora entered with an imposing presence, "No matter the outcome you fall into, I hoped you'd live well—to live and witness how I would reclaim and gloriously revive the East Solomon Empire that our father left behind."

"Theodora!" Zoe, her face frosty, rose to her feet, instantly understanding the situation.

The sudden appearance of Theodora absolutely had something to do with her grandfather, Apilius!

"Is this your sister?" Seeing the tension between the sisters at their first meeting, banker Michael quickly changed the subject, interrupting by asking.

"Is this your sister?" Aske, observing this "tea ceremony version" of Theodora with exquisite makeup, quizzically furrowed his brow.

"What's the matter?" Theodora sneered, "Are you disappointed to see me alive?"

"If you haven't married a blunt mercenary, I wouldn't mind acknowledging you as my sister." Zoe glared disdainfully at her holding Aske's hand.

"This is Aske Lepeios Achilles." Theodora said with a proud smile, "He is the current heir of the Achilles family from the Imperial City... Yes, sister, from that equally noble lineage of the Extraordinary Family from the East. By the way, who is this beside you?"

"I... I am, Michael of Paphlagonia." The portly banker quickly rose and bowed, "Pleased to meet you, Your Majesty Theodora."

Zoe's expression instantly froze over like ice, for her "husband" had clearly made three mistakes from the start:

First, his posture was excessively humble. As Zoe's legitimate husband's status was in no way inferior to the other's, yet he subconsciously resorted to the sycophantic attitude of the business world towards her.

Second, Theodora had abdicated and should have been addressed as Your Highness, not Your Majesty.

Third, his speech was inarticulate and stammered.

Of course, the most crucial aspect was the appearance; her portly husband indeed appeared less handsome and dashing than the young man Theodora held, even compared to the few handsome faces Zoe kept. He possessed a distinct charm.

Thus, Zoe felt deeply humiliated, being completely outclassed in front of Theodora.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.