"Since we're already in the realm of seriousness, might as well watch one of the most important fights that Rio has been in, shall we?" the entity said in an amused voice.
"Most important battle?" Liselotte and Satsuki asked in unison.
"Is it the battle against Saint Erika?" King Francois asked, intrigued.
"No, while that battle was indeed one of the most dangerous Rio has been in, it wasn't his ultimate battle. The one we're about to watch is—"
"Against Lucius," Aishia said, interrupting.
"L-Lucius," Celia muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. Well, he did say it was his ultimate wish to kill Lucius, Celia thought, her mind racing with memories of Rio's determination.
"Did it take place in Amande, perhaps?" Liselotte mumbled . "The possibilities are high, milady, though I assume it was when I went to retrieve him back to the mansion." Aria replied.
"Sir Harruto's most important battle? No way. I am not missing this," Cosette said, her eyes gleaming with fierce determination, her fingers tapping eagerly on the armrest of her chair.
"It's rude to show interest in someone else's privacy, Cosette," Natalie said, her brow furrowing with disapproval, her gaze shifting between her colleague and the screen where the battle would soon unfold.
"Oh, come on. There's a whole crowd watching the battle. Plus, we can learn something from it, can't we?" Cosette said suggestively, a mischievous grin playing on her lips as she leaned forward in her seat.
Somewhere else, Lina thought as she gently brushed a strand of hair from Rio's face as he slept on her lap. "Though I knew this would happen, forgive me for making you endure so much," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the soft hum of the room.
"H-hands off!" Sora appeared immediately right next to Lina, her eyes wide with shock, her tiny hand hovering protectively over Rio's sleeping form.
"My, my, aren't you lively? Don't worry, I'm not planning anything," Lina said, amused, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she watched Sora's reaction.
"You honestly believe Sora would trust you?" Sora asked annoyed and Lina giggled, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "No."
"Then why did you ask? Did something happen to your brain!?" Meanwhile, Sora and Lina were engaged in a banter of their own, their voices blending together in a comforting rhythm.
"Rio's most important battle," the spirit trio thought in unison, their voices echoing softly in the air, their eyes fixed on the screen where the scene would soon unfold.
"Alright, quiet down," the entity said as the scene started playing, its voice cutting through the anticipation like a knife through butter, its eyes sparkling with anticipation as the battle unfolded before them.
"Hah! You've got a better look on your face now." Lucius chuckled in satisfaction.
"Is that...?" The spirit trio and Celia asked in disbelief, their voices barely above a whisper. They had never personally seen Lucius before, but his reputation preceded him.
"Lucius," Gouki said sternly, his gaze unwavering as he remembered the tales of betrayal and death that surrounded the red-haired man. He would never forgive such a fiend that betrayed and killed his former Master.
"Well, he seems like a wild and illogical person," King Francois remarked, his eyes narrowed as he observed the red-haired man on the screen, his demeanor radiating an air of arrogance and danger.
