After hearing the details of Irene's transaction, Caesar breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, it was just about her body, nothing else.
This wasn't resurrection but a reconstruction. The process would decompose and reshape Irene's dragon-like body back into a human one.
It wasn't simple, but with the Philosopher's Stone as the base material, it was possible.
Soon, Caesar and Irene finalized their deal.
However, Caesar wasn't going to let Irene use separation magic on Mirajane right away. He needed to test it first.
Their eyes turned toward Dimaria.
Cold sweat formed on Dimaria's forehead. As soon as time resumed, she vanished without hesitation.
With Dimaria gone, there was only one test subject left — Brandish.
She would be easy to catch.
After deciding, Caesar began the alchemy needed to transform Irene.
He drew an array and used magic crystals to stabilize Irene's power. Then he clapped his hands, and the alchemy began.
Few could endure the pain of being decomposed, but for Irene, this pain was nothing compared to what she had already suffered.
Standing inside the alchemy circle, she calmly watched her own body dissolve.
When only her head remained, Irene said, "Everything is up to you, Your Majesty."
Then her head disintegrated into dark liquid.
"I won't let you down," Caesar said.
The magic crystal dissolved, releasing pure energy to protect her power.
Caesar took a deep breath.
Human Body Refinement!
The Philosopher's Stone was consumed, and Irene's form began to reform within the black liquid.
Head, neck, torso, limbs — her body was remade in less than two minutes.
When Irene opened her eyes, she smiled softly. She hadn't felt human in centuries.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Irene said, kneeling on one knee.
Caesar nodded. He could tell Irene and August's loyalty had reached its limit.
If he gave the command, Irene might even turn against the Twelve Shields.
Only with such loyalty could Caesar allow her to help Mirajane.
But first, they needed a test — with Brandish.
Irene already understood this. Before Caesar could send anyone, she had already brought Brandish to him.
"What are you planning?" Brandish asked, frowning. "I was eating dessert!"
"A small experiment," Irene said with a smile. "One that might free you."
She waved her staff, and mud and sand bound Brandish's limbs, suspending her in midair.
"Hey! Wait! Can I refuse?!" Brandish cried.
"No," Caesar and Irene said together.
Brandish's eyes went wide with despair.
"Don't worry," Irene said. "If this works, you can be freed from the child inside you."
"Wait, what are you talking ab—Ah!"
Before Brandish could finish, Caesar gathered dark energy in his hand. Irene guided the destructive magic and directed it toward Brandish.
The moment it clashed with the divinity within her, Brandish screamed.
"Acupuncture point for sleep," Caesar said softly, striking her and knocking her unconscious.
Irene smirked. "Your Majesty is unexpectedly gentle. Is that your casual romance showing?"
Caesar glanced at her. "Maybe a little."
He then added, "If your new body hadn't been remade, you might have been next."
"It's an honor," Irene replied, smiling faintly. She lifted her staff. "Separation!"
The fetus within Brandish's womb couldn't resist Caesar's overwhelming god-slaying magic. Its divine power weakened, allowing Irene to pull it out.
But then, the divine essence suddenly merged into Brandish's body.
Both Caesar and Irene froze.
"Can it even do that?" Caesar muttered.
"Try again," he ordered.
Irene nodded and cast the spell once more, but this time Brandish's own magic began to surge and counter Caesar's power, canceling it out.
If they continued, her magic would be drained completely.
Seeing this, Caesar and Irene exchanged glances and stopped.
"Bring Dimaria here," Caesar said.
Irene nodded and vanished. Moments later, she returned with Dimaria.
Dimaria looked at the unconscious Brandish and frowned. She could sense the divine energy had split half within Brandish, half still inside the fetus.
"I've never seen this before," Dimaria said slowly. "But with half the divinity transferred, the remaining child shouldn't harm Brandish."
"So, it's solved?" Caesar asked with relief.
As long as Brandish was safe, that was enough for him.