"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: September 646 AU
Location: Skies of Convalis Tenebrea, Regalian Autarchy.
POV: Meredith Walter
Stirring awake from my sleep, I gaze towards the arm pointing at 4 A.M. I was ordered to rest by Lady Cylene, citing that she doesn’t want to witness her Head Maid and Commander of the Pace’s security detachment showing signs of fatigue. It is undoubtedly a new experience, but duty calls, and I feel restless otherwise.
After finishing up with my morning bath, I prepare for the day. The sandwich that I had made yesterday can be preheated or consumed immediately. Pace staff usually bunked together in a set of 4 or 6 to create a combat-effective fireteam. Each room was equipped with an armory and a small long-range radio to allow flexibility in times of crisis.
I, being one of the higher-ranking staff, was afforded a much better accommodation. Enough about that, however, I need to move fast.
First, I don my body armor and Kevr over my general combat fatigue. We were given bck uniforms to be immediately noticeable, bck is poor for camoufge, and that is the point. Next, I ironed out the maid uniform swiftly and pced it on the bed. Then, I deal with my TO&E, a revolver pced on my harness, top right. Knee-length dagger that can be strapped onto my boots, and an SMG with 5 magazines. Mind you, these will be pced in a briefcase and will be handed over for ter.
After I had finished dressing and applying makeup, I exited the room. It brings me to a hallway that is mostly made of steel and polymerized materials. Where am I? One of the few still functioning Sky Citadels.
Walking through the corridor, I head towards the middle part of the pne on the second level. This aircraft is the first Sky Citadel, a gargantuan aircraft and transport. Regalia officially only has 2 of these behemoths, with the second one relegated to complete military use. This miracle of engineering has three floors, with the second being the most heavily protected. The truth is murkier, though.
This one was formally recognized and designated as an Aerial Mobile Base and Combat Information Center. Other variants are either Joint Tactical Command and Combat Information Center, or Theatre Combat Support and Strategic Weapons Ptform, recently deployed to cleanse abomination off our new colonies in the east. All Sky Citadels will suffer a hard time nding due to the scarcity of runways capable of supporting its gargantuan size… so how do they nd? VTOL technology. This is an engineering miracle gained from our many ventures to the south,
Here I am, once a mere and forgettable maid or soldier. Now I have the ears of one who can dictate that the color white is bck. It feels surreal that my meteoric rise has yet to cause problems… Anyway.
The aircraft is divided into several cabins, rooms, and facilities, including a gym and entertainment section, each pced strategically to ensure Her Grace’s safety and comfort to the highest degree. I came face-to-face with fellow staff and Grasdivis patrolling the corridor. The darkened sky could be seen from the cracks amongst the curtains.
There are noticeable shakes and drumming of thunder outside; autumn rain that would have been a grim reminder of what is to come back in the old world. Thankfully, we might be looking forward to our second winter that has done away with any dimensional storms. Such as the infamous acidic thunderstorm, and that’s why normal rain is something worth being grateful for.
Additionally, SIEZ's spatial thunderstorm of its weakest level was 10 times more vicious, admittedly providing earlier deterrence before NIIO’s remembered how to use their brains, along with small cracks in reality where interdimensional creatures spilled forth to ambush unfortunate flyers. Here? There has yet to be such a thing.
Sky Citadel for Her Grace use has been turned into a much formidable and rger version. While there are concerns that a missile saturation strike would bring it down, it has been armed to ensure 360 degrees of awareness. Such a possibility is miniscule, but it would only take a seemingly inconsequential mistake to compromise her safety.
The cargo hold could carry an entire mechanized battalion on itself, and its nuclear generator guarantees eversting use. Its creation has yet to be understood, and presumably only the Grand Autarch and her Elder kinsmen understand its secrets. There have been rumors that Lady Cylene allowed dissection and scraping of super weapons to understand their inner mechanism and forcefully revolutionize our technological level.
‘I wonder if I would be allowed to have such high-level information. Hmm… forget it, secrets concern me not.’ The Grand Autarch’s office and bedchamber is soon within sight; hers was positioned between a pair of cabins on each side facing the corridor and was guarded by her bodyguards and agents. Every corridor and walls leading to her are positioned so that it could turn into a fortress if it were ever breached and hijacked.
The corridor was decorated with statues, paintings, and many such artworks. There was even a painting from a thousand years ago still well-preserved. It depicted the face of a person screaming, with the skies lit up with a hazardous image. Perhaps it depicted days of old? Fascinating as it was, soon I heard footsteps. A pair of her agents approached me while I was busy daydreaming about time I could scarcely understand. That means my destination is within sight.
Adorned with nary a sigil or symbol of ranks, affiliation, status, or anything to mark individuality, they are just a nondescript soldier garbed in trench coats and hidden by a featureless, except for a pair of eye sockets, ballistic mask that gave an illusion of being grafted and secured upon their face.
One could mistake them as a mannequin for how rarely they moved, their carbine positioning on the same angle and nigh-picture-perfect copy gave mere credence. They share simirity in height and neither overtly masculine nor feminine, neither muscur nor thin, they are entirely unimpressive compared to the intimidating stature of a regur Grasdivi.
[Security protocol and ID check.] Cold, practical, and impersonal, those are the core tenets of their group. The second agent took my baggage, and they headed to the room on the side where they will judge what I will or will not need during my duty.
Certainly doesn’t go in their favor when all Grasdivis is already cking distinction, even more so for her agents. A homogenous force to be used, discarded, repced, and repeated ad infinitum with little fvor for firs and fws.
I complied with their order, and another agent stepped out from the shadows to perform body checks. Not long after, one more arrived with a syringe and inserted it into my blood vessel. A device was attached to it through a cable for identification, a very tight measure of security. I still could not discern their expression, and the fact that their hands never left their weapon made it clear how much they take their role seriously.
Once the body checks and identifications are finished, the device on their hands came alive with a soft beeping noise. The one in charge of it nodded, and they all stepped aside or returned to their posts. The one that stopped me opened the door to her bedchamber, another series of complicated passwords, and soon I was inside.
There she is… completely disregarding her own words.
“Lady Cylene…” My dy briefly gnced up from her document, but never did she stop processing them. There are many such papers stacked on her desk, a nearby table that was supposed to be used for guests, and even the floor. Her solitary, ceaseless work is being accompanied by printers with encrypted files (I do not know sent from where and I’m happy to be ignorant about it), mechanically adding more burden to be solved.
“My Lady, it is a poor choice to be up all night. Your personal Doctor had strongly advised you from spending more than 20 hours a day being awake. At the barest minimum, please lie down and rest.”
“Matters requiring my attention take precedence; I could not have peace of mind otherwise.” Her fingers clutched the pen with practiced motion, monotonous and equally mechanical. It is beyond my understanding how she has yet to suffer muscle cramps by now, or that’s one of her Elder physiology’s privileges.
“Then, as your Head Maid, I must remind you of a simple fact: please take care of yourself first and foremost. No one would fault you for resti-”
“Wrong, no one dared. Now fetch that document on the table, with the Ministry of Agriculture as the sender. I pced it on the fourth row from the left, positioned closer to the middle. Try to find a paper with a thin green border on its sides.”
“By your will.” Fetching her document, I briefly scanned it through, and the content was reports on how despite Tenebrae Continent becoming temperate, millennia of being buried under snow and pollution from SIEZ made it non-arable, so little had changed on that part. Our scientists are stumped on why, but they are confident that not all is negative.
Then I realized I had been doing something I shouldn’t. Taking my eyes off the paper, her shrouded gaze could be felt boring into me.
“P-Pardon me, Your Grace.”
“If you’re remorseful, then let me process it now, each second wasted meant more work left unfinished.” Her reprimanding tone was as harsh as ever, but it cked the edge and sharpness she usually exhibited. I promptly pced it on her desk. Lady Cylene took the document, checking and comparing it with one she had taken from the pile. The fact that she precisely took what she needed made me think I’m not necessary at all.
“Good, now brew me a coffee and make a batch of sandwiches.” Did she notice my distress? How did she do that?
“Understood, any specifics you wish to add, my dy?” Wait, I should have kept trying to get her to rest. What are you doing, Edith?
‘Ah… I’ll just… head her command, and try again after this.’
“Sandwiches’ filling mattered little. For the coffee, make it as bitter as possible, and scalding hot on the tongue.” I was about to object to the st part, but her small knit on the brows made it a point of no negotiation. Bowing my head once more, I truly started the day with a simple serving, while I did so, she spoke through the phone line loud enough for me to hear.
“Yes, Autarch Raymond? … The matter regarding the rebels could be handled by each respective Autarchies… Yes… Yes… I have no qualms if you wish to use them for… hmm…? Educational policy? Edward… I see your point, and dare wager Shie would too…” From the corner of my eye, I could see her reclining back on the seat, her expression had yet to change.
“RAIO had assured me that it is doable… yes, the facility has been built… other options? Oh… I see, please continue… Joint enterprise and change in policy would certainly be an intriguing experiment… problem being?” I tried my best to ignore her conversation, but it felt like she deliberately raised her voice.
“Weapon manufacturers are always a fickle bunch… What have I done to them? The usual… Can you? … Hmm… Mhm… Now that’s pleasant news… very well, I see merits in your pn… Yes, you can cim my support at the next assembly. Good morning to you too…” I finished making her sandwich just in time for her to put the phone down.
“Expin yourself… Didn’t I tell you that your duty only begins at the pre-set time? Last I recalled my Head Maid was neither a deaf dyslexic nor was she a mute moron.” Ah, there it is, she is back to being a sharp-tongued woman. She had started to lower her leader persona, and I’m left to work with this. A rather foul-mouthed and insensitive workaholic.
“Let me borrow your words, Your Grace. I could not have peace of mind knowing my one and only dy pulled so many all-nighters. Disregarding her health and risking more than just herself.”
“Hmph, I’m not so brittle that keeping up a whole month would make me colpse.” I could not refute her words using that incident, she would be furious and only double down on her self-destructive drive.
“Indeed, no one would deny that you’re possibly one of a kind.” My Lady raised her brows, the gesture would have been endearing if it were anyone else.
“And the st of my people in this new world… return and rest. That’s an order.”
“I could not, in good faith, follow such an order.” I could feel how the temperature fell. Her hand clutching the pen turned tighter while the other was rapping its fingers on her desk.
“… Did I hear someone defying my command? Strange, that never happened… surely, you would agree?”
“There was indeed a moron who defied your command, My Lady.” I see one of her eyes open; a half-lidded stare of either boredom or condemnation.
“Hmm… perchance you know who it was?” Swallowing the gnawing fear, my station demands my utmost professionalism and care of the one who stood atop the hierarchy of our Autarchy.
“A lucky girl who has her dream come true, and more. She is gd to do her utmost as befits her idea of how to serve someone she had rarely dared to even entertain. For the foolish girl’s rationale, her object of affection is worth sacrificing every fiber in her body.”
“Interesting… What would the girl do when her object of affection is so far up, as in being a monarch, for example, yet she dared to voice anything but obedience? Who knows her insubordination shall hamper whatever was desired of her?”
“That means she has all the rights and opportunities to be so brazen. If you would be so generous, please allow me to offer an insolent opinion… Why did the Monarch’s own Knights allow a lowly maidservant to speak so out of turn for so long? More damningly, only a jester could do so.”
“…”
“…”
“Keep running your mouth like that and I might send you abroad to accompany the expeditionary force…, hah… Fine.” Letting out the breath I unknowingly held, Her Grace promptly set her pen and paperwork on the table.
She left her chair and walked to the adjacent bedroom, of course, she didn’t forget to bring her sandwich and coffee along with some of the more sensitive documents, from the looks of it. I tried to escort and carry her documents for her, but she disregarded me entirely.
“Remember to wake me up in 3 hours.”
“I’m afraid 5 hours would be the most optimal and healthiest duration that should be a banced compromise. Doctor Karel would be beside himself with worry otherwise.”
“… The nerve of you to keep talking back to me.” To that I can only smile sincerely and answer truthfully the best I humanly can.
“There are many people like me, Your Grace. So many people are ready to take my pce to serve you… but there is only one of you we wish to serve. Please, I, and by extension Your Grace’s new potential head maids, shall never spare any second thoughts of their own unless yours are satisfied first.”
“… Tsk.” She clicked her tongue from my… admittedly… outrageously brazen words. I would attest, however, that I meant every sylble I had spoken. Her Grace said nothing else but headed inside her bedroom, and now I’m free to do my clerical tasks.
“I should start with cataloguing them and then clean up the dust gathering up… Goodness me, what an organized pile of mess…” So with the work desk free of its occupant, I immediately tidy up her workspace first before anything else. It looks messy, but everything she needs was grouped easily enough for expedited cleaning. This will be another fulfilling day as my actual job description would suggest.
While working, I remember my previous musing about meteoric rise.
‘Good job for painting the target on your back, Edith… whatever, if I die, I die. No parents, no siblings… just a candidate for transfer to Grasdivi…’
Location: Nova Eureka, Western Regalian Control Zone.
POV: Narrator
“First, I wish to convey my utmost gratitude for your generosity, Sir Neumann. and my retainers are greatly indebted to you, and to Regalia.” Narina interpreted her liege’s words, her intonation and tone had matured most excellently to weave Intercontinental into standard Regalian. Her tenure as an adventurer, scribe, and explorer between continents proves to be a priceless boon far outstripping her magical prowess at this exact moment.
“Your gratitude was most welcome, Your Majesty. It is only right for us to extend a helping hand, especially when we witnessed such atrocities committed by those beasts.” Curiously, it is the Fleshmancer herself who transted Neumann’s words.
Dona is beside Neumann in case Narina spoke an entirely different meaning, otherwise, she kept to herself and noted down their conversation for record keeping along with the audio recording. This is one of many standard Autarchy’s protocols to never shy away from utilizing redundancy whenever possible.
“Second, let me introduce the newest addition to my Royal Retinue, he is Lord Commander Gallenor Vi Roselle. A tutor of swordsmanship and the First Lord of the Inner Pace.” The old knight bowed graciously, not at all bothered to do so. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that putting aside his pride would be the best way to gain a favorable impression in this uncertain time.
“My pleasure to meet you, Sir Neumann. I’m truly indebted to your generosity in providing refuge and shelter amidst these unforgiving seas. I must say, everything I had seen felt like I had stepped into another world entirely.”
“No need to bow, Lord Roselle. It was merely the correct course of action, and I thank you for your kind words.”
“Please, just call me Gallenor. That is but one of many graces I wish to convey.”
“Very well, Sir Gallenor. Once again, I welcome you and your men to Eureka. This is the westernmost region of my nation, and thus we hope to foster a beneficial retionship with our neighbors.” Getting things up to speed, Neumann immediately gets to the point.
“Could you expin why His Majesty embarked upon such a journey? From what I could understand, this is a perilous sea wrought with danger.” Neuman starts off the discussion with simple questions. He has hypotheses based on the spy pnes and satellites' findings, but he would rather compare notes with subjective opinions first.
“It was due to a war with a neighboring country, the then Kingdom of Acadion, now known as the Empire of Halciadon, that had id waste to our Kingdom. We had managed an alliance with the remaining northern city-states; the others had been put to heel faster than we could anticipate. Tarantian Freehold had been a staunch ally, along with the rest of the free nations. As, tragedy struck not by the bde in front of us, but by a knife coming from the back.”
Zorphal stopped speaking; his mind still could not reconcile the two conflicting images of Ionie. Then again, he was there when she committed a harsh transgression of both w and familial fealty.
“Princess Ionie, the 2nd Princess of the Kingdom of Arganea, had sin the King, the Crown Prince, and his twin sister, along with many loyal kingdom nobles. Ionie had committed the most grievous kinsying in our history. She had betrayed her country by letting forth a contingent of Acadionan inside the Pace. I have no idea how she could have done such a feat, but she was seen standing with Imperial Prince Darelio, the brother of Emperor Haumelchor Halciadon, the then Crown Prince Dzargo Acadion, discussing surrender terms.”
“A coup or a desperate gambit to save the kingdom? Admirable if we disregarded how it was done with treachery. Regalia has a very limited fondness for traitors, which you can be sure of.”
“Then I will say that your nation’s attitude is a welcome one. Until this very day, I’m not sure about the reasoning of my Older Sister’s treachery.”
“How so?”
“She was unlike herself. Rarely has she ever shown any notions of wanting anything other than championing for peace.” The Lady Knightess on the Exiled King’s side has her lips pursed tight, and it wasn’t hard for Neumann to notice the rage shimmering beneath that stoic mask. Zorphal then went on to expin how her sister had advocated for more civil reforms and showed abject revulsion at military matters. There was a time she travelled alone to broker peace and succeeded. Either she is one hell of an actor or there are other motives behind her.
“I lost consciousness due to assassins hiding in the dark. I was about to pass into the next world, if not for my loyal Knight, Luanaya, who protected me. That was the reason why my clothes were dyed in blood, you see.”
“That certainly answered the reason… but why bother running this far in this direction?” His suspicious tone made the room’s temperature a notch colder.
“Shouldn’t the Prince have headed the opposite direction? From your admission, there shouldn’t be anything here but certain death… except that he was meant to be distanced from something or someone?” Luanaya spoke up in Zorphal’s stead, her father gred at her discourteous conduct, but her King didn’t mind it.
“That was what it was supposed to be, but Ionie had earned the loyalty of northern states. We were trapped, intercepted, and barely surviving by the skin of our teeth. We were forced to make a break east, to Zorphal’s legally owned nd. We scrapped all resources we had, and requisitioned ships not meant for wars…” She sighed.
“Our ordinary goal was to somehow circumvent the blockade, but we met what appears to be a group of highly trained soldiers riding upon Wyverns rger than our own. Those beasts intimidated the finest breed we had cultivated for generations, making outright mockery of our zeal. They prevented us from sailing either northwest or straight north, with Imperial Navy on our heels, we ran out of time.”
“Are there any other information you are willing to share?”
“These bigger Wyvern Riders briefly engaged my Royal Knights, even when outnumbered. I had grown desperate and… and it was merely luck that the naval confusion allowed us to slip past the blockade… but not without sacrifice…”
Luanaya shivered from the memory.
“I lost my Royal Wyvern Knights to break through the blockade… if it weren’t for Lady Baroness, I would have been made a knightly fishfeed…” Her joke rang hollow, and Gallenor let up from admonishing her further.
“My condolences, but it made the situation all the more puzzling. There appear to be more and more actors behind the scenes. This war had been id upon many yers of deception…”
His question made the Silver-haired Royal Knightess uncomfortable, and the Exiled King cmmed up, but the Eurekan Autarch kept his mouth shut patiently. Sensing this diplomatic mistake, Gallenor signaled Narina to transte for him. She asks for the Exiled King’s permission, and he grants it.
“If I may be so bold, Autarch Neumann, Acadion had every intention to expand… was not something that was strictly true to form. Their previous monarch was an affable and reasonable man, but he soon died of old age.”
“Truly now? It might be te to say this, but we need to verify the veracity of such cims.”
“That is never going to be a problem, for I believe you too shall come to the same conclusion.”
“Very well, please continue.”
“How versed are you in the matter of divination?” He rapped his fingers on his chair while tinkering on. Neumann takes his time in how to put into words such a delicate but outndish topic.
“I could not gauge its veracity simply because I could only judge such abstract knowledge in hindsight. Only the Grand Autarch has such an otherworldly foresight. Compared to the one who ruled over a vast nd of Regalia, you would find me sorely cking.” Gallenor had learnt a little bit about Regalia, so he didn’t question who this Grand Autarch is. For now, at least.
“Then what if I tell you that there was a prophecy just a year ago? It was uttered by a self-procimed soothsayer, at least that’s what we learned from our spies.”
“Could you eborate?”
“It was a prophecy that most of us thought to be nothing more than hogwash. However, the Emperor of Halciadon thinks otherwise and began his continental campaign for conquest. The Halcian Emperor procimed that the soothsayer was to be his divine guide. We have never seen this soothsayer, only knowing that they exist.”
“How could this soothsayer gain so much influence, and where are they?”
“They cimed a lineage to the first settler and have been guiding the nd towards a better future. However, somewhere down the line, the family had branches off and many cimed the title as the best diviners in the nd, but they too soon fell out of favor in many courts. Their divinations were deemed tainted and inaccurate, thus, they were hunted down as heretics and erased from the record.”
“Then I presume that this record was dubious at best, and none takes them seriously except for Dzargo Acadion?” Gallenor nodded at that question. Neumann’s expression turned pensive and contemptive.
‘This whole war is confusing, and I must report this to Her Grace. The potential existence of shadowy groups would not bode well for our pns. Better it turns out to be a baseless joke before an unwanted incident occurs. Of course, if it’s wrong, that just means we could use it to Regalia’s advantage.’
“Then can you tell me about your Kingdom’s fate?” Gallenor smiled bitterly. He could try to hide it, but something tells him that lying and hiding too many secrets would be their undoing. He eyes his liege, who solemnly closes his eyes at the Old Commander’s non-verbal question.
“Truthfully, the Kingdom is more or less finished as an independent state. Yet I believe that Lady Narina’s steadfast son is leading the resistance on our st foothold. An isnd separated from the mainnd, a once vibrant port city turned into a destitute province. They could hold for now… was my hope.”
“I see… the continuation of said prophecy?”
“It was foretold that those who could unite Helicar shall open a gateway to prosperity and riches once thought impossible. Advancement and greatness that would rival the fabled empires far west will be bequeathed upon us. It foretold a time where, through upheaval, an era shall change. Then another facet would be that the one who did so shall be immortalized and remembered for eternity.”
“An awfully vague prophecy, don’t you think? Such as a gateway to prosperity, but on what terms?”
“Indeed, that much should have made anyone think thrice to even entertain, but not for Dzargo. As much as I loathe to admit, I remembered his old self, my daughter could not stop admiring him.” Luanaya stared hard at the floor when her father’s tone took a harsh turn.
“I could not for the life of me understand what made him believe such a thing. It was like he was chasing after something, searching for validation despite being hailed as the best general on the continent. He had vanquished a nest of wyvern at the age of 15 with his brilliance and id down a path for peace at 28… yet he changed 3 years ter. How absurd…”
“So a great prodigy slipping into a madman? I can’t say I’m surprised that someone so young and accomplished would be corrupted by their achievement…” The Ex-Air Marshal shook his head as he said so.
“It doesn’t change the fact that this Empire employed a truly harsh stance on how to conquer. After learning the reports of what they had done to defenseless folks, our view has grown negative. Your cim on them being headed by a madman certainly helps your case on the matter.” Neumann’s tone turned rexed once more.
“You have made your circumstances understandable. Although, as you might have seen, utilizing my standing army would be out of the question without our senate’s consent.” Zorphal could see his subjects’ hope growing dim, but he must still try.
“That is unfortunate, but if I may be so bold… could you spare us material help in the meantime? Weapons or armor perhaps?”
“Hmm… I suppose granting your people the opportunity for training and familiarization on our equipment would be easier to expin. As an Autarch, I have the opportunity to act independently as long as state assets aren’t concerned.” Having the Regalian support is tempting as is, he had seen how well they could annihite what is essentially a backward nation by their standard.
One problem: no such thing as free gifts when statesmanship is concerned.
“What are you expecting in recompense for this generous donation of yours?”
“I would be interested to ratify a non-aggression pact and written admission of Regalian sovereignty, being an absolute cuse regarding ownership of Eurekan Archipego, although…”
“Although?”
“I do not wish for our existence to be a widespread news for a moment.” His request bewildered the Arganean.
“May I ask why?”
“As a preface, the existence of a foreign entity on a once deserted ocean would put doubt on your legitimacy. It shall also bring with it the unnecessary attraction that will shake the regional bance of power.”
“How are we supposed to expin your support then?”
“You would be interested, don’t you?” Neumann smiled at his query.
‘We would discuss it ter, isn’t it?’ Luanaya is no stranger to Royal Court intrigue, and the fact that Regalia has the upper on the negotiation gives them a badly limited room to bargain.
“Non-aggression and admission of sovereignty is a natural consequence of partnership between foreign entities, and your request, while puzzling, is not detrimental to us. Your demand is acceptable.”
“Pleased to hear it.”
“The second one?”
“Legality upon offshore mining and subsequent rights to accommodate the stationing of guards.”
“Off…shore?”
“To prospect resources across the coast, ocean, and to turn a profit from them.”
“… We never knew such a mining to be possible. Then I duly apologize for being blunt, but would you not be interested in Gold, Silver, and even Diamond? If we take into account the materials you would offer us, it is only a fair proposition.”
“A healthy skepticism is understandable, but I assure you, we have little interest in such luxuries. Eureka, and by extension Regalia, focused on natural resources and ready-made goods for trades.”
They stare at him dubiously. The Arganean are willing to trade some of their mines’ operations, but what could Regalia gain from this offshore mining? Regardless, if that’s what they want, then Arganea has little to lose, and better left to let the sleeping dogs lie.
The second part is a different story.
“Hmm… regarding guards, could you kindly eborate?”
We have an interest in keeping our investment intact, and there was no way to undermine the local government. Taking into account that our area of operation shall be separated from the mainnd, for the most part, so I think it’s fair.” It is a critical junction; it is one thing to allow guards armed with swords and bows, but theirs are clearly above that. Then again, it could work as a way to curry favor and familiarize with them.
“As long as said guards are not too heavily armed, I see your concern as legitimate… anything else?”
“Tax exemption would be a nice addition. Although reduction and rights to conduct free trade are something we found very desirable as well.”
“Regarding tax exemption, the most we could offer would be a grace period of 10 years, and could you please eborate upon free trade? Forgive me for not understanding your intent since trade had become a rather complicated topic to discuss even amongst Helicarians.”
“Quite simply put, it is a right to trade; buy or sell, with minimal government interference. I do understand that it might be a foreign concept, and thus we could discuss it on a ter date. Regardless, I need to make my stand clear.” Neumann straightened up his posture, and his previous businesslike air was reinforced with that of a military man.
“How much you offer shall correspond to how much I’m willing to donate to your cause; what I’m promising is a personal investment. Then I need to make it clear, if you did ratify a binding agreement with my nation as a whole, Regalia treats promises very seriously.”
“… I understand, are there other interests Eureka wishes to pursue?”
“I wish to examine our continued prospects. The situation you had painted to me was less assuring to be perfectly candid, and thus I wish to explore options after the war was won.” His words would have been taken as arrogance, but his serious expression is anything but making light of their predicament.
The Exiled King nodded and turned to his loyal retainers. After discussing it with them, Zorphal agreed to those terms with the matter of Free Trade being on hold. His ties to the crown alert him to something else, though. It was not malicious, but it was not wholly positive either. Gathering his courage, he speaks carefully.
“No words of gratitude could be comparable to your generosity, it was beyond anything I could hope for. Although… judging by your expression and interest in Helicar, you have another offer in mind?”
“An astute observation.” Neumann was surprised seeing his initiative. He smiles warmly, but his words contradict the warmth he utters.
Narina transted that ray of hope, and the Arganean’s expression turns into a conflicting sourness and perhaps division amongst themselves. Neumann merely looked at the clock on the wall and noticed it was time for a break. The Arganean and Regalian left the room to reconvene after an hour.
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“With all due respect, Your Majesty, we could not afford the inclusion of foreign mercenaries. It had been a dangerous stretch on our sovereignty by providing entry for armed guards to safeguard their projected shore or something mining… whether that’s even possible is not the problem.” Narina constructed a noise-deterrent barrier silently to prevent anyone from eavesdropping. Strangely enough, the barrier is transparent.
Regalian monitors were surprised when no sound could be picked up by their instruments, but the video is enough for, admittedly arduous, lip reading ter. This is still within their expected scenario, and a good insight into how magic works. They had seen myriads of mysticism as a common part in handling SIEZ-reted problems, this much is just extra legwork if not considered distasteful by the general popuce.
Back on the Court Mage, Narina could only focus on maintaining it while the Exiled King nursed his headache in between the remaining two. Gallenor and Luanaya had taken a divergent path on how to proceed.
“It is a tempting and sensible proposal.”
“Father, how could you? Didn’t you say it yourself years ago, mercenaries are the most unstable choice one could have? It is one thing if it’s Helicarian, but we are not talking about a force that we could put down with ease in case they go rogue. These people could be leagues above those so-called Superpowers far to the west. We are inviting potential occupiers!”
He was surprised to hear her so set against him. He scarcely recalled a time she was ever disagreeing with utilizing the most optimal way. She used to be colder than him; it appears that betrayal had broken something inside her.
“Then how are you going to solve the manpower issue? After including His Majesty’s retinues and those who pledged themselves to his cause, we barely have enough to form 6 banners in this isnd. I would not deny possibilities, but do we even have alternative and drastic recourse?”
“And let what could be a pack of warhound ravaging the countryside? It would damage His Majesty's legitimacy, and we could not afford that. The noble circles could still breed like the pests they are, but the moment our people cry for our blood, we are done for.”
“I would not suffer a daughter of mine to resort to such belittling words for mere frustration. You’re arguing on the assumption that our people would willingly welcome us? Remember, Princess Ionie still has her supporters. What are we going to do with them?”
“Did you just insinuate we should forgive them?! They are a bunch of opportunists; snakes and rats all of them! She sold the Kingdom, her people, and even her family! She is the Kinsyer and Queen of Traitors! I would not be surprised if she adopts dark arts to sustain her rule.”
“Reign down your hateful tirade, as wretched as it sounds, no amount of arrogance could deny that Ionie should have commoners behind her. Especially those coming from the North and East. Listen, ruling a nation requires compromise, and we cked capable personnel to withstand another round of purging.”
“What message are we trying to convey here? That the commoners’ blood meant nothing compared to those who reigned above them? Nations endured through spilling their blood, and their rewards would be a useless statue and empty ptitudes? What manner of guarantee do we have that they would not go rabid?”
“I said careful with what you’re saying, and do not put words in my mouth. I’m merely implying that purging the entire upper echelon would bring about an administrative colpse, we need to make sacrifices.” Luanaya bit back her angry retort. Her emotion is getting pushed back by logic, and thus she settled down on her chair. Her palms cradling her face while the rest continue.
“Old Friend, do you have anything you wish to add?”
“I’m unsure. Although a proposal of his was not something to be taken lightly, it was too much to pass on.”
“So you’re in favor?”
“Not necessarily but… hmm…” Narina tried to keep her mana flow stable to maintain the barrier. Fortunately, the small size meant it wouldn’t tax her as much, but holding a conversation while keeping the chants inside her mind is mentally demanding.
“These people are mighty, and even a single flick of their finger could flip the bance of power. It would be in our best interest to finish the war as rapidly as possible.” Narina was about to eborate further when the Knightess muffled voice could be heard.
“Choosing a rapid approach equates to taking drastic measures against everything in our path? Ridiculous…” Gallenor looks on pityingly at his daughter’s trampled spirit. The exuberant, charismatic, and proud girl is no more; all he sees is just an exhausted Knight wallowing in guilt and shame. She cast a gnce, and that grimace was only reinforced.
“I know, Father, I know… Regalian’s raw might and expertise in warfare are beyond our comprehension, but no one could march on an empty stomach. Soldiers could be trained to have a sembnce of decorum… mercenaries…” The white haired knight lifted her head while tousling her silvery locks.
‘If we go by analogy of soldiers being considered well-trained guard dogs and hawks, then mercenaries are ravenous hounds and vultures; a locust of its right. They would care little for colteral as long as the goal is achieved.’ Even in her distress, Luanaya kept those unreserved words roaring inside her mind. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the Regalian are listening.
“You make a poor diplomat.” Frustratingly, her facial expression is child’s py for the Old Commander to read.
“Unfortunate, you’re stuck with me… guess you would prefer Elder Brother here, am I wrong?”
“Enough, you have stated your opinions clearly.” Zorphal straightened up in his seat. He understands that their opinion are rooted in logical problems, but he must make a gamble on which problem requires utmost attention. The answer is pin, and he spoke with authority befitting his station.
“We shall ask for Regalian Mercenaries to fight our wars.” Luanaya scrunched her face in bitter disgust. Sensing her unspoken objection, Zorphal immediately exercised his budding statesmanship.
“At least to the point where we could carry on the war ourselves. Ionie has her supporter, and I do not have such luxury. What I do have are people who had come to hate her, the nobles who were stripped of their powers, and General Raegova’s Crown Loyalists.” He turned to Luanaya.
“I’ll admit, your worry is critical to our cause. The people are tired of the war, and they would most likely fault me for continuing. However, we still have those Imperials roaming our nd to enact their ws and enforce their model of rule and order; between me and them, it is clear who our people would hate more.”
“His Majesty is correct, Lady Luanaya. Even a grace period until spring and then summer would not be enough for us to prepare the necessary armaments and training usable conscripts, it would be an uphill battle.” Luanaya said nothing but a disgruntled sigh.
“If you wish to state your objection, speak now,” Zorphal spoke to all three present.
“…” Gallenor nodded solemnly. He is gd that the young king could be reasonable about their predicament. He gazes towards his swords pced near the doorway, silently standing vigil. He senses the arcane light to be dimming, but it does not fade.
“…” Luanaya wanted to challenge him, but her love for the crown and her liege succeeded in forcibly muting whatever misgivings she had left. Be that as it may, her palm crumpled through her steel gauntlet. Steel nails sank into her skin and drew a few drops of blood, she vowed to see Ionie’s treachery put to the bde for the sin oath-bound brothers and sisters.
“We are ready to follow you to the depths of the underworld, King Zorphal Xel Arganea. May the Crown bless us, and may the Thrice Blessed Heaven hear our pleas.” Narina dropped the barrier and bowed her head, followed by the other 2. She is gd that the boy she had taught the finer and uglier side of the world matured well, even if it pains her just as much.
“My deepest gratitude, my loyal retainers. I shall personally implore Lord- no, Autarch Neumann to have his men ready the moment the very first fke of snow thaws. This is but one of many steps we shall tread to liberate our home.”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is going to be a tad busier. I have an internship of sorts coming up soon, so… welp, update gonna be spotty.
It is a not-so-simple mingling and trying to feel each other’s motives; this back and forth is frustrating, I know. Logically, though, caution is often more warranted than honesty when millions are at stake.
One banner = 80 Men-at-Arms, an Arganean term for how many soldiers the lowest-ranking nobility, Baronet, must muster in times of war. The banner also worked as a rallying point, signal, and how to arrange their formation. Losing a banner is not only morally devastating but also tactically detrimental.
Update as whatever, whenever, wherever.
Ciao
