Three carriages advanced along the Royal Road.
They were elaborate. Black, with gold details. Neudämrung’s flags flew atop them.
The design was simple but powerful: a sword crossed with a rose. It symbolized strength and civilization.
First carriage: Kaito, Adelheid, Lilith.
Second: Naporia, Valeria, Aurelia.
Third: Drake and the honor guard — twenty select soldiers in ceremonial armor.
Not an army. But a statent.
Neudämrung arrives as an equal.
Kaito looked out the window.
He processed the landscape chanically.
Adelheid noticed.
"Nervous?"
"Not exactly. I’m processing variables."
"Four hundred dignitaries. Twelve major kingdoms. Dozens of minor ones."
"Alliances to form. Enemies to neutralize. Opportunities to identify."
Lilith smiled slightly.
"That’s nervousness. You just process it differently."
Kaito considered it.
Maybe she was right.
Adelheid touched his hand.
"We’ll be with you. Every mont."
"All five of us will project unity."
"We’ll show that Neudämrung is not the kingdom of one person."
"But of six."
Lilith added.
"And that intimidates. Because it’s unique."
"No other kingdom has such a structure."
Kaito nodded.
"Then, we’ll use that to our advantage."
---
One hour before reaching Vestria, the caravan stopped.
To allow for final preparations.
The five queens changed and dressed in their formal attire.
Specifically designed by Aurelia for diplomacy.
A fusion of Western formality with subtle Japanese touches.
Adelheid erged first.
Dress in deep blue and silver.
The design incorporated elents of her ceremonial armor — decorative plates on the shoulders, a belt reminiscent of a military sash.
But it was completely feminine.
Modest neckline. Long sleeves. A skirt that allowed movent.
Silver embroidery ford subtle tactical patterns — only visible up close.
Her hair, tied in an elaborate braid. A simple crown: a silver ribbon.
She projected: commander, but also legitimate queen.
Lilith was next.
Dark purple and gold.
Pure elegance.
Her dress was bolder than Adelheid’s — bare shoulders, a cut that accentuated her figure.
But it was still appropriate for diplomacy.
Gold embroidery snaked across the fabric like vines.
Her hair, loose, with gold ornants — small crystals that captured the light.
The rosary, hidden beneath her clothes, as always.
She projected: a dangerous diplomat beneath a veneer of beauty.
Naporia erged with visibly uncomfortable expression.
Bright red and black.
Controlled fierceness.
The design allowed movent — Aurelia knew Naporia wouldn’t tolerate total restriction.
Asymtrical cut. One long sleeve, one short. The skirt, with a side slit.
Black embroidery ford fla patterns.
Her hair, in a high ponytail, with a red ornant — a gem that glead like fire.
No crown. She had refused to wear one.
She projected: a warrior who could be civilized, if she so chose.
Valeria erged with her chanical precision.
Geotric silver.
The dress was a masterpiece of symtry.
Perfectly balanced patterns. Straight lines. Exact angles.
It reflected Valeria’s nature: the fusion of human and machine.
Her hair, which had grown longer since her conversation with Naporia and Kaito (according to her, to appear more human), was gathered in a complex braid. And truth be told, she looked... mathematically perfect.
No unnecessary ornants.
She projected: innovation. The synthesis of function and form.
Aurelia was last.
Experintal pink, with an explosion of colors.
Her dress defied any category.
It was a fusion of three different cultural styles that shouldn’t have worked together.
But they did.
Asymtrical. Multiple layers. Varied textures.
Her hair, in pigtails decorated with ornants that glittered — so were crystals, others, small chanical devices.
She projected: controlled chaos. Genius in its pure state.
The five, together.
An impressive visual spectacle.
Kaito looked at them.
He should feel pride. Deep admiration.
He processed: Optimal visual presentation. They project unified power.
But also — sothing small, distant — he felt sothing more.
Gratitude for having them.
Adelheid noticed his expression.
"What are you thinking?"
"That I’m intimidated, and rightfully so."
Naporia laughed.
"That’s the idea!"
---
Vestria — City Gates
The city appeared on the horizon.
Vestria, the continental capital.
Massive. Ancient. Breathtaking.
White walls twenty ters high. Towers on every corner. The palace, visible in the center — a structure that rivaled a mountain.
Guards at the gates — at least fifty — watched as the caravan approached.
The carriages passed a ceremonial inspection.
Then, they entered.
The streets were... full.
Thousands of citizens watched.
Nobles from other kingdoms had arrived days earlier.
Neudämrung was one of the last.
It was deliberate — Lilith had suggested a late arrival for maximum impact.
And it worked.
Murmurs spread as the carriages advanced.
"That’s Neudämrung."
"The new kingdom. The one that repelled three invasions."
"I heard it has five queens. All of them summoned ones."
"Five? How is that possible?"
"And look at their dresses. I’ve never seen such designs."
"An impossible beauty."
Nobles, on balconies, studied them.
Evaluated. Judged. Feared or admired.
Kaito observed everything.
Processed reactions chanically.
Admiration: 40%. Curiosity: 35%. Fear: 15%. Hostility: 10%.
Acceptable.
Adelheid whispered.
"They’re impressed."
"Good. That was the objective."
The carriages arrived at the palace.
Massive steps. Ceremonial guards in perfect formation.
And at the top of the stairs.
Queen Isolde of Vestria.
A woman in her fifties. Silver hair. White and gold dress. An elaborate crown.
Her presence commanded respect effortlessly.
Representatives from other kingdoms flanked her — all watching Neudämrung’s arrival.
The carriages stopped.
Drake stepped out first and opened the door.
Kaito descended.
He wore elegant armor, a fusion of dieval nobility with a cyberpunk aesthetic unknown to them.
A long black cape with gray fur collar.
Fitted black armor with tallic details and blue lights.
A bright red gem embedded in the chest.
Reinforced black gloves, technological style.
Dark tactical pants with knee protectors.
Combat boots.
An ornanted sword, sheathed at his waist.
A dark tal crown with bluish gems.
His presence was undeniable.
Then, the five queens.
Adelheid, first. Lilith, second. Naporia, third. Valeria, fourth. Aurelia, fifth.
A deliberate formation.
The order of summoning. The order of precedence.
They lined up beside Kaito.
A mont of absolute silence.
Everyone watched.
Six figures. United. Powerful.
Then, Isolde descended the steps.
With perfect grace. Every step, asured.
She reached Kaito.
Bowed slightly — the gesture of respect between equals.
"Lord Kaito Yukimura. Welco to Vestria."
Her voice was neutral, but it acknowledged his legitimacy.
Kaito returned the bow.
"Queen Isolde. Thank you for your hospitality."
Isolde looked at the five queens.
Her expression was impossible to read.
"And... your queens."
A deliberate pause.
Not disapproval. Not approval.
Just the acknowledgnt of a fact.
Kaito formally presented them.
"Allow to introduce them."
He pointed to each.
"Adelheid von Eisenberg. First Queen. Military Commander and Principal Strategist of Neudämrung."
Adelheid bowed. With perfect formality.
"Lilith I of Neudämrung. Second Queen. Diplomatic Councilor and Political Representative."
Lilith bowed with full seductive grace.
"Naporia Sang-de-Fer. Third Queen. Commander of Elite Forces and Champion of the Kingdom."
Naporia bowed less elegantly, but sincerely.
"Valeria. Fourth Queen. Defense Supervisor and Tactical Innovation."
Valeria bowed with perfect robotic precision.
"Aurelia Nobelford. Fifth Queen. Architect of Technological and Comrcial Developnt."
Aurelia bowed with energy she could barely contain.
Isolde studied each one.
Then, nodded.
"Welco. All of you."
She turned toward the palace.
"Co. The Gala begins in three hours. I’ll show you to your quarters."
She began ascending the steps.
Kaito and the five followed.
They were aware of the hundreds of eyes watching them.
Evaluating. Judging.
Murmurs spread.
"Five queens. Truly, five."
"And each projects a different kind of power."
"How much power does Neudämrung have, exactly?"
"Enough to be concerning."
But other murmurs were also heard.
More subtle.
Nobles observing Kaito specifically.
"There’s sothing... different about him."
"What?"
"I don’t know. Cold. Calculating."
"As if he processes everything on a different level than us."
"Dangerous?"
"Possible. Or maybe he’s just... efficient."
A subtle fear was sown.
Not because of military force.
But because of a leader who thought like a machine.
Who processed politics without emotion.
That was... unsettling.
---
Isolde guided them to a wing of the palace reserved for dignitaries.
A large suite — six connected rooms around a common area.
The luxury was evident, but not excessive.
"I hope it’s to your liking."
Kaito nodded.
"More than adequate. Thank you."
Isolde turned to leave.
But stopped.
Looked at Kaito.
"Lord Kaito. A personal question."
"Yes?"
"The five. Do you truly love them all?"
It wasn’t a question. It was an affirmation seeking confirmation.
Kaito processed it.
Honesty was, strategically, the optimal choice.
"Yes. In different ways. But yes."
Isolde nodded.
"Then it’s not sothing... convenient. Political."
"No. It’s real."
"Good."
She paused.
"Because if it were only political... you would be dangerous."
"But if it’s real... you are complicated."
"And complicated is... manageable."
She left without further explanation.
Left Kaito processing her words.
The five entered the common room.
Adelheid spoke first.
"That was... a success, I think."
Lilith nodded.
"Isolde acknowledged us. Publicly. That’s important."
Naporia dropped onto an armchair.
"I hate politics. I’d rather fight."
"This IS a fight," said Lilith. "Just with words."
Valeria observed the quarters logically.
"Strategic arrangent. The common room allows coordination. Separate rooms, privacy."
"Efficient."
Aurelia bounced from room to room.
"I choose THIS one! It has the best light for drawing!"
Kaito watched the interaction.
He should feel warmth. Familial affection.
He processed: The group functions cohesively. The dynamic is positive.
But also — sothing small, fragile — he felt sothing more.
Gratitude.
For not being alone in this.
Adelheid approached.
"Three hours until the Gala. Rest."
"I’m not tired."
"Lie. I see you processing constantly."
"It’s my function."
Adelheid caressed his cheek.
"Even functions need maintenance."
"Rest. Half an hour, at least."
Kaito yielded.
"Alright."
He withdrew to the room assigned to him.
Closed the door.
Lay down on the bed.
And tried to rest.
But his mind kept processing.
Variables. Probabilities. Strategies.
The Gala, tonight.
Avernor will be there.
Alliances to form.
Enemies to neutralize.
Everything reduced to equations.
When did I stop feeling politics?
When did it beco just... numbers?
He had no answer.
He only knew one thing.
The fifth summoning had fundantally changed him.
And the political storm ahead...
Would test whether he could still lead without his full humanity.
Or if he had beco sothing else.
Sothing cold.
Calculating.
Efficient.
But perhaps...
No longer entirely human.
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