Chapter 4: During the Gaudy Banquet
1st month, 1553rd year, Continental Calendar
Hahhh!
Too soft!
Two n were fighting with sword and spears on the deck of the island carrier Hiryuu. One was the captain, Castor, and the other was the Red Oni: commander of the Dratroopers, Halbert Magna.
As Halbert swung his two spears one after the other, Castor parried with the sword he held in one hand, summoning flas in his other to slam into Halbert. Sotis Halbert dodged those flas. Other tis he deflected them as he looked for a chance to strike the decisive blow. Both combatants used fire-type magic, but as a dragonewt, Castors was more powerful. Understanding the disadvantage hed have in a long-range fight, Halbert was desperate not to let Castor pull away from him.
Castor was a good enough warrior to fight on even terms with Aisha, making him one of the best in the Kingdom. Nonetheless, Halbert was holding his own, so there was no clear victor. Consequently, that ant that Halbert was also among the best fighters in the Kingdomthe fruit of years of hard training.
Woooooo! the crew of the Hiryuu and Halberts subordinates cheered as they watched from a distance. Their eyes were glued to this battle between warriors which had been elevated to a higher dinsion.
Tch! Sick of the stalemate, Castor spread his wings and took to the air. He was looking to settle things with a magic attack from high above Halbert, who couldnt fly without Ruby the red dragon.
However...
Not gonna happen! Halbert threw one of his twin-snake spears skywards.
The spear sailed over Castors head in an arch. As Castor and the audience were thinking it missed, Halbert was running to the spot where it would land.
What?! Castor cried out in surprise as a ring that passed over his head was ford by the chain connecting the two spears.
Halbert then pulled on the spears to reel in the chain.
Hi-yahhhh!
Argh!
The shrinking chain wrapped itself around Castors wings, throwing him off-balance. Just as he was about to slam into the ground, he suddenly recovered enough to land on all fours instead.
But as Castor raised his head, Halberts spear was at his throat. Castor glared up at Halbert as he stared down at him threateningly, but soon his lips curled into a smile.
You got . I yield.
Yeahhhh! The spectators let out a throaty cheer as Castor admitted defeat.
Halbert had finally scored a victory against Castor. Those who had seen Halbert train and strive to improve since his early years celebrated his victory as if it were their own.
Youve gotten strong, Halbert, Castor said, accepting Halberts hand as he was pulled to his feet. The short-lived races grow fast. You were nothing but a child to just the other day.
Dont asure by the values of the long-lived races.
Long-lived races like the elves, dragonewts, and sea serpents had a tendency to think about things continuously due to their longevity. Consequently, their abilities developed at a more relaxed pace than those of humans or beastn. They were well-suited to specializing in sothing and refining their ability to do it. But those with more normal lifespans were used to thinking about ti limits, and were able to achieve results in a short ti fra.
Castor put a hand on Halberts shoulder. But you managed to beat , a man with a century of experience. You can be prouder of that.
Halbert grinned and shook his head. Ive still got a ways to go. Theres a guy I want to beat.
After a pause, Castor asked, Is it Fuuga Haan?
Yeah. If it cos to it, I must be able to defend my family and country.
Halbert looked at the spears in his hands. He seed pretty worked up, but Castor simply shrugged.
Didnt the king tell you to not shoulder everything yourself?
Im a man. I dont want to act indulgent. I want to defend the people I care about with my own hands.
Youre a real warrior. Ill give you that.
As they were praising the others performance, two won worked their way through the crowd of burly n and rushed to Halberts side.
Jeez! What do you think youre doing at a ti like this?! Ruby, Halberts second wife, berated them. We have to be at the wedding in the capital! You shouldnt be having one of your little sparring matches now!
Uh, well... We had ti to spare, so I thought Id have the captain give so lessons... Halbert desperately tried to explain himself, but...
Theres no need for excuses, Lord Hal.
Looking good in her National Defense Force uniform, a beautiful lady with an air of intelligence about her stood in front of Halbert. She was tall and slim, with long legs, and the lower half of her uniform was hot-pants lengthnot full pants like Lisciasso it showed off her stunning legs without reservation. Her brown skin and elf ears identified her as a dark elf.
Urkh, Velza.
She was one of Tomoes school friends at the Academy, and had joined the National Defense Force after graduation. With backing from Halberts first wife Kaede, Velza was able to achieve her dream of serving under Halbert.
Velza leveled a finger at him. What do you an, urkh? Thats an awful thing to say to your cute subordinate.
S-Sorry... But should you really be calling yourself cute?
I am cute though, arent I? Im quite popular in the military, you know? Mainly with the won.
Ah... Halbert and Ruby looked at Velza with pity.
Her short hair gave her a boyish look. Being tall on top of that, with regular features, gave her the appearance of either a pretty boy in girls clothes or an elegant lady in nswear. For the mbers of the House of Magna who had known Velza since she was little, they knew how her eyes sparkled at the sight of tasty food, so they had a strong image of her as acting like a girl her age.
Velza cleared her throat loudly. More importantly, Lord Hal. We have an invitation to His Majestys wedding. I also received invitations from one of the brides, Yuriga...erm, Lady Yuriga, and from Sir Ichiha who will be announcing his engagent to Lady Tomoe. It would be inexcusable for us to be late.
Well, its just a short flight for Ruby...
That doesnt an you can leave Lady Kaede to take care of all the preparations in the capital by herself, does it?! Little BillHalbert and Kaedes sonmust be waiting for you to co ho too.
Right... Halbert hung his head as a younger woman berated him.
The brave warrior of monts before was nowhere to be seen now. The onlookers chuckled at the scene until Halbert gave them a death glare that sent them scattering.
Ruby, who had been watching this exchange, nodded in agreent. Youve beco so reliable, Velza.
Uh, Id rather you talk her down a bit.
I dont want to. Im with Velza on this...
With that said, Ruby transford into a great red dragon, stretching her head towards Halbert and Velza and speaking directly inside their heads.
Lets get going. Both of you, hop on, chop-chop.
Y-Yeah.
Got it.
Halbert and Velza both responded then climbed onto Rubys back.
Velza sat in front of Halbert, tying herself to him securely with rope. Normally, only a dragons partner could ride them, but Velza was already more or less guaranteed to marry Halbert, so they used the old partner of my partner justification to sidestep that issue.
Once they were ready to go, Halbert saluted to Castor who was down below them.
So long, Captain. Were heading off now.
Take care. Ill be going myself later.
Once Castor snapped off a navy-style salute, Ruby lifted off into the sky.
Having seen off the Magnas, Castor felt a strong desire to be with his own family. Accela, Carla, Carl... Theyd all be there for the wedding, so hed be able to see them again. Following the restoration of the House of Carmines honor, so too was the House of Vargas restored, and with it permission to see his family. However, as he didnt like prying eyes, Castor had decided not to return to the house for the ti being.
Heh... Itll be good to see them, Castor thought as he gazed off in the direction the Magnas had gone.
Late in the 1st month, 1553rd year, Continental Calendar Royal Capital Parnam
It was a bright day with clear skies, though the snow thatd fallen the other day still lingered on the rooftops.
The multi-wedding event centered around Souma, Maria, and Yurigas ceremony was underway in Parnam. Souma and his family would have preferred to hold off on the wedding until spring, but in anticipation of sudden moves by the Great Tiger Empire of Haan, they had decided to hold the ceremony while they could.
Now, Soumas retainers were getting married all around the capital as part of this event.
Tomoes birth motherTomoko, and Inugamithe second-in-command of the Black Cats, were one such couple. Attendees included Jirukoma, Komain, and so friends of Tomokos among the refugees whod relocated to the new port city of Venetinova, as well as the mystic wolves involved in making Kikkoro-brand miso and soy sauce. Inugamis identity was concealed, so none of his acquaintances were able to be in attendance. However, hed still received a small mountain of flowers and other gifts from Kagetora and other well-wishers in the Black Cats.
Inugami wore a tuxedo but didnt remove his mask, making those unfamiliar with his situation do a double take when they saw him. Tomoko chuckled when she saw how awkward he felt about it.
Congratulations! Father, Mother.
Congratulations, both of you.
Tomoes little brother Rou and her friend Lucy ca to congratulate them.
Rou had still been little when he first ca to the Kingdom, but now he was around ten years old. Having lost his biological father at a young age, and lacking any real mories of him, hed long since accepted the familys protector Inugami as a father figure.
Lucy, anwhile, was here on behalf of Tomoe. She had brought a basket of expensive fruits as a gift.
Thesere from Tomie. She says shell co runnin as soon as her engagents been announced.
Oh, my! Thank you.
Tomoe was at the castle now to announce her engagent with Ichiha. Shed have liked to be at her birth mothers wedding, but her engagent was a matter of national importance, so Tomoko and Inugami had told her not to worry about it.
Lucy snickered to herself. I bet ya Tomiell rush in here with her fianc in tow.
Oh, my. Oh, my, Tomoko said with a soft smile while Inugami groaned in chagrin.
This should be the happiest day of my life, and I havent a shred of regret about my choices, but...its a sha I wont be there to see the honored little sisters engagent announced.
Lucy could only laugh politely at Inugamis heartfelt disappointnt.
Ah ha ha... Youre sure hard done by, huh?
What do you an? Rou asked, tilting his head to the side adorably.
Lucy smiled wryly and said, I an, hes a pain in the butt to deal with.
Father, youre a pain in the butt! Rou shouted, raising both hands with all the innocence of a child. There was no malice behind his words.
Gwah!
Inugami was laid low, like a boxer KOd after a critical hit. It was so funny that everyone, Tomoko included, burst out laughing.
anwhile, at another wedding venue, Mio Carminedaughter of Georg, forr General of the Armywas holding a ceremony with her groom, Gatsby C. Carmine.
In attendance was Halberts father Glaive (due to his connection with Georg), Soumas personal trainer Owen, and other military mbers with ties to Mios father. On Colberts side were his friend Julius and his wife Tia, his coworkers in the Ministry of Finance, and the loreleis like Nanna and Pamille whom he was always helping. It was probably unusual for the bride and grooms guests to split so neatly into mbers of the military and bureaucratic/cultural wings of the country.
Okay, here it cos!
Whoa! Madam Mio?! You threw it too high!
With the ceremony finished, Mio was so delighted to be bound to Colbert as wife and husband that she threw the bouquet with all her might. The won in attendance were aiming to catch the bouquet and get so of that marital bliss for themselves. However, the bouquet flew so high into the air that they decided its landing spot would be too dangerous to be in, so they all scattered.
Julius pald his face in exasperation before turning to Jirukomas wife Lauren, who was attending as Tias bodyguard.
Madam Lauren, would you please?
Yes, sir, Lauren replied before rushing to the landing point and catching the bouquet. Im already married, so...
She gently tossed the bouquet towards the other won. The one to catch it was Pamille Carol of the childlike kobito race. Pamille looked stunned for a mont before breaking into a grin as the other attendees clapped. Mio was so grateful to Julius and Lauren for their quick response that she bowed her head repeatedly.
There was a shadow watching the noisy wedding proceedings from a distancethe commander of the Black Cats, Kagetora. He was absolutely in no way connected to the bride whatsoever, but he gave a satisfied nod when he saw Mios big day being celebrated by so many of his friends and acquaintances.
You could watch from closer, not way out here, you know?
...! Kagetora tensed at the sudden voice.
At so point, the late Georgs wife, Mios mother, had appeared beside him. The suddenness of her appearance would have put his covert operatives to sha.
Kagetora looked at the pitch-black cape he was shrouded in.
This cape has magic that is supposed to interfere with peoples perception of ... he said quietly.
The wife chuckled. I simply checked where you seed most likely to be. I believed you were not so heartless that you wouldnt co, yet you couldnt bring yourself to co any closer. I surmised you would be watching from the shadows, neither too near nor too far away.
You amaze ... Kagetoras expression twitched underneath the mask. That was because he was ashad of his immaturity, and awed by this womans prowess.
Mio noticed the two of them and waved, smiling broadly.
The perception impairing magic wasnt perfect. If soone was with him and they noticed that person, they could see him too. Was it only her mother Mio was waving at? Or perhaps...
The wife waved to Mio, whispering, With Mio finding herself a good man, thats one less worry our house needs to deal with.
You speak as if there are others...
Yes. Theres an especially large one still, the wife said to him with a smile.
Kagetora looked away, unable to say anything in response.
Also on that sa day, Valois, the capital of the Euphoria Kingdom, was in the middle of its own festivities. Queen Jeanne and Pri Minister Hakuya were getting married.
Hakuya would be marrying into her family as royal consort, so his na would be Hakuya Euphoria from this day forward.
Just as the ceremony was about to begin, Jeanne, who was wearing the traditional Imperial wedding dress, smiled at Hakuya as he stood beside her.
You look good in white too, she remarked.
Im having trouble calming down though.
The Black-Robed Pri Minister normally wore black clothes, as you would expect from his sobriquet. But he obviously couldnt wear black to his own wedding, so he was clad in a pure-white tuxedo.
Jeanne wrapped her arm around Hakuyas as he lood awkwardly, then rested her head on his shoulder.
How many tis have I dread of this day? I thought it would never be more than a dream.
Hakuya gently put his hand over Jeannes and said, It was the sa for . Ive longed for the day I could be with you like this.
Ah ha ha... But I never thought Id be a queen when it happened!
I have to agree on that too.
As the two of them were laughing about it, Trill interjected, incensed by this saccharine display. Um... Could you two save that stuff for later? You know, on your own ti, when the ceremony is over and done with?
That snapped the two of them back to their senses, and they quickly pulled apart.
Trill cleared her throat loudly in an attempt to move on, then lifted up the corners of her skirt and curtsied. Congratulations. Big Sister Jeanne, Big Brother Hakuya.
Yeah. Thanks, Trill.
Thank you, Lady Trill.
Once the two of them thanked her, Trill looked up and grinned.
Big Brother, please take care of Big Sister for .
Yes. Of course I will.
When she gets angry, do try to calm her down, will you?
Yes, he replied reflexively. After a mont, he muttered, Hm?
Trill cackled.
From now on, when I cause a problem and Big Sister is giving trouble for it, Ill co running to you for protection. Youll protect your darling little sister-in-law, wont you?
Trill! Jeanne shouted, causing Trill to quickly hide behind Hakuya.
Look, its your move now, Big Brother.
Hold on, Trill! Its not fair for you to use Sir Hakuya as a shield!
Good grief... Hakuya groaned, caught between two of the Euphoria sisters.
Hed had plenty of opportunities to see Souma getting run ragged by his fiances (now wives) when he was in the Kingdom of Friedonia. If hed known he would be facing this himself, he should have used his ti in Friedonia to learn how Souma handled family squabbles.
Hakuya was rather regretting the fact he hadnt done so now.
The story now returns to Parnam in the Kingdom of Friedonia...
While a number of retainers were having their weddings in town, Souma, Yuriga, and Maria were having their ceremony in the castle. The audience chamber had been decorated for the occasion, and retainers like Excel and Castor lined both sides of the red carpet that led from the entrance up to the throne.
As the band played, Maria and Yuriga silently walked along that carpet wrapped in wedding dresses. Marias gait was elegant and confident, while Yurigas was stiff and tense. It was hard to bla her, given this was being broadcast around the country.
King Souma and First Primary Queen Liscia were sitting on the thrones they were walking towards. Next to them were Acting Pri Minister Ichiha and future chamberlain Tomoe, who had just announced their engagent to the public.
When she saw Tomoe chuckle at how tense she seed, Yuriga pursed her lips in irritation. That anger gave her the couragefalse or notto puff up her chest with pride, and that helped her to loosen up.
Maria and Yuriga proceeded to where Souma was, then both dropped to one knee. When they did, Souma and Liscia rose from their thrones.
Souma descended the steps to walk in front of them. Liscia first received the two tiaras that would mark them as queens from Tomoe, then moved to stand beside Souma.
Then Souma spoke.
Madam Maria of the Euphoria Kingdom and Madam Yuriga Haan of the Great Tiger Empire of Haan, I hereby welco you as queens of this country. Through this ceremony, I hope to forge an everlasting friendship between our nations.
Yes, Maria and Yuriga replied, bowing their heads in unison.
Souma took the tiaras from Liscia and placed them on their heads as proof of their queenly status. During the first wedding with Liscia and the others, they had kissed at this point, but that was skipped over this ti. That was because this ceremonys diplomatic significance was being emphasized over it being a wedding. There was no telling how the Great Tiger Empire might act in the future, so he was trying to be considerate of the delicate position Yuriga might find herself in.
After the ceremony concluded, Souma and Maria stood side by side on the balcony with the broadcast jewel. They put on a display that told the assembled crowd and those watching the broadcast that a wedding had just taken place, and that it would strengthen the coordination between the Kingdom of Friedonia and the Euphoria Kingdom. Once they saw the peaceful smile on Marias face, those who loved and respected her in the Euphoria Kingdom would feel at ease too.
Oh, right, you worked as a lorelei too, didnt you, Maria? Souma asked in a quiet voice as he waved to the people. Maria cocked her head to the side questioningly.
Yes, I did. Why do you ask?
Well... I thought this when I married Juna too, but your male fans are gonna hate , huh? I can just imagine them making hundreds of straw dolls right now...
Why would they do that?
Theyre used in a curse from my old world.
Oh, that sort of thing, Maria said with a happy chuckle. I suppose whatever happens, happens. Try to accept it for what it is.
You say that like its not your problem...
Well, you are the one who stole , the object of their affections.
With that, Maria pecked Souma on the cheek.
The crowd watching from below the balcony erupted in applause seeing the newlyweds showing clear signs of affection. The jewel had caught all of it too, and broadcast it to fountain plazas around both countries.
Souma was speechless for a mont. With a twitching smile on his face, he said, I think you just increased the number of straw dolls by fifty percent.
Maria laughed out loud.
While the Kingdom of Friedonia was in a celebratory mood, Zem City, the capital of the rcenary State, was on fire.
The rcenaries were cornered in the colosseumassaulted by the common people, wielding farming implents and kitchen knives in place of proper weapons. Not even the rcenaries, who were confident in their abilities, could stand in the face of these numbers. There were clearly so experienced fighters in the mob too, so the rcenaries went down one after another.
Its ti to change this country from the bottom up!
Show the oppressive rcenaries our wrath!
Emperor Fuuga Haan is with us!
It had seed might made right in this country, but the suppressed anger of the populace exploded, causing them to rise in rebellion. However, it was clear that the Great Tiger Empire of Haanwhich is to say Fuugas advisor Hashimwas scheming in the shadows.
It all started with the Zemish rcenaries unauthorized retreat during the war with the Gran Chaos Empire.
Hashim denounced them after the conflict was over, and worked with Moui, who was acting as the rcenary King, to prosecute them for deserting. The rcenaries, who hated being restricted as a general rule, pushed back against this and holed up in key cities in order to resist Fuugas forces. These people had lived by the strength of their arms all this ti. When the rcenaries dug their heels in to resist, it wasnt because they intended to protect the country or land. If things went south, they probably thought theyd be able to flee, possibly even out of the country to beco adventurers in the worst case.
But their ill-conceived plans would never work against the cold and calculating Hashim, of course. There were sparks for conflict.
This country was founded by rcenaries. Strength was everything here, but the weak and downtrodden existed, and they had their grievances with the rcenaries. The forr rcenary King, Gimbal, had been a talented monarch, and had managed his rcs in a way that kept the populaces resentnt from manifesting. After his defeat by Fuuga, Gimbal was removed from the throne and went into retirent. This was when Hashim began inciting the populace, who were in a weak position.
The rcenaries boast of their strength and look down on the weak, but see how they flee when the battle turns against them! People of Zem! How long have you let these n oppress you?! With Fuuga Haan as your protector, you must smash this countrys system and let it be born anew!
This powerful speech stirred up the common people. Hashim had made the Great Tiger Empires problem with the Zemish rcenaries a dostic problem for Zem, leading to rcenaries and the people opposing each other. Even after the rcenaries holed up inside key cities, the ones who maintained them were the civiliansan overwhelmingly larger population. The Zemish rcenaries found themselves assaulted by the people inside the cities they were trying to hold.
The forr king Gimbal, choosing not to side with the rcenaries who had relied on him, was another factor.
The rcenaries had asked him to raise the flag of rebellion against the Great Tiger Empire, but he refused, saying he was retired. He had always ruled with policies that favored the people, so he had no reason to side with rcenaries who only worked for their own self-interest.
Gimbal was now under the watchful eye of Mouis agents and placed under house arrest in his small cabin in the mountains, but it was essentially a peaceful retirent. That was because Moui respected Gimbals achievents, and arranged for him to be able to live without inconvenience.
And now Zem City, the last bastion of the rcenaries, was about to be liberated.
Face our wrath of many years!
Eek! Stay away! Stay awaaay!
Ironically, the location where the endless horde of commoners had cornered the rcenaries was the colosseum that was the symbol of this city itself. Here, in the place many had won acclaim and far more had been disgraced as losers, the rcenaries fell one after another.
Naturally, Hashim didnt leave this entirely to the people. They had been infiltrated by the Great Tiger Empires elites and other rogue soldiers who supported Fuuga in order to ensure the Zemish rcenaries were annihilated.
In their agitated state, the people were brutal, ripping the fallen rcenaries apartto the point where it was hard to tell which parts had belonged to whom anymore. When the people ca to their senses, the bodies would be buried in a cetery near the colosseum, and a morial service held, but that was no consolation to the rcenaries.
Having lost the rcenaries who were central to their national defense, the people turned to Fuuga Haan for protection. Fuuga accepted their request, annexing the country and appointing Moui as governor of the Zem Region.
And so, rcenary State Zem vanished from the map.
anwhile, there was another uproar underway in the Lunarian Orthodox Papal State...
The hardlinerswho in the na of Lunaria, had been executing moderates for wanting to distance themselves from Fuugahad now fractured into two factions.
One side was the pope faction, who wanted Fuuga to be subordinate to their religious authority. The other side was the saint faction, centered around Anne. They believed that as the holy king, Fuugas will was the will of God, and they should serve him as they spread the word.
However, this rift was easily settled. That was because the saints faction had the military backing of the Great Tiger Empire. As soon as the conflict began, the pope was taken into the Great Tiger Empires custody.
In Chapter 6 of The Prince, Machiavelli said, If Moses, Cyrus, Theseus, and Romulus had been unard, they could not have enforced their constitutions for long.
Machiavelli also noted that because Girolamo Savonarolawho incited the people to drive the dici out of Florence and ruled it for a tilacked arms of his own, he had no way to preserve himself once his popularity failed, and so he was lost to the flas.
The popes faction t the sa fate as Savonarola.
The forr pope was imprisoned, and eventually died of undetermined causes at the hands of Hashim. Was it poison, or was he thrown to his death? The remnants of his faction t the sa fate as the moderates before them. They were branded heretics and burned at the stake.
The people of the Orthodox Papal State watched quietly as the heretics were burned in the town square. The populace was obedient to the church, and that didnt change when the higher-ups were replaced by mbers of the saint faction. Even if the old higher-ups whod declared their new masters as heretics were now tied to logs as they burned alive, the populace had no doubt that the right thing was being done.
Anne quietly watched events unfold from on high. It was as if she were burning the heretics into her mory. When the flas burned out and the heretics were no more, all light had vanished from her eyes. The girl had killed her heart in the na of her duty as saint.
And so, while the Orthodox Papal State would continue to exist as a country, it would be ruled directly by the Great Tiger Kingdom. During the gaudy banquet, the world was changing rapidly.
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