“Stupid Onii-chan!” shouts Geirahoel as she hits Neith with her fists. They have arrived at Fort Peony and disembarked to talk to Commander Leiwelles, and the orange dragon immediately set in on the grey knight. For now, her bops are relatively harmless, so Neith stands idly, all but ignoring her. “How could you say that in front of all those people! They’re going to get the wrong idea!” Her cheeks are rosy, and the other Empresses simply giggle, especially when the Jomsviking looks around for help.

“Your Grace,... I just acted… I said nothing but the truth, so I don’t… Can you please stop?”

“No! Not until you admit to your crimes and repent!” She pivots and whacks him with her tail before resuming the fist assault, whining, “You’re stupid and dumb, Onii-chan!”

“Enough!” The area falls silent as Neith catches her fists, startling her. He doesn’t make any motion to harm her, and he really didn’t want to scare her, especially with her egg due any minute now, by all appearances. “I cannot change my failures of the past. I only acted as true to my heart as I could ever be. The thought of that scum harming you, of all people…” Neith finally lowers their hands, saying distantly, “I failed you. I’ll never be able to fully repent. But, you are my younger sister. If I lose you now…” He glances at Daniel, who is watching as he stands with Leiwelles and Hekate. He murmurs quietly and seriously, “I would burn all of our enemies to ash, regardless of what my Liege commands.”

Geirahoel’s lip trembles, and tears find her eyes. “You big, stupid idiot! Y-You could have been hurt! How are you supposed to protect me and repent to me if you get yourself killed! Moron! Idiot! Fool!” She flops her forehead against his chest, squeezing his hands. “I’ll never forgive you. So… Y-You’re never allowed to die until I forgive you. W-Which means…” Neith is surprised, and tears drip down to the ground between his boots. Her voice becomes doll-like and quiet. “Don’t make me say it… Stupid Onii-chan.”

Neith is silent for a long time. When he finally moves, he wraps his arms around her gently. “Someday, I hope you will call me Onii-chan and actually mean it, my dear little sister.”

She lightly hits him one last time with her fist before crying into his chest for a bit.

Meanwhile, Leiwelles remarks a little dryly, “It seems your day was eventful. Either it was the fastest peace summit in history, or…” She clears her throat. “Should I prepare to evacuate Fort Peony, your Grace, your Greatness?” She smirks a little, and Hekate scoffs. “Hah! We didn’t even get to fight last time because Sundenelle evacuated Twilight. And, now it’s a crater.”

“I’ve heard. And…” She looks behind Daniel, where Treia is introducing the Empress to a small amount of wine.

“A new consort, Daniel?”

“Political consort,” retorts Hekate, pointing. “She’ll marry Daniel to unite us and the Fievegal, but she’s not allowed to love him. I already have too much competition.”

“I think you meant ‘Empire’,” murmurs Daniel. Hekate looks at him, and she thinks. Her cheeks flush pink, and Leiwelles chuckles. “Well, if I have to be conquered, let it be peacefully. But… By the Empire and the Fievegal uniting… Is she… a prin-...”

When Sundenelle happens to look at them, Leiwelles’ expression drains of color. “The Empress is here?”

“Mm-hmm. Why? Does that matter?” asks Hekate innocently.

“O-Of course it matters! We made no preparations! We don’t have an appropriate state room ready, no luxury meal items…”

Daniel and Hekate glance at each other, and the mechanic teases her in turn. “I think this is the first time I’ve seen you flustered, Commander.”

“How can you not-...? Ugh…” She sighs, putting a hand over her face to forcibly calm herself down. “Please don’t take this the wrong way. I admire the Empresses of the Fievegal because the pomp and circumstance are unnecessary. You’re all efficient, and you carry and entertain your own luxuries. But, this is different. She’s my supreme leader. The state of affairs…”

Hekate crosses her arms, huffing. “Hmmph! I’m the Empress of the strongest empire on the continent! I’m surprised you didn’t try to pet my head when we came here.”

Leiwelles turns her gaze to the feldrok girl, glances at Sundenelle briefly, and then sighs. “Please walk with me so I might make a proper greeting.”

Hekate cocks her head to the side, and her big ears flop a little.

The brunette commander sighs. “If she accompanied your group in disguise, then… At least give me your moral support.”

“We can do that, right, Sweetpea?” asks Daniel as he pets her head. She smacks his hand away with a look of disgust. He laughs. He thought he’d get away with it, but she caught on to what he was doing. “I’ll chew your face off, Daniel…”

The three approach the glass-haired Empress, and she turns. “Commander Leiwelles, right?” asks the teen. “Thank you for your work upholding the frontier. I know it can be tricky this far away from logistical support.”

Sundenelle salutes with her forearm crossed in front of her chest and a slight bow. “As fate would have it, your Imperial Majesty, the goddess smiled upon us about a year ago. The Flower Garden has never been safer.”

Sundenelle smirks at Daniel, asking, “Conquering the continent out from under my own feet was your original plan, wasn’t it?”

“Hah! No. Conquering the entire continent will be right up in your face!” declares Hekate proudly. “Which is why we’re accepting your proposal.”

“Yes. ‘My’ proposal,” retorts the albino Empress dryly.

Leiwelles remarks, “Your Imperial Majesty, if I may say so, your disguise is quite convincing.”

Daniel and Hekate are awkwardly silent as Sundenelle’s expression turns sorrowful.

“I-... Is it… Not a disguise?” asks Leiwelles awkwardly, glancing at Daniel for help.

The mechanic replies, “Commander, I would ask for discretion, though many people have seen her now. This is her natural appearance.”

“Ah… I see.” She drops to a kneel. “Please forgive me, your Majesty. My insensitivity is unforgivable.”

“No, there is nothing to forgive Commander. Please rise. I am… more surprised than anything.”

“Surprised, your Grace?” asks the brunette as she looks up.

“I… There are those who… see me as a cursed or possessed being because of these eyes and this hair.” She idly plays with her glassy white hair. “Other than my Mother and Father, I have had to hide the truth for fear of what people would say or think.” She looks at the gatonine knight that was allowed to accompany her directly with Daniel’s troops. Sir Ecklevon bows his head respectfully. “If you wish it, your Grace, I will arrest or strike down those who disparage your glorious appearance.”

She scoffs. “You are among my most loyal, Sir Ecklevon. Thank you.” She then turns her attention back to the Commander, who Daniel helps to her feet. “While it is Daniel’s fault that my secret was exposed, he was also the first to play down my appearance for what it is… No real different than a mere birthmark that covers my whole body.”

Daniel nods in agreement. He explained it that way while they were driving to Fort Peony to further reassure her and Byleathea. Because they both know Sundenelle isn’t possessed or cursed, to hear a confident explanation of what actually caused it is reassuring for both mother and daughter.

“I see,” replies Leiwelles. “That’s reassuring. Your eyes are truly captivating, though I can see why they might emphasize your intimidating presence.” She then looks to Daniel and Hekate. “So, what is to happen now? We have the Margrave’s knights’ armor stored, but if we are sanctioned by the Kingdom of Mornistae…”

“That will no longer be an issue,” replies Hekate. “His knights are mostly innocent fools led on a mission of righteousness. After they are interrogated and our targets weeded out, we’ll return the innocent ones to the Margrave’s territory. But, since he turned out to be an attempted assassin, what happens to the Marquisate itself is up to Rikuto. I think… Right?” She looks at Daniel, and he nods with a smile.

“A-... Assassin?” asks Leiwelles, surprised.

“Yes. I witnessed it myself,” replies Sundenelle. “He accused the Fievegal Empresses of hiding Daniel’s death, which was not true, claiming assassins attacked on the road.” She looks at Daniel suspiciously.

The mechanic smirks, clearing his throat. “Assuming there were assassins on the road, Hekate asked the right series of questions, by the sound of it. There was no reasonable way for Marquis Niulglodsa to know about the attack unless he was in on a plan to swoop in to the Fievegal’s rescue after I, myself, or someone else of importance were killed. They would simultaneously cripple the Fievegal, in their minds, while also indebting the ‘foolish’ child-Empress Hekate to them.”

“Hah!” scoffs Hekate.

“And,... You think this has something to do with what we spoke of before?”

“Definitely,” replies Daniel. “At least, it’s the most likely explanation for how all of it ties together. Three separate attempts to kill me or one of my precious consorts occurred just today.”

“We’ve frightened the monster,” replies Ryuogriar as she approaches. “They have no choice but to lash out more aggressively as the ground shrinks beneath their feet. Otherwise, they lose all the ground they gained rooting mistrust and hatred in amongst the two halves of this continent.” She looks down, rubbing her belly. “After all, it is what drove us to try to conquer the Citadel after its one true master had already arrived. It was indeed the key to restoring the dragon race, but the Red Lord was doomed to failure.”

Daniel smiles gently, and Ryuogriar reports to him, “Mukori, Vaergraes and Aoloan are resting, but there does seem to be no complications.”

“Were they injured in the attack?” asks Leiwelles.

“In a manner of speaking, yes,” replies the dragon. “But, they will recover with rest and being spoiled by their Emperor. Isn’t that right, Mukori?” She smirks at him arrogantly.

“I’ll check on them throughout the night. Commander, we’ll be passing through the western gate to return to the airship.”

“Of course, your Grace. I’ll inform the watchstanders. As before, please send a messenger prior to your return, and we’ll prepare for your pass through.”

“Certainly. Thank you, Commander. Now, I should go make sure the Princesses are still sleeping soun-...”

“EEnnnngh!” exclaims Geirahoel suddenly as she strains. “Daniel, it’s time!” declares the orange dragon loudly as she clutches her belly.

Neith, who had already moved to support her, hovers his hands near her. He recoils a little, unsure what would be crossing the very thin line he just successfully and finally seems to have moved to the safe side of.

“Stupid Onii-chan! Help me over to Mukori!” snaps the Dragon. She doesn’t really need much help, but she’s trying to offer him chances to be useful to her, even if her tone could still use work.

Of course, Daniel went through the same thing as well, so he knows very well. And, the mechanic has already excused himself to jog to her aid as well.

“I, uh, was hoping we’d make it to the airship.”

Everyone crowds around, and Leiwelles asks, “What do you need? I don’t specifically have any midwives available, but I can try to find someone with experience.”

“It’s fine,” growls the redhead, all but crawling up into Daniel’s arms. He grunts, “Oh geez! A little warning, Mukori…”

“Shut up and find us a private room! I don’t care if it’s one of the buses.”

“Right this way!” insists Leiwelles, and Daniel follows her.

“Sorry, everyone,” calls Daniel over his shoulder. “Ryuo-Mukori, Hekate, it looks like Geira-Mukori and I will be staying the night here. Feel free to return to the airship with everyone.”

“Leave that to me,” replies Doephluev as she saunters into the group. “As the reigning…”

“Yeah, yeah, Doephluev. Just be nice.”

She gasps at being cut off by Daniel, whining, “I am always nice… These days.”

“Ryuo-Mukori, while we’re on the subject…”

“Mine will be tomorrow morning, Mukori. Take good care of our sweet Geira, will you?” She teasingly sends him off with a wave, and he wonders how she can so confidently declare that her own egg will be coming the next morning.

Ah… Right… They have some control over it. I wonder if they schemed it…

He looks at the blushing orange dragon in his arms. She is very affectionate and loving, if bordering on clingy at times, but she’s still embarrassed about it being public. Neith jogs ahead and opens the door, while Leiwelles leads the way into the barracks building. Daniel knows from experience that there are lots of enlisted rooms, but very few officer staterooms are available, which are more comfortable and have fewer individuals trying to sleep.

Just as Neith is going to follow the group in, Roeta lightly bops him with her fist. “Ah-ah, General. I’ll keep watch over them. The worst that happens if I enter is the Emperor gets me pregnant.” She snickers, teasing him further, “I doubt you want to be responsible for the building burning down if you see something you’re not supposed to see ‘Onii-chan’.”

Neith chuckles uneasily, but agrees. “Right. Very well. I’ll remain in the fortress if I’m needed.”

“Get some rest, then. If I’m guarding their Graces, we’ll need you to rotate out with Magnir to keep aerial watch.”

Neith nods. “True. I’ll do that.”

Roeta smiles and heads inside to catch up to the others, who are headed up to the upper floor as the women of the so-called Flower Garden make way for the trio.

Leiwelles checks again as she opens a stateroom. “Are you sure you don’t need anything? Hot water? Blankets? Extra hands?”

Geirahoel replies, “It’s truly fine. Mukori is all I need. Thank you for this. I apologize for the inconvenience. If Ryuog-...” She strains briefly before finishing her thought. “Ryuogriar says it is so, she will be needing this room tomorrow morning. I hope you will accommodate us.”

“Of course, your Grace. There are the surge barracks as well. If the other Empresses don’t mind doubling up in the state rooms, I’ll have my officers temporarily stay in the surge barracks.”

“If the surge barracks are empty,” replies Daniel, “Ask the Empresses to stay in them for the night. We have our own supplies to make the rooms more comfortable, and it’ll just be for the night.”

“I…”

“If there are any objections, His Grace will explain it himself, Commander. The egg should come fairly quickly,” answers Roeta.

Geirahoel nods. She tugs Daniel’s cheek, saying, “And, that quickly is now, Mukori. Stop flirting with the Commander. Roeta can handle… grrnngh!” She tightens her posture, and Daniel says quickly. “I’m going, I’m going. Excuse me Commander. Roeta, let me know if anything comes up.”

“As you wish, my Liege,” replies the rose pink dragon, and the Commander smiles and nods. She teases as she walks away, “Just remember there are soldiers sleeping, your Graces.”

Daniel carries his dragon fiancee into the stateroom, and Roeta closes the door behind them, remaining just outside.

The mechanic is experienced with the next part, so it’s just a matter of keeping her comfortable.

***

Senn watches the tiny goblin princesses sleep while Erimaya works on needlework nearby.

Yanidere approaches, observing the ancient elven sage as she seems to want to reach out and touch the toddlers.

The future Grand Duchess murmurs, “Lady Senn.”

“So I have been told,” replies the elf facetiously. She’s still in her Japanese disguise, since it’ll be tedious to undo the transformation just to reinstate it before they return to the summit.

“They’re so tiny,” murmurs Yanidere. “I sometimes want to ask Daniel if I can hold them, but I’m worried I might hurt them.”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.” Senn reaches down, touching only a lock of Jieka’s hair. Luceniel darts out of the scarf that’s bundled around both girls, and she watches the elf suspiciously, but doesn’t ‘attack’ as much as a tiny, incorporeal magic spirit can directly attack an elven sage.

“It is odd to see goblins so well-behaved and docile. Adults are one thing, but they seem to have no greed or hatred for anything. It makes you wonder…”

“May… I ask…?” asks Yanidere hesitantly.

“I’d prefer you didn’t. Not about that.” Senn touches the small elemental’s cheek, smiling when she puffs up and pouts a little, but again, she doesn’t attack, and when the mage pulls her hand back, she faces Yanidere.

“I suspect the future Grand Duchess didn’t approach me to talk about an unrelated man’s children.”

The brunette relaxes her expression a little. “They are our Royal Princesses, and Wenlianna has started thinking about them almost every minute of the day.” She scoffs. “She’s always looking for issues to solve. But, you’re right.” She looks Senn up and down briefly, asking softly, “What… is this appearance, and why did it cause such a reaction from Rikuto?”

“To eyes of otherworlders, I should appear as a descendant of the country Rikuto hails from. Daniel has been able to focus on building a new home, while Rikuto has clung to his past.” She touches her black hair to study it between her fingers. “Both of them are reckless with how they handle bridging the gap between our worlds, but Rikuto fears a history neither of them lived, and he desperately desires the tastes of his old world.” She walks to the nearby cushioned bench seat of the comfortable bus’s seating area. She takes a seat and pats the spot beside herself.

Yanidere approaches and carefully takes a seat. The maids are helping Aramellianna and the other Stalvaltan women get changed into their more comfortable wear, but Yanidere decided to hold off for now.

“Another otherworlder has been brought to Zenkon. And, I believe Rikuto had something to do with it.”

Yanidere is shocked to hear of this. “I… Another otherworlder?”

The elven sage nods, leaning back against the seat cushion. “Daniel knows about it, too. I’m still not sure how he was informed, but he wants the artifact to prevent it from being used. I’ve seen him use it to free… someone. Something powerful, but it seems to share traits with that otherworlder; I can’t see it.”

“Can’t see it? You mean through Dawnsight?”

“That's correct. With Daniel, I can generally see his influence on the future, and I can see him by observing the ‘hole in the picture’ as it were, with how his lack of mana usually appears to me. But, this new otherworlder and the being that Daniel will free… They are completely invisible through the mana of the world.”

“How is that possible?” asks Yanidere. Rather, how do you know there is someone to see that you aren’t?”

“I witnessed the arrival, and the otherworlder escaped with a sort of temporary fire poison. My description isn’t the best, but that’s how it appeared.”

The brunette nods along, listening. She will likely end up involved, so it’ll be important for the head of the Grand Duchy to be ready to respond. “Why would Rikuto summon another otherworlder, though?”

“From what I saw, he was pressured into it. But, I suspect… Only suspect, that he might have helped the summoning succeed because he was hoping another person from his homeland would arrive.”

“I… Only going off of this world… wouldn’t that be a gamble?”

Senn scoffs. “A gamble is all it takes to ruin the world…” murmurs the elf distantly. Her eyes track to the goblin Princesses again. There is an empty longing behind her eyes, as if she lost something long ago but still hasn’t given up on finding it.

Yanidere is respectfully quiet for a moment. When she feels it’s appropriate, the young brunette speaks again, “Did you have a reason to tell me in particular? I feel some of what you shared about Rikuto may be more important to our Emperor.”

Senn shakes her head. “Daniel knows what he needs to know. And, I think…” The elven sage closes her eyes, leaning her forehead on her staff as she holds it upright with her hands. “From the moment they both arrived, I have started to worry… The time will soon come where I must gamble… And… I’m… afraid…”

“Y-... You’re… L-Lady Senn, I don’t… If it’s something you fear… do any of us… have a chance?” Yanidere can barely form words. She grew up on stories of the legendary elven mage sitting beside her now. She’s thankful Senn never talked to her directly initially, because Yanidere would have found herself overwhelmed. Senn is always depicted as a bastion against monsters, an ender of wars, and one of the few in the whole world that the Strylak is said to avoid such that many have started to believe it doesn’t exist for how few sightings there are.

Senn looks up towards the ceiling of the bus. “If the future I have seen comes to pass,... The Fievegal will lose its emperor, and they will conquer the entire continent in turn.”

Yanidere is grimly silent. While she is now a direct ally of the Fievegal, for the the powerhouses that are the dragons, Hekate, and the Uhl’tall, conquering the entire continent almost certainly means force.

Devastating force. “Wh-... What happens… to Daniel?”

“I’m not sure. He vanishes, and I can’t find when or how. But, I fear…” She takes a deep breath and sighs. “Daniel will use his weapons again. And, I fear,... if I stand in his way, the whole world will burn. Yet, if I don’t stand in his way…”

“He’ll… die…” whispers Yanidere.

Erimaya suddenly stands up, drawing both of their attention. She declares, “Forgive me for eavesdropping, but I can no longer idly listen.”

She storms over to the two, glancing at the babies, who squirm. Fortunately, they seem to be sleeping alright.

Erimaya plops down beside Senn, and she whispers as to not disturb the princesses, “You know as well as I do, and as Daniel’s existence proves, that the visions of the future are not to be prevented. They are for preparation. If the Fievegal will conquer the continent, then it is our duty to minimize the bloodshed. If Daniel will disappear, it is our duty to find him.” She gestures at the bus around them, which Daniel claims still falls short of vehicles of his world. And, given the videos and pictures on his phone, that is true. “The Fievegal makes things like this, and they have potions that can revive someone from the dead.”

“What if… something goes wrong when he uses his weapons?” asks Senn. “They very specifically work against someone like me; or rather, they work against that very power you hope to use to revive him.”

“Daniel is not so foolish as to vaporize himself,” retorts the Princess. “And, magic came back after the first two he used. Even the area at the center of the Devourer’s remains have mana returning.”

“They do?” asks Yanidere. While the brunette hasn’t seen the site herself, she knows Vaergraes had been sending scouts to check on the area.

“Mm-hmm. Lady Gold was receiving regular reports, and she liked to talk about it.” Erimaya smirks a little. “I think Lady Gold has a rivalry with Daniel and doesn’t want to admit how powerful he is to slay something like the Devourer.”

Senn adds, “It is unbelievable, but it appeared in a Dawnsight. Even I didn’t see it at first. That’s why… I can’t imagine that Daniel would employ those weapons against a person, but… Something drives him to act, and sometime after, he will vanish.”

The group is quiet for a moment, though Erimaya is still certain of her answer; to fix it after the fact.

Yanidere asks cautiously, “Again, I think this is all information Daniel should hear.”

“I don’t know… If we ignore the issue, will he do what needs to be done? What if the future being seen is the right future, and breaking it by trying to ensure it…”

“Then, we should speak to the Empresses, at least,” replies Erimaya. “At least the ones who know and understand how Dawnseeing works. They will better know how to prepare.”

Senn sighs. “Technically, I am supposed to know very little about Daniel’s weapons. But,... I’ll think about it.” She stands up, saying softly, “I was just thinking about the future from a more present perspective for a change.” She looks at the Princesses once more time. “Death is a part of the future, no matter who or what we are. But, I can’t help but look at precious little gifts like these two…” She approaches the half-goblin princesses and pets their hair once more, doing her best not to disturb the little girls. “... and believe that the future will be alright…”

She faces the two young women. “You both represent partially external perspectives. You are not wholly enamored with him, so you may still find a way to steer us on the right path.”

“No pressure…” murmurs Yanidere a little nervously, and all three share a chuckle. Just as Senn is about to leave, a tiny voice mumbles, “Hungy.”

She looks down, and both Jieka and Tekten are stirring, rubbing their eyes. “Jieka hungwy.” Tekten nods in agreement. They both look up at Senn with sleepy eyes.

“Here,” offers Erimaya, providing a bottle of milk to Senn, which the Princess had in her own void bag that Daniel gave her. The enchantment practices don’t exist in the east, in spite of how useful void bags are. As far as Senn knows, the practice takes a very long time to produce individual bags, which is generally longer than humans, gatonines, shenwulves, and the others can bother to wait around for something to be made. She has made her own, but it didn’t seem like that long of a process to her. They can also be made multiples at a time by one person, and there’s a lot of time.

“You’re teaching them to accept strangers readily,” retorts Senn quietly.

Erimaya smiles softly. “Am I?” She looks at the Princesses, and she asks, “Princess Jieka, Princess Tekten, can you tell me who this pretty lady is?”

“Ewfy Senn!” “Auntie Senn!” reply the two in reverse order. This surprises Senn. She knew why Daniel could see through her disguise; it’s the only reason a Japanese-appearing elf would show up. But, the princesses aren’t even a year old.

“Are you so certain?” asks the mage. “I could be playing a trick on you.”

Both girls shake their heads with their respective levels of vigor. Jieka replies brightly, “Auntie Senn smell pwetty! Onwy be Auntie Senn.”

“Oh?” Senn snaps her fingers, using an olfactory illusion spell, which she sometimes employs to avoid shenwulves and others sensitive to the unique scents of individuals.

The two goblin princesses cock their heads cutely, and for a brief moment, they have a posture and expression Hekate often employs. “I hungwy. Have milk pweez?”

“Oh… My apologies.” Senn carefully picks up Jieka and accepts the bottle, helping the princess start drinking.

Erimaya offers the other one to Yanidere, who hesitates for a moment. Erimaya teases, “Even as small as they are, they get a little heavy for me. And, you need to practice sooner than me, don’t you, your Grace?” The blonde princess grins cheekily. Her tone was a little sinister sounding, but she’s genuinely only teasing the future Grand Duchess.

Yanidere blushes slightly, but she finds her resolve quickly. “Yes, you’re right. Your Highness Tekten, may I hold you so I can feed you?”

Tekten puts her hands up, expecting to be lifted, and Yanidere complies. Erimaya hands over the bottle, and the brunette feeds the goblin Princess. She can’t weigh more than ten pounds or so, though she’s still shorter than a newborn. Regardless, holding her feels comfortable, and Tekten contentedly drinks from her bottle.

Erimaya remarks, “I wonder if the spell you used didn’t work since they watched you cast it. I can smell it, and I’m only a human.”

“Think of the travesty if Daniel’s unique trait were to spread,” jokes Yanidere.

All three of them remain awkwardly silent as the two princesses stare at them without understanding the full context of the conversation.

It’s unclear if that would be a blessing or a curse.

***

Hekate, Sundenelle, Ryuogriar, Doephluev, Reignleif, Byleathea, Wenlianna and Aramellianna sit at a table prepared for them to enjoy some tea and snacks, which some of the noble-born officers of the Flower Garden scrounged together in order to ensure the well regarded fortress at the corner of nowhere leaves a good impression on some of the most powerful women in the world..

Sundenelle studies the strange egg Ryuogriar is holding, and she remarks softly, “I thought dragon eggs had different exteriors, Ryuogriar.”

The blonde dragon smiles with a distant pain hidden in her expression. “That is because this is not a dragon egg. We discovered this child during our investigation into the causes of monster outbreaks in concentrated areas, such as a large portion of Mattarglos.” She pets the faintly-translucent egg tenderly. “This child made it this far, yet never had the chance to truly live. I asked Mukori to allow me to care for it.”

Reignleif adds softly, “The eggs you saw during the audience are under protection in the Citadel. Lady Gold has them locked away in a vault only we can reach.”

Sundenelle is shocked and impressed by the lengths they would go to in order to protect the eggs.

“Then… was this egg laid by a monster?” asks the blonde human cautiously.

Hekate nibbles a cookie, replying sincerely, “No. It looks like it would have been a baby feldrok, like me. But, our current theory is… um…” Hekate’s ears lay flat, and she looks to Wenlianna. “Wenlianna. You’ve been more involved in the magic part. Please explain.”

“Oh!” chirps the brunette, content with being a painting on the wall, rather than an active participant in the conversation.

She clears her throat, explaining, “Yes, while I am a magic artisan by trade, I have been studying general magic a lot more recently. So, our goal was to find out if there’s a cause. We used a detector that can sense minute variations in the presence of the world’s mana, and using that, we were able to pinpoint the highest concentration of natural mana, which we believe has the ability to corrupt living beings, if experienced in high enough doses.”

This surprises Byleathea and Sundenelle.

“You mean… this phenomena could affect people?” asks Byleathea.

“We’re not sure about that, but if I had to guess, Daniel may have already provided the answer.”

“How so?” asks Ryuogriar, curious about this thought as well.

“Well, when Daniel first arrived in our world, I was the one who experimented on him the most to try and ascertain why he possessed no mana whatsoever. And, that got me to realize that there were various monsters we faced which meet all of our definitions for monsters, particularly possessing some magic power of their own. Yaulwembor aside, the rest of the monsters were only more common the smaller and more fragile their native species would have been.”

Realizing this from all of the monsters she fought herself, Hekate blurts out, “Benkis and Slurpos…”

“Slormantus,” corrects Reignleif politely, sipping her tea afterwards.

“Yes. And, even the mantaroucks, in spite of their size, are actually rather delicate creatures in their natural form, requiring a rather delicate balance between algae-rich and overall clean water to thrive. I… had to research them a little more after Rohgattabor was defeated.”

Byleathea and Sundenelle share a glance, and the young Empress looks at Sir Ecklevon behind her in turn. “Sir Ecklevon, have I been informed of this!?”

The gatonine knight scoffs lightly, replying with a somewhat teasing tone, “Your Imperial Majesty, if you’re asking me, the answer is obviously ‘no’.”

“I might’ve forgotten it or been too distracted.”

“No reports have reached us about the defeat of one of Mattarglos’s legendary Three Terrors.”

Aramellianna’s smirk turns truly devious, and she is the first to point it out, since Hekate doesn’t think anything of bragging, and Ryuogriar waits just a hair too long. “You needn’t worry about the other two Terrors now, your Majesty. The Fievegal has defeated all three of them.”

“What…?” asks Sundenelle distantly.

Hekate nods innocently, while Ryuogriar smirks at Aramellianna with a ‘you win this time, your Grace’ expression on her face. The Grand Duchess Senior dips her head respectfully, simply being a master of capitalizing on conversational timing for things such as this.

“Indeed,” confirms Doephluev. “In order to enlist the Grand Premier’s aid and guidance around the territory, we promised to slay the Three Terrors for him. The fight with Yaulwembor was truly frightening at times.” Doephluev does her usual damsel routine, cupping her cheek and pretending to be a maiden, even though she was on the front lines and casting massively destructive magic.

“If you were so afraid, you should have asked us for help,” replies Ryuogriar a little coldly. “We were not aware of how dangerous the situation truly was until after Mukori resurfaced after all.”

Sundenelle listens, but her questions are piling up. If nothing else, she wants to hear the whole story of the battle for entertainment, but she needs to know what was going on with Imperial allies. The reason she hasn’t sanctioned Mattarglos for meeting with the Fievegal is two fold; she never declared war on the entity known as the Fievegal, though she admittedly ordered that they not be recognized as a sovereign state. More importantly, Mattarglos is the next largest territory along the mountains, meaning that they are the only line of defense against the Demon Covenant or Hegemony establishing a foothold east of the mountains if they were to aggressively push eastward.

According to everyone she has talked to from the Fievegal, though, there is no longer the same pressure to expand eastward with the creature known as the Devourer having been defeated.

“Yes, well, we handled it in the end, and I’m sure the decision would have been made if it were any more dire,” replies Doephluev icily.

Leiwelles approaches, bowing to Sundenelle first, and then Hekate and the others. “Your Imperial Majesty, your Greatness, and your Graces; please pardon my intrusion. I have prepared the rooms that you’ll be using, though I must apologize for their lackluster size.”

“It’s fine,” replies Ryuogriar. “That you are accommodating our sudden requests plenty.”

“Yeah! And, if we really wanted to, we could have the airship land near Castle Northwall,” adds Hekate. “But we’re trying to avoid spies approaching it as much as possible.”

“Is there anything you need, your Greatness?”

“Could I ask…” starts Doephluev before Hekate answers, “No, we have everything we need.”

Doephluev clears her throat, repeating her request, “I would like to ask for some warm water to be brought to my room, if possible.”

“Certainly, your Grace. If it’s for your pregnancy, is there anything else you need for comfort?”

“No, just the warm water will be plenty.”

“Understood. And, will you be staying for breakfast, your Greatness? If you prefer, I can have my ladies prepare just about anything, though our supplies might be more limited.”

“I don’t think we’ll…”

“Ryuogriar is going to be laying her egg in the morning. The rest of us wouldn’t mind a meal,” starts Doephluev.

Surprised, Hekate scowls at her. “So? We have lots of items stored.”

“Yes, and since I’m currently acting as the Empress today, I believe I should have the final say.”

“Relax, Doephluev,” replies Ryuogriar, her tone cold and uninterested. “I agree with Hekate. There’s no need to burden the women of the Flower Garden further. I won’t make Mukori waste further time once my egg is laid. We’ll depart soon after.”

The archoneldwyn startles everyone when she slams her fists on the table. “Of course you agree with Hekate. Of course you choose to play the good person. Of course you have to respect her! I won this privilege fair and square! Me! My abilities, my talents, and my mind. Hekate lost, so I am the Empress for only one day. And not even one day can you respect me.”

“Respect you!?” shouts the highest ranking dragon as she bolts to her feet. “You defeat a child with manipulative games you know you can win, and you call that fair and square!? The role of the ruler of an empire is not some trinket to be gambled and trade hands! This farce is but a childish spawned from your absolute insolence. You are an assassin and prisoner because you were defeated, and you were only spared by my mercy.”

“Ha! ‘Mercy’! The only merciful ones are Daniel and Hekate! At least Hekate grants me even these little opportunities! But no one ever respects me! I work hard, too!”

“You work hard because you want to steal away authority and rank. You are greedy and selfish.” retorts the dragon.

Everyone has already backed away, while Magnir and Neith have stepped closer to try to defuse, but they hold back for the moment.

“Yes, I am greedy and selfish! I have never denied that fact! But, that doesn’t mean I don’t feel love, or pain, or happiness, or anger! I’m a person, not just a means to protect your fragile ego and assuage your guilt! You opulent snakes hoard riches away from the world, indulging in your fantasies and waiting around to be rescued! At least I would have offered the soldiers some of our ingredients in exchange for their work!”

Ryuogriar scoffs. “You only agreed to our deal out of desperation for yourself. I doubt you even care about the precious gift Mukori-...” SLAP!

A single flesh-on-flesh strike silences what seems like the entirety of the small border fortress. Everyone is watching at this point, and Ryuogriar is stunned for a brief moment.

Suddenly, flames spark in her mouth, and she glares hatefully at Doephluev, halted only by what her eyes land on.

The young archoneldwyn woman is crying.

***