Greatlord Oshiro shifted slightly in his chair. It wasn’t that his seat was uncomfortable, the atmosphere awkward, or the temperature too hot or cold. No, it was his instincts as a warrior, honed to a standard worthy of his station through thousands of hours of religious practice, that caused him to adjust his weight. It wasn’t a conscious reaction, and he found his body preparing for combat before he identified any obvious threats.

The sensation lingered in his mind; the subtle screaming of his instincts informed him of one clear fact unnoticed by everyone else around him. Danger. But from where? It wasn’t from Highlady Halen, the pinnacle of Eastern nobility and Lady of the House Halen, who was chatting amicably while delicately sipping tea. Nor was it from the unparalleled beauty in discussion with her: his wife, Ashina Oshiro. Neither was the threat from the legion of skilled maids that served them with practised grace and elegance. Not even the houseguards, some talented enough to break into yellow aura, were enough to cause a second glance.

The threat was outside and coming closer.

While his wife and Highlady Halen discussed their travel plans after this year’s storm season was to end, Oshiro found himself alert for what was approaching. This was the source of danger. Every fibre in his body twitched in anticipation and excitement.

The door opened, and through it shuffled the foul-tongued mother of Highlady Halen. While the old bat was a force in of herself, she wasn’t the source of his unease. Next came Lord-Prospect Halen; no, she was now Lord Halen. His Overlord had beaten him to her long-deserved promotion. Serena was indeed a talented warrior and skilful captain. If the rumours were correct, she was on the verge of blue aura, a monumental achievement for a demon so young.

Yet her formidable presence was not what set Oshiro on edge. The real source of the storm was the person who was half-hidden behind her. The singular person in this estate who lacked horns. The only human he had ever known to carry the crimson eyes of the most pureblood demons. The woman was warded and cloaked by countless layers of spellwork, an amount of which betrayed her titanic aether reserves, again betrayed by the fact that a similar amount of spellwork was being maintained upon the newly sanctioned Lord Halen.

Amelia Thornheart.

The young human mage invoked a reaction within Oshiro that was similar to how he felt when he faced his Overlord. It was a sensation only warriors like himself could experience. It was the promise of a great battle against a worthy foe. What would happen if he attacked the human right now? Could he win? How many Words would he have to Speak to break those wards? How would his aura handle her spellwork?

Something about him must have shown through, giving away his inner thoughts. Once Highlady Halen stood up and approached the guests, his wife turned towards him with a hardened stare.

No fighting, she mouthed at him.

He’d been caught! No one could read him as well as his wife could. Still, he would play dumb. He forced a surprised expression and turned his palms upwards as if to say, What could you possibly be talking about?

You’ve got that look in your eye again, his wife mouthed.

What look!? He mouthed back.

Nothing, she replied, followed by a smile.

Highlady Halen brought over the guests: the grumbling old woman who cared little for decorum; Serena, with her sharp eyes evaluating the environment; Lady Thornheart, who was trying to appear casual, but the slight rigidity in how she moved betrayed her discomfort; and another demon from the South who seemed familiar, but Oshiro couldn’t immediately place him. Judging by the man’s uniform, he was likely Serena’s First Officer. Oshiro wasn’t sure who looked more out of place, the mysterious human or this Southern demon with a noticeable nervous sweat forming on his hairless head.

“I know you’ve met before, Greatlord Oshiro, but allow a proud mother to introduce…” Highlady Halen gestured to her daughter. “My daughter, Speaker, war hero, and now Lord. Serena.” The daughter in question snapped to attention with a perfect salute. Oshiro rose, doing his best not to stare at the human.

“At ease, Captain,” he returned the salute. “Let’s not have the formality of the military distract from this casual evening.” After Serena relaxed, he added, “Tremendous work up North. I was about to sanction your Lordship myself, only to find I was beaten to it by our Overlord. You’ll make a fine Cascadian Lord, Captain Halen.”

“Thank you, Greatlord,” Serena replied. “If it were my choice, I would have preferred to remain under the horns of the Eastern Admiralty.”

Oshiro felt the corner of his mouth rise at the compliment. If he had his way, the Vengeance and its talented captain would remain under his horns. Nevertheless, an agreement was made between his Overlord and Centralis, and he was grudgingly encouraged not to renew the lease. Again, he resisted a glance at the human. How many of these events were because of her?

“Centralis has their way of doing things,” Oshiro intoned before Lord Halen’s compliment lingered into an awkward silence. “They may have their horns stacked with paperwork, but the Imperial Navy is competent.”

When it’s forced to be, he added silently.

“Tsk!” Highlady Halen’s mother clicked her tongue, reminding Oshiro that the woman still hadn’t died. “Competent? Ha! They’re soft. Afraid to mobilise properly! It’s been eight years, and they still can’t put down the Republic. Soft, I tell you! Soft!” The old woman shuffled over to her granddaughter, tapping her cane against Serena’s uniform. “Serena here has more grit,” she said, clenching her free hand into a tight ball. “In one of her horns than the entire of Centralis! You shouldn’t have let her go, young Oshiro!”

“Mother!” Highlady Halen protested, clearly attempting to keep her voice controlled.

“Grandmother!” Serena blurted out, casting a nervous eye in his direction.

“It’s fine,” Oshiro raised a hand, silencing the complaints. “I’m sure the esteemed mother of Highlady Halen wasn’t criticising the orders of the Eastern Admiralty, was she?” He gave the old bat a hard stare who eventually looked away, clicking her tongue.

“No, no…” she mumbled. “I’m just an old lady, forgetting myself. Don’t mind me.” She waved her cane dismissively. “I’ll just sit here and have some nice tea…” The old demon shuffled over to a chair and began pulling it out. A maid jumped forward to assist but was quickly smacked away with a swipe of the cane. “Damn you!” she complained. “I can sit at a table just fine by myself, thank you! Help me when I’m dead! Hmph!”

“And…” Highlady Halen began with a weak smile and eyes that screamed I’m sorry, that crazy old woman is a horn in my side! “I believe this is First Officer Dahlberg, an unexpected addition to our little table. Officer Dahlberg, may I introduce you to Greatlord Oshiro and his wife, Ashina?”

The Southern demon stiffened. “It’s an honour, Greatlord, sir,” he said quickly.

“Dahlberg, is it?” Oshiro intoned, amused at how out of place the bald, muscular Southerner was in this environment. “Not many Southerners earn a commission in the Eastern Navy. First Officer, was it? It must be you keeping the ship in check when Lord Halen here is off winning battles and…” he paused, letting his gaze linger on Amelia Thornheart. “...Collecting humans.”

Dahlberg mumbled something but Oshiro was more interested in the reaction of the human. He tried to decipher her nature and temperament, but the weak smile she gave wasn’t anything unusual compared to the typical unease most humans feel around demons. He looked expectantly at Highlady Halen, who quickly understood his meaning.

“Finally, may I have the pleasure of introducing…” Highlady Halen began with a forced smile. “Amelia Thornheart, House Halen’s contracted advisor, healer…” She paused as if finding the words difficult to say. “And Lord-Prospect. Lady Thornheart, I am thrilled to introduce you to Greatlord Oshiro and his wife, Ashina.”

The human took a quick breath and began a curtsy in a practised manner that Oshiro could only describe as forced elegance. “An honour to meet you, Greatlord and…” she paused, a frown appearing.

“Greatlady,” Serena whispered, leaning ever so slightly in.

“Greatlady,” Amelia repeated, finishing her curtsy and rising back up. “I thought she was a Lord…” Amelia mumbled quietly and then jumped awkwardly, realising everyone had heard her.

Highlady Halen sighed, rolling her eyes in a public display of disapproval. Ashina, however, raised a hand to her mouth and politely giggled. “I am a Lord, Lady Thornheart, and a Speaker in my own right. However, my title of Greatlady takes precedence over my Cascadian title of Lord. That is unless I become Highlord…”

The human nodded with sudden wide-eyed enthusiasm. “I see! It’s awfully confusing! This title overrides this other title, and then, it’s even more complicated when one of them’s a woman!”

“Confusing?” Ashina gently laughed. “How amusing. I, among many of my friends, have been confused over you, the enigmatic and mysterious human who seems to be the subject of every conversation the last couple of weeks. Tell me, how was your trip from Shimashina? I hope the storm season didn’t make it too unpleasant…”

While his wife tactfully set the human at ease, Oshiro’s brain churned as he tried to process the entity that was Amelia Thornheart. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t place her this way or that. The human was supposedly a diamond in the rough, a wandering healer from Karligard who had found her way to Cascadian citizenship. Yet she spoke in a flawless Centralis accent with a proficiency in High Imperial that was native.

Not only that, his Overlord had gathered the Greatlords and given them an overview of what had transpired during the downing of the Sakamoto. The Overlord had personally confirmed it was the human who had Spoken the Second Word of Asclepius, throwing the Eastern fleets into a scramble and causing monster activity that was only just dying down now.

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Amelia was surely much older than her looks suggested. Her reported age of twenty-five was an absurd age to have communed a Second Word. Oshiro would even go as far as to claim it impossible. Communing Words, especially the Second Word, drastically lowered the ageing process for the Speaker. Oshiro himself was almost as old as Highlady Halen’s grandmother, yet he appeared middle-aged. It would make far more sense for Amelia’s age to be closer to a century and her youthful looks to be maintained through her healing spellwork.

Yet… it didn’t quite fit. Something else set him on edge. The Overlord had pulled him and the other Greatlords of the Three Sisters aside and gave them an extra bit of information, with a follow-up instruction to be polite in the human’s presence and not to prod her too hard.

Vikram! The human god had reportedly yelled the name of the Eastern Overlord through Amelia’s transformed mouth. This daemon lord forced the connection! I couldst not break it!

Daemon lord. Why had Asclepius used that term? Was it said in frustration, insulting the human who’d forced a communion with the god? Or did Asclepius see something that the rest of them could not? Was Amelia a demon in disguise? Or was she a demon trapped in a human form?

The Overlord was confident Amelia was not a darkblade nor a product of their sick experiments with the soul. Unfortunately, it meant Oshiro’s mind went down another path. A path that seemingly fitted with all the information he knew about Lord-Prospect Thornheart, yet the conclusion it led to was one he had no idea what to do with.

Amelia Thornheart was the Empress in disguise.

It would explain almost everything. The Empress could take any form she chose, and a human one was well within her capabilities. She was powerful enough to force communion with the human gods and hide herself from their eyes in this realm. It would explain Amelia’s mysterious origins, her flawless Centralis speech and her tremendous power that tickled his instincts. It would explain why her Asclepius embodiment took on so many demon characteristics and why her eyes remained a demonic crimson.

Did his Overlord know? It would further explain why he stopped the Greatlord of Kenhoro from placing Amelia under house arrest. Seven hells, Amelia even looked like the Empress’s native Cerulean form. The height matched, as did the blond hair. But why? What was it about House Halen that the Empress felt the need to do herself? What was so important that it couldn’t be done through her faithful Overlord?

And why did it seem so obvious? Amelia’s power, her crimson eyes, her mysterious origin... they were all breadcrumbs towards an obvious conclusion, yet their placement felt sloppy. Or was it intentional? Did the Empress want it to be known she was in disguise?

Whatever the truth of the matter, Oshiro, with his decades of experience, knew nought what to do with the information. If he had a specific part to play in the Empress’s plans, then a sign would come. If not, then he would continue to be the same Greatlord he always was and let whatever be, be.

“Isn’t that right, dear?” Ashina said, casting him a friendly look. Oshiro had gotten lost in his thoughts. What had they been talking about? He forced himself to remember. A true warrior never missed a detail. They’d been talking about Lord Halen and Lady Thornheart’s concern over a human fitting in during her tenure as a teaching assistant at the Asamaywa Academy.

“That’s right,” Oshiro said, taking a moment to clear his throat. “You’ll find the students respectful, if a little apprehensive over you being… human.” He couldn’t resist emphasising the last word. “Nevertheless, many will jump at the opportunity to experience the capabilities of a human Speaker. Hopefully, you won’t disappoint. Also…” he looked around at the group. “We’ve been standing too long. Let us sit and sample some of our host’s excellent tea.”

Once seated, there was a lull in the conversation as the maids poured the refreshments. Oshiro took a sip, delicately placing his cup back down. “Lord Halen,” he began, capturing Serena’s attention. “Are you aware you and Lady Thornheart will not be the only guest instructors for the semester?”

Serena blinked. “I was unaware, Greatlord. Who else will have the privilege?”

“Katalin of Driss,” Oshiro said, pausing in amusement at seeing Serena’s eyes go wide in an almost childlike fashion. The elusive swordswoman from the North was famous for her reclusion and religious devotion to the blade. She had already communed two Words and was on her way to a third. If she kept track, she would become one of the youngest Greatlords in Cascadian history.

“Truly, Greatlord?” Serena asked. “Why would Katalin of Driss leave the North and travel here? Surely there are more preferable appointments she could claim in her homeland or Centralis?”

“It surprised me as well,” Oshiro replied. “Her father contacted me to request permission. I didn’t hesitate to give it. She’s interested in experiencing Shotokan, and Asamaywa is the best place for that. However, she won’t be instructing a class of students, no…” Oshiro took his time taking another sip of tea. “She’ll be teaching and learning from the other instructors, including you. I hope you’ll do your very best to satisfy her thirst.”

“Yes,” Serena said quickly, nodding with determination. “I will. Her sword favours the Northern Hawk style, if I remember?”

Oshiro nodded. “That it does. It’s a challenging style to fight, and it would be good for you to experience it. You’re breaking into blue, are you not?” Seeing Serena nod, he continued, “Sometimes a twist in the horn is helpful. The new perspective might help you solidify that aura. I’m sure Highlord Driss will be able to match the ferocity you require.” As Speakers became stronger it was harder to find a training opponent that could endure against them. As a result, the journey through the higher auras tended to be far more personal and less structured than the first few. An opportunity to spar with a legendary figure like Katalin of Driss was a valuable experience for Serena.

“I look forward to it. Thank you, Greatlord.”

Ashina leaned forward. “I’ve heard that Katalin of Driss is an unmatched beauty,” she whispered. “With fiery red hair and emerald eyes! They say men weep at the sight of her! Rather scandalous, don’t you think, Lady Thornheart?”

The women continued to gossip, and Oshiro noted his wife’s attempt to include Lady Thornheart in their conversations. It also didn’t escape Oshiro’s notice that Highlady Halen was clearly not happy at the human's presence. She didn’t push it into the realm of rudeness, especially as his wife was making her friendly stance clear, but there was an absence of inclusion from Highlady Halen that betrayed her dislike.

How would the Lady of House Halen react if he told her he suspected Amelia Thornheart of being the Empress? What would Serena say? There was always the possibility that Serena had more information than he had and was somehow involved in this mysterious plot. He briefly considered pulling her aside and ordering her to tell him, but something within him told him it wasn’t the right move.

"Greatlord Oshiro, may I raise a matter?” Amelia asked politely after a lull in the conversation. All three women gave her the side-eye while the grandmother chuckled but thankfully didn’t say anything.

“You may,” he replied.

Amelia explained that as a talented healer, she wanted to see if she could arrange to visit hospitals and provide her services. She’d raised the matter with Highlord Halen, who’d been somewhat critical of the idea and had correctly informed her it was not a small decision and could cause conflict between the Terra Firmas.

Demonkind had no gods of healing. Amelia Thornheart’s presence, whether she was a talented human Speaker or the Empress secretly forcing communion with the human gods, was nevertheless a drastic shift in the political landscape. Was this the Empress’s plan to bring healing spellwork back into the hands of the demons somehow? Oshiro resisted a sigh. It would do him better if he weren’t to try and guess such things. He would continue as if he didn’t have any suspicions regarding Amelia Thornheart’s true identity.

“You were right to bring this up with me, Lady Thornheart,” Oshiro began. “I believe House Halen has already received many offers regarding your services. Highlady Halen?”

“That’s quite right, Greatlord,” Highlady Halen said through a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thirty-seven letters, numerous requests for meetings, and I believe this very morning, a very determined messenger had to be thrown out by our guards! Your connection with House Halen has caused a plethora of complications that I hope you’ll do your best to resolve.”

Choosing not to let the not-so-subtle implication of Lady Thornheart’s unwelcome presence linger for too long, Oshiro quickly added, “As you can see, there is a growing problem. If we allow you to heal the friends and family of Eastern Lords, then a conflict will arise with the nobility of other territories. If we disallow it completely, I fear we’ll be under entirely different kinds of pressure.” If they prevented Lady Thornheart from healing outside of her contract with House Halen, then they would face accusations of not using the resource that was this human. Then, it wouldn’t be long until outside forces began trying to take her for themselves.

“I will raise this matter with my Overlord,” Oshiro declared. “I suspect an agreement will have to be made with other territories. For example, you would be permitted to restore a battalion’s worth of soldiers if there were a promise you would do the same in each of the other Terra Firmas. One son of a family here, for a daughter elsewhere. That kind of arrangement.” That was simplifying it. In reality, there would be even more fighting amongst the Eastern Nobility regarding who deserved Amelia’s healing. It would take the orders of the Overlord to contain it.

“O-okay! I mean, thank you, Greatlord.” Amelia flashed a smile. “I look forward to your reply!” Oshiro didn’t know if Amelia’s casualness was out of ignorance, confidence or something else, but he didn’t comment and politely informed her that she was welcome.

Conversation continued, with a few jabs thrown in from Highlady Halen. Whether the human could tell or not, Oshiro wasn’t sure. Ashina would always bring things back down before they could boil over into an argument. As much as his wife looked to include Amelia, Serena did the same to her First Officer. Oshiro suspected the man had been dragged here against his will and would only speak when spoken to. As the table was set for dinner and the smell of venison could be caught from the kitchens, voices were raised when Highlady Halen learned her daughter would not spend her time in Asamaywa at the estate. Instead, Lord Halen and Lady Thornheart would favour the rooms at the academy.

“Serena! I’ve barely seen you this year, and you’re going to hide away in that academy, training and teaching?” Highlady Halen protested. “Surely you’d prefer staying in the home you grew up in!”

“It’s simply more practical to stay at the academy,” Serena countered. “I miss you dearly, and I’ll find time to visit. We can go to the theatre this weekend.”

“To the theatre?”

“Yes, mother.”

“Just us?” Highlady Halen intoned, her brow slightly creasing.

“Yes, just us,” Serena said, letting the smallest sigh escape.

“I see I haven’t been invited!” the grandmother exclaimed in a huff. “Forgot I was here, did you? Hmm?”

“Grandmother,” Serena said with a smile, “Would you like to come to the theatre with Mother and me?”

“No, I hate the theatre,” the old demon grumbled. “Dreadful place. Too dark and too loud.”

The grumpy reply caused even Oshiro to chuckle. “Give my best to the Grandmaster, Lord Halen. I imagine you’ll see him tonight.”

“Of course, Greatlord. We’ll be heading there after dinner,” Serena sniffed and glanced behind her. “Speaking of…” The house staff brought out dinner, an elaborate and extensive variety of expensive dishes suitable for satisfying someone of his station. The main dish, an enormous silver plate containing a deer lying on a bed of citrus fruits, was placed on the table.

“Lady Thornheart!” Highlady Halen called out. “It appears the duty of carving has fallen upon you. If you could, dear.” She gestured towards the carving fork and knife. Oshiro wasn’t sure if anyone else heard the nervous swallow from the human. Amelia picked up the utensils, stood up and with a deep breath and a moment of hesitation, leant forward.

What became of the expertly cooked deer caused a tense atmosphere to develop.

“Amelia, dear,” Ashina said with amusement, “The poor creature has suffered enough already. No need to kill it again.”

“Y-yes, Greatlady…” Amelia mumbled with a pained expression. Oshiro was pretty sure the human was mouthing the phrase “away from the bone” to herself repeatedly.

Well, this display had certainly put a hole in his theory that Amelia was the Empress in disguise. The Empress was talented in countless skills, but surely even with a thousand years of practice, no one, not even her, could act out the awkward butchery that was taking place in front of his eyes.

Should Amelia Thornheart become a titan of the Empire, what was happening before him would be a story that would serve him well. Oshiro resisted a smile and simply sipped his tea.

What an amusing human.