The queen of Galgalake woke up looking haggard. She had been working non-stop for three days since learning what the Hero Haley had about the Demon-Lord. The queen had been laying the groundwork to get support from her highest-ranking nobles and allies while the heroes traveled to Galgalake.
The queen yawned loudly, making an almost singing sound and ending it with a whistle.
The door to her chambers opened, and several maids entered the room.
“Good morning, your majesty.” The maid who seemed to be in charge said.
“Mm. Good morning, Penny.” The queen carefully wiped a tear from her eye with a talon.
“I swear, you are working yourself too hard, your majesty. You even skipped dinner last night.” Penny chastised the queen as the other maids went about getting things ready for the queen.
“I told you something difficult and trying would be coming to Galgalake. I need to take the proper measures if I wish to see it succeed.” The queen pouted.
Penny inhaled deeply and let out a sigh. “Everyone, step out for a moment.”
The other maids left the room and closed the door behind them. Penny approached and sat down on the bed.
“Meryl, what is happening?” Penny asked.
A happy smile came to the queen’s face. “I love it when you call me by my name. Being queen, I hardly ever hear it now.” She huffed.
Penny patiently waited.
“Oh, fine. But you must swear by the goddess that you will not reveal what I say to you until I make the official announcement.” Queen Meryl stated.
“Very well.” Penny made the Divine Oath. “Now, what is it?”
“One of the heroes got solid evidence that what we all have been suspecting of the Demon-Lord is true.”
“That he is good?”
“Correct. But I know the people will still be hesitant to accept him.”
Penny’s eyes widened. “You are laying the groundwork to welcome him to Galgalake!?”
“Not welcome, not yet. I wish to speak with him first. Establish a connection where we can give him a chance to become more well-known.”
“Meryl! This is a huge risk to take! Why should we be the ones to do it?!” Penny exclaimed.
“Because no one else would. Believe it or not, I heard Hana had been looking for a way to speak to Io. Then when she seemed to push for the likelihood that the Demon-Lord was good at the last major meeting, I checked into it.”
“What did you find out?”
“Not much, but I learned that Hana had successfully contacted the goddess. Hana had seemed on the wall about the Demon-Lord before that, but after, she seemed far surer that he was good. That is why I felt like taking the risk. If the goddess is backing him, then I think we can trust him. Not to mention, think of it this way. Who in the entire world would challenge the country that befriended the Demon-Lord?” The queen joked.
“By the gods…” Penny massaged her temples.
“Oh, speaking of the gods, apparently, they are the ones who have been creating the Demon-Lords. Keep that to yourself.” The queen ruffled her feathers while stretching.
Penny gave the queen a look of absolute horror. “That is not something to joke about!” She shouted while heading to the door.
The queen thought about clearing up that it was not a joke but decided not to. She felt it would be too much of a burden for her closest friend to carry.
The other maids were let into the room to prepare the queen for the day. They preened and cleaned her feathers while also cleaning her main body. A couple of maids also made sure to file and polish her talons.
While she relaxed in her bath, Penny reviewed the queen’s schedule for the day.
“Ah, no need to go over every detail. Do I have anything interesting today?” The queen complained.
Penny sighed. “Must you be like this?”
“I have had a rough last couple of days. I desire to be entertained!” The queen commanded.
Sighing again, Penny looked through the schedule. “Oh, here is something you might like. After you have an audience with Lord Quaelin, you have a meeting with Lord Delormond.”
“Oh? What is it about?” The queen asked, not expecting much. Most new nobles only showed up to ask for help with things.
“It seems his family started up a technology business. It seems he wishes to bring a sample for you to see.”
“Hmm…” The queen was skeptical. It would not be the first time a noble had brought some hair-brained invention before her, hoping to get her stamp of approval. “Do we know anything about it?”
“Not really. It would be difficult to get information if the product is only available in Hallibrush because of its remote location at the border.” Penny replied.
“I see. Well, I hope it is something exciting.” The queen said as she stepped out of the bath.
The maids carefully patted her dry and used blow dryers on her feathers to finish.
“Mm! I love this part. It is so comforting.” The queen hummed.
Penny checked her clock. “We are a little behind, but the first meeting is unimportant.”
“Eh? What about breakfast?” The queen whined.
“You were the one who slept in.” Penny retorted.
“What is the first meeting?”
“Country status meeting.”
“Just get me the shorthand notes. I want to eat.”
Penny sighed and sent a messenger out.
The day dragged on for what felt like years for Queen Meryl. She could only keep herself sane by playing cheeky pranks on various nobles and ministers. She felt bad at times, but for the amount of time they wasted on unimportant things or long-winded speeches, they deserved it.
Queen Meryl sat on her throne, listening to Lord Quaelin drone on and on about his complaints over insufficient people or business coming his way.
“Please, your majesty, can we not just redirect the road to pass through my main city?” He asked, rubbing his hands together.
The queen internally sighed. This was not the first time the fool begged for this change.
“We have spoken of this before, have we not?” She asked, feeling sleepy.
“Um, I cannot recall.”
“Then perhaps you have the memory of a pigeon. Minister Cassil, you have the recording I asked you to take?”
“YES, YOUR MAJESTY!” The minister shouted happily. He could finally get rid of it and not risk some annoying job.
The minister brought up the recording of the conversation they had last month about it.
“This is the third time you have petitioned this Lord Quaelin. I have told you before if we redirect the road, it will anger the Merchants Association for the additional four days going through your domain. To them, time is money, and I will not step into that goblin’s den naked and tied up. If you want more people to come to your domain, make something to draw them to you. Your request is denied.”
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
The minister joyfully handed the recording to the noble, who took it with nervous hands.
“Lord Quaelin.” The queen called out, now feeling awake and entertained.
“Y-Yes, your majesty.” The noble trembled.
“I hope this conversation does not repeat once more. If it does, I will have to make a new, interesting recording for the people.” The queen’s smile was foreboding.
“I… Understand.” The noble bowed his head and left the throne room.
“Now entering, Baron Delormond and Baroness.” The announcer called.
The queen’s feathers perked up a bit, but she was let down when she saw the baron enter empty-handed.
“Greetings, your majesty. I hope you are well.” Lord Delormond and his wife bowed.
“Hm. I was to understand you were bringing a new type of technology. Is it in your pocket?” She asked, a bored expression on her face.
Lord Delormond laughed. “It is a bit difficult to move around, so I stored it in my ring here. A moment if you would permit me.”
She waved her talons, giving him permission, but to her surprise, a large cylindrical chamber appeared in the middle of the floor before the baron. It was about eight feet wide, ten feet tall, and mostly made from metal.
“What is this?” She asked, feeling interested.
“This, your majesty, is a LemoGeon Simulation System. We only have a couple of programs set into it so far. A person steps into the chamber where they are kept safe and controls a hard-mana form. Would you permit us to demonstrate?” He asked.
Queen Meryl had to admit her curiosity was piqued, but she did not understand what he meant.
She watched as the fox-tailed Baroness entered the chamber.
“The system has several types of modes of operation. I bring this to you as it is something that could assist in the safe training of new soldiers and guards. Sadly, it does not add much to a person’s skill ranks as actual combat, but they do increase at a greatly reduced rate.”
“Wait, this is some kind of battle simulator?” A large knight in armor asked.
“It can be. That is the primary program we have right now. The second program we have available is a flight simulator, where one could experience what it would be like to fly through the air like winged beings.” The baron explained.
“Public mode activated. Establishing play area.” The LemoGeon announced in a cutesy girl voice.
A small, boxed area was isolated by a barrier. Before long, a smaller form of the fox woman, along with a giant lizard, formed in the area. The Baroness began fighting the lizard, hurling blue spiritual fire at the lizard.
“What!? That is amazing!” The queen was on the edge of her throne, watching the battle unfold.
“As I said, Liara is completely safe. She likely chose Medium Mode, where pain reception is 25%. No harm will come to her real body, but she will feel it if her hard-mana form is hit.” Lord Delormond explained.
Before she knew it, the queen stood next to the play area’s barrier.
“Your majesty! That is dangerous!” Some of the ministers tried to urge her away.
“I assure you it is safe. I built it into the circuit so that the play area barrier must be established if Public Mode is selected. If the barrier is broken, it breaks the circuit, instantly causing the simulation to break back into mana. I was worried about it at first, but I thoroughly tested it for safety.” Lord Delormond explained.
“I want to try.” The queen stated.
“Your majesty!” The ministers protested.
Queen Meryl quickly made her way over to the entrance where Lord Delormond stood.
“Are you sure you don’t want one of your people to test it first?” He asked.
“Divine Oath. Now.” The queen ordered him.
He stifled a laugh. “Yes, of course. In the name of Io, I swear that I mean no harm, your majesty, and that the LemoGeon System has been thoroughly tested for safety.” A silver haze rolled over his body.
Once confirmed by her eyes, she urged him to open it up for her.
Lord Delormond called into the unit to have his wife end her simulation and exit.
The Baroness stepped out of the unit a bit winded.
“Ah! I almost had it this time.” She laughed as she stepped aside for the queen.
Queen Meryl stepped into the empty chamber, and the door was closed behind her.
Lord Delormond spoke to her through an intercom. “The system will start when you command it to.”
“Oh. System Start.” She called out.
“LemoGeon System booting… … … Welcome to the LemoGeon Simulator. Which simulation would you like to try?”
Two screens popped up before her. One said Battle Simulator. The second said Free Flight Simulator.
“Free Flight Simulator.” She commanded. Her pulse was increasing at her excitement.
“Free Flight Simulator has been selected. Loading… … …”
Queen Meryl felt herself be lifted a few inches off the ground with a solid feeling cushion of air.
“Simulation Loaded. Please choose the game mode.”
Two screens popped up again. The first was Winged Being Flight. The second was Non-Winged Being Flight.
“The difference should be obvious. For beings without wings, the simulation will give them a set of magic wings they can use to fly.” Lord Delormond explained.
“Thank you. Winged Being, please.”
“Winged Being Flight selected. Public or Private mode?” The system asked.
“That is up to you, your majesty. It will make the play area if you wish everyone to see it. But if you only wish to experience it yourself, just do private mode.” Lord Caeldaemos said.
“Hmm. Private mode.”
“Private mode selected. Enjoy your time in the skies.”
The chamber brightened, and Queen Meryl was standing in an open field. She looked up toward the open blue skies. She found the simulation to be amazing. The blades of grass beneath her talon feet felt so real. Breathing deeply, the air was clean and cool.
A content smile came to her face as she ceremoniously spread her wings to her sides.
A light swish of her wings disturbed the grass beneath her.
Another, but more robust flap, she could feel her body shift upward.
She took a final, powerful flap of her wings to the air.
Again, flap. Again, flap. She continued to beat her wings as hard as she could, climbing higher and higher. The tension, the pulling of her muscles, everything invigorated her body. Her heart rate soared higher and higher along with herself.
She was free. Even if it was a simulation, she felt free after so many years of being cooped up in endless meetings, complaining nobles, and a nagging friend.
Queen Meryl glided through the endless-looking sky, occasionally flapping to keep her altitude. Seeing a lake off in the distance, she beat her wings and increased her speed. Faster, faster, and faster she went. The wind whipped at her face and eyes, but she didn’t care.
Reaching the lake, she flew just above the surface. Lowering one of her legs, she drew her talons through the water. All of the sounds and feelings were so real to her. Tears stung her eyes, and she lost control, tumbling into the water.
Queen Meryl floated to the surface, looking up toward the still blue sky. She laughed. She had not felt so good since her teenage years when her parents still ruled Galgalake.
She reached her talon hand out toward the sky. “Magnificent.”
“Your majesty?” Lord Caeldaemos checked on her.
“I am well. How do I stop this?” She asked, not wanting to leave but knew that she had to.
“Just say you wish to end the simulation.” He replied.
“Understood. End simulation.”
“Do you wish to end your simulation?” The system asked.
Queen Meryl didn’t want to answer but did with a reluctant smile. “Yes.”
The area lit up, and she was back in the chamber, lying on the ground.
Lord Delormond opened the door. “Your majesty! Are you alright?” He entered and helped her up.
“I am quite excellent. Better than ever. I want one of these.” She replied with a bright smile.
He chuckled. “I am assuming you enjoyed it?”
She gave him a wondrous smile that made him blush. “You have no idea how much.”
Queen Meryl stepped out of the chamber.
“Are you alright, your majesty? You are sweating quite a bit.” A minister observed worriedly.
“I am well. That device gave me quite the workout, one I greatly needed.” She turned to Lord Delormond. “Lord Delormond, how much for this?”
“This one you can have for your own private use, your majesty. We are still working out the pricing for the units, but it will be somewhere around 500,000 Tress. The cost will also include up to six additional simulations as we create them.” Lord Caeldaemos replied.
“Hah! You think me so cheap I could not purchase it?” The queen teased him.
“I just wish to show my gratitude. You played a big part in my becoming a noble.” He bowed his head to her.
“I see. Very well, I accept this gift.” She replied with a smile.
“I will move it to wherever you desire it, your majesty.” Lord Delormond said with a happy expression.
“Lord Delormond, can multiple people use it at once?” The large knight asked.
“Not in a single chamber, but the units can be linked together for a Party Mode.”
The knight turned to the queen. “Your majesty, I would like to procure some of these for knight training.”
“How many?” She asked.
“Perhaps five? This is the standard party for training.” The knight replied.
“Very well. Lord Delormond, how soon could you have five ready?” She asked him.
“I actually have seven in storage right now.” He replied.
“Then we shall take them all.”
“Your majesty! The budget!” A minister complained.
“We will make that back in no time. Having our knights better experienced and trained is far more important.” She told him.
The poor minister deflated in defeat. He knew that expression all too well.
“I suppose you desire something else from me, Baron?” She asked him.
“Just your approval.” He smiled while bowing his head.
“You shall have it. Do you have further plans for these?” She asked.
“We will be advertising them to the mercenary guild tomorrow. Other than that, we plan to establish a combat arena in Hallibrush.”
“A combat arena?” Queen Meryl tilted her head.
“Yes. A location where fighters can battle each other safely to test themselves. There will be battles against monsters and beasts as well. We will have quite a few units set up there and seating for people to watch from the stands. I am sure people would love to watch such battles.” Lord Delormond explained.
She liked the idea quite a bit. “Would you think of establishing here at Galgalake?”
“It would be good to have it close to a major city, but Hallibrush is at a good intersection. One direction, and you are heading to the demon empire. The other is the human empire. A crossroads where any of three races can come to battle. I know that the fae-folk is a bit further out to the east, but I feel that even they would come to try their metal.”
“Bringing all the races together…” She liked it. She loved it. A place where all races could intermingle and get to know one another. “Very well. If you need assistance or supplies, inform me, and I will help where I can.”
“Thank you, your majesty. But you will already be assisting us with making LemoGeon popular. We will continue to develop the LG system more to see if we can make smaller or individual units. But for now, we will be working with this.”
“Smaller units?”
“Yes. My wife's, Rana’s, goal is to make it so that both nobles and commoners can enjoy it. The smaller units will not have as many immersive functions as the chamber unit but will be just as fun. I was even thinking of opening simulator shops depending on how things go.”
“Very good, Lord Delormond! If the arena plan goes well, expect a reward from me!” Queen Meryl’s heartbeat quickened once more, excited to see what he could do.
“Thank you, your majesty.” He bowed his head.
Queen Meryl had Lord Delormond move the unit to a room connected to her office that was not in use. The Galgalake knights and military found the seven LG systems phenomenal for live training. After a few months, they would become the most elite force against any monsters of any kind.