“LAST BUT NOT LEAST, FROM NEMEPHAN, QUEEN SAHAZ LAZOERI NEMEPHAN XIV, ARRIVES TO PAARJO, CAPITAL OF LUMIN KINGDOM, ACCOMPANIED BY STATE REGULATORS URGUN KAPER, MAART VATNI, AMEL IRTUD, AND ERMA IRACON.”

Where is the announcer, anyway? I wondered, looking around the gardens for a second.

Lapia nudged my shoulder. “Focus,” she chastised me. “They arrived,” she muttered in distaste.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise at her tone and looked at the approaching group.

A group of twenty or so winged individuals were descending on the landing spot. Their wings replaced the arms, and feathers covered their bodies where clothes did not. Their feet where those of a bird, with four digits and talons. Their upper bodies looked like a person's, but slim and elegant. Their faces had lips, a nose, and feathered ears.

In short, Harpies.

I leaned close to Alyssa. “How come they kept the wings?” I inquired.

“Evolutionary advantage,” she quietly replied. “Wings are quite useful. And it's a bit insensitive to ask that kind of question.”

I nodded and looked at the Harpies. “Got it.”

The bird people walked through the paved path and met with the other rulers at the plaza-like space, then greeted each other.

I noticed they folded their wings and had what looked like hands around the mid-section of their upper limbs.

The gathered individuals turned around and faced the palace.

“Hmm...” I hummed and leaned into Lapia. “Do you know which one is Urgun?”

The Elf nodded. “Green robe, four-winged crest on the back,” she replied, then turned to me. “You remember her name?”

I stared at the Harpy in question and nodded. “Naturally,” I confirmed. “Want me to kill her?”

My companions whipped their heads in my direction.

“No,” Lapia rejected the offer with a shake of her head. “I'll talk to her first.”

“Sure, but I'll join you,” I told her.

“I was going to ask you to,” she chuckled.

Yolin poked my ribs. “Hey, what's this about-”

“AND NOW, OUR BELOVED MONARCH! HIS MAJESTY THE KING, GORDON IGNE LUMIN IV, MAKES HIS ENTRANCE! AFTER BEING AFFLICTED WITH A DISEASE THAT ONLY A HALVE COULD CURE, HE WISHES TO SHARE THE JOY HIS RECOVERY WITH EVERYONE PRESENT!”

The people cheered, and the group of Rulers clapped gracefully.

A few sparkly firework-looking things spew out of a balcony on the third floor, getting the attention of everyone.

The gates to the first floor opened and Gordon came out wearing a stylish robe bearing the Kingdom's symbols and his crown on top of his head.

“Hah!” He laughed with a big smile. “Got you!”

This man's a King... I reminded myself, covering my eyes at the ridiculous joke.

“The absolute state of this country,” Pokora sighed.

People laughed, others cheered, and most clapped.

“Welcome to Paarjo!” Gordon greeted the gathered rulers.

Josalia walked out and stood next to him. She had a slight blush on her face, probably feeling second hand embarrassment from her husband's actions. “Welcome to Paarjo,” she greeted as well, giving a polite nod and smile. “And thank you for coming to celebrate my dear husband's recovery.”

“Indeed!” Gordon agreed with a big smile. “Thank you all for coming on such a short notice, and right at the turn of the season at that.” His face turned serious. “Sometimes, life is unpredictable... isn't it?”

Words of agreement were shared among the Rulers.

Gordon's face turned into a smug grin. “But the most unpredictable of all is yet to come!” He announced and made a hand gesture.

“FROM THE CRADLE OF LIFE!”

“Shit!” I hissed. “What should I do?”

“A MOST RESPECTED BEING!”

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“Do the thing you did at the arena!” Bonte whispered, full of excitement.

“A WARRIOR! AN ETERNAL!”

“Yeah!” Lapia agreed. “Trust me, I'll help with your entrance!”

“HER KIND PROTECTED OUR ANCESTORS, AND WE'VE RECEIVED THAT BLESSING ONCE MORE!”

“Make an impact, wasn't it?” Alyssa giggled.

“A WOMAN OF ACTION AND DESICION WHO DID NOT WASTE A MOMENT TO ANSWER THE PLEA OF OUR COUNTRY!”

“Fine!” I hissed in resignation, equipping my armor and producing my shield.

“A MOST BENEVOLENT WOMAN!”

Pokora burst in a fit of giggles. “This is great!”

“HER GLORIOUS EXCELLENCY NATASHA NOVAK, HALVE WARRIOR!!!”

The people roared, and the Rulers clapped with great excitement, turning our way.

Bonte snapped his fingers and enveloped the gazebo in shadows.

Fuck! I walked out of the small building, still shrouded in darkness. Come on, Natasha! You can do it. At least do it for the clout!

Trumpets echoed in the gardens, and the cheers increased in volume.

“Это пиздец!” I cursed and activated Dragoon Might, then Dragon Dive.

My legs tensed up and the E'er flowed to my thighs and back. Then, I shot up high into the sky at a ridiculous speed. I looked down and saw the big eagle and the Rodolian a few hundred meters below me.

Right then, the world slowed down to a crawl and a red circle appeared at the center of my vision wherever I looked.

I focused on the landing spot and noticed the red circle covered the entire Royal Palace.

Fuck! No! Make it smaller! Just the landing spot! I complained in my head.

And it did.

The red circle grew smaller but redder at the same time, almost turning blood red. It precisely covered the patch of grass designated to land.

Yes! Now, GO!

The world rushed towards me faster than anything I had seen so far... or more like, I crashed down at several times the speed of sound.

My landing was probably the loudest noise I have ever heard, and the ground shook.

Just as I landed, however, several lightning bolts fell from the sky and struck me.

The E'er in my body flowed into the ground around me, breaking it and forming spikes.

The dust settled instantly, probably thanks to Lapia's space spells.

I quickly noticed I was surrounded by very wide and tall spikes. They were at least twenty meters thick and one hundred in height. I clicked my tongue and jumped over them as easily as one jumped over a fence.

After my second landing, I raised my spear to the sky for added flair.

A final lightning bolt struck the tip of my weapon for a good three seconds, making my armor crackle with the element.

I winced at the taste of batteries in my mouth. I don't think I'll get used to that...

My grand entrance, however, was met with silence.

The Rulers were staring at me with wide eyes and slack jaws.

I lowered my spear and hit the ground with the butt, making a loud noise.

“WOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHH!!!” That seemed to wake everyone up, as the gardens echoed with the thunderous cheer of the people, Royalty, Nobility, and other types of Rulers present.

Heh, glorious success, I chuckled in my mind. And I'm not that scared of heights anymore. Cool.

Gordon was laughing loudly and clapping.

Josalia was in shock, looking at me as if I was a holy being.

My companions were nodding, full of smug... except for Elena and Hanna, who were on their knees and had... odd expresions between adoration and some form of depraved lust.

Not the kind of success I wanted, but a dub is a dub, I settled and stored my weapons.

Those looking quieted down, as if my gesture was a sign for them to settle down.

I cringed a little inside, then walked through the paved road towards the Rulers.

To my shock and absolute displeasure, they all knelt down... including my buddies Gordon and Josalia.

This is not the kind of clout I'm chasing... but whatever... I have to get used to this... I concluded and recalled Louis' words about etiquette. “Good morning,” I shortly greeted the Rulers. “You did well on coming here,” I coldly announced, then felt the soul-crushing hand of cringe grasp my entire being. This is bad for my RP. I had an image of a cool gal that doesn't think much of positions... Well... that probably influenced the attempt at my life.

Gordon rose first, then gave me a wink and a subtle thumbs-up.

I inwardly sighed in relief.

Josalia stood up next, and looked at me with approval, nodding a few times as if saying 'this is how a Halve should behave'.

One by one, the Rulers stood up. Each had a different expression on their faces. Most were of awe and joy, some were of approval and acceptance, few were more timid and respectful.

I extended a hand towards the gazebo. “I'll introduce my companions,” I announced.

The group in question walked towards me and bowed to the Rulers.

I gestured at and introduced them one by one. “Lapia Pofeta, Alyssa Pruvik, Yolin Makav, Bonte Slirmy, Bromisnar Bahadh, Pokh'Orra Pez'Che, Elena Pazh'Khun, Thelea Vathunith, and Hanna Intarr... with two r's at the end.”

The Rulers nodded with polite smiles.

I looked at Gordon. “Take it from here, Your Majesty,” I 'instructed' him.

The man bowed again. “Your Excellency has my gratitude,” he replied. “Let's move inside, shall we?” He offered. “Personal introductions will have to wait until the banquet begins,” he chuckled and turned around.

This is pretty... chill for Rulers. Maybe Halves change the landscape too much? I wondered, observing the Rulers follow Gordon into the Palace.