For the rest of the day, the tournament was temporarily put to a stop. The publicly cited reason was the need for repairs to the arena, after which the tournament would continue the next day. The Tameryian delegation did not contest this since salvaging relations between both nations was a common strategic interest.
Behind closed doors, however, things were different.
The Major and the delegation entered talks with Republican officials. While I wasn’t privy to what they were thinking, I couldn’t imagine it was anything pleasant.
As for me, I didn’t receive any kind of formal reprimands or sanctions – at least not immediately. The only consequence of the fight for me was the satisfaction of my soul oath, which quietly faded away on its own.
In the meantime, the members of both teams returned to the inn, where everyone was checking on my wellbeing, singing praises about my fight with Furialis, or asking about my grudge with Alanus. Eventually though, the Major returned and clapped her hands to draw our attention.
“Settle down and take a seat. I won’t repeat the results behind the talks a second time.”
Whatever Romellus had to say to the Major, it seems to have mollified her enough to not cancel the diplomatic mission and return to Tamery. Thankfully, we were about to learn what that was.
“What happened today was a result of a personal feud between Contestants Alypius and Azoth dating back to events before the tournament.” She said, giving me a silent glare before continuing.
“In the Republic, slaves and tamed monsters are permitted to hold forbidden rarity evolutions and classes, but their owners are held responsible in case of harm or loss of life resulting from that decision to own them. That is why it is mostly nobility who can afford the costs and consequences of owning such slaves and beasts, and Contestant Alanus was no exception.”
“The issue begins with Contestant Alypius bringing a rank S tamed beast to the tournament. The tournament organizers have placed an upper limit of rank A on individual participants and assumed that to be enough. They did not anticipate an edge case where a rank A beast master would be capable of bringing in a rank S creature, since tamed beasts are not considered contestants. After today’s disaster, the rules are quickly being amended to extend the rank limit to all tamed beasts and summons. Any questions?”
Asty raised her hand, and the Major gestured for her to speak.
“What is going to happen to the tamed beast?” she asked.
“The beast originally belonged to House Alypius but is being confiscated by the Republic’s authority as punishment for today’s events. It will likely be integrated into their forces. Anything else?” The Major answered.
“Did they compensate us for endangering Kiara like that?” Durreg asked with a frown.
“No, they will not.” The Major shook her head.
“Contestant Alypius violated the spirit of the tournament, but he had not actually broken its rules. Kiara has also aggravated the situation by provoking him repeatedly and unnecessarily as well, and ultimately emerged both unharmed and victorious – which is more than can be said for the deceased former scion of House Alypius. Considering the circumstances behind this incident, as well as the overall purpose of the tournament, I could not argue against their reasoning and agreed to put the matter to rest.”
Before Durreg could protest further, the Major raised her hand.
“That said, we managed to obtain concessions on other fronts, and we’ve achieved favorable outcomes without losing anything, so I would say we came out ahead.”
“What concessions and favorable outcomes did we gain?” Nico asked.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“For starters, we could not have engineered a better way of advertising both the power of the dragons and the budding relationship between the Isles and the Theocracy. Furthermore, I believe that Kiara here, despite her mischief, has made a strong case for both the Suns and herself as the likely victors of the tournament. If the Republic had ill intentions or ambitions towards us before, then they’ll be forced to reconsider these plans.” The Major said.
“Although the tournament is not yet concluded, it is safe to say that our mission here is already accomplished, so celebrations are in order.”
The Major’s frown finally eased as she gave me an appreciative nod.
“For the rest of the day, you may do as you please. You may place any and all expenses for recreational purposes until curfew on the Theocracy’s tab, within reason, of course.” She said, glaring at Aptera during the last bit.
“Dismissed!”
***
Akila Amset
“Enter.” I said, responding to a knock on my door.
Aptera re-entered my office shortly after I’d dismissed the contestants. Only a few of my aides remained in the room, so it was safe to discuss the more clandestine affairs of the mission.
“Agent Menes, reporting for duty.” He said.
His usual lazy smile and salute continued to grate on my nerves, but the results he provides were hard to argue with.
Regardless, we had work to do.
“The meeting I had today gave conflicting impressions. The apologies from the Republic’s officials seemed sincere, and yet, reports regarding their mobilization are carrying on regardless – many of which were provided by you personally.” I said.
Aptera laid on the couch and pulled out his hand mirror to stare at his own face.
“Perhaps the officials who spoke with you are kept in the dark regarding any hostile actions? Maybe they might also just be very talented actors.” He said.
“I don’t deal in perhapses and maybes, Agent. From now on, even if it comes at the expense of your participation in the team tournament, I need you to get to the bottom of this. I have a report to make to the Pharaoh, and we will not be giving Her Grace false intelligence.”
Agent Menes continued staring at his mirror, mesmerized by his own face. My brows twitched.
“Agent Menes!” I yelled.
“Did you hear a word I said?!”
“Hmm? Yes, Major, I’ll be looking into what the Republic’s up to. There’s no need to manifest my drill sergeant. The real question is whether or not I am to stop at mere intelligence gathering.” He said with a thin smile.
I narrowed my eyes.
“We are here to prevent hostilities from breaking out, not risk starting them. Your orders are clear, agent. If I hear word of you acting on ‘creative’ interpretations of my commands, there will be consequences to pay. Do you understand?”
“Aye, aye, Ma’am!” Aptera said with a mock salute as he stood up and stepped out of the office.
Some of my aides looked to each other worriedly.
“It’s not my place to question your decisions, Ma’am…” One of my aides spoke cautiously.
“Speak plainly, Lieutenant. I value your input.”
The woman relaxed slightly before continuing.
“Are you certain it is wise to leave such a critical task in the hands of someone as fickle as Agent Menes?” she asked.
Although the rest of my aides didn’t say anything, they seemed to agree with her. I put down a document I was looking over and nodded.
“Your concerns are understandable, but I’ve known Menes for a long time. He may be eccentric and narcissistic, but he is neither incompetent nor treacherous. If anyone can get this job done, it’s him.”
***
With the Major’s briefing over, Durreg, Nico, and I left to meet up with Jezibel and take advantage of the Major’s generosity. That plan went up in smoke the moment I entered the streets, however.
“What’s wrong with these people? Why are they acting like Kiara’s going to bite?” Durreg complained while he glared at the people who gaped at me.
“It can’t be helped. The entire city had seen her transform into a dragon and kick a rank S monster to the ground. It’s not surprising they fear her power.” Nico sighed.
In their eyes, I belonged to the nation of monsters that wreaked terrible havoc centuries ago, and most people either stared in awed fear or tried to keep their distance from me. Regardless of their reasons, however, it ruined my mood.
“You know what? Let’s just go get Jezibel and find somewhere private. I don’t want to hang around in public for a while.”
Neither of them objected to that.
***
“Wow, you weren’t kidding.” Jezibel said.
The four of us sat in the lobby of the inn the Tameryian delegation was staying at.
“I knew dragons have a really terrible reputation in the Republic, but it’s depressing to see it in person.” I sighed.
“All the more reason for this tournament to exist.” Nico said.
“The events of the Celestial War still dominate the minds of people hundreds of years after it ended. The Dragon Cult in particular still haunts the human psyche, even more so than mankind’s grief with the gods in that age.”
“Fair enough, I suppose.” I grumbled.
As I said that, something at the edge of my sight caught my eye. A faint light from past the nearby window glinted at me repeatedly, as if it were trying to catch my attention. Intrigued, I stood up.
“Give me a moment, I’ll be right back.” I said.