A Tameryian Diplomat
I spent the next fifteen minutes explaining the chain of events leading up to the success of my mission to Count Hor.
“To escape the Romellus guard, Major Amset had members of the combat teams knock the guards unconscious and hide them inside the inn. I made an excuse to return inside before we departed, planted the explosive wind mana stone your men gave me, and triggered it once we were far enough from the inn.” I said.
The Count nodded.
“Very good, very good! Did you confirm the kills yourself?” the Count asked.
“I received system notifications for the deaths of all the guards, milord.” I answered.
“Splendid, splendid! Just to confirm, you did not find anyone besides the Major capable of casting powerful offensive wind magic, no?” he asked.
“…None amongst the Tameryians, milord. The Dragon girl is capable of using all the elements, but she hasn’t demonstrated use of wind magic throughout the tournament, so I believe we’re still safe.”
The Count smile froze, and I felt a chill go down my spine. A painful, awkward silence passed, and I did my best not to let it show.
Eventually, the count sighed.
“Well, while that’s not as tight a trap as I would’ve liked, it shouldn’t change the final result.” He said.
“So, I get my family and monetary compensation for my part in this, right?! I’ve no more debts to repay anymore, right?!” I asked, unable to hold back anymore.
The Count looked me in the eye and smiled.
“Why, yes of course, you don’t owe me anything anymore. I have no more leverage over you, as dictated by our contract.” He said, pulling out the signed, magic contract between us.
The paper caught fire and immediately disintegrated into ash, taking all my fears and worries with it.
“From this moment onwards, you’re a free man.” The Count said.
I held my breath with great emotion but resolved to hold back my tears in front of this monster. It was time to find my family, beat a hasty retreat, and never come back.
“Thank you for your mercy, Count H-hrrgh?!”
Blood emerged from my throat and fell to the ground.
“…Huh?”
I looked down to stare at the blood I threw up but found a spearhead emerging from my chest blocking my vision of the floor.
It was covered in blood.
“You are free, my good man, and I no longer have any authority to harm you. That said, it’d definitely be a shame if my men decided to tie up loose ends on their own, don’t you think?” the Count smiled.
“Oh, don’t you worry your little head about your family; I’ve already sent your family to meet you ahead of time. I did make sure to take my time in enjoying them first, though.” The Count said.
The guard withdrew his spear from my chest, and I crumpled to the ground like a puppet with cut strings.
“I am a very jealous man, you see.” The Count said as my consciousness began fading.
“I hate it when I no longer have access to my toys, so I have a habit of breaking them when that happens.” He said.
“If it’s any consolation, your and your family’s passing was quick. The same can’t be said for our friend, Major Amset. I am going to be ‘re-educating’ her for a long, long time…”
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Whatever that demon in human skin was saying after that, I mercifully never heard it as my vision weakened into nothingness.
***
When the Carriages transporting the delegation to Thebos finally arrived, government officials made haste to greet us. Quickly we were ushered to a private room in the palace, where the Pharaoh allegedly awaited our arrival.
“Why are we not meeting the Pharaoh at the throne room?” I asked.
“Probably has something to do with it being prepared for the coronation of a new Pharaoh.” Durreg chuckled.
Oh, right.
“I’ve heard word that the nature some of the rewards being bestowed upon us by Her Grace require privacy for our sakes.” The Major said, earning a raised eyebrow from me.
‘What kind of reward requires privacy…?’ I wondered.
Before I got to ask, the group took a turn, and we entered a private room. This room consisted of a number of couches and chairs surrounding a table, with two individuals waiting for us at the end of the room.
Making her chair look like a lavish throne that could be languished on was a richly dressed, tan-skinned falcon woman. Her resemblance to Asten was uncanny, and her identity was immediately obvious. Whether through her clothes, her demeanor, or through the sheer presence she had in a room, Pharaoh Hatshepsut certainly lived up to her station.
Standing next to her was an old, wizened man in priestly robes who held his hands behind his back and had a kind smile waiting for us – the catch was that I’ve met him before. This was the old man the Goddess of Fortune had sent to meet me so long ago.
Once we arrived and the guards closed the door behind us, the Major took two steps forward and saluted the Pharaoh.
“This humble servant greets her Pharaoh, Your Grace.” She said, kneeling on one leg and bowing her head.
Everyone in the delegation, except for me and Durreg, knelt before the Pharaoh in the same way. A warm, proud smile revealed itself on the Pharaoh’s face.
“Raise your heads, my subjects, for you have raised that of the whole nation’s in the face of the world.”
The Tameryians did as their Pharaoh said.
“It goes without saying that all of you deserve a reward for your contributions, but the Republic has left us in dire need of ideas.” She chuckled.
“There’s little point in giving you even more money, and no smith in the nation can rival the renowned Vulcan.”
“Your words are praise enough, Your Grace.” Nico said.
I imagine if Jezibel was here, she would have slapped Nico’s soul straight out of her body. Fortunately for Nico, the Pharaoh disagreed.
“I can’t have that, young lion of House Sept.” The Pharaoh chuckled.
“Just as foul and negligent deeds must be punished; great deeds must also be rewarded. A nation that fails to do so buries its own future in the desert sands.”
The Pharaoh snapped her finger, and a pile of documents appeared before us.
“For the gallant members of the Tameryian Gale: prepared for each of you is a magic contract written and signed by me personally, conferring the title of Honorary Baron or Baroness upon you. This title grants you the privileges of nobility with none of the responsibilities, and although the status is not inheritable, you and your families may lead privileged lives for as long as you draw breath. You may even cement your status into full nobility through further service to the nation. All you need to do is to sign on the document, and it will take place effective immediately.” She said.
Quiet gasps emerged from the whole room, even from the nobles. Nuhem and Nishem, the Serapis siblings, eyed each other in shock. But the Pharaoh was not done.
“As for the valiant Tameryian members of the Tameryian Suns, an individualized reward has been afforded to you, given your differing places on the noble hierarchy.” She said.
“Lady Astekhu Amenrut, it has come to my attention that you have been in conflict with Viscount Amenrut for some time now. Your academic aspirations in the field of alchemy is in conflict with the long-standing martial traditions of House Amenrut, which held that all its sons and daughters ought to serve in the nation’s military – ideally bringing glory upon their House from the frontlines. With this in mind, as well as your place as the seventh in line to inherit House Amenrut, I offer you the establishment of your own, separate noble house.”
Asty’s gasped in shock.
“Do not worry regarding your House’s reaction; your ties to House Amenrut will not change, and you will remain seventh in its inheritance line. Your father has also personally approved of my reward for you. That said, your House will be begin as a Barony, which is a step down from House Amenrut. If you would like to accept regardless, feel free to sign on the magic contract made for you.” The Pharaoh said, turning towards Aptera.
“As for you, Lord Aptera Rehu, due to your personal circumstances, your rewards will be disclosed to you in private. It also includes the expungement of your criminal record.”
Aptera bowed his head, but the cheeky smile on his face never faded.
“Thank you, Your Grace.” He said.
The Pharaoh nodded then turned to Nico.
“Lady Nicotris Sept, your family’s place in the highest echelons of Tameryian nobility places me in a difficult spot. If one cannot award wealth, weapons and armor, or social status, then that leaves little for me to work with.” The Pharaoh chuckled.
“Fortunately, I managed to find something in the end, with the aid of Lady Mett personally.”
That last bit caught the rapt attention of everyone in the room.
“For meritorious service to the nation, for the display of great future potential, and for one of the most powerful performances in the entire tournament, it is my pleasure to grant you one of the nation’s most jealously guarded national treasures – a divinity crystal.”