I could see Reya stiffen out of the corner of my eye, but I already suspected as much. Now that they had publicly outed themselves, I could work on sending Winter and Lilian to actually do some espionage work.
I focused on the two members of the Civil Union House, both of whom were standing behind Princess Viina cautiously. Winter and Barett were talking about various martial arts, and the focus of the group had naturally shifted to them. Reya, I have a very important job for you. Can you do it?
The Metronian Princess perked up at my message, and, looking dignified, responded with, ‘Of course. Although, I will say that there is not much in it for me if I don’t have a reward.’
I wanted to tell her that helping her country should be enough of a reward, but I refrained. Fine. I’ll give you what you want. Can you help me, or not?
She moved to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with me, and a smile flashed on her face as she replied, ‘Of course. What do you need me to do?’
We’re going to have them split up from the C.U.H members so Winter, Lucina, and Akahime can extract information. We’ll drag off the Secela family to have a private meeting with the two of us. You’ll make the claim that this conversation will be for the ears of nobles only. After that, we will reconvene at lunch and discuss our findings back at the base after eating.
I blind copied Lucina into the message, and she sent me a reply confirming that she knew her role. I didn’t even have to ask Reya to start before she cleared her throat, causing those gathered to look at her.
“As much as I would love to hear you share your war stories, we have actual business to attend to, if you wouldn’t mind.” Reya glared at Barett, who sheepishly quieted down and turned to face the Crowned Princess.
“Alright. Let’s go hear it then. Come, I’ll show you to a suitable location.” Viina said, and began leading her entourage in the direction of the tower.
“I don’t think so.” Reya said with a slightly aggravated tone. The four from the Primal Kingdom stopped, and then turned to look at her.
“This has to do with matters of national importance.” Reya said, giving the two members of the union a withering look. “Only people of a noble bloodline could understand the gravity of the situation. I’ll have to ask you to leave your charity cases behind.”
Viina frowned, but nodded, and spoke to the two union representatives. The man stomped his foot, and pointed directly at me.
“What a farce! Why would being a noble matter in the slightest!? If this is a matter of national importance to the Primal Kingdom, surely you could let us go if even your Paladin can! He isn’t even of this world, let alone a noble!”
The man… I recall his name was Hector, jabbed me in the chest. I could see Lucina, Akahime, and Winter all start to move, but messaged them to calm down. Reya had this handled.
“Hah! I agree with you completely.” Stunned by Reya’s response, the man’s anger crumpled into nothingness when faced with the vitriol in the Crowned Princess’ voice. “Unfortunately, as per Metronian Laws, he is considered a noble by virtue of his job, with influence enough to rival the King’s. I don’t have the authority to dismiss him, even if I wanted to.”
Hector’s arms fell to his sides as Reya and I, led by the Secela siblings walked into one of the many spires around us.
---
“I wish you wouldn’t rile up our comrades so much.” Viina sighed once we had entered a room. It was on an underground floor, one which had been reinforced so that it could be a bunker in case any of the spires collapsed.
She and Barett had sat on one side of the round table, while Reya and I were on the other. “What is this matter of national importance, anyway?”
Reya looked to me to lead the conversation, having, of course, pulled that problem out of her ass. Luckily for her, I actually did have something to speak to them about.
The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“Tell me,” I started, drawing their attention away from Reya, “How much do you know of the serial murders happening to neuromancer’s in Ethia?”
Barett shot his sister a look, but she played it cool, and remained passive. “No, offense, but why would we tell you anything, Paladin Cole?”
I smirked, knowing they had fallen into my trap. “Because, Fourth Princess Viina Secela,” she frowned at the use of her full name, but allowed me to continue, “I know what’s causing it, and what the people perpetrating the murders are after.”
Viina couldn’t hold her curiosity any longer, and slammed her hands on the table, leaning in closer. “Why do you know!?”
“Because I’m looking for them too.” You could hear a pin drop with how quickly the room quieted down, and Viina’s eyes narrowed.
“Oh, not to kill them, mind you.” I said, putting a hand on Viina’s shoulder, and, using Un’s strength, forcibly sitting her back down. She looked mortified, but couldn’t go against Un’s raw power.
“No, I want to recruit them to my cause. Most of them are wasted in fields that don’t suit them.” I said, my hand still on Viina’s shoulder. “I even have quite a few people working for me right now who fit that description.”
I smiled, and took my hand off of her. “I’d like to also meet with any neuromancers you have, to confirm if the enemy’s target is amongst them.”
Viina’s shoulders were trembling, and she glared at me with barely restrained fury. ‘Joshua,’ Reya messaged, ‘do you have to antagonize the princess of the foreign nation we’re set to do war against?’
Seeing that Viina and Barett had got up to have a private discussion in the corner of the room, I shrugged. No, I don’t. Unfortunately, she hasn’t liked me from the moment we met, so there’s no harm in antagonizing someone that I won’t have a relationship with.
‘That’s a dangerous way of thinking.’ Reya commented. ‘How can you know that you’ll never encounter someone you’ve slighted ever again? It seems way too risky to me.’
My, how characteristically hypocritical of you. May I remind you that you alienated two people outside earlier. May I be privy to how that is different in your mind?
Having a hole poked into her logic, Reya pouted, but I could tell that she didn’t really care too much about being wrong. When they returned to the table, Barett had a telltale smile on his face, in contrast to his sister’s sulking expression.
“We’ll agree to let you meet with them, but first, we want to hear about your plans.” Barett was the one speaking this time, with Viina content to just look off into the distance.
“I presume that the feeling of, ‘not being used to your maximum potential', strikes a chord with one of you two then?” I said, making it a point to look at Viina, who was doing everything in her power to avoid my gaze.
“Something like that.” Barett said, urging me to leave that topic of conversation with only his eyes.
I obliged, and leaned back in my seat. Well… I can’t really tell them about the creation of an entire country… Half truths it is. “Tell me, what is it that neuromancers are known for?” The question seemed to take Barett by surprise, but Viina came to his rescue.
“They are able to communicate with various artificial intelligences, and communicate with them, augmenting their original purpose.” Viina answered in a low voice.
“Correct.” I said condescendingly. “What if I tell you that I discovered another power that we have, one that would make our use much more viable in the current socio-political landscape.”
“We…” Viina muttered. She placed a finger on her full lips, and looked me dead in the eyes. “You’re a neuromancer as well?”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know.” I rolled my eyes at the woman. “You’re at the forefront of the war game effort, and I’m supposed to pretend like you have no idea of my background?”
Viina let out a deep breath, and turned her attention towards the wall again. ‘Joshua,’ Reya messaged, ‘You wouldn’t know this, but Princess Viina is first in line for the throne, age-wise. However, she was less competent than her siblings when it came to her manifested power. Her parents knocked her down on the list. Being a neuromancer has been a sore spot for her.’
With this newfound knowledge, I looked over the Secelan princess once more. “Well, that’s enough of that for now.” I stood up, and Reya followed suit.
“As much as I’d like to stay here and wait for a response, I can see you’ve clearly got a lot on your mind.” I walked to the door, turning back to face the siblings one last time before leaving to get lunch.
“Should you decide while I am here, then great. You can always contact me through the Judgment messenger.” I send them each a friend request to punctuate my statement. “However, do keep in mind that the number of slots I have available on my team are limited. If you don’t step up to the plate, know that I will find someone else to fill that spot, regardless of whether they are your worst enemy, or your best friend.”
My gaze lingered over Viina, who was still staring at the wall. However, the moment passed, and soon Reya and I were outside. “So, what were you thinking for lunch?”
“I’ll go with whatever you recommend… oh, how about trying some dirty chicken? I remember you telling me about it on the plane. Can you tell the others to meet us there?”
Reya smiled, apparently pleased that I’d remembered our conversation, and nodded. “Sure. Let’s go.” She grabbed my arm, and pulled me further into the group of spires that made up the palace.