I gawked, an irritating heat spreading across my skin like a million tiny knives. My nostrils flared. Did she seriously think I had no connection? I had fucking plenty! Despite my initial misgivings, hadn’t I already resolved to protect this place?

“My,” she said, curling her lip, “you look angry. Can you—who has been in this country for less than a month—really say that you’ve anchored yourself to it?”

Flinching, I looked down. Yeah, maybe it hadn’t been long, but how much had I achieved in that time? I’d started the long road to economic recovery, improved the mood of the citizens, and won a civil war.

When I thought about it like that, what the fuck? This was yet another reason to be glad I’d realised this wasn’t a game; if I’d expected balance, I’d probably be dead already. Regardless, I’d gotten a lot done.

“It’s not about the amount of time,” I said, meeting her gaze. “It’s about the quality.”

“Oh?” She cocked an eyebrow. “In that case, why don’t you prove that quality? For instance, do you recognise Heviria?”

I eyed it, the wicked edges sending shivers down my spine. It pressed into my neck, a fat bead of blood welling at its tip, and honestly, I couldn’t shake the feeling I had seen it somewhere.

A game, maybe? She’d told me about the Millennium Conquest, but what did I know about that?

Jesus, I really needed to read up on this world’s history.

“No,” I admitted.

“Of course not,” she said, her tone venomous. “Why would you? A blade so sacred it couldn’t even be considered a part of the Royal Arms, why would you give it any special thought?”

A hole opened up in my stomach. I was pretty sure I knew what she was talking about now…

“No,” she continued, “you merely sold a piece of living history to the highest bidder. Luckily, that was me. I know its worth.” She poked me with it, and I winced, hissing. “Salazar brought together several fragments of the old Sarabethian Empire under one banner. He did so by inspiring his people, from the front, doing everything he could to protect them.

“And as he led them, our kingdom grew even greater. In his spare time, he would mingle among the people, listening to their problems and learning their perspectives. His end came defending our mountain passes from Antirans.

“He died for this country, and its people. Could you do the same?”

I couldn’t tell what was sharper—Heviria, or her words. They carved on my bones, etching a diagram of ignorance and naivety.

Back in Zarua, I’d offered myself up to save Hana, and I hadn’t even been mad about it. But that was a snap decision; would I be able to make it again? Would I be able to proudly accept death, or would I drag it out, kicking and screaming?

I thought about it, really thought about it, the kind of cognitions that make whirring noises and produce smoke from the ears.

“Only if it means something,” I said. “If it’s in vain, if it wouldn’t change anything, then how can I say it’s for the country or the people? I know I’ll die one day—everyone does eventually. But they’ll measure my mark by what I leave behind.

“I want that to be hope.”

She made an amused noise. “And if you can’t? If your pursuit leads instead to despair, what then? What if it becomes so dissonant the Arbiter takes your head?”

“Then it means I wasn’t good enough. Oh well. I’m okay with that, I think.” Even as the words left my mouth, something primal sparked within me. I believed what I was saying. Just because [Persuasive] pushed it through my lips, that didn’t mean I didn’t mean it.

“Truly?”

“Yeah.” Now that I thought about it, if anyone had to kill me, I’d prefer it to be Hana. It would hurt her, but if it needed to be done, she was the best choice. The one I was most at peace with. “I don’t want it to happen, though. Obviously. Where’s the hope in that?”

With a snort, she slowly lowered the blade, a strange glint in her eyes. “Then allow me to stand as witness. However, ‘a society that rewards kindness’? You are unconscionably naive. What if I told you that all humanoid races will submit to greed, hatred, and rage in the end? It’s part of our nature.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“We must guide with a firm hand, otherwise suffer the consequences. Be like a parent, not a friend.”

The way she said it was familiar, and regret seeped into her expression. Was she a parent?

“I disagree,” I said, sighing deeply and rubbing my neck. My hand came away smeared with red. “Human nature isn’t one way or the other—it’s a spectrum, and people flip-flop like there’s no tomorrow. As well as those three, there’s love, compassion, generosity. Everyone has a mix. In the end, people will just do whatever benefits them the most.”

“Are you sure?” She twirled the hilt in her fingers, smacking her lips. “When a man murders his wife because he found her with another man. Or his neighbour because he covets his wealth, or the rival he’s held since childhood? People are not rational, so how do you see them as acting for benefit?

“Do any of my examples sound like that to you?”

“Of course they do,” I replied. “They’re doing what they do to assuage the howling beast inside them. Those emotions, the itches that won’t go away no matter how hard you scratch. It won’t matter what the cost is. Like you said, people aren’t rational.” I closed my eyes, smiling wistfully. “Some are more so than others.

“I won’t pretend to be. I can strategise, I can see the big picture, but my thoughts? My words? My actions? There’s always some ideal or emotion guiding them. That’s why I think I need someone like you; one of those more rational people, who can calmly analyse a situation and make a decision, without letting emotions get in the way.”

She gave me a withering half-smile, like a mother whose child had just smeared chocolate on his face and asked for praise.

“Does such a person exist?” she said. “Regardless, I am flattered, and though you have yet to fully convince me, I will follow your lead as a member of your court. Admittedly, you have done much in this short space of time.

“Let’s see if you can impress me.”

Nodding to myself, I stuck out a hand, and she shook it. Her hand was warm, and though it wasn’t necessarily hard, it wasn’t soft, either.

Ding!

Updating Quest Progress: Unite the 4 Duchies! (3/4)

Reward: 300 XP, 100 SP

Ah, that ding was quickly becoming the sweetest noise I’d ever heard. Three down, one to go. Satisfied, I popped into [Command Centre] and ordered Hana and Shia back.

The door swung open almost immediately, and Duchess Vissel leaped out of her skin.

“Wha—Who told you to come in?”

“I did,” I said, smirking.

She turned to me, affronted, and harrumphed. “You’re telepathic, then? Have you been reading my mind this whole time?”

“Not quite,” I said, rubbing the back of my head. “It’s not really telepathy, just a specific spell.”

Shia opened her mouth to say something, but I caught it in time, and shut her up with a glare.

“All is well, then?” asked Hana, scanning the room. Yeah, like a threat’s going to pop out of nowhere in the ten minutes you’ve been outside. Her eyes narrowed when she caught the blood on my throat, and the sword in Duchess Vissel’s hands. “What happened to you?”

“Accident,” I said, turning a soft gaze on the two. “Don’t worry about it.”

Shia squinted. “Isn’t that Heviria?”

“That is irrelevant,” said Hana.

“Did we really sell that? No wonder my father was so apoplectic.”

Hana palmed her face. “Please do not remind me.”

I rubbed my head, chuckling nervously.

Duchess Vissel’s expression softened as she regarded me. “I should think we still have much to discuss. Arrangements and the like. I shall have rooms prepared for you all, but for now, let us talk.”

Finally, fucking finally, she gestured to a chair. I took my seat gratefully, Hana perching on the arm and Shia sinking into one next to me. Duchess Vissel sighed, and I mirrored her.

Honestly, she was having too much fun with these things.

After that, we spoke for hours, hashing out the best ways for the duchy to integrate with the kingdom. We all agreed that while its enterprise should remain its own, free internal trade would allow them to keep their identity while also offsetting the current inflation issue.

I made a mental note to have Project Highway extended to reach Vissel as well as Ribera and Kalvin. Hopefully, I could add Shal to that soon, too.

As it turned out, the lack of fresh fish delivery was mostly down to Fire Mages being too haughty to be used for courier duty. I scoffed at that; if the Movement Mages could work in mines, why couldn’t you carry an enchanted freezer?

I wanted my fish and chips!

Eventually, the sky outside grew dark, and we reached the end of our discussions. My throat was cracked and parched, and my stomach felt like it was eating itself, but we were done. The Duchess even offered to write and seal a letter to Duke Shal, explaining her decision.

Afterwards, we had a quick dinner—regular steamed fish, not the battered kind—before retiring to rooms with four-poster beds, dressing tables, and nothing else. I slept comfortably, though not for long.

Dawn came, and with it, the time for us to depart. This visit had been both lucrative and informative, and I looked forward to clashing minds with the Duchess again. She had what seemed like an invaluable perspective.

After breakfast, we bid farewell, and Shia opened the portal to Shal’anar.

At long last, I could complete my quest.