Suddenly, out of nowhere, a mesmerizing figure appeared before my eyes! It glided towards me with a graceful ease that left me in awe. And there she was, my beloved maid, Evangeline, whose mere presence always elevated the atmosphere with a touch of class and sophistication. I couldn't take my eyes off her! She moved with an unparalleled poise and elegance that made my heart skip a beat with every step she took. Her beauty was simply spellbinding, and I found myself more and more captivated by each passing moment.

She strutted inside, like a queen bee, with a parade of maids trailing behind her like loyal worker bees. The maids were each balancing a tray that could make your taste buds dance with joy - a symphony of delicious drinks and treats arranged with such precision and artistry that you'd swear it was a work of magic. The trays were a sight to behold, each one decorated with intricate designs that looked like they were crafted by the hands of the gods. These maids weren't just serving beverages, they were putting on a show, and they were damn good at it!

The scene is a true spectacle to behold, a display of well-honed skill and practiced coordination. Evangeline and her team of maids move with a fluid grace, their movements synchronized in perfect harmony. Despite the weight of the trays, they seem to float effortlessly across the room, as if walking on air.

With an astonishing display of deft and nimble movements, the skilled individuals in charge of the hospitality service proceeded to gracefully place a finely crafted container filled with a delectable and thirst-quenching beverage before each and every one of us, instilling a sense of awe and admiration in our minds as we marveled at their impeccable precision and expertise in the art of serving. Each cup was specially created to improve the drinking experience and raise the display to new heights. They were of the highest quality and were meticulously handcrafted. Every gesture and movement they made was carried out with flawless finesse and style, as if they had done it innumerable times before. They were so quick and seamless.

"With Her Highness agreeing to accompany the diplomats, it seems fitting to reorganize the previously arranged plans," Lyra spoke with a brief pause, scanning the eyes of everyone before adding, "It appears that one of us must accompany her on this journey."

"As a matter of course," Draven interjected, "The Iron Cavalry shall have to escort her as well."

"Remember ye the Cerulean Armada, for they shall also accompany her," declared Thorne with authority.

"The Shadow Brigade, subject to my authority, shall also escort her," Eira chimed in as the final voice.

My jaw drops in disbelief. Are these people for real? It's like they've forgotten what common sense even means! They're rolling out the big guns - and by big guns, I mean a whole freakin' armada of tanks, decked out with all the bells and whistles. This isn't just any old army - this is The Iron Cavalry, and it could wipe the floor with anything in its path.

But here's the thing - we're not exactly living in a world full of rocket ships and ray guns. Nope, we're smack dab in the middle of medieval times. And if these guys go through with their plan, it's gonna be total mayhem. Imagine trying to swat a fly with a sledgehammer - that's basically what they're doing.

It's like they don't realize that their actions have consequences. If they unleash all that firepower, there won't be much left standing. And that's not just a little bit of destruction - we're talking total, apocalyptic annihilation. It's the kind of thing that would make the dinosaurs say "oh snap, that's not good."

Don't even get me started on Thorne's reference to The Cerulean Armada! I could talk about it for days and not even realize it. Those guys are no joke - their power and destructive force are off the charts. They make The Iron Calvary look like a bunch of amateurs. The Cerulean Armada is made up of the absolute best warriors in my entire empire! I mean, sure, they're pretty darn impressive, but their might is only overshadowed by The 12 Apostles of Strength. Those guys are the real deal!

So, when we're talking about Eira's idea compared to the other two, we gotta keep in mind that it might seem less ridiculous, but it's still pretty darn intense. Those guys are like a whole dang army of super spies, swooping in and out like ninjas on steroids. They're so fast and nimble, they could probably steal your shoes right off your feet without you even noticing. So yeah, while Eira's proposition may not be as outrageous as the others, we're still talking about some seriously skilled and sneaky folks here.

The Shadow Brigade is not your average group of operatives. These badasses are the cream of the crop, with skills and experience that will make your head spin. They've got a toolbox filled with a variety of talents and expertise that they use to execute their missions with surgical precision. Whether they're gathering intel on big-shot targets or carrying out strategic operations, the Shadow Brigade operates like a well-oiled machine, leaving no room for error. They're so good that they're a force to be reckoned with, and if you mess with them, you're going to regret it!

Oh boy, do these warmongers ever love a good fight! They're practically drooling at the thought of unleashing some serious firepower on a world that's so backwards, the inhabitants of this world wouldn't even know what to do with a fancy contraption made of iron. It's like trying to explain the internet to your grandpa - totally inconceivable! But that won't stop these war-hungry folks from wreaking havoc on everything in their path.

Stolen story; please report.

"I see no need to bring an excessive show of force for such a trifling matter," I declare firmly. "Deploying an overwhelming array of weapons would only serve as a mere spectacle of war, an unnecessary flourish when we could easily rain down destruction upon them from the skies," I add with a touch of mockery in my tone.

"Your Majesty, we merely wish to..."

"Allow me to complete my sentence," I interjected, halting Lyra's flow of words. "I intend to bring Lyra with me, accompanied by a select group comprising a mere twenty-five percent of The Shadow Brigade."

"Your Majesty, if I may speak frankly, I believe I would make for a more suitable companion than Lyra. Please consider choosing me instead," Gwyneth proposed.

"Nay, I am far more fitting for such a position than any of thou," Thorne, too, felt compelled to add his thoughts.

"Fools, have you all forgotten the privileged one whom her highness deemed worthy of accompanying her?" Lyra interjected with a hint of reproach in her voice.

Gwyneth was like a fearless explorer, blazing a trail of dissent that would make even the most hardened rebels quake in their boots. She fearlessly stepped forward and expressed her disagreement, and it was like a spark igniting a powder keg - soon enough, the others were tumbling down the same path, like a line of dominoes collapsing in a mesmerizing and unstoppable chain reaction.

"I have made my decision, and there shall be no retracing my steps," I asserted with unwavering authority.

Eira's commanding voice boomed across the room, echoing off the walls and instilling a sense of obligation within the members of the group. With her unwavering conviction and authoritative tone, there was little room for objection as she spoke up, "Should her Highness command us, then we shall acquiesce."

Despite the unanimity of the group's agreement, their reluctance and displeasure were palpable, as evidenced by their eyes which betrayed their resentment, despite their nodding in agreement. Each member harbored their own misgivings, but none dared to voice their opinions in the face of Eira's commanding presence.

With a sigh and a heavy heart, they reluctantly gave their approval, like a kid being forced to eat their least favorite vegetable while their sweet tooth is aching. The battle between their sense of duty and their personal beliefs was a real nail-biter, like a high-stakes poker game where the chips were their principles.

"I hereby delegate the task of preparations and transportation to all of you" I declare with a commanding tone.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, rest assured that the task will be carried out to its fullest extent," Magnus proclaims with a deep sense of loyalty.

"Oh and ensure that the mode of transportation I acquire is a carriage, for I aspire to assimilate with the denizens of this realm. For it would indeed seem anomalous to them to behold a mobile contraption known as a vehicle."

With a gesture of his head that indicated a sense of expectation for my words, he made his exit, punctuated by a chivalrous bow that spoke volumes about his honorable nature. As if they were in a synchronized dance, the rest of the group followed suit and began to filter out of the room, leaving only Elara and myself behind. But just as she was about to depart, something inexplicable seized hold of me, forcing me to halt her exit with an unseen force.

"Excuse me, Elara," I spoke up, my voice echoing softly in the now-empty room. "If you wouldn't mind, there is something I wish to discuss with you." My lips parted, allowing my words to escape, they took on a life of their own and seemed to hang in the air like a dense fog. Each syllable was pregnant with meaning, yet remained unspoken, shrouded in mystery, waiting to be deciphered by the one to whom they were directed. As I gazed into her eyes, I felt a deep sense of purpose, an intentionality that pulsed within me, urging me to communicate what lay hidden beneath the surface of my words.

My eyes were fixed on her, and I could see that she was trying to read between the lines, attempting to discern the hidden message that lay within my pregnant words. The intensity of my gaze betrayed my feelings, and I could sense that she felt the weight of my words upon her like a physical presence.

Despite the silence that hung between us, a dialogue was taking place, a conversation that transcended words. It was as if we were communicating on a deeper level, one that was beyond the reach of language.

For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty, before she slowly turned back towards me, her expression a mix of curiosity and wariness. "Of course," she said, her voice low and measured. "What is it that you wish to discuss?"

"Elara since you are the one who most closely mirrors my own abilities. Therefore, I beseech you, and only you, to engage me in a mock battle," I proclaimed.

As soon as the words leave my lips, a sudden and distinct shift in her body language is immediately noticeable. She stands still and her entire body goes rigid as if she's unable to process the request I just made. Perhaps it's the unexpectedness of the situation, or maybe it's simply the enormity of the task at hand that has caught her off guard. Regardless, her response is one of disbelief, and it's clear that she's struggling to comprehend the gravity of what I've just asked of her.

I can't say that I blame her for feeling this way. After all, it's not every day that one's superior asks them to participate in a competition that they're likely to lose. The very idea of it seems counterintuitive, almost cruel even.

"It's been well over a century, Elara, and though it pains me to admit, I must confess to feeling a tad rusty," I fibbed. The truth I pondered upon my mind-blowing new superpowers, an insatiable itch to test their limits took over me. I mean, who wouldn't want to flex their newly acquired abilities and push them to the brink? I had been yearning for this moment, a chance to show off and unleash the full extent of my newfound might. Let's do this!