Gwenesphia and Treia both jog down the hallways of the Citadel. Gwenesphia, not as hesitant as Treia to ask for help, calls out seemingly to the Citadel itself, “Xyreko? Are you there?”
The golem appears in a flash of light ahead of them. They slow to a stop to meet with Xyreko. “Yes, your Grace.”
Gwenesphia chuckles. “You don’t have to go that far for me.”
“Me either,” adds Treia.
“On the contrary. You have been tasked with corresponding with Mattarglos for the purpose of negotiating treaties and trade deals with them, yes?”
“Y-yes,” replies Gwenesphia.
“And, Daniel himself stated that you are both the rank of Empress for this task. Thus, you are Empresses of the Citadel, even if you are each one of many.”
They both chuckle uneasily, sighing at the end. Gwenesphia does her best to move past that part. “Anyway, we got a reply! It just arrived by messenger! We’re looking for Daniel.”
“And the others, if they want to be present.”
Xyreko nods. “Daniel is spending time with the Princesses in the rooftop garden. I will transport you.”
“Please do, thank you.”
Xyreko waves her hand, and the three of them disappear in a magic glow, suddenly appearing outside on the rooftop of the Citadel, where a growing garden is being planted by Daniel and Geirahoel, mostly. It’s already doing well, thanks to Geirahoel’s experience.
And, it’s easy enough to find Daniel and the two goblin princesses, Jieka and Tekten, thanks in part to the girls’ cries of playfulness as they wrestle with Daniel and try to adorn him in flowers. But, the other easy giveaway is the pair consisting of orange and blue dragons in human form lurking nearby behind one of the long planters, watching enviously as they await the hatching of their own offspring in the eggs in strollers nearby them; a new thing Daniel proposed the manufacturing teams make for escorting children around -including eggs-.
Jieka is high energy, climbing all over Daniel to try to put flowers in his hair as he playfully grapples her and puts her back down, only for her to try to climb on him again, laughing all the while. Tekten, in contrast, seems to be having more fun picking flowers from the grass floor area that complements the planters. She stumbly-runs to a flower, picks it, and returns to Daniel, laying them in his lap, and he is mindful to ruffle her hair and scoop her into hugs and kisses when Jieka has to get more flowers for herself.
“I almost don’t want to interrupt…” murmurs Gwenesphia.
“Yeah…” replies Treia tenderly. “But, you only had older siblings. Allow me to teach you something, Gwen.” Treia jogs into the fray, saying energetically, “Jieka! Tekten! I'll hold him down! Get him!” The gatonine soldier wraps her arms and legs around him from behind, using her weight to flatten him out on the ground as she leans back, hugging him to the ground as he laughs. Jieka exclaims, “Tweia! Hyah! Get Papa!” The small goblin princess scrambles up Daniel’s body once more as he laughs. He exclaims, “Nooo! I’ve been betrayed!”
“Papa betwayed!” exclaims the princess playfully. She manages to plop down onto his neck and leans across his face to plant picked flowers in his hair, not all of which are free of the roots and dirt. He squints to avoid dirt in his eyes, and he laughs, relaxing as he is defeated. Once she’s satisfied, she holds Daniel’s cheeks with her hands, staring into his eyes with a big grin.
Meanwhile, he feels a kiss on his right cheek where Tekten is gently holding a bundle of flowers. “You got me, Princesses. I admit defeat.”
“Yayyy!” cheers Jieka, and Tekten happily sways with her flowers, blushing bashfully. Daniel uses his arms to hug them both, petting their heads in the same motion. They both giggle happily.
Treia lets him sit up, and he holds the two princesses in his lap as she sits up next to him. Gwenesphia approaches as well, which prompts Geirahoel and Reignleif to approach as well, as if they also just arrived.
Daniel smirks at the dragons first. “Enjoy the show, ladies?”
Geirahoel blushes as she stammers, while Reignleif keeps a masterful stoic expression. “What do you mean?” asks the blue dragon.
“You realize your tails and horns reflect the sun really easily right?” He points at Geirahoel. “Hers was swaying back and forth.”
“W-W-Was not!” snaps the orange dragon. Even now, her tail twitches and sways a little in tune with her emotions.
“Right. What brings you all here?”
Reignleif admits bluntly, “We were envious, Mukori. But, we did not want to disrupt.”
This time Geirahoel remains silent, nodding in agreement. Daniel smiles softly. “You should have come to play. I’m sure the girls don’t mind.”
The two goblin princesses look around at whoever is speaking, smiling and cuddling with Daniel as they catch their breath together. The two dragons, smile, and Reignleif murmurs, “M-Maybe next time.”
Daniel nods in agreement, and he then looks at Treia and Gwenesphia in turn, and former lieutenant replies, “We received a reply from Mattarglos. Apparently, one of their representatives was at the Imperial audience, and they acknowledge your victories in battle.”
“My victories?” asks Daniel, surprised.
“Yes. We obviously listed your achievements before becoming Emperor, and that, under yours and Hekate’s command, the Fievegal held off two major offensives, which are all easy enough to confirm.”
“It’s funny because we didn’t even have to embellish,” jokes Treia. “It strains believability as it is.”
Daniel chuckles. “Ain’t that the truth. What was the reply?”
“As you might recall, Mattarglos is primarily a warrior nation, since resources are strained to some degree, and monsters are abundant. Strength is more valuable than pedigree, since spoiled noble children have failed Mattarglos too many times in the past.”
Gwenesphia adds, “Ullsten, the Domain Lord overseeing our hometowns, as well as Kalegrynten, the Grand Premier of all of Mattarglos would rather a dragonslayer be their ally than their enemy. N-No offense, Geirahoel and Reignleif.”
The two dragons smile. “Mukori is indeed a dragonslayer. A cruel, cruel dragonslayer,” teases Reignleif. Geirahoel nods in agreement.
Daniel gives the princesses each a bottle when they become a little fussy, and they drink them as they idly listen to a conversation they have no context for. “So, that’s it? They’re willing to ally with us in spite of everything?”
The two gatonines hand over the message for Daniel to read, and Treia answers, “From the sounds of it, the Grand Premier would like to face you in a duel before making a solid stance on an alliance. But, the invasion into Mornistae is a matter that Mattarglos intends to stay out of, since the inciting attacks were instigated by both the Empire and Mornistae.”
Daniel scoffs. “Fair enough…” As she said, the letter is surprisingly more down-to-earth than Daniel expected. In fact, he can almost hear the voice behind the letter from the Grand Premier, sounding like a boisterous musclehead character who’d rather have a nice sparring match than a cup of tea. “So, if we avoid any aggressive actions towards Mattarglos affairs, they’ll stay out of ours. Neutrality is respectable in my book. Did you mention your desire to be in proper contact with your families?”
“N-No…” admits Gwenesphia. “We were worried that, if they were going to be hostile, they would hold our families hostage. I… didn’t introduce myself with my old family name, nor my hometown.”
“Same,” replies Treia. “Deep enough investigations might find out the truth, though. Not many gatonines go on a one way expedition into demon territory. I don’t think Commander Leiwelles sold us out, but she won’t lie for us, either.”
“I don’t stand a chance in hell in a duel, do I?” asks Daniel jokingly.
The others chuckle. While it’s true he could easily defeat his opponent with firearms or his other combat equipment, in a straight fight of honor, he’s not very skilled.
“You could name a proxy,... probably…” replies Gwenesphia, unsure of her own answer.
“No, I’ll do it.” He smiles softly, like he’s a little distant. “I hope you won’t fall out of love with me if I lose.”
“Let them,” retorts Geirahoel bluntly and mercilessly as she crosses her arms and looks away. “I, for one, think you could use a defeat or two,... Mukori.” She glances at him with rosy cheeks. She adds just before anyone else decides to speak, “I’m saying I have no interest in changing my mind! Stop making me say embarrassing things!” She huffs and looks away.
Daniel chuckles softly. “Thank you, Geira-Mukori… That means a lot.”
“I-I feel the same,” adds Reignleif. When Daniel looks at her, she adds with a blush as she hides her face behind her mantle, “Th-The part about not leaving, that is.”
Treia sighs. “It’s obviously too late to say that I’d gladly keep you all to myself, so I’d welcome less competition.”
Gwenesphia retorts last, “You’ve made some hefty promises to me, Daniel. I intend to make you keep them.” She then turns serious again, “If you do win, the Grand Premier will likely grant you a title and tax-exempt status in Mattarglos. Oh, and if you were to solve the monster problem, it’d also be a great help. They wouldn’t be able to refuse you anything if you could do that.”
“The monster problem? What can you tell me about it?”
“I don’t know much. I just know my parents were always rallying troops with the Domain Lord to fend off monster attacks, but their numbers never seem to decrease.”
“We’re just talking about big animals, right? Can’t you just interfere with their breeding populations?”
Reignleif answers this time, “Monsters are not the same as most of the creatures you’ve encountered until now, Mukori. They are fundamentally different because they don’t require sustenance, and they generally only kill to kill. They also can use magic.”
“The thorusk hakkadel was a monster,” answers Doephluev as she approaches. If he hasn't tasked her otherwise, she's usually close by, almost to the point of stalking him. “Monsters are believed to almost exclusively mutate from normal animals due to a sort of mana poisoning. I’ve never heard of the cause, but some monsters become unrecognizable from their original form.”
Reignleif nods in agreement. “She’s right.”
“Mattarglos has a lot of caverns and forests where the monsters reside, and they’ll emerge to attack settlements occasionally,” explains Treia. “In fact, all adults of Mattarglos are required to serve in the Internal Defense Force, exempted only by Imperial Military service.”
“If you do both, though, the pay is better,” replies Gwenesphia. “And, it just so happens…”
Daniel guesses the former lieutenant’s next point; “Fort Peony counts because it’s technically on the border of Mattarglos and the Demon Wildlands.”
She grins, nodding. “Yes!”
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Her excitement prompts Jieka to stop drinking from her bottle long enough to exclaim, “Yay!”
Daniel chuckles and pets her head, and she leans against his abdomen happily. “I’ll accept the duel, but warn the Grand Premier not to expect too much.”
Gwenesphia nods. “Thank you, Daniel. I… appreciate that you’re doing this so we can reunite with our families without issues.”
“Same,” adds Treia. “And… if need be… to protect them.”
“Of course. Getting my butt kicked in a friendly duel is a small price to pay for the happiness of my family and friends.” He quickly flinches, adding, “Wait, to make sure, this isn’t a fight to the death, is it?”
The two gatonine women both chuckle, and Gwenesphia replies warmly, “Of course not. It will be a hand-to-hand fight. If they try to demand a fight to the death, you are welcome to decline.”
Treia counters, “We don’t have the luxury of sacrificing warriors to death matches. That’s why duels are always knockout or surrender.”
Daniel relaxes. “Good. Then, while the army is securing footholds in Mornistae, we’ll meet with Grand Premier Kalegrynten, throw some friendly fisticuffs, and then offer to clean up the monsters.” Daniel looks at Doephluev and then Reignleif, asking either of them, “Is it possible to remove the source of monsters?” He notices Geirahoel murmur, “‘Fisti…cuffs’?”
Reignleif replies, “Theoretically, yes. The mana poisoning is due to some sort of change, and monster populations tend to be concentrated to certain regions, spreading from there.”
Daniel looks to Doephluev, who adds, “I agree. I’ve never heard of anyone identifying the cause, but the concentration of monsters to certain locales suggests something has to be the common cause, My Emperor.”
Daniel ponders it. “Well, sounds like we’ll have to use our combined genius to learn what the common factor is, then. And, if we can destroy or remove it, then we should be able to prevent it. And, if all else fails, we have the answer right here.” Daniel points with his thumb at Doephluev.
She squeaks, “M-Me, my love? I-I mean, my Emperor?”
The other women scowl at her, and she tenses a little, though she can’t hide the self-affirming smile that creeps onto her lips.
“Nah. I meant that.” He more specifically emphasizes that he’s pointing at her chest, where the locking buckle of a special harness is; and on the rear of that harness is a small piece of plutonium.
Geirahoel perks up, blurting out, “The urmalium! Because it negates magic!”
Daniel chuckles. “Close enough, Mukori. Nice job.”
She blushes, averting her eyes. “O-Of course I’m right. I pay attention.”
Daniel decides not to correct her right now, since she's proud of herself and looks adorable.
Of course, Reignleif also pays attention. “I believe it's called Uranium, Geira. Though, Doephluev’s harness uses plutonium.”
Geirahoel flinches, glaring with feelings of betrayal at her azure senior.
Daniel redirects to the actual point so Geirahoel doesn't need to get further embarrassed by any reaction she is about to make. “It won't be the bombs, of course, but the radioactive materials themselves. So long as they aren't the cause, due to radiation, we'll use them to block areas where monsters are coming from.”
Doephluev, Reignleif, and Treia all nod in immediate understanding, while Tekten nods because they are, as if she's paying attention and understanding. Gwenesphia doesn’t seem to be thinking too hard about it, and Geirahoel seems to be trying to figure out what she’s not understanding. Daniel adds gently, “We’ll make some kind of device to make safe zones that neutralize the monster-making areas. It’s a little brute-force, but if it’s necessary, we’ll do our best to make sure it’s safe for residents in the area.”
Gwenesphia takes Daniel’s hand gently. “Thank you… Truth be told,... my eldest brothers are constantly leading our family’s militia against monster attacks, so… It would truly be a blessing if we can solve the issue for all of Mattarglos.”
“If we’re talking all of Mattarglos, we’d need permission to send a great deal of soldiers into their territory to be able to search for the sources. Especially during the investigation phase. But, we can discuss that with the Grand Premier when I go there.”
He looks at his companions around him, as well as the princesses. Unlike the established city around the castle of the royal capital of Mornistae, there isn’t much to do other than what Daniel has Xyreko and the golems help him build. The villages around the Citadel are simple and have very few amenities, but everyone seems content enough with whatever he does for them. And, of course, if he makes the decision he’s about to make, it doesn’t just stop at the one most affected.
“Doephluev, if you’re going to be accompanying me to formal meetings, we’ll need to get you some proper clothes.” She twitches and looks at him, failing to hide her surprise.
Just before the glares that are aimed at him can turn into fiery words, Daniel adds, “And, we’ll design new outfits for everyone that wants one, alright? Give me a little credit.” He adds a little under his breath, “Though, the rest of you can ask at any time.”
Reignleif murmurs a little sourly, “You’ve been favoring her a lot recently, Mukori.”
Daniel sighs, and he looks down when Jieka grips his shirt, nervous about his shift in tone. Tekten is also looking up at him with concern. Daniel puts on a smile and pets their cheeks.
“I’ve been compensating for my behavior. Holding grudges isn’t as easy for me as it is for others. I don’t want anyone to remain our enemies. As for her following me, she does that on her own. I simply don’t stop her.”
Reignleif and Geirahoel take a breath and sigh. The blue dragon looks at her orange counterpart, and she asks, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking, Geira?”
“Almost certainly, Reina.” Geirahoel growls at Daniel, “The Emperor should never be without his Empresses.”
Daniel snorts softly. “So, can I design something nicer for Doephluev to start with?”
Geirahoel glares at him. “You have to make it ugly.”
“I’m not making it ugly.”
She exhales in exasperation.
“Then, make it so you can restrain yourself.”
Daniel puts his hand on her cheek. “Let me handle it. And, if you do, I’ll make yours even better.”
This causes her to twitch, and she blushes. “Th-The best. Y-Your favorite.”
Daniel hesitates for a moment. “We have two options, Mukori. I play the Hekate game, or we hold a drawing. I’ll let you choose.”
She pouts. But, she suddenly perks up. She says with a smile, “You should make your favorite design for the servant. After all, I have no reason to doubt your tastes, Mukori.” Geirahoel climbs to her feet, saying as if she’s imitating Ryuogriar, “If you’ll all excuse me, I have to interview for acolytes.”
Reignleif rises to join her. “Yes, I will go as well, Mukori. I am interested to see the final result.” She leans down to kiss Daniel’s cheek. She also pets the princesses gently. “See you later, Princess Jieka, Princess Tekten.”
“Bye bye!” cheers Jieka.
“Bye bye, Aunt Weina,” adds Tekten.
Daniel can hear Reignleif murmur, “Be good big sisters for me, please, sweet princesses…” She smiles at Daniel and follows after Geirahoel, who is a little envious that her senior stole a kiss on Daniel, but too bashful to return and do so herself.
Daniel jokes to Treia and Gwenesphia, “I guess I should pick something that looks good in groups, huh?”
“My love,” cuts in Doephluev. “I-I mean, Master… I am content with this outfit. It… is efficient after all.”
Treia and Gwenesphia glare at her. “Yes, Daniel,” replies Gwenesphia “Pick something that is comfortable and beautiful for gatonines as well.” She looks at him with a smile, “I’m sure I’ll be wearing this style quite often.”
Daniel sighs, grumbling playfully, “What did I get myself into in this world…?”
Jieka offers her bottle to Daniel. “Milk, Papa?”
“Thank you, my dear Jieka.”
She giggles happily, and Daniel, Treia, and Gwenesphia spend a little more time with the two half-goblin princesses before he heads to the tailor shop in the castle town, which is a new concept for demon-kin, but there are those who practice regularly to match what Daniel has briefly described.
***
“Neith, Roeta, Magnir... Sorry, Sir Neith, Dame Roeta, and Sir Magnir;” Hekate’s voice calls out as she approaches the three planning in the control room.
They all straighten and salute the young feldrok Empress as she enters with Ryuogriar. “Your Greatness, Your Grace. A pleasure to see you.”
Hekate nods. “Thank you. You, too.” She inspects the map they’re studying, which mostly focuses on Mornistae, it seems. “You’re planning to join the invasion?”
Neith -formerly known as Choul- nods. “Yes, your Greatness. We know what we’re up against now. Many of us detected the spell before it was fully cast, and to my great shame, we did not react in time.”
“You did not know what you were up against. And, from what we have gleaned from Queen Heralesse and Lady Ahok, Rikuto launched his attack specifically because we made it seem like we were present at Fort Twilight. He seems to have gotten information about the meeting with Empress Sundenelle, and when we -our illusions- returned to Fort Twilight.”
“So… the attack was an attempt to assassinate Emperor Daniel and you Empresses?” asks Magnir.
“Almost certainly,” replies Hekate. “Which is why, I would rather the three of you stay with us.”
Neith cocks his head. “Pardon, your Greatness?”
“I want you to remain guarding us. Specifically, Daniel. I know he made you General, Neith, but I would rather have you defending him. In addition to us and the others.” She fidgets with her hands. “Daniel… is very strong when he has the element of surprise. But… his advantage quickly deteriorates if he’s alone and the enemy survives. You can detect mana and defend with magic. Something Daniel won’t be able to do any time soon.”
Neith watches her for a moment. He then looks to Ryuogriar, and the eldest of the dragon empresses nods once. “I agree with Hekate. Our greatest strength should be concentrated in times of doubt. Rikuto’s weapon wasn’t present when we retrieved you, so there’s no telling where it will appear next. Though, Daniel believes that Rikuto will pull the weapon back to defend Mornistae in case he missed any of us. That is, if he missed any of the dragons or Hekate.”
“I understand, your Grace. Then… if you would… Do not request.” He looks at Hekate. “Order us. His Grace has made it very clear that Your Greatness is the true ruler of the Fievegal, your Greatness. If it is your order, we must obey.”
Hekate smiles. “And,... you’re all fine with listening to a puny little girl?”
Roeta and Magnir smile, as does Neith. Roeta kneels, saying gently, “Your Greatness, I have received a second chance at life thanks to you and his Grace. I will request leave of absence when I am ready to lay my second egg, which should be in the next couple months, but…” She smiles happily up at Hekate. “Until then, I will proudly serve.”
Magnir kneels next to her. “Give us your command, your Greatness. Emperor Daniel is our Liege Lord, but you are our great ruler by his own decree. And, if I may be so bold, I agree with your request wholeheartedly. The Emperor should take more care of himself.” The male blue dragon adds with a dry expression, “It would be shameful for those of us he defeated were he to die to some trivial beast or meager ailment.”
“So be it,” adds Hekate in an agreeing tone. “Then, noble Einherjars and Valkyrie of the Fievegal, I, Empress Hekate fell Lawson, order you to use your best judgment to protect Daniel most specifically, but the rest of us as well. Oh, and the princes and princesses. And I guess…”
“Focus on guarding Mu-Daniel, Neith. Magnir and Roeta, you’ll stay on alert for any abnormalities around the Citadel. You can’t cover everyone, so focus on the children, and come to our aid if we fall under attack. Do you understand these orders?”
“Yes, your Grace, your Greatness,” reply all three knighted dragons.
“Good. Then, carry on.” Hekate starts to walk out, and Neith asks, “Your Greatness, if I may…”
“Sure, go ahead.”
“I’m surprised to find you not at his Grace’s side.”
“I’m not a clingy child, Neith. I have my own grown up things to do while Daniel is busy. I’m the Empress after all.”
Ryuogriar hugs Hekate possessively from behind. “That’s right. Hekate is all grown up, my sweet child. She is running the Fievegal and making as many decisions as she can on its operations without anyone’s help.”
Hekate squirms against the dragon’s embrace, whining, “I won’t be so easily fooled, Ryuo! Stop… clinging to me!”
“Shhh, you can relax and enjoy yourself, Hekate. You have worked hard. I’ll ensure Daniel praises you too.”
Neith, Magnir, and Roeta can’t help but chuckle. While they have been giving each other titles, Daniel and his Empresses certainly don’t act the part most of the time. It’s not so subtly to mock the royalty of other territories, since, as Daniel puts it, all Empires and Kingdoms can trace their deepest roots back to upstart commoners and wealthy nouveau riche -commoners who earn themselves enough wealth, assets, and authority to be considered nobles until a formal title is bestowed upon them-.
“We’re also working on a magic device so Daniel can teleport himself,” throws in Hekate. “Or… Well, Wenlianna and Ahok are working on it. And, Doephluev is helping them some.”
“Would you like me to take a look, your Greatness?” asks the grey dragon. “I’m not much of a magic artisan, of course, but I have encountered magic not seen on this continent. If my help can make the process easier, I would be honored.”
Hekate agrees easily. “Please do. Daniel is on house arrest while the invasion prods Rikuto for a response. Though, of course, we've only just established a foothold and controlled messages that Rikuto is receiving. We're operating cautiously, but we're fairly sure Rikuto doesn't even know he's under invasion yet. A large scale one way transporter to the Grand Duchy is already underway.” Hekate puts her fists on her hips, ignoring the diminishing effect of a motherly dragon all but hanging off of her shoulders.
Roeta asks, “How are we certain that the enemy leaders don't know about the invasion yet, your Greatness?”
Ryuogriar answers, “We have several golems in stealth in the castle of Mornistae. But, Heralesse has been captured from the Grand Duchy. It's only a matter of time until scouts and messengers become a vanguard.”
“Understood, your Grace. Thank you for the answer.”
“Of course. We’re all allies. Though, of course, only Roeta could possibly become an Empress Consort.”
Hekate glares at Ryuogriar, and Roeta blushes. “I-I am happy with Magnir, your Grace. I mean no offense to his Grace, but I would prefer to keep our family as it is.”
“I’m sure his Grace would understand,” replies Ryuogriar facetiously, winking at Magnir, who was worried only for a moment. Hekate bursts in, “Daniel doesn’t need any more mistresses! I’m really putting my foot down now!”
“But, Sweetpea, think of how much bigger Mukori’s family could grow. How…”
“Blagrah! Don’t call me ‘Sweetpea’! Only Daniel can call me that! It’s his special nickname just for me!”
Ryuogriar simply smiles, petting Hekate’s head and parrying Hekate’s attempts to block and bat her arms away as if to ignore the strength of a child. “My dear, sweet Hekate. I suppose we’ll leave it at that, for now.” She grins deviously, causing Hekate to fume impotently.
***