Sundenelle watches from her seat under an umbrella on a balcony of the main citadel of Castle Northwall. Rikuto is standing a few yards away, leaning on the ramparts to watch the horizon. A medium fog has rolled in over the plains surrounding the castle, making only the shadows of the mountains readily apparent.

Everyone is on edge. The Fievegal has the technology and combined personnel firepower to launch a blitz attack on the castle, where Sundenelle and Rikuto have gathered a great number of the world’s movers and shakers.

The Fievegal even went as far as to retreat their mobile operations center in the form of a flying fortress back beyond the mountains, even though they were stationed in Mattarglos for negotiations with the primarily demi-human led territory. There are no shortage of rumors surrounding Daniel, most specifically, from both good and bad opinions of the otherworlder. The unsavory rumors describe his taste in women, but Sundenelle has seen his consorts. With the exception of Hekate, who doesn’t carry herself like a child who knows the ways of adults, and Erimaya, who is rumored to have travelled to the Fievegal in order to give herself to Daniel due to the social stigma following his revival after she drowned. The Fievegal is rumored to have taken in a large number of orphan children, but Sundenelle has a hard time believing the Emperor would add children to his harem when he has the likes of Ryuogriar and Geirahoel madly in love with him. True, there are repulsive individuals whose appetites are insatiable, but Sundenelle is confident he would readily have taken advantage of her more directly when she accepted his ‘marriage proposal’. There have been a few letters exchanged, but it’s clear Daniel is delaying.

She smirks as she twirls her blonde hair in her finger.

What’s wrong, Daniel? You accepted my proposal, didn’t you? Don’t tell me you’re afraid of a young human woman like me?

Her lips curve up even more in amusement at the thought, but she does look at her hair.

Or… are you perhaps not fooled? Do you find me repulsive? 

She shakes her head clear. No. He was obviously making his remarks in jest, and he didn’t think I’d turn it back on him. If he knew, he would simply weaponize it against me.

“Your Majesty! There!” calls out one of Rikuto’s scouts.

Everyone straightens, and Sundnelle pops up to her feet to jog to the ramparts. Byleathea also rises from her own seat just behind and beside Sundenelle, approaching more gracefully.

Everyone was watching the skies, since the Fievegal is known to use vessels capable of rapid air travel. Even the massive airship constructed by the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy was able to travel from the capital of Mattarglos to beyond the mountains in a couple of hours, which would normally take at least a full day’s ride on a fast and high-endurance buckrokh, let alone a team pulling a carriage.

Instead, the Fievegal arrives in very distinct carriages that specifically lack beasts of burden to pull them, driving under their own power, which was reported by the campaign that failed to even begin an effective siege against the Citadel.

“Those carriages are rather large,” remarks Byleathea. “I am curious how the Fievegal intends to ship trade goods if this is how they transport their highest ranks.”

“Do you think he’ll let us borrow one for our return trip?” jokes Sundenelle.

“Oh? You intend to return?” asks Byleathea, making a teasing jab at Sundenelle’s current plan. She’s going to wait until the end of the negotiations, but it’s the perfect stage to enact her killing blow with so many important figures gathered together.

“Yes, Mother, I still intend to rule the Empire. And, it will only be a start. There is much more that needs to take place before I will change palaces.”

Byleathea scoffs softly. “Of course, your Imperial Majesty. Shall we head down to the reception area to greet the delegation?”

They are in a high part of the large castle. The young Empress says ponderously with a low volume, “I actually wish I could make a more dramatic entrance… Something that even Ryuogriar would have to accept me…”

Byleathea sighs quietly. It’s improper for her to sigh out in the open like this, but before she was a Lady in Waiting to the Empress, she was a princess’s one and only mother. She murmurs quietly, “My dear daughter, it’s times like this I wish your father were still alive to thoroughly vet your future husband…”

Sundenelle looks at her with a soft smile, relaxing her shoulders a bit. “I think he would be willing to at least humor this idea. The Fievegal has us beat if they really try to go to war with us. I’m not blind enough to overlook that. If I can steal even a little loyalty of a man who has everything, then the Empire might prosper too.”

“I know, I know, my Dear Empress. I just wish you had the chance to fall in love as I did.”

Sundenelle takes a deep breath and exhales. “There is nothing stopping me from falling in love with Daniel. Let’s hope I’m getting lucky.”

Byleathea closes her eyes and exhales in slight exasperation, all but abandoning her proper etiquette for a change. “At least wait until after we see how this all turns out. I beg of you.”

“Of course, Mother. I’m not a fool.” The young empress lifts her head and begins walking gracefully. “I’m a teenager. There’s a slight difference.”

A couple of the younger woman attending the Empress and her most trusted noble advisor and lady in waiting.

As she approaches the Imperial Guards responsible for protecting the young sovereign of the Grand Zenkon Empire, and those who proved their loyalty to her and the rightful bloodline of the Empire, she says quietly, “Sir Ecklevon, the rulers of the Fievegal have no qualms about trying to antagonize anyone and everyone because they have the greater strength. Do not allow any outbursts that could jeopardize peace over words, no matter what is said.”

“As you wish, your Majesty,” replies the gatonine knight as he bows. Now the Captain of her knights, the feline man inherited the role because he never faltered, unlike his predecessor, Dalloway.

“If there needs to be intervention by the guards, I will not hesitate to give appropriate orders.”

“Of course, my Empress. I shall take personal responsibility for ensuring the word spreads.”

“Very good, Captain.”

Just as she’s passing through the doorway, the knight Captain says just loud enough for her to hear, “If he does end up being the Emperor, someone will finally be able to tease you.”

Everyone comes to a stop, and the ladies who don’t know better turn a little pale.

Sundenelle pivots only halfway, looking over her shoulder. “You’re a bold man, Ecklevon.”

“Forgive me, your Grace. I was merely expressing my sincere excitement for your betrothal.”

“Mm-hmm. Or perhaps to see a foolish teen put in her place?”

The knight can’t help but scoff, doing his best not to completely disrespect her. “More like, someone who will give you a reason to relax for a change, your Majesty.” He also lifts his head and stands tall, looking off at nothing in particular. “Besides. You have a lot of guards. Some of us are looking forward to the day that there are princes and princesses to look after.”

“Sir Ecklevon!” barks Byleathea, finally having enough of his impudence, but Sundenelle simply laughs. “Wish me luck, then, Sir Ecklevon, and make sure you mind your professionalism in front of so many people.”

“Certainly, your Majesty. My sincere apologies for my impudence.”

Byleathea sighs in disgust, urging, “Let’s just be on our way.”

The group makes their way to the ground, but what they find isn’t exactly the regal arrival of the dignitaries of another nation.

***

The escort rover leads the way off the road before the established staging area the soldiers manning Castle Northwall designated.

Muindis stands up in the passenger seat, calling out to the troop bed, “Team one, commence security sweep! Team two, request castle receiving company. Don’t forget what we talked about.”

“Yes sir!” shout the Stalvaltan guards. The eight soldiers in the rear are alternating which team they’re a part of, in case one side or the other is attacked. With enemy rifles in play, they have to take some precautions to make sure any one team isn’t wiped out. Team one disembarks over the sides of the rover’s bed, while Team two disembarks from the rear once there’s more room.

The first team is tasked with using detection spells and other training they have received to scan for traps around the staging area. While it’s normally standard procedure for arriving dignitaries to make some preliminary preparations, the recent attack shows that it’s better to just be even more suspicious. There were a handful of golems that have remained in stealth for a long time monitoring the area, according to Daniel, but if Thymeria truly is a traitor, she likely knew to plan around them.

Team two has a secondary task as they go to inform the castle guard and the servants waiting where they thought the delegation would arrive. They are to survey and identify the locations of the various noble families, factions, and their soldiers, particularly the Niulglodsa Margrave’s soldiers. It’ll be important when the issue of the Niulglodsa knights maintained a charge at the Fievegal’s marked delegation and disrespected the Sovereign Empress.

Of course, as he watches the groups jog towards their respective tasks, Muindis can’t help but ponder his new Empress(es). Hekate and Doephluev have an irresponsible and immature game of trading who is the sovereign empress with their own personal competitions, and Doephluev cashed in one such victory to be the Sovereign during virtually everything involving the delegation, meaning she is the one that intends to drag Daniel around.

Of course, the two goblin princesses weren’t a calculation initially, so it’s difficult to say how it’s going to go. Daniel seems set on keeping the princesses nearby himself at almost all times, if he can, since they are tiny and adventurous, but they’re most docile and self-controlled as long as Daniel or someone standing next to him are holding the girls.

Muindis has guarded many important meetings and gatherings, and bringing young children is always a massive faux pas.

But, so is changing out Empresses on near literal whims.

Or having more than one named Empress, rather than ranking them as consorts.

Daniel, specifically, is aware of the etiquette he tends to trample on because he cares more about his family and friends than his reputation. He claims, while there are many benefits to noble etiquette and practices of respect, it’s too easy for those same nobles to look down on people for no other reason than their status.

It reminds the soldier of one of the conversations Aramellianna had with them after the failed rescue missions to retrieve Daniel.

“I want him back for Wenlianna. He is the closest I have ever gotten to ‘marrying her off’, but more importantly,... He makes her happy…”

The Grand Duchess’s words back then were sincere, and she addressed the fact that Daniel is very much not of noble blood. But, her concern was his capabilities. The Fievegal wasn’t founded the typical way. A bunch of the world’s most powerful beings gathered around ‘the Harbinger of Calamity’, and citizens appeared around their conquered fortress, leading to the founding of the Fievegal. Muindis knows there are more steps, but the founding was about as ham-fisted as everything else the Fievegal’s leadership does.

A buckrokh bearing the flag of the kingdom of Mornistae stops briefly at Team Two to speak to them, and they gesture towards Muindis’s position. He orders the driver, “Signal gunners to keep their heads on a swivel.”

“Yes, Captain!”

The human Guardsman climbs down from his passenger seat, walking around the rover with his sidearm drawn, but held casually at his side. He keeps his left hand on the hilt of his sword, though his sword is also on his left hip, so it’d be almost impossible for him to draw it right away.

Obviously, it’s just to signal the rider that they’re on guard.

Thankfully, the rider is dressed only in riding clothes, rather than armor and she’s around fifteen years old. It’s not common that such a young human woman is in the military, but everyone has their own circumstances. Since she’s clearly dressed as a messenger, with a shoulder bag and the banner or Mornistae in her right hand, she is representing the kingdom after leaving the castle in plain sight. There’s almost no chance that she’s part of the conspiracy of attacks that have been taking place, from the maid that managed to curse Daniel, the attack on the Grand Duchess, and now an overt assassination attempt on the Imperial family. But, Muindis doesn’t let his guard down just because a teenage girl is the one bringing the message. Veuthene the maid was a teenager, and she nearly killed Daniel, though, through no small part of his own carelessness.

The messenger slows the buckrokh down and comes to a stop well before getting too close to Muindis, and she dismounts, walking with the steed towards him. “I’m Lexailette, a messenger on behalf of his Majesty, King Rikuto Tachibana. I was told to pass messages for the Fievegal to you, Sir Knight.”

“Captain Muindis of the Stalvaltan Guard. That is correct. I will accept any correspondence and see that it reaches the appropriate members of the Fievegal. We’ve had several security threats in the last few weeks, so I hope that won’t be an issue.”

“Not at all, Sir!” says the young woman chipperly. “Tensions are high, and I’m just a messenger. With sincere respect, I mean no offense when I say that I would rather hand off messages to an officer than directly to royalty.”

The Guard Captain chuckles warmly as he receives the letter, “You haven’t met any of the Fievegal’s Imperial family, then. They’re very… unique.”

“I am excited to bear witness to this momentous gathering!”

Muindis casts several different small spells on the scroll, checking it for signs of magic, curses, and poison. Poisons are the least popular method because it almost always contaminates other messages and the messenger, meaning it’s more likely to give away the assassin, or kill someone unintended. Muindis was an apprentice not much older than this girl when he witnessed a poisoned letter reach its destination, which was a viscount of the now-fallen Kingdom of Bromlund.

Fortunately, the letter is clear of any and all maladies, magical or mundane. Captain Muindis unfurls it while the messenger waits patiently, patting her buckrokh and feeding it a carrot.

The Captain heads to the driver side of the rover, and the driver is already holding the magic communication device Wenlianna and Ahok developed and have been improving on every chance they get, which is admittedly limited with the large number of projects they’re juggling.

“Mechanic One, Vanguard One, we have a message from the Green Rook. Over.”

“Go ahead, Vanguard One,” replies Daniel’s voice. He has been a bit cold since he fought off several assassins. Daniel has killed his enemies a few times now, but he still takes it very seriously every time. 

Muindis may not be especially fond of the otherworlder who caused him so much trouble, but he does hope the Emperor is able to sort out his feelings, since he was in the right in virtually every situation he had to kill someone.

The Guardsman reads off the message as it’s written.

“[Daniel of the Otherworld,

Let’s drop all pretense of ranks and meet together, just you and me. Turning this into a larger spectacle is only going to complicate matters. Your companions can meet with the nobles and the Empress as they desire, but I’d prefer if we could discuss the state of the world between the two of us without any distractions.

I look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely,

Tachibana Rikuto.]”

After a brief pause, Daniel’s voice comes over the radio. “Thank you, Vanguard One. Please take out the cheatsheet I gave you and transcribe the letters from English as I spell them. It likely won’t make sense to you, so pay it no mind. They should be the header of the letter, understood?”

Muindis waves for a sheet of paper as he digs the cheatsheet Daniel gave him, “Understood, you-, er, Mechanic One.” The driver hands over a pencil and paper, and Muindis stands by to transcribe the note. Thankfully, he has fairly nice handwriting. “I assume the messenger is standing by?”

“Yes, Mechanic One.”

“I-I’m here!” exclaims the young woman.

“Good. I am Emperor Daniel kos Lawson of the otherworld known as Earth. I will confirm the validity of this message in person, since my signature will not be on it. Now, then, Vanguard One, the English first, and then the rest of the message.”

“As you wish, your Grace,” replies Muindis, slipping once more into his time-hardened etiquette, rather than the ‘radio communication etiquette’ Daniel urges everyone to use.

The otherworlder Emperor starts with, “Alright, English first. ‘L’...”

The messenger watches a little curiously as Muindis transcribes the message as faithfully as he can. The last line even repeats what he said, “[I will validate this message, as it was written and sent quickly to save time. See you soon.]”

Muindis doesn’t particularly care for the tone of the message, but as always, Daniel is not a noble, and his strategy does keep any rivals, opponents, enemies, and even neutral parties on their toes, because he is so unorthodox, but can’t be ignored or socially destroyed the way a normal noble is brought down. Boycotting Fievegal trade will only put those who hesitate behind the technology curve, meaning virtually no one has the option of simply boycotting the Fievegal if they want to stay on the cutting edge of comfort and luxury.

Even the knights and soldiers riding in Daniel’s horseless carriages ride in relative comfort.

Muindis rolls up and ties a simple string on the message, handing it over. “Please inform King Rikuto as you have heard; His Grace Emperor Daniel approves this message.”

“Of course, Sir Muindis.” Just as she pulls herself up onto the large beast, Muindis says, “Ah! One last thing. Please take this.” Muindis approaches and hands over a small handheld device. 

Lexailette turns it over in her hands for a moment studying it. “What is it?”

“It’s a compact eyeglass for seeing at range. The soft side is for looking through.”

The teen takes a peek, and she murmurs, “It’s blurry.”

“The Emperor assured me that his Majesty Rikuto would know how to use it, but if you turn the small wheel on the side, there, that will adjust it until it is clear. Sometimes you have to go…”

“Ah! Wow!” exclaims the messenger, surprised.

Muindis can tell she got it, and he waits for her excitement to calm down. Once she has composed herself, he explains, “Inform his Majesty to inspect the leading vehicle of our convoy. The message will make more sense.”

Lexailette looks with the sightglass herself, and she makes adjustments. “Ooohhh… Is that her Majesty Heralesse? A-And, Princess Erimaya!?”

“Yes. They’re safe and well-cared for. King Rikuto is welcome to check. They’ll be visible until we are prepared to enter the staging area.”

“Understood. Anything else, Sir Muindis?”

“That’ll be all, Lexailette. Ride safe and honor to your blade.”

She looks at him with wide eyes, and she murmurs, “Th-Thank you!” She pats her small hand to her chest, saying proudly, “By my blade, I shall stand strong. Honor to your blade as well, Sir Muindis.”

He nods politely, and she turns her buckrokh around, clicking her tongue as she urges it up into a more casual run.

Muindis then gives a hand signal to the main convoy, and he can see a light being blinked on and off.

The Captain knows the Fievegal has the upper hand, but they are entering the striking range of their enemies. They can’t let their guard down, especially after being attacked.

***

Rikuto tensely receives the message from Lexailette, the young woman, handing it over to one of his Royal Guards to be inspected. “Did you meet with Daniel?”

“Apologies, your Majesty. I was directed to meet with Captain Muindis of the Stalvaltan Guard. However, he had a device that let him speak directly to the Fievegal’s Emperor.”

“A radio?” asks Rikuto, feeling a knot twist in his stomach.

“What of my daughters?” asks the retired King Greydald kos Mornistae.

“Yes, your Majesty. Captain Muindis gave me this device. He said it’s a sight glass, and it works really well. He told me which vehicle has the Queen and the Princess.” She hands it over to the king, who quickly tries to look through it from the outer castle wall. “It’s blurry!” snaps the king, but the young messenger nervously explains, “Th-The wheel, y-your Majesty!”

He inspects the device, and he adjusts it, checking again and again, seeming to grow frustrated.

“So, you didn’t speak to Daniel in person?” asks Rikuto as he receives the inspected message.

“No, your Majesty. But, with all due respect, I wouldn’t know the real Daniel in person anyways, if they were set on fooling me.”

That’s true, thinks Rikuto to himself.

He reads the message and immediately frowns.

“[LOL NO]” is the header of the message, written in English, and Rikuto recognizes it primarily because it was a common humorous retort on the internet in comment sections of all languages.

The message continues after that more seriously, though Rikuto is not overly happy with the blunt and rude start.

“[Dearest Tachibana Rikuto-denka (A/N 1),

I will have to respectfully decline to acquiesce to your request. There are twelve active Empresses of the Fievegal who have all been looking forward to making their debut as the rulers of the strongest empire in the world. Yes, it will be a spectacle. No, I’m not afraid of that.

I’m more afraid of being alone in a room with someone who tried to nuke me off the face of the world long before we made any aggressive movements towards the Eastern kingdoms that wasn’t provoked and met with appropriate response. We are here to formalize not using superweapons against each other, or we have nothing to discuss. And, as they have a vested interest in the future of this world, the Empresses will be party to the conversations, as I have no interest of keeping any secrets from them.

As a token of good faith, we will be returning Queen Heralesse and the accompanying prisoners that were taken when she was captured. This does not mean the act of using a superweapon against Fort Twilight unprovoked has been forgiven. Call it formal payment for the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy, which I will not be giving back.

I sincerely hope we can get along and reach stable peace the easy way from here on out.

And, as you will be told, this message is being written by my representative. I will validate this message, as it was written and sent quickly to save time. See you soon.

Respectfully,

Emperor Daniel kos Lawson

Imperial Sovereign of the Fievegal

Lord of the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy and the Dragons

Conqueror of the Citadel

Defender of Fort Peony.]”

Rikuto sighs as he finishes reading the letter. “I had hoped you would still be humble,” murmurs the Japanese man. Seeing the long list of titles Daniel has given himself, it's clear the power has gone to the American's head.

Once he shows his true colors in front of everyone, It will be easier to get the support I need to truly counter him. Patience, Rikuto. I just need to be patient.

The staging area allocated to the Fievegal is right across the main road from the temporary negotiating zone. Even though Castle Northwall is in Mattarglos territory, it’s heavily manned by the Allied kingdoms and the Empire. Daniel agreed to meet outside of the castle, but refused to enter anyone’s controlled areas, in spite of choosing Northwall himself.

We should be more worried about you, Daniel. You’re the one with riflemen taking positions all around with line of sight on the facility.

Rikuto glances at the hastily built villa. It has several layers of logs backfilled with dirt and gravel on the sides facing away from the castle, so rifles should be unable to accurately target anyone inside.

The problem lies with Daniel’s harem. Each one of the dragons alone are a superweapon, if the stories are to be believed. Given what Rikuto saw in the last Dawnsight Senn showed him, the Dragons were annihilating everything.

Rikuto genuinely does want peace, but he can’t ignore what he saw, and what Daniel is capable of.

He watches as the Fievegal finally moves their busses into the staging area, having taken everyone aboard once more.

Greydald finally shoves the sightglass into the young messenger’s hands again as he starts for the stairs. “I’m going out to meet them.”

“Your Majesty,” starts Rikuto urgently, and the former king only stops long enough to glare. “My daughters are out there! How dare you ask me to wait!”

“There is no reason to rush. The Fievegal would be further destroying their reputation if they have harmed the Queen and the Princess. According to his letter, Daniel has every intent to return them.”

Greydald storms close to Rikuto, growling, “Try having children and then speak on the matter, boy.”

Rikuto tries to keep his head level, but he is the only reason Mornistae wasn’t annexed by the Empire as payment for the war defenses. 

Given Yaulander’s personality, he would likely be thrilled to conquer territory.

“With all due respect, Father, you summoned me to this world, and you made me King to shortcut the bureaucracy so I could use my knowledge. And, my knowledge says that they both will be safe. But, we cannot afford to risk sending them new hostages.”

Greydald scoffs. “I am a king, not a god. And before that, I am a father. I’ll see you at the summit.”

With that, the older man storms down the wall, escorted by his loyal knights, and they head out of the castle towards the delegation.

Rikuto sighs.

He watches from above as the Fievegal’s soldiers, bolstered by the Stalvaltan Guard, unload from their escort vehicles, securing a perimeter. The initial contact teams have inspected the meeting villa, and they are standing guard at its entrance alongside the royal guard of Mornistae, soldiers of Mattarglos, and the Imperial Guard.

Even before Greydald can reach the ground, though, a procession of people exit the castle to walk up the road towards the staging area. While there are two guards technically in the lead, the true head of the procession is none other than the Empress of the Grand Zenkon Empire.

For all of his ambition, it’s a wonder Yaulander isn’t already the Emperor… thinks Rikuto. He can only shake his head and step away from the wall. Even with security mages providing barriers, it’s unlikely being exposed will be safe for the otherworlder King. It’s a dangerous situation that they’re in, and Rikuto needs to be careful, while also not being the one to exacerbate or provoke conflict.

***

A/N 1: I’m not 100% certain it’s the same for a king, but ‘-denka’ as a suffix is one way of denoting the same thing as “His Imperial/Royal Majesty Rikuto Tachibana”. Daniel is balancing the usage of ‘Proper Japanese nomenclature’ as best as he knows it to simultaneously respect and taunt Rikuto a little.

***