“This display is nothing but a show to hide the fact that the self-proclaimed Emperor of the Fievegal was assassinated mere hours ago!”

The declaration has been made by a well-seasoned soldier and nobleman responsible for defending the border region of his Kingdom, the Kingdom of Mornistae. He has a rather large build for a human of Zenkon, demonstrating an unsurprising level of fitness for a Margrave.

And, his angered statement comes at the arrival of the Empresses of the Fievegal, minus the Emperor and a few other individuals. The peace summit is intended for peace to be forged between the Fievegal and the Kingdom of Mornistae, since both possess extraordinarily destructive tools of war aimed at each other, with a lot of potential collateral in between them.

Marquis Niulglodsa? Thank you for making this easy, thinks Hekate to herself as a devious grin spreads across her face. She quickly lifts her head and ears, pasting on her regal Empress smile, just as Ryuogriar does.

“Oh? I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, sir. As we haven’t met, it’s rather rude to accuse me of deception.”

Marquis Niulglodsa retorts sharply, “Failure to research your counterparts is an insult as much as an oversight, and coupled with this blatant disregard for the other nations of the continent, it is clear the Fievegal has no intention to honor any agreements made today.”

Geirahoel starts to counter, “Did you-...!?”

However, Hekate halts the orange dragon by simply holding up her hand, and Geirahoel stops dead out of respect for the feldrok girl, who is much more relaxed in the face of the accusations.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Daniel is simply dealing with…” She glances at Ryuogriar, who remains silent and watches the feldrok girl with an approving gaze.

The young ravenette sighs in disgust. “He’s helping Empress Doephluev ‘fix her dress’.”

This prompts several gasps from the noble ladies, and Aramellianna chuckles quietly, while Yanidere blushes and avoids anyone’s gazes directly.

“Lies!” shouts the Margrave. He declares for everyone else, “The Fievegal’s delegation was attacked by assassins on the road, and the otherworlder was slain. They are feigning strength when the source of their true power is gone.”

Hekate likes to smile, but she doesn’t always grin wide enough to show her teeth clearly. She doesn’t have human teeth. Instead, they have triangular, blade-like sharpness and interlock smoothly, giving her a spooky grin for anyone who isn’t used to it.

She is revealing virtually every single one of her teeth now with how wide her glee has spread across her face. “Human crazy people are amusing.”

“What!?” snarls the Marquis.

“I called you crazy. I think I would remember if we were attacked, wouldn’t you, Ryuo?” She looks at the platinum dragon, and Ryuogriar replies confidently, “Indeed. We have children with us, so it would truly be a serious ordeal if we were to have been attacked on the road.”

“Enough of your lies! My knights rode west to save you!”

“Your knights?” asks Hekate. “I seriously have no idea what you’re talking about at all. What reason would we have to hide an assassination attempt if we were attacked? If anything, it would make a great reason for us to declare war anew and kill everyone here. Sounds like a pretty easy win to me. But, we’re the Fievegal. We’re here for peace.”

“Impossible! When my knights return…!?”

“From where? There’s only one route through the valley, and we came that way. There were no knights. No assassins. No bandits. No soldiers. And no merchants.”

This is slowly chipping away at the Marquis’s confidence, even though what she said is true. It would be extremely difficult for a large band of knights to have hidden along the path to play out some sort of deceit.

Geirahoel, who almost ruined the actual deceit Hekate started to lure the Margrave out into the light in front of everyone, takes her own role in the skit. “Even if Mukori had been assassinated, what would that matter?”

“What is a Mukori?” retorts the angered and flustered Marquis.

“She means Daniel,” replies Wenlianna, taking a step forward. “Why should anyone here be concerned if Daniel were dead?”

“What do you mean!? He is your Emperor!” shouts the Marquis. “And as an Otherworlder…”

“Emperor Consort,” interrupts Reignleif bluntly. Her soft voice carries surprisingly well, in spite of its strangely cold yet gentle tone.

This stops Marquis Niulglodsa as his brain locks up. Murmurs fill the room. It seems he wasn’t the only one who was convinced Daniel is the sovereign ruler of the Fievegal. He often makes the decisions the most quickly, but…

“Her Greatness, Empress Hekate fell Lawson is the Sovereign of the Fievegal,” explains Kera’tai with a somewhat surprised tone that all but audibly asks, ‘Didn’t you know that?’.

Hekate puts her right hand on her chest as she puffs herself up as much as she can get, which is less impressive than she hopes. Regardless, her confidence is impeccable, and she states, “I admittedly rely on Daniel for a great many things because I am young, but it is true. I have been the ruler of the Citadel and the Fievegal since we established ourselves. We’d be fools to choose someone who could so easily be assassinated as the Sovereign Lord of the most powerful empire in the world.”

“I… But… the assassins…”

Walliskah finally reprimands his fellow nobleman, “Marquis Niulglodsa, you disgrace yourself with this behavior.”

“But, they’re lying to us all!”

“If you were telling the truth,” starts Veiranoei. “What evidence do you have to back up your claims of the existence of these assassins? We didn’t change out of bloodied clothes into these dresses in mere minutes.”

“What’s going on here!?” calls out a new voice entering from the Mornistae entrance, which is across the meeting hall from the Fievegal and the group still gathered there.

“Oh! You must be King Rikuto!” exclaims Hekate. She gestures elegantly with her palm up towards the Margrave. “Your Marquis seems to have imagined a group of assassins attacking us on the road.”

“What!?” snaps Rikuto as he slows his jog towards them to walk. His guards keep close, but it’s a semi-open secret that there isn’t much to be done if demon staves are used.

“Your Majesty-... It’s not… I can explain!” cries out the Marquis, growing more flustered and frustrated.

“I half expected Daniel himself to be at the center of a commotion like this,” remarks the otherworlder king with disgust in his voice. “But, one of my own noblemen?”

Trying to recover control of the situation, the Margrave’s face hardens. “If that’s the case, then, what happened to my knights? They rode west three hours ago and haven’t returned. I want an investigation performed immediately, your Majesty. I believe the Fievegal has murdered my men.”

“What men?” asks Rikuto, which surprises Hekate a little. She expected him to take a neutral, or even defensive stance. Instead, he presses the Margrave. “You don’t have the authority to be mobilizing troops here. Neither do I, given the circumstances.”

“Agreed,” replies Sundenelle. “And, your insubordinate and disrespectful behavior towards not one, but several titled Empresses would be grounds for execution if you committed such heinous transgressions in the Empire’s jurisdiction. Because this is a neutral stage, I wouldn’t normally get involved, since I am supposed to be a mediator, but Empress Veiranoei is right. You have yet to provide any evidence of your accusations. I would hope your King takes a responsible approach to handling your multiple indiscretions.”

The Marquis winces as his face twists in anger, but he remains silent.

Rikuto faces Hekate and, though he doesn’t show her deference, per se, he is polite when he says sincerely, “Apologies for my subordinate’s empassioned behavior. I… H-Heralesse?”

“Rikuto,” replies Heralesse gently.

“Are… Have you been… treated well?” asks the distracted king.

“I have,” replies Heralesse. “I…” She glances at the others, clearly torn on whose side to take in this situation.

She finally speaks a specific truth, rather than partaking in the lie. “The Margrave’s accusation is mistaken. Emperor Daniel is alive and well, but he’s tending to one of his consorts in the transport. He should be along any moment now.”

“Lies!” snaps Marquis Niulglodsa. “Your Majesty, they are clearly playing games with our Kingdom.”

“Be quiet!” snaps Rikuto.

“I will not! I will not allow all of these nobles who travelled all this way be deceived by these barbaric women claiming a teenage girl wields more power than their Emperor!”

This creates an awkward situation with Sundenelle standing right in front of him, since she is the Liege Lord of the Grand Zenkon Empire, rather than a wife of an Emperor.

“Failure to research your counterparts is an insult as much as an oversight,” retorts Geirahoel bluntly. “These were your words. This time-wasting display has been nothing but a poorly thought out attempt to disrupt the peace summit.”

“Yes, it is incredible that a Marquis would have the audacity to speak such a way to so many people who are superior to him.” The newest person to speak is Aramellianna, who straightens up and approaches gracefully, which surprises Yanidere and Yormolett, who were supporting at least some of her weight until now. They follow closely as she makes her way to the front, saying coldly, “It would seem respect and discipline have declined sharply since the occupation of the Grand Duchy.”

“I would ask you to mind your words, Grand Duchess Aramellianna,” replies Rikuto a little sourly. “Our… discussions on that topic are not complete.”

She smirks and holds her head high. “Hmm? Are you speaking to me?”

“I am. And, I won’t be intimidated.”

“Intimidated? I suppose it hasn’t been formally announced. I have officially stepped down as Grand Duchess to become Grand Duchess Senior Aramellianna kos Phenglegorn. My second eldest daughter, heiress to the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy, is now the rightful Grand Duchess.”

Hekate can hear the murmuring pretty easily, especially if she focuses on any one conversation. Both the ‘Phenglegorn’ name and the sudden turnover of the title of Grand Duchess each surprise various nobles. The Phenglegorn family is known to have been destroyed by corruption under Aramellianna’s parents, but a few mention her grandfather, by the sounds of it, and his success.

As for Yanidere, there is some surprise about her taking Wenlianna’s position, but others seem to speculate or know already that the eldest daughter of the Stalvaltan family is an Empress of the Fievegal, meaning it’s only sensible for the next heiress to inherit the Grand Duchy.

“I don’t think that’s something you can suddenly decide without my input,” points out Rikuto, which prompts Aramellianna to smirk again.

Just as the brewing battle is about to worsen, a commotion happens at the entrance behind the Fievegal’s group. Hekate looks, finding an older gentleman wrestling his way past the guards, who are hesitant to tackle him. His attire makes it clear why. He is older, but he’s dressed similarly to Rikuto, with a metal circlet fastened to a simple hat, probably to hide his thinning hairline.

“Heralesse! Erimaya!” shouts the old man.

“Father!?” exclaims both of the Mornistae daughters, and Erimaya begins to petition Hekate. “Go ahead,” urges the feldrok, and Erimaya beams at her, taking Heralesse’s hand. “Father!”

“Girls!” The old man hugs both of them tightly, and Hekate returns her attention to the Marquis and Rikuto. “We still need to address the grotesque disrespect your man showed us, King Rikuto. We have many things to negotiate, and I doubt you want us shifting from the gifts we’ll be giving to demands of compensation, do you?”

“Compensation?” asks the young man. “Before you have even established legitimacy?”

“Very well.” Sundenelle clears her throat and says loudly, “Let it be known that we of the Grand Zenkon Empire recognize the sovereignty of Hekate fell Lawson and the territory she controls as the Fievegal. State negotiations are still in progress, but we will find a peaceful route forward with the Fievegal.”

This surprises Hekate and Rikuto relatively equally. The blonde Empress cocks her head with an amused smile. “I believe the largest and oldest Empire on the continent acknowledging the newest one as legitimate should suffice, yes?”

Rikuto is silent for a moment, but he takes a breath and sighs. He reminds Hekate of Daniel in that way. He is able to adapt to being countered without becoming indignant, which is more than can be said of the Marquis, who is watching the Fievegal gain strength when he ruined his own reputation to try to weaken them politically.

Even Hekate, the former slave who knows nothing about a lot of things, can recognize the political devastation the Marquis backfired on himself when Hekate denied his scheme entirely. Without any of his knights, who are being shipped to the Fievegal as prisoners, he has no evidence to the contrary, which is the same as her point about exterminating them and claiming the assassins killed them.

However, denying their existence entirely is even more effective. If anyone takes the Margrave’s side, they reveal themselves to be a likely ally of the assassins, just as Niulglodsa almost certainly is.

Daniel better be proud of me for thinking so quickly! Maybe Heralesse was onto something earlier…

Rikuto replies, “Regardless, it seems we have many things to negotiate. Where is Daniel? He needs to answer for the weapons he has produced.”

“Apparently he’s lying dead in a ditch somewhere, and we all just left him there,” replies Ryuogriar facetiously with a shrug. “Isn’t that right, Jieka?”

The goblin princess nods in agreement, having no idea what’s going on with all of the words being said, other than she wants to hide from the loud man and agree with the loving dragon.

Hekate adds, “Will you also be answering for the superweapons and Minie proto-rifles you’ve produced, King Rikuto?”

He winces and glances at Heralesse and Erimaya, who are still speaking with their father, Retired King Greydald.

“Cultured pearls after synthetic diamonds… Hek-...er, Empress Hekate, this peace summit has gotten off on the wrong foot, and I’d like to start over. As you know, I am King Rikuto Tachibana of Mornistae. Your reputation certainly precedes you.”

“Likewise,” replies the feldrok girl. “It helps that you’re tall, but you also show a great deal more respect than some.” She shoots a meaningful smirk at the Marquis, which keeps him seething as he tries to figure out what he can do.

“I appreciate that. It is the pride of the nation I hail from to meet respect with respect, even in tense situations. While we wait for D-... Er, Emperor Daniel, may we begin taking seats. The discussions that don’t require him can proceed.”

“Sure-!” replies Hekate before being interrupted by Marquis Niulglodsa suddenly bursting out, “Grrr-AAHHH!” He whips his hand out from under his cloak, revealing the one thing the Fievegal fears being on the receiving end of.

“Is that-...!?” starts someone before Treia screams out, “GUN!” Her soldier instincts have already kicked in, and she tackles Aramellianna, Yanidere, and Yormolett to the ground. There isn’t much time left to react as a few women scream, and Rikuto flinches away from the Marquis.

Just as quickly, he tries to recover his feet and move to disarm the Margrave, but he has already leveled his aim at the first Dragon Empress, whose eyes fill with shock. Her own instincts kick in, and she whirls to put her own body between the weapon and Jieka, as well as to try to protect the egg in her belly in the same manner.

Likewise, Geirahoel snaps her wings into existence to shield Tekten while Roeta tries to sprint towards the assailant.

It’s too late.

BANG!

The thunderous shot fills the room with a startling clap. Hekate and the gatonines, as well as any shenwulves present, flinch in pain, and screams ring out. Reignleif is already casting magic to try to counterattack, and blood splashes on Ryuogriar’s back and Geirahoel’s wings as a large white cloud of smoke swallows a large area in front of the Marquis.

In the same movement, Niulglodsa drew his sword and pointed it at Rikuto. “Your Majesty, they are our enemies, and I will not let the proud Kingdom of Mornistae-...”

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,” comes a deep laugh from amidst the smoke, and Ryuogriar and Geirahoel both realize they haven’t been shot.

A man with grey hair, silver horns and a long, silver reptilian tail steps through the white cloud as he flexes his shoulder, which is bleeding lightly on his white jacket.

“O-Onii-chan?” asks Geirahoel with surprise.

“My Liege said there was almost no chance a Minie ball alone would be enough to kill me, but I expected more than a scratch.” Geirahoel’s legs falter, and she whimpers again, “O-Onii-chan… You idiot…” 

Neith smirks at her words. Every now and then, she calls Daniel an idiot, even to this day. “Marquis Niulglodsa, you startled my little sister while she’s pregnant and endangered my nieces. Most dragons would kill to have a little sister or nieces.” He sucks his teeth in a way that sparks a flame only in the right side of his mouth while he smirks. The flames crackle like a sparkler, and they flange his voice as he talks, distorting it with a menacing tone. “What do you think I would do for the ones I have?”

Fear washes over the entire hall, and many of the nobles are torn about whether or not to flee.

“S-Stay back!” screams Marquis Niulglodsa. “I’m warning you!” He aims the pistol at Neith once more, but the dragon is completely fearless. “I am tempted to grant you the time required to reload your primitive weapon only so I can let you shoot me again.” He gestures to his shoulder, replying, “After all, I am already healed.”

“You’ve lost your mind, Margrave,” adds Rikuto. “Guards, arrest the Marquis.”

“Protect Mornistae!” screams the Marquis, throwing the useless pistol at Neith. The dragon doesn’t even blink when it bounces off of his cheek with a meaty slap. However, the knight starts chanting a spell, and a magic circle appears under his feet. Neith enters a ready stance, channeling magic to focus on defending the Empresses. It quickly dawns on him that it’s a teleportation spell, and his delay may allow the Marquis to escape.

“You. Shall. Not. MAGIC!” booms a human male’s voice, prompting Neith to smirk.

With magic disabled and firearms that can’t kill him, he’s about to become the single most powerful being in the entire building.

***

Neith escorts Daniel, Senn, and Doephluev towards the meeting hall. The mechanic is a little surprised that the General of Castle Northwall and Rikuto accepted his terms not to meet within the walls of the fortress, which benefits both sides. Keeping the buses outside of the castle walls will allow rapid evacuation if need be, which was Daniel’s primary goal.

Senn walks alongside Daniel, who is escorting Doephluev. Their dark task is done, and Aoloan and Vaergraes are resting with Gold keeping watch over them.

Helbeit and Resken are following them, and Magnir arrived just as they were leaving the bus, so he is speaking with the two knights to get caught up on current events since arriving.

“Daniel, may I have your permission to take an alternate form?” asks the elven sage.

“I don’t really mind, but do you need my permission?”

“This form might rattle or upset him. And, it’s the respectful thing to do either way to have permission.”

“I trust you well enough, Senn. Please do as you wish.”

The mystical mage nods. It’s not humor or amusement per se, since it’s a little soon for humor. If anything, she’s about to do it to punish Rikuto by exploiting his hastiness. “Very well. Then I shall…” Before she actually casts any magic, Neith halts everyone by holding up his hand.

The dragon sniffs the air once, declaring seriously, “Something’s wrong.”

“Go! No quarter if needed!”

“Yes, Sire!” Neith instantly vanishes in a flicker as he moves faster than perfectly normal, minor-prescription human eyes can track.

“Helbeit, with me. Magnir, Resken, escort these two. I’ll be negating magic.” The knights confirm their orders, moving their rifles to the ready position in the case of the two Dragonslayers.

“We’ll be right behind you,” replies Doephluev. “Be safe.”

“You too.” He dashes forward with Helbeit towards the meeting hall. He’s not certain what Neith would be able to smell so easily that would suggest trouble, but he knows the lead Jomsviking is almost desperate to make up for failing to react quickly and properly to the other situations he has found himself in.

Daniel runs with Helbeit keeping pace with him, even with the huge Dragonslayer in his hands. If anything, the Stalvaltan Knight is holding himself back to keep pace with the otherworlder.

Kaeralegier, how wide can you negate magic?

“{How wide? What part of ‘was a goddess’ did you not understand?}”

You can control and expand it at will, then, right?

“{I can, but if you want me not to negate our allies’ magic, there are a lot of complexities that go into it, and I doubt I’ll have time to analyze the situation that deeply. It’s better if I do all or nothing.}”

Understood. Cover at least the whole building, then, please, when I give the signal.

“{Sure thing. I can’t sustain it long, though, or it might attract attention. Attention you promised to protect me from.}”

Got it. Halting anything in progress will be enough.

The two men approach the entrance, and the guards are concerned, and between performing their duty and trying to figure out what’s going on, they are blocking the door.

Helbeit accelerates to get further ahead of Daniel, and he booms with impressive volume that reminds Daniel of his RDCs in boot camp. “MOVE! Clear the way or get vaporized!”

Startled, the various guards probably experience a form of minor PTSD from their own training, as well as a defensiveness requiring they respond to the new threat. This clears the door enough for Daniel to make it through, and Helbeit orders, “No one block the Emperor or you’ll be a pink stain on the wall. Do not test me!”

The guards who don’t belong to the Stalvaltan ranks put their hands up, knowing enough about ‘Demon staves’ to know that certain death is what awaits them, and something is very wrong inside.

BANG!

Daniel and Helbeit share a glance, and the knight shouts, “Go! I’ll cover your entry!”

“Got it! Weapons free! Best judgment!”

“Yes, my Liege!”

Daniel sprints ahead, drawing Nemaisol. He’s thankful that Kaeralegier can manipulate her special effects at will, though he knows the day will come that he needs to somehow protect her from Chaos. Though she presented herself as a youthful and childish being similar to Hekate, the mechanic knows enough to know she was acting beyond Daniel’s comprehension.

He doesn’t really want to think it while holding Nemaisol, but a subconscious part of his mind is pretty sure Kaeralegier hasn’t been as hidden as she thinks.

But, that’s a problem for future Daniel.

Right now, his family is in danger.

He rushes in to find the Empresses just a little way into the room, with the old King Greydald guarding his daughters, and Rikuto near a man facing off against Neith.

The man throws an old-timey-looking flintlock pistol at Neith, and he begins casting a spell, which Neith braces against.

When he faced off against his first dragon and his vanguard force, Daniel acted in the heat of the moment by calling upon his imagination which is fueled by a modest library of fictional materials. It earned him the appellations ‘the Harbinger of Calamity’ and the ‘Feldrok Sorcerer’.

And now, he has to give a signal while also intimidating his enemies, particularly in case there are any other firearms among them.

An old grey wizard briefly comes to mind, and he hopes he doesn’t cross the line of copyright.

“You. Shall. Not. MAGIC!” shouts Daniel in the loudest voice he can project, trying to match the depth and tone of Helbeit, though he doubts he gets close.

Still, the man casting the spell glances at Daniel as he holds the sword high with the blade pointed towards the floor.

“Wait! NO!” screams a female voice that sounds familiar. She’s just ahead and to Daniel’s left, huddled with another woman that doesn’t register right away from Daniel’s peripherals alone.

The mechanic ‘jams’ the legendary sword Nemaisol down, intentionally stopping it once the tip pierces the simple cobblestone floor, since Nemaisol has a legendary sharpness that can cut metal or stone, even without intentionally forming a monomolecular edge.

“{I hate you Daniel,}” remarks the goddess’ voice that only Daniel can hear at present, though her tone is one of a somewhat affectionate amusement.

The moment the tip of Nemaisol taps the cobblestone, a ‘shockwave’ of faint blue-grey energy races outwards, and the mana for the spell the opposing nobleman was casting evaporates before it can fully take form as an enchantment, escape spell, or attack.

In fact, every spell present is negated. The magic lanterns falter, causing the only source of light to be the sky lights. The subtle air flow from magic air circulators, this world’s equivalent to actual air conditioners, noticeably stops. Women who have magic devices to alter their appearances become their true forms.

Scars become visible, overweight bodies show what they really are, and even jewelry vanishes.

And, blonde hair becomes a misty white color like spider-silk in moonlight, while violet eyes become a deep, blood red like a servant of evil.

Many gasps fill the room, including the person with the change in features, and the more mature woman with her immediately hugs her.

Daniel briefly makes eye contact with the ruby-red windows to a normally-composed soul, which are now filled with horror as she glances around. He has only seen her ‘in person’ one time so far, but even with the different hair and eye color, Daniel can tell he’s looking at Sundenelle.

And, her skin has become an almost surreal snow-white shade, rather than her usual fair skin.

Regardless, the otherworlder Emperor has a much more pressing issue to deal with right now.

Thankfully, Neith walks foward, and the panicked man swings his sword, which the dragon knight snaps his forearm up to block.

Daniel has seen Neith catch bolts from crossbows and ballistae with his bare hands and no magic in order to train his reflexes; a training regimen he has intensified since the curse took hold of Daniel. He takes the sharp edge of the blade with his forearm to demonstrate that he can, and it’s then that Daniel notices the blood spray from a wound on Neith’s shoulder. He successfully intercepted the shot from the man’s pre-industrial pistol, and Geirahoel and Ryuogriar caught the brunt of the minor spray of blood from the grazing hit that only managed to break the dragon’s ‘human’ skin.

Blood starts to appear in a clean slice, but the blade is stuck, refusing to budge when the man tries to reclaim it.

“My turn,” growls Neith. He spits fire onto his own forearm, instantly melting the blade to a nub, and the attacker screams as he casts the hilt from his hand. He instantly has to nurse his palm as he wails, and the dragon taunts, “Sorry. I sneezed. Now it’s my…”

The man drops to his knees. “I-... I… s-... surrender…”

Daniel warns with a single word, “Neith…”

“Right, my Liege.”

In spite of the surrender, the dragon lunges forward and jams the outer meat of his hand into the man’s mouth, keeping his jaws apart and preventing him from biting off his own tongue. The dragon orders, “Roeta, on the back of my belt are binding tools. Secure his arms and legs.”

“Yes sir!” shouts the pink dragon as she jogs towards him, crouching to search the grey Einherjar’s belt under his soiled white jacket. Meanwhile, the lead knight of the Fievegal and the Emperor’s brother pats down the man with his free hand.

Rikuto, stunned by the series of events, does his best to recover his posture, while the Mornistae knights carefully place themselves between him and Daniel. They do noticeably give Neith a wide berth, though. After all, it would take every ounce of mana and weaponry the Mornistae Royal Guard has to bring down a dragon deficient in mana, such as Roeta or Magnir.

Neith just demonstrated that, with even without mana, he is all but impervious to the attacks they could muster without magic.

Neith finds several daggers and knives hidden all over the man’s body, and Daniel’s glad he brought forth the practice of the pat down. While he wouldn’t put it past their shady enemies at this point, cavity searches don’t seem to be necessary just yet.

The dragon looks over his shoulder at Daniel and shakes his head.

So… He doesn’t have a cameo? Is it hidden on some other thing? Thymeria made it seem like it was a failsafe. Unless… That’s right. Vaergraes and Aoloan didn’t have them.

“Neith, as soon as mana is restored, stow him in your void bag. King Rikuto, as you know, I am Emperor Daniel kos Lawson. As this man has attacked my beloved wives and daughters, all royalty of the Fievegal, I will trust that you have no objections to the Fievegal arresting and extraditing him to our territory for further questioning.”

Rikuto starts to say something, but he pauses. He was making a move to try to stop the man, so Daniel doesn’t suspect him of being party to the hidden hand pulling the strings of the war between the east and the west. Because Daniel is actively trying to cut the strings from both sides, he has to die. But, it would be too overt to try to wipe out all of the rulers of both sides and attempt to start fresh. Not if they want to maintain the unshifting balance of life and death they wield.

The Japanese man clenches his fists, and he says as confidently as he can muster, given the situation, “I cannot allow torture…”

“No one mentioned torture,” replies Daniel instantly. “And, I have four daughters in this room alone.”

“I am NOT your daughter!” snaps Hekate angrily, relatively unrattled by the events, other than surprised initially.

“No. But, there’s a hundred percent chance one of the eggs will be, and Gwenesphia will probably have a litter.”

“D-Daniel!” snaps the gatonine, still lying on the floor where she took cover.

“Even if I don’t count the chickens that haven’t hatched,” continues Daniel seriously. “The Crown Princess of the Fievegal and my first daughter is right there. I believe death is the usual punishment for directly attacking royalty, which are numerous at this point. Disavow this man and surrender him to us, or the peace summit ends immediately.”

It’s an unusual deathly serious tone for Daniel where he is making an overt threat. Even when he was antagonizing and taunting Yaulander for insulting the Empresses, he kept a level tone.

Now, he is actually threatening continuing a war between two countries with superweapons at their disposal if Rikuto tries to protect one of his nobles who attacked in broad daylight in front of everyone of importance on the continent.

Again, the Japanese man hesitates and he massages his temple with his right hand, showing obvious signs of distress. Daniel waits patiently, but he doesn’t yield.

Sundenelle might normally have spoken up, but she’s trying to avoid drawing attention to herself now that her true appearance has been revealed.

Rikuto sighs after pondering for a long time. “On one condition. Mornistae keeps the right to put him on trial in person, meaning he can’t be killed or tortured. Since we have a long list of peace terms to write, I hope one more isn’t an issue.”

“I’ll agree to that,” replies Daniel. “Though, of course, I won’t tolerate further unfounded accusations of misconduct if the currently obvious liar attempts to claim mistreatment.”

Rikuto knows Daniel is telling him right to his face that he’s going to torture the nobleman and clean him up physically before presenting him for trial. But, because he doesn’t have enough leverage, his only option would be to refuse and continue the war over someone that tried to assassinate royalty, or give him over without any restrictions and potentially receive only a head for the trial.

“Fine.”

“MMM-F!” cries out the man through Neith’s hand, and the Japanese king replies coldly, “You acted against peace and the Kingdom of Mornistae, Marquis Niulglodsa. As this is an act of treason, you will be sentenced to death by the Kingdom of Mornistae, though you’ll be afforded the luxury of a trial to present a defense.” Rikuto adds under his breath, “Sore wa mudada.” A/N1.

Rikuto then straightens his posture and projects his voice. “And, for those of you doubting my biases or resolve, had I the means and resources, Grand Duchess Aramellianna kos Stalvaltan would already be on trial.” He looks at Daniel seriously, and then at Aramellianna, who smirks arrogantly. She is completely unintimidated.

“Sir Neith, take Marquis Niulglodsa into custody and imprison him in the secure cells of the Citadel. We can’t risk what we already know is a threat.”

“Of course, my Liege.” The dragon stands up, dragging the Margrave up by the back of his collar. Roeta replaces Neith’s hand with a fabric gag, tying it tightly.

The dragons both nod at Daniel, indicating their readiness. He swiftly lifts Nemaisol and lines the tip of the blade up with the scabbard at his waist, sheathing the sword with a swift, crisp motion.

Immediately afterwards, the lights return, and the air starts moving again. Magic disguise devices that still have power restore their illusions, and Roeta’s void bag lights up. She and Neith store the Marquis in the bag while he protests in panic, making haste to ensure whatever curse nearly claimed Aoloan and Vaergraes can’t take effect.

Now, a whole herd of elephants are in the room, and Daniel isn’t even at the center of most of them.

*** 

A/N 1: If my understanding is correct, Sore wa mudada is Japanese for “That’s useless.” or “It’s useless.” In this context, Rikuto is using it more like “Useless as it is…” in a sort of cold sarcasm.