The walk we were taken on was breathtaking. As we first entered the city, we were overwhelmed by just how bright everything was compared to the night sky. The buildings were tall, the streets were vibrant, and the place was absolutely huge. If I didn't know any better, I'd say I was back in New Vegas only without, you know, all the piss, shit and vomit.
As we walked in, though, we were immediately the center of attention, as expected. Dwarves, beastmen, fairies, elves and other such creatures looked at us with a mix of curiosity and disgust. As if we were pieces of trash that had floated into their clean city from the badlands. We all seemed to get rather uncomfortable/angry at how they were regarding us, and it seemed I wasn't the only one who noticed. Fara soon ushered the girls around us to hurry it up a bit in order to get us out of the public eye as quickly as possible, though not before sending one at her side ahead of us with specific instructions. I couldn't exactly hear what she told her to do with all the murmuring and gossip around us, but I assume it may have to do with why I'm here in the first place.
My Pip-Boy beeped to signify the completion of the quest "The Three Musketeers", but besides that, I haven't gotten any new quests yet. Meaning I can't get a clue as to what this woman wants with me. I swear, if she asks me to kill Druella, I'm taking what books I can and running. After all, that was still my main reason for being here. I need information on this world's magic system in hopes that I can engineer a workaround for my lack of proper tools when modifying the Big Mountain Transportalponder! and going home. Granted, I'll probably need to come up with a convincing lie in the event they ask my reason for wanting to know magic, just in case.
Regardless, we continued to press on as the crowds became thinner and thinner, but the buildings became more and more ornate. It seems we were being led through the upper-class districts. Just where exactly are we going?
"Sorry about the civvies, they aren't too used to seeing a bunch of strangely dressed humans walk into the city bound.", Fara apologized as we entered a grandiose lounge room that consisted of several couches and a low table in the center of them. Along the walls were very expensive looking paintings and china sets, as well as small tables for trays of tea sets and various dining ware. Not to mention, the walls were pristine and adorned with a beautiful flower-like design.
To my elation, we were led to the College of Magicor, home to the greatest thinkers and practitioners in magic on the Erova continent. In fact, it's held in such high regard by the townsfolk that the Archmage and Headmaster of this establishment was designated as the Chief Advisor to the ruling Queen Titania. From what I gathered from the Order library, this place is a Semi Constitutional Monarchy with the Titania line of fairies being the Royal leaders and having quite a bit of influence over the state, but the rest is in the hands of a pro-monarchist constitution upheld by a sort of Parliamentary called "The Wings of Fenrim".
Already, I was getting heavy Great Britain vibes before The Revolution of 1688. I wasn't an expert on foreign nation's history, though, being that most surviving texts in Post-Great War America were focused primarily on American values and how great it, and by extension, Capitalism, was compared to the evil Red Menace. So, for the most part, propaganda.
"Don't worry about it.", I brushed it off,"We're all adults, sort of, so I think we can handle a bit of gossip."
"If you say so.", Fara said shrugging her shoulders."Girls, untie them and stand at attention." The girls did as they were told before lining up against the walls and watching over us. Afterward, Fara motioned for all of us to take a seat on one of the three couches. Elt, Anastasia and I all sat on one while Fara and Koyoi sat on the middle one.
"Alright, let's get down to business.", I suggested before Fara put a hand up to stop me.
"Normally, I would, but things would go smoother if we wait for my...associate.", Fara responded before adding."She shouldn't take too long."
Before I could ask any further, the door we entered from opened back up and in walked, er, floated a small, wise looking fairy with a drooping, dark blue cap and flowing dark blue robes with bright green highlights that almost seemed to shimmer. She was about the size of my calf, and her hair was gray while her eyes were bright gold, and on her back were a pair of bright greens wings that seemed to pulse with energy. In her hands was a small tome that fit in her hands. She was followed to another pale, doll-looking girl and a blonde elf in what looked to be a maid uniform.
"I would prefer you didn't give me such short notice about important matters like this, dear Fara, as well as take in outsiders without my approval.", the fairy spoke in a small, but commanding voice.
"Sorry, Headmaster, but it was simply too good of an opportunity to potentially let slip.", Fara responded from her seat. Wait, Headmaster? This little thing? I mean, I suppose she looks wise based on her garments, and I don't really know how fairy age works, but she seems a little...too young.
The fairy made her way over to the couch opposite from me and sat down, barely taking up any space, before motioning for the maid to get drinks for us.
"I'd like you to elaborate on that.", she requested before adding,"I believe I have a good guess as to why, but I'd like confirmation from you."
"Headmaster Sophie, I present to you The Red Eyes Six.", she introduced as she held out her hand gesturing towards me."I found him outside the walls planning to break in with these companions of his. The weapon he held along with his appearance match up exactly with how the rumors described him."
"Hmm, he certainly looks like it…", Sophie responded as she looked me over."Though it's a bit hard to tell his intentions with that mask on. Do you mind taking that thing off, boy?" Gingerly, I responded by slowly taking off my Gas Mask and digitizing it in my duster, maintaining eye contact with the doll-like women with guns along the walls.
"Not bad looking, either, if a bit rugged.", Sophie commented before adding."You also seem rather cautious of our Automatons. I understand why you may be, given the nature of the rumors, but do not fret. They mean you no harm." Woah. Firstly, I'm impressed this bitch sensed my apprehensions about their firearms. Secondly, Automatons? As in a device moving like a human? As in a robot? As in "This place has fucking robots!?"?
...HOW!? I was under the impression these cultures hadn't discovered gunpowder yet, so how the fuck did they go from swords and spears to goddamn military androids!? God, I feel a headache coming on...
"You seem upset, is something bothering you?", Fara asked in concern.
"No, just a little confused is all.", I responded with a sigh before shaking my head and continuing,"Let's just get this over with. What problem did you want help with?"
"Problem?", Sophie asked before turning to Fara expectantly.
"Yes, given what we know about him, I was hoping he could help us with the issue we've been discussing for a while now.", Fara explained. Sophie's eyes lit up in recognition before she frowned.
"Fara, I don't believe it's wise to seek counsel too far out of our depth with this issue.", Sophie told her in a stern tone.
"Yes, but as far as we're aware, this man is the only person we can ask about this.", Fara argued. This is starting to get confusing.
"I know that very well, and my issue isn't with him, at least not yet.", Sophie responded before clarifying."My issue is with the knight and the phantom."
"U-Us?", Elt asked, dumbly pointing to himself and Anastasia, to which Sophie nodded.
"You are an Order Knight, are you not?", she asked before turning to Anastasia."And you, are you not with the Demon Lord's armies?" Elt was silent, looking down at the Order Insignia on his breastplate.
"Wha- How would you know that?", Anastasia asked in surprise.
"Please. You stink of Druella's aura.", she responded in barely hidden anger before turning to Fara."And if they are with the enemy, then they should be the last people we trust with military secrets." Military secrets? Just what the Hell do they need my help with?
"I know, but what other choice do we have?", Fara asked."Our backs are against a wall here, and we need all the assistance with the project as we can get. Can't we strike some sort of deal?"
"Hmm...I suppose a compromise could be had.", Sophie pondered to herself for a moment before addressing me again."Why did you seek entrance to our city, Boy?"
"I was actually hoping to come here in order to get information on various magical practices and other miscellaneous information.", I answered truthfully. These people were already generous enough to walk me right in, so I assume they'll continue to do so. Sophie considered my intention for a moment before responding.
"I suppose we can work around that, though we'll need to keep an eye on you and your companions especially.", she answered before continuing."Alright, I suppose we haven't a choice. I'll tell you of our problem, but first, you'll need some background information for context." As she said that, the blonde maid from earlier came back with teacups on saucers for all six of us and poured us each some tea. I pulled some whiskey out of my duster and began to pour some into my tea, earning some looks from the other occupants. What? It's been a while since I'd had a good drink.
"I'm assuming you are unaware of the recent succession of rulers here in Magicor given that you are outsiders, so I will start there.", Sophie began as she gave us a history lesson."Not too long ago, our ruling Queen was the magnificent Willow Titania. She was a grand Fairy Queen and helped bring us into a time of prosperity as normal imports of food and supplies were dwindling in response to the War between the Order and the Demon Realms. However, as the frontlines moved closer and closer to our countries borders, our Queen had grown quite sickly and frail. Unfortunately, about a year ago, she passed away, and her inexperienced daughter was sworn in as the new Fairy Queen." Taking a sip of tea, she continued.
"Violet Titania learned at a steady pace growing up, but was unprepared for the sudden shift to power and was left without certain bits of information needed for ruling a nation. Naturally, this has made her rather easy to manipulate, and it has been a nightmare trying to keep the other nobility from abusing their power.", Sophie said with a sigh before continuing,"However, the biggest offender is the Representative from the Demon Realm. You see, we have representatives from other nations here in the capital that are exceptions to the barred races rule as long as they don't cause any trouble. For instance, we had a representative from the Order a while back, but he was thrown out for assaulting one of the Wings of Fenrim.", she said while sipping some more tea. It seems Elt also shifted rather uncomfortably at that mention.
"However, the Demon Realm Representative, a pixie named Zelle, is smart and has instead latched herself close to the young Queen's side. She spent time with her, became her friend, and has gained her trust to the point where now she acts as the de facto advisor for Violet, and it's gotten to the point where I'm often ignored in favor of Zelle's advice.", Sophie said, starting to get a little angry before calming down."Now, with the frontlines practically touching our country, we have good reason to believe Zelle is trying to convince Violet to enter into a truce with Druella and allow her to 'Peacefully Occupy' our country, though we all know it won't stop there."
"Indeed,", I said before adding,"She'll likely try to convert it into another conquest of hers. Can't the Wings of Fenrim do anything to shoot Violet down?"
"If it was to join in the war on either side, then yes, which has already been shot down multiple times.", Sophie answered before adding,"But with so many of the Wings already scared of conflict given Druella's track record for victory, it's very likely they wouldn't reach a majority on a veto, and even if they do…"
"Druella could very well invade our neutral country.", Fara added, much to the detriment of Anastasia.
"Invading a neutral country. That's a new low.", Koyoi commented.
"No, you're wrong!", Anastasia yelled in defiance before explaining,"The Demon Lord wants to spread love and affection, she wouldn't do something as heinous as that!"
"Really? How exactly does taking over someone's home and ruining their way of life spread 'love'?", Koyoi asked in a stern voice.
"Well...I…", Anastasia was at a loss.
"They're right.", I said before explaining,"The Order isn't any better, but Druella is a conqueror. She doesn't care about actually stopping the war. If she did, she'd go around the back of the globe, around the Kolei Ocean and Zipangu, in order to reach the Cheldonian Peninsula and take the Order capital. To her and her mother, this isn't about ending the war, it's about expanding an empire, no matter how much they say otherwise."
"Indeed. The world has already been proven to be round, and they know that, so that should've been their first offensive if they actually cared about the war's end and the preservation of life." Sophie added before continuing,"They have the engineering and the air superiority for it, after all, what with being monsters and the Order's stubbornness in embracing new innovations."
"Hey, we innovate plenty when it comes to taking down the Demon Lord, I'll have you know!", Elt argued before adding,"Now stop spreading preposterous ideas like the world being round!" Oh, for the love of God…
"Shh, the grownups are talking.", I said to him before turning back to Anastasia.
"I...I…", Anastasia simply uttered to herself, clearly lost in her own thought.
"...Back on topic, you can see how backed into a corner we feel now. Which leads me to what you can maybe help with.", Sophie said, adopting a look as if she was deep in thought.
"Let me guess, you need me to assassinate the pixie, don't you?", I guessed. Judging how every other request for me has been, it honestly wouldn't be surprised at this point.
"Goodness, no!", Sophie exclaimed with a wide-eyed look on her face."Quite the contrary, I need to hide you and your companions as far away from her and the Queen as I can!" Immediately, I questioned why, but soon stopped myself as it became rather self-evident. It's very likely that both of them know who I am and what I look like. If they find out that I'm here, I'll likely be arrested on the spot and locked up until Druella comes to whisk me away to whatever kinky sex dungeon she has in store for me.
"Rather, well...It's best if we show you.", Sophie said as she put her now empty teacup onto her saucer and floated up. She then summoned some sort of gray cloak out of thin air and handed it to me."All of you, follow me, and put this on, Red Ey-."
"Please, just call me Six.", I interrupted her as I began to put on the cloak."It was funny at first, but now it's just annoying." She nodded as she motioned for us all to follow her out of the room.
We walked through the halls of the college as various students and faculty gave us weird looks, many of which turned to frowns when they realized just who, or rather what, we were. We walked for quite a while, amazing me and the others at just how damn big this fucking place was, until we reached a sort of extravagant workshop where a series of...beast girls were running around?
They had big animals ears and looked to be just older than teenagers, but they were still rather small wearing goggles, straps for harnesses, and multiple different mechanisms all over them for what seemed like various specific tasks. One gadget they wore seemed to act as a sort of jet-pack, while another were large arms that increase their reach drastically. Most of them seemed rather practical, but some of the gadgets seemed to look rather...lewd. Maybe it was just me and my dirty mind, who knows.
As soon as we entered, one of the girls that looked to be in charge floated over to us and greeted Sophie.
"Hiya, Headmaster! What can I do for ya today?", she asked. She seemed to look like the others, but she had blue hair and a golden harness for her gear and clothing, of what little she had.
"Greetings, Julie, I was hoping you could take me and my acquaintances here and show us your primary project. The one I assigned as a top priority.", Sophie responded, to which Julie nodded her head excitedly and motioned for us to follow. Just a short walk from where we were led us to a secluded part of the workshop where there were even more girls working from before, though they all seemed very deep in thought and working on something in particular. At the wall was an object covered by a sheet, which we were led right to.
"Alright, I am pleased to introduce all of you fine folks to our latest prototype of the Portable Utility and Lewdness Suppressive Emission Device!", Julie announced proudly as she ripped the sheet off of the table, careful not to pull anything else off with it, to reveal...Oh shit.
An early stage Matchlock Rifle. A Musket.
"The Portable Unruliness and Lewdness Suppressive Emission Device, or PULSE Device for short, is an early stage prototype with the intention of mimicking the arm-mounted weapons present on the various Automaton you've likely seen roaming this very city!", Julie explained, quickly pointing to various mechanisms on the rifle.
"While we haven't been able to completely recreate the Automatons weapons exactly, this is the first working model of what we call a new type of weapon. A 'Firearm', if you will.", she said before continuing,"It works as follows: an alchemical powder we have yet to name is poured into the barrel, then, a small spirit stone, full of magical energy, is pushed down to the back of the barrel. Once there, the mechanism here is pulled back and locked into place. Finally, the user aims the device and pulls the small lever here to ignite the powder and loose the magic stone at a target. The target will then undergo the same effects as if they were hit by an Automatons weapons."
"Wait, is this similar to…", Elt muttered to himself as he and Anastasia turned to look at me.
"Of course, we are still trying to figure out how to work in the levitation and the quick load times, as well as the strange cartridge setup the Automatons use, but I promise you it's only a matter of time until that problem is solved!", Julie said before scratching her cheek."Unfortunately, time is money, so I can assure you that with your contributions and investments, our work can continue at lightning spe-" She was interrupted by Sophie putting her hands up to stop her.
"You can stop now, Julie, these aren't investors.", Sophie placated her before adding,"Rather, we plan on having one of them help you." Wait a minute, she isn't thinking of…
"Hmm?", Julie tilted her head in confusion before looking us all over. It seemed to take her a second, but suddenly her eye widened upon getting a closer look at me under the cloak I was wearing."Wait a minute, you're Red Eyes Six, aren't you!?" She squealed, jumping into my personal space.
"Yes! Yes, I am! Now can you please back up a bit, woman?", I asked, trying to get her off of me. She complied, as many of the other girls seemed to be staring at me now in wide eyed fascination.
"Sorry, it's just that, with our work here, we've been very interested in your rumors!", she explained before asking,"Is it true that you have access to weapons similar to the ones the automatons use?"
"...Yes.", I relented with a sigh. So that's what they want.
"I'm sure you understand now, Six.", Sophie spoke up, getting my attention. "Why we chose to make compromise with you." I nodded.
"Alright, then I'll be blunt.", Sophie said,"We are willing to let you and your companions stay here and have full access to this College's facilities and library. In return, you must stay as far away from the Queen and Zelle as possible, and you must assist Julie and her girls here in developing an advanced 'firearm' in order to help stop a potential invasion from the Demon Lord's forces."
Well, shit.
Okay, it seems that, minus the robots, I still have a monopoly on modern firearms. The problem is that in return for letting me stay here to learn more about magic and a way home, I need to essentially give up that monopoly and help fortify this place against a potential demonic invasion. Is it worth it?
...Eh, I guess so. If it was an already warring power like the Order or Demon Realm, I wouldn't be on board, but since it's a neutral faction, then it shouldn't be too much of an issue as long as I can make sure they don't get trigger happy in the future. Not to mention that, if everything goes according to plan, I can get my Big Mountain Transportalponder! working and get the fuck out of dodge before anything gets really serious. Besides, with their level of understanding being much lower than mine, I can bullshit pretty much at will if they start to get too close to ideas that could lead to more problems for me.
"Alright, Sophie.", I said with another sigh, holding out my right hand."You have a deal." In response, Sophie took my hand in both of her tiny ones and shook it.
"That settles it, then.", she said, breaking off the handshake."I look forward to working with you, Six."
With that, my Pip-Boy beeped as the automatic quest tracking system activated to register a new quest.
The New Deal
}Help Fortify Magicor's Defenses.