The War Chronicles of a Little Demon
Set in the Return Verse
A Saga of Tanya the Evil fic thingy.
By Sunshine Temple
Naturally, I do not own Youjo Senki. So here's the disclaimer:
Saga of Tanya the Evil its characters and settings belong Carlo Zen, Shinobu Shinotsuki, and NUT Co., Ltd.
Previous chapters and other works can be found at my fanfiction website.
fic/
Other website Temple of Ranma's Senshi Seifuku
C&C as always is wanted.
Chapter 3: A Night at The Opera
Staring into the mirror, I wondered if noble patronage was really worth it.
I was already in the Legions. Okay, I was a young cadet but how much damage could upsetting the Duchess really do?
I adjusted the ruffled shawl so it better draped over my shoulders.
Well, I was only a Cadet at my age due to the Duchess' letter of recommendation. And the Duchess moved in the same social circles as the Legate who commanded the base and the Legate who commanded all the base's Legionary Ritual PLate. A word from Duchess SilverFlight and that exemption with be withdrawn.
The lavender bonnet was the worse part, at least it kept me from needing my hair to be styled.
The rest of the outfit was a maid uniform. High-collared, it was frilly and flounced and had a ruffled, almost tutu-like overskirt. Over that was a heart-shaped purple apron and below that was the long skirt itself.
My beribboned and bedecked tail limp, I glanced out a window. "It's starting to snow."
We were in the Great Eastern Hotel just outside Victory Plaza in Bovitar. Of course, the Duchess had a suite of rooms near the top.
"And that's why you have a nice thick skirt and cute boots," Duchess SilverFlight gushed as one of her servants took pictures with a brass-bodied camera that used an almost iridescent flash.
There was an odd tingling to my horns as the camera also recorded my emotional state. All the more reason for me to keep up a proper front. The boots were of good quality and would be warm, and were not... impractical in heel.
Though they were, like the rest of this getup, a cute pastel color with shiny golden accents.
"And the gloves?" I picked at the thin purple satin gloves. They were nearly opera length and had ruffled hems. "These won't keep me warm at all."
One of the Duchess' handmaidens paused in adjusting a golden coil to hand the Duchess a pair of white and gold wool knit mittens. Which were then given over to me.
I gave her a flat look
"How can I hand out flyers then?"
"You'll manage," the Duchess assured.
"What does this outfit even do with your friend's business. Is it even on brand?" I sighed. I should have asked more questions before I realized that dressing up would be part of this advertising plan.
"Oh, certainly! We had to exchange sex appeal for adorableness but I think that's a good balance! And will make the cafe really stand out."
Dread forming within me, I frowned. "I thought you friend was opening a maid service."
"It is!" The Duchess smiled and handed me one of the flyers. "Luddy, went to a charming little place in Silvana. It sounded so adorable, and she wanted o replicated it here."
I stared at the purple flyer. "Maids in a cafe as waitresses." I slowly stated. Of all the things from Japans culture to wind up here. Well, it could be a coincidence.
"Will there be any special food there?" I scanned to see if the flyer had a menu below the cutesy picture of a maid waitress and the cafe's location. I blinked. The tea and some of the desserts sounded proper. Though there was also suet heavy baked goods and some mincemeat pies in the BlackSkyvian tradition.
Okay, I might have to visit the capital, and see if there were any other places that had Japanese cuisine. It had been a long time. On the other hand, this cafe might... not be a complete clumsy copy.
Then again the name of the place. "Heavenly Home?" I asked.
"Luddy is a bit of a soft-touch for that aesthetic," the duchess said. "Which is why I'm so happy you agreed to this."
My tail may have swished. Though it stilled when the servant, finished, with the gold wire, tried to attach it to my bonnet. She had shaped it into a horizontal loop with a vertical standoff.
My white-feathered wings twitched as I glared at the reflection. Even now I still felt like the plaything of inscrutable beings.
I may have hit the handmaiden with my tail.
Disapproval came from the Duchess. "Ophelia a moment?" she asked was the servant bowed her head and slipped away.
The taller cobalt-blue haired woman loomed over me. A mixture of regret and irritation bit a tiny bit of amusement flittered through her.
"Maybe you were too young to get into the Cadet program."
I was honestly and sincerely confused. Fear also crept up in me.
"Tauria, I know Sister Clementia taught you about the way of things. I also know young soldiers have... crude habits."
"Your grace?"
Her tone was very patient. "Your tail dear."
"There was no danger of cutting anyone. My filaments were in!" Our tails could be used as effective, if bloody, weapons.
The Duchess shook her head. "It's not that."
My eyes widened. As a people, we had taboos on casual contact between strangers. With our empathy it could be far too... intimate. And using my tail to touch people...
"Quite so," Duchess SilverFlight idly adjusted the golden halo. "All that tail-slapping is rather crude locker-room bravado. Honestly, not something I expected from you, my fledgling Though you are starting to become a woman."
I stared. Oh. Right. We were a single gender species. But one demoness could impregnate another demoness.
I suppose one upside of this dumb bonnet was that I could hide my face. It took a lot for me to get flushed in this life, but my cheeks were burning crimson. At least my blood was still red. Not all of us had the same color blood. Which made me wonder how complicated the job of medics was for the Legions.
I had been trying to keep my emotions in check, or at least keep people from seeing what I was really like.
And I threw that all out the window by letting my frustration show. Oh no, I had done that to the little Baroness VioletBlood. No wonder she was teasing me about my noble patronage. She must have thought I was some crude gutter-orphan.
I sagged a bit. I could fix this.
The Duchess pulled me into a hug her much larger wings folded over mine. "It's okay, no harm done. We all make mistakes."
I leaned onto the bodice of her gown and gave a long exhale.
"Tauria, you don't have to do this. I can understand, this is not exactly what you wear on stage," she assured me before letting me out of the hug.
I frowned. That was true. In most performances I had on more sparkly sequins and acres of fluffy skirting to trail about. It was all reinforced with starched fabric and wire to keep it from being a tripping hazard.
"You already got me this uniform." I would not say maid outfit. "I would not want to insult your friend."
"Luddy will get over it," the Duchess waved of.
Obviously, this was a ploy. And as embarrassing as this was, was getting more nobles to look upon me favorably was worth lowering myself like this? Also this woman did know more about cafes and the like in the capital that had Japanese food.
Though perhaps I should try to get some samples of the wares in Heavenly Home first. But it would be hard to show my face in that cafe if I rejected a deal after I had put on the employer-supplied uniform.
And I was being paid well for this.
"I suppose I could stop in at Heavenly Home while doing this, to make sure I don't get thirsty."
"Of course," The duchess cheered. "It's not far from here and I'm sure the other maids would find you just delicious. And you can pick up more handbills and go back to the Plaza."
I tried to nod. If there was one place wearing this thing would not be an embarrassment. "Wait? I'm going to be giving these out in Victory Plaza?"
"But of course, it's the busiest part of Bovitar; with the hotel, marketplace, grand train station, riverboat dock, and one of the main bridges over the Lethe river."
"Yes, from an advertising perspective it is one of the better spots to do a low-investment mass marketing campaign." My tone was flat.
"Especially with an eye catching and shred spokeswoman," the Duchess gushed.
I sighed. It was still better than frontline service.
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About 400 miles north east of Bovitar, Myr was the capital of House Andromache. Supposedly, it was an elegant cosmopolitan city on the north shore Lake Esrum. That lake was halfway up the river Vort that drained into the Great Bazala Lake.
Upstream, the Vort connected to the canal and locks with linked to the Tybal River, which drained into Lacus Superum. Thus in addition to being a center of industry and culture by itself, Myr was set on a major north-south land trade route and the major east-west aquatic trade route.
Yes, House BlackSky had our own canal that allowed transit from Lacus Superum to the Gaudia Sea to the south, but hardly anyone from House Elena or House Luxon wanted to use that. Especially for any sensitive cargos that might be embargoed.
For having about as much territory on the Diyu continent than House BlackSky's Eastern Province, Andromache was well-positioned on a trade nexus. A central position was excellent for trade, but it was a threat in terms of security, especially when all your neighbors were larger.
Still, House Andromache held their own. And I was told that Myr was a beautiful city. Though one that was covered defensive positions. Nothing too large or fixed though. Even with strong wards, shielding, armor and being buried a fixed target could be bypassed or saturated.
Thus Andromache's focus on mobile assets like their empowered fliers, torpedo bombers, various quick missile platforms, and their own small, but potent air fleet. Despite their small airspace, they also had the advantage of having several larger allies they could pull back into if worst came to worse.
Andromache's fixed mounts were missile silos that would be emptied, buried evocation mounts that were relatively-cheap one shot fire and forget, and concealed and scattered maintenance and resupply points for their Pilots and bombers. One advantage of the Andromache system of "internal" Ritual Plate was their logistics train required fewer parts stores.
That meant a metropolis could be made into a hell for urban combat, while still preserving a charming aesthetic.
If Dictatrix Ziox wanted to take Myr then Eminence Andromache would have a warm reception for her cousin's forces.
Or at least that was what I was told. So far, I had not seen much of the city. The Troupe had gotten a chance to go on a very small tour and we had been copped up doing rehearsals.
When I did get to see the city, it was at night. And while my night vision was excellent, the mortar launchers on my gauntlets were throwing out munitions with an exceptionally bright bursting charge. They were pretty accurate as you did not want to accidentally hit something with a firework launcher.
Scrying systems and instruments kept me from getting disoriented, but it did keep me from enjoying the view. Gorgon rigs were helpful for precision over flights.
"Confirm altitude," VioletBlood aid as she flew a bit behind and below me to my left. "Launching. Complete," she repeated as he fired off four more shots, emptying the magazines to her mortars.
A bit behind us was the rest of the squadron in similar near vertical climbs.
"Copy, Break and fire trails in 3, 2, 1. Break, break," I replied as my wings pulled back and we both accelerated up. Then the two of us snapped in opposite directions and lit the chaff dispenses on the small of our backs.
Thousands of motes that sparkled and flickered started to pour out and fell into the wind stream of our Zephyr. This was coordinated with the fireworks the squadron had launched moments before and with the rest of the Troup lighting their own multi colored contrails.
I was told that from the ground it looked a bit like a silver and green peacock spreading his tail while ruby blossoms exploded overhead.
It showed the level of trust that House Andromache let another House operate Ritual Plate in their capital. Yes, our suits were unarmed, other than glorified fireworks, but it was still quite the courtesy.
That did not mean that Andromache did not keep a couple squadrons in the air close enough to watch us, but far enough to not interfere with the display. Not to mention having another wing on ready alert.
After completing that stage of the maneuver, I reunited with VioletBlood and we started rotating around. Her purple sparkling contrail and my gold contrail spiraling around each other.
The other Pilots wove above us forming an intricate backdrop to our maneuvers. I suppose it would have been pretty with all the fireworks they were setting off and the glittering contrails they had, but I was focusing on my own part in this ostentatious display.
"Mind your turns," she transmitted. I could feel her clenched teeth as she flipped into a dive as she rolled around her wings only a few feet from mind.
"I'm fine it's you who's drifting!" She might have had an edge in level speed, but I was more maneuverable and had more combat skill, not that that mattered in these ballet shows.
We leveled out. The greenery of a shore side park raced below us. There were plenty of spectators who had gotten out to enjoy the new spring. And get covered in glitter. Well that was not fair, the contrail material was impregnated with enough illusionary magic to make it sparkle and flash so very little was actually required. Which was a weight savings, as the pyrotechnics we carried had been heavy enough.
"Whatever, as long as we don't end up in the lake," she snippily said as we snapped up and with loop came down onto the stage in the center of the park.
Our wings flared as the last of the sparkles illuminated our whole suits and the two of us landed on our heels before falling into prefect splits. As we raised our arms the rest of the squadron landed around us in a semicircle.
I exhaled as the crowd cheered. Precision flying was an art, but I could do without all the pageantry.
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After that display, we had been given a day to relax and explore Myr. I mostly checked out a bookstore and a place for lunch with IvyBlade. It was a noodle shop that overlooked the dockyards and while the lettering was in a different language, and the smell was not Japanese, it was still a breath of fresh air.
Yes Heavenly Home was not bad for desserts and their tea was... adequate, but it was not exactly a place to get a meal.
The older Pilot shook her head as I watched the ships. "Your first time out of the House and you watch boats," she said eating her red curry noodles.
"Hey! It's not like that." While it was nice to see trade and free market economic principles were strong in this world. That the Houses were not all locked into warfare and retrenchment; it was also peaceful to watch the various fishing and pleasure craft out enjoying the day. Yes it was a bit of a brisk spring, but with the sun out the slight bite to the air was easy to ignore.
"Oh, I forgot it's your first time out of Eastern Province, too."
I glared at her and had more of my stir fry. The wide wheat noodles were different but it was a good meal.
"I didn't take you for liking this stuff. Though I suppose young broodlings are always hungry.'
"I'm not a broodling," I groused.
IvyBlade gave me an indulgent smile. I idly did wonder how her hand would taste. It would just be a light feeding, and she'd grow it back, in time.
Tilting her head, IvyBlade pulled back. "Still Paymonish food is surprising."
"The minor House west of Alecto and Trosier?" I spooned a bit more of the broth into my mouth.
"That's the one, kinda hard being a minor house on an island, even a big one between two naval powers that hate each other."
I shrugged. The Minor Houses had it pretty bad. With less population, industry, and military than even Andromache, the lesser powers existed even more at the whims of the Great Houses.
"I heard good things about it, and the smell is really good."
'That it is," IvyBlade agreed. "I was just wondering if it came form your side job."
"Eh?"
"Well, LoveBl-"
I glared at the older Pilot. I hated that nickname more than she did. Partially because the Baroness got it from when we were sparing, and I accidentally cut my knuckles on a board and some splattered on her lips. We gave up trying to explain it was an accident, that just made it worse.
"Well, VioletBlood was talking about your job."
My tail flicked as I controlled my emotions. "Oh."
"Yes, her jealousy was very transparent."
I stared. "She's jealous."
"Among other things, there's that whole rivalry and flirting thing with you."
"I'm not flirting!" I cried.
"I'm sorry, it's okay," IvyBlade reached her hand out to mine slightly.
I pulled back a bit. Casual contact made hiding your emotions much harder.
She frowned but used her hand to resume eating. It was not like I disallowed contact. IvyBlade was one of the girls in the Troupe who helped me preen my wings. Stupid feathers. They took far more effort to groom than the bat-style wings most everyone else had.
"But for the jealousy, you working for a Duchess and her business magnate friend and able to go to a trendy new cafe? Do you really have an employee discount?"
"Uh yes... and the other, um the waitresses do fawn over me." I couldn't say "other maids", though if I wore the flier uniform I had 50-50 odds of eating there totally on the house. "But... the outfits."
"What about them? Tell me you get to keep them, they're so cute."
I managed not to bite through my chopsticks.
I exhaled while IvyBlade ate, watching me with a perplexed look.
"Yes, I can keep them, but it's so girly." I ate trying to control my embarrassment.
"Huh," she accepted that and went to her meal. "I didn't take you for a tomboy."
"It's not that. I just don't like fripperies and frivolities."
"You're better at ballet than I am."
"I just had some enthusiastic teachers," I demurred. "All things being equal I'd rather spend more time in the wargaming club."
"But here you are," she teased.
"Exactly, here I am." I gestured out to encompass the city of Myr. "I don't see the wargaming club going on a trip to two different house capitals."
"Clever," IvyBlade nodded as she finished her bowl and started munching on a dumpling.
I gave a smug nod. As excused go it was serviceable.
"But you do know the wargamers are going to a competition hosted by the War College in our capital in two days?"
I groaned.
She glanced at her slim silver pocket watch. "Anyway we should get going if we don't want to miss our train."
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House RedStorm is the second smallest Diyu Great House. However at over twice the size of Andromache, and with a far better border situation, they were more secure than their diminutive neighbor on their southern border.
About a third the size of their parent house, House RedStorm was closely allied with House BlackSky. Their First Citizen was the daughter of our Imperatrix.
The northern-flowing Resh River was the outlet to Lacus Superum. I also served as the border between House Elena and House RedStorm. From there, their northern border is the ocean shoreline, and their eastern border is with House Irkella.
RedStorm acts as a bit of a buffer as Irkella is one of the few Great Houses on poor terms with House Elena, other than House BlackSky. Even House RedStorm trades with their giant neighbor to the west.
To the south is House Andromache and a small border with Ziox to the south east. Another river, the Golva, goes through the eastern part of House RedStorm in a large curve.
Its headwaters are in house Irkella, and it flows out into the small pinky finger of Andromache territory that has a land border with Ziox, near the far northern shore of the Great Bazala Lake.
This means that despite not having any territory on the shore of the Great Bazala Lake, House RedStorm has riverine access to it. And it is their main trade route with House Luxon. The house that has by far the most control of the shoreline of that body of water.
"Thinking about your special day? IvyBlade asked from her seat next to me as I watched the landscape fly past us.
I shrugged.
Our train was taking us northeast out of Andromache's capital of Myr about a hundred miles north to the RedStorm trade city of Narvos. With their own military faculties, Narvos was a trade nexus on the Golva River and sat over borders with the other Houses.
The train car was rather nice. While we did not have a private cabin our seats were arranged so four people could converse. In truth, that part I was not too fond of, but it beat going around in a cattle car that was converted to troop transport by removing some of the nicer amenities.
IvyBlade sat next to me while Baroness VioletBlood was across from me. Another girl in the Troupe, about IvyBlade's age sat across from her.
Centurion Victa SilverSpring had flowing pale blue hair and pale skin that looked almost chalk-white, her eyes were a deep blue. Not that they were visible as she was dozing. I almost smiled, as her light snore reminded me a bit of Visha.
Fortunately for Violet Blood, she did not thrash around as my former aide, partner, and wingwoman.
VioletBlood was reading a comic of all things. Though the baroness was trying to do it with a haughty air worthy of her station. I supposed it helped that the comic was thick and hard-covered. It reminded me of the digests I would sometimes see in my first life.
The art style was also rather familiar.
"Narvos is going to be fun; sure a lot of folks say it's some eastern provincial border trade city, but it does have a lot of culture, and an amazing opera house," IvyBlade said as she cleaned her nails.
I wondered how she got that much blood under them, she was normally a neater eater than that.
"Is it bigger than Bovitar?" I asked not rising to the bait. IvyBlade was from the western part of House BlackSky so found the city I had grown up in to be a bit quaint.
"A bit smaller. Narvos is also closer to Voluptaium so it doesn't quite need to stand on its own two hooves."
I nodded. It also acted as a bit of a buffer between the border region and the capital of Voluptaium, along with the far western spur of a mountain line that dominated eastern Diyu, including southern Irkella, the bulk of Ziox and central Luxon.
Narvos was near the area where the triple point between the borders of RedStorm, Andromache, and Ziox.
Thus to get to the heartland of RedStorm, Ziox would have to get past Narvos and cross the Golva. Or take over Andromache and then have a campaign to go to RedStorm from the south.
For mutual defense, Andromache was quite happy to ally with RedStorm. As the two smallest Great Houses there was a bit less of a satrapy-patron relationship.
"And House RedStorm has a proper Legionary Ballet Troupe," VioletBlood said as she turned a page. "Which is nice, I mean we have, what four?"
"Are you counting the one on our base at Mursam?"
The baroness pinched her lips. "I'm not sure, Mursam is a colony," her tone gave a bit of distaste though her tail was happy and her emotions seemed to indicate she was joking. "But we should encourage them to be cultured."
Ivy shook her head. Mursam had more fleet assets than Bovitar. Which was right, as Mursam was our most important off-world colony. Fully a quarter of the Imperial Legionary and Household Fleet strength was there: Corpus Incursio Tenacity and several supporting Legions, the Emurian Fifth Landing Fleet and the Colonial Magnus Fourth Fleet.
"We should also encourage them to be industrious, and build up more trade," I interjected.
VioletBlood crinkled her nose and closed her DarkStar manga book. "Mursam has enough industrial capacity to be a Great House on their own. Well other than being offworld," she sniffed and looked out the window to watch the fields passing around us.
"I don't dispute that, being well placed to link with our world, and most of our other colonies makes them well positioned for acquiring and processing resources. It's sensible to put a large amount of forces there to both secure that world, the faculties on that world, and act as a springboard for our other colonies."
"Then what do you dispute, Diamond?" she sweetly asked.
"That the House should do more to grow and expand on Mursam. This continent of Diyu is more than fully claimed, as are the neighboring islands and landmasses."
"Many of those are Minor Houses," VioletBlood pointed out.
"Lesser or no, they are a hassle. Look at Luxon's occupation of the northern part of House Vualia, or how Irkella is still struggling to keep up their beachheads into House Rosier."
"I would say it's for the best that our rivals or our ally's rivals are spending blood and coins on silly conquests," IvyBlade stated.
I looked out to see that the rail bed was steadily rising higher from the fields.
"It's not the only way to handle Minor Houses. House Alecto has been quite happy trading with them, selling arms and protection, and bargaining for extraterritorial holdings," VioletBlood replied. "It's a way to have control without rebellion."
"Of course, both our nobles would argue for merchant approaches," IvyBlade laughed. "LoveBlood is just a bit more cynical about it."
Both VioletBlood and I glared at the older Pilot.
"Oh, come on!" IvyBlade said she the turned to the window and watched as we approached the abutment and the bridge over the river.
VioletBlood sniffed. "Diamond, your birthday is coming up soon, correct?"
"Yeah?" I asked.
"In three days."
I tilted my head and watched the cable stays of the bridge flash past us.
"We will be in Voluptaium then, we absolutely shall have to do something."
"What's your angle?"
"I remember when I turned twelve, it was a special day."
"She wants an excuse for the Troupe to go out and have a party in their capital," Iry dryly said.
I snorted. "I mean, as the birthday girl I won't be paying so, I don't mind."
VioletBlood gave a sharp smile.
"It's not a bad scheme," I shrugged turning to watch the barges and other vessels going up and down the broad river.
There were even some customs cutters and other military craft. Which was not surprising. Some were Yew patrol boats that were BlackSkyvian in manufacture.
Unsurprisingly, House RedStorm used a similar Legionary and Fleet Structure as their parent House. However, with less emphasis on mobile aerial deployment their Legions had on average a greater amount of mechanized and armored components.
Similarly, their fleet was smaller and more centered on air defense, airspace control, and ground support. With less on long range air resupply and Legion Lift. even proportionally, they had a far smaller number of troopships and armor transports as House BlackSky.
House Elena took this with some reassurance. as that meant that the far smaller House RedStorm did not have the power projection capabilities to put ground troops deep into their terrain.
House RedStorm had naval forces but was mostly to protect their northern coast and for their riverine and lake trade routes.
On the north side of the river the settlements were markedly denser and we could see Narvos ahead of us.
The buildings were a bit shorter than those of Bovitar and it had more of a blocky look.
I wondered how much of that was the RedStorm aesthetic and how much was that this was the major settlement by the border.
More towns, farms, and livestock pens shot past us. There ere a few train stations too, but we were on an express track and went past them. Especially as more train tracks merged into this area, mostly from spurs to the south east but some from other areas.
VioletBlood caught my gaze. "Hungry for lunch?"
"I guess."
"Girls your age are always hungry," IvyBlade teased. "Always feeding."
I glared at her and flicked my tail.
"It's true, even in the barracks you're hungry even during nap time."
Now, I glared at VioletBlood.
"Which DarkStar adventures are you reading?" IvyBlade asked.
"Oh a fantasy, it's a bit light and fluffy," VioletBlood tail swished as she tapped the cover.
"Don't tell, me the one where she gets reincarnated into the present?"
I stilled. What, that was an entertainment here? I mean I knew it was sort of a thing done in my first life, but manga-ka covered all sorts of topics.
The baroness gave somewhat embarrassed look. "It's a fun story. You know how much our culture and language has changed from the Invasion era. She'd take some time to fit in."
"You really think if DarkStar came back she'd be socially awkward?"
"If? She will come back," VioletBlood stated. "Tell her Diamond!"
"Eh?"
"You signed up right after the Feast of DarkStar, and you were raised by Sisterhood of Our Hallowed Lady, DarkStar is one of your saints. You believe she's coming back."
I looked around and pondered waking up SilverSpring. She did not take well to being deprived of her sleep, and that would provide a good distraction. "You're asking if I believe in reincarnation?"
IvyBlade rolled her eyes. "Even, I'm not denying that. Reincarnation has been documented enough times, I'm just not sure if DarkStar would be coming back now. Our Imperatrix has had a lot of time to mourn her."
I glanced around. This would not be a good time to mention that I had been reincarnated twice.
"Maybe it's not up to Imperatrix BlackSky," I offered, thinking of that archangel and his deals.
"Oh, you're one of those who thinks the Silver Millennium and Serenity the First have an influence?"
"Maybe?" I shrugged. I had not paid too much about that part of history, or theology. The Invasion, was far in our past when we had tried to take over Earth, or a Earth. It was murky and I was not sure when in Earth's history it was.
That there were magical empires did not clear things up. Nor did that Earth's Moon was inhabited by another Empire with designs on Earth.
Again, none of that was exactly unprecedented. My previous was life fighting for an Empire that was against the whole world and this current one was where House Andromache had a lunar colony.
Though it did help showcase just how old our Imperatrix was, and some of her Daughters. RedStorm dated to nearly that period, and Praetor DawnStrike, something like House BlackSky's Foreign Minister, knew DarkStar and was part of the Invasion.
Truly ancient demonesses were de facto strategic assets.
"I think it'd be cool to meet DarkStar, maybe even ask her for combat pointers. Just imagine the experiences she's had," VioletBlood gushed.
This was more pure and joyous emotion I had felt from her, at least on the ground. So, I refrained from pointing out that DarkStar's last experience was being betrayed, beaten then eaten alive by those of House Vephar.
It was still a sensitive subject, as BlackSky had wiped them all out.
IvyBlade was more open with her disbelief.
VioletBlood looked at both of us. "Okay, but still it would be neat to talk to someone from those days, who had seen the Invasion. Or other great moments of our ancient history."
"Right because pestering an elder killing machine that could peel us out of our RP like tin foil and have us for a snack would be so informative" IvyBlade stated as our train entered Narvos proper.
"Snack if we're lucky," I stated. Capture by an, enemy, elder demoness could result in being turned. That was a general risk of capture, though most Houses have two-party agreements for prisoner treatment and exchange. .
Another reason to be thankful I'm in House BlackSky are their rules and legal systems to ensure the mental freedom of our citizens.
"And the enemy has their own elder demonesses," I pointed out. A part of our training was on how to deal with beings who were, on their own, strategic assets. Mostly it involved getting distance, harassing fire if needed, and lining up Telephe Squadrons for a coordinate Lance Strike, a Fujiwara bombardment, or vectoring in our own Daughter or equivalent unit.
"And we do spar against powerful individuals," VioletBlood smugly said, seemingly happy to have me on her side.
The baroness was not wrong. Volantes Legate Aucto was a stern woman who had enough age and experience that she did not really need a Ritual Plate suit to be a major combatant and she was one of what could be called "elder demonesses" we did training exercises against. By we I mean the cadet squadron and other trainees or the entire Ballet Troupe.
IvyBlade shrugged as the train jostled as we went over more railway switches and slowed to go through a curve.
With snort, Victa SilverSpring woke up. Blearily, she pulled her pale blue hair back. "Oh, we're in Narvos?"
"Did you have a good nap?" IvyBlade asked.
"Would have been better if we had a sleeper cabin." Victa rolled her shoulders and stretched her wings and tail. Or at least as much as the confines of the seat and ceiling could allow.
"I miss anything good?"
"We're going to have a birthday party for Lady Diamond in the next city," VioletBlood stated.
"Lady Diamond?" Victa turned to me as the train started to slow. "Oh, well you could have a worse nickname."
My reply was cut off when we stopped and a chipper conductor in a silly little hat and a bright green uniform with gold shoulder boards and enough braid to pass as the Supreme Fleet Marshal of Diyu told us that we had arrived in Narvos.
Gathering my bag, I shook my head and followed the others off the train. Fortunately most of our costumes, gear, and supplies were in the baggage car. Ritual Plate suits, even those that were officially disarmed, were sensitive enough hardware. Not to mention that fireworks or no, our cache of pyrotechnics were still explosives.
We stepped into the echoing, busy platform. There were high arched ironwork holding up a ceiling with expansive skylights. I frowned. It was not the most defensive design, but I supposed not everyone wanted to live in a fortress.
A group of people were waiting for us.
"Duchess SilverFlight," I said bowing my horns to my patron in her bustled gown and cobalt-blue coiffure.
VioletBlood smirked but also gave a polite greeting.
To the Duchess' left was the Senior Prefect Volantes Centurion in charge of the Ballet Troupe, Florentina DeltaVoid. With bright green eyes and curly emerald hair cut into a short Mohawk with shaved sides, she was a stern, exceptionally agile, Pilot but did have an artistic flair, which fit her role in what was a mix of dance group and reinforced demonstrator squadron.
To her right was an unassuming woman with purple skin, auburn pageboy and a pair of slim frameless glasses. That was odd, though from the slight glowing patterns, on her lenses my guess was she was using them as some sort of display.
That was hardly uncommon as a few Ritualista used similar glasses for diagnostics and I had seen some scribes and other functionaries wearing similar devices when I would go off base for a coffee and chocolate. Not to mention both Ritual Plate and VTOL Pilots used heads up displays as well.
The woman did look like some mid-level office-lady down to her black skirt, bodice, and jacket. Though the way she was idly manipulating her display showed, at least, some skill with minor spirits.
Also standing in the group were a couple border guards in their crimson uniforms. More of them were down the platform overseeing the unloading of our Ritual Plate caskets and the rest of our baggage.
The duchess exchanged greetings with three other pilots before looking to me. "Cadet Optio DiamondDust, it is good to see you." She gestured to the prim-looking woman. "This is Mira HeartWood of the Palace Library."
"Charmed," I bowed my horns. The Imperatrix was fond of literacy and knowledge. To the extend that within the massif that served as her palace was one of the largest libraries on Diyu.
Though that was only a small part of the whole BlackSkyvian library system, which had authority over most published works via enforcement of various intellectual property mechanisms and logging enforced contracts.
Mira, for her part, seemed to take a moment watching the air rustling around all of our wings with a slight smile. She adjusted her glasses and looked over myself and VioletBlood before giving a nod to Senior Prefect DeltaVoid.
I felt a bit of apprehension from the Troupe leader but she gave a nod to the Duchess in turn.
" Prefect Centurion, would you mind if I spoke with my... protege before practice for tonight's event?" the Duchess asked DeltaVoid
The Troupe leader nodded. "Of course, your grace."
VioletBlood swished her tail and huffed at me before going with IvyBlade and SilverSpring to help the rest of the ballet troupe unload our gear and move it to the opera house.
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One of the duchess' purple and gold liveried servants ushered me into her suite of rooms. This particular hotel was down the block from the Narvos opera house, and was in the heart of their theatre district.
There was a set of various dishes, many Paymonish noodle stir fries and some of the desserts from Heavenly Home.
I sat down and smoothed my black legionary uniform.
Sipping some savory broth, the duchess was already sitting by the table. "Tauria, have I said how proud I am of you?"
I smiled. The humiliation of the ballet club and the scheme that had gotten me into the cadet Pilot program had paid off. "No, your Grace."
"Flattering liar, and no need to be so formal especially when it's just... just us." She frowned at the food. "Luddy's been on vacation, but her chef gave me some sweets to bring up north."
I bowed my head.
The duchess took out a jeweled tuning fork and stuck it against the table. The vibrations from it made my horns itch but I accepted the privacy field with some trepidation.
For a while we ate and had small talk: Zephyr, flight maneuvers, dance, enchanting, the current issue of the Journal on Air Combat.
After I had some dessert, the Duchess stilled her tail. "What do you know about Imperial intelligence services?"
"You mean the Office of Cultural and Strategic Reconnaissance?" I asked as my stomach clenched. Based on the rumors I had heard about the CSR, I wanted nothing to do with that batch of spooks.
The duchess picked up a sword and shrugged. It was in a scabbard covered in detailed runes. I knew it was an effective construct at channeling and storing power. "Something like that. Though this doesn't involve CSR."
I paused, so a deniable op or some other group? Long duration undercover operations on other Houses, even other worlds was the start of CSR's shenanigans. I agreed with the necessity of their ethos, learning about the enemy, and found it reassuring that House BlackSky had an energetic military intelligence branch. Still, I found my tail hanging limp.
"What?" I frowned.
"It's an exchange."
"Duchess..."
She chuckled. "No, no, this is not freelance. I am doing this in my capacity as a Tribune and under orders."
I exhaled. "How much should I know?"
A tiny frown crossed the duchess' face but she gave an approving nod. "It's an exchange. A courier is giving us a package. I would like you and your wingwoman to be doing overhead patrol as you two have an excuse to be in the air tonight. I'll make sure you have command of the little pair if that helps."
"We're not exactly armed. And we're close to the border zone, won't RedStorm be active?"
The duchess smiled. "For the former I'll be traveling to the location by boat; a boat that's large enough to hypothetically have a Flight in support. As to the latter, my associates can do only so much to get RedStorm air defense to look the other way."
I kept from groaning. "Are you sure you want someone like myself or Baroness VioletBlood? I can understand why someone from the Troupe is a reasonable way to get persistent over watch, especially if local authorities need a polite fiction to keep us up in the air."
The duchess gave me a smile.
I tapped my chin. "But this means Primus Centurion DeltaVoid knows of this, but why myself and VioletBlood? Why not two more experienced members of the troupe?"
"I know it's not what you wanted, and you don't have to take it," the Duchess assured.
I nodded relief blooming in me. "I don't mind, there are so many better Pilots."
"You're too humble." Her tone had a tiny edge. "Dear, I know you're chomping at the bit, that you want to do more than training."
"I mean..." I held in my emotions. If I could spend the remaining 19 years of my term in training billets that would be prefect.
The duchess shook her head. "It's just a milk run, observing and doing passive recon, but it is important." She took my hand. "I promise. You don't have to take this role, but don't feel insulted by how simple it is, I'm offering because I trust you."
I exhaled and kept my tail from swishing. I did not want to look too overeager. Also it was a bit disquieting how much bloodlust my... mentor had, to where she expected her protege to be disappointed with a simple task.
I could see why she wanted me, and VioletBlood I suppose. I could be honored by that. I took up my own cup and pondered if there was a way to gracefully exit out of the obligation and if this gambit failed would give me a backup.
Ah, not only was I the youngest in the Troupe, but I was also the smallest.
"If things go for the worst. I presume getting the package out is of supreme importance?"
The duchess nodded.
"Then having the unarmed fliers, fliers cleared to operate in Narvos airspace could get it out, while the, hypothetical, Flight of yours does anything on the sharp end."
The Duchess chuckled. "I know how hard it is for you to stand back, even in a hypothetical battle."
"How big is it?" I held up a hand. "No, I don't want to know what it is, beyond any need to know. Such as, its size and weight." Hopefully it would be too heavy for me to fly it out and thus an older girl in the ballet troupe would have to take the role.
The Duchess sipped her tea and I felt a wave of approval from her. "The art piece that I'm officially buying is a garish little status about knee-high, but the actual package? It's not large, no bigger than the case of say... and average data folio or a deck of cards."
"Ah." I picked up a sweet. "Well, what about you, well you have an RP suit?"
She smiled. "I'll have my Zephyr, so I'll have speed and I've got other assets including a suit communications system," she tapped her sword idly. "But are you sure about this?"
I set my jaw. "I'd be honored to help."
End chapter 3
AN: So... I had planned to do an action scene in here. And end with a POV shift.
Well... see I wrote out that sequence. It ended up warranting a chapter split. I do hope that's acceptable.
The upside is that chapter is nearly done as I've written the action part and what's left is the closer scene from a new POV
And don't worry about ch4. I'm sure it will be just fine.