Chapter 5: With all the king's Man
It's been a full week since I told Stephani my reason for wanting her to fall for me instead of Sora and she has avoided making eye contact with me the entire time. I knew I messed up she probably hates me now the only reason she's sticking around now has to be that she is obligated by the rules of this insane world and that she has no where left to go. To top it all off, it appears that there can only be one ruler so for the past seven days Sora and Shiro have been competing against each other in what feels like thousands of different games in order to see who will be the ruler and who will be the sibling. I had more important things to attend to, like not being cooped up in that room for days on end. I made sure the castle staff kept them all fed and every night I'd show up to force the two of them to put the games on hold and wash up and get some sleep. Even those two knew better than to question me on that front.
What 'important things' could I be referring to? Well I kept true to my word and released Kurami to Miss Fil after that night and in doing so set up a line of communication with the agreement that we both disavow anything that we find out, whether it be true or not, and that she will not attempt to use any magic in our meetings to alter my memories and such. We met twice in that week and it that time I learned that Miss Fil is a senator for the elven nation, the elves do practice slavery and that despite her rather young appearance she is actually over 50 years old, further revealing that elven lifespans are far more superior to humans, she said some can live for over a thousand years. Though I suppose that isn't the most interesting thing that I learned from her. I cannot check the viability of her words but she stated at the end of our second meeting that she cared not if her home country was destroyed if it meant she could protect Kurami. Odd thing is, the only things she asked me about was why I knew how to fight as I did. Citing the out law of fighting between the sentient races. I had nothing to hide so I told her the truth, though I wasn't sure she fully believed my words.
She slammed her hands down on the table between us. "You're saying that, the one true god, Tet reached into your world and plucked you and those sibling out of there, bringing you three here? Why?"
I held up my hands in front of my face to try and calm her down a little. "Easy, easy. The reason is something that I'm not sure about, but I do know that I was an unintended addition. I told this to Stephani earlier but I'm kind of an unwanted tagalong. But I think he didn't send me back because those two need me. Or at least they did. Now I'm not to sure. This world is far more up their alley that our old one. the only thing that could stop them at all is themselves. They can and will always win any game they are challenged to regardless of the preparation time. That's just how they are." There is a brief silence. Time was running low on the meeting time, just then a question comes to mind. "I have one more question before we finish for today. Why are there huge Chess pieces scattered on the horizon?"
She looked at me with eyes that definitely thought I was dumb for asking. "Those signify the races that hold sentience and the ability to play the games. Each race has it's own race piece that is with the true leader that race keeps with them."
"Why are they chess pieces though?"
"They-" The question alone seemed to stump her. Had no one ever really thought of it and just accepted that "Hey they represent us." To the point that no one thought to them selves there's a reason for them to be shaped as they are. If I managed to notice, I'm sure Sora and Shiro already came to the very same conclusion long before I did.
Standing up, I bow and proceed to see myself out. "If you find an answer I'd like to hear it sometime." I leave Miss Fil and exit the cottage where we met only to find that Stephani had followed me this time. "Steph, what are you doing here?"
"…" She muttered under her breath I couldn't make out what she said but I did notice the tears in her eyes.
"What's the matter." I got closer but she only ran away. Chasing after her she is surprisingly quick it took nearly kilometer to catch her finally. "Steph what's wrong."
She pushed me away. "NO! You're a stupid cheater!"
I couldn't help but feel taken aback by this accusation. "Cheater? No I'm not." I keep hold of her to not let her start running again.
"Then why do you sneak off to meet that elf trying to make another girl fall for?" She gave the impression that she was heart broken, I need to say the right thing here otherwise it will only get worse and if I say nothing that would be worst of all. "No, I would never cheat on you. I swear on my honor. I have to keep it secret from Sora and Shiro, that was the agreement between Miss Fil and I so that I could learn how the elven race works, there is nothing between us I swear to you and to Tet. I only have feelings for you." I felt like I was in one of those romance dramas like "the Notepad" or "P.S. I hate you", my words almost made me cringe but I had to say them, for Stephani.
She sniffed pulling back her tears letting out a deep blush. "Only for me?"
"Of course. That won't change." I smiled to her. "I hope I can get you to say the same someday."
"Idiot." She comments putting her forehead against my chest, hiding her face. "So unfair…"
Instead of saying anything I hold her in my arms. Later I'm told by Fil that she saw the whole exchange and it moved her to tears, saying it was like she was reading one of those human novels, much to my embarrassment.
A little over an hour later Stephani and I arrive at the castle where low and behold Sora and Shiro are still butting heads. "For the love of- cant they just rule as a single entity? You played as 'Blank' after all." I remark tired of this going on for so long. Everyone else was sick of it as well, including those two. All it took was someone to sat those words and they jumped at the bit. Within the next day they sent out notices to all the citizens that the coronation was finished and that the new rulers will give an introductory speech when the race piece is bestowed to them.
The preparations took another two days and the night before Sora calls for me. After entering the main hall where I find Sora and Shiro sharing the throne in what can only be described as their patented "We play together" style. "What's up Sora? I'd figure you'd be thinking up a speech for tomorrow."
He quickly follows up. "I already have one planned out but I want to ask you two things before then."
Standing at the base of the stairs leading to the throne. I felt the stares of the staff and nobles in attendance that were amazed that I, a commoner, would treat their new king as if he was just any other person. "Alright Sora, you have my attention."
"First things first, as there is no military or guards to speak of, I can't ask you to become something cool like a guard Captain or a general. But what you can do is become the face of Imanity, will you become our foreign ambassador?"
"WHAT!" The hall is in a uproar. "This child? Become an ambassador? preposterous! No Nation will take us serious."
"Be silent." Shiro's quiet voice completely overtook the hall, and it fell silent almost immediately. I couldn't help but be impressed by the authority she commanded.
Sora broke the silence. "This man Kobe Tatsuya is far more integral to my grand scheme than any one of you fools. It's not like the other races took us seriously to begin with. As for you lot, if any of you feel my decision is wrong feel free to challenge me to a game for the position." Sora paused to allow any objectors to raise up complaints. Not a single one uttered a sound. Again I was impressed, I knew he was good at mind games but he completely overwhelmed them with nothing but his authoritative manner of speaking.
"Second?" I said breaking the silence this time.
Sora looked back to me seeming to have forgotten that he had a second question. "Hmm? Oh right. The second thing was-"
-The following day-
The whole of the county of Elkia or at least what seemed like it, was gathered in the city to hear to first address their new sovereigns would give. Of course once Sora saw the vast amount of people he'd be speaking to he understandably lost his composure. Which is why he asked me to announce him as well as introduce myself to the nation. It seemed unnecessary at the time but Sora assured me there was a reason for my introducing myself to the country. So… "Friends, Countryman and women, esteemed guests! Thank you all for coming such a long way for today the day we reveal to the world Imanities greatest hope! My name is Kobe Tatsuya and I am this nations new Ambassador and I would like to introduce all of you to the new King and Queen of Elkia! I now present to you all King Sora and Queen Shiro!"
The crowd remained silent, in anticipation, with rumors circulating that they defeated someone using magic they couldn't help but feel hopeful. But Sora… he couldn't help himself, he got all tense and could open properly. "G-Good Evening!" It was barely after midday. His speech was grainy and high pitched compared to usual. Then in order to calm him down Shiro took hold of his hand and smiled. In kind I placed a hand on his opposite shoulder. Looking to both of us he took a deep breath and came out swinging. Using his most authoritative voice he address the people of Elkia:
"Imanity...since the beginning of the Ten oaths, has had continuous failures due to the predicament of not having war, and we are now left with our last city & country. Why has this happened?! Was it because the previous king failed? Or was it because we are ranked 16th of all the exceeds? Or was it because we are unable to wield magic? Or was it because we are the most inferior race? Does this mean we are fated to walk the path of our destruction?!—sorry but all of those answers are wrong!...Is it then because our race is violent?! Or is it because we specialize in war!?...No! The reason why we were able to fight and survive is because we are weak!
Because of our weakness, we trained our eyes, ears and the ability to think. Learning how to survive, that's our trait as humans! The human species can't use magic and can't even perceive it—but because we are weak, we have the wisdom to run away from magic and the intelligence to see through it! We are Weak! We don't have any extraordinary senses. But because we are weak, by learning and gaining experience, we gained the wisdom to achieve the unachievable—to predict the future… I repeat. We and Weak! Rejoice because we are humans; we are the most talented people! Precisely because we were born without any ability, we can achieve anything. The ten oaths took away our enemies fangs so with nothing left they have been forced to learn our greatest weapon against them. But do not forget. It is and has always been OUR WEAPON to use to it's greatest ability none could hope to match our might. This is the will of the weakest race! From this moment forward we declare war on the entire world, They, who laugh at an mocked us will instead either join us of fall to us, this will be the triumph of the weakest race!"
As Sora gives this speech a glowing chess piece appears before him he takes hold of it and slams it on the balcony.
"This I swear to you, my citizens, I Sora King of Elkia, along with Shiro your Queen, will conquer all 15 other races until we are to able to play on the greatest stage of all!"
It was quite the spectacle the crowd was in a uproar cheering to the words of their new king. However the reality was far more boring than any of them could have guessed.
Even I couldn't help but clap at his words, as loud and verbose as they were he clearly had intentions behind his words. Likely baiting out all the other races that were watching. I steal a glance at Stephani standing beside me, she was shivering in fear.
That night she gave Sora and Shiro a stern talking to. I didn't stick around that as I was preparing everyones meals letting the kitchen staff take a well earned break with Sora and Shiro eating habits. From what the head chef tells me the maids use the bath when they are permitted, and with Sora effectively making me some figure of authority, to a degree, I was able to allow them the luxury. It was the least I could do.
Over the course of the next week I visited with Fil once more, with Stephani's knowledge and approval. We spoke mostly on Sora's speech and what his intentions were. Despite how panicked and protective of miss Kurami she was rather level headed other than that. I in turn asked Fil if she had an answer for the question I had asked last time. She speculated that it meant that all the races had the capability to take each other out with they play the right moves. It still didn't feel right so I offered up my thoughts on the matter. "In chess there's 16 pieces on each side correct? And the god of this place is Tet the god of games. What f her wants to play a game with all of the races against him? In one giant game of chess?" I wasn't sure why but I felt that that was at the very least plausible for a god of games. That was where the two of us parted ways for the day. On the way back to the castle for some reason, I felt like I was being watched, but who would be watching me right now? Stephanie? No, she knew where I was. Not to mention she was keeping an eye on those two for me and speaking of those two siblings they were held up in the library, old habit die hard I suppose. Some other race maybe? I decide to try and give them the slip by winding through the streets and hiding. Eventually I felt the gaze leave and after feeling secure I read to the castle where Stephani was mad at me for being later than I said I'd be.
By the end of the week Shiro had managed to somehow run out of books to read on the history of this world. During that same time I was trying to learn about these 15 other races: mermaids, dwarves, fairies, angels there were so many I had a hard time keeping up with Stephani's lessons. Just as Stephani was about to get to the exceed 1, something she called Old Deus Sora comes bursting in. "Tatsuya help me! Shiro's out of books! We need to find more!"
Stephani immediately showed her shock. "What all out? But that library is the biggest one in the kingdom."
"Steph, is there any other place that we can get our hands on books? The history Shiro has gotten is rather incomplete we need to know more if we are to defeat the other races." Sora dead serious for once, I was glad he finally decided to take something so seriously, even if it was just hold himself and Shiro up in a room reading, at least in this case they'd eventually come out.
"Well there is another library but we cannot access it because it no longer belongs to Imanity. My grandfather lost in in a game to a flugel before I was even born." She explained to him.
"Flugel were those angel things you described earlier right? They're number 7 right?" I asked trying to use what Steph had spent the last week teaching me.
"They're number 6 darling-" She quickly put her hand over her mouth to stop herself from talking but it was too late.
I didn't even have to see Sora's face behind her to know that he was giving a evil smile. "Darling eh? When did you too get so close? Tell me, have you done it?"
"What? What are you talking about? we don't have that kind of relati-" I decided to intervene pulling Stephani back to me to hide her flustered face from Sora.
"That's enough Sora, if you want to go to this library fine, but please don't torment Stephani." I had to hold my ground against Sora for Stephani's own good. At the moment I could swear I felt her heart beat pick up the longer I held her close. "To answer your question Sora, no. I would never force her to do anything like that." As I spoke she gripped my shirt tighter than before.
"Eh? She's already in love with you. You wouldn't be forcing her to do anything." Sora being himself can't help but prod further.
"You know better than anyone that's not the case… at least legitimately yet." Then I point to the door. "We'll leave in 30 minutes go and collect Shiro… did you leave Shiro alone?"
*Snap*
Just then I see a flash from behind Sora's arm. "Tatsu-nii nice pose." Shiro had been hiding in wait for something like that to happen giving a thumbs with me holding Stephani close against my chest, face all serious, pointing away in an accusatory fashion and Shiro's ability to get just the right angle I probably look like some kind of heroic character from the video games they always played.
All I can do is sigh. "Will you too just give us ten minutes to get ready to leave?"
"Yeah, yeah. you two can get your alone time." Sora escorts Shiro out but the door doesn't close all the way.
"All the way Sora." I knew them too well, they wanted to spy further. Then the door closes completely.
Just then I let out a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry about him Steph, he's a handful but from now on I'll be keeping him on a tight lea-" I felt myself get pulled down, into something that I didn't expect…
I'm sure all of you reading know where that's going… I know this one is very dialogue heavy but there's set up chapters for a reason. I decided to dedicate chapter 6 to the encounter with Jibril. I'm not going to promise anything right now but in two week time, basically when summer begins, if I don't update; kick me in the pants and demand I get off my ass. As always I welcome critiques and comments. Tell me if theres some grammar mistakes, continuity errors, plot holes, anything really. If you find it please let me know. As this all probably makes sense in my head. You can ask for spoilers but I'll be cryptic. Until next time.
This is Shi-oon Yi signing off.