Chapter 23: Restoration
Macragge: 10:00 hrs. 12/09/1538
Subaru had been preparing everything for the inauguration that Emilia wanted, he made the trains run faster and more often having to hire new crews to work on a 24/7 basis. With everything reaching its destination earlier than expected the only issue was stockpiling and an unforeseen shortage of spare parts to repair the trains, but Subaru was unfazed since this configuration is to be short lived. So far Subaru had everything in place to have the inauguration happen the 15th and there was enough room to fuck up without it mattering as much.
10:40 hrs.
Subaru received a letter from Emilia, he tore it apart as usual only to find out that he was being called upon by Crusch who would like to bargain for her healing despite the message he sent to her with Emilia. Subaru was starting to pack to leave for the Capitol and not return until after the inauguration when a messenger entered asking for Emilia 'A letter for her? Could it be her audience?' he thought as he received and put the letter in his pocket.
Beatrice: "You won't read it I wonder?"
Subaru: "And betray her trust? No way."
Beatrice: "She doesn't need to know in fact." Beatrice started to reach for Subaru's pocket.
Subaru: "Not letting that that happen Beako!" Subaru picked Beatrice up and spun her around a bit.
Beatrice: "Then let's go, do you have everything you need?"
Subaru: "I do, lets catch a train."
Beatrice: "How are we going to catch one when they are so heavy and strong?"
Subaru: "It just an expression, do you want me to explain more?"
The duo left for the train station where they would take a train to the capitol to find Emilia and Crusch.
Capitol: 16:00 hrs. 12/09/1538
The duo had arrived at the capitol at last and would now walk to the Karsten family manor.
17:40 hrs.
Subaru: "What do you mean it's close? This isn't a hotel!"
Man: "I'm sorry mister, but it's dangerous to go inside while we are still working."
Subaru: "Is Crusch even here?"
Man: "You need to speak to the lady? Then you will have to go her cousin's manor."
Beatrice: "And where is that I wonder?"
Man: "Follow this street to the end then turn right, it the only green and yellow manor so you shouldn't miss it."
Subaru: "How far from here is it?"
Man: "An hour walking I think…"
Subaru: "But it's almost dinner time!"
Beatrice: "Come on don't start whining about food, the sooner we get there the sooner we eat in fact."
Subaru: "Huh…your right as always Beako, let's get going if we are lucky we will find a food store and buy appas."
Beatrice: "Murak in fact! This will make it faster I suppose."
Subaru: "You're so smart Beako let's go!" Subaru now carried Beatrice in a princes carry and jumped.
17:57 hrs.
The duo had arrived at the only green and yellow manor and it was a lot smaller than the main manor. Regardless they present themselves to the guards who where expecting them yet seemed surprised for some reason.
Once enter they are led by a maid to the dining room where Crusch, Emilia and a few other guests where eating. Once they entered and were presented, everyone but Emilia was dumbfounded as to how quickly they had arrived, they all expected for them to arrive in at least one more day.
Crusch: "Uh...well certainly a welcomed surprise, will you join us in this meal?"
Subaru: "We will, I am dying to eat something since I couldn't eat anything on the way here."
Beatrice: "He is exaggerating in fact."
Emilia: "Come sit here, I saved spaces for you two."
"So she wasn't lying" Crusch said to herself.
All the other guests were talking among themselves, many seemed hopeful of the businesses to come but a few where skeptical and cautious or even outright fearful of what this candidate was going to offer and more importantly demand.
The dinner was quite uneventful, mostly talking and inviting the guests who are important merchants and landowners of the central valley to the inauguration that was going to take place at the outskirts of the city.
18:45 hrs.
The dinner was nearing its end, many of the guests were leaving or had already left to come back tomorrow in hopes of securing a trade deal with the "Whalers".
At the end only Emilia, Crusch, Beatrice and Subaru remained.
Crusch: "Now, for what you really came here."
Subaru: "150.000 serfs for you to be saved from the dragon blood."
Crusch: "Come on, there must be something else you want? Many things are worth 50.000 serfs."
Subaru: "Another option then, free 100.000 and give freedom to the future sons of 80.000 others."
Crusch: "That will cripple my family's economic power!"
Subaru: "Yet something else is crippling you. What is more important?"
Emilia: "Subaru I think you are being too harsh."
Beatrice: "I to in fact."
Subaru: "Uh? Your supposed to be supporting me not her."
Emilia: "Yes, but she isn't a rival, she's our friend and a dear one at that."
Beatrice: "Not to mention she is our ally."
Subaru: "Oh…don't put those faces…alright…Crusch, you said that 100.000 is ok?"
Crusch: "It's not ok, but it is doable."
Subaru: "And what can you offer for the other 50.000 serfs?"
Crusch: "Permanent nobility right, Emilia and you are temporary nobles after all."
Emilia: "That doesn't seem to be worth 50.000 serfs."
Beatrice: "How about land? The have the second most land of any noble family."
Crusch: "We can give land but none of the serfs in it."
Subaru: "Then land will be one thing then, do you have map that we can see?"
Crusch: "That wall, the carpet decorating it is map of our nation with the different realms within."
Subaru's eyes were caught by a plot of land at the east close to the edge of the world and far away from and settlements. He put his finger on it and said "Here, I would like this place."
Crusch: "That? It's nothing more that wilderness, are you sure?"
Beatrice: "He is sure in fact."
Emilia: "Really? How so?"
Subaru: "I can explain this later. How much is this chunk of land worth?"
Crusch: "I don't know exactly but around 30.000 serfs. I would have to consult with…"
Subaru: "Just leave it at 30.000 serfs, now for the other 20.000."
Crusch: "I heard your company produces steal, how about a monopoly on our steal supply?"
Subaru: "Can it be all metal supplies for 20 years?"
Crusch: "It can."
Subaru: "Hm…how about support against any noble or aristocrat that gets in the way of the company."
Crusch: "I can also concede that, anything else?"
Subaru: "Lastly I will need you to free a few specific serfs to be freed. I will send you a letter with their names in a few weeks and they will need transport."
Crusch: "Then its settled?"
Subaru: "It is."
Beatrice: "Good, we can start draining the dragon blood from her now I suppose."
Emilia: "Not yet, we have to wait for Felix."
Crusch: "She is right he should come back in a few minutes."
20:00 hrs.
Felix finally came back. He took his time since he knew Subaru would take at least until tomorrow to arrive. Once he entered a maid received him and told him that he had everyone waiting, confused he hurried to the room they were using as infirmary.
He entered and saw Crusch in bed talking with Emilia but to his surprise there where Subaru and Beatrice sleeping in a corner. 'What? Did I take that long?' Thought Felix only to be interrupted by Crusch's words "Worry not Felix, he somehow managed to arrive this quick, but more importantly we settled for a deal and were waiting for you to start the process." Felix was at awe wondering how Subaru managed to get there so fast, he took the potions from his bag and put them on a small table before waking up Subaru.
Once Subaru woke up, he was handed the potions.
Felix: "These are special, they are made in Gusteko and ease the pain even of the mortally wounded. I got them since it seemed to pain you a lot in Priestella when you did this."
Beatrice: "He better not die in fact."
Emilia: "Wait, it's painful? Subaru…alright just stop if it hurts too much."
Subaru: "Don't worry, we have the best healer in the entire kingdom to save me. Let's get over with this."
Felix: "Yes the sooner the better. Drink this and once you feel your body going numb it means the potion's effect have kicked in."
Beatrice: "What are they called by the way?"
Felix: "I believe they call them Anastasias."
Beatrice & Subaru: "Anastasias…"
Subaru drank the first flask of potion and within a few minutes he felt first his arms then his legs go numb, he could still control them though, but it was hard to not look stupid as he approached Crusch.
He put his hand on her forehead and his hand jolted slightly upon contact but then relaxed, unlike that time in Priestella where it was awfully painful to drain the dragon blood from Crusch he now only felt a slight heat in his hand. He could even notice how the dragon blood was leaving Crusch's body in a sweat like way to melting into his hand's skin. Everyone on the room was contemplating in silent, looking for any sign of pain or anything going bad.
Capitol: 5:00 hrs. 13/09/1538
Finally, Subaru was done, he had taken all the potions Felix brought and the effects of the last one was starting to wear off. Felix and Emilia where sleeping on chairs they had brought. Beatrice had been watching and taking notes of everything she could and Subaru was wondering if he had ever felt so tired before. Crusch fell unconscious a few minutes after starting the extraction and wasn't showing any signs of waking up. "Beako I'm going to sleep, wake me up once Emilia wakes up." Told Subaru to Beatrice who nodded in response. "Before I forget remind me to give Emilia the letter later." whispered Subaru. "I will" replied Beatrice.
Capitol: 15:00 hrs. 15/09/1538
The inauguration was starting, a large crowd of both wealthy and not so wealthy folks where waiting near a scenario for the inauguration speak that typically took place in events like these.
"Ejem…may I have your attention please." Said Emilia "Today as you may or may not know we are celebrating an Inauguration, of the first train station that will connect and allow for fast, cheap and safe travel from here to the city of Priestella…But do not be fooled! For today we are not only presenting just a train station, we will also be presenting brand new machines!" A few veils that where beside the scenario were lifted revealing a wheat harvester, a saw, a sewing machine and others. "These machines are made to revolutionize the way we work! But more importantly the way we live! We bring upon you THE FUTURE!" Most of the crowd where at awe looking at the machines that where now being crewed and ignited. Once they started roaring and moving some in the crowd where impressed, others where scared but most where just frozen not believing that such huge chunks of metal could move on their own. "Let this inauguration begin!" The veils covering the building where let go and music started to play, most of the crowd erupted in cheers but some of them were quiet, wondering…cautious.
The crowd dispersed to see all the different machines except for a group where Crusch and Felix were. Emilia and Subaru went to great them.
Subaru: "Good to see you came Crusch."
Emilia: "Yes, we were expecting you to not come but here you are I'm glad you're feeling better."
Crusch: "Thanks, I feel better but I'm still a bit weakened. Anyways what do we do now."
Beatrice: "Our options are to take the first train or stay here with all these people and see the machines now I suppose."
Man 1: "I would like to see that machine."
Man 2: "I would prefer to take the train first all these people are just unbearable."
Crusch: "I say the train, we can speak business there, right?"
Emilia: "The train it is then, follow us."
The group went into the station to ride the very first train of the day. The first few kilometers of travel would go on absolute silence with all the guest scared that taking might beak something, until Beatrice broke the silence. After that the whalers would secure the cooperation of the owners of the biggest iron mines of the kingdom, as well as ensure that no complains will come from the railway that would connect to the central valley. They also secured the cooperation of merchants and agreed on getting a practical monopoly on the cloth a clothing supply of the Capitol.
The inauguration wasn't a great success by any means, but it succeeded at catching the attention of many nobles and more importantly calming the people who believed that the train would be dangerous.
20:00 hrs.
Subaru had been left alone with Emilia and where walking around the many expositions, chatting.
Subaru: "Emilia before I forget, what did the letter say?"
Emilia: "The letter?...The letter! I have an audience in three days, I can believe I almost forgot. I will need you to accompany me."
Subaru: "Of course I'm going with you. At what hour do we have to be there?"
Emilia: "During the afternoon…it seems they reserved the entire afternoon."
Subaru: "That means…"
Emilia: "Yup, we should expect trouble. Especially from guild leaders that filed complains. Our company is disrupting their businesses a lot apparently."
Subaru: "Can they take any legal action against us?"
Emilia: "Theoretically no, but the specifications of every law are fuzzy and that's on purpose to benefit the nobility."
Subaru: "How troublesome."
Emilia: "I know…here, I almost forgot I made this for you."
She drew an ice container from her bag and handed out to Subaru.
Subaru: "Huh? What's this?"
Emilia: "A surprise, I heard it's a delicacy from Gusteko. I hope you like it."
Subaru: "Hm? Why are you blushing?"
Emilia: "Nothing, just take it and tell me your opinion!"
Subaru: "Alright…"
Subaru took the container from Emilia's hand and opened it. He saw something he hadn't noticed he missed…ice-cream. There was no spoon, so he used his fingers to scoop some and ate it. Its taste was quite bland, but he could feel some traces of vanilla and cinnamon. Since he hadn't ate any ice-cream in a long time It tasted incredible to him.
Subaru: "This…It's so good! How is it called?"
Emilia: "Milk frost…uh…thanks it took quite some effort to get the preparation right…"
Subaru: "And the cinnamon, I didn't know this world had it."
Emilia: "You actually noticed the cinnamon to! It was very hard to get some."
Subaru: "I bet you could make some with mayonnaise."
Emilia: "Well I'm not goanna say I didn't try…it's just that I gave up. The stirring almost drove me crazy."
Priestella: 21:00 hrs. 15/09/1538
The inauguration in Priestella was ending now, it was much smaller and modest since it was outside the city rather than on the outskirts and the residents trusted the royal candidates more than in the Capitol so less was needed to calm them down. Even though the station was outside the city it was still quite good since it closed the gap significantly, making any trip to the capitol last 4 or 5 days instead of 12 or 14.
Capitol: 13:00 hrs. 18/09/1538
The day of the audience had finally arrived, Emilia and Subaru were relieved when Roswaal appeared earlier in the day since he could brief them on how these usually go and tell them what nobles would be more troublesome as well as their quirks. Roswaal as the brave cannon fodder he is, will take care of the more troublesome nobles, leaving the rest to Emilia and Subaru.
The had arrived at the audience room where the Sage council was waiting for them, Marcos guided them to their seats. Once they sat down, they saw more people being lead inside. "Some of them have serious accusations you know." Said Marcos, "About your company using slaves to work until they fall dead, they don't envision any other way to make stuff so cheap...neither do I…I just hope these accusations are false." Subaru heard these words with concern as did Emilia. Beatrice and Roswaal didn't hear the words Marcos said, they were instead focused on the large number of knights and soldiers present, there were not wearing formal uniforms but the combat ones, worried they started wondering if this was a trap.
Miklotov: "NOW THAT WE ARE ALL HERE LET THIS AUDIENCE COMENCE!"
(Sorry for such a long delay (again) I've been procrastinating on this one a bit, but I mostly found myself out of energy due to my summer job. The next chapter will be out hopefully before this month ends since they heaviest part of the job is now over, so stay tuned.)