-Port Valm-

"Father!" Ravena greeted Robin with a cheerful wave. Robin waved back from the deck of his ship. His mask was off and stowed in his cloak and he once again felt comfortable in his tactician's cloak. His hair's color was restored to his natural pristine white. Ravena was standing at the end of the pier, waving at him while the Raven's Pledge slowly docked back at the port. "You came back early! You should've told me."

"Not that I needed to! How'd you know?" Robin shouted back. "No one on my ship sent a message to you."

"Fisherman." Ravena smirked. The ship finally pulled close to the dock. "I hired one to send me a message."

Robin gauged the distance and leapt across before the ropes and gangplank could be set. He landed hard on the dock, wooden planks rattling beneath his feet. He patted Ravena's head. "Clever. So, do anything productive with all that power I gave you?"

"Kind of. Zulas wouldn't let me build a private training room, but I only asked for that 'cause I wanted to see what I could get away with." Ravena said. "Also, I had a few adults try getting meetings with me to take advantage of my childish naivety, but Argeni just handled them and gave me their requests. I agreed to what I thought was reasonable and had Zulas look it over. There's also a second copy on your desk if you want to double-check. But you won't need to. I'm that good."

"Wow." Robin blinked. "Sounds like I should just have you as my full-on secretary."

"Eh, that sounds kind of boring." Ravena said. "Hello, Say'ri. It's good to see you."

"Hai." Say'ri nodded. "You are well, small Robin?"

"Ravena. That's my name." Ravena rolled her eyes. "How did my father behave himself?"

"He is Robin." Say'ri shrugged. "We survived a few political scenarios, talked to a few important people, and fought off some assassins."

"Huh." Ravena said. "Sounds kind of like what happened on my end, too."

"Assassins?" Robin blinked. He could feel his paternal anger welling up. I will kill anyone who touched her.

"Well, that's makes it sound a bit grand. It was more of less just a straightforward attempted murder." Ravena said. "Don't worry, I had the situation under control the entire time."

"Why do I feel worse when you say those words?" Robin sighed. He glanced back at the ship. "Excellent. Everyone's disembarked."

"Everyone?" Say'ri asked. "Where's the new one? I didn't see her."

"Well, I gave orders for everyone to get off immediately." Robin said. "Everyone except her. So you wouldn't have seen her."

"New one?" Ravena asked. "What do you mean?"

"Well, we got a Plegian turncoat on our way back." Robin said. "Trouble is she's only useful if she's loyal to me, and the sailors knows about her existence. That means it's only a matter of time until Walhart does, and she turns into an asset against me. And, seeing as we've already got all the information I could use out of her, it's only minimal collateral damage to me if she dies."

"What?" Say'ri turned to him. "You said-"

"That I wouldn't torture her." Robin pulled a red tome from a holster in his coat. "Don't worry, I asphyxiated her beforehand. She's dead, and I just need to terminate the evidence."

"You killed her."

"I'm not really sure why you're acting surprise. I told you on the journey back that I had no problem killing people in cold blood. And, between that or burning to death while being locked in a cabin, it seemed like the humane thing to do." Robin hurled a fireball at the ship, lighting the rigging on fire. He threw a few more, setting fire to various portions of the ship. "Why do you think I requested to dock on the far dock? Don't want the fire spreading to the rest of the ships in the harbor. Speaking of, we should move before our dock catches on fire. I mean, it probably will, but hopefully after we leave it."

Say'ri kept pace beside Robin, with a displeased look on her face. Robin was whistling cheerfully with a mask of innocence as he strode off. Ravena was slightly ahead, reading a book of dark magic as she walked. Say'ri scowled. "What barbaric custom is this, anyway?"

"It's known as the Traitor's Dock." Ravena said, absently. "Somewhat analogous to Plegia's Carrion Isle. There's an old custom of having ambassadors or men of questionable integrity dock there. That way, if something goes wrong, you can simply eliminate the problem."

"Eliminate the problem? Must you sanitize your language like that." Say'ri scowled. "You're just as bad as him!"

"Say'ri." Ravena sighed. "I'm disappointed in you. I thought Robin would have better minions than that. Do you really think that's what happened?"

"Hm?" Say'ri frowned. She was Robin's sworn sword, but the term minion rattled her a bit.

"Robin has a plan." Ravena said. "Robin always has a plan."

"I was expecting you to pick up on something." Robin frowned. "Am I that transparent?"

"I couldn't help but notice the waterline on the ship."

"Ah, that would be a dead giveaway, wouldn't it? Well, good for you."

"What waterline on the ship?" Say'ri frowned. "I don't remember seeing one when we got off."

"Exactly." Ravena said. "There wasn't one. Now isn't that odd?"

"When there are two of you, you talk in twice the riddles. It's enough to give me a headache" Say'ri frowned. "What are you trying to tell me?"

"I'll help clear the riddles, I suppose." Robin said. "Say'ri, would you mind reserving your judgement until we get back to the manor, so I can explain my decision properly?"

"Aye." Say'ri did not sound happy.

"Anyway, I'm hungry." Robin said. "Ravena, have you performed sufficient intelligence gathering regarding the nourishment providing services that this area contains?"

"You mean, 'Have I tried the food'?" Ravena laughed. "There's a good fish'n'chips by one of the docks."

"Excellent." Robin's eyes lit up. "Say'ri had me try her way of eating fish, so I only thought it fair to return the favor. It's time for a good fixing of fish and chips. The proper way to eat fish."

"Chips?" Say'ri frowned. "I do not remember you saying that, unless it's another name for those potatoes you were discussing."

-Docks-

"Wow." Say'ri looked up. "These are fantastic."

"She's impressed." Ravena giggled.

"The fish is nothing special." Say'ri was, for some reason unknown to Robin, eating them with chopsticks. He supposed he must look as odd to her when he ate her food with knife and fork. "It is merely oily, and the bread coating helps, but not nearly enough. Fresh fish is flavorful enough without the need to fry it and the loss in taste is not offset by the gain given by breading. These chips, on the other hand, are a substance I have never eaten before. Light, fluffy, crisp outside and perfectly salted with a lovely golden shell."

"You know, if I knew chips would merit this kind of reaction, I'd have just used them from the start." Robin said, rolling his eyes. Despite Say'ri's assessment that the fish was 'oily', he enjoyed it, especially considering he hadn't had anything remotely greasy while in Ylisse. It wasn't that they didn't have greasy food, it was that Robin had to behave himself as a foreign dignitary. "Would that have worked, out of curiosity?"

"No." Say'ri said. "I am a trained Chon'sin warrior. I cannot be bribed by food."

"That sounds like it should be tested." Ravena said. Robin noticed her eyes light up in a manner he suspected his own did whenever he had a clever idea. "So, Say'ri, what would you do for me if I ensured that chips would be a staple side dish at our manor? Because I'm thinking I could use sword fighting lessons."

"What's wrong with the spear?" Robin frowned. "I mean, don't get me wrong, I like swords and I definitely appreciate having the ability to use master level swordsmanship, but you're already in spear training and magic training. You'd cut your training in both, and I don't think the gain would be worth it."

"I want to learn how to use a spear like a sword." Ravena said, simply.

"What?" Robin frowned. "Can you even do that?"

"Well, Dant does, kind of. She said she incorporates axe techniques into her dagger fighting." Ravena frowned. "Apparently the stances they use are a lot better for strong blows than most dagger stances, so she trained under an axe wielder for a while."

"I can give you swordfighting lesson." Say'ri said. "Of course, as a sworn sword to Robin, I am honor-bound to give them to you, upon request, even without you bribing me with delicious food that I would very well appreciate regardless of outcome. Though it should also be noted that there is not much the sword can offer the spear. Certainly not stances. But I shall accede to your request, even if you do not bribe me."

"Well, that won't be so useful, but I'll still try a few anyway…" Ravena trailed off, staring into the distance. "Are those assassins?"

Robin looked forward. Rapidly approaching their table was a group of seamen, all which bore concealed weapons to Robin's experienced eye. "Say'ri?"

"Aye?"

"I don't expect a good answer to this, seeing as you got off a ship from across the ocean, but you did use to be involved with a similar brand of revolutionaries. So, would you happen to know why assassins are waiting for me?" Robin asked.

"Any number of reasons." Say'ri said. "Assassination is common play within Valm. In fact, it might just be an attempt out of simple courtesy for your new position."

"That's not why. It's because of your engagement to Argeni." Ravena sighed. "I got a report but … well, I didn't take it seriously."

"Report?" Robin sighed.

"Well, it was more of a threatening letter that said, 'If you don't call off your marriage to Argenita di Cratez, you will pay!' or something of that nature. I just tracked the sender to a group of thugs someone was puppeting. But, you know, seeing as they were just two-bit pawns, I kind of ignored them." Ravena said. "And these are them. Anyway, I asked Argeni about it, and she said that she's been getting pressured by a group to call off the marriage. They say that allowing you to marry into nobility will give you too much influence, especially since it can give you a child of noble descent, letting you claim powers as his regent."

"Of-freakin'-course." Robin sighed. And I have no interest in that marriage. "Because these people view marriage as a political tool."

"So do you." Say'ri reminded him.

"Yes, but…" Robin sighed. "Okay, no, you do have a point. Well, let's just kill these assassins. I suppose we can call for the guards, but this was a consequence of my actions, so I can deal with it."

"Good."

"Not you, Ravena." Robin drew his Shockstick. "I'm your father. It's my obligation to keep you safe from harm, and that includes from assassins. I know you can handle them, but please let me indulge myself."

"Fine." Ravena rolled her eyes. "Do you have any more instructions?"

"Stay alive. That's all." Robin ran forward and slashed with his spear, sending a bolt of lightning forward, electrocuting one of the assassins. Say'ri disappeared from her seat and reappearing charging the assassins with a curved Chon'sin blade. Robin skidded and drew a tome to support her with casting magic.

Say'ri spun around, cutting two of them as Robin's blasts found a mark in the last one. Bystanders were panicking, shouting and running. Robin smirked. Oh, a distraction. That's a useful side effect. Say'ri turned around and froze, looking at something past him. "Robin-!"

Robin spun around, seeing a new one coming from behind them, running up to Ravena. Of course there'd be one from behind. Robin readied, drawing on his spell matrix only to see Ravena catch his eye. The girl was calmly eating chips and winked at him.

The thug drew a sword and raised in over his head. "This is what you deserve, Battlemaster!"

Then he stopped and dropped, a red spray of blood rising around him. Behind him stood a cheerful maid with bright pink hair. "Poor you…"

"Is that…" Robin trailed off. This is how it feels like in to be a pawn in someone else's plan. How did Ravena get Cherche to be her maid? I mean, I'm fine with it I guess, but… HOW? "Ah – who are you?"

"My name is Chantage." Cherche smiled at him. "Lady Ravena has hired me as her maid, and as such, I'm more than capable of cleaning up the trash."

"…You've been busy." Robin said.

"Just a little." Ravena giggled. "It's not often I can surprise you."

-Robin's Study-

"And welcome back to your study. Nothing's been changed." Ravena said. "Oh, looks like we have a new one here. Huh. Who would have thought?"

Say'ri blinked. "Ah. That's what you two where referring to back at the dock."

"Yes, of course." Aversa said from her position sitting in one of the chairs, drinking amber liquid from a glass cup. An opened bottle was on Robin's desk. "Why, did you think I was dead?"

"Robin torched the ship you were on." Say'ri said. "It certainly appeared that he was willing to go to great lengths to ensure it."

"That was the idea, yes. Hard to fake my death otherwise." Aversa said. "The water was a bit colder than I expected."

"Get it?" Ravena asked Say'ri. "Robin cut a hole into the bottom of the ship, and all Aversa had to do was swim out and under the dock. She used her magic to dry herself, and just threw on a cloak. That's why there was no waterline – because the boat was sinking! It's also why Robin had to burn it – to eliminate the evidence."

"It was a bit more complicated than that." Aversa shivered. "Ugh. The rushing water almost threw me out of the room and was frightfully cold. Thank goodness for your alcohol cabinet, Count. I'll need it for the shock."

"Most of it was inherited from people I killed and I'm no drinker myself, so I won't begrudge you drinking it dry." Robin's eyes narrowed. "But would you please get the bottle off my desk before my papers get ruined?"

"I'm not going to knock it over."

"Tell me one I haven't heard before." Robin took the bottle, capped it, and placed it within the drawer as he sat behind the desk, holding his hands together in his best 'evil mastermind' pose. It was always good to set the mood before one of his meetings. "Anyway, I require your mind to be sharp. We're missing Dant, but she's in deep cover on a Plegian infiltration assignment, so we've got everyone else."

"We aren't going to have Zulas, Argeni, or Vermil here?" Ravena asked.

"Not now, no." Robin frowned. "Maybe never. This group is going to act beyond the purview of normal operations within Valm, some of them against the Conqueror. Zulas is too loyal and Argeni's going to be married to him. Vermil's a good mage, but he's just a tad too simplistic for this group. Just us for now."

"Harsh." Ravena noted. "But true. Anyway, aren't you curious as to how Cherche's on our side now?"

"Yes." Robin chuckled. "But that's a story for another time. Anyway, Cherche, are you on our side, now?"

"For the present, yes." Cherche said. "Ravena convinced me that you were worth following, for the time being. As long as you seek to destroy Walhart, our goals are aligned."

"Yes." Robin nodded. "But not necessarily for the same reasons."

"I'm fine with that." Cherche said sweetly.

"Okay. So this isn't going to be a fun meeting where we plot the downfall of the Valm Empire and my gradual ascension to dictator of the known world." Robin started. "It's just going to be establishing everyone in positions now that the war's over."

"Aww." That was Ravena.

"What a pity." That was Aversa.

"Please tell me that you aren't serious. I don't begrudge your wish to succeed Valm, but becoming what Walhart is seems like a bad idea." Say'ri massaged her temples. "I wouldn't ask, but it seems half the room prefers you to be serious."

"I'm joking, of course." Robin said. About the dictator part, anyway. "Cherche, the first thing I need you to do is to contact Virion and have him join us. We had a run-in when I was in Ylisse, and well, it wasn't exactly pleasant. So, if you could just tell him that I had to do it because I had tabs on me in Ylisse, and I'd like him to join me, that would be good."

"What business do you have with Virion?" Cherche said. "Do you want him to join us?"

"No." Robin shook his head. "Honestly, the less people involved the better. I want Virion to know of me, but I'd like it if we never met in person. I need him to raise an army in Rosanne."

"Why? So you can crush it?" Cherche asked.

Robin winced. "Kind of…?"

"Well, at least you admit it." Cherche muttered. "I doubt Virion would listen to you in that case."

"I'm not to kill them." Robin said. Don't lie, but don't tell her the full truth. "I want to try starting a populist movement from all the scattered countries that Walhart built Valm from. The problem is, it probably also going to start violent movements … and I'm going to need to put those down. But I think I can make Virion listen to me. In any event, a meeting won't hurt."

"Going for a 'will of the people'?" Ravena frowned. "That's not going to work, is it?"

"It might if I play my cards right." Robin muttered. "Say'ri, I'll need you to do something similar, but you aren't going to like it."

"What do you mean?" Say'ri frowned.

"I'll need you to start a loyalist faction with the Chon'sin." Robin winced. "As in, loyal Valm and loyal to you. I'll have some information people work with you to get the message that you can be Chon'sin and Valmese, and we'll use you as the textbook case."

"Is this necessary?" Say'ri frowned.

"Absolutely."

"Then I will." Say'ri said. "But you are right – I shall not like it."

"Good." Robin said. "Aversa, you're my spymaster. I'll give you the information later, but I'm woefully underprepared, and you seem to have experience from Plegia. It's also why I faked your death, you can think of a suitable false identity."

"Putting me to work already?" Aversa shrugged. "Very well, but I should disguise myself, yes? Wouldn't want to look like a Plegian."

"I wouldn't worry about that." Robin said. "I mean, I'm a Plegian, and no one's noticed."

"What?" Aversa looked at him. "Now that you mentioned it… Ah. You're half-Plegian. Must inherit most of your characteristics from the other half. But it's visible now that I know to look for it."

"I … see." Robin frowned, digesting the information. "Regardless. Ravena, you've got the hardest assignment."

"Oh, how lovely." Ravena said. "Is it a challenge?"

"Yes." Robin said. "I need to you find Walhart's spymaster. I don't know who it is, I just know there is one. The reason I gave you the assignment is because I know everyone's been looking for this spymaster, but no one's been successful."

"I see." Ravena smiled. "So, you think that my unconventional child thinking might find him?"

"I think you might not have some of the preconceptions that the rest of us have." Robin said. "As for myself, I have the worse job of the lot."

"Oh? Do tell." Aversa said.

"Civil planning." Robin said, wincing. "I let my duties as the number two in the Valm Empire get to me. I think it's time I expanded the capitol city, you know? Make it more hospitable and drive the economy closer to where our main army is. Boring, tedious, and necessary. Well, you've got your assignment, people."

-Training Room-

"Say'ri, I'd like to talk to you."

"Aye." Say'ri said, grinding an edge into her blade with a whetstone. She had begun her first lesson with Ravena once the meeting ended, and Robin had caught up on paperwork in the meantime.

"You're uncomfortable with your assignment."

"I am a princess of Chon'sin." Say'ri said. "I am not in direct line for the throne, but I am the current head of my clan. What you are asking me to do goes beyond my simple duties as your sword and against my desires, however, I swore an oath to obey you. I will not lie, Robin - you have placed me in a horrible choice."

"Fine. I rescind my order." Robin said.

"Thank you." Say'ri said. "Though I suspect that your intentions have not changed."

"Yes, I still want you to do it." Robin sighed. "Look – why don't you want to help Chon'sin integrate within Valm?"

"Why would I? Chon'sin has a proud historic culture, and you ask me to help submit ourselves to the will of the people who have forcefully stripped it from us." Say'ri said. She finished one blade and moved on to her other one. "It is repulsive to me to have to do that. Much the same as it would be to cut off my sword hand."

"Okay." Robin said. "So what would you be capable of doing?"

"I wish to remain by your side as your sword." Say'ri frowned. "I do not trust you alone with that Aversa woman. She strikes me as devious."

"It's not like that." Robin raised his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Oh. It's that you're worried that she's going to corrupt me, aren't you?"

"Aye."

"…Fair point. Then I guess it is like that." Robin admitted. "But I need someone to lead the Chon'sin."

"Why?"

"There are two reasons." Robin said. "The first is that is does no one good for animosity between us right now. I have no particular desire to fall into the sunk cost fallacy."

"I am not familiar with that." Say'ri said. "Could you elaborate?"

"It means that a smart tactician knows when to cut his losses." Robin explained. "Let's say you've been ambushed and have lost half your army. Do you choose to counter the ambush in retaliation, or do you withdraw, and survive to fight another day?"

"Withdraw. It is a lesson I learned many times during my time in the rebellion." Say'ri said.

"Exactly." Robin gestured. "So now that Chon'sin has lost the war to Valm, they can choose to work within the nation, or they can resist and be treated by the Empire as second-class citizens until their spirit breaks and they loose their heritage. Which is better?"

"Of the two, the former rather than the latter." Say'ri frowned. "But surely they cannot be the only two options?"

Robin inhaled and shook his head slowly. "I'm afraid they are, Say'ri. I would like to undo what Valm has done, but that's no longer an option. Even if I would become Emperor of Valm, I wouldn't be able to free Chon'sin – not without consequences."

"What?" Say'ri frowned. "How do you mean?"

"I could go on a long explanation about the nature of humans, mob rule, and socioeconomic consequences, but it's far easier to explain it like this. Imagine a katana." Robin said. "When you forge the blade, you take metal rods and beat them together into one single rod. But, if you shatter the katana into pieces, are those pieces as strong as the rods they were forged from?"

"No." Say'ri shook her head. "If a sword breaks, it must be cast anew from its components, smelted together again."

"Such is the Valm Empire." Robin said. "If I split it into its parts, it will fall to chaos and anarchy. Once the center collapses, everything falls, and this continent will be plagued by war for decades, until new kingdoms rise again."

"You are not lying?"

"No." Robin shook his head. "And that's why I'm not going to the tell you the second reason for wanting to do this. Because I'd have to lie to you about that. Rest assure, my intentions are noble, and no innocents will be hurt. But it's part of a plan that I'd like to keep to myself for a while."

"If those are the only outcomes, and these are the only options…" Say'ri said slowly. "I may be able to help you without betraying either you or my country. I shall travel Chon'sin and tell tales of the Valm I know from following you, and the Valm you believe in. Perhaps one day Valm may even appreciate Chon'sin culture."

"Certainly." Robin said, relieved. "Thank you, Say'ri. That means a lot to me."

"How soon do you want me to leave?"

"As soon as you can." Robin said. "I'll be leaving shortly, myself, but if you need a few days to get your affairs in order to prepare, then I understand."

"I may need even longer." Say'ri said. "Though I am curious – are you capable of teleporting like Excellus was rumored to be able to?"

"No." Robin said. "To clarify, Excellus was capable of teleporting, and I – well, Dant, really – managed to steal his notes and spellbooks on the subject when he was trying to frame me. I took a look at the spell. It's possible, but, ah… how do I put it. Nasty."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, the old version of the spell was short range, and it literally required you to sell your soul to a demon dragon." Robin said grimly. "This one? Which can range across half the continent? It's worse. Much worse. Take however bad you think it is, add a few human sacrifices, some major soul corruption, and a few bits of unrepentable evil. Then double it. The only plus side is that you get to keep your free will."

"I see. Even you wouldn't go to such extremes."

"Not really a point of acting 'for the greater good' when you become something that has to be eliminated to get 'the greater good'." Robin said. "So. No teleporting for me, thank you. My feet will suffice. Well, my convoy. But it's the same principle."

-Vermilion Capitol, Training Fields-

"Next pattern is a bit tricky, so I'll have you do the standard drills twice to get this in." Zulas called, amidst a hail of groans. "Left foot forward, check the thrust, then left foot forward again, this time with the real thrust. This is a feint, so the signal call will be distributed by your commander right before the battle starts."

"Nice discipline." Robin complemented.

"Battlemaster!" Zulas called. "Salutes!"

A sea of salutes greeted Robin as the trainees all saluted him. Robin enjoyed the adulations for a few moments, then returned the salutes. "At ease! And back to training. Lieutenant Colonel Albert, might I have a moment of your time?"

"Yessir." Zulas said. "My office is this way."

Zulas walked away from the training field with Robin walking behind him, taking note of the barracks. Soldiers trained en masse, forming the large groups that were the backbone of Valm's army. There were a few sparring pits that the higher ranks or the elites used for training individual combat, something the rank-and-file didn't have to worry about. A few ranges were set, with casters or archers training. Valm's own rookery wasn't in the capitol – the wyverns didn't like it. Zulas approached one the officer's barracks, opening it. "My castle."

"Nice place." Robin said. "What, is that two entire rooms?"

"Of course, doesn't hold a candle to yours." Zulas said. "My room's there, and my office is here. I get two, one because of my rank, and one because of yours. So, yes, I have two entire rooms."

"Has anyone tried assassinating you, incidentally?" Robin asked.

"Well, that was random. I'm guessing you just had one. Nah. I'm not important enough." Zulas said. "So, what brings you here? Or is this just a social visit? I'm guessing not, because you aren't that type."

"Sorry." Robin sighed. "Work keeps me away. Anyway, I'm here for two reasons. One is expanding the Vermillion Capitol. Because Battlemaster is also a political rank as well as a military one, I'm also responsible for other stuff. So I'm working on an expansion to build more parts to the city."

"Oh? What are the plans?"

"Finally, someone asks." Robin inhaled. "So, we're just going to add another ring to the city. Minus the harbor to the east, of course, but another ring, ten miles' worth around the city. Custom built, as it happens, catering to the Empire's diverse citizens."

"You think that's a good idea?" Zulas asked.

"For the time being, why not?" Robin said. "If we can get representatives of all the people within the Empire to Valm, each in their own setting, then … well, even I can't guess, but the city should flourish like no other on the continent."

"That's ambitious." Zulas said. "Alright, what's the second reason you're here?

"To deliver this." Robin said, pulling a scroll from within his coat. "I had to pull a few strings to get this done and had a nice bout of blind dumb luck, for once, to kickstart it, but I'm sure you'll appreciate it."

"What is it?"

"Read it." Robin said.

"Alright." Zulas took note of the seal. "The Conqueror's seal. Very nice. And the scroll says … Zulas Albert – yada, yada – in recognition of your efforts for the Conqueror, and – Wait, that can't be right."

Robin smirked.

"In long overdue recognition of your ancestor's aid to the Duma Empire, we award you the rightful status due to the scion of House Camus of the Grust Empire – what is this, Robin?" Zulas demanded. "A Lord? I'm now a lord?"

"At a guess of what it is, it's a recognition of your noble title, lost to history." Robin removed the mask from his robes and slid it across the table. "I found a match in Ylisse. The noble masked knight Sirius, or otherwise known as Camus. Now, as far as nobility goes, knighthood is pretty low, but it's foreign and Sirius was recognized as a night of Duma under the name Ezekiel."

"My ancestor." Zulas muttered. "So he was a knight in Grust. How does that help me?"

"Well, very simple." Robin said. "Since Rudolf recognized Ezekiel, that means Ezekiel retains his title from Grust. Now, Camus also held a different title – the Captain of the Order of the Sable Knights. The conversion between titles is inexact, but he got to bring that title too. There was some confusion, about how that should transfer."

"And you put in your two coppers." Zulas guessed.

"I put in my two coppers." Robin confirmed. "I sent a memo to Walhart. Not about you specifically, of course. I just put in a suggestion to treat any incoming foreign commanders of sufficient military rank as the equivalent of nobility. Walhart liked the idea, seeing as it might help replace the nobility with functional people."

"So … I'm a lord now." Zulas considered. "Am I supposed to feel different?"

"I'd hope not or I'd have to smack some sense into you." Robin said. "Anyway, I've got someone else to visit in the capitol."

"Who?"

"Your lovely lady friend." Robin said, grinning. "I've an engagement to break."

-di Cratez Manor-

"You're breaking our engagement? That's awful." Argeni asked, as a maid styled her hair. Her monotone indicated that her statement was less than genuine. "How tragic. You can't just dump this on a girl, you know. These things should be broken gently."

"You seemed traumatized." Robin noted at Argeni's deadpan tone.

"Oh, I am." Argeni said. "A girl like me just can't afford to wear her emotions on her sleeve. Right, Sarissa?"

"Mm-hmm." The maid nodded.

"Why do you have a maid styling your hair?" Robin sighed. "I'm not letting you having one when you rejoin my squad, you know. And I can't imagine General Pheros having one, either."

"All the more reason to have one now." Argeni said. "Besides, Sarissa has been training to accompany me in battle."

"…Really?" Robin said.

"Mm-hmm." The maid nodded.

"Are you conditioned to just say that to everything?"

"Mm-hmm."

"Right." Robin sighed. "So, what'd you do to her, Argeni?"

"Me?" Argeni asked. "Absolutely nothing. Secret maids are trained to ignore everything but their lady. Helps for dalliances, and the such, you understand. They're very in-fashion among the nobility. My father hired her in preparation of our marriage."

Does that mean that Duke Cratez expected her to cheat on me? Robin thought. Actually, considering the amount of arranged marriages around the nobility, this does make a scary amount of sense. I mean, still horrible, but at least I know the reason for it. Just another reason to hate nobles, I guess.

"Anyway, Lady Cratez, I apologize for this abrupt cancellation." Robin said. "It's for a good cause. I need to retain my bachelor status for diplomacy reason. I was hasty in accepting your proposition, so you have my apologies."

"That hardly seems sufficient." Argeni sniffed.

"In addition, I extend the offer of marriage from a good friend of mine, someone of a similar status." Robin said, smiling with just a touch of evil behind it. "My friend, Lord Zulas Albert."

"Whaaaaaaaaaa…" Argeni blinked. "Zulas is a lord?"

"As of …" Robin pulled out his pocket watch. "Oh, just about an hour and a half ago."

"You- you-!" Argeni stammered. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!"

"Isn't that what I'm doing right now?" Robin said innocently.

"How'd you even manage to do it?" Argeni said. "Oh, you are evil!"

Robin grinned. "I'll assume the answer is yes."

"Of course it's yes!" Argeni stood up and kissed him on the cheek. "Robin, you're the best, we'll name our first kid after you. Actually, second. You know what, it'll be one of them, it doesn't really matter. Thank you, thank you." Argeni dashed out of the room. "Need to do things!"

Robin and the maid, Sarissa looked at each other, exchanging glances. Then Argeni's voice came around the corner. "Sarissa, I need your help too!"

One last stop. Robin thought to himself.

-Bolt, Cloth, & Bespoke-

"A tailor?" Aversa asked. "Seems a bit lacking for the legendary crimson tactician."

"Ah, but this isn't an ordinary wardrobe change." Robin said. "And this is no ordinary tailor. Bolt, Cloth, & Bespoke may look ordinary, but the clientele they service is anything but. I believe Walhart has a few suits made from them. He's the one who recommended it."

"Patronized by the Conqueror. I wonder why they don't advertise it." Aversa said. "Probably because it'd attract people. They seem like the kind who just prefer word of mouth."

"Precisely." Robin knocked gently on the door. He was wearing civilian clothes, alongside Aversa, who he managed to convince to wear a dress that covered the majority of her skin. "This is Robin."

A few seconds passed before the door opened and a young woman ushered the two of them in, leading them to a fitting room. She left, and a master tailor walked in.

"Ah, Count Robin. Here for your Battlemaster armor?"

"Yes, and I'd also like to place an order for her." Robin said, gesturing to Aversa. "You have the armor ready, Miss…?"

"Elizabeth. Just one final fitting." The tailor said. "We have someone getting it now."

"What's wrong with your current armor?" Aversa said. "A spell-cloak isn't good enough?"

"Nope." Robin said. "I'd hoped to get this before I went to Ylisse, but these things take time. Also, you need new armor as well, now that you're fighting on foot alongside me, so think about what you're ordering. I'll leave the details up to you."

"Count." Robin turned his attention back to Elizabeth. "Let me show you the armor. The armor components come from our standard half-plate armor, giving you armored greaves and a chest plate to protect from frontal assaults. You asked to minimize weight, so we're not giving you anymore armor pieces."

"Very nice. What about my arms?"

"We've made some leather gauntlets to wear underneath your coat." Elizabeth said. "The coat is dark red, as you requested, too short to be closed, so you'll have to use the belts on it's inside to keep it close to your body. We've added exterior loops to the armor that the belts can go through to help, if need be. There's also plenty of pockets, as you requested."

"And the hood?" Robin grinned. "Please tell me…"

"For whatever reason, we've included a hood. The hood can be thrown over your head and contains a mask within it that can be slid over your face." Elizabeth nodded. "Of course, the hood is a bit awkward at first, but you'll get the hang of it."

"Excellent. Holsters?"

"A sword scabbard on the left side, tome holster on the right. Similarly, we have spots for a reserve sword and tome on the right and left side respectively to balance the weight. There are two sets of spear loops to hold in an X pattern across your back." Elizabeth said. "The coat is enchanted spell cloth and the armor is made by master craftsmen."

"Perfect." Robin said. "Let me try it out, please."

"Do I get to watch?" Aversa asked.

Robin rolled his eyes. "This is meant to be worn on top on my normal clothes, so sure, why not? Assuming you don't have better things to do, like design your own armor."

Aversa considered it and walked out of the room with another tailor as Robin started getting in on. For the first time, it only took ten minutes, less than Robin expected. Probably because of the lack of armor pieces. Robin stood in the mirror, admiring himself. "Nice."

"Well, it does cut a gallant figure." Aversa said. She'd made in back surprisingly fast.

"Thank you."

"For a simpleton boor."

"And there it is." Robin rolled his eyes. "So what did you go with?"

"Nothing complicated." Aversa said. "A large black cloak, some quality riding armor underneath. I'd thought I'd relive my dark knight days. Ah, those were some fun years of pillaging and raiding. Since I'm not going to be on something that can't take the weight of armor, that is, I'll ride a horse and not a pegasus, I'd thought I'd use it for once."

"Full body armor?" Robin smirked. "Isn't that a bit outside your usual range of clothing."

"If you want to see me exposed, just say so~."

"I'll consider it." Robin sighed. Why do I bother. "In any event, what is your honest assessment?"

"Well, it's not the armor of a frontline general, that's for sure." Aversa considered. "Custom made, so experience with combat, made for your strengths, and gives you ready access to a number of strategies - yet, at the same time, it's not made for prolonged combat. Overall, I'd say it's the perfect look for a Battlemaster."

Robin winced at the title.

"Oh? Do you not like it?" Aversa asked. "You don't seem to have a problem with it until now."

"It's a fine title, I suppose. The greatest of tacticians are known as Grandmasters, and Valm always must have the best of everything, hence I am not just a Grandmaster, but also a Battlemaster." Robin frowned. "Honestly, it's a good title for the masses to rally behind and looks good on recruitment posters, but at heart? I'm just a simple tactician. The only extraordinary thing about me is, like Ravena said earlier, that I have a plan. I always have a plan."