Chapter 83
Pina's voice, while not as loud as the Emperor's was just as much Her voice, as her father's. Sure, the Emperor was still in charge of many military matters, and various things involved with spending and the like. But, while I wasn't sure and Pina didn't say it outright... He sounded like he was just there until people got used to Pina being in charge.
The spanking his Empire got when they met the JSDF, and their 'integration' of ways into the Empire, probably made him feel obsolete. I met a lot of little pockets of that when I started to modernize Orario, but after taking time and demonstrating the 'second stage' simple machines a few times, even the elderly were making things with them. So it seemed the Emperor was just... Letting Pina grow into the role.
And she was doing well too! Even if she was young, though older than Myui, she had a firm grasp on the situation after only a few minutes of hearing the 'updated' situation from my report this morning.
But this would be delicate work. She knew the nobility better than Sugawara and I, and she was sure someone would be upset no matter how generous I was.
"Are you ready?" She asked after we'd done a little back and forth 'rehearsal' much like Sugawara and I were doing before she arrived.
She'd given us 'roles' to play. And while the stakes were higher, it was quite similar to a 'good cop bad cop' play.
"I think so, yes." I nodded, "Huh, for the first time like... ever... I'll have actual coaching when I do this."
"Oh? You seem quite adept at the Game." The JSDF diplomat said, adjusting his nice 'noble' toga/robe thing that the Men wore to this kind of event.
"My status as Strongest is much like being the Emperor. The only difference, is I've earned it. If my children want my title, they'll have to beat me." I said with a smile, dusting off the nice 'wise master' sleeves on my combat kimono.
"If only more of the noble children had that kind of drive." Pina sighed, "I intend to earn the respect my Lord Father's title brings me, when I eventually take his place." She offered her arm to Sugawara, who took it lightly. And we left the room we'd been using.
Almost between eye blinks, Mamina, the honey haired Warror Bunny on staff appeared next to us to escort us to the centre gardens of the keep. It wasn't quite dinner time, but that was part of the plan. I had to 'hobnob' with the nobility. Introduce myself properly like Ryuu had, and just... warm them up a little.
The garden courtyard was abuzz with activity. Men in their toga/robe things in various colours to match the sashes the patrolling guards had. Women in nice dresses and gowns that were simple, yet tailored just for them. Children, with the girls wearing sturdier versions of their mothers dresses, and the boys wearing pants, shirts and vests, ran about or sat in the shade of the growing evening under the gaze of the adults, be it parents or the Maids patrolling to see to the guests needs.
As well as the various house guards, some of the Rose Knights were here as well. Bozes, for example, though she was dressed as a Lady, and not a Knight, holding a snoozing child in her arms. There was a little resemblance to the father clear in the child as well, the Japanese black hair sticking up in places on the child's head, despite the efforts to comb it.
Akira Tomita was beside her, and sent a discreet nod our way when he noticed us, but didn't approach. He was in uniform, sure, but beside his wife and thus off duty, whereas Sugawara was clearly on the clock.
So, as per the 'script', Pina gave me a look over her shoulder, and the JSDF diplomat a pat on the hand, and detached from us. Her job was simple. Gossip. It was expected of the Women in high society here to gossip, and so that is what she would do. But instead of trying to raise their opinion of me, or try and hint at answers to what was going on, she was supposed to plant little questions. Get the ones she knew were clearly against me, or leaning in that direction, to ask me things. So that it seemed their idea in the first place to be curious, and hopefully give me an opportunity to see eye to eye with them.
Sugawara, while Pina was doing that, was going to lead me around a little, so I could meet with those who were more reasonable. The ones who supported the JSDF, though maybe not as much as Duran.
Why go through the trouble? Balance. If we could level the field a little, get them all to roughly the same starting opinion, then it would be easier to raise or lower the bar on all this. But it was going to take a lot of talking, a lot of fake smiles, and I was bound to forget a name or two on the way...
Several nobles in, with many formal bows, mild compliments on each other's clothing, questions asked about how various people were, and I was already toying with the idea of cancelling it all and pulling off limbs until they told me to leave.
Well not really. But it wasn't fun. The ones I was directly introduced to, had the highest opinions of Ryuu, and were the ones I 'gave' the lizard tonic to, just to make things fair after I'd 'bribed' the harsher speaking ones when I proposed the plan to rescue people.
Some even asked about Ryuu, and I had to deflect a few romantic queries after her. I would have to tell her later, just to see her blush, but then make her a special batch of cookies or something for taking my place here the first time we did this.
Another thing I noticed, while touring about and occasionally eavesdropping on other conversations, was the various levels of racism. Most of the ones I talked to directly, called their 'non-human' citizens anything from 'people' to 'unfortunates', depending on the topic. You know, if they lived in the city or ran shops, it was 'people', if they lived in the slums or orphanages, they were 'unfortunates'. Some of the nobility however, spoke of them like possessions. Politely, since they were talking to Pina. But with a clear tone of 'ownership' of the people I had flocking to the refugee camp.
Then, just as we were about to do our final approach to the Lady of Italica, Myui Fromel. Sugawara was intercepted.
The last on the list, with it being nearly dinner time and my tour around the gardens being almost done, was a pair of people. At first glance, one might mistake them for father and daughter, but past the proximity and familiarity apparent between them, they looked nothing alike.
The man was fairly tall, with the beginnings of 'age' creeping onto his features. But despite a few wrinkles, his short black hair was still solid black and his dark eyes were sharp and seemed quick to take in detail. He also wasn't wearing the 'toga robe' that nearly all the other male nobility were wearing, but instead a proper robe dyed half orange, half purple, and bordered in black. He seemed a serious sort as well, nodding towards Sugawara and I as we approached instead of bowing.
"That." The JSDF diplomat started quietly, "Is Marquis Casel El Tiberius. He is the leader of the new senate, after the great split of factions."
I nodded, and he followed my gaze to the Marquis's companion. It was a girl, maybe into her early teens. Even so, her posture was just as refined and serious as Myui's, and her dress was that of a grown up, though she still lacked curves to fill it properly. With light brown almost blond hair done up in twin tails, and dark red eyes, I could tell she would grow up to be quite the woman.
Before Sugawara could enlighten me to her name however, She took a step away from the stolid looking Marquis and said, "My Lord Sugawara, and Lady Kodori." She performed a perfect curtsy to us both, "I am Sherry Tyueli, and it is a pleasure to meet you." She said to me.
With her upfront manner, despite her young age, I bowed fist-in-palm like I would to any adult here. "The pleasure is mine, Lady Tyueli." We both stood straight again, and I gave the JSDF diplomat a sideways look, "The embassy incident?"
"Suppose you would have heard about that..." He sighed ever so slightly.
"Lord Sugawara risked much to break the siege on the Jade Palace. It was on his order that the JSDF moved to intervene." Sherry said, seemingly eager to praise him.
"And I hear it was you, who offered your medicines to help those who were crippled and not killed outright in the attack." Casel said to me, his voice cutting through the rising cheer of Sherry. It wasn't a harsh voice, simply stern.
"We honour our warriors." I said, "And after hearing the story of what happened, I couldn't help but be moved by its telling."
"I didn't get a chance to visit, during the merchant caravan, or the few visits we were allowed into your world. But is it true, you are all warriors? Do you fight constantly?" Casel asked, his eyes meeting mine without flinching, "Even now, I see you are armoured."
Yes, I was still wearing my gauntlets. "Much like your world, and even that of the JSDF, we have the civilians, the military, and the leaders. But we rarely fight each other, and instead we fight the dungeon." I held out one hand, palm up, fingers open, "And of all the things on my person, I value my hands the most. They allow me to create things like the body of Hagane. Or mix the medicines we use to recover during battle or after it."
"You made Hagane's body? Is there no flesh inside of it?" the Marquis's eyes widened slightly. "I chanced to meet him in passing earlier..."
"I did. But it would be rude to speak more of it without him here. He is a companion, and brother in arms." I smiled, looking down to Sherry, "He enjoys meeting people, and has never so much as scratched my children, if you wanted to meet him later, Lady Tyueli."
Both Sugawara and Casel nodded to her when she looked up at them, but she didn't leave like most curious children would. Instead, she looked up at me and asked, "If your world is as dangerous as you say, are all those people who wish to travel to your world not in just as much danger?"
I expected the question, but not from someone who might have been 14 years old. She even smiled slightly, knowing she surprised me. She was certainly no wall flower!
But, I shook my head, "Like the JSDF, the Adventurers protect the Civilians. Without them, we would be less effective in our constant fight against the dungeon. We keep them safe, they keep us fed and clothed. And while even the least of us Adventurers can be twice as strong as any normal man, our laws are very strict and prohibit harming a civilian."
"And if they move to your world, they would become civilians? Just like that?" She asked.
"By the absolute word of our laws? No. Not right away. But I, and many others, have pledged to keep them safe until they can fight for themselves. It may take a few years, but soon enough, the Gods of our world will sway some of them into becoming adventurers, and they will learn to protect themselves."
"And if none of them do? If none of them choose to fight?" Casel asked.
"Our world is nearly a pure meritocracy. We have laws to stop tyranny, since a single person can become an army unto themselves if they work hard enough, and live long enough. But because even someone as young as Lady Tyueli can become strong enough to slay a dragon... I doubt that no one will try to fight along side the other adventurers. But, if none of them do? I have still promised to protect them."
"Admirable. But for how long I wonder?" He asked.
"I plan on living a while yet, my Lord Marquis. And my Goddess wouldn't allow me to shirk my promise, or responsibility to those who want to leave this world. There is ample opportunity though, for someone to become strong enough to protect the ones they love, no matter their upbringing. I suspect I'll be creating things to help them defend themselves before long, instead of stepping in directly to protect them."
He nodded, and I got the distinct impression he had just tested me. "I think I will make a point to visit your world, when the Gate opens again."
"Bring no trouble, and be welcome." I smiled, "You as well, if you wished." I nodded to Sherry.
"We might enjoy that greatly." She replied, "Though... Gods? Does that make all adventurers Apostles?"
Casel frowned at me ever so slightly, as did Sugawara. But I would never lie to an honest question. "It is similar. Our Gods walk among us, and their gift to us grows so long as we put in the effort. We are not instantly made into people like Rory. But if we are brave, stalwart, and challenge ourselves, we can become greater. And in return, we provide our God or Goddess with the best living we can."
"They are royalty then?" She asked.
"It isn't quite like that." I tapped my chin for a moment, "Think of a knight, who keeps their Lord safe. When he returns, his armour battered or his sword chipped, the Lord thanks them, and gives them better arms or armour, so that they can continue to serve."
"As it should be. A faithful knight must be provided for, as he provides in return." Sherry nodded.
"An adventurer however, earns money to buy and restore their own equipment as well as luxury for their Patron. While the God rewards their efforts with drops of their power, so they can continue to do greater deeds in their name. If we do great deeds, we can become greater." I explained, enjoying the challenge of helping her understand.
"But you are not Apostles?"
"No. We age slower, true, but we age. We are only more resistant to harm, not immune to it." I smiled, "We can also do all of the things normal people do, that Apostles cannot. If I weren't here on business, I might have brought my children to visit."
Sherry looked like she was about to ask another question, but there was a little 'ding' from someplace nearby, and one of the Maids announced, "Dinner will be served shortly, if all assembled could make their way inside to the dining halls."
"I hope you've brought your appetite, Lady Kodori. I hear the Maids have been working extra hard for tonight." Sherry said happily, walking ahead of me to put her hand on Sugawara's wrist, the height difference making it near impossible to link elbows.
This left me to walk beside the Marquis, "I do hope you aren't filling her head with nonsense." He mumbled to me as my hand went to rest in the crook of his elbow as he 'escorted' me towards one of the double doors that led back into the keep.
"Marquis Casel Elange Tiberius." I said, just as quietly, "Have you visited Rondel recently? I hear the Twins have descended, and walk among the scholars once more. You're welcome."
I almost had to stop to let him recover, and nearly had to use my tails to keep him from falling over, but he regained his poise and replied with, "I will have to visit then."
"Visit Orario first. Maybe you'll see why Lord Duran wants to retire there."
I'd missed my chance to meet directly with Myui, but that was okay. I was reasonably sure she was 'on my side' for this. Considering her Father, and the Maids that surrounded her, I doubted anything anyone said would sway her away from supporting me.
Pina, even though she was the highest rank at the table, declined to sit next to the Hostess (Myui) and instead sat next to me. This raised a few eyebrows, since her moving to my right, bumped me up the table one spot, so now I was the one sitting next to Myui. This had clear 'social implications'. By trading seats with me, Pina had basically said I was her 'superior', and cleared any doubt on who's side she was on with the current 'situation'.
But since we'd had no chance to talk after her, myself and Sugawara went our separate ways to meet people, it was also a signal to me. It was worse than we thought. I'd have clear political opponents here, and she was unable to sway many, or any at all. So she'd given me the second most 'prominent' seat at the table.
Across from me, was Casel, with Sherry to his left, and Sugawara to her left. It made sense, since while the Emperor was 'the ruler' Casel was the head of the Senate. This world was at that weird point in politics between a pure Monarchy, and a Democracy. The Senate decided things among themselves like trade and other domestic things, and vote as a group. But when the Emperor said 'War' or 'Peace' or 'Taxes' all of the other nobles had to listen, lest the Emperor annex their land and start removing heads.
The JSDF however, had cracked that 'power' the Emperor had, and ever so slowly, Democracy would take over. All it would take was time, but honestly, I didn't care about 'later' I cared about 'right now' and making sure the people I promised a new home to, would get there. And by the look of the table, I had less than a quarter of the nobility on my side.
Dinner was a little strained. There was a bit of tension in the air, and I was getting all kinds of 'down the table' glances. Everything from my manners, tone of voice, things Myui and I chatted about (nothing political at the dinner table for me), how many times I refilled my wine glass (I didn't), right down to how I held my knife and fork.
Next time I talked to Rias and the gang, I was going to get Sachiko to kiss them or something. The time I spent learning about high society made me look more civilized than some of the others at the table.
One thing I didn't do, was 'steal the show'. No bragging. No amazing tales of heroism. No sudden toasts to something or other. I could do that when ever I wanted, but this was a formal dinner. Unless Myui asked me to tell a story for everyone to hear, I wouldn't raise my voice past a conversational mumble.
I did however, talk a little about the others who had visited. Just a little though. Ryuu had been quite popular, but she (sadly) couldn't attend. Aisha was another one, and I politely replied with, "She stayed home, to get a little more practise in taking care of children."
She didn't need any of course, but they all understood the message between the lines.
But, aside from that, Dinner was simply a formal affair of 'trying to rattle my nerves' and 'find fault with someone they already didn't like'. Haruhime would have been proud of me. I didn't have a single urge to pull someone's head off for the entire meal.
Once dinner was done, it was a little late, and cool, to go back into the middle courtyard. So instead we all went to the largest single room of the mini-castle. This is where the opening 'fight' would take place. The room was set up almost like a chapel. A single step podium was at one end, and in front of it were an array of chairs. Like this, there was room for all the nobles, and even some of their wives, provided they could be bothered to 'involve' themselves. Bozes was here, as was Sherry, though I didn't know if they were going to speak at all.
Once we all had a drink in hand (I still hadn't finished a single glass of wine), and sat ourselves down. Being one of the 'important speakers', I was in the front row sitting between Pina and Sugawara. Up at the front though, was Marquis Casel, and Myui. Myui however was only sitting up front to the side, as if she were an assistant, while Casel was standing atop a modest podium. Kaine was also there, though standing beside the Lady of the house, behind and to the left of Myui's chair. Her face however, seemed to dare people to get out of line.
Marquis Casel's voice wasn't deep, or booming, but it was clear that he was used to speaking in front of others, and being heard. It wasn't authority in his voice like Ouranos had, but his calm perfectly pitched words carried across the room without issue.
"We are gathered here, to discuss the issues we are having with the mass exodus of people from our lands." Casel started, "You have all, in some capacity or another, come to me to ask for the one who orchestrated this. And I have done so. Our ally, the JSDF," He paused to motion to Sugawara, "sent a message to the current world on the other side of the Gate, and brought her here to speak in her defence."
Sugawara's foot tapped the side of my boot lightly. He was making sure I was paying attention, and I certainly was. This wasn't a 'question and answer' session it seemed. It was sounding closer to a trial.
"Is there anything anyone would like to say, before the Champion of Orario takes the stand?" Casel asked.
Royman probably called me that... I may or may not have to tickle him for that... After his lesson on how to make a proper ring at least.
The little addition to my collection of titles aside, no one said anything. This was the worst case scenario (aside from someone trying to kill me, or me table flipping the entire castle and leaving). Pina, Sugawara and I were relying on someone, anyone to give me a starting point. It was obvious that there were lots of concerns, but without someone asking a question, or at least throwing an accusation at me, I had to start 'cold'. This would potentially give them, supporter or not, a new way to diminish my reputation, or trip my up on my own words.
So with a total calm I didn't really feel (because I wasn't going to start making people shorter and thus had no way to reduce my stress levels) I started to stand up.
But then Myui said something. "Thank you for helping me clean up my city." Young or not, she too spoke with just enough volume for her voice to carry across the room.
If I wasn't trying to maintain proper form for such a gathering, I'd have stopped and given her a hug. Those words allowed me to start my 'speech' with not only a topic, but with a show of gratitude I didn't have to fake... you know, like my smiles all afternoon.
"You are very welcome, Lady Myui." I said as I stepped up onto the podium, "Myself, and a few others that some of you have met, took great pride in being able to help solve who had set fire to the bakery in Italica's merchant quarter."
The podium wasn't very big. A simple rectangle of wood, carpeted with a nice red circular rug. But it was wide enough for me to pace a little, to allow myself to 'hand talk' for emphasis. All tools to aid with speaking to a crowd.
"I was there." I started, "When one of Zorzal's agents, a mage, sent a fireball into the bakery's flour room. Using the abilities my Goddess has granted me, I was able to save the daughter and father, but failed to save the son, who lost his life in the explosion." I walked one step left, then turned, starting a slow two pace walk to the other side of the platform. "In Orario, there are steep penalties for harming citizens. That, combined with my failure to save the Son... I took it personally."
As I turned, timed exactly with the end of my sentence, I looked over those assembled. No real reaction at all so far. A few nods, a frown or two at 'the incident'. But that was expected.
"My allies and I, with the help of the JSDF, worked to find out who, and how, it had been done." I continued.
And someone finally spoke up with a question. "Why bother at all? Pride? Money? You and your group were unharmed, why make the effort?"
I stopped to look at the man asking, "The JSDF asked us to." I replied, "They required a lighter hand and unknown faces to find those who have been attacking them, as well as you and yours, ever since Zorzal fled across the Row Stream."
"They could have come to us, instead of involving another outsider." Someone huffed.
I glanced to Sugawara, and he tapped his foot lightly against the carpeted floor. A nod, shake of the head, or any other 'above the shoulder' motion would be noticed, and thus we were signalling where no one, save Kaine, Myui and myself could see.
"The JSDF, and their local assets, such as the Volralden and his Militia, are too well known, to obvious. Your local guards too, proudly wear your banners, but of course, anyone wanting to avoid them would have little trouble doing so. It was precisely because we were outsiders, that we could accomplish what we did."
"I heard you found where they were staging their attacks on us. Why did you not wipe them out?" Asked another.
Again, Sugawara tapped his foot against the floor.
"The JSDF, among their other skills in combat, understand that to find a nest, you must follow the prey. We were told to take prisoners, so that questions could be asked. Word quickly spread, and others who had been working with Zorzal, lost their nerve and exposed themselves as well." This wasn't quite how it happened, but it was close enough that it wasn't a lie.
"Even then, you asked us not to execute the prisoners we took. The crimes many of them committed were punishable by death!"
This time Pina tapped her foot on the floor.
"The Empire, so I've been told, has often brought criminals into their army. While they start off as lower than errand runners, and are usually put in the front where survival is... not expected... Good service can earn them a pardon."
"So you sent them back into our lands, and now we have people leaving!" One who had been making almost impolite comments about owning his people said.
This time both Sugawara and Pina tapped their foot to the floor.
"Where I'm from, we really have only two reasons to fight. To make sure the dungeon, and the endless spawn of monsters that comes from within it, doesn't reach the surface. And to prove ourselves to a peer. The first is to protect the things you care about, family, your honour, your God... The list is as long as any soldier here or in any world..." I smiled, "So, to remove the problem you've been having, I've removed one of the biggest reasons to continue fighting."
There was a grumble in the room, a slow bubbling of something close to anger. But I hadn't gotten a signal from my two helpers, so I drove my point in just a tiny bit deeper.
"And from what I have heard, from both those I've talked to, and the JSDF, the random problems your lands have been having, have stopped."
Casel had to stand from his front row seat, to turn and face to room to quiet it. My comment had certainly rubbed a few people backwards, and that bubbling was threatening to boil.
Once silence was restored, someone closer to the front, and one of my potential supporters spoke. "While your efforts to quell the random attacks we have been suffering helped many of us, you must see that this many people leaving is unacceptable for us."
Pina gave me the signal this time, "To be honest, I didn't expect this many people. One of my goals, yes, was to do as the Gate has done before in this world. Allowing new and diverse peoples through so they may establish themselves in a new land, curiosity and bravery rewarded with a new home. Orario of course, is already established, and a melting pot of races." I paused in my pacing, just so I could look thoughtful and smile at no one in particular, "Lady Pina has thanked me for helping take care of a large homeless population just outside the Empire's capital."
"I'm sure our wise and noble Emperor is glad to be rid of the listless from outside his city walls, but what of us? When the harvest comes, we will be direly short handed without a working population."
My two coaches both tapped a foot, and I made a show of sighing. It was time to play my first polite trump card.
"When I heard of how unexpectedly successful my offer was to leave this world, I entrusted something to the city of Rondel. Soon, their scholars and artisans will be able to create better tools, to help anyone who needs it."
Someone started to speak, but I held up a hand and looked directly at them to silence them. "These new tools and ideas are not like the JSDF's machines that use oil and fire to work. No one in this world, even from Rondel, can make those. But!"
Dramatic pause!
"These will be machines that anyone of reasonable fitness and intelligence can use. Better ways to till and seed your fields. New ways to work metal to be more durable to wear. Buildings that can lift heavy loads, allowing anyone with time and materials to build wonders like the marble and stone buildings I've seen."
I fell silent to let them ponder that a moment, the lot of them mumbling to the one sitting next to them, though, my ears could tell not all of those words were good. But, it felt like I was gaining a bit of ground. Sugawara and Pina were silent as well, though they were giving me a little smile.
"I have already arranged things with the academy. Half a year, maybe even less, and they will have people ready to teach others how to build these machines. For those with sons or daughters with sharp minds and too much energy, the schools there charge only a modest fee from what I hear." I didn't smile, though I wanted to. Education was what this world needed, but it would hardly do to call them stupid.
But, suggesting they might help their heir, while also bringing real benefit to their lands with new ways to improve?
A slightly less grumpy voice spoke up, "This does not help us now however."
Sugawara tapped his foot this time.
"There is little I can do, but the JSDF, now that most, if not all, of Zorzal's agents have stopped causing trouble for them, can offer limited aid with their machines." Pina tapped her food part way through my reply, so I quickly added, "And there is no shame in helping each other. Many hands make the load lighter."
"There are no enemies here." Myui said quietly as the room started to bubble with muttered words. Young or not, it was as if the nobility here were embarrassed into silence by her simple statement.
But while it averted a possible problem for me, her wise words opened another door for those opposed to all of this.
"Speaking of enemies. What of the reports from across the Row Stream? These strange explosive weapons that Zorzal and his faction are making?"
I counted it as a great achievement that I didn't react to that. That was exactly the question we were trying to avoid since it would take the focus away from the refugees, and drag Sugawara into things.
But, Sugawara tapped his foot. He was leaving me to answer. Maybe I could turn it around...
"Since I involved myself with this civil war your Empire is in, the JSDF has told me about that, yes." I nodded, "And it's true. With their tools to see long distances, there are signs of Zorzal building ship yards along the other side of the Stream, as well as evidence of testing these 'black powder' weapons."
"So now, more than ever, we need everyone we can get to defend our lands!"
"We need to be able to use these weapons as well!"
"Our standing troops stand no chance against such weapons!"
I could see Kaine's eyebrow start to twitch, but I looked at her, then to my two coaches. Sugawara looked frustrated, while Pina looked helpless. The situation in here had dissolved in an eye blink, and people were starting to shout.
But words were just air with meaning. I'd cleaned scarier things off my armour after a day in the dungeon.
"I was told." I said, just loud enough so I didn't have to repeat myself and to start drawing eyes towards me. "That all of you here in this room were against the fighting that was going on." I lowered my voice as the overall volume in the room lessened, "That all of you rejected Zorzal's warmongering and hunger for violence."
Sugawara ever so subtly facepalmed. Pina just lowered her head to hide a sigh.
"Yet. The first thing I hear, is 'weapons' and 'troops'. This... This attitude. This sudden panic to throw lives away..." I didn't have to pretend to show my disappointment. "Marquis Casel." He was likely one of the oldest in the room with the exception of maybe the head maid Kaine. "If down here, are animals. And up here, are Gods." I lowered one hand to my hip, then put the other near the top of my head, "Where would we be? What would you consider yourself?"
The room was shocked into sudden silence and confusion. But Casel, knowing that I was testing him, answered with, "Above beasts certainly."
There was a general, though still confused, mumble of agreement. So I turned my head slightly to the one sitting next to him, "Lady Sherry? What do you think?"
"I agree." She said, "We are greater than animals assuredly."
Sugawara looked like he wanted to stand up and kick me. I was about to insult everyone in the room, at least, everyone in the room would think so. But, I hoped at least one person would answer correctly.
"Ma'am Kaine? Where would you put yourself, on that scale?" I asked.
She fulfilled my hopes, and answered, "We are animals." with a voice that spoke volumes of just how little she cared for everyone in the room.
Not quite the tone I would have used, but meh. I quickly had to hold my hands up, to stop anyone from speaking. "That's correct." And I raised my voice just a little more, "If you have a heartbeat, you are an animal. No matter how much you adorn yourself to ward away cold, or arm yourself to protect your body against harm, or build grand structures to shelter yourself and store your possessions. We are just animals. All of us."
"No! We have intellect and culture!" One, genuinely angry said, standing up.
"Yes. We do. So what? Do you not eat? Do you not breath? Do you not bleed? Do you not feel? Every living thing does these things in one form or another, and if they stop, they die. But, one thing, the only thing, that makes us different than a simple animal, is the ability to go against instinct."
I looked at one of them, the one who had shouted about needing 'weapons'. He flinched visibly at my scrutiny.
"I understand your first reaction of wanting to defend your territory. Of wanting something your fellow, if not a friendly, animal has. And that deep down fear that you may lose these things. But, instead of giving into that. Think. Think!" I pointed to another person, "You... You have land near the Row Stream correct?"
"I do, yes."
"And... you! You mentioned this afternoon, you were an exporter of wood?" I pointed to another.
"Well yes...?"
"So, instead of panicking as 'individual animals'. Work together like people." I said, sweeping a hand out to include everyone in the room.
"The JSDF said they would help protect us!"
I stopped cold. No pacing, no hand waving, even my tails stopped moving. Then with a slow turn of my head I looked to Sugawara. Only myself, Myui and Kaine could see the look of naked frustration on his face. But he buried it, but I winked at him before he could start to stand up. I would at least do him the favour of warming up the crowd a little for him.
"We will table the refugee situation then. And I will let Lord Sugawara speak for the JSDF."
With that, he stood up and too my place. I sat next to Pina and before poor Sugawara could start, she mumbled to me, "at least they didn't riot."
Sugawara, since he forbid me from speaking directly about what the JSDF could or could not do, was left to calm the nobles down. But, this was one of the 'paths' we planned. And while it wasn't ideal, and tempers were starting to fray, I'd given him a near perfect start.
With the initial introduction of 'organization', moving what someone had, to someone who needed it, Sugawara built on it with expert ease.
It was a little frustrating as well, to see the change of attitudes between me, a woman, speaking, and their reception of a man at the podium. His words were more readily absorbed, more 'agreeable' even though I was saying much of the same thing.
That aside, the next hour boiled down to sorting logistics. The nobles, under Sugawara's direction and questions, spoke of what they could do without new weapons or the big guns of the JSDF just squishing the problem flat for them.
I knew, or at least, all the things I'd been told by the Commander, Akeno and all the other sources of info I'd had to this point, that the 'peace faction' understood that the JSDF took their orders from home basically as edicts from God. Only extraordinary situations would cause them to break the peacekeeping 'strike second' stance they had.
Within that hour, supplies were negotiated, space was allotted, workers and craftsmen were promised, and the beginnings of an all out effort, with Pina stepping in as well, were made to form a coastal defence.
My speech about animals inspired people to come up with new ideas as well. One person likened a boat to a large waterfowl, and another suggested ways to trap the boats with rope or nets hidden in the water. The Balista, the massive crossbow emplacements on Italica's walls, were suggested as well.
But, once the conversation had gotten well and truly rolling, everyone seemed to have forgotten about me. Suited me fine, and without a single eye looking my way, I left the room. This wasn't going to a be a one day discussion, but for the moment, my part was done.
Once out of the room, the air of the hallway feeling tasting sweet compared to the large but not well ventilated meeting hall, I sighed what felt like all the air from my lungs.
"Nya-t very dignified, Lady Kodori." Persia said from beside me with an ever so slight chuckle at my expense. Apparently she was guarding the door, a cart of water jugs and mugs next to her.
"I promised not to just fix the problem. And I am starting to regret that just a little bit." I said quietly, listening to the babble from the other side of the door. "They might want that water soon. But this is going to take more than one meeting."
"The same room has been set aside for you as last time." She said, "I do hope they stop soon... It is getting close to Lady Myui's bed time." She covered her mouth with a hand, "Mine too..."
"I'll walk in that direction. Let anyone who asks know where I'll be." I felt like yawning as well, but I still had things to do. I gave Persia one last wave, and just because I swished at her tail with one of mine, just to get her to 'eep', and walked down the hall.
When I was reasonably sure no one was following me, I reached under the collar of my nice battle kimono, and exposed a string of glass beads. It was time to get some reports from the others.
NOTES!
Happy new year. A tiny bit early, but still. My new year's resolution? Don't die so I can keep writing. :)
Thank you for reading! And if you want to see any full colour art, join the discord!
aKAQg4bnYu for the discord!
And my actual book, Were Too? is on Inkitt.