Chapter 84

I didn't know how much time I had before someone would inevitably knock on my chamber door and bother me. So the instant I had closed the door, given it a good listen with my well tuned ears just in case someone was breathing on the other side of a thin wall or something, I took my necklace of sound stones off and clapped my hand over it twice to 'ping' them all at once.

It still wasn't a perfect solution, but it allowed individual people to talk instead of having everyone on one channel.

"Checking in." I said over my palm, "Going to be another day at least."

Ryuu's bead, coloured a nice green, flashed as she spoke back to me, "My team and I have made progress. How are you finding things over there?"

"No one has ended up headless." I replied.

Momiji's bead, a deep red like the leggings of her usual dungeon clothes, flashed next, "I rather like these 'Dark Elves'. They are very polite."

"But?"

"We need more time." Momiji sighed.

Kaede's bead, bright pink like her new sword's edge flickered next, "I like them too. And we only just started. I drew the straw the furthest location."

Delly's stone, almost perfectly clear with a hint of sparkly something in the glass flashed next, "Almost got discovered." She grumbled, "Sometimes I wish I wasn't so exotic looking."

"But we still love you." I said.

"Yay!"

Maki's bead, dyed a pale gold like her fur was silent however.

"Maki?" I double-tapped the bead.

Still no words, but the little glass bead vibrated on my palm for a moment. Just once like she'd pinged me back. She must have been busy then.

"I'm sure she's fine." Ryuu said, "Of us all, she's best suited for this kind of thing."

"I couldn't have adopted a better little sister." I agreed, "I'll keep their attention as best I can, and maybe we won't have to apologize for anything."

All but Maki's bead flashed gently as they laughed at me.

"Just remember, they'll get over the sting of words, but not your temper." Ryuu fu-fu'ed, "Call home, and get some sleep."

"Yeah it wouldn't do if you showed them your grumpy badger look." Delly giggled.

"Your work is the most delicate, Kodori-sama." Momiji added.

"If there are any serious problems, well... Won't really matter will it?" Kaede said thoughtfully, "Anyhow, we're about to get started." And with a little hum, her bead went dark.

The rest of the beads in my hand, save for Maki's, hummed for a half second and also lost their inner glow, and I put the necklace around my neck again.

Just in time too. A moment later, there was a polite but firm tap on my door.

So, I made sure my nice battle kimono was exactly how it should be, and opened the door to reveal an older gentleman. He was slightly taller than me, with dirty blond hair, brown eyes and body that spoke of dedicated military experience. Dressed in the formal robe/toga of local nobility, he had an easy smile set into a weathered face that made me guess he was well into his forties.

"Lord Cicero, was it?" Even if I'd gotten much better with names, very few of the nobility I'd talked to left much of an impression on me. This man though, while he wasn't one I talked to directly this afternoon, had a casual air of authority about him that I couldn't help but pick up on. Similar to the Marquis.

He took a good look at me, smiled just a tiny bit wider, and lifted up both his hands. In one, was a corked wine bottle made of fired clay, and in the other two fancy wine glasses. "Lady Kodori." He greeted, "I noticed you left a little early. I wanted to talk further about the refugees you've got camped at the foot of Alnus."

Ah, so I wasn't as sneaky as I thought, and at least one noble wasn't fooled by my sudden hand off to Sugawara. And unless I wanted to shut the man down, it seemed I was still on the 'clock'. "Any particular place in mind?"

He looked over my shoulder and into my room, then motioned with the point of his chin, "Seems you have a table and two chairs, even a window."

I looked over my shoulder, just for show since yes, it was my room and I I doubted even Kaine herself could have put that in here without me noticing. "Seems we do." I nodded, moving aside to let him pass. "Enter, and be welcome." I added as he crossed the threshold of the room.

"My thanks." He crossed the room, and I notice him looking ever so slightly left and right. My adventuring gear, minus my gauntlets and 'never leave home without it' potion bottle, was all in the Maid's common room, so there wasn't much to see. "Is it a custom to travel so lightly?" He asked, sitting down and placing the two clear glasses down first, then the wine bottle.

"Mostly out of habit. Why?" I asked, sitting across from him, needing to sit far forward in the chair to allow for my tails.

"When I travel, it's usually with a few of my guard, a servant or two, and enough clothes to last a few days. Though, here, it's only two days, not six." He replied, uncorking the bottle, but not pouring. Instead, he gave the wine a sniff, "Not our best wine, but certainly not a terrible one."

He set the bottle down just a little closer to me, and I got the impression he wanted me to pour. I could guess that it was because I was a woman. But, he was my guest, even in this room, and he came here to drink.

So, I picked up the bottle, gave the mouth of it a delicate sniff of my own, "Ah, red, but not a berry I'm familiar with." And filled the two glasses. I didn't drink often, but many of the others in the Manor did, even Bell (though he was more a beer person). My guess was still wrong though, and Cicero laughed quietly as a deep purple, almost black liquid poured out.

"I was here for the exchange you know, and the fellow I drank with guessed the same thing." His laughter faded amicably, "It's from a pulpy berry my lands grow in abundance. Similar to a 'grape' you and the JSDF mentioned from your two worlds. Try some."

Before I did, I held it up to the lantern light that illuminated my room. What ever berry this was, it really was a dark wine. Before I commented on it though, I lifted my glass to shoulder level, and nodded to my drinking partner. I'd guessed right, and this world didn't tap glass together in Toast either. Cicero mimicked my salute, and we both took a sip.

Having tasted things out of Soma's brewery before (not many things, but things all the same) this was... well not terrible. The berry flavour was closer to raspberries, but it was buried under the alcohol content that I estimated around twenty percent. There was also a very mild sulphur scent to it, telling me they knew how to make wine. I mean, REALLY knew. This kind of alcohol content would make crudely made wine smell almost like rotten eggs.

This told me two things. First, this was not a 'table' wine. Serving this with dinner would turn even the mostly level headed nobility here into bar room brawlers in short order. And two, Cicero was trying to be a little more than 'social'.

"What do you think, Lady Kodori?" He asked.

"It shouldn't surprise me that this world has good wine making." I said the first thing that came to mind while I tried to ignore the taste of the stuff. "Though, I'd be interested in tasting the berry before you make it into this." Just to be polite however, I took another sip.

But he could read me, "Ah, not much for the taste I see." He smiled, sipping as well, "Well, if your merchant follows my gardener's directions you may find out in a summer or two. And if my gardener hasn't left for your camp, I might know what grapes taste like about then as well."

Ah, right... Politics. "If I might ask, is your Gardener Human? Like yourself?"

It was my turn to read him, and he was surprised at the question. "Yes he is. Why would that matter? It it weren't for my position, even I might pack up for this world of yours."

"I doubt you'll have any trouble with growing grapes then, I mean, unless your gardener is bad at his job." I shook my head, "The migrating camp at Alnus is almost entirely non-human."

A pause, long enough for me to recall how to remove the sulphur smell from wine. You could use copper in the process someplace... straining it? I'd ask Momiji if I remembered later.

"I wasn't aware. Though..."

"You don't keep track of your people to that level?" I guessed, looking at him through my glass.

"Well, our record keeping isn't as fine as the JSDF, for certain." He smiled, "Ah, I see..." He sighed, "This is our own fault, isn't it?" He looked into his own glass, and while he was quite sober, it was as if he were looking for an answer in the dark liquid.

The reaction honestly surprised me. So much so I nearly slipped forward out of my chair, my tails swishing around to grab the back of it and keep me seated. He was snapped out of his musing, and looked a bit shocked at the sudden motion and me looking a bit embarrassed.

He laughed at the display, and I scratched the back of my head, much like Bell or Issei would. "I feel I've earned that. I used to truly despise the beast races. Most of the nobility do, or did." He said, "While he was alive, I even laughed at Lady Myui's father for having such a... diverse taste in maids."

He held out his nearly empty glass, and I refilled it. "Something changed your mind I'm guessing? I hardly think you'd be sitting with me, if you still thought that way." I set the bottle down and glanced over my shoulder at my tails."

"You certainly can't hide what you are." He chuckled, his statement wrong but I wasn't going to correct him. "Ironically, those same maids changed my opinion. After we, the Empire, subjugated nearly all of the other races, and none but the Warrior Bunnies ever seemed to try and fix that in the last few hundred years... I considered them to be unskilled savages, no better than pets who could mimic civilization."

I felt proud that I didn't even flinch at just how distasteful those words were.

He continued, "During the civil war, I came here to see these JSDF, the people who had shattered the Empire in less than a year. Can you even imagine? An Empire that's lasted for so long, broken and reduced to cowering nobles on one side, and ones too stupid to admit defeat on the other?"

"I can." I nodded, "But please, continue."

"Your little speech about Animals reminded me. Survival. I nearly joined the Oprichinina, ah... Zorzal's personal, political, attack dogs." He quickly added when I raised an eyebrow at him, "My Son did, but he was a grown man, and while I admired his bravery, he wasn't wise enough to see the stupidity of fighting against the JSDF."

I almost offered consolation, but I could only imagine what I would do if one of my own children died senselessly.

"Most of the Peace faction joined the JSDF because they saw, and understood, what would happen if they went against them. And it was because I saw, and understood, that I came here during one of the early meetings under Lady Myui's roof, to discuss the civil war." He smiled, a bitter self depreciating smile.

"I've heard much about that. Change is always resisted more than staying the course." I replied, sipping my wine and wishing the taste would get better.

"It was a dark point for a lot of us. Zorzal had a lot of support, and a great many nobles had their assets taken for the war effort against the JSDF and the ones supporting the peace they were trying to enforce. Mine included I might add. By my own son no less." He sighed, "Of course, with nearly nothing, having just been rescued by the JSDF from getting executed for not going along with Zorzal, I had nearly nothing."

He stood up suddenly, and I hid my smile behind my glass while he did the same two-step-turn pacing I usually did. "I thought, 'oh wonderful, I've lost everything, and all I have to rely on for basically all my needs, are a handful of savages." He motioned towards the door, his gesture clearly marking 'who' those savages were. "But, instead of any sort of disappointment, I was given good food, my handful of clothes were cleaned perfectly, and while my possessions had been reduced to a single room in another noble's house, that room was always clean."

He turned to point at me, "And unless they had something to say to me, I never saw them!" He declared, "That is... Until I realized they were just as good as any of us. And when I realized that, I also realized it wasn't that I didn't see them, I just didn't want to see them."

I helpfully nudged his chair back with my foot, and he sat back down, letting me refill his glass again. "Yes Lord Cicero, this is your fault. The fault of all the humans of this world, though most of the Gods have a bit of blame as well." I said quietly, "The only humans at that camp are likely the few who, like you, have overcome their disdain for the beast races and wish to join them for something better in my world."

It was my turn to do a little 'play', and I stood, wine glass in hand, and did my own two-step-turn pacing, "Those who joined me to find Zorzal's agents found only one common trait among them, and that was they were all beast folk. North, towards the Row Stream, where we found the camp that was making black powder, there wasn't a single human. Here in the city, the hideouts we discovered all had beds with fur in them." One of my tails flopped over my shoulder and I gave it a pat.

I then held up my hand, index finger pointing upwards, "They were so desperate that they risked everything for a chance to fight back. But I saw they would lose." I stopped, sipped my wine, and shook my head. "I used your mistake, and instead of letting them attack, and likely kill many innocent people. Or give them to you and your Empire, where they would all be killed anyhow. I instead decided to remove them from the situation."

I returned to pacing, "The people of my world hold back a disaster that, if left alone, would leave nothing behind. Every day, every race in my world works in some way, big or small, towards keeping that problem at bay." I stopped and looked at him, "So yes, Lord Cicero, I am taking people from your world, away from one war, and putting them into another."

He frowned, "I thought for a moment you were trying to be a hero to them."

"No. I am not their hero. And it's yet to be seen if I'm saving them. But unlike here, there isn't some ruling power or tyrannical leader set on taking slaves or killing any who disobey. If they want to survive, they'll have to work for it. But..."

Yes, dramatic pause, totally ruined by the taste of the wine.

"They will at least know where their enemy is. They won't be oppressed, they won't be stepped on for the profit of another. They will serve a God, or not, of their free will, and in return, they can earn what ever life they wish." I stopped, finishing my glass just so I could stop drinking it.

"A lady with vision. I can appreciate that." He raised his glass to me, and offered to refill mine, not even flinching when I declined. "As pure as your intent however, we still have a problem." It was his turn to hold up a hand to quiet me, "But I support you. This is a mess entirely of our own. And now that I know exactly why you're doing it... in my eyes, all you're doing is taking the ones who we've wronged away from us."

"It's good to hear that. More?" I lifted the clay wine bottle, but he waved it off.

"If I have more, I might start getting other ideas." He smiled at me.

I felt myself blush a little. All of Orario knew I was 'taken', and those who didn't, found my usual mannerisms intimidating. It was rare for anyone to make a pass at me. "My wife would... disapprove." I smiled.

He winked, yes, winked at me, then motioned at me, "Something you said, what sort of disaster is it you face? And wife? That sounds like a story as well."

"Suppose I have time for a bit of a story. Let me tell you about the history of my world as I know it. In short form, since it's late."

Yes, well past bed time, I let Cicero out of my room. Hagane was waiting just outside, sitting like a good Catto, though his hands were playing with some yarn in front of him (yes, cat's cradle, what else would it be?).

Cicero walked down the hall, and after a moment I moved aside for Hagane to enter. "You didn't leave a sock on the door, but it sounded like a private affair all the same."

I might have been a tiny bit drunk, just enough to feel the start of a creeping numbness but not enough for anything else. I,, "Gasp!"'ed theatrically, "You would accuse me of an affair?"

"You are far too vocal to mistake anything of the sort, unless the children are sleeping." He said, "And not nearly drunk enough to forget yourself."

I shrugged, and got back to what I was going to do before I'd been interrupted, but then realized it was far past Haruhime's bed time. So instead of getting my Tarot of her, I just started stripping to get ready for bed, "Very true. Oh here." I untangled the yarn around his fingers, and half filled a glass of wine, "Try not to spill it."

"Ah, soda glass. Something else this backwards world has figured out." He mused as one of his hands held the glass carefully, "It's good your little date earned a bit of respect. That Cicero person is one of the more influential of them."

"Good to know. Try and get a nap if you can. Got another day of this crap..."

I was just finishing my morning stretches when there was a polite tap on the door. I was just about to say something and turn towards the door, when Hagane said, "Clothes."

I paused in mid step, put my foot down, and said, "Just a moment." Hopefully loud enough to hear through the door. This was followed by me hastily putting on my battle Kimono and yawning in the most unladylike way.

Then I opened the door, doing my very best to look like I didn't want to sleep in a little more.

"Ah, Kodori-san." Sugawara greeted me, "I was hoping you were still here."

"I have work to do, where else would I be?" I asked with a smile.

"Considering how early you and your Familia wake up, I could only guess." He said with the slightest of shrugs. He had visited, and seen our morning sparring, "But yes, we do have work to do." His smile faded. "Your antics last night were..." It was obvious he wanted to say something undiplomatic, but he was too professional.

"Above all else, and in my defence, they had agreed. Yes, now they find the price a bit too dear, but they agreed. Where I'm from... Well, you know already." I managed to keep my smile however.

"Ah, Lady Kodori, Lord Sugawara." Pina rounded the corner, dressed in her duellist uniform. Behind her was Bozes, in full armour. Mother or not, she had not slacked at all, and it fit her perfectly. "I was hoping you'd still be here."

"Ah, to be popular." Hagane said, stepping out of the room and sitting like a good catto beside me, "Oh, pleased to meet you properly." He offered a hand to Bozes, who blinked for a moment in confusion, but shook his extended hand properly.

"Your new arms suit you, Sir Hagane." Bozes said with a smile, "M'lady?"

"Yes, we're on a little bit of a time table." Pina said, giving Hagane a headpat without even looking at him. "After breakfast, there's going to be another meeting about your efforts..."

"In an effort to be polite, I'll even attend." I said, though the three of them frowned at me. "I know, I know, I'm supposed to be good. But I plan on escorting those people through the Gate in a little less than four days."

"Understand that I appreciate you even getting out of bed for this." Sugawara said with only a hint of sarcasm, "But..."

I held up a hand to stall him, "I know. I'm doing this to try and help you keep your place here. But I hope you have no illusions on it happening one way or another, right?"

Pina and Sugawara sighed, "We also agreed to help, and we are stuck with that promise. Of all the other dealings you have here, our dealings with Orario have been a huge help. But yes, we must soften their opinion of this."

"More meeting with people then?" I asked.

"This time, we'll be reversing roles and..."

Yes, this time, I was meeting with many of the people who I knew didn't like me. While we (the nobility) ate a buffet styled breakfast of various breads, jams and other finger foods, I spoke with those who I had to 'bribe' with the Lizard Tonic. Also on that list, were some of the... less tolerant people towards the beast folk, and of course, I was on that list. No matter the polite words, I could see it in their eyes.

But it only made me feel better about the whole thing, and I was sure they could see that in my eyes when we spoke. But, some of them were genuine. The sudden lack of people on their lands would mean they would have to work harder, or bring in people, to get their harvests in.

But what could I actually do? In four days, I was going to have those people on their way... And while I didn't say that, I did say I was not expecting the amount of success I was having. A couple of them, like Cicero, caught on that they were to blame. Unlike him however, only one other seemed to be swayed towards my side of things. The others were less happy about it, but most people got upset when you threw their faults back at them, no matter the polite language used.

Speaking of, Cicero came to my 'rescue' (though it would have been to the rescue of the one I was talking to) preventing a shouting match from starting when I offhandedly said, "My success, while surprising even to me, isn't just because Orario is a fantastic place."

The face of the Noble next to me darkened, and he his hand (holding a wine cup with a much milder wine in it) started to lower, likely in preparation to splash me with it. But Cicero appeared, almost as if he were hovering nearby (he was) and said in a pleasant voice, "Lady Kodori. I was hoping to talk to you."

His proximity would have risked splashing wine on him as well, and the Noble backed down, huffing and turning away to be anywhere but near 'the pretending animal'. I glanced upwards at Cicero's face, but he looked down at me with an ever so slightly raised eyebrow. So, I shrugged and let the insult go.

"With the impending attack from Zorzal, dividing us further over this would be... poor form." He said, "And while you have every right to have him answer for his insult..."

For the next thirty seconds, I tried REALLY hard to think of a way to use that particular idea to my advantage. But there was no way me calling him out to combat or debate (the two ways of 'fighting', though Arpeggio told me about 'Debate' being a lesser used form of combat in this world), that wouldn't end with me looking like anything but a bully. Poor Cicero started to look worried, but I gave his arm a friendly pat to ease his fears.

"Have you come up with any ideas Lord Cicero?" I asked quietly.

"Most would leave just as sour a taste in most everyone's mouth. As you've heard by now, there just won't be enough hands to do the work." We walked away from some of the other pairs of people, about the only way to get privacy at an event like this as nobles orbited around each other to converse.

"Most, but not all." I replied.

He chuckled, a pleased laugh that belied his age, "Sharp. Yes. But with the coming crisis, the only one I've been able to think of would be unpalatable."

I pet one of my tails thoughtfully, "That's not a bad idea. But ye... Lady Pina, you look lost."

Pina, who was nearby and lacking a conversation partner, didn't look lost, but it was an easy excuse to get her attention. "Ah, Lady Kodori, Lord Cicero." She smiled a professional smile and bowed slightly in greeting. "I've actually just received a message from the Capital."

"Since you don't look to be in any distress, it isn't bad news I trust, Lady Pina?" Cicero asked.

"Not as such, though..." She leaned in closer, just a little to imply mild secrecy, "My Lord Father is visiting."

Cicero and I had leaned in to listen, then rocked back a little at the news, "Truly? But..." Cicero lowered his voice, "I thought you, Lady Pina, were his voice in this matter. Has that changed?"

"I do not know for certain." Pina shook her head, "I was simply told he would be here around dinner time."

"Whom else have you told?" I asked.

"Only Lord Sugawara, as the JSDF promised to protect my Lord Father, my aide, Bozes, and you two." She said, "Once I find Lady Myui, I will inform her as well, as this is her house, but that is all."

"Is he one for grand ceremony and fanfare?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"He has expressed, quietly, that he is not much for it. And less so since I became his Heir." She admitted.

Both Cicero and I chuckled, "Sounds like Duran." I said with a smile, "Speaking of... Where is he?"

The two of them looked at me, one with a bit of surprise, the other with a hint of confusion. "You sound quite familiar with Lord Duran." Cicero said.

"I helped bathe him and tended to his wounds. If I could chose a grandfather, it would be him." I shrugged, "Lady Pina?"

"Ah, all I know for certain is that his support for you needs no affirmation. That, and his recovering with your medicines, he may not have bothered with the trip here." Pina replied, "I am envious, to be honest."

"Don't be." I smiled, "Duran has earned his time off from all this. I'd still like to chat with him, if only to hear him tell a story or two." I swished at Cicero with a tail, "Did you want to mention your idea?"

"That's right. Your news nearly made me forget." He smiled, "While all of us complain and whine about suddenly not having enough people, I had a bit of a thought... If it wasn't for this silly war we're having with your Brother, we'd have all the people we needed."

Pina looked as if she hadn't even considered that, but once the idea settled in her head, she nodded slowly, "It is a common problem, after any conflict, to find things for the soldiers to do..." She paused, "But..."

I decided to do a little thinking out loud, "Most soldiers fall to banditry when the Lord stops paying them. The losing side suddenly without a means to live. But how might you keep your soldiers happy, when they suddenly stop getting money, and are told to work the fields?"

Cicero and Pina's reactions were very different. One, Pina, I knew had visited Earth. Unless she wasn't paying any attention, she probably had some idea of 'capitalism' and 'everyone working for money'. Cicero on the other hand, probably had no clue. In this world, the 'commoners' worked and sold what wasn't taxed or taken by the Lord to a Merchant, and the Merchant paid tariffs and taxes to the Lord for what he sold. There was really no such thing as 'wages' here. If the Lord saw that the commoners weren't working the land properly... steps were taken to fix it.

In times of peace, the Commoners were usually able to make a reasonable living, save up for winter, earn money from the merchants for things they couldn't make themselves, and the Lord let them be. But in times of war, more money and food was needed to feed the soldiers, and able bodied men were taken from the fields as well. And often, the Lord's demands on his people became unreasonable, or outright impossible, and once again, steps were taken to bridge the gap.

And it was obvious Cicero thought it was impossible, and Pina couldn't think of how to do it herself.

"Well, I for one like the idea, but I know it will be even less well received than over fifty thousand people leaving." I said with a smile.

They both sighed, but nodded, "I must find Lady Myui." Pina said, bowing slightly, "Pardon me."

"I think I'll find Lord Sugawara." I said, "It's not that I find you boring, Lord Cicero, but this idea of yours might be what we need."

"Not at all, Lady Kodori." He bowed, "It may be all the support I can offer past a word or two in your favour, so I give it gladly."

My efforts to find the JSDF diplomat took a little longer than I'd have liked. But, I managed at least one more 'possibly positive' interaction with another of the Nobles. When I did spot him, he was talking to Akira Tomita. The JSDF officer was still 'off duty' and was holding a small bundle in the crook of one arm while chatting quietly with the JSDF diplomat.

Seeing that there was a child involved, I kept my approach quiet and only announced myself with a mumbled, "Gentlemen."

Then I looked at the bundle. Swaddled up in blankets, the dark blond child looked adorable as her sleepy face tried to decide if opening her eyes was worth the effort, or to sleep a little more.

"Huh. Kinda like Shino when she talks about weapons." Tomita said, snapping me out of my sudden (unrepentant) case of baby brain. "Kodori-san. This is Mai"

It might have been my proximity in front of her face, or the mention of her name by her father's voice, but the little child opened her eyes and blinked at me.

I took off one of my gauntlets, and gave the child a tiny nose boop, "Hello Mai, it's good to meet you."

The two laughed quietly, "You weren't part of the trip, Tomita-san, but she has seven children of her own." Sugawara said, "I hope you aren't getting too distracted?"

My finger's proximity to the child meant it was fair game for being grabbed and gummed at curiously, "I was looking for you. You've heard about our incoming Guest?"

"Lady Pina told you then?" Sugawara nodded, "Tomita-san is head of security for the JSDF stationed here."

The mention of Tomita's 'role' here, gave me clearance to talk openly about something Pina had been keeping a lid on. "I'm wondering what he's doing. But kind of wondering what he's like." I thought about rescuing my finger from being drooled on, but couldn't find the heart to deprive her of a new toy just yet.

"I have several guesses, first and foremost wanting to meet an 'Apostle from another world'." Sugawara said, "Or 'the one who beat Rory Mercury'. Or the most recent one, 'the one who summoned the Gods'."

Even little Mai's eyes were giving me an accusing look, though I knew it wasn't directed at me, "You might want to find a spot away from the delicate noses here, Tomita-san." I said, slipping my finger out of a slightly slimy fist, and applying one more tiny poke to Mai's nose.

"Ah, pardon me Sir, Ma'am." And he quickly made for the nearest double door.

I stood up straight and sighed, "I fix problems, Sugawara-san. It's not always the most diplomatic, or sensitive, or what have you. But you must understand my position. I am the strongest known person in my world. I might not be the best dungeon diver, or the best diplomat, or whatever. But I know the Gate can cause a literal world ending event if left alone."

I wasn't sure he could really grasp that kind of responsibility. I mean, as much as I really just wanted to stay home and be a parent and teacher, I knew too much. I made a point of knowing too much. Every single deficiency I could see, I tried to find a solution for. Mostly so others didn't have to, but also because most others didn't understand there was even a problem in the first place.

"I summoned the twins, because they were the most likely to know how to deal with the Gate permanently." I finished.

"But you left them there. To my understanding, they should have left again, like they had at Hardy's temple." His voice, thankfully, wasn't argumentative.

"Education will be the next thing this world needs, in abundance. But, leave that for the moment... Lord Cicero came up with an interesting idea, and we might be able to work it into something usable."

I could tell he wanted to debate with me a little more on the topic of 'Gods and education', but he nodded, "Very well."

About an hour before dinner, the Emperor arrived.

Even with Pina being Empress in all but name, the Emperor was still 'in charge' of the Human Empire. Now, from what Sugawara and Pina had told me, it wasn't nearly as solid as it used to be. Before all of this mess with the JSDF, it had conquered each non-human race it could, installed a Human lord, and soaked up the native populations into either serfdom or outright slavery.

Some of those lords were terrible people. Getting fat of the blood and sweat of the beast race's efforts. This of course put great resentment into their hearts, and of course, that's why there was this problem in the first place.

Now, the Emperor himself, one Molt Sol Augustus was old. Not frail or ancient, but old enough for two generations of these 'installed nobles'. Duran was also one of the 'old guard' in that respect, but like Duran, the Emperor had soften his views a little.

Of course, getting his empire's nose shattered by the JSDF, and then getting poisoned by his son in an attempted coup would bring around just about anyone to the idea they were doing something wrong.

But, holding that power for that long, spoke of a man of keen intelligence. Even with good counsel, Molt Sol Augustus did not strike me as a man who simply 'let things run' as they pleased.

He arrived, not to a huge fanfare or ceremony, with marching bands and trumpeters, or people tossing flower petals and the like. But instead on a nice, sensible dragon drawn wagon with a dozen infantry and four more of Pina's Rose Knights.

The infantry joined the other house guards in mutual patrol of Myui's estate, Molt's colours (Red and royal purple) joining those of the other sashes that distinguished the guards by Noble house. The Rose Knights dismounted, offered their horses (heavy war horses that any man would have been proud to ride into battle) to the house Maids for care and feeding. Those four knights, all unique and confident looking women in proper, though more slender profiled armour, stood a pace away from Molt himself as he exited the wagon.

That single pace, I might add, was about as far as they needed to be to safely draw their swords in case of attack. Ceremonial or not, they knew what they were doing certainly.

And lastly, and most amusing I might add, was the two land dragons who were pulling the wagon. They just squatted down and went to sleep. No one bothered to argue with them either. Then again, they were magnificently taken care of, with perfectly polished scales and smooth gleaming 'bone beak' jaws sanded smooth and sharp.

But before I get to Molt himself... Him arriving with so little flair, and escorted not by his own knights (and I was sure he had them) but his Daughter's order of Rose Knights, was even more proof he was 'in retirement'. Any neophyte politician could deduce that Pina had 'the power', and the Emperor was just 'a placeholder'. It might be a ruse of course, to redirect a little of 'the people's anger' for being mistreated to his Daughter, who was in favour with the JSDF (by association with Itami). But no... He didn't look like that kind of man.

From my perch on top of one of the fortress's walls, I watched Molt exit the wagon. Tall and regal, he still held his shoulders square with pride, even though his blond hair was streaked with grey in places. While yes, he wore a nice purple with gold bordered long coat, a white cape with a crimson lining, and a fur ruff between his shoulders and high lapels of that cape... My adventurer senses marked him as combat ready. He was aware of everything a mortal of his age could be.

But even with those subtle hints of ready hands, smooth left-right swivels of his head to look around, and a firm walk unbent by age... No, he wasn't trying to divert 'danger' towards Pina. He was ready to face it though, should he need to. This 'downplay' of his status seemed exactly that.

Case in point, after greeting Myui, who was flanked by her own 'guard' of Persia and Mamina, arguably the two most dangerous (by my estimation anyhow) maids in the Manor... After Molt started to follow, his own honour guard forming up around him, he turned his head and looked directly at me. It wasn't like I was trying to hide, but I was still impressed by his battle sense. To be fair, I could easily be classified as a predator in this world, and I was looking down on him.

Then someone else exited the wagon. Tall, average of profile, and wearing a masterfully crafted suit of plate armour that even I was impressed with, two things about him made my tails twitch a little. First, was as soon as he took the first step off the wagon, his head snapped towards me, his bright green eyes locking onto me, his long golden hair swishing behind his head in a long impractical pony tail. And second, was an oversized weapon, a two handed great sword that was just as ornate and well crafted as his armour. If it wasn't for the fact that looked like it was made for someone like Ottar, it would have suited him well.

This man was an Apostle.

NOTES!

Dun dun dun... A time for diplomatic failure seems to be imminent. But it was a boring conversation anyway. :)

See you all next time, when I don't have to be so political... Except I still have to be for just a tiny bit longer... Sigh. Hope you all had a good start to the year. :)

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.