Chapter 38: Dealings
A short chapter this time. Sorry y'all had to wait for something so small. However I'm hitting the road tomorrow meaning I can get a lot more writing done when I'm not so distracted with video games and Netflix.
Druella sat within one of the Royal Makai's very special rooms, her mother's personal office, along with her sister Luxure, her father and mother. With them was also one of Luxure's higher ups, Martha the lich. After Martha had given her report of Earth and the disastrous attempt to change her husband into an incubus had passed; they had decided to retire to Lilith's office on the word of Luxure. While Martha was in no mood to be anywhere near the attempted killer of her test subject, she had her obligations to this meeting.
Likewise Druella needed to get back to Lescatie, a message had arrived to her about an attempted attack on Senshire. The attack was supposed to kidnap a few Earth humans and bring them back to the city. Needless to say the attack was an absolute failure and had exposed the fact that the higher ups here knew not only about Earth but were apparently hostile to its people.
Druella of course wanted Earth for the Mamono, but just like with Lescatie you couldn't just take them head on. The report of the automatons and dark elves that had been killed by the Earth humans contributed to this fact.
Lilith and Luxure had both respectively calmed down since the incident with the man Miller; but both still had issues. Lilith was still shaken up over the fact she had, intentionally or not, tried to kill someone! Years and years ago she forbade the killing of humans unless it was absolutely necessary. And now she had nearly broken her most sacred rule!
Afterwards Luxure had pulled her aside, explaining to her that she was severely "out of touch" with the situation that was now before them. And after the stunt she had pulled with Miller she couldn't help herself from agreeing with her daughter. As for Luxure she needed to work with her mother closely, as well as keep an eye on Druella. Her mother needed to be shown that the old ways of being a Mamono just won't work with Earth but also that Druella will be plotting something. Something that could easily end the extremely fragile peace between the two worlds.
She didn't need Druella ruining her plans, but she also needed her close. If it came to it Druella was their most accomplished military leader, if violence broke out she was needed.
And so the five of them began to discuss how to deal with, and work with, Earth. Martha had told them of the weaponry Earth used. Needless to say, if a mere human could take out even an lilim with one lucky shot from a gun, they had to avoid as many violent confrontations as possible.
"It's obvious that Earth holds no real ill will towards mamono themselves, just the Royal Makai it seems; Martha's report told us so." Arthur said to the group.
He continued. "We should send a diplomat to Earth, try to resolve this conflict before it's too late."
Most muttered in agreement, save for Druella, but then Lilith spoke up.
"Who is to be this diplomat?"
"Why me of course." Arthur replied, to the immediate protests of everyone else in the room.
"Father! Husband! My king! You simply can't do such a thing, what if you got hurt or captured?" The four of them cried out, much to Arthur's irritation.
"I don't need to be coddled Lilith, I'm an adult! I may be your husband but that doesn't mean you should control anything and everything that I do. We've been over this, you have to reign in that controlling nature dear. And besides I'd be the most likely to get any headway with Earth. After Luxure's gambit with this Oregon place I'd reckon that a lilim negotiator might not be the best choice. No offence dear."
"None taken father."
"I'd be the highest ranking person within the Royal Makai that could attempt talks with Earth. So As soon as we can, send me to Earth and I'll begin talks."
The group grumbled and complained, but in the end they knew Arthur was right. An incubus hero would be more likely to get talks started than an Lilim. Lilith was still very resistant to the idea, but she knew she was outvoted in the end.
"Very well dear, you and a small group of diplomats can travel to Earth. But I swear if you get hurt, or lost, or sick, or captured I'll tear a swath across Earth in order to find you! Got it!"
Arthur smirked and rolled his eyes as he said "Yes dear." The meeting continued for another few minutes before it was adjourned. However all were ordered to stay within the Royal Makai for now. Much to Druella's frustration, she just hoped Lescatie would be alright in her absence.
As for Arthur he was looking forward to visiting Earth. He just hoped the visit would be worth it.