[ - Author's Note - ]
Hello to everyone. Before I get to the poll results I may as well bring up something unexpected; I received a gift work on AO3. Yes, someone made a fanfiction based on my fanfiction. It's an odd thing to see, to be honest. It's called The Real World by Inkscorpion and focuses on Makoto in, umm, the real world. It's a bit surprising to have someone make a work based on my work based on someone's work, but hardly unpleasant.
So, to the poll results on the Best Banner of the Seven Shield Princesses Poll we have sixty one responses.
Tied at the bottom for seventh/sixth place are Prim's/House Fiorire's Banner and Claudia's/House Levantine's Banner at three votes each (4.92%). Fun fact; Prim's was the first I made and Claudia's the last I made. With Prim's I wanted to add symbols that would fit Prim, but also a ruling house that symbolized nobility and kindness; hence the doves, stars and rose. I added the iron crosses to the Levantine banner since it's pulling double duty; it's used by Claudia and Grave both. Yes, we'll get to him eventually. The winged sword was a sign of both martial skill and a connection to the Dawn Templars, which are a religious division.
At fifth is Lulu's with seven votes (11.48%). With her I wanted something that showed off the forging aspects of her character (Hence the hammer, tongs and anvil) but I also wanted something to symbolize strength. I settled on a tree for it in combination of how immovable they are but also as it was more subtle then weapon. I saw the Celtic looking one and knew it was perfect for it. The shield was also going to have a crossed hammer and axe behind it but I axed it (No pun intended) as I thought it would look awkward.
At fourth we have Maia's with nine votes (14.75%). While in the visual novel she operates alone for this story I wanted her to have her own mercenary group and didn't want a shield that I was using for noble houses. A rose with a dagger was what I wanted for an image and found a nice piece of clipart; a mix of strength and femininity. The gem the image was set to is a nod to her being a merc. The gem was going to be purple first but I changed it to red in the end and made the flower purple.
At third is Kaguya with ten votes (16.39%). With her I didn't want a shield banner that I've used for the more traditional, European style nobility. I wanted few pieces of Japanese styled imagery. Hence the sun and fan, as well as the kanji. The one on the left meaning 'The Spirit' and the one on the right meaning 'Hope', something that seemed fitting.
At second was Alicia's/House Arcturus' Banner at twelve votes (19.67%). It was a bit busier then other banners as a means of showing the sort of pride Alicia tends to carry herself with with the knight, swords and spears showing her martial side and with the stars, crown and 'A' as a means of showing the pride a bit better.
And of course Celestine's was at first place with seventeen votes (27.87%). I didn't want a shield banner as Celestine is a pacifistic character so I used the soft yellows and pale blue for the outer floral section as well as a white background (Despite the fact on AO3 the typical background color is white). The green laurels were both a reference to the one she wears, but also her being the leader of both the Shield Princesses and the leader of Eostia. The star in the center is a means of showcasing her as both divine, aligned with the light and a powerful mage.
I tried to put some thought into each one; keeping in mind for family emblems that they wouldn't be used by just the character but also their family. I honestly like making the banners; it's like a fun pastime for me. I have one set for a few other characters and organizations; the Dawn Templars, House Galeraven (Thanks to TheScottishlad on AO3 who pointed me to the Coru Cathubodua symbol used in it), Beardsley, Olga and Chole, the Knights of Iris, The Banner of the Odd-Faced God, House Bijoux, House Bludhorn, six unnamed ones for future use plus a version of the Black Dog's emblem as seen on Vult's shoulder. Yes, I made a higher quality version of the Black Dog's banner.
One of the best things about playing in the world of Kuroinu is you can be creative with your world building; there's so little given that you can play around with it a lot. Anyway, let's talk this chapter.
Celestine and James making plans will be the main focus here. I will say I had to pad it out a bit to meet the chapter length I wanted; it's not my proudest chapter I have to admit. But it'll set up the next chapter as well as what I'm sure everyone will be excited for.
The road trip.
Let us begin...
[ - Act II - Chapter II: Planning and Preparation - ]
As Celestine's carriage passed a watchtower the call came out to us that she was around twenty minutes out. As one would have guessed Mungale's forces were the first to get some Voxluxs once I started to mass produce them in earnest. All patrols had at least one, as did every watchtower, the constable and most officers in Mungale's standing army. The past two weeks in particular had been very fruitful because of it; once bandits were spotted it was easy for the patrols to call in for back up and be on them before they could get away. Damage to the roads were reported quickly and people to fix them were sent out in short order. Suspicious travelers were noted and intercepted on route; one large cache of weapons being taken to bandits from the east were already confiscated. In short the Voxlux had doubled (Dad's words, not mine) the security in Mungale.
It had made all the talks with the ambassadors, aides and servants picking up ice cream maker's all the easier.
The one down side was the current ones used lower quality spell stones. The one I had made for Merlin that he used on his trip to Roxford was made of decent quality stones but to make each Voxlux with that level of spell stone would get real expensive, real quick. Even then it's clarity dipped a fair bit. Lower quality stones wouldn't have the same power or range; they could rely on the boosters to get further then the next town over. Still, with a booster to rely on they paid off.
Soon we gathered outside of the manor to await the arrival of the High Queen. My father stood in the center with myself and my mother flanking him on the left and right, my sister flanking me in turn while Gregory flanked my mother. Makoto, Aeris and Tiffany stood behind us to our left, Riri and Sora to the right. The maids of the manor lined up along the sides towards the door as our guards stood in a horizontal line to either side of us. We didn't need to wait long for our guest to arrive, the carriage and escort turning into the manor's walls. They rode along with the escort riding in step with the vehicle as it turned to face the door to us; showing off the Banner of the Seven Shields Alliance.
As one might expect there was a banner used by all of Eostia when operating on business for the whole of the nation and not just one of the Seven Kingdoms. A white ring with a sky blue circle inside; pale gold trim on the inside and outside of the white ring. On the white ring was a wreath in pale gold with the words 'Seven Shields Alliance' at the top in the same color in proud letters.
Inside the sky blue was seven shields arranged two on the top and bottom and three in the center. Each shield boasted three colors; a color for the shield, one for the lettering over it and one that trimmed the shield and font plus a stripe slightly inside the shield's edge.
The upper left was a rich blue with white letters reading 'Virtus' and dark gold trim.
The upper right was red with pink trim and yellow font reading 'Caritas'.
The center left was a deep yellow with gray trim and magenta lettering that said 'Sapientia'.
The center one was pure white with a light yellow trim with a light blue word; 'Unitas'.
The center right one was dark green with brown trim and 'Fortitudo' in light green.
The lower left was dark purple with a deep red trim, it's word being 'Probitas' in black trim.
The final one in the lower right was orange with a dark red trim with yellow words reading 'Fidem'.
Virtus, Caritas, Sapientia, Unitas, Fortitudo, Probitas and Fidem.
Valor, Charity, Wisdom, Unity, Strength, Honesty and Faith; the main values the Alliance does it's best to live by.
I took a calming breath as the carriage come to a full stop, reading myself for Celestine to step out as the door opened.
That's... not quite what happened.
"James!" I heard before I got a face full of Prim. I mean that literally; as soon as the door opened it was Prim who leaped out at me and wrapped her arms around my head and legs about my torso as my face was buried into her tits. I let off a surprised yelp as I staggered back, trying not to fall backwards as I was leaning over while buried into marshmallow hell, arms pinwheeling for a moment before Miria and Merlin grabbed my limbs and pulled me fully upright. Once my stance was stable I wrapped my arms around around her waist and gently tugged to pull my face free.
"Gahhhh!" I let off,shaking my head for a moment. "Prim! Can you say hello without suffocating me?" I asked her as she blushed and giggled.
"Oiy, oiy, don't make him think you're too eager kiddo?" Maia let off as she followed Prim out (By stepping out like a normal person), followed by Claudia then finally Celestine. The three moving to form a line before I finally set Prim on her feet. She was blushing as I wrapped an arm about her hips as I bowed slightly to the visiting guests, as did the rest of my family and the maids.
"Welcome back to my Home, Celestine." Merlin said before standing up fully. "I trust the roads were smooth?"
"Smooth as needed, Baron Merlin." The High Queen said as she curtsied slightly to us. "I do know I am arriving somewhat unexpectedly, but I did say I wanted to discuss the Voxlux more. I do hope I am not imposing."
"We were expecting your interest, given the subject; just not for you to return so quickly." Merlin began as I chuckled.
"Annnnnnd I was talking to Alicia and Prim both about supporting it, so I was hoping for further support." I said as Prim giggled in my arm.
"I see. Well, I trust you've not had further troubles such as what you met at Ur?" Celestine began as my face fell. I knew my fellow adventurer's did as well as Merlin sighed. "...An unfortunate event then?" She asked.
"Yeah. I think it's something best talked over tea and while sitting down." I said firmly as the High Queen just nodded.
[-]
"Unthinkable..." Celestine let off. We had gone to a sitting room and took seats around two tables. Myself, Celestine, Prim and my father at one, My mother, Claudia, Miria and Maia at the other. I had finished telling them about poor Peter, the circlet and what it did. Celestine kept a calm face the whole time but her eyes took on a saddened tone to them. Claudia looked disgusted as did Maia. Prim was more openly horrified and paled by a good shade. "Simply unthinkable..."
"Sadly, someone thought of it." I said with a sigh, sipping on my tea. "Honestly, I think I'd need to tell you about it anyway. Or at least Claudia. I don't have the sort of network needed to nail this guy to a wall, whoever made it."
"I'll have someone look into things once I return to Geofu." Claudia said with a firm nod, setting her own cup down. "You said there was a marker's mark of some sort? What does it look like?" In response I held my palm up and cast Illusion to showcase the mark on it as the Dawn Templar's commander frowned. "I don't know it at all."
"Hmmm..." Celestine let off, looking to the symbol as I projected it over my palm. I gave her a questioning look before she started shaking her head. "I do not know it either, but something of the sigil is familiar. I am sure I have seen something close to it, once. I'll see to trying to remember to what it was once I am back in Ken."
"Someone is real fucked up to pull shit like that." Maia let off with a huff. "Well, you make cool shit though. So, about that..."
"Ah, right. Riri!" My personal maid smiled and bowed before moving out of the room through the door; she already knew what I wanted. "Yeah, I've been making them a fair bit. We ran out of spell stones after the... Six hundredth I think?"
"You made over six hundred!?" Prim let off, gawking to me. Celestine's face, usually calm, went slightly slack jawed and wide eyed as she looked over to me. "That's impossible! The mental exhaustion would-"
"Oh, I didn't enchant each one personally." I told them with a grin. Claudia had also seemed amazed while Maia... Her face was a bit dull, as if it all went over her head. "What I did was I made a device that cast the enchantment for me." There was a long period of silence as Prim blinked at me.
"You... Enchanted a device... That enchants spell stones... for another device?" She let off as I nodded.
"Yup." I said, smiling. "Think of it like the magical equivalent of... A stamp, or a mold. You can reuse to over and over to make the same thing. So I have a device that does the Voxlux enchantment for me, but that's all it does."
"So in other words..." Celestine began as I turned my head to face her. "Your limitations are not based on time, mana or mental condition... But materials?"
"Well, the box does need both time to cast and recover mana between casts..." I told her as I shrugged. "But you can churn out about ten sets every ten minutes."
"That is still an amazing amount of production in so little time." Claudia said crossing her arms as she thought. "Incredible."
"Two hundred are set aside for the Adventurer's Guild as part to getting their help; they promised to let me set a booster on any of their buildings as needed." I said, looking back to Celestine. "As well as selling them some for their use; although I added the stipulation that it was only to be used in Eostia and friendly nations with long standing treaties."
"Hmm... That is a thought that has occurred to me earlier." Celestine said with a slight frown. "So focused can we be on the conflict with Garan we must also think about the potential this device has for peace and negotiation. To directly address the leader of another nation in so quick and casual a manner... The implication has not passed me."
"It can be used for a lot... Or misused, really..." I said with some regret. "As such I've been trying to do what I can add for some security. The current version will show the face of the caller, for example. More over I implemented... Ah, how do I put this... A strict series of countermeasures if I need to turn them off."
"Countermeasures?" Claudia let off as the door opened, Riri coming back in. A series of seven boxes were on a cart she was wheeling in; each sixteen inches by fourteen inches; each with forty five slots for Voxluxs in them; plus one at the end of the box. The bulk of the Voxluxs were made of brass and weren't as wide as previous ones. The one at the top had a silver ring inserted around the lower spell stone.
"Here we go." I said, smiling as Riri moved to lift the first. Celestine's name was listed on it as it was set down on the table next to the High Queen. Riri drew the one with the silver rings and presented it to her. "If you look on the back there will be a 'CL' stamped at the bottom-back of each of those. They're all set to the same batch. Now, look at it and say 'Register' followed by your full name."
Celestine hummed softly and took it, holding it before her. "Very well. Register: Celestine Lucross." She let off as both spell stones flashed briefly.
"Celestine Lucross; recognized." The device chirped in a tone that I would know as a female robotic style of voice and tone. "Administrative privileges - level one: granted."
The High Queen blinked and turned to me in surprise as I chuckled. "In short to use these you have to 'Register' with the device. The ones with the silver rings have the ability to control the others to a degree. You can deactivate any in the same batch as long as you have the name of the person using it or track them; an arrow will point you towards them. I considered including the ability to listen in on what people are saying or see what they're doing at anytime, but that seemed a bit too much of an invasion of privacy."
"Indeed... So then, I am meant to pass the remainder out to those under me?" She said smiling softly. I nodded once, smiling.
"We made a large stamp to write out instructions that will be included with each box so you know what you can do with it." I said, smiling a bit more. "So I don't have to explain it to everyone. These are all set up for all Seven Shields. Yes, Prim, you'll have to exchange yours now."
"Awww..."
"Ohh, I got one now?" Maia let off, right after Prim pouted at me. I chuckled as Riri lifted up Maia's box and moved it before her, following with Claudia's and Prim's. It wasn't long before each of them had their own activated. "Cool.. Now I can annoy Alicia from across Eostia!" She let off, looking over hers.
"Maia..." Claudia let off with an amused warning tone.
I chuckled at the antics for a moment. "Ohhh, you can do more then talk to others with it. I added... Some extra features." I told them, looking to Maia. "Wanna help demonstrate?"
"Hmm? Sure!" She said, smiling at me. "What do I do?" She asked, as I pulled my own Voxlux out and sent a command to it with my magic as one of the stones turned on, showing me a small 'screen' that as I turned it to Maia showed a smaller version of her in that moment.
"Just do something interesting." I told her. "That's all." She blinked and shrugged before grinning and tapping her chin in exaggerated thought before grinning at me and...
She then reached up to her leotard and yanking the top to the sides with both hands, letting her breasts bounce free. I blinked at the response as Prim let off a yelp. Claudia sighed, Celestine seemed unaffected, my dad raised an eyebrow, Miria seemed a bit too interested for some reason and my mother...
"Oh, those would be wonderful for raising grandchildren." She let off as everyone gave her a look. "...I'm not wrong and you all know it." She said as Maia covered herself up.
I chuckled and used my magic to give the Voxlux another command before turning it over to face Maia. "Replay last recording."
"Recording?" Maia let off dumbly before my Voxlux projected a rectangular, sixteen by nine in frame size, image of Maia in her exaggerated thought before pulling her tits out. "What!? These things can record as well!?"
"Yup." I said, chuckling. "You can have it so you can see what you're aiming it at or make it so the little image doesn't show up. Harder to aim, but it means it's easier to avoid letting someone know they're being recorded."
"For espionage?" Claudia asked as I nodded.
"Save last recording; Maia's Boobs." I said as the device shook softly in my hand.
"Oh, come on! You're seriously gonna just save that!?" Maia let off, pouting at me.
"I dunno. You seriously going to flash your breasts at random at people?" I shot back as I gave the redhead a grin.
"It would make an effective lesson for her." Celestine quipped as Maia pouted more, crossing her arms under her bust. "It could also be used to record events for posterity. How much can you record?"
"I dunno. A couple days worth at least; I haven't found the upper limits yet." I told them as she nodded once. "It's possible there isn't one but I highly doubt that."
"I imagine it's quite high..." Prim said as she took a moment to think before looking at me. "Do you at least have an idea how far your boosters reach?"
"Oh yeah, we figured that one out at least."
[-]
"Hmm, interesting way to lay out your plan." Claudia said as we gathered around where I set up the map and the markers. I had explained the rings of light representing the range as the four Shield Princesses looked over it as did my father. My mother and Miria stood off to the side knowing they were out of their depth on this one. And Maia was standing by the table trying to pretend she wasn't.
She wasn't fooling anyone.
"In short as long as one booster is in the range of another the signal will be passed along." I began to explain. "While high quality spell stones means you don't need to rely on the boosters to reach across the realm the lower quality ones needed to keep costs down and mass produce them means you won't get very far out of a territory's border without significant quality loss. With this set up you'll get full coverage over Eostia, almost total coverage over Garan as well as a good chunk of northern Balanar, Eastern Dominious, Western Wereagell and Nyaru, the northern edges of the Great Sererian Lake and of the Rycall Republic."
The Great Sererian Lake was a major body of water south of Eostia. Balanar hugged it's west coast as well as a solid chunk of the northwest part of the lake; Eostia's Duchy of South Point bordered to the east of this section. The Rycall Republic was a nation to South Point's east in turn and was situated on a peninsula that split the Great Lake between two halves with a narrowed section almost smack dab in the middle of it. The lake had a large river to the west that ran along the continent as a trade route and acted as a border for Balanar's southern border, separating it from her rivals across the river.
While Balanar was a rival to Eostia the Rycall Republic was a stanch ally. The Republic was based on a representational voting system where their realm was divided into twenty five territories with each electing a representative called Councilors and from among their number they elected a leader; the Prime Councilor. The only ones able to vote were land owners who owned land of at least a certain size and there were imperfections in their system but it was one of the most stable democracies around Sererus.
"I mostly approve of this set up. However, I believe two more should be added." She said, reaching out and picking up two unused markers and moved them... And made me blink where she set them. One in the north on the southern border of Caul, one of the northern slave Baronies and the County of Xenera in the south... also a slave state. I think my surprise at her choices of additional points were plain on my face as she spoke up. "While I too would not wish to involve the slave states the fact is if I were to not allow any or too few slave states to be among those to receive the first boosters once they are placed there would be calls of... favoritism that would cause trouble down the line." She said calmly.
Ah. I see. We have to give them a bone to chew on, otherwise there would be bitching. On top of the Hol'canna one that would be three boosters in slave states and aside from the one in Smol were as close to our borders as possible. It made sense. I didn't like it but it made sense.
"Sure, that's no big deal, I guess. I have enough spell orbs to make them all." I said, nodding. Now, to get myself in a position to be on the road. After all I wanted to get out and into the rest of Eostia to take it's measure and start looking for this 'Black Storm'. "I want to set up the first lot myself; make sure it's all working as it should and to be on hand to adjust as needed."
"I agree." Celestine said without missing a beat. I was surprised at that; I would think she'd want the boosters split between different people to install them faster. That she agreed so quickly made me wonder what she had in mind. "Although under a condition. I would have you escorted by each of the Shield Princesses as you tour their kingdom."
"Huh? Wait, really?" I let off, blinking at her. That seemed... Excessive. All seven of them had duties to attend to; glad as I was for it being personally escorted by any one of them seemed overkill. Hell, that would mean the High Queen herself would be escorting me by that logic. "Not that I would turn it down, but that seems to be an excessive escort."
"Normally, yes." Celestine said smoothly. "However it is clear your invention is both realm changing if not world changing. Aside from the importance of your safety in this endeavor I feel it is both a means of establishing to the rest of the realm both how serious we are of establishing this new means of communication. In addition it is important that we tour the regions we protect now and then to better understand the needs of our peoples; this is an excellent opportunity to do so."
I had a feeling there was something she wasn't tell me but I had an idea of what it was she desired, if not why: my favor. If I were a bit cockier I might take it as a sign of interest in me on a more romantic or carnal manner but I wasn't. Maybe she was hoping I'd make more fun toys she and her people could use or maybe she thought that the Voxlux really was that damned important but she wanted my favor in her and her fellow Shields.
Regardless of her real reasons the fact was I needed to court their favor in turn to deal with the Black Storm when it came knocking. Whatever reasons she had for wanting to gain my favor and friendship the fact of the matter was I wanted the same of her. Coincidentally her aims played into my aims and I saw no reason not to agree.
"I would feel safer with the Shields with him." My mother spoke up, fretting once more as she bit her lip. "After what happened with Halbert I would hate for something else to happen."
"I don't think I'll run into two asshole butlers like him." I said deadpan.
"Be that as it may..." My father said, lifting a hand to cut off anything else my mother would add. "There is benefits to all sides to this arrangement."
"I can't help but agree to that." I said with a nod as Claudia smiled to herself.
"Indeed. When will you be ready to ride?" She asked me as I thought.
"Well, it'll take most of the day and part of tomorrow to ready all the orbs. Assembly of the boosters should be finished that evening or the day after." I mused. "Assuming nothing comes up we can roll out on the weekend."
"Ahhhh, no..." Miria said firmly as she gave me a look. I was confused before she spoke up once more. "The Fair is this weekend, remember?"
"Wait, that's this weekend?" I let off in surprise as I looked up in thought. "... Crap, did I loose track of time on that?"
"You have been busy, Son." Merlin said with a chuckle as he started to hold out fingers on a hand as he listed things off. "The Ice Cream Makers, the Voxlux and boosters, helping Regina with her new business, sparring with Gregory, your usual adventuring..." He let off a chuckle as he crossed his arms, one hand moving to stroke his beard. "You've had a lot on your plate recently."
"...Yeah, I guess I've been almost all go for the last three odd weeks, huh?" I said, sighing a bit before turning to Miria. "Sorry."
"Ahh, it's fine. I shoulda brought it up earlier..." She said with a wave of her hand.
"I guess you've been at the range for most of the last few days then, huh?"
"You guys have a Fair going on?" Prim said, blinking to us as she looked around.
"Oh, right. The Mungale Fair; hosted once a year." I said, smiling to them. "There's a lot of little games, booths set up with things to buy, lots of food and a couple of small tournaments. The Guild hosts a large poker tournament each year, there's an arm wrestling contest, a chess tournament, at least one drinking type game a year and the main attraction; the archery contest which Miria attends like it's a religion."
"Two time champion, soon to be three time!" She proudly said, patting her chest with an open hand. "You can count on it."
I nodded and smiled to her before looking back to Celestine. "It why I'd like to bring her with my escort. I think I'll bring my usual group with me as well."
"I'm sorry to say, but no." Merlin said before anyone else could interject. "Remember; Tiffany is here to protect her from... Certain political elements. There's not much harm in her going west of Mungale, but not east."
"Ah. Fair point..." I admitted after a moment.
"Take Ur'Akara with you." Saxon said, as she looked to me then Miria. "She's Miria's maid and not a bad fighter in her own right. No reason for her to not go." She said as I nodded before looking back to the High Queen.
"So, Myself, Miria, Ur'Akara, Riri, Makoto and Aeris then." I said as she nodded.
"I see no issue with such a group. As for this Fair, when is it?"
"Two days from now, Your Highness." Merlin replied as she nodded.
"Then I see no reason not to remain and enjoy this little Fair. It's been too long since I've partook in such an informal event." She said as Claudia frowned a bit.
"While I too would like to join, I must return to Geofu to make ready." She said as I nodded to her.
"Before you go, I'll get another Voxlux with higher quality stones to go with you. You'll want one for Klaus, right?" She looked to me in surprise before smiling brighter.
"Yes. Thank you... It feels as if I am away from him too often sometimes..." She told me bowing her head softly.
"Me and Prim will hang here. A Fair sounds like fun, and I wanna see these drinking games." Maia said, raising her hand with a grin.
"D-did you just speak for me?" Prim stuttered out, turning to face her fellow Shield.
"Oh, you wanted to go home instead?"
"N-n-no!"
"Then just smile and nod." Instead of that Prim crossed her arms and huffed, although with a blush on her face. Celestine smiled at the antics of the two, smiling softly before looking to Claudia.
"You may take your leave as you wish. Ride with three of the escorts." The High Queen said as her commander nodded.
"And on that note..." Merlin said pulling his Voxlux out and used his magic to call someone, Sora's face projecting above it. "Sora; ready three quarters for our guests, plus to house and stable the High Queen's escort and their horses. We'll be having company for awhile."
"Yes, M'Lord." Sora said before the image vanished.
"Oh, these things are gonna be so handy." Maia let off with a chuckle.
"It's been pretty useful, yes." Merlin said as he nodded. "It's allowed us to deal with bandits much easier then usual to start with."
"Oh, Mungale has a banditry issue?" Claudia let off, blinking at him.
"The subsidized version." He said with a soft huff. "We know who is subsidizing it, but we can't prove it of course. Of course with the ability to rapidly call for back up and report sightings we've significantly reduced the issues."
"I know of a few other provinces with 'subsidized banditry' that would benefit from this." Claudia said with a nod. "Before I go I would like to hear more about this."
[-]
"I'm a bit surprised four of you guys showed up, to be honest." I spoke as I walked along the small garden in the back of Mungale Manor. On my arm walking with me was, of course, Prim who smiled up at me. She giggled and nodded, stroking my arm softly with hers as we walked along.
"Celestine is serious about the Voxlux; she thinks it'll change Eostia for the better. But enough about that..." She said, squeezing my arms softly. "That deal with the circlet... How are you feeling really?" She said giving me a serious look as I sighed.
"I'll be fine, really... Not saying I won't be thinking of it for awhile, it's just..." I let off, pausing to find the words for a moment.
"It's just...?" She let off to prompt me on. I sighed deeply before speaking.
"It's... Kinda disturbing that someone could take the same set of abilities I have to make what could be called a cursed item." I told her, feeling my shoulders sag a bit as I spoke. "I mean yes, it can be used to enhance weapons and make things to use in combat... But it's one thing to make a sword shoot fire; it's another to deliver such... mental torture..." I let off with a shiver. "I can't imagine what he went through; he had to have been wearing that thing for weeks maybe..."
"I can't imagine it either... It's really sad..." Prim said, gripping my arm tighter. "I hope we catch whoever made it..." She let off with a sighed before biting her lip softly. "On a brighter note; we've been making a lot of ice cream at home. All kinds of flavors... Although some are weirder then others..."
"Please... Don't tell me... Bacon flavor?" I let off as she shivered.
"Yeah... It... Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be... But I'll not have it again." We shared a bit of a chuckle at that as I shook my head.
"Yeah, we had Ur'Akara come up with the idea here too. She loves it. No one else does." I told her as we shared another chuckle with one another. I pulled her closer to give her forehead a brief kiss making her flush up as we moved closer and closer to the fenced in area that the horses roamed in. I was about to speak up again but was interrupted.
"Oiiiiiiy!" We jumped slightly as we started to turn to the caller only for an arm wrap firmly around my shoulders as I felt weight pull down on it, Maia sticking her head around me a bit to smile at me and Prim both. "You lovebirds enjoying being all kissy kissy?" She let off at us as Prim pouted.
"What? Jealous?" I teased back with a grin as I shrugged. I wrapped my arm about her waist as she chuckled.
"Depends on what you're packing." She shot back without missing a beat.
"Usually a rapier." I said with a shrug.
"Oooh, you like... Deep thrusts huh?"
"I'll let you come up with your own conclusion."
"You guys..." Prim let off with a pout as I chuckled, rubbing the side of her hip a bit. "Anyway, what brings you over here, Maia?"
"Awww, don't like me taking up time with your boytoy?" She let off teasingly as I rolled my eyes. "Joking aside, I had an actual question for him."
"Oh yeah?" I let off, turning my head to look at her.
"This Fair. What do you plan to do during it? You going to compete in something?" She asked me as I thought.
"Well, cheer Miria on of course." I told her. "Before that see what there is to see, so the usual."
"Sooooo..." She drawled off grinning up at me. "You'd have time to show me and Prim around is what you're saying then?"
"Huh... I guess I would, wouldn't I?" I let off musing. "Hmm. Come to think of it, there is something I do need to check on, if you ladies want to come along with me."
"Oh? What's that?" Prim asked as she looked up at me.
[-]
The Frosty Bull was not a good name for an ice cream shop so myself and Regina had, for about an hour, talked over what names we could give it. The Frosty Cone and Frosty Bowl came up, as was The Frosty Sweet and Frosty Stripe. Deciding we didn't need to stick with 'Frosty' in the name I suggested the Chilled Sweet, Chilled Cone as well as the Creamy Dream.
She loved the Creamy Dream as a name and went with it. With Maia and Prim in tow (And two Dawn Templars following us) I walked to the Creamy Dream and paused to look at it. It was painted with white and red vertical stripes to the roof which was repainted to red as well. I didn't know who made the hanging sign that said 'The Creamy Dream' hanging off of it with a bowl with scoops of ice cream in it and with a bowl but it looked cool.
I walked inside and looked about, the girls following me in, the escort stepping inside and flanking the door. Prim had gotten some looks; almost no one knew who she was by sight but knew by her outfit she was important and that two Dawn Templars were with us meaning she was really important. The two tables were there, painted pure white with red chairs at them, and red stools at the counter. Two of the manor's maids were helping put things away as Regina was making a batch of mix on the stove. "Regina! Girls!" I called out, Prim and Maia looking about as they took in the small shop.
"Mlord! Or should I say M'land lord?" Regina joked to me as she gave me a wave. Regina had a new outfit made for her new work; a red, cropped, sleeveless vest with the front shaped like a heart with her cleavage showing and a matching, tight pink miniskirt with a white belt around it. A set of two inch heels that were white with red laces and white, detached cuffs around her wrists. Add in a white, detached collar with a red bow tie.
"Heya Regina, is everything set up?" I asked her. I could see the ice boxes made for the fresh and frozen items. I made them for her the other day; I had everything else set to go so I had the time to make them. She nodded to me with a grin.
"Just in time for the Fair. We'll be bringing the maker down with a small booth to the Fair; I'm glad we got it all set up in time for it." I nodded at her report... And didn't want to mention that I nearly forgot about it. She then blinked as she finally took note of my company. "Is that...?"
"Prim Fiorire and Maia of the Shields." I said moving to sit down, gesturing as the girls sat to either side. "Care to show off your cones?"
"Asking her to flash you? Yeesh..." Maia let off as she smirked at me.
"Not those cones." I said sternly as I rolled my eyes. Regina let off a chuckle.
"Three cones, coming up." She let off, smiling and moving to the frozen one. She had several of her waffle cones pre-made and with a metal scoop started to fill cones with chocolate ice cream; two each. She'd pass the first to Prim, the second to Maia and the last to me. The girls looked confused for a moment before they saw me starting to lick at mine before shrugging and following my lead.
"I still can't believe you came up with something like this, ya know?" Maia let off as she enjoyed her own frozen treat as I chuckled. "It's kinda amazing."
"Thanks." I said as I took a small bite of my own desert. "Place will be fully open after the Fair, so with luck there'll be a lot of business right after."
We made small talk as we ate our treats as Regina and the maids did their work.
[-]
Mungale Manor
Miria's Quarters
"You've been working hard, huh Mistress?" Ur'Akara let off, rubbing at Miria's shoulders and back firmly with her hands, rubbing in the massaging oil. Miria let off a soft mewl as she nodded, laying down on her bed.
"I do wanna win that tournament after all." She replied, fully nude as her tail swished behind her softly. Like James, Miria's room bore a skylight. Unlike his room hers boasted a series of stuffed animals on the wall; a deer's head with twelve points, a bear's head and an entire fox. Her most prized one was, oddly, a squirrel she killed with a sling. It was her most prized one because it was her first kill on a hunt.
While most Catalan's on the plains south of the Great Sererian Lake learned how to hunt starting at the age of eight she was exiled and was forced to survive on basic forging skills to find edible fruits and berries but she would always be chased off by other tribes. Even when she caught something to eat it was small and she barley knew how to cook or prepare it.
While her birth grandfather did what he could to teach her she was unprepared to take care of herself and collapsed in hunger by a road. She cursed her mother for convincing the tribe to abandon her. She cursed her father for siding with her. She cursed her tribe for agreeing with them both and their Zon'ka, their chieftain for agreeing with all of them and saying, to her face, her exile was overdue.
Had Merlin and Saxon Noxdecus not been on that road, had the latter not seen her pink hair among the grass she would have died of hunger and heartbreak. They took her in and nursed her back to full health and after hearing her tale adopted her on the spot.
She was whisked away across a lake and into a strange new land where instead of hide tents and constant moving to chase game was the life it was now stone walls, strong roofs and farmed food on the table. Instead of a tribe sneering at her and wishing to just be done with her and her odd eyes it was the kind smiles of a new mother, father and brother accompanied by those of servants and guards alike.
In a way Mir'Miria had died that day on the the side of the road, but Miria Noxdecus rose into her place. And with a basic leather sling and a small stone she stalked that squirrel along the manor grounds for an hour before beaning it in the head and killing it in one shot; an old rite of passage; her Uan'ta, first hunt. Sure, most Uan'tas would have you hunt something a bit larger and eat it, but she wasn't in a position to be picky at the time.
And it's not like she didn't learn how to bring down bigger game later in life either.
She groaned out a bit as Ur'Akara worked her hands down to her lower back now, rubbing the oils into her skin. She wasn't sure why the other Catalan decided to become a maid, let alone her personal one, but was glad she did. It was... nice to be able to speak with another Catalan after so long, even if her tribe did all they could to sour her on many of their traditions. The pair had even gone on hunts with one another.
"What are you thinking of, Miria?" Ur'Akara asked after a moment as she started to work down her mistress' thigh.
"Hmm? Oh..." She let off sighing a bit as a tense muscle was worked under the maid's firm hands. "Just... I was just thinking... It sometime feels weird... Going from a tribal girl to a baron's daughter, you know?" She said, mewling softly as her leg was worked further.
"Hmm, it is a change for anyone, I would think." She said, moving to the other thigh, working it with her hands. "You've had sex with two people now! By the Ur Tribe's standards you'd be a prude!" Miria snorted in reply.
"And by the Mir's I'd be pervert for daring to lay with a woman." She let off, sighing once more. "...Is it weird? That I let Tiffany seduce me like that?"
"Bah! The Ur held all female orgies, you know?" The Ur Tribeswoman giggled out as Miria looked back at her in surprise. "And all male ones too. Really, love isn't limited to one person. Your brother has lain with, what, a dozen women by now?"
"Yeah, give or take... ... I just... I do want to... Sleep around and experiment a bit, I just..." She sighed once more, her tail whipping slightly in agitation as she thought over her next words. "I guess I'm... Kinda scared, ya know? Not of sex but what people will think of me for it."
"Makes sense then why James and Tiffany are who you'd sleep with." Ur'Akara said as she moved down to her calves, working on one first. "Neither are the type to judge, are they?"
"Hmm..." Miria replied as her other calve was worked. "I guess not." She mused out as she waited for Ur'Akara to finish. Oddly once she did the other Catalan didn't move away from her but back up, straddling her calves before moving a hands to her ass, pulling a cheek aside as two fingers were set to the Noxdecus' sex. "Ah... Akara?" She let off, looking back at the blue haired catgirl who smiled back.
"I will not judge either." She said, smiling as she pressed down gently enough to add pressure but not enough to part the pussy lips of the pink haired catgirl. "May I?
Miria bit her lip in thought, hips squirming for a moment before nodding and moving her legs to lift her hips just slightly. "Sure... I trust you."
"Thanks." Akara let off before softly driving her fingers up into Miria. "He he he... We can play more another time if you like but for now... This should help relax you niiiiice and good..."
Miria moaned out as she let Ur'Akara work her folds with two fingers, shivering a bit as she looked back. "Fuuuck..." She let off as her pussy squeezed down to milk a cock that wasn't present. She rocked her hips gently as she panted slowly under her.
"Mmm, he he. We should do a threesome with James sometime." Ur'Akara mused as her fingers moved in deeper, curling them inside of her and dragging them back and forth.
"Ahhh, ohhh... Th-think he'd like that?" Miria let off as she rocked her own hips back. "It sounds fun..."
"Hmm, I think we'd all like that." Ur'Akara let off, giggling as she moved her fingers with a bit more force, licking her lips. "Is that good?"
"It's good, it's good..." Miria let off, mewling as she rolled her hips in a circle panting deeper as Ur'Akara's thumb moved to press softly in her clit, her digits pumping a little faster as her other hand squeezed on her ass a bit more for a better grip. "Oh fuck..."
"He he he, nothing like hearing someone moan in pleasure, you know?" The maid let off, smiling down as her mistress shivered under her. It wasn't much longer before Miria gave out a long, drawn out squeal as she came; her sex squeezing on the other Catalan's fingers as it squirted gently. Akara giggled and slipped her fingers out, taking a moment to sniff at them then lick them as Miria rolled over.
"Whew... That was good..." Miria panted out as she smiled. "Ah, should I... Um..."
"Next time." Akara said with a giggle and a wink, giving her mistress' ass a soft pat.
[-]
Claudia had left early in the afternoon for Geofu. I had, of course, given her another good quality Voxlux to give to Klaus before wishing her safe travels. Celestine, Prim and Maia had been given rooms for their stay; even if it was for a few days having the High Queen stay with us was kind of a big deal. Father decided not to let everyone know she would be attending the Fair; it would be a good surprise and keep too many people from swarming her, he hoped.
I was also satisfied with the Creamy Dream's readiness for the fair. As it turns out the bar had an old booth used for previous Fairs that was fixed up, repainted and readied for what was coming. Two of the maids would be manning the booth with her, so I was satisfied there would be no issues.
Dinner was a simple but well made affair of roast beef, mashed potatoes, salad, gravy and ice cream for dessert (Which Celestine audibly enjoyed once more) with good conversation. Celestine was surprised at the idea of ice cream in an edible container of any sort which led to explaining Regina, her new business and my dealings in it. I had been thinking of other businesses I could start up and came up with a blank so far; I needed some sort of inspiration I think.
What I needed was to make an invention from my old world that was useful to most normal people, uncomplicated enough that I could figure out how to replicate it from memory and that I could replicate without relying on spell stones. Then I can sell it like the ice cream makers and make mad cash.
Speaking of spell stones; Prim had promised to help with the Voxluxs by vowing to supply me with more; Ur had one of the most notable spell stone quarries on the continent after all. That would mean production could resume with ease and with the maids having everything they needed to make them I didn't even need to be present for the things to be churned out.
Speaking of Prim when I had a private moment with her I asked her to my room that night once she had a chance to get away. I didn't need to explain why, given her blush. Once I was back to my room I undressed down to my underwear and as I waited I took a moment to think about something I've kind of been trying to ignore for now.
Harems.
While socially acceptable in this new world I was in and while I was expected to have concubines given my position I wasn't fully sure about it. I mean so far, as far as I could tell, no one cared that I'd slept with like a dozen or so girls. Hell, Prim openly told me I could marry multiple girls as long as she was one of them. Was there a mindset of sharing love? That a husband that could take care of more then one woman was more desirable then someone who'd settle for one?
Sure, in my old world there were a few people who, for whatever reason, (Usually but not always religious) were in a multiple person marriage and as long as everyone in the relationship was fine with it then whatever, they could do it as far as I cared but it seemed odd to be given a goal of 'build a harem'. Hell, it was my second main objective right behind Save Eostia. Hell, this weird RPG system I was in was subtitled Harem Quest. I really had no idea on what I was getting into, did I?
How was I going to juggle all of this? For the moment my musings ended as a knock sounded on my door. "Enter." I called out as I turned to the door.
The door opened and Prim slipped in, back turned to me as she shut the door and locked it. She took in a breath before turning to face me and blushed as she saw me. I waved her closer and she walked right over to me as I kissed her lips and pulled her into my arms, lifting her up so I didn't need to bend over so much. "Mmmm, I missed you." She let off as I chuckled.
"It wasn't that long ago since we last spoke before you arrived." I said to tease her carrying her to my bed as I sat down, setting her on my lap sideways as I held her to me. I patted her thigh as I smiled. "But it's always nice to see you too, Prim." She giggled and kissed my cheek before I caught her lips, giving her another firm kiss, one hand moving up to cup her breast. Once my thumb found her nipple under her tiny top I pushed down on it softly as I groaned into her mouth as she moaned into mine.
"Mmm... A-as much as I wanted to say it was just to talk to you the truth is, umm, well..." She let off, squirming on my lap a bit as she leaned into me, quivering as I softly toyed with her nipple. "I wanted to do... that again."
"Have sex?"
"It sounds embarrassing when you put it like that!" She let off, blushing and covered her eyes with her hands in a rather over-dramatic fashion. I chuckled a bit at her as I started to pull her 'dress' down her body as I kissed her once more, groaning into her lips. Once I had the chance I pulled it over her hips and down her legs. Once her dress was off I moved us onto the middle of the bed and laid us down.
I gently worked her panties down to her mid-thigh before setting two fingers to her sex, stroking it lightly. "It's okay to want something, you know?" I told her kissing at her cheek next.
"I know... It's still embarrassing though..." She let off cutely as she squirmed next to me, making me chuckle a bit as I kissed at her ear next, moving my thumb to her clit and stroke it gently. She moaned out as I softly worked her sex her hands finally moving from her face as she moved them down to my underwear, softly tugging them down and freeing my stiff cock. I groaned softly as she took hold of my member, stroking it slowly but firmer then I expected as she turned her face to smile at me before moving to kiss; myself moving to return it.
Feeling her explore my dick with her hands I started to slip two of my fingers up into her pussy, wriggling them in as I groaned softly into her mouth. She was as tight as I remembered, so I knew it was best to take my time and work her with my fingers; loosen her up and get her ready for my cock. I drove them up deeper and deeper into her sex, moving my lips towards her ear and sucked the lobe into my lips, suckling on it softly before nipping gently as she arched her back softly.
For a good amount of time that's what we did; myself thrusting two fingers up into her sex, making her squeal and moan next to me as her hands stroked my shaft, making me groan and shiver softly. Soon I had my two fingers all the way inside of her, down to the knuckles. I held them in there and rocking my thumb over her clit making her gasp out, shivering hard next to me as she gave off a gasp, followed by a squeal, followed by a long, drawn out moan as I felt her sex clench down on my and squirt softly into my hand. I chuckled a bit as I enjoyed her scrunched up, close eyed face as she rode her pleasure with an adorable look.
I slipped my fingers out of her and let her recover as I gently rolled her slightly to her side before sliding both sets of underwear off, moving to spoon her from behind and line myself up with her; cock to pussy. I rubbed her lower lips, teasing her sex before slowly pushing in, gently burying myself into her wet folds as she mewled next to me. I held her leg under the thigh and started to rock my hips nice and slow, groaning into her ear, panting softly.
Her walls hugged me snugly as I slowly and gently rutted into her, nipping at her ear still before chuckling. Slowly I rolled us over, moving us into doggy style with my hands moving to her hips. I held onto her firmly as I started to rock into her, listening to her moan and mewl under me, pushing up onto her hands as she rocked back. She rammed into me a bit harder so I moved to match her force, groaning over her as I pulled on her hips.
"Ohhhh, I love your diiiiick..." The once innocent (Now not-so-innocent) maiden let off as I rocked myself into her a bit deeper and harder as I looked down to her, panting quicker. She panted quicker as well as I gave her ass a playful, soft swat as she yelped and tightened down on my cock in a pleasant manner. "Ohhh... Yessssssss..." I groaned out once more as leaned my head back as I worked my cock into her, eyes shut for a moment before opening them and...
Saw Miria watching me from the skylight of my room...
I didn't stop fucking Prim, but I put that to being on autopilot in that moment. I gave her a look with a raised eyebrow, doing my best to say 'What The Fuck' with facial expressions only for her to grin down at me like the cat who ate the canary. Prim was moaning under me as she grinned wider.
I guess I was stuck with ceiling catgirl watching me procreate. Great.
"Harder... Harder!" Prim moaned under me as I looked back down doing my best to ignore the voyeur overhead as I slammed harder into Prim, giving her what she was begging for. I groaned out deeper as I thrust into her harder as I felt her clench down on my cock. I grit my teeth as I tried not to cum myself, eyes glancing back upwards...
And saw Ur'Akara had joined Miria in watching what I was doing. And sharing a grin to match Miria's.
For better or worse I came, hard and deep inside of Prim as I shivered over her as I pushed my load into her pussy and womb. I was left panting as I pulled out, Prim rolling onto her side then back. A glance upwards and I no longer saw the ceiling girls watching me ejaculate and I swore I heard a scurrying sound along the roof. I sighed, just happy they were gone before moving to cuddle up to Prim on the bed.
[-]
Breakfast was a fairly normal affair save Celestine's presence. Despite offers she insisted she didn't need anyone to bend over backwards for her and by mid-morning everyone had started to relax around her. Mostly what broke the ice was I told a somewhat off color joke about her breasts that shocked half the table but got the High Queen to laugh. Once they figured out that, yes, this woman had a sense of humor and humility (As I had suspected) everyone had fully eased up around her.
I think the only two people (Aside from Celestine) who found it funny before the high queen herself laughed were Miria and Tiffany, but Merlin had a small smile on his face too. I think he worked out what I was aiming for. I think the only one who remained offended in the aftermath was Aeris, and even then she stayed silent on it and seemed to absorb the joke in good humor. Most of the talk was on the upcoming Fair. As it turns out half the reason I forgot about it was simple; no one decided I needed a reminder. I was working on something much bigger and no one wanted to distract me. I didn't know if I should be to be upset or not.
After the meal Miria excused herself to the targeting range to practice, Saxon wanted to get ready for the wrestling contest (Sadly they were gender divided; I sorta wanted to see who'd win between her and Gregory) and Merlin was preparing to be the host. I offered to assist but was told to focus on the boosters although that had Prim quickly offer to assist me. Celestine asked if she could oversee my work and I decided to accept both offers.
At least Celestine was honest about her role; Prim was a little bit of help but this part was less 'magic' and more 'elbow grease' as I had to set the now enchanted spell orbs into place on the pre-made brass constructs and secure them. Unlike the one on the roof of Argon's Adventurer's Guild these were designed to fit into a combination of inverted V and flat brackets so I could pick what I'd need to fit them on whatever roofs I'd put them on.
The best part of it all was, really, the company. Prim wasn't much help but her holding things steady did speed things up, and small talk with her and Celestine made things go a bit faster. In the end however there really wasn't much going on.
That would come soon with the Mungale Fair.
That would be fun to watch.
[ - Author's Note - ]
Well... That was a chapter.
I'm a bit disappointed in myself. I knew what I wanted to finish in this chapter and what I wanted to have for the next but I finished what I wanted for this chapter quicker then I expected. I aim for 12k-13k words per chapter, but this is going to fall short. Well, I had a few over sized chapters before now, so I guess it's fine.
I'm just disappointed in myself; this isn't my A-Material. Let me know what you thought regardless.
I'll make a new poll for the next chapter and do my best to make that chapter better then this one.
Thank you for reading as always. The story is closing in on one thousand Follows; let's see if we can hit it before the New Year comes! I'll also aim to have the next chapter ready for the thirteenth; that will be the six month anniversary of the story after all. Until then!
~~Eostian Scribe