Chapter 131

(Raphtalia)

Not exactly refreshed, but certainly re-balanced, Raphtalia returned to her task of getting things in motion so she didn't have to look at them anymore until they were done, or some kind of problem happened. This lasted to roughly dinner time, and just in time for Raluva (or someone he had tasked to do so) to find a nice well appointed place for her. The Heroes, the various loyal Q'ten Lo leaders, the three Generals from Siltvelt and the jaguar woman (certainly not a pirate!) Captain Mirri filed in as quickly as they could once the call went out...

And they all ate together.

Raphtalia was really just mimicking what she'd seen in Melromarc and Siltvelt, getting all the important people in one place on the most basic common ground of 'good food'. To relax a little, lower their collective guards just enough...

It was going well too! Mirri, oblivious or uncaring about the formality or importance of the people around her, told all kinds of stories of adventure on the sea. It wasn't long before the super stiff and formal people of Q'ten Lo relaxed and started to enjoy the novelty, and the three heroes to try their hand at story telling.

But all this was also to wait. And she was glad she did, since Kodori walked in someplace between stories, the shadow of Clive and Usa at the restaurant threshold behind her. She turned to give them both a brief word, a friendly pat, then entered the room properly. She found a spot waiting for her beside Motoyasu, and took it without making a scene, though it would have been impossible for her to escape notice, certainly.

It might have been a little petty, but Raphtalia finally raised her voice a little to get everyone's attention.

"Now that we are all here. I would like to discuss the immediate future of Q'ten Lo."

Why petty? Well, Kodori had only just managed to get tea, but not food.

(Kodori)

It felt almost like Haruhime forgetting to add sweetener to my tea when Raphtalia got everyone's attention. But, after a long talk with her ancestor, something I felt I owed her after getting an honest thank you, I didn't mind at all.

"With the advent of the Waves, I have chosen to put my duty to the World, over the duty of Empress." Raphtalia continued speaking despite a couple of surprised (small, but loud enough) noises. "Failure to defeat the Waves, would mean the end of the world. There would be no point in my duty here should I fail out there."

There was a mumble of agreement.

"However, I won't leave Q'ten Lo without seeing to the needs of its people." She looked to Raluva and the little knot of town mayors around him. "Lord Raluva. Loyalty of you and the other town leaders has been pivotal in the liberation of Q'ten Lo."

We not of Q'ten Lo, watched those of Q'ten Lo bow to Raphtalia, palms to floor, noses to tatami. "We have only done our duty for the Heavenly Empress!"

I was proud of her for not rolling her eyes, though I could see she really wanted to. She noticed me, noticing her, gave me a tiny head tilt, straightened up again, and declared, "You will choose four of the others aside from yourself. Farming, law, domestic, and military affairs will be theirs to oversee, while you will remain as dock-master."

I gave her a nod over my teacup, and she relaxed just a tiny bit. Aha, I was to be the silent mentor.

"I understand the urge to chose those in your favour, but please, choose the best suited for the task." Raphtalia added.

"I will do this!" and somehow, they managed to get even lower to the floor, before raising their heads as one.

"Next. Emissaries of Siltvelt. While I almost feel bad," She didn't feel bad at all, I could see it on her face, "That you and your troops saw no combat, your show of arms went a long way towards that. I have heard nothing but good things about your conduct here." She turned to me, "So I will leave it to you three, and the representative of the Hickwaal Trading Conglomerate, and our dock master Lord Raluva, to open trade again."

I nodded, though I was going to hand that task off to one of Hickwaal's trusted lieutenants in Siltvelt for that as soon as possible.

"This leaves us with one last matter." She looked to me, I nodded, and she went on, "The Water Dragon. As some will know, the current Miko was injured at the hands of Makina. This came shortly after connecting with her long lost older sister, the former Water Dragon Miko. I have heard their stories, and have decided to bring them both with me for a while, allowing them to bond, gain worldly perspective, and return wiser for it."

I could see a little worry over that, but I tapped my still armoured finger against the table just loud enough to be heard over the concerned mumble.

Then Shildina and Sadeena walked in, one supporting the other, the both of them covered in bandages. I'd managed to get a word or two with them before this, and I knew those bandages were just for extreme muscle soreness. But Sadeena understood the idea of getting a little sympathy from the crowd to make this a little easier.

But, accompanying them, floating/flying behind them while wrapped in a telekinetic glow, was the current Water Dragon. He'd returned with S'yne's message to get back here, and we'd taken a moment or two to clean him up, add a sacred rope 'collar' to the 'Raphtalia Pink' sock/sweater he was wearing, and in general make him look as close to a sacred dragon as we could for something a little longer than my leg.

The two Miko split apart in front of Raphtalia and sat behind her to either side. The Water Dragon however, curled up in a little spiral in Raphtalia's arms. "Hello!" He said.

That was all that needed TO be said. The deeply pious people of Q'ten Lo bowed again at hearing their Sacred Dragon speak to them, 'unworthy' to hear a voice that only the Water Dragon Miko could interpret for them. Until right now.

As it was, Raphtalia's casual headpats for the sacred dragon was already something she... well, she was Empress! But... it was the Water Dragon! Damn, I just helped someone beat my record for 'how many stuttering idiots I could make at once'.

"To bless our temporary departure." Sadeena said, the elder sister taking responsibility for the little white lie, "The Sacred Water Dragon will speak for himself for a time."

The Imperial Water Noodle nodded emphatically to agree. "Will still keep wwwwwaters safe." His new voice was growing in super fast, but I'd expected a week, not a day for this level of speech. The effort was still tiring for him too, so he looked over Raphtalia's shoulder at the Miko.

"Simply do as you have been, and be loyal to Q'ten Lo." Shildina said with a tired smile. "This is the Water Dragon's gift to me, for my service in these troubled times. I will not be gone long, and will have my sister to guide me."

Of all the ways this might have gone, and having seen them go there at some point or another, I was happy 'the people' chose to celebrate the good fortune of their departing Water Miko, instead of say, angry confusion at her 'abandoning' her duty... like Sadeena had been treated...

"Now, if anyone is still hungry, the most honoured host of this establishment stands ready to serve us once more." Raphtalia said, looking towards a nice old couple bowing by the kitchen.

After more food, more good cheer, and some exceptional tea, people started to disperse. The new 'council' of Q'ten Lo was chosen as well, and they were told the Old Capital was the proper seat of the Empire. So, under escort, they made ready to depart by morning.

The military delegations from Siltvelt were next, with only their three generals staying behind to chat with me. As I promised (to myself as well) I used an Occulus to chat with Hickwaal himself, who (after a little friendly banter, some 'about to become even richer' sparkles, and a reminder to get back on topic, promised to be in Siltvelt himself as soon as he finished his current delivery. He didn't say, I didn't ask, but he was never the type to just sit and do paperwork.

After they also went to set up camp until they could march back to their ships in the morning, I got to Mirri.

Like any true sailor, Mirri and Gummy(bear) were enjoying their time ashore with the best things they could find and consume. She was at least mindful of the atmosphere though, and wasn't trying to sing the roof off of the very modest and polite restaurant. She and her first mate were also dressed in their best clothes. Though, it would have been better to say 'least salty' clothing. Still, they were doing their best to have the loudest quiet party ever.

"Ah, finally done with all that high society bilge-wash you had to do?" She asked as I sat across from her at the table. "The new Empress is looking mighty prickly with you about."

"I know. But, I have things to do. And that 'bilge-wash' is going to see you even richer than you already are. Though, that's if you don't want my offer."

Gummy slid over a little stone sake bottle, the cork resting on top, but open to let the warmed alcohol breathe. I accepted the bottle and poured myself a little dish of it. Mirri paused her eating (something that looked like a squid) poured herself a fresh sake dish, and raised it to me.

Only after we had both drank, did she start with 'new business'. Which was good, since the sake here was a little rough.

"Well, when I heard that little SITA's offer... I was very curious! A flying ship? Is it possible?" She waved away the start of my reply, holding up her cup for Gummy to refill, "I've seen all kinds of things out there, and the stuff you brought with you, and made, and have those around you wearing like its nothing? I would like to believe you." She held up her cup.

So, I poured myself another, and saluted her with it. The second drink was a bit easier to get down. "But words are wind." I said, "I understand. But, I can make it happen. And honestly, just because it's a good idea, with or without you, I'm going to make it happen." This time I waved off the start of her reply, "But I'm hardly able to work a sail or keep a rudder true. And, I can't take it home with me. Sure, I could make do with what I know, but that sounds like effort and skill I can recruit."

"But we'd have to work for you." She said, "You're a lovely fox, to be sure, but I'm the master of my destiny."

"You'd have the entire world to trade with, and maybe, the world on the other side of the Waves." I replied, "You won't get this offer anywhere else, since no one else can make it." I smiled, "We also have to travel to another world to get the work done anyhow."

She blinked at me. "What?"

I smiled, "I'm assuming you would rather refit your current ship, than just build a new one?"

She had started to sip at her sake, but my question nearly made her cough, "A new ship?" She scrubbed her sleeve over her jaguar muzzle, "I get say in the design."

"There are a few things you will likely not be able to influence, but every ship needs the rudder on the back." I smiled, "Once the ship is done, you work for me until the Waves are done. Then, the sky is yours."

Her feline mouth split into a huge grin, "I'll discuss with my crew. Can't take them anywhere, but can't go anywhere without them."

"Of course."

"I'll have your answer tomorrow night. Gonna have a nap like the rest of them, and head out tomorrow morning."

"Deal." And once again, we drank. But this time, we filled each other's cup. "Tomorrow evening." I set down my empty sake dish, nodded to Gummy, and went to find the next on the list of people I'd have to deal with.

(Very quietly), "eeee headpats."

It wasn't difficult to find the three heroes. They'd been (politely) hovering around like curious bees ever since Raphtalia's collective audience. So instead of finding them, I found Tetsu, who was long overdue for some attention.

So now, I was sitting under a Lumina tree on a blanket, with a big dragon head on my lap and lavishing attention on it. I would have preferred her to have changed shape to her smaller form, but why argue with a happy dragon?

But, now that I had a happy dragon in my lap holding me in place, the other three Heroes stopped orbiting nearby and came to join me. Also included were their party members. Kuro was looking a little grumpy at Tetsu, Solitaire was trying not to look jealous, and Rishia was her usual nervous self. Without a word, I motioned for them to get comfortable.

Much like Tetsu, Kuro instantly flopped her head onto Motoyasu's knee. She was in her child form, so she was much more sensibly sized for headpat gathering. Solitaire was more subtle, laying his shoulder against Ren's leg, his panther/wolf head resting on his paw by his knee. In reach, but not demanding at all. Rishia however, just sat shoulder to shoulder with Itsuki, the two sharing warmth and support without a word.

I'll admit, I was a tiny bit jealous of that. But, I made do with a content dragon who was using my lap as a pillow and my tails as a blanket (though really just neck and shoulder warmers with her size).

"I have an idea." I said.

"Just one? Must be a slow night." Motoyasu chuckled.

"I'll admit, I'm a tiny bit drunk." I said, "You didn't miss the stones by the Hourglass, or the Hourglass?"

"No." Itsuki smiled, "I could read them this time too. But the Hourglass... it was damaged?"

"Noticed that too, good. Just enough to keep the Waves off this place, but still function like the others." I waved the topic aside, "But on the topic of Waves, and power up methods. I'm going to share one that isn't listed."

"Actually, before that. What was your method?" Ren asked, giving in to Solitaire's silent request for ear scroofles. I'll note, this made the wolf/cat half open an eye and roll it way back as if it was the best thing ever. It made me miss Spot.

"Trust." I said, "Both my trust in others, and their trust in me. Makes perfect sense for the one with the Shield to have it. But there was one other thing too."

"We can also use the Vassal Weapon methods." Itsuki said, "But... We don't have any?"

"Not from this world, right?" Ren looked to me, "You have the Mirror and Book, right? And Raphtalia-san has the Katana."

"Kotetsu has the Mirror, and I am only keeping the Book safe for now." I shook my head, "But they aren't of 'this world'." I brought out the Book from my storage gem, the ornate cover glittering in the pink light of the trees, "The Mirror powers up with unique foods. Kotetsu is actually kinda ridiculous when you look at her stats. But the Book only tolerates me, so some of its functions are locked."

(very quietly from my lap), "more cookies... later..."

"If Kotetsu could actually cook, she'd be half again as powerful as she is now." I finished, resuming headpats.

"You did it again." Rishia said, "Talking like the Weapons have... a will to them?"

"They do." I said, "It's small, childlike, but consider that they choose their users. You had a Vassal Weapon lend its spirit to you, remember?" Rishia and Itsuki looked a little uncomfortable, but none of us commented, "The Book is acting like a rare item, not a unique one." I used some gamer jargon for the Heroes to speed up the explanation, "I can use it like a book, cast spells with boosted effect, use its teleport ability, and a few other basic functions. But, it will not change forms, power up, or tell me its power up method."

I let the Book 'stick' to my hip and gave the spine a pat, "didn't Miss Glass say it should have returned to its shrine in her world?" Kuro mumbled from her own headpat nirvana on Motoyasu's knee.

"So it feels safer with you, than where it was enshrined, but not enough to let you use its full power?" Motoyasu asked, "Weird."

"It knows I will hand it to its true owner the instant he's ready for it, and considering the last owner wouldn't let it go... No. I will shelter this one without question and accept whatever help it trusts me with." Like an abused animal, I would simply help it heal until it went to its 'forever home'.

"Ethnobalt..." Kuro mumbled. "fluffy rabbit man."

"That's right." I smiled.

"You were saying you had another method that wasn't listed?" Itsuki got the topic back on target.

"You were all prisoners at the time, but I'm sure you noticed your levels and the like in the other world?" I asked.

"Hard not to... not our best moment to be sure..." Ren admitted.

"Well, I just happen to own a 'world' close enough to Kizuna's, but not actually Kizuna's." I smiled.

I could practically see 'gamer brain' take over the other three Hero's thoughts. "If you aren't cheating, you aren't trying." Motoyasu grinned.

"Wouldn't the power we gain there only come into effect for the Waves?" Ren asked.

"The level boost? Yes. But the items, equipment bonuses and weapon forms will carry over." I smiled, "Remember, we are taking the third path, and making sure both 'Worlds' get through the Waves."

(quietly, with added tail taps) "tasty fish..."

"And yes, I'd very much like to catch up with them." I nodded.

"What about..." Ren made a 'all of this' gesture around us.

"I'll ask her, sure. Oh... This reminds me. Itsuki? Can you hit..." I scanned the canopy above us, "There, that little bunch of flowers there?"

Itsuki switched the Bow to the simple training short bow I'd dared him to use back when he was a raving idiot. And with a look to me that told me he was doing this on purpose, he found the spot I was pointing at, sighted in, and pruned the branch with a perfect shot. "What's this for?" He asked, helpfully leaning over since I couldn't reach the fallen branch with Tetsu on my lap.

I accepted the little branch of Sakura Lumina flowers, "Well, another thing this island has, is a barrier. But it needs power. These provide it..." I put the branch on Tetsu's head, getting a quiet 'heehee tickles' from her, and started working with the 'Bio Seed' ability. "Imagine that problem we had at during the second wave never being a problem again?"

"And night lights for everyone?" Motoyasu raised an eyebrow, "Can you change the colour to something other than pink? I mean, fits the atmosphere sure but..."

The Shield had the seed in 'memory' now, so I offered Motoyasu the branch, "Try it yourself. Just keep mutation to 1 for the love of Hestia..."

Finding Raphtalia was easy. Getting to her was... not. Well, okay, getting to her politely was not. I could have skipped the line of people waiting to bother her by tossing them out of the way or something... But no.

Instead, I walked with a very content Tetsu (now in child form) wrapped up on my back, and Kotetsu wrapped around one of my arms while I gave the little sister dragon her own headpats. Thus 'armed' I simply waited within sight of her, and waited for her to get frustrated enough to 'notice me' and 'suddenly need to talk to me'. She wasn't very good with politics, but she WAS good at listening and learning, and I'd done this as well.

And Empress or not, she was still only ten years old or so, and her patience would run out any second now...

"Ah! Kodori." She said, finishing her chat with one of Raluva's new band of leaders, looking past the next in line, and 'spotting' me. "I must speak with her." She said, not being rude, but certainly pulling rank.

Her declaration of needing to talk to me made everyone in the room step back so she could walk through the crowd unhindered. Just to make sure I was being polite, but not rubbing it in her face, I gave her a small bow, "Raphtalia." I greeted.

The look in her eyes reminded me of the time we fought the Black Dog. No actual terror, but certainly the wish to be anywhere but here.

So I continued, "I need you to inspect a few things, and the other three Heroes need a little direction. Very important and certainly time sensitive."

For a half second, I thought she might kiss me. But she remembered her station, "Very well. Lead the way please."

"Since your most loyal dragon is sleeping, allow me to save you the walk." And I summoned the Silver Guardian. Not exactly meant to be a mount, it was large enough for Raphtalia to sit sidesaddle and follow me at a jog.

Leaving behind the crowd, she let out an absolutely scandalous sigh, "Thank you. I was getting ready to run away just for a little peace..."

"Your loyal shield." I replied with a chuckle.

"Haha. Very funny. How much of that was a lie?"

"None of it. I do have some things you need to look at, and the other heroes do need a bit of direction." I squinted at her, "I told you, I don't lie so you shouldn't either."

I ran alongside the Silver Fox for another minute or so, getting us a good distance from all the noise and to a nice grove of Lumina trees. "I know you have..."

"Later." I said, slowing down, "We both need a good sleep before that kind of talk." I gave her leg a pat, "We're here." I called out.

Clive sort of... appeared from the left. His skin and colour changing cloak making him look like part of the scenery until he moved. He gave Raphtalia the same bow I did (shallow but still a bow) and signed a few words, 'Hello, all here.'

I lent Raphtalia a hand while she slid off the Silver Fox's back, then followed behind her, "What's going on?"

"I'm arranging a bit of a vacation." I said, "You want to see your cousin. The other heroes and their parties, as well as Sadeena and now Shildina, will want to gain levels as well in Kizuna's world. And, you still haven't seen the Hearth."

Raphtalia blinked at me, "But... There's still work to do here."

"There is. But for the moment, it's over there, and can wait until later." I said.

"Oh? Is that Kodori? Does that mean playtime is over?" Sadeena said as we entered the little grove of trees.

Just thick enough to keep most of the city outside it from looking in, it was a nice little patch of nature no one had bothered to clear away. A nice little place that seemed perfect for a little meeting like this. Inside the grove, the heroes, their party members, and now the Miko sisters, Usa and Clive.

Speaking of Usa, he was stuck between the two sisters, looking a little distressed. One was leaning on him with intent while the other was kind of... sitting there with her usual vacant smile on. Poor Usa didn't know what to do with himself, or his hands, and couldn't seem to bring himself to just run away. He was also blushing bright enough to rival the glow of the trees.

"Usa? Give her a hug or something." I said.

After a few false starts, he managed to say, "But I... She... but..."

"If he wants a hug..." Shildina, dressed again in her big fluffy Miko Robe (that would expand to fit her Orca sized body just right), wrapped her arms around Usa. "Oh, he is nice to hug." She said after a moment.

Usa kind of gave up, but Shildina's affection had none of the aggressive Amazon edge to it Sadeena's did. "Aw, now was that so bad?" Except, held in place, Usa couldn't resist Sadeena when she joined in the hug and the two sisters rubbed their cheeks to either side of Usa's face. "Isn't he so adorable though?"

I made sure to keep a straight face, even nod at poor Usa when he looked at me. He reminded me a little of Bell, except I was sure Usa's shyness was from a lifetime of being called 'useless'. Unlike Bell, who was hardly a teenager when I'd met him.

"Be nice to him." I told the two girls seriously, "Now... we need just one more person."

"One more?" Motoyasu asked, smirking at poor Usa's 'problem', but not where he could see it. "Saw you talking to Captain Mirri, right?"

"That's a tomorrow thing. Now... Raphtalia. I need you to talk with one last person, and then we can all go get some sleep." I took a moment to set down Tetsu next to an already snoozing Kuro, and put my hand on the nearest Lumina Tree. "You wanted to talk to her." I said, "Come forth from your sleep, and greet your great granddaughter." I had no idea how many 'greats' I needed, so stuck with just one.

And suddenly, the same Ghost who showed up to bother me after confronting Tiluna stepped out from behind the tree I was pulling power from. She stood beside me, tall and proud, and swept her not quite faceless gaze over all of us.

"Oh, those are the same..." Itsuki said before Rishia could pat his shoulder to hush him.

Ren said nothing, but stood and bowed, Japanese style. Solitaire at least sat at attention like a good cat/wolf. Motoyasu didn't bow, but put the Spear on his back, out of easy reach. Kuro and Tetsu/Kotetsu remained snoozing against each other. Itsuki and Rishia also stood and bowed, though Rishia did more of a curtsy.

Then there was the Sadeena, Usa, Shildina sandwich, who stood and looked awkward at the sudden appearance of a former Empress's ghost, while Usa almost fell over as the sisters stopped squishing him between each other.

Raphtalia and the Ghost locked stares, and for a long moment there was near perfect silence. "I see." The Ghost said, the smile clear in her voice, "You certainly are filled with courage and purpose." The Spirit half turned her head to me, "I am pleased you told the truth. She didn't flinch even a little under my gaze."

"She is young, but even before I arrived, she had started to rally the victims of the first wave to start rebuilding. A natural leader, gifted with the sword, clever, wise, and not shying away from becoming worldly as we travel." I gave Raphtalia a smile, "If she were my child, I would be so proud of her."

"I'm not sure what I think about the robes. They stray from tradition." The Ghost hovered a little closer to Raphtalia, "But I see you also spoke truth about the others."

The Spirit looked towards the other heroes, but Raphtalia spoke up, "Tradition can take second place to the defence of my friends. Kodori may have the Shield, but she ensured that even when she was not by my side, I was protected by her work and training."

"You also know, that as the Empress of Q'ten Lo, you are to be able to suppress the Spirit Implements, should the need arise. That if they fall to madness or tyranny, it is our bloodline's duty to correct, or remove them."

Raphtalia didn't flinch under the Apparition's stare. But this time it was Motoyasu who spoke. "She already did. Both her and the Shield Hero. They pulled me from delusions of Lust and Greed."

"Pride." Itsuki said, "Pride and Envy."

"Sloth and Pride." Ren admitted.

The Ghost looked to each of them as they spoke, and she turned to me, a little head tilt making the silent question clear.

"Pride and Wrath." Raphtalia answered for me, "But she's used them like tools, not as crutches. Without her help, and understanding, I could not have helped the other three return to the path of saving the world."

"Hmm. I am still sorely tempted to test you, Raphtalia my descendant." The Ghost admitted, "But, I see the look in their eyes. I would stand no chance against the allies you have made, and the bonds of trust you have forged."

"I've been taught to fight people, hunt animals, and kill monsters." Raphtalia smiled, "And we have worked hard to keep ourselves from becoming monsters."

"And those of the other World? You are set on defending this World?"

"I've looked into the eyes of their Hero, and want to be her friend. We have both agreed to survive the Waves until the end, not take a shortcut and try and murder one another." Raphtalia replied.

The Spirit turned to me again, "You are correct, Kodori of the Shield. I do like her. During my time, there was need to suppress one of those with a Spirit Implement. But I see that things have been made different, disaster has been averted, and you have policed each other without the need of Q'ten Lo."

I bowed to her, a little awkwardly since I still hand a hand on the tree.

She turned back to Raphtalia, "So, I give you my heartfelt congratulations, Raphtalia, Empress of Q'ten Lo. Long may she reign." And with a ghostly headpat, (and not a little one either! Raphtalia had to suffer(?) through a good ten seconds of gentle ear scroofles and hair ruffling) the Spirit vanished.

For a moment, Raphtalia stood very still. Then scrubbed a hand over her eyes, sniffling a little, "It felt just how I remembered my mother doing it..." She sighed, "So... um... I guess I don't have to beat you all up?"

"We'll keep in line." Ren smiled, "Promise."

We all nodded, "So, tomorrow morning..." I started, "After a good sleep, we'll wrap up any official rubbish we have to deal with. Hopefully, by the end of the day, Mirri will give me her answer, and we can all go to the Hearth."

"I wonder if the Empress can sleep in." Raphtalia sighed.

NOTES!

Nothin' really to say. :)

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