"Mono/Dialogue"

  'Inner thoughts'

  Narration

  [Message/communication apparatus]

  Date: September 1085

  Location: Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.

  POV: Ioleta

  The sound of my pen scribbling away at myriads of documents is my sole company in this personal misery of mine. The Situation in Kawalerielki is stable yes, if we disregard how K.G.C.C. is steadily gaining ground more than ever. I just barely made it in stopping their test scheme of attaching a standing mercenary force along the border with ‘Quick Reaction Force’ as an excuse.

  Personally, it is both a challenge and a statement of how unlikable Adeptus had been taking the situation at the border. Nyx had pyed a huge role in the development of our standing army and I won’t call them Knightclubs because that’s just demeaning to what we actually are. To change a soldier's primary function to that of an over-glorified marketing piece is just deplorable.

  ‘What an incoherent w… what sort of nation called their standing army as clubs? Hmph, accursed imbecile…’

  How I just wanted to rip that useless charter away, but K.G.C.C. holds a lot of influence through how much capital they have managed to amass all these years. Not to mention that a lot of Columbian companies had started to nestle themselves in Kazimierz as a whole, adding another yer of political necessity to the pying board.

  While my mind was pying with possible scenarios, a voice was heard through the attached intercom.

  [Lady Grandmaster, Lady Nyx is here and will arrive in your office shortly.] I pressed a button to reply.

  “Wonderful, thank you for the update, and do continue with your duty unless an emergency occurs.” After replying, I started tidying up the table from several pieces of paperwork that would need further examination, confirmation, and authorization. It is a tiring and oftentimes overshadowed work compared to the usual bling and vanity this mobile city had become.

  “What did she say again? … Hm… ah yes, ‘One’s own utopia is a dystopia for others…’ Despite not being someone who had higher education, her practical skills are the real deal.” I did extensive digging, and she knows her possible origin. She was offended but not because I did what I did, instead she said that I could have asked her directly.

  ‘Sometimes I just don’t understand that woman. Sweet and cruel, helpful yet rueful…’

  Nyx is not… a merciful person, to put it mildly, towards her enemy. I daresay her conduct is disgusting and unnecessarily cruel, but I can see the merits of how utterly horrifying it is to stand in her way when she is docile when no wrongs were committed. She also has no qualms about dirtying her hands, which made me wonder just what it looks like from her perspective. She was shown to be both mentally receptive while showing barely an ounce of pity for those she had sent to the next world… yet she sincerely hoped they would be better, from what she told me anyway…

  “Why hello, what do you need from me?” not too long into my mental musing, she just barged the door open, like she owned the pce as per usual. At least, I have someone I can talk with normally and not all formally, even Nelka is still hesitant to converse as such.

  “That was quick, I could have sworn that you would arrive in 3 hours or so.” The Pythian girl plopped herself on the couch, her legs were on the table with little to no care of my deadpan stare. Someone is having an easy time at least…

  “Ouch, you make it sound like I’m a slob…” Her frown is in full force, but I can discern her true emotions from that eyes of hers. The way it blinked, rolled, and even narrowed indicated that she was doing everything she could to annoy me.

  “Because you’re, and do I need to remind you about that one incident where you just detonated nd mines with rock, without caring for possible UXO? Who would have guessed that was all due to how you can’t be bothered to use proper equipment?”

  “…” She just whistles away along with her face and suddenly finds the ceiling to be verily interesting.

  “… Nyx I’m serious, you’ll die one of these days if you can’t even muster a tenth of the care you've shown the Nearl for yourself. There is little sense of you to act like a martyr with a cause she is not so sure about…”

  “Pfeh, me? A martyr? Are you drunk or something girly? Well… I won’t care one whit if I step on a mine… can I chill out here for a second? Or even better, let’s take a breather. You had paperwork, I still had mine too back in the office, and so what do you say?”

  “… Fine, I need to stop staring at pieces of paper for too long anyway.” Since the rest of the paperwork is not exactly urgent, might as well have a little breather. I sat directly across from her, and then with a push of a button, snacks and beverages were brought out from the small storage automatically and pced on the table.

  Without prompting, she takes a bite of a biscuit while I just lift a can of juice. With that, we can enjoy a little respite. This is her other side, sweet addicted girl who has a preference, or bias, concerning sweets.

  “How was Nelka by the way?”

  “She is doing fine, just yesterday she had sealed a deal with a local bcksmithing guild. I’m really impressed with her negotiation skill, to make those obstinate craftsman listen was a feat worthy of being my direct secretary.”

  “… You can’t right? Nelka is moving up fast, but that is going to put her into potential scandal and K.G.C.C. crosshair. Richard's position as Director of K.A. and her being your primary secretary would put K.G.C.C. on their toes.”

  “A shame really, yet that’s what I have to deal with on a daily basis. Nelka had also been approached several times by independent companies that asked for her bureaucratic expertise. The girl doesn’t seem to be too hung up on getting her hand on more capital.”

  “Well, what do you know? Despite being the strict and overly serious gal that she currently is, her heart is that of a modest vilge girl who thinks that a simple meal and a home are more than sufficient.”

  “Really now? The st time I checked, she started to invest in her own company. Transportation and logistics, a really inundated market but you will never sort on request.”

  “Wait, for real? Why didn’t anyone tell me any of this?”

  “For her, pride. For me? It’s amusing to look at your face. What else?”

  “Screw you too, and again with this shit of people doing stuff while I’m being unaware…”

  “Let’s not be hasty here, Nyx… if you’re being the first investor, Nelka would doubt herself and perhaps blunted her full potential to rise without being coddled too much. Dare I say, it will also attract the wrong type of crowd and its complements, isn’t that right?”

  “I can understand where you’re coming from, but to conceal it from me is just cruel…” She put a hurt expression on her face, yet I can see that the corner of her lips is slightly upturned.

  “Like you’re one to talk, how come you suddenly invested in several foreign companies in several mobile cities? Better yet, how could you move so fast?”

  “Simple really, that’s because…”

  We just talked about myriads of topics, be it the mundane or the slightly more serious in fvor. Ranging from how was her impression of that pink bicycle delivery for a Sargonian Padishah, to the one where she managed to ‘peacefully’ (citation needed) prevent an all-out cn war in Sargon due to her painstaking effort of exercising her patience.

  I had overheard bits and pieces of how she finally started mellowing out from being a cold dy. It is a good tiding that she decides to stop pretending with that mask of hers, even if it’s going to take a considerable amount of time and potential. This is just like that time…

  ‘I truly missed this feeling, a shame that Kiril is now bedridden and the Nearl Family fell on a hard time.’ … To this day, I feel like failing them… but what can I do? Those 2 are the best possible choices that we can have… besides…

  ‘No, never mind… There is little use for me to be regretful. The best possible course is to keep trudging forward first and foremost.’

  “I think that’s enough for our R&R… So, what do you need of me, Grandmaster?” Her words woke me up from my mental anguish and it appears that we had taken a pretty substantial unpaid hours. I can still make up in time for the pending duties and paperwork… just need to pull an all-nighter…

  “Very well, I need you to read this carefully.” I slide down a document across the table, she takes it with a single hand and starts reading it. While waiting for her to finish, most likely, skim reading it, I turned on the television to find something that might be mildly interesting. Moving from channel to channel, I found hardly anything… except for the ongoing Major.

  [… and another point goes to our Champion! Degenbrecher is unstoppable and what do you know folks!? The Bck Knight always triumph!]

  “Pfft-! A-Ahem…” Nyx suddenly did a spit take, and her face was on the verge of ughing. Just what’s so funny about that? I’m fairly certain the commentator's words are not something worth being so amused about…

  “Something tickles your funny bones?” I tried to push for an answer, clearly knowing that she would just brush it off as usual. No one said anything to never try it, who knows that today is the day my lucky stars finally show up?

  “Nah… don’t worry about it.” She refocused on reading the document, her grin stayed true and the amusement was seen. This girl can be fascinated by the weirdest of things…

  ‘I guess it’s just her being herself.’ Returning my focus to the television, I can see that Caprinae, who had been rumored to have defeated Nyx in an unofficial capacity, to doing her rounds and waving toward the audience. It was quite a sensation back then, how both sides’ growing fan clubs almost come into direct blows. The whole thing was surreal, but if anything I can attest the blonde Caprinae skills are giving even Silvernce problems.

  [The Bck Knight is unstoppable! Her record of undefeatable streak keeps on growing! She just stacks these points like a certain fact, is there no one here that can challenge her might!?] The crowds are riled up, and seeing how unbroken her strides have been, Degenbrecher will surely win her second Major.

  [Bck Knight!]

  [Bck Knight!]

  [Bck Knight!]

  “… What a poor ss… K.G.C.C. hated stagnation more than anything else…” The crowds are chanting her name, but to me, it sounds like execution and persecution that inched closer and closer. It brought to mind how Nyx can py the neutral game for so long to be nothing short of immacute. She can wedge herself between factions so comfortably, to the point that some of my colleagues are worried that she has been swayed. Of course that was complete nonsense.

  Nyx then said her opinion regarding mine, but her eyes were still scanning the document presented to her.

  “Mm-Hm, their gambling sphere will be in jeopardy if Deb- Degenbrecher keeps on winning like this. She will end up as the safe tile in gambling, which is a big no-no for those moguls and casino owners.” Did she just bite back from accidentally calling The Bck Knight with a nickname? Does she have some sort of retionship with the champion?

  “Said moguls and casino owners are your potential employers.”

  “Yep, but I can backtalk all I want except you wanna use it to bckmail this little old me…” With a shrug, she just moves on like nothing is worth noting. I’m fairly curious about her retionship with Degenbrecher…

  “It appears that you know the champion?”

  “Of course, I do, just like how the rest of Kazimierz know The Bck Knight. I might be somewhat of a fan too.” Whatever, it is not important and besides a girl can have her secrets… As long as it doesn’t harm Kazimierz, I’m content.

  [Bck Knight! Can you share your opinion on the current Major?]

  [It is honestly disappointing. The st few matches hardly qualified as warm-up.]

  [Ho! Ho! Do you hear that folks!? THE BLACK KNIGHT IS DISAPPOINTED! Then, Lady Bck Knight, do you have certain someone you wished to fight in earnest? Either in an official or unofficial capacity?]

  [Of course.]

  [Someone that interests you, who would that be?]

  [Who else? the Grey Serpent.] Degenbrecher shows her smile, or more aptly a mocking grin, when she announces her challenge publically… ah so that’s what it is, those stakeholders sure are bothersome…

  The audience immediately goes wild, the battle between The Bck Knight and the Grey Serpent would potentially be a once-in-a-lifetime event. Enough to affect and shift the political power standing between the feuding factions that are a part of the National Council. I can even predict far into the future regarding myriads of headlines that are promoting the csh between 2 of Kazimierz’s powerhouses.

  ‘That’s unlikely of coming into fruition, judging from…’ I turned my gaze towards Nyx, the very person Degenbrecher had announced with great interest to fight. Her gaze is as apathetic as ever, not even caring to half-listened to that… strange, she would usually have entertained the notion of fighting someone so dangerous.

  ‘Did she really calm down and stop acting like a bloodthirsty psychopath? What did Catastrophe Messenger's works do to her?’

  “You are awfully calm to be challenged like that?”

  “Why should I care? I ain’t fightin’ like a clown, ‘cept they paid me 15 Million LMDs, then we talk about the duel fvoring, scheme, and my eventual throw. After that, add another 25 Million to decide how long I’ll be there, but I’ll only fight after they agree to add another 50 Million.”

  “…” That’s something I never thought possible, especially considering she likes a good fight more than anything.

  “Did you seriously say that you, of all people, will throw the game?”

  “Yep, to prove myself is worthless at this point. If they ended up underestimating me after that defeat, then more power to me. Winning will give me another mark, which is a plus. Losing will give me a bad rep, which would make several idiots finally come out of the woodwork, which is also a plus.” She grinned and I take that back about her finally calming down…

  “By the way, I’m done reading it…” She rexed back on the couch, her eyes looked both tired and amused… This is my fault really, I had been using her service for the st few months, pretty much non-stop.

  “So what compints do you wish to be made known to me? I’m all ears, and you can still decline.”

  “I’m not going to decline, especially with the reward ‘you’ offered to me and Catastrophe Messenger… still, I want to vent a little.” Inhaling for a bit, thus she voiced her misgivings.

  “I’ll be frank here, Ioleta. I’m very partial with you and I personally have no problem with skullduggery every once in a while, but Catastrophe Messenger will be breathing down my neck if this comes out. I love my job, so please don’t jeopardize it.” She threw the document on the table, and an image spilled out from it, and said the image showed a blonde-haired Efia reading a book.

  “This is a complicated request, while also within the grey area…” Despite sounding so annoyed, there is this mirth and interest in her tone. Nyx might be affiliated with CM, but she appears to still desire some adventures to go about with her life.

  “I mean, a bastard child is, in some ways, worse than being orphaned… Something I can only begrudgingly acknowledge, even when by the end of the day they’re just a child. To have them be used for some shitty political games is just… Forget it…” Her voice is thick with vitriol and hate, my dear friend had an extreme distaste for those who left the children to fend for themselves. That is one of her primary motivations to fund an orphanage in Wdirosa.

  “It is complicated, yes, but I’ll handle that side of things. Kazimierz is still reeling from the war 12 years ago, so manpower shortage to rehabilitate devastated nds is still in retively high demand… That’s why I choose you, a courier but having the power equaling that of our fully augmented cavalry legion.” Now she scowled, Nyx was never a fan of politics. Neither was I, but someone had to take on the job.

  “Sometimes I just wondered why people keep telling me something above my pay grade… Like for Terra’s sake, 20.000 for these bullshits made me want to rethink this career of mine.” The Ex-Mercenary stood up from where she sat and headed towards the door.

  “20.000 is just what the official document given to you stated… isn’t that right, Lady Advisor?” She just kept on walking and disregarding what I said with a change of topic.

  “… Politics this, politics that… So I just need to go there and fetch her? Something so simple means troubles are always abound.” She looks back at me, her face is a mix of exasperation and barely concealed amusement.

  “Not quite, head towards the designated pce in the document and follow further instructions. Then one more thing, the girl’s father might be more inclined to be acquainted with you, thus please be on your best behavior.” The Father of this girl is a really influential one, but he has his limits and to consign his illegitimate daughter to a life full of mockery and misguided pity is simply unacceptable.

  “Sure thing, I’m off then… just prepare your end of the bargain and please deal with whatever fallout that might occur.”

  “No cause for visible concern, everything is under control.”

  “… I hope that’s true, dealing with a doting father who happens to be one of Kurfürsten, who had triumphed on Septemberaufstand and having a hand regarding the enthronement of Die Zwillingskaiserinnen, would be a real pain in the ass…”

  “That’s a really old Leithanien dialect you have there…”

  “Maybe I’m somewhat sophisticated.”

  “I bid you well on the journey and don’t worry about the Nearls, we’ll handle them this time.” Nyx stopped, her grip on the metallic doorknob tightened visibly with a nasty creaking noise. She looked back at me and smiled. Unfortunately, said smile is devoid of any sort of warmth.

  “I swear it on my name.” My voice did falter, but at least I didn’t stutter and blubber.

  “You better be…” I clearly saw her eyes dited like a snake, its glow is no longer amber… but blood red.

  Date: Late September 1085

  Location: ???, Leithanien.

  POV: ???

  In one of Leithanien’s most forgotten crevices of civilizations, their most neglected, unwanted, and unmonitored vestige of long lost foundation, held was a gathering of so-called loyalists and true sons and daughters of Leithania. The pce was cold and damp, and yet it was scorching to the brim with zeal and fanatical euphoria.

  “The accursed, traitorous, blood had finally made psed in judgment.” One voiced such vitriol through their lips, mired was it full with hate. The voice was neither masculine nor was it feminine, it is only a vocalized form of negative emotions.

  “Hear, Hear! The dastardly Herzog and Kurfursten had turned their backs on our rightful liege! They must suffer for this sacrilege, but death is way too merciful for their traitorous conduct. I say a clean ste would be a bare minimum for a sufficient tribute.” Another one voiced their piece on the matter of discourse; the voice is akin to the thumping of the war drums, measured and methodical but unstoppable.

  “Oh? Was it truly wise? War, on this season? Surely you jest. Let us not converse of this matter with tone no different than those heretics; we shall have order and only then will eternal victory be ours.” One who voiced such had this lingering mirth and intrigue, but the tone, of which it was uttered, brimming it with self-serving ideas.

  “Your words hardly ameliorated the grimness of our predicament; the Kurfurst of Schton is evicting us and our brethren from his domain. Must we squabble like buffoons or unite as His Majesty’s loyal hands?” Unlike the other voices, this one uttered a much more focused idea on the matter. Filing empty words would do nary a thing.

  “Then pray to tell, what brilliance does thou hast to rectify this predicament of ours? Must I remind thee of the fact of His Majesty’s offspring's less than robust visage? Their frailties were of utmost disgust…” true to their words, the voice only voiced aggression and sarcasm, ced with a clear sense of superiority.

  “Enough!” the one who bellowed such was one of pure anger, a furious rage that was as clear as the twin towers of those usurpers. Order, with only a single word, was established. With the earth serene, the heaven silenced, and hell enervated, does the council continue?

  “We had received words that a belonging of utmost importance to him would be sent away; far from this domain of his and onwards the nd of knight.” This information brought forth hushed whispers and further attentions, the matter that can weaken the Kurfurst by any means necessary worth itself in gold and diamonds abundant.

  “What sort of belonging does thee insinuate?”

  “It was unclear, but if we can grasp it and use it, our footing in Schton or beyond would be easier to maintain. The wind carries a set of blessings and curses, however…”

  “Blessing is it? Do eborate.”

  “The package would stay in Bavaria–Liechtenstein for at most a whole moon, ample times for us to prepare our forces. Bavaria–Leichtstein is neither a fortress nor was it a pce filled with misguided and ungrateful mud blood.” The confidence in its tone is clear, thus the council listened with satisfaction. Yet ill tidings must be conveyed…

  “Then, corroborate about that curse…”

  “… We had yet to exactly decipher the nature of this package. It can be a living and breathing or perhaps an inanimate object. The prudent move is to ascertain the situation and strike only when we have positive information… as we’re stretched as this as is, but it is possible.”

  “That is hardly a curse, and we can ascertain the nature further down the line. Say, who shall lead first for His Majesty’s glory?”

  “My side had amalgamated several assets and thralls; a mere stone throw away from the mobile city of Bavaria– Leichtstein. Thus I shall lead personally, in due time, and please witness me as His Majesty’s finest.” None of the voices present choose to voice their opinion on the matter, confidence or not; matters not.

  “Very well, are we in understanding my fellow Herren un damen?” No one raised an objection, thus the council was adjourned but not before affirming their goal once more.

  “The Voice of Terra is His Majesty's most bountiful gift, we ought to ensure that the rightful ruler himself returns to the throne.” The voice then inhaled deeply, before shouting with vigor.

  “Es lebe das Imperium!” (Long live the Empire!)

  ““““Lang lebe der Kaiser!”””” (Long live the Emperor!)

  “Es lebe die der Stiemme von Terra!” (Long live The Voice of Terra!)

  “““““Heil Herkunftshorn!””””” (Hail The Horns of Origin!)

  Date: Late September 1085

  Location: Bavaria–Leichtstein, Leithanien.

  POV: Nyx.

  My footsteps echoed amidst the rainy days in this nd of Arts addicts. Yeah, I call them as such due to how much emphasis was put on competence concerning that singur aspect. The mobile city I’m currently at is a rather small one, retively speaking of course. Buildings all around me look to be made up of an eclectic mix of Gothic and Odrysis periods.

  Of course, walking like this did attract attention, which is the point really. I see a lot of Caprinae and Efia milling about. A good majority of them dressed in what appears to be local and traditional outfits, something that won’t look out of pce in the 18th and 19th centuries. Several Infected can be seen to also mill about, and even though the usual scrutiny is there, they can generally do about their business with ease.

  Funny isn’t it? To make them acceptable publically, someone has to inflict such a horrific and scarring impression that sted for decades if not centuries to come. I know, sufficiently enough at least, in regards to His Majesty Otto Dietmat Gustav Von Urtica, or the Hexenkonig (Witch King) of Leithania. He was Terra's greatest modern caster, and I dubbed him so since there are so many things that are left unclear and even felt like being intentionally erased or covered up in the history of this world. Not unlike my old ones where, and I must agree, not everything needs to be known, and would be better to be left to rot and buried to never see the light once more.

  ‘Kind of feels nostalgic… wonder if this is exactly what Kay said back then. How that not being human but modeled to have human emotion can affect our logic engine with something called “envy”… back then could only snort and regard her like a broken unit that needs to be sent back to the factory or engineering bay for diagnosis…’

  While reminiscing about my innumerable lives and fates, I feel a distinctive emotion, like someone that I need to meet is finally close at hand. Using the upcoming intersection, I vanished from public eyes and moved rapidly to shake off my usual stalkers and spies. Honestly, it is very jarring that they dared to tail me this hard but ultimately did nothing.

  Running through the alleyway on the left, jumping over the fence next to it, and then nding softly back on the ground without a noise, I finally reached my destination. A small and deserted pub, from the looks of it, but the stench of my ilk is too pungent to ignore. I just barged in and sat on one of the empty seats near the serving table. An Efian bartender is tending the counter, she raised an eyebrow but also sported a small grin.

  “Any preference?” The bartender asked, his face was calm but his giddiness bled into his voice.

  “Nah, you Leithanien likes booze, I’m not. So just fetch me a juice or pin water.”

  “A shame, it is one of our little hospitality…”

  “I thought you would be more than a tad offended by that?” I put my hand on the table, while the other one is fishing for my terminal. Still feels weird to call it a personal terminal, but calling it a phone is incorrect too.

  “That’s just a stereotype. I know we lost that one battle, where we become somewhat of a butt-joke, but we’re not all drunkards… just more tolerant with alcohol intake.”

  “Yeah, I know. I’m on the clock so no drinking either.” Not like I will, and since the one time I drank was the time where I almost committed something that would surely make Mwi take dozens of meters away from where I am… Ugh…

  “Hmm.” The man just nodded and headed to the back. It was then did I registered someone entering the bar. A pair of Efian and Caprinae entered the bar, one of them just stood and leaned near the walls while their counterpart approached me.

  They are dressed in a way that makes them scream government agents. Bck hood, bck jacket, and perhaps armor underneath, and god knows what else in there. Then again, this is a sign of goodwill since they can at least cim honesty here.

  “Is the seat taken, Dame Nyx?”

  “It is not, and I must confess you aren’t as slippery as I thought you would.”

  “Cards are meant to be pyed.”

  “… so what makes someone like you come to meet me personally?”

  “Just a minor problem, vermin and whatnot.” They sat next to me, they had a hood on and their voice had been moduted. Judging from the mannerisms though, this one is a woman while the other one is a man. Still, Dame? I felt tingly for being called like that, some kind of heebie-jeebies on my spine…

  ‘Well whatever…’

  “Uh-huh…”

  “How was your retirement?”

  “Not bad, kinda miss the freedom a little… now I’m being worked like a steedbeast.”

  “Hmm, then you will perhaps be interested in a career change?”

  “How intriguingly fascinating; I’ll go find some Hans who cared.” The bartender returned to the table with drinks at the ready, some kind of booze, and… uh… is that apple juice? Huh, how nostalgic. I take the juice and start sipping it, the woman next to me also does the same with booze. We said nothing else and just savored the silence.

  My gaze suddenly caught something gleaming at the corner of my eyes, it was directly on my speaking partner's arm’ exposed gap. Despite being retively hidden, it is still that easy to see huh?

  ‘Definitely more of a curse than a blessing… and I started to feel some kind of attraction to it…’

  “Jokes are a great coping mechanism.”

  “Indeed, but such is life. Me? I’m pleased with what I have.”

  “So… what’s next?” I gulped down the rest of my drink, I could feel that the woman frowned because of my utterly cking table manners… but this is a pub, who uses those here? She gulped down her own protest and washed it with her booze, more elegantly than what I did, then she slipped an envelope to me and just left after paying her tabs.

  I tear open the sealing and inspect what is inside of it, the content is both amusing… and utterly wasteful. I understand the significance of them meeting me with interests in mind, but this is just ludicrous really.

  ‘Why does my employment with CM seem to attract a different set of problems?”

  “… Fuck me.” Great, I’ll definitely demand overtime and possibly an extended paid vacation…

  “How much do I owe you?” I asked the bartender who does nothing but clean away at his utensils and empty tables, he seemingly ignored the 2 figures that just left the pce. This pce seems like a great venue for me to come frequently when in this mobile city, and judging from its route, I’ll be passing through quite often.

  “Just 5 LMDs.”

  “Really? Not Thaler?”

  “It’s simpler this way, mein fraulein. Let’s just say that this little bar is a simple hobby of mine.” The bartender left out a self-satisfied smirk, for being a government agent, he surely did do work nicely. Then his expression turned serious.

  “Mein Herr, expect you to stay put until further notice. Worry not, we have the accommodations ready for your utilization.”

  “Any specific?”

  “Don’t kill civilians.” Oh wow! I’m shocked that my reputation was this bad...! Yeah, of course, it is, shooting civilians to deter hostiles from taking hostages in the first pce and focusing on running is not morally agreeable conduct.

  “That goes without saying, next?”

  “We wait.”

  “Simple enough.”

  [END OF CHAPTER]

  Author’s Note:

  Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is malding with how much the lore makes him mad sometimes.

  A simple under-the-table gig with clearly no reasons for it to become an international and political debacle. :)

  I’m clearly qualified to talk about how politics work. Source? Trust me, bro.

  Bonus: Die Zwillingskaiserinnen (The Twin Empresses), Leithanien’s current rulers, are The White Empress Lieselotte and The Bck Empress Hildegard.

  Update as usual and thank goodness my thesis is going well.

  Ciao