"Mono/Dialogue"

  'Inner thoughts'

  Narration

  [Message/communication apparatus]

  Date: Data not found

  Location: Data not found

  POV: Narrator

  The Grand Knight’s Territory is famous for always bouncing and striking back against the odds. One instance of Ursus incursion in the year 872 started horrifically disadvantageous for The Kingdom of Kazimierz. The invasion was not a sudden one, but Ursus had created an ingenious battle barge and nded bypassing the old strongholds at Vemel and Tirtu.

  The tide of war would keep worsening until 877 when Sobieski the Illustrious Titan broke through Ursus’ armies encircling Kawalerielki from the east. His knights moved without rest, evading Ursine artilleries and pining the Eastern Ursus Army, comprised of 14th and 18th Artillery brigades with 7th and 11th Infantry Divisions, helpless against the city defense and Sobieski relief force.

  The Northern and Southern armies tried to relieve the pressure, but suddenly the King of Kazimierz, Konstantyn Jagiello II, rallied his people to strike the out-of-position relief force with his militias and Men-at-Arms while his Royal Guards, including the fabled Silvernces, keeping the Western army in check.

  Jagiello II’s militias acted like an anvil for the relief force, shattering the Ursine armies' cohesion. The knights are being given ample opportunities to strike the invaders with impunity. Not to mention that the prior infighting between the Ursus Generals accelerated their destruction.

  The battle was won, the siege was lifted, and another nightmarish war of attrition ensued for years. None wished to back down, be it out of pride or they still had much strength to potentially unleash against their adversary.

  An upset happened, however, when the Gaulish Empire along with the Kingdom of Victoria intervened in 880’s, forcing both sides to sign a white peace and Ursus to pay war reparations. It was unknown how it came to be, but myths abound about a personage, veiled in utmost secrecy, of putting the war to a grinding halt.

  Regardless of the war’s conclusion, the war was one of many instances where they, regardless of how unfavorable it was, could beat back the odds. This also forces the many national problems with Kazimierz to resurface, namely manpower and the slow mustering of armies due to conflicting chains of command.

  For centuries they had been employing numerous actions to the point of abolishing archaic titles and offices while also enacting social reforms. All for national interest in upholding the Kazimierzian’s existence as a whole.

  But one of the most successful reforms is the one regarding the attainment of knighthood and allowing the knights to form a union and become patrons for merchants. This allowed a new surge of nouveau riche knight’s families and capitalist businessmen to finally blossom and inject the much-needed lifeblood into the stagnating country.

  Then it bears fruit with the most lucrative and controversial change for the people of Kazimierz and perhaps Terra itself; The Kazimierz Major. They were all hailed to be the perfect manifestation of innovation and creativity while making use of tradition, no matter what form it took.

  Promoting national interests and quelling public dissatisfaction for a country that starts to breathe once more. Said Major had also become such a sensational take on how Kazimierz managed to avert a lot of its problems that might cause civil unrest and entice foreign interest with the Kazimierz rulebook.

  The Kazimierz Major, used to be known as the Grand Knight’s Tourney, is an event full of pomp with galntry and chivalry. The tourney is where the old and new families compete as knights with capable commoners casting their lot to attain glory, wealth, and fame to then move up the social dder.

  It was first held in the year 1025. It was truly a tournament that was meant to only promote knighthood as well as offer a chance for the commoners to attain titles and positions, which would strengthen the nation as a whole in the long run while quelling the thirst for social mobility.

  As time went by, however, it brought unimaginable capital and wealth to the nation. The event piqued the interest of surrounding nations and those who are immersed in wealth-based ventures and or human resources management.

  It started as a simple form of encouragement from local knights who would employ capable commoners into their ranks. From there a simple gift and thanks turned into a potential show of power for new families, something the old families start to struggle to accomplish, their reasons are not as important in the face of reality.

  Then the merchants also cast their lot, supporting and managing their commoners turned knights with capital, investment, and coverage. Thus Competition Knights was born, much to the chagrin of traditional knights, and referred to as Campaign Knights in the future, who prefer military employment to pying knighthood inside a farcical cage and acting like a clown.

  Thus the term Knight Club was born. It is a right given to competition knights who had won enough notoriety and support from their tenure in Kazimierz's growing capitalistic ventures. A Knight Club can be shared with family members or parties that had agreed to share the burden, further aggregating and swelling the numbers of usable manpower.

  Through a ridiculous and awe-inspiring political maneuver, armed forces can be formed under a Knight Primus. A Knight Primus was usually conferred upon the Kazimierz Major Champion along with an epithet of their own, allowing them to gain their own Knight Order. Yes, their very own and legal army recruitment rights.

  Kazimierz Major’s primary function and intended utilization was suddenly transformed from a join knightly endeavor of promoting national interest, into an overhyped and over-glorified blood sport where pretty much anything goes under and over the table.

  Match fixing and manipution had become commonpce, it was not even a surprising news for jobbing scandals to surface now and then. Even when those scandals were dealt with, it was only akin to cutting wild grass without plucking its root, a fruitless and wasteful endeavor meant only to preserve the view.

  With popurity comes depravity in the forms of illegal transactions, favors, and all those ‘oh so wonderful’ envelopes filled with bckmail materials. The sheer scale of wealth gained from this event is enough to further push the country's agendas and needs in forever-changing times.

  Kazimierz Major is now no different than an extremely eborate political event, full of bling and blood, where the match was fought in front of the audience but perhaps was already settled beneath the table of negotiation and coercion.

  An oxymoron where they’re all the proponent and opposition themselves. The matches are both uncertain but predictable, the bout is both civilized and cruel, and where the victor and loser fare not much different as long as the match is enjoyable.

  A miracle that was spawned and nurtured to then be debased by a form of controlled anarchy enforced by civilized rule of wanton savagery. A resplendent gateway to wealth and glory amidst the illusion of galntry and chivalry.

  Thus it was truly a surprise when a certain serpent who is useful but risky, dreaded yet hailed, obedient thus utterly rebellious, and unsurprisingly full of surprises returned to Kazimierz, or to Kawalerielki to be exact, and cast her own into the muddied swamp.

  Her arrival will bring about a much-needed spice of excitement and a painful headache upon this triennial event. No doubt that all parties she ever had ties with will scramble to get her on their side first.

  Thus let the tournament of greed and illusionary ecstasy begin with the best possible entertainments to complement the main dish. A game, a battle, a will, and a selfishness… all is a fair game, thus turning the game into an unfair and rigged one is also acceptable. All under the sacred w of fairness.

  Date: 5th March 1082

  Location: Nearl’s Mansion Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.

  POV: Margaret Nearl.

  “*yawn*…. Ummm…. Auntie?” Where is Aunt Nyx? I looked around and there was nothing that might have shown that she was here… I see… so that’s it huh? I’m such a crybaby, Father, Mother… I will do better from now on… I promise.

  “Just a dream huh? Hahaha…” I can only ugh despondently, of course, it was a dream. Aunt Nyx is busy, and even when she does visit us, it has never exceeded 3 hours… that was 6 months ago too. She brought me many books and even some that I can see to be handwritten…

  Auntie is really strong… to spare some time for writing me stories to enjoy… I can only feel guilty now. All I did was be unreasonable and cause her problems, but she always complied… I should tell her not to bother anymore, especially since…

  “*sniff*… uuu…. *sobs*” I can only cry again, but at least this time the tears can be kept quiet. I must be strong, my Father and Mother depends on me to protect our family. I should apologize to… A-Aunt Zofia too, I must start referring to her appropriately too… I had probably caused her problems as well…

  “Margaret! Come down now, you’re going to miss your breakfast at this rate!”

  I can hear Zofia calling me from downstairs, she probably had to take care of Maria while I was doing nothing… uuu… Haah… alright, time to stop being so spoiled. I must be the shield of this family, Zofia also said that she has been training with retired knights, maybe I can join too now.

  “Coming! But I’ll take a bath first!”

  “Good! I’ll be waiting in the dining room. We have a special menu today so don’t be te!”

  With that I headed towards the bathroom, each of our private bedrooms had one attached to it for ease of access. Mother and Aunt Nyx had been fusing about it so many times that Grandfather, Father, and Uncle could only raise their hands in defeat. It was funny seeing them holding their heads while Mother and Auntie were chatting up a storm about what it should be modeled from.

  It was when Auntie was still residing in Kazimierz. Uncle told me that she is now in Victoria and has become very busy, but still scking off here and there. I remembered the one time when Aunt Nyx managed to coax me to skip my usual training to just go sightseeing. Of course, Mother and Auntie got into an argument over it.

  Father tried to mediate between them only to receive gres and be shouted down then forced to make himself scarce… They’re frightening when angered, said Father… well I guess Mother is angry because she is fighting with Auntie for a chance to pamper me… thinking about it again, that was truly a blissful time.

  After I finished bathing and dressing myself, I headed downstairs. I’m worried about Grandfather but he would always tell me to take care of myself first, if only life can stay so simple.

  ‘Enough of that, I need to help Zofia in taking care of Maria…’

  Not long after, I reached the dining room. We used to have dinner together all of us…

  “Oh! Good morning Mar!”

  “Good Morning, Aunt Zofia.”

  “A-A-Aunt!? Why did you call me like that!?”

  “Ummm… isn’t that the correct way of referring to you?”

  “Um… yeah? But come on, we’re only 2-3 Years apart! You made me feel old already…”

  “Sorry…”

  “Mmm… well we can talk about that ter. Now come, you should eat while the food is still hot.”

  “Alright, I’ll do just that.”

  “…”

  Zofia looks at me worriedly, it appears my speech pattern is truly jarring for her… but I must mature quickly. That’s the only way I can be a reliable Lady of The House. Uncle should technically be the new Heir now, but he never wanted it so… uhhh… growing up is really hard…

  I need to get used to it now. Who knows when those evil knights will be back… also I must make Father and Mother proud… That’s settled, I’ll beg Grandfather to allow me to become a Knight. I will be a Knight strong enough to protect my family along with our creed.

  I sit on one of the chairs and I must say… these foods are different than what I used to eat before. Zofia had already become a better Lady than I am… Mother said that Zofia is technically our house servant, a Lady-in-Waiting to be exact… but I don’t want to treat her like that and neither did any of us ever treat her like that.

  “You’re really amazing.”

  “Uh… what?”

  “You cooked all of these right? I can only praise you really… you’re so unlike myself…”

  “???”

  Wait, why did she look at me in confusion? She cooked all of these right? Or has she never got complimented before, and only thinks it is expected of her? Poor her…

  “Well, I mean the food. Your skills are marvelous, I can’t even be jealous seeing how much you can cook so qu-.”

  “Uh… Mar, I didn’t cook these you know?”

  “… Huh?”

  “Huh?”

  Wait she didn’t? Then who? Uncle never cared to cook something too eborate and only simple meals. Grandfather is too sickly for it. Maria is too young… and I… um… h-h-hopeless right now… I still recall the day I burnt a toast. Mother only giggled back then, but the embarrassment I felt was unforgettable.

  “Then who di-”

  “Me.”

  I whipped my head around and saw Aunt Nyx at the doorway, so yesterday wasn’t a dream!? I don’t know whether to be happy or embarrassed about knowing that Auntie was there looking out for me… perhaps all night long until I fell asleep too…

  She also has Maria in her arms… why does it feel like she has become our nanny or something… I’m not compining though, it is just that I can’t imagine how busy she is at the moment. I had always known about her… reputation… but here? She has been kind and maybe too overprotective with us.

  “A-A-Auntie!? You’re real!?”

  “???”

  Aunt Nyx is now looking at me in confusion before an understanding seems to have finally dawned on her face. She smiled sweetly while… feeding Maria. Now that I look closer, she has an oatmeal bowl in her hand.

  “Of course I’m real. If I’m not, how could I even hold this adorable bundle of cuteness in my arms? Also, open wide Maria, here comes the boat!”

  “Yay! Yay! *giggle*”

  Seeing Maria smiling and giggling again made me feel at ease. Well, since Auntie is here, I might as well ask her opinion of becoming a Campaign Knight when I finally come of age.

  “Auntie, I-”

  “Not now, young dy. This is the time for you to eat and I know what you’re thinking. Which is why, eat first… or perhaps you don’t like it? Goodness me… my niece had become really picky…”

  “I-I’m not picky! But oh…. Well… alright… thanks for everything…” I can feel myself smiling again, Zofia seems to be pleased and starts eating her food. Her eyes widen and can see stars dancing in them… Aunt Nyx had a proud grin pstered on her face… before Maria yanked her hair.

  “Oh almost forgot, here comes another boat!”

  “*giggle* Aunt Nik! *giggle*”

  I guess I need to eat… I have been eating less and less since… they left…

  ‘No, no, no, cheer up Margaret. You must be strong!’

  With that, I start my breakfast. It consisted of steaks, sads, some kinds of noodles, and… finbeasts soup. I rarely eat finbeasts delicacies, they smell… but this one isn’t. Do I need to learn cooking in pce of my usual training? Well I’ll put it on for ter, it would be rude of me for not eating the food served to me.

  POV: Nyx

  After we finish our breakfast, Zofia takes Maria out of my arms. I was quite reluctant but then again, Zofia still needs to finish her usual routine as Nearl’s Lady-in-Waiting. The girl is quite insistent on her role, despite the Nearls treating her as equal… I can sense the stubborn personality that will without fail blossom in the future for her… what is with this family and being stubborn?

  Wait, what did you just say again? That I’m stubborn too like the rest of them? Nah, I’m perfectly capable of bending my own rules to see reasons…

  I can put that thought for ter, now I’m listening to Margaret’s pn of becoming an actual Knight. She insisted on doing it out of her own free will which made me want to somewhat strangle that blockhead once he came back…

  “So… what do you think, Auntie?”

  “Would you prefer a sweet lie or a painful truth?”

  “… truth, please…”

  “You’re too ignorant and don’t understand anything, being a knight is unlike those novels you read before sleeping. I’m a mercenary yes, but that’s exactly why I know the weight of firm obligation. Margaret, dear, you’re still very young… please think about it carefully… it would be very hard to reverse your decision when you commit to it.”

  Her expression is shifting quickly, I can fairly guess what she is thinking at the moment. Margaret must be thinking something along the lines of not being able to uphold her parents’ words while being too weak to boot. She is being unreasonably hard on herself, if not taken care of she would end up like me and certainly, someone who can’t spell the word ‘help’.

  Goodness me… with a face and expression like that, she wouldn’t st long against the cutthroat nature of adulthood…

  “You should stop there.”

  “!?”

  She looked shocked, seems like she thought I read her mind. Heh~, her face had her entire train of thoughts and understandings pstered all over… I can’t see where Margaret’s own is even at, all her aspiration was born out of ignorance and secondhand knowledge…

  “No, I didn’t read your mind. Your expression is too easy to decipher and then interpret… also… You become a knight without an understanding of your own. You’re just going to be nothing more than a hack, a fake, like that.”

  “M-my own understanding? And a hack?”

  “Tell me, Margaret. What is Knighthood at its core?”

  “Well… A Knighthood is…”

  She starts telling me all she, perceivably, needs to know about knighthood. It was a type of answer I had heard before, the unoriginal and flowery kind to boot. My expression fell, I couldn’t help it … I talked with Kiril before sunrise about Margaret’s possible aspiration. He succinctly, and perhaps coldly, dismissed her granddaughter's understanding of what a Knight is.

  He’s seriously worried that Margaret doesn’t have what it takes to confront K.G.C.C. machination. K.G.C.C. is hardly an enemy from my point of view, I might be biased in my mercenary view but that’s how it is. Most of them are greedy pricks, but they did push Kazimierz to be more modern.

  They can be shady, yeah, but they will never say no to a beneficial retionship. I can say this because I finally see something beneath their name… especially the General Chamber part in their name. They’re businessmen first and government officials second, they’re disunited.

  While I was at it, I also asked Kiril about what happened to Schnitz and Yonta, his answer was really clear. So much so that when I heard it, I could even hear a pin drop from miles away, truly what an enlightening answer. That’s how loud his answer was.

  Margaret’s voice finally faltered, I suppose she finally noticed my disappointment. She starts stammering but keeps talking until she finishes… when she does, I can only sigh.

  “… Auntie?”

  “… Kiril was right, your immaturity is too painful to even look at right now, but we all start somewhere… I started worse than you, just throwing you a bone.”

  “…”

  “I wanted to tell you everything you have gotten wrong, but Kiril said it would only stunt your development. So I’ll only give you only a single pair of them; you have a truly commendable ideal, but you neglected a baggage called responsibility.”

  “…” Her expression then worsens even more, but I can only smile amusedly at it. If this much is enough to dampen her resolve, then she would be eaten alive before she’s even ready. This is where Drill Sergeant Nyx is going to make her appearance.

  Let us test that stubbornness of hers and see where it leads her. A good auntie should encourage and support her niece the way she can…

  “But even though I had said all of that, I’m more than willing to train you.”

  “!? Really!? Please! Please!” Goodness me! This cute little Kuranta just hugged me with a puppy-eyed gaze… I’m in bliss, this is nirvana… Alright, Nyx’s special Blitz Training Regiment coming right up~

  ‘hehehehehe…’

  “…Auntie… you look scary…”

  “Perish the thoughts my dear~… I’m just really, really, fired up now. Are you ready?”

  “… Can I have it postp-”

  “Alright to the training hall we go!”

  “W-w-wait! Aunt Zofia help me, I beg you!”

  “Um… Good luck! Also, Maria, repeat what I said.”

  “Un! Big Sis good luck!” Aww… look at her waving energetically like that.

  “See? You have a supportive family, Margaret.”

  “…” Why are you looking at me with such a bnched expression? My training regiments have always been successful in producing outstanding graduates. Sure some back pain, self-esteem issues, and all minor stuff might happen but nothing time and grit couldn’t fix…

  POV: Narrator

  A 10-year-old girl was seen to be sending flurries of thrust with her sword staff, while her opponent just side-stepped and barely parried anything. Even so, the kid's current movements had steadily become much more organized and paced appropriately.

  Thrust was flown into a ssh aiming at her adversary's leg, if that failed then she would retract it and then deliver a diagonal cut by maximizing the weapon’ reach. Her opponent had been smiling all the while, clearly proud and pleased of the little girl’s prowess.

  But all good things must come to an end and with that, the older dy pivoted her leg to the right and let the thrust graze an empty air. Before the little knight could retract her swordstaff back, it was being held firm in one hand and then her opponent just used her leg to trip the little knight off-bance.

  She comes crashing on the ground, not that hard but still hurt nonetheless. Causing the little one to yelp from both fright and a sudden spike of pain.

  “Eeeep...! Ouch! … Auntie… you meanie… uuuu…”

  “Hmm? Pretty sure I held back, a ton. Also, stay still sweetie, I need to apply the ointment on your bruises. That’s enough training for today too.”

  “Mrrrhhh… I can still go for more!”

  “Nuh-uh, you had been training for 3 hours with breaks and then 1 hour non-stop. Credit where it’s due, the fact that you managed to keep up for so long shows astonishing promise for your future as a knight.”

  Margaret pouted but she couldn’t help the competitive grin slowly forming on her face. Her auntie’s training was truly merciless. But instead of being intimidated, Margaret enjoyed it a lot more. Especially when she managed to stun her Aunt stupid by actually nding a grazing hit with her swordstaff’s thrust.

  Nyx ended up gushing over it for the next 15 minutes, non-stop, saying that her niece was a genius, fast learner. She has all the right potential to be a Grand Knight, whether she chooses the old way or the new way, her potential is truly like a radiant sun capable of illuminating the nd.

  Unlike a certain attentive but ultimately insensitive wandering blockhead, Nyx has no problem with what her niece wants to be. What she is concerned with is none other than Margaret’s prowess to be sufficient enough, she always encourages people to find meaning by themselves.

  Training vilgers into militias, training civilians or aspirants into field agents, and teaching someone to be a better version of themselves. She has a wealth of experiences due to her tenures both here and in previous worlds.

  “… Thank you… auntie… for everything…”

  “… You’re welcome, you should go eat your lunch and then continue your ethics lesson.”

  “When did you cook for lunch?”

  “No I didn’t, Zofia did. So go now.”

  “Un!”

  ‘Wait, I almost forgot.’

  “Then what do you want for dinner ter? I can make a trip to the market to find something since we still have 5 hours before sunset.”

  “Hehe… you’re acting like mother… I miss her…” Margaret muttered longingly but then she noticed that her Aunt grimaced. Nyx tried to py it off, but it’s not working…

  “… Sorry…”

  “What for?”

  “It feels like… I’m stealing a position I shouldn’t have ever touched for myself… Please believe me, I never wanted what happened to them to occur.”

  “Auntie?”

  The girl is just looking straight at her ever-supportive aunt who is now sporting a forlorn smile. Her eyes had gone dull and Margaret could sense the weight of life itself within those pink, amber-tinted, eyes.

  She also noticed that her aunt's demeanor can shift so quickly from one end to another. It was honestly saddening for Margaret to see Nyx being nothing else than her cheery self. Margaret starts to worry, and that seems to knock her aunt out of her negative revelry.

  Nyx’s expression then shifted again into a brighter spectrum. All of her apparent sadness was hidden just as quickly when it surfaced.

  “It’s nothing. Also, come on, you would be te and or make Zofia sad again.”

  “Okay… as for dinner… erm… I leave it to you since I’m fine with anything…”

  Nyx just smiled at her niece before patting her.

  “Live a little more, won’t you?”

  “…I’ll try…”

  Margaret then left the room, leaving Nyx all by herself…

  “The effect of their disappearance is already this bad for this family… I can’t imagine what Mwi is feeling right now…”

  Date: 8th March 1082

  Location: Ministry of Defense, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.

  POV: Nelka Ramona.

  “State your name, position, and intention.” An Adeptus official asked me when I reached his desk. The building is sparse from visitors like usual since not many people would want to come here willy-nilly after all.

  “Nelka Ramona, Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Interior Secretary, I had been summoned according to Lady Grand Knight’s directive of reporting as soon as possible.”

  You might be wondering why someone so young can attain a high station. I won’t lie that connection did have a hand in this but that’s not all there is to it.

  Truth is, no matter who you’re in Kawalerielki, manpower has become excellent nowadays that sudden reshuffle is commonpce within Kazimierz National Council. It is not unnatural to see a manager losing their post the next day due to a multitude of reasons.

  One of the most expensive commodities in Kawelerielki is none other than trust.

  Back to the present…

  “A moment.” With that, the official reached out to a terminal and started speaking into it.

  “Lady Grand Knight, Interior Secretary Nelka Ramona has arrived and awaiting your permission to enter.”

  A slight pause.

  “Understood, My Lady.” He then turned back to me.

  “Lady Grand Knight is awaiting for you in her office.”

  “Much obliged.”

  Several floors ter…

  I entered her office immediately. My superior, Ioleta Russell, often gets annoyed with me knocking every time. So, after great reluctance on my part, I forced myself to enter without knocking but still announcing myself as a compromise for this clear breach of professionalism.

  “Interior Secretary Nelka Ramona has arrived to answer your summon, Lady Grand Knight.”

  I’m now in Grand Knight Ioleta Russell’s office, I had been called so abruptly thus making me more puzzled than unnerved. I was in the middle of parsing, categorizing, and enacting Adeptus Sprawiedliwi’s future internal policies.

  I can also see her writing on stacks of documents that need her attention. Her the door open, she immediately looks my way before smiling.

  “Ah, Nelka! I had been waiting for you and- wait, didn’t I tell you to call me by my name?”

  “I’m afraid that is not appropriate at the moment, Lady Grand Knight. Since constitutionally you’re the Field Marshal of the Army as well as having been granted with the peerage of Duchess from a historical standpoint.”

  “What is with you people? … hah… so rigid and distant making me feel lonely…”

  “...”

  “No matter, I have something you need to read.”

  With that, she just held out the document for me to reach out while turning her vision back on her document. This is how we interact most of the time, Lady Ioleta giving me objectives with several pointers and only then am I arranging for the executions and possible fallouts.

  I read it and the content made me tremble slightly but reflexively in disbelief and evident disgust, to think that someone still tries to pull something like this. I quickly compose myself, as a person with responsibility should have.

  “I think I can see the picture they’re aiming… several methods crossed my mind… While I’m at it, our agenda regarding that matter is moving along nicely. We can expect the dividends to soon be useful to our cause.”

  “Good. Whatever you have in mind regarding that matter, I give you the authorization for it. For our most recent development, however… I have something more interesting this time around, especially when K.G.C.C. invited us over it.”

  Before I could answer, she handed me her terminal and motioned me to pick it up then the voice I heard…

  [Yo, guess who?]

  “N-N-Nyx!? ah… ahem, I mean… Uh…”

  Well, there goes my professional demeanor, it finally cracked using a cheat code called Nyx. Lady Ioleta doesn’t look up from the document she is currently processing, but I could have sworn that she has a smug smile after years of trying to get under my skin.

  I just realized that I had gone either silent or stammering nonsense for a minute.

  [Helloooo? Anyone there?]

  “It is truly a pleasant surprise to meet you once more, Lady Baroness.”

  [Oh wow… Nelka speaks in a stuck-up nguage now? A shame really, byeeee~.”

  “W-w-wait!”

  That woman just ended the conversation like that!? Huh? Perhaps finally of not being able to keep her poker face, Lady Ioleta burst out ughing.

  “Goodness me! You’re truly so fun to tease, the others are too intimidated or too detached… so I rarely have fun while being chained into this accursed chair.”

  “Lady Grand Knight… my predicament had, at the barest minimum, reinvigorated your mood. I suppose that’s fair… Do you have any directive for me?”

  “Yes, I do, go meet our contractor at 8 P.M at the usual dinner and hash out the details.” She handed me a memo and the outline is simple but obnoxiously time-consuming…

  “Understood. I’ll meet up with our contractor as you have ordered.”

  “Good, say hi to her for me, and do enjoy your reunion date.”

  ‘… I had moved on years ago…’

  “Excuse me, Lady Grand Knight.”

  “Fare thee well too.”

  With that, I left her office and started heading back to my car. She is kinda right though, it has been years since I saw her. I wonder what she will do for the upcoming tournament, it is going to be interesting regardless.

  [END OF CHAPTER]

  Author’s Note:

  Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is writhing in agony.

  I decided to spice up the 19th Kazimierz Major with our lovely and dreadful Pythian ssie.

  Nothing too bloody… by Nyx’s standard.

  Update as usual ya bloody wankers.

  Ciao