Chapter 103: The Grand Duchess’s Influence
The invasion has just been launched from the Citadel, headed for the gulf to then make their way into the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy without confrontation. There isn’t much of a demon-kin presence between the Citadel and the gulf, especially if they take the right route. The shuttles will have to make many trips back and forth to ferry all of the golems across the gulf, which will take days. But, the very first deliveries will be an armored vehicle capable of withstanding almost anything eastern soldiers can throw at them, assuming they can get close enough to fight.
Hekate paces around the library in frustration, trying to read the book on history that Erimaya insists she read. It details history mostly from the Empire’s perspective, with scholars from various allied kingdoms having contributed.
Unfortunately, the little feldrok empress is focused on the matter in the present.
“Grrah! I can’t study like this! What do a bunch of dead people have to do with a battle right now!”
Erimaya watches patiently, also practicing writing magic spells under tutelage of Thymeria, who is transcribing texts from Daniel’s phone while Wenlianna is working in her lab on research that doesn’t need it.
Aramellianna, lounging in the library as her daughters read various books of their own choosing, remarks with amusement, “Well, your Greatness, history can help a strategist find the best solution before a battle is even planned, have an idea of how enemies might approach, and what the consequences are if failure occurs.”
“I know!” whines Hekate. “But, all these names and places and things are already gone. Except the kingdoms, I guess... But, if we’re strong enough, who cares about history?”
The Grand Duchess smiles, explaining gently, “A wise Empress should care about history, your Greatness. It is a collection of the most numerous lessons anyone could ever learn. How to govern, how to wage war, and how to thrive in peace. Take me for instance; I learned of otherworldly summons coming to our world, and the moment one of them happened into a position I could take advantage of, I took it. The Grand Duchy is now the wealthiest single territory on the continent. We’ve cornered rare gems and enhanced magic crystals in one strike, have the leading technology in water distribution and flood control, and are on the cutting edge of military technology.”
“Mother,” starts Yormollett. “Are you saying... you used Wenlie to snatch Daniel?”
The Grand Duchess smirks deviously. “No. I’m saying I did not hesitate to recognize my daughter’s eye for talent, and I ensured they had everything they needed to benefit all of us; Wenlianna’s passion, the Grand Duchy’s wealth, and my own personal comforts. I won because we all won.” She leans on the arm of the lounger she’s seated on, feigning a distressed expression. “And now, the Grand Duchy is under invasion and to be conquered. I’m the worst Grand Duchess ever.”
Everyone else chuckles uneasily, and Aramellianna sits up. “Please, laugh a little. It’s funny. If you think I’ve made a mistake, you’ve learned nothing. Rikuto is out of control, and Greydald should have stepped in long ago. He barely got the economy stabilized before bankrupting the kingdom to fuel his attack. After the Fievegal trounced a joint army in a single day. Not to mention, his own fear stems from a weapon Daniel apparently knows how to build and is the only one.”
Erimaya remarks, “If you had seen what this weapon could do, Grand Duchess, you would know that the knowledge is safe in no one’s hands.”
“And now, Rikuto has made a comparable weapon that is in the hands of dozens of people capable of replicating it.”
“I feel like I should be doing something,” declares Hekate. “I need to be doing something. I feel so anxious.”
“That is something you must get used to, your Greatness,” replies Vaergraes. “Worse than receiving reports of losses is awaiting reports. But, you can’t fight every battle. I’m afraid Daniel is no better suited to leadership in this regard.”
Aramellianna looks around, asking, “Yes, where is my soon-to-be son in law?”
Hekate shoots her a soft glare, and she grumbles, “Probably off with one of his temptresses. I notice Wenlianna isn’t here.”
Aramellianna grins, amused by the response more than knowing anything specific. “Yes, well, there are quite a few absent from study time. The Dragon Empresses do not seem to favor the library as much.”
“They prefer to spend time in the sun,” replies Vaergraes. “It’s beneficial to them and their eggs, so they say.”
“They’re also speaking to the other dragons,” adds Hekate. “Most of the dragons don’t want to acknowledge me as Empress, and a human as Emperor even less, but Ryuo, Reina, and Geira all held sway under the former dragon ruler.”
“I’ve heard. Though, I do have to wonder... What comes after the Fievegal is firmly rooted and the princes and princesses all start growing up? Certainly, some of them will be potential suitors to the Stalvaltan Grand Duchy, I’ve no doubt, but have you given thought to peerages and territorial lordship, your Greatness?”
Hekate stares at her, and she looks to Erimaya for help.
Erimaya explains, “She’s asking if you’ll establish territories... Counties, Duchies, Marquisates, and the like, and name the heirs of the Fievegal who will not be in line for the crown as their governing lords and ladies.”
“I... hadn’t thought of that. Sh-Should I be? I... I don’t even... That’s a long time off, isn’t it?”
“You should start considering it, your Greatness so a plan is in place when the time comes. Such future plans will help keep your mind occupied while you await reports.”
Hekate nods, appreciative of the suggestion.
“I would also humbly recommend reviewing current affairs, such as farming and road construction, Hekate,” adds Vaergraes. “As each seed is planted or each tree cleared, you might discover small problems adding up, or see a better location.”
“I agree with her Grace, the Archpriestess, your Greatness,” replies Aramellianna. “But, I would urge you not to slip into over-governing. Your subordinates have a duty as well as a right to govern without your constant interference, and such interference can get in the way of progress. Not to say you would, but I can assure you, I understand the impulse all too well.”
Hekate grins at them. “I just need to recruit the best of the best to help me.” She winks at the Grand Duchess obviously, and the Stalvaltan matriarch chuckles. Winking is something Daniel taught Hekate, so the meaning isn’t specific to anything on Zenkon, but the intent is there.
The young feldrok empress then adds as she ponders, “Now, if I can just bring Leiwelles over to our side,...”
Suddenly, Thymeria screams, and everyone snaps their attention to her, with Vaergraes scrambling up from her seat and Illianna leaping down from the upper level of the library to go on guard of the younger sister of the Uhl’tall archpriestess.
Thymeria is covering her eyes as strange sounds come from the table, and her cheeks are filled with color, adding a rosy hue to her skin.
The noise is startling and causes a rosy hue in all who hear it clearly enough to recognize it for what it is. It is the distinct sounds of a woman moaning and exclaiming lascivious outcries during apparent nighttime recreation.
And, when Illianna investigates the screen of Daniel’s phone, her jaw drops, and her own cheeks fill with color as she stumbles back. She notices Vaergraes start to move closer, and the advisor rushes to her matron, exclaiming, “My Lady! You mustn’t! Don’t look!”
Hekate looks, and she is surprised at what she finds. While the lascivious moaning has stopped, and it seems to be people talking, it isn’t possible to describe what she sees, at least not with words she knows. The people displayed on screen are talking in a language from Earth, which isn’t a language her feldrok magic can automatically translate. The two people talking as the screen shows their faces in alternation appear to be women, matched with feminine voices. One has blonde hair and is made to look like an elf with an abundantly well-endowed chest, while the other looks to be a young woman around Hekate’s age with black hair and distinct black cat ears and a slender black feline tail.
The images are expressive like real faces, but not real. It almost looks like a drawing, but moves as if they’re alive, and the two characters seem to be close, though they sound like they’re bickering.
Aramellianna asks from a distance, guarding her daughters from getting too curious, “Your Greatness? What is it?”
“I... don’t know. It’s... It’s like an illusion, but... with drawings. Th-That move.”
A male character makes an appearance with grey hair and horns, as well as a long cape, and the two female characters are highly affectionate with him in their own ways. The illusion changes, and the characters are naked in a bath, and Hekate feels her cheeks heat up. She slaps her hands over the screen, but it doesn’t stop the playful and mischievous sounds that the elf character, judging by the voice, starts making.
“Make it stop!” cries Illianna as she pounces towards the phone, and both she and Hekate fumble with the fun as the sounds continue.
“I’m trying! I’m trying!” cries out Hekate. They finally manage to stop the strange illusion, and everyone gives the phone a wide berth like it’s something filthy.
Thymeria whines, “I... I... I feel dirty...”
Vaergraes does her best to comfort her younger sister, and Hekate sits on the floor, defeated. Aramellianna asks curiously, “Was... that something on Daniel’s artifact from Earth?”
“Yeah...” mumbles Hekate. “But, Daniel said there might be things we don’t understand on it.”
“I... I had no idea... Lord Daniel...” whimpers Thymeria.
The Grand Duchess asks coldly, “This was the very same artifact my precious Wenlianna was in possession of?”
Everyone goes awkwardly quiet as they look at her, and she declares to no one in particular, “Minister Xyreko.”
The golem caretaker of the Citadel appears in a flash of light, and she asks, “Yes, your Grace?”
She giggles playfully, and Daniel stretches, feeling well enough to move again. “Ready to keep going?”
“Of course! Anything you desire, my Emperor.”
“Then, let’s get this magic thing and go home.”
“Right behind you!” They clean up the small camp and resume their mission, with Doephluev using her magic to outline any monsters in the darkness for Daniel as she did before.
Together, they make steady progress through the levels towards their goal.
***
Wenlianna escorts Ahok, who is still nervous around other people after what happened during her mission. The half-goblin magic artisan designed the weapon that erased Fort Twilight, but at the last moment, she tried to stop it. Having been betrayed by her own troops, she was retrieved by Daniel and his companions, healed and offered an opportunity to serve as their Chief Artisan, only surpassed by the Empresses and Consorts in authority, which includes Wenlianna.
Four dragons are present; the three dragon empresses, as well as Rose, who is carrying her own egg just like the empresses do, and she is in more casual clothing.
Additionally, Aramellianna is seated at the head of the table, where Daniel usually sits with Hekate and Ryuogriar at either side of him.
“Wenlianna,” remarks the Grand Duchess with a very familiar tone.
“M-Mother?”
“Take a seat, Wenlianna,” states the matron sternly, gesturing to the seat to her own right, opposite of where Yanidere is currently seated.
The young woman says gently to Ahok, “Please excuse me, Ahok. We’ll continue our discussion later.”
Ahok nods, and she approaches the two goblin mothers seated with their children. “Um... y-your Majesties?”
The goblin queen known as Shek turns, and she asks brightly, “Yes, Lady Ahok?”
“M-May I sit next to you?”
“Of course! Sh-We welcome you. Forgive me if sound not smart. Shek and Skloe learning Eastern language proper.”
“I-I see,” replies Ahok as she takes a seat nervously. Everyone in the room outranks her, except maybe Rose. It’s a function of how few people are a part of the Citadel so far, but it’s still intimidating.
Aramellianna takes a moment to greet Ahok, “Lady Ahok, I’m glad to see you in good health. If you need anything, ask, and I shall give all in my power to make it so.”
“Same,” adds Hekate. The young feldrok empress then stands up, saying, “Now then, look at the time. I should...”
“Sit down,” states Aramellianna in a tone that could freeze the dragons solid mid-firebreath. Hekate instinctively yelps, “Ye-Yesh!” She sits back down faster than she stood up, sitting rigidly in her chair. Ryuogriar chuckles softly.
Erimaya also snickers softly, and Yormolett gives her a cautious smile. The Princess knows Aramellianna, but she doesn’t know the tone the Grand Duchess just used.
“Princess, this will concern you as well, since there seems to be a matter my darling Wenlianna has left out.”
“Wh-What matter?” asks Wenlianna nervously.
“Soon, my dear.” The Grand Duchess looks directly at Hekate, Ryuogriar, Geirahoel, and Reignleif, who are seated on the right side of the table closest to the head. “Please allow me to ask, your Graces, your Greatness. Is his Grace the Emperor satisfied?”
This causes a mass quake of the table as many of those seated around it suddenly flinch. Ahok notices the pale and tense expressions of almost everyone, save Illianna, Thymeria, Shek, and Skloe. In the case of the latter three, they seem surprised that everyone else has turned tense.
Hekate stammers, “S-S-S-Satisfied? Yes! He... Wh-Why do you ask?”
Ryuogriar nods in agreement. “I have much to learn about behaving like a proper wife to a human, but Mukori has expressed no dissatisfaction.”
“Papa happy!” exclaims Jieka excitedly.
Aramellianna studied everyone’s expressions, focusing most notably on those whose cheeks have gone a bright shade of pink. The Grand Duchess then clarifies. “I did not mean if he was happy in general with his current state of affairs. I was more specifically referring to satisfaction in the bedroom.”
“How is that any of your business!?” snaps Geirahoel.
The Grand Duchess doesn’t show any hint of intimidation, even though a dragon just shouted at her. Hekate does her best to defend them, “Your Grace, Daniel is very happy. In fact, we sleep together often, and he sleeps all night long!”
Aramellianna smirks, replying with a cool and somewhat exasperated tone, “I see. I believe those two questions alone answered my question.” She finally slides the phone to Wenlianna, and Wenlianna turns pale.
“M-Mother? I...”
“You’re a smart girl, my dear Wenlianna.”
Wenlianna looks at everyone around them. “M-Mother!? C-C-Can’t we... Can’t we talk in private?”
“No. I don’t think we will. After all, if there was anything to hide on this artifact, it could be seen as a scandal if the eldest daughter of a Grand Duchy were discovered to have indulged in it.”
Wenlianna can’t form words, stammering unintelligibly.
“So, you knew it was there, hmm?” She sighs. “Sweet Priestess Thymeria stumbled upon the strange illusion magic, and what I heard matched some of the descriptions I heard from the servants when you were holed up in your lab.”
“I-I-I can explain!” whines Wenlianna. “I was g-g-going through everything, a-and I only stumbled across it!” She blushes, looking to the side as she fidgets. “And then... curiosity got the better of me... and before I knew it, I couldn’t stop.”
“This one illusion entertained you for so long?” asks the Grand Duchess. She has been to plays before, but usually, it’s more of a social event rather than entertainment for someone of her status.
“It’s a whole series!” exclaims Wenlianna. She gasps, covering her mouth as she shrinks. “I-I-I mean...”
Aramellianna narrows her eyes as she stares at her eldest daughter.
“Go on,” replies the Grand Duchess seriously.
Wenlianna takes a breath and exhales. “It’s not just the ones that are... um... l-lewd. There is an amazing variety! It’s like thousands and thousands of plays, but they were drawn by hand! And, they’re addicting...” She goes distant as she stares at the phone.
Aramellianna remains silent as she sits on Wenlianna’s words, deliberating. She then asks, “Wenlianna, can I trust you have made use of what you learned?”
Again, Wenlianna turns a bright shade of pink from embarrassment. “M-Mother! I... How can you be so shameless!?”
“I am the Grand Duchess of Stalvaltan, Wenlianna. I have set more trends and stayed at the forefront of the culture of Mornistae for the better part of my life. It is fair to say that I am one of the most influential individuals in the entire world.” She grins deviously, which puts everyone else in the room off their guard, including the female Stalvaltan Guard standing behind her and her own daughters. She adds to her own thought, “Whether something is scandalous or not is often based solely on how it is sold.”
***