Subversion

Instead of making the decision himself, Andrew decided to do the most logical thing by consulting Garnet, his wife. He couldn't exactly disappear without telling her, so he did his best to explain the potential benefits of each world, curious to hear what she would suggest.

After hearing Andrew's explanation, Garnet took a moment to consider her response before stating, "I would prefer if you didn't venture to any worlds where it would be inconvenient for you to return quickly. In that regard, I believe that Hydaelyn may be the best option. If we could form a trade relationship with, I believe you called it Ul'dah? If they're as affluent as you suggest, it would benefit us to associate with them."

"The issue with Ul'dah is that their leader, the Sultana, isn't in control of the city-state," expressed Andrew. "I could reveal to her the existence of the plot against her, weakening the faction that opposes her rule, but she might not believe me. Even worse, she may be unable to do anything as the people conspiring to kill her haven't perpetrated the crime I would be accusing them of."

"Well, if they're a country that prioritizes wealth and influence, being the point of contact for an Envoy capable of transiting and establishing trade between multiple worlds should provide the Sultana substantial leverage," Garnet maintained.

Touching her chin with her right index finger, Garnet caused the smile on Andrew's face to cramp as she asked, "This Sultana...does she happen to be a bachelorette?"

"She is, but she's from an incredibly diminutive race of people known as the Lalafell," answered Andrew, emphasizing his point by stating, "Even the tallest members of their race might not exceed 100cm."

"Ah..." muttered Garnet, understanding why Andrew looked at her as if she had lost her mind. A hundred centimeters was quite small. It might not be impossible for some, but considering Andrew's size, he would doubtlessly 'break' such a dainty woman.

"Well, you should still do your best to support and earn her trust," said Garnet. "If Ul'dah is truly a nation surrounded by desert, we could sell them water and agricultural goods. We could also simply melt down and sell Gil as you've been doing back on Planetera(FF8)."

"Gold is fairly precious in most worlds," affirmed Andrew, having used the Gil he acquired from killing fiends to bankroll his expenses in the world of Final Fantasy VIII. He got some strange looks when he showed up with a never-before-seen currency, but gold was still gold. No merchant worthy of the title would refuse to accept or purchase it. Better yet, because it was a never-before-seen currency, the Gil from Gaia(FF9) sold for a fair amount to collectors who valued unknown and ancient-seeming 'relics.'

"Then that shall be our main export," decided Garnet. "To ascertain what else we can provide, you should research their market or ask the Sultana directly. Alexandria's innovation may lag behind Lindblum's, but we have a surplus of weapons and the best ship-manufacturing facilities on the Mist Continent. If you can bring back blueprints for the vessels they utilize, we should be able to manufacture them."

"I'll definitely keep that in mind," said Andrew. Lucky for them, one of the three nations making up the Eorzea Alliance, the main faction the players supported and were supported by in the game, was the maritime nation of Limsa Lominsa. If Andrew could foster a friendly relationship with their de facto leader, a pirate-like Roegadyn female named Merlwyb Bloefhiswyn, Limsa Lominsa's Chief Admiral, she would definitely purchase some ships from them. Gold, too, for that matter...

Making up his mind, Andrew nodded and said, "Then, once you've given birth, that's where I'll head."

"We cannot delay the development of our nation by nine to ten months just because I'm pregnant," contended Garnet. "Rather, our citizens are doubtlessly waiting to see what policies and changes I will introduce as their new Queen. If nothing changes, they may not lose their confidence in my ability to rule, but they will no longer be as supportive of my reign."

"You're not suggesting I depart right this instant, are you?" asked Andrew, raising his right brow.

"I'll leave that for you to decide," replied Garnet. "The same applies if you want to venture someplace else. If you believe you can become stronger in that world called Spira, you have my blessing to go there for as long as you need. Just keep in mind that this is your home. If I send for you, you are to return at once. Be sure that those you are traveling with are aware of that."

Though it would provide him more leverage in circumstances where it was better to conceal his capabilities, Andrew nodded in response to Garnet's words. He could keep his identity a secret if he deemed it necessary, but now that he had become Garnet's Prince Consort, he would be traversing the worlds of Final Fantasy as an Envoy, not a random adventurer without status or title. That didn't give him a license to behave arrogantly, but he shouldn't permit himself to be disparaged or looked down upon by those he would encounter during his journey. Not when the honor of Alexandria was on the line...

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'This is way better than I imagined...' thought Andrew, standing with his arms crossed and smiling as he observed a trio of cat-eared, cat-tailed beauties dancing atop a well-worn red carpet in the nook between two gigantic stone buildings. Their ears and tails were alluring on their own, but it was their scant attire, consisting of black bikini bottoms, gartered stockings, and silver string brassieres, which garnered a large crowd of onlookers.

'I love Garnet, but I definitely need me a cat girl...' determined Andrew, waiting until the trio had concluded their performance before surprising nearly everyone present by materializing and tossing a 5kg gold bar onto their carpet, standing out amongst the dilapidated silver and copper coins tossed by others.

Before the trio could recover from their stupor, an unkempt fellow that barely came up to Andrew's waist leaped forward, attempting to grab the gold bar and flee. Instead, Andrew reached forward faster than the small man, clearly a Lalafell, could pounce, grabbing his collar and tossing him backward, over the gathered crowd.

Picking up the gold bar, Andrew handed it to the sweaty, ashen-haired Miqo'te standing at the front of the group, smiling as he said, "It was a fine show. Take the rest of the day off to treat yourselves."

Though she was tempted to say Andrew's donation was too much, the Miqo'te woman, breathing a little heavily due to her previous exertion, accepted it with a smile and said, "Thank you for your patronage. Please come and watch us again sometime."

"Definitely," replied Andrew, raising two fingers in a farewell salute before turning around. Then, with the gazes of nearly everyone present following him, he entered the tavern on the left side of the alleyway. A few looked like they wanted to follow him, but seeing how well he was dressed and how casually he tossed a person through the air, they wisely decided to play it safe.

Making himself comfortable at a circular wooden table, Andrew didn't have to wait long before the trio of dancers from before joined him. He hadn't planned for them to do so, but he certainly didn't mind, smiling as he asked, "Is this where you usually take your breaks?"

"Not really," replied a short-haired Miqo'te with neatly styled silver hair. Immediately after, her slightly darker-skinned companion, possessing long black hair that framed her face, a low ponytail, and distinctive white markings that vaguely resembled whiskers, added, "We just figured it was safer to stick close to you, at least for the time being."

Nodding in affirmation, the ashen-haired Miqo'te, possessing distinctive bangs that flowed away from her scalp, framing her face and ending in sharp points, took it upon herself to ask, "If Sir doesn't mind my asking, why did you do something so high-profile? I fear we'll be harassed even more than usual on our way home tonight..."

"As I said before, it was a good dance," stated Andrew, shrugging as he turned his attention to a group of three men and one woman that had sat on the opposite side of the tavern, his gaze briefly overlapping with the blue-skinned, bear-like man he assumed to be the leader or 'muscle' of the group.

"Though, in hindsight, I may have gone a little overboard in expressing my appreciation," mused Andrew, returning his attention to the girls. They had followed his gaze when he looked over at the unscrupulous-looking party of four, so, if nothing else, they now had an idea of who to be cautious of in the interim...

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After gathering information from the trio, Andrew 'incentivized' a group of guards, colloquially known as the Brass Blades, to see the girls safely to a destination of their choosing. Then, after enjoying the sights and sounds of the predominately stone city, none other than Ul'dah, he made his way to his penultimate destination, a large stone building with a wide entrance supported by thick columns of stone. A large black banner hung from its central archway, depicting an ornate golden scale balancing a diamond on one side and a flame on the other.

Before Andrew could enter the building, a tall, long-eared man with pale blonde hair and naturally arrogant-looking facial features raised his hand and said, "Please, stay where you are and state your business. This is the Headquarters of the Immortal Flames. Unless you have an appointment or wish to file an emergency incident report, it would be best to turn away and visit one of our branch offices."

Sizing the man up, Andrew remarked, "You've gotta be hot in that getup..." as the man wore a thick black coat with black embellishments and golden trim. His pants were comprised of similar material, but the boots, padded gloves, and the two-tiered mantle the man was wearing made Andrew think that whoever designed the outfit was a lunatic. Who wore all black in the middle of a fucking desert?

Raising and slamming the pommel of his halberd against the ground, the man shouted, "This is the uniform of the Immortal Flames! It is my honor to wear it proudly...!"

"Anyways..." muttered Andrew. "Mind informing your General or the Grand Marshall that an Envoy from the Kingdom of Alexandria has come to pay a visit? I wish to meet with the Sultana to discuss commerce and other vital matters."

Though he was more than a little confused by Andrew's words, having never heard of a Kingdom of Alexandria, the guard decided to play it safe and not offend the strange, golden-haired man that had appeared before him. Looking at Andrew's tail, one would assume he was a Miqo'te, but as he had rounded ears like a Hyur, he was either a halfbreed or something else entirely...

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A few minutes after Andrew casually revealed his status as an Envoy, a notably handsome Lalafell with flowing, ash-blonde hair emerged from the Headquarters of the Immortal Flames, a building appropriately titled the Hall of Flames.

"Are you the person claiming to be an Envoy?" asked the diminutive man, staring up at Andrew in a set of stylish, breathable, black armor trimmed with gold. Andrew vaguely recognized the man, but as it had been a while since he played FFXIV, he couldn't recall the Lalafell's name.

"That is correct," replied Andrew, offering a customary but casual bow as he added, "My name is Andrew Ashford Alexandros, Prince Consort to Her Majesty, Queen Garnet of Alexandria."

"And where is this 'Alexandria' located?" asked the Lalafell, crossing his arms and making it clear he didn't believe Andrew's words.

"That is sensitive information, and you've yet to even introduce yourself," noted Andrew, mirroring the Lalafell's posture as he added, "Now, before you say or do something you will invariably regret, I advise you to inform the General or Grand Marshall of my presence. While you're at it, I would appreciate it if you fetched a glass of water."

Exhaling a scoffing chuckle, the Lalafell remarked, "You've got cheek; I'll give you that." Then, half-turning, he thumbed in the direction of the Hall of Flames and said, "Well, if you're brave enough to follow, I'll hear you out. The General and the Grand Marshall are indisposed at the moment. Lucky for you, I'm the Vice-Grand Marshall, Pipin Tarupin. If you are who you say you are, I will communicate your words to my father. If it turns out you're lying and just trying to get attention, expect to spend the next thirty to ninety days in a detainment center. The Immortal Flames don't have the time or resources to entertain prankers and conmen."

"Lead the way," said Andrew, gesturing with his left hand, undaunted by Pipin's threat. His casualness caused the latter to frown, but, at the same time, the Lalafell began to acknowledge he wasn't dealing with someone ordinary...

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