The Negotiator

(4 month and 25 day after Klada Disaster)

[Lynn's POV]

(The city's main gate)

Four days has passed since that day when Bataar, the kobold commander of this city's guard came to us.

Yesterday, a courier left a letter in our room which told me to gather my belongings and prepare to travel out towards further East.

This morning, I bid farewell with Kyrielle as I don't know how long this trip and negotiation would take to finish.

"Be safe alright, Kyrie? I'll be back very soon."

I'd bring her with me, but it's a bit dangerous and inconvenient. We are going to a war's frontline, it'd be risky for Kyrielle to be there, and that's why I decided to leave her here in the city.

"Alright... you will come back for me right?..."

"Haha, don't worry. If I wanted to ditch you I would have done so ages ago! Relax, I will always bring you back home, I promise."

"...That'll have to do then. See you again, Lynn!"

"Yeah, goodbye for now!"

I left the inn afterwards. With my luggage in hand I went to the city's eastern gate. Heading over there, I saw 5 closed carriages.

All the carriage has fancy designs, and the mounts that is dragging those carriage is even fancier as well; Unicorns, a horse looking monster with a single protruding horn on their head. They are the symbol of purity and elegance.

On the body of the carriages are engravings of flowers and animals, likely signifying that these carriages is of royal origins and to discourage people from attacking it.

Many soldiers are present at this convoy, likely to guard the important people here. I could see about 40 to 50 of demon soldiers with just a glance.

These guards were all demons of different races, and are very varied in their appearance as a result. As soon as I approached them...

"(We all welcome the Magic God.)" (?x)

All the guards that were present greeted me formally. A bit too grandiose for me, but I'll just go along with it.

"(Its fine, you all don't need to be so polite with me.)"

"(It's just a custom... The person with the 'Magic God' title is highly valued in our culture because of Baal's reign.)" One of the soldiers explained to me.

"(I see....)"

The Monproximus Republic was the largest republican country of the Bostnia continent back during the great war, it's also Baal's very own country. It's capital city, Creimland is under danger now, I can see why the people here are rather sensitive about it.

"(Ms Lynn.)" Bataar is here as well.

"(Are you ready now? Her Highness will be in the same carriage as you are...)"

"(Okay, bring me to him.)"

"(Right.... Please watch your words, as you may be surprised when you meet them.)"

"(....Why do you call your king a 'she'? Isn't he a male?)"

"(Yes... and no. You'll know once you meet her.)"

"(Right....)"

"(This way please.)"

Bataar guided me to the fanciest carriage out of the 5, but before he let me in...

"(Before I let you in... Do you have any other questions?)"

"(....Who's in the other carriages?)"

"(High ranking officials of the monarchy side... they are dukes or duchesses.)"

"(If I remembered correctly, there is only a few nobles in this city right? The king lives further East closer to the front lines, how come they are here then?)"

"(After receiving my report, the king has personally requested everyone to gather in our capital city. This heavily defended convoy is to transport everyone to there, and you are our highly valued VIP.)"

"(VIP, right... I have no more questions.)"

"(Then farewell to you. I hope you will bring our country some good news, and bring an end to this war.)"

"(Wait, you aren't coming?)"

"(No. I'm but a humble commander of this city's battalion of soldiers, I don't have the right or the power to come. Besides, I still have this city to defend.)"

"(I see... Take care of Kyrielle for me then will you?)"

"(You can rest assured, I will make sure she is safe. Then, please enter the carriage.)"

He opened the carriage's door, and I went on inside. Inside the carriage there is cushioned seats, and three individuals inside.

A elegantly dressed little girl, an old man in a white coat sitting next to her and a man in metal armor standing next to those two inside this large carriage. They all looked human, somehow.

The old man there doesn't seem to be King Asmodeus.... But why is there a little girl in here? Maybe she's the princess of the king?

Before I could sit down on one of the seats though...

"(So, you must be the Magic God huh?)" The little girl asked me as I enters the carriage.

"(Yes I am. My name is Lynn, I am pleased to meet you. May I ask for your name, little miss?)"

"(My name? I see... I am the princess of the country, Asmedea.)"

As she introduced herself, I sat down on the opposite side of the carriage facing these two.

"(It's nice to meet you, Princess Asmedea. Then this good looking man here must be the king?)"

"(....I am grateful for your flatteries, Miss Lynn, but you can stop with it because I don't really need flatteries. I am Jern, the personal advisor for the king.)"

"(Hmm, you must be smart then. As for you, the warrior clad in armor, what is your name?)"

"(My name doesn't matter, I am but a Royal guard assigned to protect the king.)"

"(Wait, if you are assigned to protect the king and that old man there isn't the king, then where is he?)"

"(Hmm, I like that reaction. Don't you think so as well, Jern?)"

"(Your Highness....)"

She's the King?!

"(Wait, why the hell is King Asmodeus a little girl?!)"

"(Why indeed? Haha!)"

"(Sigh... Miss Lynn, you must not be familiar with our race huh?)"

"(No....)"

"(...All three of us are 'Shapeshifters', and we can change our physical appearance easily. My Lord has decided to amuse himself by pulling a prank on you.)"

"(Oh Jern, you don't have to spill the beans so fast! Whatever, I even dressed up for the occasion. Miss Lynn didn't see through my disguise right?)"

"(Yeah... I was fooled by your disguise, your Highness.)"

"(Hahaha, then now I know it works!)"

She finally pulled a crown from the back of her seat and wore it on her head. She now looks just like a young beautiful princess.

"(Hmm... Mind if I say something, King Asmodeus?)"

"(Go ahead.)"

"(Maybe you can act like the daughter of the king and pretend to take his place on the upcoming negotiation.)"

"(Hahaha, that sounds interesting!)"

"(Miss Lynn, please refrain from giving my Lord even more weird ideas.)"

"(Well, it couldn't hurt to lighten the mood a bit.)"

"(...You sound just like Her Majesty now.)"

"(I'll take that as a compliment.)"

'Knock knock!' From the outside, a voice was heard.

"(Your Highness... The convoy will now move to the East.)"

"(Very well. Do it.)"

"(Soldiers! March on!)"

The carriage lagged a bit once the the mount started dragging it, but soon enough it steadied itself again.

"(So Miss Lynn, I assume that Commandant Bataar had already told you about the general gist of our situation right?)"

Almost as if her goofy nature was just a mask, she suddenly turned serious, just like how a monarch should act in the first place.

"(Yes.)"

"(Miss Lynn, I personally ask of you to help me take care of the problem that has arisen in Creimland. I cannot provide any help over there, and as such I must resort to asking your favor.)"

"(Dont worry, Princess Asmedea. I bet on my title of Magic God to solve this issue that has created so many troubles.)"

"(Thank you. I shall send any assistance to you that is necessary to help solve the issue of that weird magic fenomena on the sky...)"

"(Thank you but you don't really have to. King Hal has already granted me the Royal Right of Passage, there isn't anything else that I might need.)"

"(That Hal? As expected of that cunning old man, he is quick to act...)"

"(Obviously. Well, he is audacious though I must say. After all, one of his men had tried to kill me, and then he had the face to ask for my help!)"

"(Well, being granted Royal Rights is already a huge reward on this Continent. It already repaid whatever debt that he has owned.)"

"(Well, you have a point. Anyway, how will the negotiations go?)"

"(We already have a plan about that. Jern, it's your time to explain!)"

"(Alright... So, the very first thing that shall be said at the negotiations is-)"

They discussed to me whatever they had on their mind about the negotiation, about how it will go and about how my role plays into it.

In short, my role in the negotiation is to act as the middle man, and help the two parties reach a common understanding starting off with handling all the responsibility of the Creimland Magic Fenomena.

And besides that, me showing up in the monarchy's side would be a major intimidation factor. My title as the Magic God holds power, as I am the one who killed Baal; I could single handedly wipe out a country by myself. Any sane person would not want to make an enemy with me.

"(-that will be the end of it. Time for a little rest.)"

"(Alright. I was getting tired anyway.)"

Immediately after the discussion ends however, Asmodeus talked again.

"(...I was just wondering, why did you showed up here on this continent?)"

"(Oh, I was caught in a teleport accident, and with a kid following me at that. It was a mess, and now I'm trying to return to the Central Continent...)"

"(A kid? It must have been hard on them.)"

"(Yeah... But she's a strong child, mentally and magically as well.)"

"(Oh? Is she really powerful?)"

"(Yes... Likely on the level of just slightly weaker than Saint ranked mages... She is at least stronger than a Master Mage.)"

"(Is that so? Then I think Commander Baatar would try to make full use of her abilities to protect the city.)"

"(....What is he gonna make a little girl do?)"

_________________

(Kyrielle's POV)

"(I told you, NO! I won't become the instructor for your mage squad in the city!)"

Bataar, the commander of the battalion in this city is currently holding me hostage in the restaurant where Lynn and I usually eat at.

"(Your skill set would be extremely useful here! Our mages are only adept ranked at best, but you have followed the Magic God for so long, you must have learned a trick or two right?)"

"(I have, but it's just that fire magic is all that I'm good at! With anything else, I'm just slightly above average in terms of knowledge and power!)"

"(Even that will do, last week we were attacked by the enemy with Saint ranked spells, and our mage squad could do nothing against it because all of the experienced mages are already out at the front line... We never expected there to be such a strong mage so far in the backline.)"

"(I am not that great with magic fights, I can't teach your soldiers how to fight enemy mages...)"

"(You are lying, Officer Dao said that you assisted Lynn in defending the city from the spell attacks last week. The least you can do is to just teach us how you and the Magic God did it.)"

"(No.)"

"(....You'll be paid handsomely with the war funds.)"

"(....You should've said so sooner!)"

Wait wait, do you think that I was so easily won over by money? This is not me being greedy, it's me being smart!

Remember, Lynn and I are currently on the Bostnia Continent where things cost more than they are back in the Central Continent. Any amount of money counts!

Besides, I have nothing to do these past few weeks at this city anyway besides studying the Bostnian language. Maybe working as a magic instructor is not a bad thing....

"(I am really grateful to you for offering your help. You two are like miracles for us...)"

"(Save your flatteries and praise me after I taught your soldiers correctly.)"

"(I see, so you dislike flatteries huh? Just like Miss Lynn I suppose....)"

"(Hold on, why are you addressing Lynn with honorifics but not me?)"

"(Well, first off you are a kid.)"

Urk! A jab?!

"(Second, you still suck at magic compared to Lynn-dono.)"

Ouch! Following up with a cross?!

"(And finally, there's no way I would address a tiny girl like you with honorifics.)"

Argh! A three punch(insult) combo that hits me right where it hurts like a boxing combo!

"(I'm not tiny! And that's just rude!)"

"(Hahaha, I was just joking with you! See you tomorrow then, I'll come pick you up tomorrow at the inn.)"

"(Yea yea, I'll head to the library now so see you.)"

________________

(Lynn's POV)

"(Sigh... I really can't leave her alone can I? Everytime I'm away, something always happena, like that time when she was attacked by the eight Rock Drakes...)"

"(She was attacked by eight Rock Drakes alone and survived it? She must be even more impressive than you give her credit for.)"

"(Well, if she is good at more spells outside of fire spells, she'd be Saint ranked already. The problem is, she's only good at fire spells, the rest of her magic are not that much incredible.)"

"(I see... But it's not all about magic abilities you know?)"

"(Well, you are right. For so long that I have observed her, her best asset is not her magic power or talent, but her quick thinking.)"

"(What do you mean?)"

"(Well, she is the first to have used so much Magic Technique in her arsenal even compared to me. Almost every attacks she does involve some fused form of Mana Ball, which is by default only a basic magic technique. Her way of using simple spells is very creative.)"

"(I see... She sounds really dangerous.)"

"(Well, she is dangerous, but she has quite a few major weaknesses as well.)"

"(Which is?)"

"(If she is caught off guard, she can die easily. If she was to be suddenly ambushed by some really fast monsters, she wouldn't be able to cast the stronger magics. And some monsters are immune to fire as well.)"

"(I see... Well, these weaknesses applies to all mages doesn't it? That's why mages need a team to back them up.)"

"(Correct, but what separates a good mage from the best mages is just that.)"

"(That wouldn't be a problem if she doesn't face someone that is strong against fire right?)"

"(Yes, but someday she will meet someone who will counter all her spells, and her quick thinking would be useless....)"

"(I see... What about you, Lynn-dono? Do you have any weaknesses?)"

"(Me?... Sorry to sound like I'm boasting, but I have no weaknesses in actual combat. Not in close range, not in long range, not in tight quarters, and not in fire power. I'm the Magic God for a reason.)"

"(I see... That's how powerful you need to be to kill Baal huh?)"

"(Yeah. That guy was super strong, the strongest enemy I have ever faced. Even as I am right now, there is still half a chance that he'd kill me if we fought right now.)"

Baal was extremely strong... And his spell can kill me even with my superior healing factor, that's why he's dangerous.

"(I see... Anyway, I am done talking now as I'm getting really tired here.)"

"(Right... Sir Jern, where will the negotiations be held?)"

"(It will be held at the city where King Asmodeus lives in, further East of here. The Prime Minister has agreed to go there for the negotiation as well.)"

"(I see... When will we arrive then?)"

"(About 3 days of traveling by carriage.)"

"(That's kind of far actually. Why did you all came here from so far away anyway?)"

"(Well, our convoy is here to escort the nobles of the city. You just happened to be there as well, so we decided to let you get in our carriage and have you discuss plans with the King. But it seems that you two has already finished discussing by now...)"

"(Indeed, we have. Then I'll just enjoy the ride here.)"

The funny thing about this entire teleportation incident is that if I were to have a bread for each time I saw a King when I am here in this continent, I would have two breads now. It isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice now. (Dr Doofenshmirtz reference)

________________

(4 month and 28 days after Klada Disaster)

(3 days later....)

[Kyrielle's POV]

Roughly 3 days has passed since Lynn left me alone in this city.

And this is also the third day that I'm teaching these mages about combat with magic.

"(-projectile spells all have a really common weakness, it's that they are very easily intercepted midair.)"

Right now in the afternoon, I am lecturing a squad of about 14 mages inside a tent. I have a chalk board here, and I'm now giving a lesson about how defend against spell attacks while drawing on it using a chalk pen.

This concept of intercepting a projectile instead of blocking it is basically common sense to me and Lynn, but it seems that these demon mages doesn't know of this concept.

"(But Madam, what exactly is 'intercepting' a spell?)"

It is kind of funny actually, seeing grown ups calling me 'madam'.

"(You demons should be better than me at magic you know? Yet you don't know what intercepting a spell is?)"

"(Nope...)" (14x)

"(In the most simple explanation, it is to shoot at an oncoming spell to trigger it. This can be done using arrows, or just spells or your own.)"

"(But why don't we just use defensive magic to block it?)"

(AN : Barrier spells, Earth Wall, Fire Wall, etc)

"(Well first off, defense magic can be broken through. You don't have a strong enough defense magic to block the Saint ranked spell last week, right?)"

"(Well... you have a point.)"

"(And then second, defense magic usually costs a lot of Mana. Ones that costs less Mana like Earth Wall or Lesser Barrier is also pretty weak against stronger spells above the rank of Adept.)"

"(Yeah. When we tried to block Abyssal Fire using 'Barrier', it completely shattered with just one hit. We didn't have enough time to cast the stronger version, 'Ballistic Barrier' because it's too slow...)"

"(Exactly, that brings me to the final point. The biggest reason why you should intercept spells is that it's way faster to do. You may miss without practise, but it allows you to get out of situations where the enemy mages have you pinned down with spells.)"

Just like how in martial arts, there's block and deflect, in magic there's this.

"(If you intercept a spell, you can start casting your own spells immediately after you have intercepted it. That means you might be able to out speed your opponent in casting, is that right?)"

"(Correct. Finally a student that pays attention. So, how about a demonstration then? You all would like to see me do it right?)"

"(Huh? We thought you weren't a good field mage and only knows of theories in combat like a commander.... Don't tell me you are also good at live combat as well?)"

"(Huh? I thought it's obvious.)"

"(...we underestimated you, madam.)"

"(Is that so....? Anyway, you, how about you help me with the demonstration?)"

"(A-alright.)"

"(Now everyone, let's step out to the training field.)"

Our military camp is still inside the city, set in an empty area which used to be a park. It's a sad sight to see this beautiful park in this sorry state, full of weapons and tents, not a place to relax in.

In the park there's a open area for us to use. It's designated for mages to train here, so we all headed over there for our practise.

"(Everyone stand to the sides, you don't want to be tagged by any spells. Now, you stand about there.... Okay, that's good enough.)"

"(Um, isn't this a bit too close for magic combat?)"

"(It is? Lynn and I always practise at this range.)"

"(Well, it's just for your own safety, madam. I don't mind this range personally.)"

"(No matter, just fire at me when you are ready. Don't go all out though, I'm a human so I'll die!)"

"(I'll be careful...)"

"(Now, I want you to fire an intermediate spell directly on me. Don't shoot to the sides or above me, but directly at me.)"

"(Really?! Isn't that dangerous?!)"

"(It's fine, don't worry. I'll show you my aim!)"

"(Okay... Here I go...! Nature hides a bullet-)"

He extended his arm out at me and a blue crest forms in front of his hand.

Hmm... a Rock Sling huh? I guess I'll intercept it with a Rock Sling as well. It has been a while but this is the rare moment where I actually chant magic out loud.

"(Nature hides a bullet that shall-)"

"(-that shall pierces all! Rock Sling!)"

("-pierces all! Rock Sling!)"

I immediately shot my rock bullet at the rock bullet that he fired out. With my Mana Shield on, my reaction speed have became faster so I can even react to it by just reflexes alone...

'Bang!' As the two projectiles collides, a small explosion could be heard.

"(Woah! She really tagged it at such a close range!)" (9x)

"(Wha-? Nature hides a bullet-)"

"(Nature hides a bullet that shall-)"

"(-that shall pierces all!)" (2x)

"(Rock Sling!)" (2x)

We both fired out our spell at the same time. I successful caught up with him despite him chanting first.

'Bang!'

"(Nature hides a bullet that shall pierces- )"

"(-Nature hides a bullet that sh-)"

"(-all! Rock Sling!)"

'Thud!' I shot a weak Rock Sling at him, and it hit him right in the stomach, making a meaty sound.

"(Gah!...cough cough!...)"

"(Now, as you can see I can out speed his casting by intercepting his spell repeatedly.... If you block his first spell, you'd lose the speed advantage and be locked down by his spells repeatedly.)"

"(As expected of madam, you are amazing!)" (13x)

"(As such, by intercepting the enemy spells mid air, you will be able to even the odds with your opponent. But even with such techniques, you all just chant too slow!)"

I looked at everyone again, many of them looked impressed an shocked at the same time. It seems that even they themselves are aware of the fact that they just chant too slowly.

"(So... Any questions?)"

"(Madam! How do we get so good at aiming? You know, we aren't monster like you who can hit such a small target that's flying so fast!)"

"(....I see. I guess I'll have to teach you guys how to change your spell's direction after you fired it out.)"

This is actually a magic technique that a lot of mages do subconsciously. If you can visualize your spell changing course mid flight, then it will. There are limitations like not being able to immediately change directions, but it could be done consistently.

Contrary to any common sense, it is extremely easy to hit a target with a spell once you learn to change your spell's directions even after you casted it.... That is if they aren't moving really fast.

"(How can we learn it then?)"

"(You learn by practicing it! That's how you get a grasp of any and every magic technique. This technique is called 'Course Alteration', and it's a very useful adept ranked magic technique. I'll explain later on how to do it, for now...)"

I took a look at everyone here, who is eager to learn this new trick.

"(....For now, line up into a single line, I will personally teach everyone of you how to visualize such a technique and perform it. Hurry up, we don't have much time!)"

"(Yes Madam!)" (14x)

(Chapter end)