End of the Demon War III

The battle maiden nodded in agreement, both of them continuing on. "Your majesty! W-what am I to do while you are away?" Duncan yelled out after her, standing in the middle of the hall.

"Check the treasury here, have it documented and everything accounted for. Don't fuck with the employees, I expect full professionalism from you. Divvy out some of the funds to those who have lost the most; rebuilding is key around here with lost property. By the way, start with the poor first and end with the wealthy; they've suffered enough, including the employees here in the palace" she replied with a nonchalant wave of her hand in the air.

"But the nobles have lost so much! Maybe they'll invest in the poor after?"

"That wasn't a suggestion, Duncan. Poor first, then we can decide on what to do with the rich." He exhaled loudly and nodded towards her receding form as she stepped lightly down the hallway, then remembered an area the tour hadn't headed towards.

"What am I to do with the dungeon?" Selene stopped mid-step. They hadn't yet seen the special dungeon that Xaxara was most likely being held in with powerful enchanted chains. There was silence in the hallway bar some winter animals skittering along the rooftops.

"Leave it alone, I'll deal with it when I'm ready. I already know who is inside." Blue was about to head after his alpha, though he stopped to pee on one of the legs of the four-post bed before heading after her. The short advisor grabbed at his half-bald head at seeing that and couldn't believe how the new ruler of the lands reacted to the situation inside. She didn't care about any of the riches that might be hidden away, about a reveal ceremony in front of the people letting them know who was in control. Selene already knew who had power here. The only thing going through her mind at the moment was just getting home and getting some rest. She needed to work through the nightmares, get some time to focus on the aftermath of the war without meeting new people.

"You are not looking forward to the next few days, are you" Hrist quietly stated.

"No, no I'm not. Now I get the fun job of incorporating the remains of Artinia into my borders with our laws, cleaning up crime and looters, reconstruction and dealing with the nobility that are still around. Then economic boosts, get jobs back in working order, trade back up and running between towns and cities we now have… I almost wish we were still fighting demons, at least with them I could point and shoot. They were a known enemy," the dev replied satirically.

One Week Later, 20th, December

"You've got to be kidding me." The empress had her hand up to her forehead in a facepalm, rubbing her eyelids slowly at her desk as information was relayed about the reconstruction of Aureos along with other important facets of her empire. There was slight sleep deprivation noticed in her body behavior. The nightmares were slowly going away, a few good dreams cropping up throughout. They wouldn't hold her for very long, with the usage of the elixirs to boost quite a few of her skills to the maximum she could reach at the moment.

"Yes ma'am, they are hoping you'll wear the crown in a ceremony to let everyone know who their new queen is; he just wants time to send invitations out to all the movers and shakers in society" Will chuckled out as he sat in a chair across from her desk. As she started to feel tired again, a quick cast of [Greater Rejuvenate] got her back to full alertness. Delfie wanted to write an article for her newspaper involving the end of the demon war for the empire, the dev's rise to power and the creation of the Church of the Clockwork Empress. The interview would have to wait another week, at the very least.

"I'm an empress! A tier above a queen! I mean, seriously?! God, if that wasn't enough, I thought the few nobles I had to beat around were in Silvinholm. Boy, the ones in Aureos are just as devious in some cases… the minor nobles are perfectly fine, it's the major houses that are pissing me off. That crown is pathetic too; get it melted down for raw mats…" she exclaimed as her hands flew into the air. "I don't wear them anyways…"

"That's not even the half of it. Have you heard about some of their plans? One is to somehow get an official audience with you in Silvinholm to get some special treatment; they somehow think you need them or their money to keep your empire going, to keep the peasants and commoners employed." She furrowed her eyebrows as her mouth dropped in a dumbfounded look. A few slow blinks behind a pair of glasses designed to block blue light from the computer and she started staring at the Chief of Staff.

"Do they not know their companies are under guided control by Alfred? I mean, it's like they believe they live in their own stuck up little universe and are the center of it. I'm in charge around here for fuck's sake. They abandoned the people of Silvinholm to the siege that they were responsible for, they backed the king to get access to some of his power, they accepted slavery to do most menial labor. I still can't believe I didn't kill some of them, at least the ones directly responsible. I know most of them have been stuck trying to make a living under the rules of the old king, but that regime is gone. Things change, they need to adapt."

"Dominic thinks you should make an example of them soon." The dev pushed some of her dark red hair back behind her ear and typed up a few more words on a computer for documents to be printed out in bulk. Donovan was going to make a full round with all judges and magistrates, needing copies of the laws and policies of the empire to show to each region of her borders, some laws modified to work with the area. Suggestions were sitting next to her, given by her cabinet on what to alter. While things had calmed down immensely since her security had worked its way through the land, they were having a hard time getting a police force ready to keep Aureos and the new towns safe and secure without being pushed back by large gangs or criminal organizations. Corruption seemed to be a way of life in that city, making it difficult for the empress to turn her attention to more important matters. It was changing with great speed, just not quick enough for her tastes.

Thankfully, Tilly, the receptionist at the adventurer's guild, had an ingenious idea of bringing volunteer adventurer parties to the imperial city and act as deputies to keep the peace. They were more than capable of handling the odd thief or murderer, with a combined raid effort already completed to take down a crime lord hiding in the deeper part of the sewers. Dina and her team were proving to be fairly effective at handling minor crime without issue, knowing quite well how to deal with urban combat. Most silver ranked parties acted as extensions for the heavily stressed officers trying to keep control of every district until more could be trained, with iron and copper providing garrison duties. Brand new adventurers were also in need just to scout out anywhere demons might have scurried off to, with their abilities allowing warped spawn points to crop up in forests. They couldn't bring in more demons, as the artifact was destroyed, though it did allow other monsters to somehow appear at random on rare occasions that didn't share the same views as ones born and bred.

While trolls and demi-humans could be found as an example, not all were hostile. These oddly twisted versions were just mindless, through and through. They reminded the dev of trash mobs in Yggdrasil, with basic AI to just attack without any thought for their own wellbeing once they saw a target to beat on. There was no rhyme or reason, they all seemed bent on a kill or be killed mentality compared to their regular cousins, with food not even being a factor in their minds. There was no aggro tether either, the monsters just roamed until they found something to fight or group up with to cause further damage.

It would at least keep the adventurers busy and well paid, at least until the science division figured out how to disperse every spawn point and demon that could create them that would crop up. They were getting close to understanding the concept, soon to open up jobs for the adventurer's guild in the future to hunt and destroy those locations along with the automaton military. The only advantage so far was that each spawner had to be away from sunshine, eventually disintegrating for some reason by getting hit by the rays bombarding the area. This meant dense forests, underground lairs and underwater were the best locations to search.

"Make an example? Oy, I have bigger things to deal with right now. Remember the Church of Golden Faith? Yeah, them." She was referring to the religion that was propped up by the Artinian government and make-believe gods that simply did not exist. The entire faith was built on castes and titles, the rich being major benefactors while the poor could not partake in most of the benefits such as purification or healing in the temples, though there were housecalls. They preached about how a man should act according to their beliefs in accepting their place in society, had a warped view to stop anyone in pursuing technological advances that weren't approved by the king or was considered a transgression to their fake gods. Selene already had to intervene twice just to get them to back off into their temples, to leave the streets alone and not preach in a traveler's face; both times they would not let the people go, almost forcing them to convert.

What she had found out now was that it was all to keep the peace, to make sure no one became a threat inside the kingdom to the king and keep everyone suppressed, lest they somehow rise up and kill their monarch. Now that their ruler was replaced, they transferred their oaths to the empress, which pissed her off immensely. They also were in control of the crude banking system, diverting funds wherever it was needed for the rich to pay for whatever they needed, with the common man even holding small accounts. The whole process was tilted in the noble's favor with better interest, but it was at least a way to travel without carrying all of their life's savings for bandits to take. Getting them removed for the system would require patience and time, forcing them to either dissolve or integrate into real religions with real gods… hopefully not believing she was one of them.

"I remember hearing about that. A man had just finished inventing the beginnings of a hot air balloon, still hidden in his cellar. We investigated to make sure it was safe and wouldn't harm the populace if it ever fell down given the materials were crude. While it looks like an interesting Passarola, it shows the innovative capability of your subjects now that they are free of the tyranny behind you."

"Yeah, guess what? Those zealots considered his invention an affront to the gods, believing trying to reach them would bring down their wrath. They burned his house down. The inventor barely managed to escape with his daughter, his wife was injured in the evacuation of the city block fire that broke out. The fire department was not happy with their first real action in that district. At least they proved their mettle, cutting their teeth with the whole event."

"Yes, I believe we're still investigating who started that. Without a fully staffed police force readily available, our security will have to work on maintaining the peace in that province behind the adventurers. I believe you were hoping to keep our troops as far from municipalities as possible to not interfere with the day to day operations."

"I'm worried the Church of the Clockwork Empress is going to get into a violent argument with them" she replied as her modifications to some of the words in one law involving tariffs and sea shipping were completed then sent for printing. While administrative automatons could do most of the work typing, she needed to review alterations for Donovan to show personally in different provinces via magical powerpoint presentations, try to make sure what he provided would keep them listening instead of zoning out. "Interestingly, these zealots that follow whatever form of me they've created are pretty easy going when it comes to Elesia or Gigsen, even Xaxara. They just really don't like the only religion that does very little for the people… fancy that."

"Did they get into a scuffle already? That was quick. I thought your followers weren't going to fight in your name."

"They said they would not take up arms to fight in my wars, I'm pretty sure assassination is still fair game in their eyes. Also, what if they contract someone else to do the work for them? I haven't quite read their playbook just yet." Selene sighed in frustration and continued, "I'm not exactly angry at them if they are trying to pick a fight with those assholes who still want to suppress everyone else's beliefs with their heavy-handedness, I'm just worried they'll go back on their oaths in not starting an internal crusade in my name. Add on the fact there could be a religious war inside my borders between what amounts to two large gangs and the streets become more dangerous for police to patrol, let alone the citizens."

"You know that the ones who burnt the inventor's home down are outliers, right? That's not all of them."

"Oh, I know that, same as the doofus who tried to kidnap me with his dumb idea of breaking into the castle. I also know that most of the Church of the Golden Path has in fact provided some donations for the impoverished at times with homeless shelters and ration lines. The problem is, they want you to pray, give money, then they save your filthy soul. You can't verify they saved your soul after. I wonder if this is because there is no clear magic to detect that, just good and evil… anyways, that's their entire reason for existing. At least Elesia's Chosen and Gigsen's Merchants are doing better now…" Will let out a short laugh.

"Have you entered the dungeon just yet in the second palace you now have?"

"No, not yet. I haven't decided how I want to go in, angry and violent or quiet and interrogating. The background history I have on her in tomes doesn't exactly paint an evil picture of her either. I know she's the goddess of lust, sorcery, and corruption, but that's it. While the last one is obviously worrying, it doesn't tell me whether she acts the part. Plus, I'm… kind of really busy, and I heard she doesn't really need to eat to survive on our plane, it's more of a thing to do to just enjoy food. I've only gone back once to speak with Duncan about his fear of me destroying the palace with all the new construction going on, knocking out walls and the like. She can hang… oh fuck it, that's just a bad pun…" Will hung his head and shook it slowly in agreement.

"It's not as if she can do anything to stop you. Those chains keep her power sealed away. Are you waiting for your Artifact quality tier to finish?" he asked.

"It's the only tier I know for sure that had verified feats built in that allowed god slaying as standard. Legendary can do it too, at least due to the original design, it just broke the weapon and had to have a special bonus effect, a one-shot item as it were. I'd like to be prepared if she somehow gets loose. Also, her power isn't completely sealed; the mad king got her to perform certain rituals for him while she is down there. It's possible control is kept by the chains, only opened up like a circuit."

"Preparing for a potential battle with a god might be the best plan… if somehow the chains aren't working the way they are supposed to. Given she hasn't broken out of the dungeon just yet, it appears to point to them being in full working order" he replied as the automaton crossed his legs and clasped his hands together at the knee, rubbing an etched goatee in his metal chin. "Hmm, on a different subject, have you scheduled the meeting with the Kohar Confederacy?"

"Tomorrow morning at 0800, they're currently traveling to the meeting point considered neutral ground. We're both supposed to go with only a light escort." Will raised an eyebrow.

"Do you believe they'll abide by the rules?"

"I have no idea what I believe for them. The fact they actually want to talk in the first place means they don't want to pick a fight with someone who took over Artinia and fought back against demons that could have wiped them out easily. Despite being leagues above their capability, we're showing that we want to try and negotiate instead of taking up arms to conquer their lands. Hopefully, that'll make them show some respect." The dev quickly swapped to another document that Donovan had the opportunity to look through. He was showing a surprising aptitude for computers and word processing along with his wife.

Analysis of the rest of her subjects told her that most wouldn't be able to understand even the concept of the magical boxes that respond to button inputs for the time being; the fact that most didn't know what electricity was that powered new technology, proved they weren't ready just yet for the next steps. Time would need to be given for them to understand the math and science to reach that level, or the next era would be rife with disappointment, getting them into Colonial Era with the capability to make chronometers and basic machinery. That was still an uncertain upgrade at the moment, ebbing and flowing back and forth between six months to two years. It was proven already with older generations who refused to learn how to use a computer back on Earth; if they had difficulty with understanding what to do, they'd give up and refuse to budge on learning anything else, requesting others to do the work for them.

"And after?" he asked.

"I think I have a full week ahead of me, let alone a full month. After negotiations, head southeast to Tal Salunbal to meet the Sultan and check to see how Prince Tariq fairs. Intel suggests his father will be very open to talks to create new trade routes, open borders and the like. He's grateful for us taking care of his son. It should make it easy to get an embassy there as well. Afterward, deal with sponsorships, invest in start-up companies to make it, so we don't have to intervene as much in the economy, and hopefully talk with the Seong Neow Republic."

"Your first embassy, first two in fact; this should be interesting. No need to keep conquering everything; making friends and allies may be the best choice," he commented.

"Let's hope so. At least having allies outside the empire will provide a second layer of conscience to help me decide on something, as long as they are willing to act with honor and not backstab us. By the way, it's only one, as the Kohar Confederacy doesn't want an embassy, they don't want to give up the land for it. We'll see with the Seong Neow Republic, but I don't want to keep my hopes up."

"Do they get an embassy in the empire?"

"Nope. It goes both ways this time or not at all." Selene took off her glasses and rubbed the bridge of her nose, the brightness of the computer screen auto-dimming to protect from too much blue light aimed at her eyes until the protective equipment was worn again. "Honestly, the whole playing nice with others bit is taking more effort than just forcing them to integrate into my borders. Allies are nice to have, I'm just not looking forward to all the political intrigue that comes with it. Most Earth countries had to play nice in some capacity due to being so interconnected before I was whisked away here, with all the backroom dealings just to keep relations high enough to do business with their neighbors, open factories, sell product. The economy stumbles and falters without external support back then."

"The advantage you have is that economically, we don't have to be connected to anyone. The treasury is filled to the brim with no need to pay the troops, and taxes from each region of the empire provide a secondary supply to build and maintain new projects. Resources are in abundance with low damage to the environment; militarily, there's no need to rely on others to protect our borders, and internal security keeps everything tracked with well-paid police and fire. Judges can't be bought off, with honestly no need for lawyers when they can cast [Truth From Lies]. The only reason the officers can't do that is… well…"

"Still stuck in tier magic, you're right. Continuing on and forcing the rest of the continent to abide by my rule is probably the best choice that doesn't bring drama, but it's also a path that will lead my conscience to pack its bags and leave." Will chuckled at her saying that.

"So, why don't you?" the empress exhaled loudly and leaned back in her chair.

"I guess I'm still trying to play nice with the international community that hasn't even met us yet, old habits of working with others for a better future, team effort and all. I've been here for, what, six months? I still haven't gotten used to us being the government really, of being able to do what I can do and being the sole dealer of punishment, well… one of the dealers in my empire anyways. Making laws, telling people what they can and can't do; I don't have to make backroom deals, don't need funding or the rich to support me with their votes or self-interest; companies can't try and corrupt the system for manufacturing plants in some distant land. And yet, I still feel the need to talk before I think of pulling a trigger for a gun hidden under the table."

"Wanting diplomacy shows a healthy conscience. You're not always thinking of just taking what others have for yourself, despite having the ability to do so. I wonder if players from Yggdrasil have decided otherwise, now that they aren't restricted to the laws of Earth telling them what was right and wrong. They could make their own laws, kill or save whoever they desire with enough power at their fingertips. It truly shows what kind of personality they have, bar any restrictions to their person, such as, say… being undead or a mental disorder."

"Yeah, I'd have to agree, excluding the fact that not every player might be maximum level when they got here. The other problem with what I'm doing is, being the de facto superpower in the west of the northern hemisphere means everybody and their uncle is going to want to chat eventually once they find out we exist. They'll want to bend my ear with crappy politics that shouldn't involve us, just to hopefully have my empire meddle with another nation's affairs. I'm not looking forward to this."

"You're bringing an ambassador with you, correct?"

"Oh, definitely. I'm hoping to not have to speak too much after introductions, though that could change pretty quick. Grey gave me a bit of a rundown on how the Minotaur's internal politics work, their posturing around each other. It's a council, with no one voice speaking for all of their tribes. Tal Salunbal has to deal with a Sultan and his sons, followed by governors or viziers. I see no one head with one voice to choose how to negotiate with us when it comes to the Kohar Confederacy. That's going to make getting some agreements settled on very difficult." Will dropped his leg and leaned forward.

"You're worried some of them are going to be stupid and spit at your offer for peace between the empire and their territories."

"Which will cause problems with the others who don't want to start anything and are all too willing to negotiate. Getting into a skirmish before I even have all the details of who is who might cause…"

"Collateral damage, weakening our reputation in their eyes. I see."

"You can thank Gala for explaining that. At least between Grey and her, I have a firm grasp on how to start. Previous information suggests bringing a gift of multiple raw materials in a leather case, a sign of respect. Nothing fancy, just some clean earth, water, a glass bottle empty to signify air, some charcoal to signify fire, and maybe something a little glittery. Grey found a fairly fat tome that held quite a few traditions inside of it through some unorthodox bookstore in Garrington surprisingly."

"You aren't giving them glass beads, are you?" Will questioned coyly.

"Please, no trinkets. Apparently, it's already considered an insult if I did it anyways, alcohol as well. I'm bringing a well-built hammer, Elite quality tier. Should be a symbol of our craftsmanship and building a new future."

"No sickle?" he asked her, his mouth somehow managing a warped catty grin due to the metal. She cocked her head a little and looked at him with a half-lidded gaze.

I swear, if he plays the Russian National Anthem, I'm going to dismantle him…

"I'm just joking," he answered the question she was about to ask, putting his hands up in surrender with an even bigger grin.

"Har har." There was a knock on the door to the office as both of them looked away. "Come in." Hrist and Brynhildr both walked in slowly, closing the entrance to the room softly just as Will whistled the first few tunes of the song. She glared at him fiercely for a moment before turning her attention to the two women. "Hey, how's it going?"

"We're doing well. We've meant to tell you something for the past two days. Skuld may have found through some old texts brought by a new professor… another temple," Bryn explained. Selene and her Chief of Staff both looked at each other and blinked.

"Another temple? As in a proving ground?"

"No, this is a much more specialized one. Mortals were not allowed beyond the seers to Odin. Supposedly, it's still in good shape… well, I mean, at least it hasn't collapsed with no maintenance."

"Huh, maybe we should take a look, see what's over there," the dev said as she gave a facial shrug and nodded.

"We are the only ones that can enter," Hrist replied sternly. Everyone looked at her in surprise, seemingly jumping quickly to amend how she spoke. "I am sorry, Selene. I meant that as… there are protective wards that restrict access to the temple to all but us and the gods."

"Last time I checked I can destroy a fortress with my mind, well ones that aren't specially enhanced with steampunk anyways. You're saying magical two-foot thick walls are going to be a problem with special traps?" the empress responded with a raised eyebrow. The battle maiden looked a little embarrassed, not knowing what to say to her.

"She meant it as a safety issue for what might lay inside. We'd rather not damage what could be found. Breaking the wards also would destroy anything valuable we can bring back, a protective measure to stop looters that somehow managed to bypass them if no one was around. If you came, all of that knowledge would be flung to the void" her sister interjected.

"Ah, I see. So… you're planning to go on a trip?" Selene asked. Hrist seemed to be fidgeting, unsure how to continue talking. The thought of leaving the empire for some time was causing quite a bit of apprehensiveness to build up. The last thing she wanted was to be away from the empress now. There was so much to be done in the Clockwork Empire, and she needed as much help as she could get.

"It will take a week or so, Skuld will be coming as well. Professor Falksworthy will be supervising the academy until we are back."

"Hmm… well, alright. What do you expect to find there? Will you need extra transport to bring any of it back?" The blonde shield maiden pulled a copied piece of paper from a small satchel at her hip, then placed it on the desk.

"We're… uncertain just yet. I'd rather not say, only to come back with just lost books with old history in them. What we hope to bring might be legendary equipment crafted for our use, maybe raw materials. If that is possible… we might be able to get something for your scientists to learn about, mayhap create more of?"

"Last time I checked, neither of you have taught me how to make any of that special star metal that your old gear used to have. Would any of this being brought back have some of that?" Both Valkyrja looked embarrassed and blushed. They shared a look between each other.

"We're… we don't exactly…" Hrist seemed to be playing with her pointer fingers, pushing them together and blushing profusely.

"We know part of the recipe, not… not all of it. There was a very secretive measurement system for crafting our star steel. While we know the ingredients… none of my sisters were blacksmiths. Raising a hammer meant bringing it down on an enemy's skull or cracking armor, not crafting it" Brynhildr finished.

"Ah. Anyways, I take it you want permission to leave on this… what is it, a road trip? How far away is the temple?"

"On the islands to the southeast, what we've heard you call… 'New Zealand'?" Hrist replied.

"Oh, ok. So not a road trip. Fine, that's not that far. We've only been calling it that because we don't yet know the name by the way."

"We will be gone for a week, maybe two? With the demonic invasion over, and well, all of the traveling you'll have to be doing in improving relations with our new neighbors to the south and east, sitting around and being useless to the empire—"

"Both of you are far from useless, and vacations are a thing you know. I mean, I don't know if I can have one anymore with my title and all, but… yeah, sitting around like a bump on a log is doable if you need time to relax."

"We don't need a vacation. We really want to do this," Brynhildr replied, a slight frown on her face. The dev put her hands up in surrender and turned back to a datapad next to her computer, circling some words with a stylus for her cabinet to read through and help with updating into a clearer structure.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just don't really know with you three and when you need time off. Yes, permission granted. Let me know if any trouble arises. Send a list for supplies needed to Jeeves, we can have a set drop off zone every week, a care package… or, maybe just take 2nd Air Fleet?" the dev said, putting her hands up in defense.

"We'd… we'd like to fly there, personally, on our Pegasus" Hrist told her.

"Oh, I see."

"It's to make sure nothing there can possibly harm the fleet. We… might need a boat though."

"That I can do. Head to the Clockwork Shipyard, I'll have one set up for you." The Valkyrja both nodded in satisfaction.

"Selene, thank you. We hope to bring something back that might be well worth the time invested" Bryn told her with a warm smile.

"It's a temple from long ago, I'd think just new historical evidence would make the trip break even. It would be nice to read a few things from those days, just like it's interesting when the Crowling sisters find something in the dragon eyrie. Don't feel as if coming back empty-handed will be a failure, alright?" As they both turned around and slowly opened the doors, the empress spoke once again. "Stay safe, Skuld too. If you change your mind, I'm only a call away." Hrist glanced over her shoulder at the auburn-haired woman that had taken them in a few months back, gazing at her face.

"We will return triumphant" the battle maiden replied, steeling herself for the adventure ahead of them. The door closed, with both ladies heading downstairs and out towards the stables.

"You really want to find a way to make her immortal, don't you?" the blonde Valkyrja asked coyly once the doors swung wide to the heated building, the snow crunching under her boots then stopping once inside.

"I do. Don't you wish to find an answer to the question we've all had? Whether there might be an omen or prophecy that plays a part here? Maybe… maybe Odin might still be among us, somewhere" her sister replied as they reached Asterion and Delgi, brushing them down and strapping the saddles onto their backs once the blankets were removed.

"He's dead, Hrist. The gods… they are gone. The only gods that now exist in this world are those that came after, those that are young and heavy with faults."

"And yet his words may still echo there, along with any knowledge left behind by the Fates. We cannot allow that to just sit idly by when we can use it for our benefit, for her benefit."

"We'll see. If there's nothing of interest, at least we tried."

Once prepared, they wrote up a list of their supplies needed for the trip that Jeeves quickly got collected with help from auto maids, sending the requirements to the shipyard after. After making sure everything was prepared along with a few personal items taken from their bedrooms, including a plushy hidden in Hrist's backpack, Skuld arrived to help get their satchels filled with entertainment items to keep them occupied for the trip, including some recordings of plays to watch and music. "Are we ready?" she asked.

"We are. How is the academy doing?" Hrist questioned her sister.

"Antoine is holding the fort as well as can be, classes are in recess until the next year so he shouldn't have a problem. The students have some winter homework to do while away, though not enough to stop them from enjoying the celebrations of Artinia becoming a bad dream, replaced with a new empire looking out for them. They get to spend time with their families with a short semester and winter festivities."

Brynhildr shouldered her backpack and climbed onto her flying mount. "Good to hear, sister. Now… let's head to the shipyard." As they got saddled up, Hrist looked up at the windows of the castle one last time. They'd be back soon, though it felt like the time away would be an eternity for her. "Hrist, keep up, we'll barely have enough time with the two weeks I suggested just to review the first two storage archives, let alone the rest of the temple, if some of it hasn't collapsed that is."

"It's not like she won't let us extend the stay if we find something useful. There isn't a rush Bryn" Skuld interjected.

"Coming." The three Pegasus lifted off and flew through a calm yet cold sky.

Selene let go of the curtains at her window in the office and slowly walked towards the door. "Do you believe they'll find anything?" Will asked.

"You never know. At least it's an interesting opportunity to find out what happened before Ragnarok." As she was about to head out of the room, her Chief of Staff spoke up.

"You should send a response to Duncan on when to schedule the ceremony" She rolled her eyes.

"He's not going to let up on that, is he? You'd think that man would be all too happy to be left to his own devices in the city until we got all the corruption cleared, the infrastructure and trade back up and running. I wouldn't be surprised if he slept in the master bedroom in Aureos or snuck a chance to roll in the treasury. It's not as if he'll steal any of it, given his alignment."

"He'll need backup to keep the major houses in line, given his propensity to be cowed by the upper echelons. Maybe throw a ball to let them enjoy your presence?"

"I'm a little busy trying to get the remainder of Artinia fully integrated, and they did see me head through the entirety of the city until I reached the palace. Juliet is about to flip out on the nobles who seem to think her teams will renovate their homes for free or start becoming personal workers bequeathed to them by me; I swear, a little reconstruction for the infrastructure and they suddenly think my automatons are slave labor. I'd like to make sure the Kohar Confederacy is going to have at worst only neutral relations with the empire first… I hope it's at least neutral relations..."

"You believe they'll continue with their assault against Caerel?"

"I believe they want their ancestral land back. It's not like there's an army ready to come to save the day if they head towards that city."

"Which doesn't belong to us."

"Exactly. I want to make sure they don't continue on with another idea worming its way into their minds." Will raised both eyebrows.

"So how are you going to negotiate with them if we don't have ownership of what they want?" Selene looked up at the ceiling to the hallway she was about to enter; she placed her hands on her hips in the process.

"By promising not to interfere." The automaton slowly stood up and made a gesture of adjusting the metal suit he had built into his body, checking his tie then following her out. "Have a notice sent to Duncan to hold off from the ceremony plans or whatever this is until a week from now" The dev exhaled in frustration and stopped, looking up at her Chief of Staff. "Once the Valkyrja come home, then we'll throw a ball if that's what sounds like the best course of action. I'm pretty sure that was already hinted at by Liyana in Eld Horn. Probably collect the mayors and some friends to join us; I want my entire cabinet there as well. Plenty of faces that are on my side should throw them off."