Target Acquired

As Julien gives a quick review to Prince Wales, Michael's attention is drawn to Agnes who's now glaring at him with arms crossed. This lasts for a couple seconds until he finally has enough and speaks up, "Do you need something?"

...

She reluctantly nods after a moment, "False-Familiar, I've been given orders from her majesty to observe you, and should you prove worthy, buy your services. From your actions today, I suspect your character is different from what is known..." she hefts her rifle while rolling her neck and shoulders, causing some quiet cracks to echo out, "Should you accept and complete your tasks as requested, you can expect a full pardon, enough gold to fill a wagon, and mayhaps the ability to return to your master." she explains, listing off the various rewards the princess is supposedly willing to gift.

Michael finds his voice caught in his throat as he hears the last 'reward', the ability to return to Louise?... Why would he want that? To be suborned again? Not only that, but he refused to leave Tiffania, meaning she'd likely have to accompany him under disguise the entire time, hoping no one would catch her out.

Then again, there were many things he needed to do in Tristania, obtaining Derflinger, retrieving Brimir's Prayerbook for Tiffania to learn Void Spells... But he doubted they'd willingly give the book to him, meaning he'd have to steal it, setting him back as a criminal.

His plans to fight the Albion army that Saito did in canon were already ruined, as he'd essentially just helped Prince Wales defeat the Reconquista. With Cromwell dead and the capital in ruins but captured nonetheless, the loyalists were set to win the war...

Habitually rubbing his mouth, he looks up at Agnes, "Specifically, what would you have me doing?"

...

Agnes sends a meaningful look at him, "Unsavoury things to help cement her Majesty's position." she states, saying all she needs to for Michael to understand just what they wanted him for. Even in Albion, he'd heard rumours of the rising tension between Tristain nobles, mostly due to his actions of killing Guiche as Louise familiar, and Henrietta's acceptance of Louise as her Royal Attendant.

In simple terms, she and the princess wanted him to deal with any nobles with notions of rebellion. Most likely General Gramont and all of his followers... While Michael wanted to do this anyway, he was very, very wary of attempting it under the princess' orders. In such a situation, betrayal was all too easy. And he doubted Louise' loyalty towards himself exceeded that of the Princess.

Just as he's about to reject her, Prince Wales voice makes itself known in the square. "I see, it seems that it would be expedient to thank my saviours." he says, glancing between Tiffania and the hooded man, the latter of which immediately kneeling in subservience towards the Prince. "Your thanks warms me, Prince... But I feel I must request something from you, despite how it ails me to make such a request." he says with his head lowered.

Prince Wales thinks for a moment before nodding, "If it's within my power," he simply says, waiting for the man's request.

The stranger nods while continuing to look down at the floor, ignoring the disgruntlement of the loyalists at his daring attempt to wring favours from the Prince in such a time, "I wish for your protection and pardon... I was one of the families who were forced to follow Cromwell, and I have done unsavoury things to keep myself and my family safe."

Julien scoffs, "Just a traitor unwilling to accept blame for his actions. My Prince! We must not accept such people within our ranks, for risk of beginning yet another rebellion years from now!"

Prince Wales shakes his head and raises a hand to silence Julien however, knowing that he couldn't simply execute each and every family that'd allied against him. There weren't enough nobles left in the loyalist faction to actually manage Albion, and he couldn't raise new nobles due to the law of Brimir, where magic makes might and legitimacy.

There's also the risk of an invasion by another country due to their weakened state, he needed to gather as many people under his banner as possible, meaning he couldn't simply execute all traitors...

With this Nobles' actions here today, he could extend a hand of mercy and make it known that he would treat any who submit to him justly and with a great amount of lenience.

Prince Wales struggles to stand straight and retrieves a sword from one of the loyalists, "Reveal yourself, your crimes. Submit to me and the true country of Albion, and we will see if you can seek forgiveness." he states neutrally, and the stranger nods while lowering his hood.

"YOU!" Michael immediately shouts, pointing at the now revealed Baron Jargkon, "You have the balls to show your face to me!?" he exclaims, drawing his sword which causes everyone else to ready their own weapons.

Prince Wales frowns and looks between Michael and the Baron, "Explain yourselves."

Michael growls, "This sick fuck forced me to murder innocent people while Cromwell was controlling me! Men, women, and children! And he did it with a fucking shit-eating grin on his fat face!"

Baron Jargkon raises his hands and shakes his head, "And I apologize tremendously for that! If it wouldn't destroy my family, I would cut my throat here and now as penetrance! But you must know that I was forced into such actions by Cromwell! He disliked my attempts to peacefully quell a peasant revolt, and forced me to create entertainment for him!" he quickly retorts, and seems to be gaining sympathy from the loyalists. Agnes didn't seem to trust him, but her opinion mattered not in this situation.