Politics

Chapter 33: Politics

/Dear audience, today I have come before you to talk about but one topic. It may be a tall ask, but please weigh the words I say closely in your mind, yes?

I have come to talk about the leaderboards today. Those that separate us people into fame an infamy, that show minor and grander villains and heroes. I ask, today, why it is made as such? Why is it, that all our actions need to be presented to the public? That everyone gets a right to judge you? Is it not unfair for someone entirely unrelated to have prejudice based on rumors?

Today is the day we fight against this! A local leaderboard for infamy is cruel and unfair! It gives no chances for people to change their reputation and keeps them stuck in place even when they are working hard to better themselves! It is an outdated relic and no longer deserves to exist!

Yes, indeed, it should no longer exist! We live in a society in which you are innocent until proven guilty, do we not?! A society, which cannot let the reputation of its inhabitants go to ruin, simply because someone is trying to slander another! We cannot allow world points and fame to dictate our lives!

Today, we rise! We rise against this unfairness, against this injustice, against infamy! We shall stand against such stupidity, oppose such oppression! We shall close those leaderboards now and forever, let our world points accumulate and not simply hand them out! We shall fight for freedom and for the people who have suffered under this!

From now on, we shall never again utilize such brutish, boorish stupidity! Who's with me?!/

A transcript of Maximillian Cromwell's commonly termed "Anti-leaderboard speech", dated book 5, chapter 143, 46th of summer.

- - - - - -

"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Are you okay?"

Iris was sitting on the floor, Mercury's reply having launched her into the sky before gravity called her back down. After a short grimace, she pushed herself up and patted the dust off her dress.

"I'm alright, my apologies. I was... not prepared for you to speak to me. I'm sorry." The maid gave Mercury a small bow at the end, glancing up a little to keep him within her eyesight.

"It's fine, it's fine. Happens to everyone, don't sweat it too much. I just don't like being touched without permission," Mercury said calmly. By now he was getting used to the outbursts of people when they heard him talk. It was more exhausting than funny.

"Oh, I see. Apologies for invading your space, mister..."

"Mercury. My name's Mercury. Yours?" Mercury moved to the side of the street slowly, not wanting to be in the way of the few people that were still around.

"Ah, I'm Iris. Iris Belrose. Pleased to make your acquaintance." Again, she gave Mercury a small bow, following him for a moment, before pausing. "Oh, right! I was on my way to get some tea, please excuse me, I must hurry, before the store closes!"

And just like that, she was off. What a weird girl. Mercury shook his head at this and simply continued further home. Maybe Davis missed him? Probably not. Oh well, at least he had a room, and a date scheduled with his trusty old log. What was home if not ones very own log?

And for Mercury, that was the end of the day, as he simply laid down and absorbed some more mana from the air around him before coursing his own through his body, making sure all the paths he had carved for it were well maintained.

Maybe tomorrow was the day he'd make a breakthrough, he thought.

Maybe tomorrow.

- - - - - -

Avery was once more going around the city. It might be late, but if you worked to quality check a court, sleep would have to wait. Ah, what a pain. At least he had packed enough raisin-bread for the next few days. He wouldn't have time to stop by his favourite bakery after all.

They had made a full batch especially for him. How kind was that?

This was the only thing that allowed Avery to keep a smile on his face, chomping down on some bread as he watched some lackey the Merchants' Guild sent over going through the ledgers of the family Lucia had set her eyes on. It was regular stuff, and he was only one of a handful of trusted people he had sent out.

Some receptionists here, some seekers there and he was able to cover the shifts he needed. Maybe some people had to wait longer at the guild to have their shit documented, but oh well, he couldn't change that very much. He would also rather be back-

"Hey, you think I'm blind?" Avery's voice cut through the silence like a knife, the merchant in front of him flinching.

"Sir, I don't quite-"

"Hey, hey, hey. Pal, I'mma be honest with ya here. I'm all for kicking the church's ass, so I'll not do anything right now, but I'll have to make ya take that fake evidence right back. Oh, and try me again I'll break both your arms, capiche?"

"Gulp. Y-yes, sir."

"Attaboy. Now, back to work you go!" Avery gave the man a slap on the back as he took another bite from his bread. Man, these merchants were a pest, truly. This was the third time they had tried to put some contraband around. At least the council went about things in a civil manner, uphold their reputation of fairness.

Anything else would be stupid, really. fairness got them to be the council, if they abandoned that, those old sacks would know that his godseekers would be among the very first throwing a rebellion. They were mercenaries, after all, and while they didn't usually seek gods, they always sought freedom.

Avery tried to take another bite from his bread, only to end up with his teeth on his fingers.

"Ouch... out again?"

He slowly shook his head and pulled another piece of bread from his backpack, biting down on it as he watched the merchant do his work, collecting ledgers and documents. Boooooooorrriiiiinngggg.

- - - - - -

Lucia was anything but relaxed. She was in dire need of tea, and yet, she had to deal with the council and that fat merchant pig, Foss.

Meanwhile, the man in question was leaning back in his chair, enjoying the hospitability of the Church of Order as he kept shoving meats, vegetables and fruits down his throat, only stopping to sip his wine. The many rings on his fingers glinted as much as the sheen of sweat he was enveloped in, a man who had worked his way to the top and was now enjoying life.

He had most of the city in an iron grip, controlling all the shops, their ins and outs, and probably also the black market, or so Lucia suspected. As much as she wished it, this man wasn't a fool, or inexperienced.

His brown hair was cut short, his nose crooked from a barfight in his youth, and his grey eyes perhaps the only sharp thing about him, seeing as everything else was thoroughly rounded. That in and of itself wasn't something negative, though Lucia certainly disliked it.

Foss was the master of the Merchants' Guild, and he had made his way up by simply amassing incredible amounts of wealth. He controlled all the fields surrounding Stormbraver, all their sales and thus the city's supply of food. Additionally, he had his hands deep inside the property market of the city. And now, he had his sights set on the bank, which was currently still in possession of count I'htar.

This man was wealthy, powerful, and Lucia despised him.

"Well, dear head priestess, how have you been enjoying your stay in Stormbraver? I am sure the city has been to your liking, yes?" He asked her with a full mouth, his baritone voice interrupted by squelching and slurping.

You fucking wish, Foss.

The man knew very well how much value Lucia put on manners, yet he refused to show any, eating with his fingers and without using a plate even though it was provided. In addition, he knew very well how much trouble his guild had been causing them, constantly sending delegations to the shops the church was investigating.

Lucia was certain that Foss was hiding evidence of all manner of things. Tax fraud, illegal imports, harmful substances... she wouldn't even put slave trade behind him. But now, with the council and the godseekers being involved, she had to treat him with respect, while the merchant himself seemed intent on eating enough to put a dent in church funds.

"It's been quite enjoyable indeed. The people have been quite welcoming and I greatly enjoy the company of many of the city's nobles. Much more so than those of many others, to say the least," she said calmly, managing to put on a sweet smile for this idiot in front of her, who kept smacking his lips loudly even while she was speaking.

"Schoschoschoscho! That isch good to hear, my dear! I muscht admit, I am scho very glad to be assigned to thisch post. You have been nothing but good company!" Foss gave her a laugh and a nod as he bit down on a drumstick.

Lucia, on the other hand, quickly waves her hands under the table, summoning an invisible barrier in front of her face, quickly stopping the advancement of Foss' spittle towards her.

"It is always good to have someone as pleasant as you over, I agree," Lucia said warmly, forcing down her feelings inside as she played the role of someone who had already lost. "I much enjoy our conversations, and the insight you have given me on the city has been most endearing. Say, Foss, I am curious about one thing though."

"Hm? Yesch?"

"Would you know why guild master Beckham has decided to get involved in this case? I believe he has already paid me for the window he broke on his entrance."

"Ah, Avery? Hm, moscht likely to gain more trust from the council, if I had to guess. Perhapsch he schees you as a threat?" Foss almost put down his meal as he spoke, but after seemingly considering a pause in his gluttony, he swiftly resumed drinking and stuffing himself in an impressive display of stomach size.

"A threat? Oh, but our church wants nothing but the best for this city, would you not agree, dear Foss?"

"Lucia, my dear, I believe I could not agree more," he said, putting down his glass and reaching for the food again. "But perhaps other people dischagree. The council believes your church holds too musch power, and I believe master Beckham wishes to gain their favour. But, of course, you have my personal full support, even if the merchants' guild is investigating this case. Your church did target our members."

"Oh? I did not realize our suspects were members of your esteemed guild, my apologies. Had I been better informed perhaps things wouldn't have come to this. Please, do excuse my inexperience, you remember that my stay in the city has not yet been expansive enough to learn about all its intricacies."

Lucia was slowly falling more into her role, drinking iced water to calm the fire she felt deep inside her. This man might be disgusting and vile, but she was willing to play along with him for now. She only needed to wait until he misstepped and spilled something she could use.

"Hm, indeed, I schuppose scho. Well, then! Let us bury the bad blood with today, no mater what comes of the investigation, eh?" Foss asked, raising his cup for a toast.

"There is nothing I would wish for more," Lucia said with a wide smile, lightly tapping their glasses together as she took a swig of the wine, watching Foss do the same.

"Well then," he said with a glint in his eyes, "onto business I suppose?"

Lucia nodded warmly, refilling Foss' glass to the brim, hoping the ass would drink it up and loosen his tongue around her. She had him on the hook, now she just needed to reel him in a little more.

- - - - - -

Iris shook her head while watching her lady interact with the merchant. She never liked it when Lucia had to bend herself so. Political machinations never much suited the head priestess, she should leave it up to the bishops and cardinals.

The man across the table from her was gross, and Iris already felt uncomfortable just from being in a room with him. Maybe she was making a premature judgment though? Maybe.

Still, it was rather bothersome having to deal with him. His lack of tablemanners especially. She couldn't understand why the man so vehemently refused to use any cutlery. Was it really only to provoke her lady? In that case, shouldn't she make sure he behaved himself?

No, one glance at Lucia told her that it was not necessary. Unlike usually, her lady was composing herself rather well today. Perhaps it was because of her servant's presence? Iris liked the thought of helping Lucia.

The two of them had grown up together, her parents owing a large debt to Lucia's family. Yet, even though they owed a debt, the head priestess' parents were always rather kind to Iris' family. She had become a maid by her own volition, and was paid a fair salary. Lucia was always polite to her and they still considered each other close friends.

It was more or less an excuse to travel together with her childhood friend and always be close to her. The two had been with each other through thick and thin, and Iris was sure that she would absolutely stop anything and anyone trying to separate her from Lucia. Right, that was her duty as a maid after all, was it not? To guarantee the safety and comfort of her lady.

That was the only reason she was able to remain so calm and keep bringing Foss whatever he asked. It was all in support of Lucia, the reliable friend who was like a big sister to her. Iris smiled to herself at that thought, looking over the other servants that were running around, taking away empty plates and bringing fresh dishes in. All of them were exquisite, too.

There were many meats, many of the specially made. Three-legged golden chicken baked with rosemary and leyfi flowers, giant alligator filet fried in draken oil, garnished with rock salt from the faraway Jofell mountains, even water drake tongue with firelemons from the demonlands... it was a table full of expensive and incredible delicacies.

Of course, she couldn't name all of the things on there, since they were disappearing almost as fast as she'd be saying their names. Oh well, it was what it was. After all, neither she nor Lucia could do much about Foss' presence, and since they couldn't shoo him away, they had to make sure he was well entertained and wouldn't have anything bad to say about their hospitality.

And so, they simply kept putting delicacies onto the table, ones that were meant for special celebrations, for cardinals, bishops, and abbots, whenever they came over. Still, it was just food. As long as Foss was happy with that, Iris could tolerate him much more than some other powerful men that came to visit, thinking they could take advantage of Lucia because of their statures.

Idiots, all of them. none of them knew her lady like she did. None of them knew how she spoke, how she thought, how she felt better than Iris. And she knew that her lady would never, ever be interested in any of the many men that thought they could use her. Because any man that thought they could use their power to oppress others... were heretics.

Dirty, disgusting, worthless, useless, pathetic heretics. Whenever they used their power, when they threatened or complained, when they spoke their lines, asking "Do you even know who I am?!", or "I'll make sure you regret this!!", all of them were just that, heretics. They deserved no attention, no glory, no pity. They deserved a trial, and in that trial, they deserved to fall.

No, her lady would never be swayed by such idiots, not by the rich and not by the powerful, for those things were secondary to one's heart. The heart was something that lay deep inside someone, that showed if they were virtuous, if they were kind and brave. And if they were, then perhaps, Lucia could see them as equals.

No, being good wouldn't immediately get to the heart of any maiden, especially not her lady. After all, Iris knew that Lucia valued action over words. Maybe that made her a little impulsive and gave her a seemingly fiery temper, but Iris knew. She had always known.

Her lady was simply doing her best, trying to uphold order in this world. She became high priestess with only that purpose in mind. She wanted to keep the big from oppressing the small, and she wanted to keep the small from oppressing the tiny. Because that was order, in her eyes. It was fairness, to all.

Ah, her lady was truly great. Iris slowly shook her head to herself in disbelief. She always tended to forget what her lady had to go through, what her friend sacrificed to do what she felt truly was right. To Iris, there was no one greater than Lucia. She was her world. Her friend. Her lady.

And she would make absolutely certain that no filthy bastards would ever dare do anything and to her. She would be the shield when her lady needed safety, the blanket when she needed comfort, and her most trusted ally. Because that's simply who Iris was. That's who she aspired to be.