The room isn’t exactly regal, one large table with the required numbers of chairs around it with a map detailing Zipangu, most of the biggest province and most of all the borders of each of the three great clans of the island.

You can’t make out any of the names due to the writing being in a language you don’t understand, you remember reading similar letters in one of the scrolls Yuria was holding when you barged in the small temple, although from what you can see the island is on the horizontal side with two big chunks of territory to the East and West with the center literally cutting everything in two, at least that how it seem to be to your uneducated eye, there a common language spread in the human lands but that doesn’t seem to be quite the case here.

At least all the monsters you’ve encountered so far can, indeed, communicate easily.

Yuria is sitting beside you, her bust being more than tall enough thank to her lower half to forgo the need of a chair, she’s look at the map with a rather bored look but even so she does look serious, the previous shenanigan not a hour ago all but forgotten as business need to take place. Facing you is the Queen-Mother, the one holding the last memento of your childhood friend; she’s drinking without sound from a fuming mixture, eyes closed, while her golden features seem to be floating and exaggerated by the wind of the open window.

At your side is the Queen of dawn who is now finished to look at the map, her numerous, pales tails around her giving the aura of a strong flower, she eye you with a smile then claps her hands together.

‘’Now, before we start, would you like some background information or any translation on this rather old map, Siegfried? Or shall we proceed to business?’’

>tried to draw a map but I have no talent, sorry for that gents

>>18699822
"I think it would be best if I went into this particular dealing well-informed. Please, tell me as you wish."

"I think it would be best if I went into this particular dealing well-informed. Please, tell me as you wish."

She nod after your statement, the Queen turn her attention back on the map and you do so, her index is on the dark red line marking the border to the East of the center territory where, you presume, you currently reside.

‘’This territory is now referred as ‘’South-Zi’’ by the current ruling family who, themselves, form a clan that is a perfect replicate, if not even better, than most of the lizardman you would find in the tropics of the south. They are, by far, the youngest out of any ruling families due to the simple fact of almost all of them being expatriate.’’

She marks a pause and, looking at your interest, smile softly before continuing.

‘’20 years ago, a prominent salamander rose in the South, the clan started to unite all the feuding lizardman and almost manage to carve an independent nation free of the Demon Lords and quite open to human negotiation but… they failed, but I intervene instead of watching they’re potentials fade away into obscurity and, once they’ve reached Zipangu, they south out East and subjugated the various Oni tribes.’’

Then her slender finger slide to the West, where the border is marked by a dark blue line.

>cont

‘’This is ‘’North-Zi’’ populated mostly by cat folks who were the previous ruler of the islands, although endless civil war kept consuming them, the one thing that never faded was they’re fervent faith to the Water Dragon and all the temple on this island standing were made in Orochi honor. Although ruling the mountainous areas, they’ve have, by far, the most population and probably why Zipangu has such a bad reputation with how often they kidnap males…’’

Ame-no-Uzume let out a sigh to add even more of her displeasure.

‘’Although most of this is old news, I brought each of you’re here for this reason: We require either military alliance at best or a pact of mutual aid in case of invaders’’

There wasn’t any surprise in the other two women.

"Human invaders?"

>>18700299
I think we should ask for more information. We should know what exactly the relationship is between this territory and the others. Whether they have diplomatic channels, how the leadership feels, etc.

Rubbing your chin, you spend some time processing all this information; however you can’t help but ask first.

‘’Invaders… could you mean humans?’’

The queen gives a nod, you also see Tsukiyomi finishing her drink and putting it… actually you feel magic and the cup disappear entirely.

‘’Most likely option, the Demon realm or they’re magical branch, Pandemonium, isn’t to be ignored either but for them the most effective way to truly disorganize the island would be to have various shadows agents spreading corruptions, but the Demon Queen isn’t the most bright, even if she is passionate’’

You hear Tsukiyomi chuckle.

‘’According to mother’’

You nod then prepare more questions.

‘’What is your exact relationship with the two clans?’’
The Queen take in a small breath, you spy Yuria at your side so deep in thought she’s actually leaning on your without realizing.

‘’My title of Queen of Zipangu isn’t for show, in human term the clan ‘’Sword’’ and ‘’Chief’’ are vassals, by the way the names sound much better in the language of Power, but monsters aren’t exactly like humans and so is our politic. The last skirmish was during the Lizardman transition, the cat folk tried a grab of lands but it amounted to nothing beside creating the current cold atmosphere that we have now: the entire island is under the control of three clans of rivaling martials powers, if two clash the last one may very well annihilate them.’’

She pause

‘’There is not exactly war, if one is to lose an engagement over a province then he is not fit to administer it, but in term of relations, all clans share trade routes but don’t communicate much, however a citizen under one might face discriminations in another territory, but death is rare. However I have two…’’

She stop, she’s clearly not liking what she’s about to say.

‘’Two bargaining chips that may have us gain what we seek’’

>>18700661
"Tell me of them."

Not much else to say, I suppose.

"Tell me of them."

You nod, prepared to have her continue, however the mood in the room change, there quite a frigid silence that make you frown, the queen herself doesn’t seem to be able to support your eyes.

‘’Athena and Sylphis’’

You feel shock, even if you do manage to control yourself, you can’t help but feel a slight amount of disbelief, but you keep it to yourself.

‘’I have gathered everyone here because of this reason: Yuria, you are to stay here and govern our clan in my stead’’
The Jurougumo tense, but nod, she’s probably more than Ame aid, isn’t she?

‘’Mother, well I suppose you would have barged in anyway, wouldn’t you? Do you need anything?’’

Tsukiyomi doesn’t move, you see her glaring at her daughter but you don’t understand why she seems so intense.

‘’I must accomplish what I need, and for that I will need resource, but first I will need to take over Garret lab.’’
That seem quite extreme, however Ame nod, not without frowning.

‘’I planned to have Garret join on one of the expedition, but I hope you know what you are doing mother’’

Tsukiyomi stay silent, but she does seem very confident.

‘’Siegfried’’

You grab back your attention and stare in the eyes of Ame-no-Uzume.

‘’I had you come here because I need you to lead an expedition, either to the East or West, with Athena or Sylphis respectively’’

>>18700794
"What exactly is the nature of the bargain? I don't like the idea of my companions being used as chips, for any reason."

You stay silent yourself for a moment, standing straight and glaring at the queen while you mull the revelation in your head, while the comfort and confidence of your three links help you more than you could ever admit.

"What exactly is the nature of the bargain?’’

You don’t think of the queen as an enemy, but even if she must look after the interest of her clan…

‘’I don't like the idea of my companions being used as chips, for any reason."

There a grave silence, your words are heavy and could be considered grave disrespect for the Queen, but none of the women present take offense.

Ame-no-Uzume nod at you.

‘’I hate the words I used to describe my retainers, but there were none more fitting. Both of them have deep tied to the clans, I have to admit that I lack the exact knowledge of what is it they truly want’’

She look at Tsukiyomi, who doesn’t budge, instead she give her a heavy glare that seem almost ferocious.

‘’It’s why I have decided to lead the other expedition, I have a personal and political stake, and I trust you enough to act on my stead with who you decide to go with’’

>but I intervene instead of watching they’re potentials fade away into obscurity and, once they’ve reached Zipangu, they south out East and subjugated the various Oni tribes.’’

Has anyone ever been so far as to even do more like?

But seriously OP, go through your post and check for errors before clicking submit. It's very distracting to have to go back and fix them in my head.

>>18700915
"If you wish me to accompany one of them, I will do so, though I do have misgivings about it. When must the expedition take place?"

>>18700935

Noted, I tend to go fast because I don't want to make anyone wait too much, it already take me a while to write up answers

I'd like to know why our companions are being sent. Are they important people, or just being sent because of their species?

Also, what sort of message will we be carrying? What do we do if they turn us aside, or if they want to haggle details? This is a major diplomatic mission we're going on, we need complete instructions.

"If you wish me to accompany one of them, I will do so, though I do have misgivings about it.’’

From the way she talked, it’s as if she intend to hand them out to those others ‘’clans’’

‘’I thank you, Siegfried, I truly do’’

‘’When must the expedition take place?"

‘’Tomorrow morning, if we go entirely by foot it would take a week to go, another to come back, but we have teleportation circle for drastically shortening the length of this voyage, so I’d expect we would both be back by three or four days, however I won’t force you to give me your answer as to who to choose to accompany now, you still have the rest of the day to think it over’’

You nod, this time prepared to ask more technical questions.

‘’In the events of being unable to meet the ruler due to hostility, what am I to do?’’

‘’You are the diplomat of the Queen of Zipangu, Siegfried, honor would force the ruler themselves to go out of bed with a cold to meet you, if they would truly refuse to meet you the dishonors on the whole ruling dynasty would be an incredible blow. Frankly, I would be extremely surprised if you are not received, I will of course, provide you with a seal, but if even that do not allow you entry… Then you are to come back immediately and inform my mother, or me if I have returned’’

‘’ I see… then what am I to negotiate, what if they want to haggle territories?’’

The Queen takes a small breath, the silence of the room only disturbed by the wind.

‘’They have something to gain with Athena and Sylphis, but as for your purpose, I want you to negotiate military alliance or a pact of unity in case of invaders. If they wish to exchange territory, then… I am willing to part with some if you would bring back your charge’’

‘’What, exactly, are Athena and Sylphis to them?’’

That seems to hit a sore spot, for the Queen wince.

‘’It is extremely personal information, but Athena is a… criminal to the lizardman, while Sylphis was born into a Mantis shadow group at the service of the ruling family of the ‘’Chief’’ clan. Details are… hard to come by, I don’t know what it is they want with her’’

As a small, gentle afternoon wind settle in, Ame-no-Uzume tails swing lightly as she ask.

‘’If there is anything else, ask.’’

>>18701159
"I know that if there was another choice available you would take it, rather than use Sylphis or Athena in this manner. I am familiar with some of the sacrifices one must make - In various circumstances. I think it would be best if I speak with them now. Personal information is best discussed with the person it concerns, isn't it?"

>criminal and special birth

Great. They'd want to execute Athena and recruit Sylphis into the secret service.

I don't like either of these options. Although if we go with Athena, we might be able to get her charges dropped in exchange for some kind of service.

"That would mean execution and enforced recruitment, if I were to guess. I hope you know how I would feel about either of them happening to anyone I know."

"How much time are we allotted for this mission?"

"If one alliance is secured, will we pursue the other as well, or cancel that mission?"

"I know that if there was another choice available you would take it, rather than use Sylphis or Athena in this manner. I am familiar with some of the sacrifices one must make - In various circumstances.’’

You were the head of the Shieffer family during the civil war in your homeland, seeing your people die; ordering them to do so was required of you, losing friends is something expected: you are the leader, you gave the order. There was no such thing as a ‘’faceless’’ person in your unit, everyone was trained equally, everyone was part of the unit equally and everyone was the friend of someone else. But you did it, when your uncle died in the ambush, you took his place.
And now the Queen is looking for the best interest of her people, even if she dislikes it greatly.

Ame-no-Uzume eyes are closed, Tsukiyomi is staring at the map absent mindedly while Yuria is looking down, even if you have a rivalry with her she truly does seem to care about the other two, and is most likely frustrated to be left as a stand in governor while such an important event is about to take place.

‘’I think it would be best if I speak with them now. Personal information is best discussed with the person it concerns, isn't it?"

The Queen gives you a sad smile, but nod.

‘’They fully know they’re ties, this isn’t an unexpected situation, I am… truly sorry to place such a burden on you’’

"That would mean execution and enforced recruitment, if I were to guess. I hope you know how I would feel about either of them happening to anyone I know."

You give her a sharp glare, to your surprise, the Queen returns it.
>cont

‘’I am going myself and sending you to make certain the worse is not to happen, but these pacts are needed.’’

Her voice is authoritative, cold and strong, she isn’t friendly at all in that statement.

"How much time are we allotted for this mission?"

The Queen soften, her previous authority gone, instead is the woman you’ve come to befriend.

‘’A day, or two. The circle will make you close enough to allow both of us to reach the capital during the night, the negotiations can start whenever both parties are ready’’

"If one alliance is secured, will we pursue the other as well, or cancel that mission?"

The Queen look at the map after your statement, then heave a small sight, understanding what you truly mean.

‘’We will both go simultaneously, we need the island united with, at the very least, our clan’’

You fall silent for a moment, observing the map, both of the territories held by the clans, but before long, you’ve had enough and, with the Queen blessing, take your leave.

As you exit, you remember Garret calling them ‘’VIP’’ when you first encountered him, did the whole castle knew of such circumstance?

--

You arrive at the archery range, where Hadraniel, Athena and Sylphis are waiting discussing amongst themselves on the subject of the soul link.

How do you proceed?

I went a bit ahead of myself when making you quit, if there other questions then disregard the last part of the update.

>>18701493
Tell Athena and Sylphis that we've been assigned a mission and we'd like to discuss it with them alone, since there is sensitive information involved, concerning both of them. If they want Hadraniel to stick around, that's their choice, not ours. As is the option for us to speak with them each separately or both at once.

>>18701497
I'm good.

Let's ask what they've been discussing, and take it from there. Maybe throw in our own two cents.

Can they feel each other through the links?

When we get to the topic at hand, we can ask them how they might feel about being arrested/recruited, respectively.

Dammit what is it with people not doing this quest anymore?

Anyway, I'm sorry INH, I need to go to sleep, with what being 0309 AM

>>18701660
Yeah I think there's me and one other guy right now.

Of course, SWQ starts in 15 minutes, so that might bring a lot more people on.

talk about why sylls is wanted by that tribe.
we know why athena is wanted

As you approach, you hear the conversation in a bit more details

‘’Back then, it felt like I just knew what Athena was about to do, what Siegfried was about to do’’

‘’Indeed, the construct fell in a remarkable display of synchronization, never before had such an event happen, all we can feel are his emotions, and I presume he can feels ours.’’

Hadraniel has a hand on her chin, but then nod at you as you make yourself a bit more comfortable while still mulling over this rather short meeting, back home it could take more than 5 hours.

‘’I can indeed know what each of you is feelings, but it isn’t the case between each of you?’’

Each of them shake their heads, seem like this is the conclusion they’ve reached.

‘’I would guess you are the anchor, the male and female can feel each other’s emotions, but only the male would be able to do so in case of multiple links. A soul link….’’

The angel eyes light up as she looks at you

‘’I wonder if it might be tied to your capacity of consuming? After all, if we go by my conjecture, your soul isn’t ‘’big’’ enough to handle large amount of corruption, but if it were to increase than to the links…’’
>cont

Then the angel shakes her head, and you take the opportunity to change the subject.

‘’Athena, Sylphis. I would like to talk to you about… sensitive, personal information, related to both of your past. But I won’t force it here, we can talk in private if you so wish.’’

Hadraniel nod at them, already prepared to head back to her shrine.

The two of them look at each other, and then simultaneously sigh.

‘’Is it okay here, Athena?’’

‘’Yes, I don’t have a problem with Hadrianel, she share a link with him after all, let’s believe in his opinion.’’

The angel is clearly surprised that the two of them trust her to this degree, hell she’s red in the face and clearly embarrassed thank to the link.

‘’Let’s head in, I like this place and nobody will disturb us further inside’’

The mantis leads you deeper in the archery range and soon, your group of four is sitting comfortable near each other’s.

‘’ I am not certain what you need to ask, milord, but… we know the circumstance’’

"You're both going to be heading back to your countries of origin, where you're wanted for different reasons. The queen intends to use you as bargaining chips to broker an alliance. I want to know what you think of this."

>>18701814
"Each of you have ties to a different faction on this island. To put it bluntly, I need to know about those ties. You need not tell me everything, but enough for me to understand the depth of this situation."

"Each of you has ties to a different faction on this island.’’

The two of them visibly wince and you feel pain, nostalgia and a brief amount of shame coming to your link, but they certainly don’t waver.

‘’To put it bluntly, I need to know about those ties. You need not tell me everything, but enough for me to understand the depth of this situation."

You certainly don’t want to pressure them, but nevertheless even with the best of intentions it is entirely impossible, however you continue to lead the conversation while you can.

‘’The queen intends to use you as bargaining chips to broker an alliance. I want to know what you think of this."

You feel some surprise coming from Hadraniel, but it quickly fade into a solemn expression, states affairs are always a messy business.

‘’I am the Queen retainer, milord’’

‘’So am I’’

‘’If I am asked to die on the battlefield, then I shall do so, if my fate is to be leverage for an alliance, then I am blessed to be so precious to my Queen.’’

‘’…’’

Sylphis is reserved, she seem quite… scared, but then she stare at you for a moment, then at Hadraniel whose eyes fall from the Mantis glare.

‘’I’ll do my duties, Ame-no-Uzume deserve that much’’

It seems that… they’re taking it well; actually, they were expecting it, weren’t they?

Who do you wish to ask first?

sylls

we don't know what they want with her

>>18702055
Agreed.

Do they know the specific fates that await them?
Do they know of any ways that we might circumvent them? I mean, a sidequest, maybe "go slay the monster of X-pass and we'll strike your crimes from the records." Something like that?

‘’Sylphis’’

The Mantis perk up at your voice and immediately know what you want, however she quickly look down and fidget, shame, embarrassment, confusion, even self-hatred all well up inside her like an volcano ready to erupt, this woman is far, far from stoic.

‘’Hadraniel’’

Your attention snap to you knightly companion who is now up, a clawed hand extended toward the angel who take it, she’s still not entirely able to walk without support, the two of them sit by themselves near the targets and you have to admit to be very grateful toward Athena, Sylphis barely looked down but she immediately picked up on her discomfort.

You then sit near the bug lady who is now quite ashamed.

‘’Worry not, I do not intend to pry or reopen old wounds, I want you to speak only if you consent to, Sylphis’’

You can feel a warm emotion in her, however her eyes close for a moment and you’re certain she’s gathering the resolve to talk.

‘’I don’t know much, I am sorry Siegfried’’
>cont

You shake your head, no need to speak, your intentions are clear enough for her to understand, her voice is very quiet as she continue.

‘’When one is born in that order, so is their offspring. Mantises do not reproduce often, however I was born a… anomaly that is all I truly know. My mother herself wasn’t exactly like them you see, so she fled, the order under the ruling dynasty of the Chief clan is… eccentric with its members, if one is to be gone it is the affair of the whole group. If I were to guess from what my mother explained, they would need me back so that the ruling family regains the… mantises’ loyalties’’

She shakes her head after her speech, a lot of emotions raging inside as she’s quite obviously, remembering old memories that must be quite painful.

‘’But I was born an ‘’anomaly’’ in the group, but I guess my escape with my mother created an unfinished business that they want to conclude’’

She speaks as if all of this happened very recently, yet was born in the group?

>>18702305
"They would need you back? By this, do you mean you would have to return permanently?"

"They would need you back? By this, do you mean you would have to return permanently?"

Sylphis look down at your statement, and then look at the palm of her hand for a moment before nodding.

‘’I think this is the most likely scenario, there isn’t a whole lot of them but they are very proficient as shadow agents, if the chief clan were to gain they’re loyalty back, it would provide an…invaluable asset, as far as secrets operatives are concerned.’’

She glossed over a lot of details, but it does seem like speaking about it hurt her quite a bit.

‘’But they aren’t fools, they know I fled for a reason due to the fact that I was an ‘’anomaly’’ to them, so I don’t know what they’d want with me, all this information is from my mother, so it’s only conjecture at best gained from what she wanted to tell me.’’

But then she takes a deep sigh.

‘’But I am ready for the worse if it would help my homeland’’

>>18702473
"I'm not. Intellectually, I know how to rationalize it, but you - both of you, are my dear companions. We share a link. If there is any way to keep you with me, that is the path I wish to take."

I don't like how willing they are with this.

if she is done lets move on to athena

"I'm not.’’

You voice is grave, but you also can’t help the emotions coming up so you pause as you settle down, the idea of Sylphis parting… for this ‘’worse’’ to happen is making you quite angry.

‘’Intellectually, I know how to rationalize it, but you - both of you, are my dear companions.’’

She give a small – derisive- laugh but you feel, again, a warm emotions enveloping her as it wash over you and destabilize your resolve, but by now you know how to control your emotions somewhat better, thus you let nothing appear as you gaze at her silent form.

‘’We share a link. If there is any way to keep you with me, that is the path I wish to take.’’

She doesn’t seem to be able to meet your gaze, at least for a moment, however she look up to you and give you a smile that seems as forced as genuine.

‘’I wish not for separation as well, but I don’t know of any actions or possibilities’’

She trail off while rubbing her forehead.

‘’Siegfried, thank for caring, at least…’’

>>18702716
Hug her.

"We'll find a way."

Then we need to talk to Athena.

There a little distance separating the two of you, the green scaled girl doesn’t seem to be able to look you in the eyes as she’s convinced of her uselessness, you don’t add much beside wrapping your arms around her lithe shoulders and pressing her, her head resting at the level of your chin, rest it on her as the antennas of the Mantis start to swings, poking you sometime.
The embarrassment is quite something, not only does she goes red from ears to ears, but she literally freeze as a rather explosive emotions assail her, it is quite something indeed, as you feel it your own heart beat faster and even hurt a bit.

"We'll find a way."

You say as you rub her scaly back, she doesn’t say anything, simply move her head slightly, provoking a strong poke from the antenna.

‘’I have to speak with Athena now’’

You announce as you let go of the hug, she immediately look down, but she also keep nodding, unable to conceal her embarrassment.

The lizard woman is sitting with the angel and, as you close in on the two, you pick up some trace of conversation.

‘’…be accepting such a possibility so easily’’

Hadraniel say, in a soft, but stern tone, however your approach provoke the two of them to look at you.

‘’Ask what you need, milord’’

>>18702894
"I must know of your own situation with the South. I have already spoken to Sylphis about her own condition, and I'm considering my options."

ask the same questions we asked syls?

"I must know of your own situation with the South.’’

She nod, then turn her gaze back to the targets, you see the arrow you fired still planted at the farthest one.

‘’I have already spoken to Sylphis about her own condition, and I'm considering my options."

You finish as you sit at her side, Hadraniel on the other, her large, beautifully white wing make you pause as you admire them.

‘’In my humble opinion, you and Hadraniel should go with Sylphis’’

You’re not exactly sure you like her tone, but you say nothing, she’ll give you the information you seek.

‘’I will be brief: the clan in South-Zi consider me a criminal for what happened 20 years ago’’

She look down, the shame she’s feeling is quite something.

‘’If I were to return to them, the worst case scenario would be execution, but that’s what I deserve’’

Then she stay silent, this is everything she say.

‘’Please, go with Sylphis’’

She’s very obviously pushing you away.

we're going with athena, she is the one most at risk and we can save syls from whatever crap they try to do to her later.
unless she might die, then we go with syls

>>18703131
"Sylphis is not the one risking death. Both of you are precious to me. Why should I leave you to face this with the Queen, rather than go with you?"

can we send our angel with syls?

>>18703255

Unfortunatly, no, she need to be in your proximity to be able to manifest in the world, at least for the moment

"Sylphis is not the one risking death’’

At your statement, she snap back and grab you by the collar, anger and frustration welling up to an uncontrollable level as her face close in on yours.

‘’What do WE know…?’’

She growl, her forked tongue exiting her mouth as she snarls.

‘’I suspect they brainwash their members, isn’t that even worse?’’

‘’Easy, Athena, you call yourself a knight, do you not?’’

Athena take in a large breath and let you go, offering sincere apologies as shame overwhelm the link, making you wince.

‘’You need to understand, Athena, both of you are precious to me. Whether you like it or not, that is the reality’’

She sighs deeply, and then looks at Hadraniel who give her a solemn nod.

‘’Why should I leave you to face this with the Queen, rather than go with you?"

Athena stay silent for a rather long while, you don’t try to examine the link, you simply wait.

‘’Remember, back in the estate of that Lord? We shared a dream, did we not?’’

>cont

You stay silent, simply staring at her as she give a laugh, then a pained smile, self-hatred evident.

‘’The prominent Salamander, the one that united many of the feuding lizardman clan was my blood sister, my incompetence and naivety allowed her ambitions to be extinguished prematurely, that is my crime, Siegfried. The reason every single one of those monsters were expatriated to this land was because I allowed the church to slaughter Minwee, along with more than 200 members of the close clans, they deceived me and in my incompetence, the dream of a whole people was extinguished.’’

Her voice is hollow; she raised back her hard emotional wall.

‘’If the Queen is to come and let me duel as is custom, when I fall, the restored Honor would be much, much more persuasive if it’s the Goddess of Dawn herself overseeing it all.’’

>>18703425
"And should you win, as I know you will?"

"And should you win, as I know you will?"

You believe in her wholeheartedly, she felt it and wince as she can’t support your eyes, she soon follow the movement by shaking her head lightly and finish it with a sight.

‘’I don’t know, Swords is what they call themselves. Once Honor is restored, then… they value actions and valor, but past grudge are hard to forgive, especially one as…’’

Again she shakes her head, she is truly convinced of her demise, isn’t she?

‘’Believe in your victory, Athena, doubt is the worst of poisons, many around you wouldn’t be able to bear your death.’’

Another sigh, the lizardwoman stay silent for a moment.

‘’I don’t think so highly of myself as to believe I am the best amongst my people, and part of me think I deserve retribution for my crime’’

She’s seeking death.
>probably gonna have to end soon

if we give her our angel sword can it still do pretty awesome stuff even if she dosent manifest herself?

>>18703627
Slap some sense into her. Literally.

We tend to be polite and well spoken, and that's fine. But this is not the time for that. Athena needs to learn that her death is absolutely unacceptable, and all this bullshit about her somehow being unworthy of living needs to stop. If we need to scold her to get that done, then we should scold well.

>>18703676

Athena manage to heal medium wounds mid battle, but appart from that you have no knowledge, you spent most of your time getting to know Hadraniel better instead of her abilities.

>>18703685
i'm ok with this

i guess we can ask our angel later.
anyway, let athena know that the only way we will even CONSIDER going with syls instead is if we absolutely know she will fight as hard as she can and win

>>18703627
"My own past is not clean, Athena. You know my title. Butcher of Monsters. Do I deserve death for what I have done? Do I seek it? The path of redemption ends with death, my Knight. If you resign yourself to it, you are telling me that you are irredeemable. You are not."

>>18703751
>words words words
Yeah, no, that hasn't seemed to work with her in the past.

She needs to get the point. Now. Calm and rational has failed, so now I'd like to try something a little more firm and direct.

>>18703799
You can slap her first if you want, but we are, fundamentally, an eloquent gentleman.

>>18703833
Hitting her is not the point. I'm saying that maybe eloquence isn't going to cut it, and that maybe we need to get a bit more worked up than usual.

"Athena, you seem to be under the impression that you can solve everything through self-sacrifice alone. That's mere self-indulgence. If you die, then any good you could have done with your life is wasted, and I will NOT allow you to do that. I CAN'T allow you to, not after you helped to save my own life. We're all trying to make up for our mistakes, one way or another. So don't think I'll let you off that easily."

Or something along those lines.

>>18703941
>I'm saying that maybe eloquence isn't going to cut it

I don't believe that, but I'm fine with your suggested lines.

Your palm meet her cheek in a resonating sound that leave absolutely everyone present stunned.

All of them know that you are a man of words able to control himself; you know they admire you greatly for this and you take pride in the fact that they, indeed, take strength from your calculating, eloquent self.

But enough is enough. The whole Swords clan she was part of admires action, don’t they? Well you just gave a damn good one to awaken her, painfully mayhap, but GOD DAMN.

‘’I have never told how I gained the title of Butchers of Monsters, Athena, do you know why? Because I am ashamed, so incredibly ashamed of the actions I have done back then.’’

Everyone is listening to your voice, perhaps there are even servants lurking around but you don’t care, not this time. Let them all know and judge who you were who give a shit anyway? If that woman is so utterly convince she need to die, then why not you?

Your fury is ablaze; your voice is cold, even when you lose control you seem to be able to see clearly, like your magic craft, you are a man of cold, cold anger.

‘’Leading men to kills monsters was training, butchering family and growing settlement was expected as the Church supervised operation with usual cold, pragmatism. THE FIRST GODDAMN THING I KILLED OUT OF THE COLLEGE WAS A PREGNANT LAMIA’’

You ball your hand in a fist. Butcher of Monsters is what you were called, you quickly adorned a mask when you were under your uncle tutelage, if you were to drench your hands in blood then so be it, but you wanted to give the image of something entirely inhuman instead of ‘’you’’ Siegfried Shieffer.

It wasn’t even a Purge, there was one 30 years ago, but monsters were prevalent nonetheless.

Self-sacrifice, her saying ‘’I deserve death’’ is hitting so close to home.

>cont

Your mother was like that.

Your uncle was like that.

Working to the bones and self-sacrificing, both of them are dead.

As your anger subside, you pride yourself on the fact that your voice barely raised itself, the three linked women are looking at you, each with vastly different emotions.

‘’All of us are trying to make up for our mistakes, Athena. You saved my life numerous time, yet you expect me to stand there while you talk of going off to die?’’

You breathe in, heavily.

‘’I won’t let you off that easily, my knight.’’

As silence pass in heavy, iced silence. As Athena feels a great amount of shame, you see her turn her head, unable to look at you.

‘’Then what am I to do?’’

Tried to do with ''gentleman fury'' but not sure if I pulled that off

>>18704138
It worked amazingly well.

>>18704115

"For me, live. And for your people, be their hope. If you wish to be atone, be what your sister could not. Win and show them that hope lies in an alliance and that they would be best served by having the queen guarded by their strongest warrior.

You."

>>18704138
i didn't take it as gentlemanly but fuck damn, that was good

>>18704215

With this actually, there is a clear plan for amy to work with. Perhaps we should go with sylphis instead since how to tackle that is something we've not figured out.

>>18704246
Makes sense.

>>18704138
Sounds a lot more like a man with a fire in his gut. I like it.

>>18704215
I also like this.

"For me, live. And for your people, be their hope.’’

You see her put a hand on her heart; she’s feeling many a conflicting emotions, each and every one washing over you, while Sylphis worry, but the usual calm confidence of Hadraniel is giving you and anchor.

‘’ If you wish to atone, be what your sister could not.’’

Breathing in, out, calming your emotions, allowing gentle and warms feelings to take place, you don’t hate her, no, no you don’t, you don’t even need to admit to you like her a whole damn lot if she managed to get you this worked up.

‘’Win and show them that hope lies in an alliance and that they would be best served by having the queen guarded by their strongest warrior.’’

She’s the best warriors you’ve ever seen, after all, you are entirely confident she can and WILL win this honor duel. You see her close her eyes, balling them in fist, her raging emotions already caused some tears to fall.

‘’You, Athena, have more than enough valor to do it. I believe in you, always will"

Your words, indeed, shake her; you feel something warm coming through the link, the breeze of the end of the afternoon is also a very comfortable one.

Even with all those pretty words, the possibility of her failing exists, everyone here knows that, but the most important thing is for her to have no regret.

‘’I guess… I’ll fight with pride’’

She sound unsure, but it’s not exactly negative, she simply need some time. You know it, really, once she’ll step in that ring, she may very well become a woman you’ll fall in love with.

There still a bit of tension however, your outburst really did surprise those women.

And you have yet to decide on whom to accompany.

now that we're sure she won't go off on a suicide mission lets go with sylls

lets ask our angel she can do some amazing thing while being wielded by athena

>>18704448
Call Sylphis over.

You wave toward the Mantis who wave back, but under your insistence she slowly walk up to you and you put a hand on her head, rubbing her air as she closed her eyes and clearly enjoy the action.

You then turn to Hadraniel and she nod at you.

‘’Know that, even with your past, you are still a worthy man, Siegfried.’’

Her way of comfort, you nod at her with a smile, but then you hear some clapping coming from behind, as you turn you see the queen walking toward you while Yuria is looking at you with… a strange? Yes a strange look

‘’You truly know your way around words, Siegfried, I won’t hard press you for this… agonizing choice today, why not enjoy ourselves?’’

Even so, you have to make certain of who you truly wish to accompany; you fear that… someone in this group might not return.

>>18704541
Yes. And ask if she can make sure that nothing else happens under her watch. Hadraniel may not be following us on this one, but she'll be able to protect Athena: even if it means dragging what's left of Athena off the field in defeat if it comes to that. It's the gravest of duties, but the angel should be up to it.

We'll go with Sylphis and figure out her situation one step at a time.

>>18704694
When Yuria suggests enjoying ourselves, I get paranoid.

My vote is for accompanying Sylphis.

>>18704705
I like the sentiment, but how is Hadraniel going to do that? She can only manifest when she's near us.

>>18704705

Angel won't be able to drag her off the field since she'll be forced in her Shrine world due to the distance between the two of you.

>>18704749
could she at least improve athenas fighting?
i think that'd be enough

‘’Hadraniel’’

Your voice is strong, as you continue to give the Mantis some rub, the angel come to you and give a bow.

‘’Know that whatever is your decision, I am ready to act as your shield, Siegfried.’’

‘’I want you to go with Athena’’

‘’What?’’

She clearly did not expect that, as did everyone present, they all listen to your exchange.

‘’Back at the college, you manifested when Athena called for you, didn’t she? You healed her arm that suffered a fracture’’
Hadraniel look down with a grimace, she’s clearly quite displeased with what you’re saying.

‘’Indeed I have, however reproducing such a feat is… I’m not certain I could truly help, she need to stop for a moment and scream a word of power to allow a small amount of my power to leak through, beside, Siegfried, you would be alone with Sylphis in a nest of vipers, I can’t really… stand there and do nothing’’

She is quite perturbed.

>>18704872
"I judge my knight to be in greater need of my shield than I. The threat to me is not as direct as it is to Athena. You have aided her before, and I have faith that you will do so again, should she need you to. Do you accept this mission, angel?"

>>18705034
I'm cautiously seconding this.
I'm not sure how much Hadraniel could actually help Athena.

>>18704872
>>18704749
>>18704751
The optimal way to do it, then, would be to impress upon Ame EXACTLY how fed-up we are with seeing those important to us die, and EXACTLY how important it is that Athena comes back alive. Then we'd take Hadri along with us to help handle whatever we're walking into with Sylphis.

The only way that happens, though, is if we are all on the same page about people not dying.

>>18705092

Can go with this, but I'd need to rewrite my last post, would you guys be fine with that?

>>18705189
Yes. It makes more sense. I only went with it because you'd already written it.

>>18705034
Except if we put too much of our resources on Athena, we could be put in a situation where we might lose Sylphis instead.

If we want the best chance at keeping both, we're going to have to put the angel where she's at her most effective, and trust that out pep-talk was enough for Athena.

>>18705092
I still don't trust Ame. Not yet. She seemed entirely too fine with the idea of allowing our knight to die as a "sacrifice".

>>18705233
She's in a different position. A queen willing to do whatever it takes to protect her land and people, as opposed to us, a man with a soul-linked companion who he wants to keep alive at all costs.

if our angel can't make the sword swing faster or sharper in athenas hands then i guess we should just take her with us

>>18705189
I'm actually thinking that we should take Hadraniel's advice and have her come with us. Her advice has been 2 for 2, so far.

>>18705233
She's a Queen who has to look out for her kingdom and the people living in it. She has to consider the Greater Good, while we can be selfish enough to care about our companions.
She's got a lot to consider, while our considerations are blessedly limited.

>>18705253
Yes, but she's also relying on US to do the other half of the job. She needs to know that our cooperation comes with certain requirements based on what's important to us.

She's the one that needs our help, after all.

Hadraniel gaze is steel, she’s looking at you with incredible intensity, her spear her upright as ,even when recovering from yesterday ordeal, she stand as tall as she can. Perhaps she’s trying to make herself intimidating, but it isn’t working, but she’s caring even if she’s being rather authoritative with that gaze of her.

She really disliked your proposal, didn’t she?

You scratch the back of your head, feeling a bit goofy and ashamed, suddenly you don’t exactly feel THAT confident of your idea and everyone can feel it.

You give the antenna a gentle tug, provoking a grunt.

‘’I’ve decided to go with Sylphis, yes.’’

You affirm, you feel quite a big amount of gratitude coming from Athena and again, this warm feeling forcing the Mantis to blush.

You then walk away from this precious smaller bug woman and grab the Queen by the arm, pulling her along as she protest and blush slightly as you close to her without any shame.

‘’Ame’’

Your voice is low, but strong, given your serious face, she stop her fluster and stare at you.

‘’I am tired, incredibly tired, of seeing people I care about die’’

She looks saddened as she avert her gaze

‘’Make sure… Athena lives, for both our sake’’

‘’…Believe it or now, I am aware of your plight, Siegfried. I will, as a friend of her, do whatever I can to make sure she doesn’t pass from this world.’’

And then she caress your cheek with a smile

‘’Better watch out for Yuria in the future~’’

As you come back with the Queen still attached to you (she said she’ll miss you) you give Hadraniel a nod.

‘’You’ll be coming with me’’

And she stays cold as she voice

‘’Good’’

>Will end it here, I’ll most likely have the next session start when you guys depart, unless you want a truly not that eventful update, after all there literally nothing to do beside relaxing and enjoying people companies until morning

>>18705283

Thing is we go as the envoy of the queen. An atack on us is a direct declaration of war.

We will not come to direct harm, at the very least.

>>18705363

At least start off with sending off the other party?

We must have some personal token. Pass it to athena, saying we expect her to return it in person.

>>18705503

Will do, right now I'm a bit too tired to think properly.

also next session will probably be next friday, starting a new job next week, so I'll see how I handle it before giving a sooner date.

looking forward to next time

>>18705524
Fair enough.
>>18705503
So corny, but kind of appropriate.

>>18705555

I just hope we're triggering enough LIVE GODDAMMIT flags for athena, with the various reasons for her to live and return.

>>18705776

You'll see

>>18705852
Goddammit!

Have you been taking paranoia lessons from the other quest runners, INH?

>>18705863

Paranoia lessons? I've read and I'm following quite a few quest, but I have to admit to being pretty damn dense so I'm not certain what you mean.

Also throwing that out there, were officially past the ''safe zone''. Everything leading up to the First of Spring was rather easy, but this time I won't be that nice

>>18705902
>>18705852

Jimmies rustled. Badly.

Dammit INH, you're doing this perfectly. Like a DM rolling dice for fun to scare players.

And I think we'll want to dive into hadreniel's memories sooner rather than later.

>>18705978

Gonna have to sweet talk her, but by this point I'm constructing the quest around you guys pulling amazing speechs out of nowhere to avoid messy situation and give DETERMINATION.

As one can expect from that statement, I am an avid reader of visual novels. Still to get back on subject, exploring Hadraniel memories is an option of course, deeping your relationship with the ladies is important in itself but I'll just say this.

Once you reach a bit deeper in Hadraniel memories, its gonna be a mess, but nothing is gaining without sweat right?

>>18706038
>its gonna be a mess, but nothing is gaining without sweat right?
Does this mean that her memories will be horrific, or that there is a a good chance of failure and alienating her?

Or will you only give a vague and ambiguous answer?

>>18706093

You'll get a glimpse of how the world was back then.

How the Heroes fought back then, Monsters were created as the perfect predators for mankind, its not going to be pretty, but it also might give some valuable insight on some of the Heroes themselves.

Also, out of everyone in the quest, Hadraniel is going to be pretty hard to alienate, I like to think I've got a good reason for that~

>>18706140
Thanks for the answer, INH.

>>18706209

Any time, this quest gave me back a writting drive that was missing for several years now so I'm having fun too.

I kind of want to talk to Hadraniel before we leave.
To, you know, make sure she's okay and not that offended by the suggestion of going with Athena.

>>18707296
She's not delicate, but she did seem particularly adamant about being with us on this one. Maybe we should check in, but do it without coming across as patronizing, or worse: doting.