It has been about a week since Maria debated the heretic in their faith class, and honestly Maria has not had the best of time since then. As she longingly looked at the damned book resting upon her desk, she wondered…

“Is something the matter, Mistress Maria?” Melody asked as she crept up behind the Saintly girl.

“Why do I keep such a heretical book in my possession?” Maria asked the maid.

“I do not know, Mistress. Only that you have yet to send it to the burning pire.” Melody answered right back.

“You know that was not the answer I was looking for. Aren't you supposed to say something intuitive about my character, as you have been with me for so long?”

“I… do not know where you get that assumption. You have always surprised me, from the moment I was introduced to you.”

“Do you have a guess?”

“I do.”

“Give it.”

“Very well, uh,” The maid struggled while being put on the spot, “If I were to guess, you want to know more about their thinking. Is that not why you keep that Ancient Alchemy Book around?” Melody asked while nodding towards the book that was sprawled out upon the counter.

“Indeed, you are right. Though at this point it is heresy to have it around anymore, and a grand hypocrisy as well.”

“Indeed, the maids have been finding more of her books recently. I have taken personal care to burn each of them in the heating stoves.”

“That sounds a little evil, Melody.”

“Is it evil if the books were Heresy?”

“Hmm, some would disagree with that train of thought, Melody. They would claim it is the start of a tyrannical government designed to silence the people. However, you do not need to treat trash with respect.” Maria ended the speech with a devious smirk.

>Go ahead and start reading it, best to let it go now.
>Tell Melody to burn it, Maria needs to go see Albert and co.
>Burn, but instead go find Vinnesa.

>>4580042
>>Tell Melody to burn it, Maria needs to go see Albert and co.

Nice to see you again OP, remember to link the new thread on the old one my dude
>>4580042
>Go ahead and start reading it, best to let it go now.
We need to know what more of it is against the holy book as to be prepared against the heretics

BTW our animal handling used to be 15 but you cut it to 5 my man, remember to fix it

>>4580042
>Go ahead and start reading it, best to let it go now.
To be fair not reading it can be a bad idea. Or at least skimming it.

After all, a certain dictator wrote a book about how he was going to attack another country and that country's leader still thought cooperation was a possibility.

>>4580042
>Go ahead and start reading it, best to let it go now.
We stop being too stupid to learn exactly what sort of bullshit Chloe is peddling!
We learn about other gods in faith class for a reason.

Once all of that's done we can work with Elric and the Pope to invalidate Lucien. We just (preferably) need to find corroborating evidence[ like testimony from the midwives, the King, Valor himself if he wasn't that stupid joker, or another copy of Valor's book.
If Chloe doctrine is right, then Lucien can't be King because God didn't give him a soul. If Chloe doctrine is wrong, the church can't put a king in power that's associated with heresy..
Chloe is trying to paint us as evil so much that if we're the only source it looks like an evil fake/plot of ours and her heretics will ignore it.
I'd prefer to coordinate with the pope in person if at all possible.

>>4580242
Oh god damnit you're back.

“Hand it over.” Maria called out to Melody with an outstretched hand, “It is better to learn about your enemy than to let it go to waste in ignorance.

The maid gave a steady nod of the head, placing the book into Maria’s hands without much of a fuss.

So Maria began to read, looking over the several pages that was within her possession. The translation itself, to Maria’s surprise, was actually kinda accurate in some ways. The rights of chosen men and the laws that are proposed are the same, sans just a little oddity around the murder part. Though when it comes to the ideas of the Lord himself and heroes, things start to get a little more fuzzy.

The stories on how the Lord interacts with man tended to be a little different, as some of them were from other people. One would be from a King, the other from a peasant with great wisdom. It is unlike what Maria knew, which is either the use of his priests or the direct communication when one has shown themselves worthy.

That, and add the other fact that heroes were reincarnations was just weirding Maria out for a good bit.

“That is enough for today, I have see enough.” Maria announced while setting the book on her counter.

“How bad was it?” Melody asked as she collected the book and hid it in a cubby.

“Gave me a bad taste in my mouth, but thats it.” Maria finished with a sigh, “I kind of wonder if we can even use this against her anymore.”

“Indeed, you did give her quite the mark the other day.” Melody answered, “It is about midday now, do you want to go see Albert?”

>Yes, Maria shall go see the man
>Opt instead to go see her Brother, the book might be ready now.
>Take a walk around.

>>4580487
>Yes, Maria shall go see the man

>>4580487
>>Yes, Maria shall go see the man
Calling Albert the man is weird. He is for all intents and purposes our boyfriend and future husband.

>>4580487
>Yes, Maria shall go see the man.
A bit of time with boyfriend before we start looking for the inquisitor and our mailmen.

>>4580487
>>Yes, Maria shall go see the man

>>4580487
>Yes, Maria shall go see the man
More like betrothed

>>4580278
You seem displeased anon

>>4580487
>Yes, Maria shall go see the man
I hope we have a nice talk. I wonder what he's been up to in general as he does have a life outside of us.
It took a weekish for the Tournament news to hit the Miaphate and it's been two weeks by now, so it's probably about time for word of us killing dragons, banishing demons and so forth to have trickled back.

Pretty Obvious
>>4580494
>>4580506
>>4580509
>>4580622
>>4580645
>>4580669

“I will, thank you Melody.” Maria said with a smile while rising from her desk, “If you can, make sure everything is tied up and clean.”

“Indeed I will, that is my job isn’t it?”

“I just wanted to make sure you have not forgotten your original duties through all this mania.” Maria gave a smile as she got her things together and went out the door

The sun was high in the sky on this day, the warmth of the sun dancing on the skin of all those who were outside. Maria herself did not really mind if it was snowing or sunny, simply that the cold winter was the best condition for her.

Of course someone like Albert would not hang outside, but instead in the warm interior of the Academy. More specifically, a place where he can get a good amount of privacy ontop of all that previously mentioned.

That is the reason why she entered the Second Prince's private room, and her guess was correct, “Hey Albert, what are you up to?”

“M-Maria!” The man shook his head before turning his head, “When will I get used to you sneaking up on me?”

“When you can hear my every step.” Maria said while tapping the man on the nose, “Whatcha up to?”

“Nothing too much.” The man answered modestly with a cheap smile, “Just some accounts my father needed me to put together.”

“Your Father is making you work this far away? Seems kinda out of the way.”

“Well that is because this all relates to my operations.” The young man admitted, “Remember that flower from last semester?”

“Ah, yes I do! So you're ordering the equipment to get it processed?”

“That and some better wagons for transporting it.” The man said with a wave of the hand, “MaKain is quite mountainous, right? Normal carriages would be pressed if they were to go up there themselves.”

“Indeed that is true, though are you sure spending money on special carriages is a good idea?”

“Since we are dealing with a very rare luxury good, I think we can get away with it.” the man answered with a nod, “Yeah, we should be able to get things together here nicely.”

>Heard anything on the Church’s front?
>What's been happening with the Second Prince?
>Just talk about anything *Write in are suggested*
>Flirt just a little bit more

>>4580818
>What's been happening with the Second Prince?
then we flirt. man I almost forgot about those flowers

>>4580818
>Flrt
>Ask if it would be feasible for us to make a primitive elevator/lift system for the first wagons to assemble and make the job easier for the wagons coming after it at the sit location. (these two at the same time. We can SCIENCE the logistics together.)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_roller_coaster

If I'm thinking of this properly we're basically implementing what later became roller coasters with an added safety mechanism or two since we care bit more about accidents and safety than the average person here. Eg emergency brakes and mandatory helmets for thrillseekers.
We basically have the farm in one spot and maybe produce a mine next to it if there isn't already a mine we can abuse. We load the rubble into the carts and let gravity pulling them down power the lifts heading up with personnel, supplies and so forth.. It might not help with the initial transport, but it would make the housing facilities easier to deal with in the long term while generating tourist revenue that's powering the system.


It might actually make a good location for operation paperclip and the schools I wanted to plant isekai knowledge with, but I think the quest is going to be over before we get to that point.
I figure we should talk to the second prince in person when it's time for an update from him. Us freeing Karen City should have turned things around for his situation, so we'd need to do a real meeting to figure out wtf went wrong.

>>4580818
>>Flirt just a little bit more

>>4580818
>Flirt just a little bit more
>"Carriage, sounds similar to marriage, oh, reminds me, you're going to want to prepare an extravagant wedding party."
>"Why? Because once this heresy buisness is all over it might be the only chance to have a party the two of us will get. We'll just be too tired after the ceremony."
>"Well once the wedding ceremony is over we're going to be consummating our union so many time's we'll be bedridden for a week, and after that, why, we're going to be breeding so much your father won't be able to catch up to our family's size."

Yes. I am advocating, go full thirst. We've been stuck playing inquisitor and noble woman for so long we deserve to release some of that pent up frustration on poor little albert!

>>4580944
>Yes. I am advocating, go full thirst. We've been stuck playing inquisitor and noble woman for so long we deserve to release some of that pent up frustration on poor little albert!
Ok, but let’s not scare him

Flirting, finally
>>4580868
>>4580944
>>4580969

What is happening to Albert?
>>4580828

>>4580944
I'll leave the horniness out of this.

“You know, Albert, what does Carriage sound like to you?” Maria asked with a growing smile that Albert could not place.

“W-what do you mean?” The man asked, with a small bit of terror in his voice.

“It kinda sounds like Marriage, wouldn’t you agree?”

“M-Marriage!” The man screamed as if he was almost had a heart attack.

“Hmm, can I not dream?” Maria asked with a charming smile, “After all of this Heresy business, I think we should definitely tie the knot. Oh it would take a weight off our shoulders.”

“I mean, we would need to plan it won’t we? Isn’t it kinda a big undertaking?”

“Of course it is, having a marriage always is.” Maria began to lounge in her chair, “But you must be able to imagine it, walking down the alleys of the Papal Palace, being blessed by the Pope himself. It would be an event worthy of even the Lord himself!”

“A-are you sure they will allow that?”

“After saving them from this heresy, I think having a simple wedding at the Papacy is the least they can do.” Maria snickered with a devious smile, “What do you think of it?”

“That… would be the best day of my life.” He answered with a smile back at Maria.

“See, we are on the save wavelength.” Maria laughed.

As they rejoiced there was a small creek from the door as Elric looked in from the outside. The man of course had a red face from hearing all that, which gave Albert the same face in return. The only one who kept themselves straight was of course Maria.

“Ah Elric, come on in. If I may ask, how much did you hear?”

“Enough.” He answered while entering and taking a seat for himself, “Uh, how are things going?”

“Well enough.” Maria asked with a smirk.

>Ask him how his relationship with Elizabeth is going
>See how the Elector Counts are doing
>Tease the man about his relationship with Elizabeth, this is the perfect oppritunity.

>>4581095
>Tease the man about his relationship with Elizabeth, this is the perfect oppritunity.
Let's go with the flow, then we kill his joy with the electors

>>4581095
>Ask him how his relationship with Elizabeth is going

>>4581095
>Ask him how his relationship with Elizabeth is going
>Segue into asking if word of us banishing demons and killing dragons to free the Sacred city of Ca'Ren came back to Austin yet.

News breaking out should have been the thing to shatter Chloe's spotlight when it comes to sainthood and make those jumping the chloe bandwagon look foolish. especially since Chloe decided to talk shit only for us to be saintly.

>>4581095
>>Tease the man about his relationship with Elizabeth, this is the perfect oppritunity.

>>4581095
>>Tease the man about his relationship with Elizabeth, this is the perfect oppritunity.

Maria however grew a more cynical smile about her, “Though I need to ask, how about you and Elizabeth? Is there anything happening there by chance?”

“W-what do you mean?!” Elric quickly became red as Maria’s words passed through his ears.

“Come on now Elric, you know that your relationship with her should have already gone up a level.” Maria joked with a snicker, “I think a Betrothal would be enough to settle her heart at ease.”

“W-what, I-I only knew her for so long.”

“And our ancestors almost never met their lovers until the day of the wedding.” Maria joked with a wave of the hand, “Oh when the day comes I ask that you invite me to the wedding. Surely she will want more than just a signing of papers as well.”

“I mean, yes of course! She is going to be my Empress after all!”

“Such a good line, I will tell her you said that.”

The look on Elric’s face was darkened red as Maria just gave another snicker. It was simply too easy to mess with the man but, “Make sure you solidify her standing. By performing with honor and respect you will win the hearts of the Elector Counts.”

“Yeah, you are right there.” Elric admitted with a sigh.

“Though, don’t forget about the girl herself. You have taken Elizabeth out to do something right?”


“We went out to town the other day.” The man admitted with a calming smile about himself, “We were able to get some food at the local pub when it was not too roudy.”

“Is a pub a place to take a girl?”

“When we are both wearing disguises, yes.” Elric mentioned with a sharpening smile.

“Oh, a secret date! I can see why she enjoyed it.” Maria said while taking a quick glance towards Albert. Said man was of course red in the face from embarrassment, but at last he was paying attention.

>Ask what the King thinks of all this shenaniganry.
>See what the current position of the Elector Counts are, as he was surely working on it.
>Albert, what of the peasantry? What do they see in all this?

>>4581465
>>See what the current position of the Elector Counts are, as he was surely working on it.

>>4581465
>See what the current position of the Elector Counts are, as he was surely working on it.

>>4581465
>See what the current position of the Elector Counts are, as he was surely working on it.

>>4581465
>See what the current position of the Elector Counts are, as he was surely working on it.
I figure that ties into my earlier request and another anon's suspicions about Chloe's movement being a nobility orchestrated/backed uprising. Peasants are still important , but as part of the system one can't just ignore a giant chunk of the system when trying to get support from it. We are gonna need to address peasants eventually, but we've been blowing off attention on the council for too long.

"So on that note, what can you tell me about the elector counts at this point?" Maria asked with a stone cold star.
Eric looked a little pained at the mention of his Empires electors, but soon his worry melted away, "I have a good amount of men willing to put their weight under me, even nearing half!"
Really? Then can I ask how far are you getting the last few?"
At this point Elric avoided her eyes, "You see, it's hard to get people over that halfway point. Even if I were to make a betroval to Elizabeth I don't think I can get them."
"How many would be willing to follow you into war?"
"..." The young man took a moment's thought, "half of them would be willing."
"Hmm, I guess those are good numbers." Maria said with a solemn sigh, "So we are angling for that little bit on top…"
"You were talking to that one girl, right Maria?" Albert asked.
"Yes, Vinnesa Relias, she is easy to talk to and her family has some clout, right Elric?"
"Indeed her family does, she was betrothed to my brother after all." Elric affirmed with a nod, "If somehow we were able to turn her family, most of the Counts would follow easily enough."
"So we are banking on her still," Maria but her lip, "I don't like having all our eggs in one basket."
"Yeah, though how should we move forward with her?" Elric moved forward with.
> Maria will keep talking to her by herself, as she might get a good chance
> introduce her to Elric, maybe build a working relationship between them.
> Maybe bring her into the friend group fully, enough to make her feel welcome

"So on that note, what can you tell me about the elector counts at this point?" Maria asked with a stone cold star.

Eric looked a little pained at the mention of his Empires electors, but soon his worry melted away, "I have a good amount of men willing to put their weight under me, even nearing half!"

Really? Then can I ask how far are you getting the last few?"

At this point Elric avoided her eyes, "You see, it's hard to get people over that halfway point. Even if I were to make a betroval to Elizabeth I don't think I can get them."

"How many would be willing to follow you into war?"

"..." The young man took a moment's thought, "half of them would be willing."

"Hmm, I guess those are good numbers." Maria said with a solemn sigh, "So we are angling for that little bit on top…"

"You were talking to that one girl, right Maria?" Albert asked.

"Yes, Vinnesa Relias, she is easy to talk to and her family has some clout, right Elric?"

"Indeed her family does, she was betrothed to my brother after all." Elric affirmed with a nod, "If somehow we were able to turn her family, most of the Counts would follow easily enough."

"So we are banking on her still," Maria but her lip, "I don't like having all our eggs in one basket."

"Yeah, though how should we move forward with her?" Elric moved forward with.

> Maria will keep talking to her by herself, as she might get a good chance

> introduce her to Elric, maybe build a working relationship between them.

> Maybe bring her into the friend group fully, enough to make her feel at home

If this doubled, sorry, I'm am traveling currently and updates are gonna be weird.

>>4581883
>Maybe bring her into the friend group fully, enough to make her feel at home
It's ok OP. It's near christmas eve after all

>>4581873
> Maria will keep talking to her by herself, as she might get a good chance

I suspect she's too intelligent for being wasted as a glorified ornament to Lucien like it was planned. She will see through any scheming or imagine some on her own rather than realize her worth. What can you offer her that can cut past that? I'm personally planning on being friends with her either way.

Vinessa kinda reminds me of Irisviel from My Fiance is in Love with My Little Sister and Euphillia from The magical revolution of the reincarnated Princess due to falling into the archetype. If I had to guess, she's somewhere in between the two.

We still don't know what nobles/demons are scheming with that printing press and it would suck hard if her family were in on it.
I personally got the feeling that Vinessa's wants don't match her parents wants? She's been raised to be some perfect princess/queen but has almost never been truly asked what SHE wants.

The scripture of Chloe completely disrespects the privacy of anyone who was reincarnated.
I hope our clock arrives before the quest ends.
We haven't had a good ohohoho in a while. We need to fix that somehow.
I wish I wasn't getting the urge to invent steam engines for transport around our realm so late in the quest.
We're in some serious trouble if her family are planning a big brained move and trying to assassinate Chloe while getting all of the support from her followers.

>>4581883
> Maybe bring her into the friend group fully, enough to make her feel at home.

Might be a good idea to see if she's got anybody working against her.

Do we know about the status of the inquisitor? What about the mailmen?

>>4581921
>I hope our clock arrives before the quest ends.
>We haven't had a good ohohoho in a while. We need to fix that somehow.
Good points, specially the laugh. That last bit sounds too much my dude
>>4581931
That as well, we need to contact our mailmen specially with those books going around

>>4581945
Oh it's bound to fail since she's a god and thusly could easily be at least partially immortal if we don't get into , but It's actually partially the plot of the Otome manhwa we're based on. The Chloe character is just a planned human sacrifice by the dickhead prince that's going to play a heartbroken lover for sympathy points.Then he gets a great excuse to not have to marry anyone while he gets to rule as tyrant. It's still out there and I'm just dumping conspiracy theories at a wall for fun, but there's absolutely a precedent.

>>4581883
>> Maybe bring her into the friend group fully, enough to make her feel at home

>>4581883
>> Maria will keep talking to her by herself, as she might get a good chance

"I think the best way to bring her around is just to immerse her." Maria answered with a smile, "I mean, would any of you be against another girl hanging out here?"
Elric have a simple shrug, "I see no problem with that. What about you Albert."
The other simply shook his head, "I do not have much of a problem with it myself, but is it wise to have her join us?"
"I mean, you are right in that she can hang out with say Elizabeth and Erica, but I don't know."
"You… don't know?" Albert asked hesitantly.
"Well, just the fact is she might warm up to Elric faster this way. While it's not a bad idea to rely on a relationship with Elizabeth or myself, it's best that he takes up the mentel."
"You think a little highly of me." Eric said with a shaky smile.
"Of course I do, you are the second prince after all." Maria pointed out before shaking her head, "I will look into it here tomorrow and let you all know what happens, alright?"
"Sounds good" Elric said while picking himself off the chair he sat in, "I will let you all go, I need to do other things now."
"Yeah same here, see you later Maria." Albert said with a smile himself.
With that everyone left, Maria now having a job on.her hands to do.
>Send a letter inviting the girl to a tea party
>Guide her to the Prince's outpost
>You know, Maria has not gone to see her postal workers in a while

>>4581996
>Send a letter inviting the girl to a tea party

>>4581996
>You know, Maria has not gone to see her postal workers in a while
Gotta make sure and we're close anyway to send the letter

>>4581996
>>Send a letter inviting the girl to a tea party
It's Christmas, take some time off if you need to. We'll still be here.

>>4581996
>You know, Maria has not gone to see her postal workers in a while
>We can get the letter sent through the postal workers.

>>4581996
>>You know, Maria has not gone to see her postal workers in a while

>>4581996
>You know, Maria has not gone to see her postal workers in a while
>Bring a drawing of the guy we saw at the printing press if we have or can make a reasonably accurate drawing


They're the obvious people to hire for junk mail, which i'm reasonably sure if the next step in the Chloe propaganda machine.

Daddy needs to know about our journey and the dangers of this new set of heretics.We don't get along with Chloe and so they might use it as an excuse for sedition. We owe him at least that and an I love you since we haven't spoke in a long while. Although we don't really need to walk there personally to send the mail on account of the mailmen coming to the school to drop off and deliver constantly, we can't have a proper meeting at the school and expect privacy.

The demon dude is probably a gopher. He's not THE priority, but if we can learn who he works for it can lead to a string unravelling in this plot.

Anyone else want to bring the suit of mail back as a display/taunt? Leaving it there is a connection to us vs us grabbing it back and having the alibi of "We thought buying a black suit of armour after your accusations would be amusing."

>>4582061
>Anyone else want to bring the suit of mail back as a display/taunt? Leaving it there is a connection to us vs us grabbing it back and having the alibi of "We thought buying a black suit of armour after your accusations would be amusing."
Nah, that would be unnecessary. Like the letter idea though

The next day Maria crossed the cold towards a small home off the road for the academy. The sun was once more covered in class, the chances of snow more than likely in the next few days.
However that was the least of Maria's concern, as she finally knocked on the door to the place the door's peep hole opened quickly before closing and the door itself opening.
The man gave a short smile, "Ma'am! It has been a while!"
"It has been!" The man announced whole making a motion with his hand, "Something just came in! It's fucking awesome!"
"Alright?" Maria raised a brown, but followed the man into the place. There was a series of men working, though many have moved from their spots to a single table that was cleared out, "All of you, moved!"
The men did as they were ordered, making way for their patron to reveal a large cage. Maria's jaw fell as she looked a large sized bird looking skeptically out of the cage. However, the moment it looked at her it gave a solemn bow.
Maria took a moment to study it for a moment, then she noticed the note. Without a worry she yanked the paper off and began to read.
[i]Hello Miss. Wyvern,
I promised you a Falcon, so here it is. Treat him well.[/i]
Curious as to what would happen, Maria opened the cage. In a moment, the bird made a lap around her before resting itself upon her shoulder. It seemed more laxed sitting her, though she could not help but feel the creature give a slight shiver.
Just… fucking Solomon.
>Explore the place and ask how their operation is going.
>Send a message to Vinnesa
>To Solomon… thank you?

>>4582402
If we don't thank solomon now, will we get a chance later? Because there's about 3-4 different letters we need to write for 3-4 different people.

>>4582402
>Explore the place and ask how their operation is going.
>>4582405
I'd like to know this as well

>>4582402
>>Explore the place and ask how their operation is going.
>>To Solomon… thank you?

>>4582402
>>To Solomon… thank you?

>>4582402
.>Explore the place and ask how their operation is going.
>To Solomon… thank you?
>Thank them for their good work


Seems like we're gonna be here all day since there's lots of important work to do and catching up.
Luckily they've been keeping track of who knows who and who says what this entire time.

If we use the company for shipping the books at the same time the junk mail is sent out, we have a ready made excuse for shipping delays in Chloe's junk mail. Then of course an occasional inquisitor might raid the heretical shipments.

>>4582402
>>To Solomon… thank you?
>Explore the place and ask how their operation is going.

We need to know if the cult been using our post network

Merry Christmas QM

Maria could not help but frown when she got a good look at the creature upon her arm. It was indeed a little sad, knowing that even after she shot him down that Solomon still accounted for promises made to her. Though, it also worried her that the may still be attached.

That was a very worrisome thought.

Either way, She needed to send thanks for the bird. The obedient beast stood upon her shoulder as Maria got a note together

To You,

Thanks for the beast. I will treat it well.

With that Maria ripped off the paper and handed it to the men, "Give this to the same person who gave this bird to you. Understood?"

"U-understood ma'am!" As the man took the note and left.

"The rest of you." Maria called out as she turned to the other men, "Take me to Jimmy, I need to find out what has been happening."

One of the men gave a nod, quickly moving to take Maria through their lots. The workplace actually seemed just a slight bit larger, the amount of letters just that little bit more. Soon though they went up the stairs, soon taking Maria into a room with the man sitting at the other end.

"Ah, Ma'am, it is good to see ya." Jimmy called out with a chuckle, "thank you for coming over."

"Hmm, did someone tip you off I would be here early? It smells like a whore has been here." Maria claimed as she took a seat.

"A-a whore! Th-that was a while ago."

"So last night?"

"..." The man grew a shade of red as he shook his head, "J-just why are you here ma'am!"

>Just how you finances are doing.
>Has there been any interesting letters lately?
>What's the general mood of all the letter?
>Maria has an idea *give idea*

File: Merry Christmas you degen(...).gif (863 KB, 500x280)

863 KB GIF

>>4582954

>>4583014
>Has there been any interesting letters lately?
Merry Christmas.

>>4583014
>It was indeed a little sad, knowing that even after she shot him down that Solomon still accounted for promises made to her.
Damn I forgot we did this

>Has there been any interesting letters lately?

>>4583014
>Name the Falcon
>Interesting letters? (This is what we came for anyway)

>How are finances going?

>I want to start implementing employee benefits packages if finances allow for it (Paid sick/vacation days, retirement funds,etc. Not gonna force em, just let the group as a whole vote on if they like the idea since it's probably coming out of their wallet. i suppose Albert theoretically is capable of creating modern banking to hold the accounts if we show him some ideas)


Just shooting these off incase anyone thinks these are more important and worth a vote:
How's employee Morale?

Warn against the dangers of heresy. These guys were there when the cultists were trying to control us and Chloe via demonic sacrifices, so it's not a very big stretch to believe that demon heretics are trying to control Chloe through trickery/manipulation right now. That way we don't have to worry about our wn men becoming converts.

Last I heard, you guys were worried about not being as able at fighting, do you want me to retrain a weapons tutor/trainer for everyone?

Would you be able to handle mail orders of books if one became popular? (Books are heavy after all)


The only name I can think of is Vedrfolnir atm since the rest of the mythological names are of gods (which would make the name in poor taste) or is the name of the eagle that ate Prometheus's liver. Going the weeaboo route just gives band of the hawk names and calling it Casca is just tempting fate. (Plus the letter mentioned it was a boy hawk.)


I kinda want to do all of the above since we probably can't contact them personally for a while but I understand that we probably won't and things have to be curated.

I'm assuming that we won't leave before another vote/chance at sending a letter to daddy.

>>4583014
>>Has there been any interesting letters lately?

>>4583014
>>What's the general mood of all the letter?

Any interesting Letters?
>>4583024
>>4583046
>>4583053
>>4583118
>>4583259

“I here to see if there was anything interesting going about that you have found out.” Maria began with a smirk, “Surely you guys have been looking through everyone’s mail to see if there is something interesting.”

“Hehe, well there are a couple of things we have found out.” The man said while taking out a small piece of paper, “Theres some kinda event happening here soon. Just from the personal letters people have been sending everyone is getting excited for the event.”

Maria gave a nod, noting that the event was likely Vinnesa’s big event here in the coming week. Yes, Maria would need to secure an invite for the invent for sure, though before that Maria would need to immerse Vinnesa into a more friendly group of people.

“On the other hand, it seems people are getting a little angsty about the Emperor.”

“I take it his condition is getting worse?”

“It’s taken a small dive in the last week I guess.” The man said while giving a shrug, “Dunno what the real end of it is, since we havn’t raided any royal couriers.”

“Yes that would blow your cover.” Maria agreed with a sigh, “Keep an eye out for things like that, alright.”

“Understood ma’am!” He announced.

With that Maria began to think, summerisong everything that was happening.

If she was to lock down the Relias Family then the chances of Elric being elected as Emperor will be high. Failure means that Lucien will be, and thus the Budala gets her place as empress of the Holy Austin Empire.

If she succeeds, then what will happen? At this point Maria does not have any time to figure that exact thing out, sadly, and will need to move forward with courting Vinnesa. Thus Maria’s plans are made.

>Invite her to drink some tea with the other girls
>Bring her to the Prince’s area
>You know what, instead Maria should just go back to a personal talk
>Other ideas

>>4583353
>>Bring her to the Prince’s area

The prince and Elizabeth are not open about their relationship so we shouldn't rely on Liz to put in a good word.
>Bring her to the Prince’s area

>>4583353
>Bring her to the Prince’s area

>>4583353
>You know what, instead Maria should just go back to a personal talk
Vinessa already has a clique of her own and didn't really strike me as a social butterfly despite having a clique.
Talking to her with the prince is somewhat tempting though since it lets her compare the two.

I just got another random idea.We personally know that a cutscene looks freaky as shit from an outside perspective. What would happen if we were to try and bestow protection upon Vinessa during the cutscene so that she can see for herself that there's magical shenanigans afoot? She'd maybe do a complete 180 and convince her family to join Elric.

Should we treat the princes hangout as "where we go to get away from Gawkers and the attention seekers." I feel like if we approach this as just introducing her to our friend circle instead of trying to play up the prince as the best thing since sliced dragon it will go better.

>>4583353
>>Bring her to the Prince’s area

Hopefully we get to see what's his name again. The friend who just likes to be an asshole. Shame we didn't get to bring that maid back to see if she and him can get along. Would have been interesting to see that dynamic.

>>4583596
You mean Matthew I suppose

Princes Area
>>4583361
>>4583364
>>4583368
>>4583554

Personal Talk
>>4583372

The week moved forward, with Maria sending Melody to give the girl a letter. The two of them knew each other well enough that Maria was going to be trusted. So with a calm smile Maria waited outside the Library, keeping an eye out of the Silver Haired noblegirl.

Maria did not have to wait long luckily as the girl bound the corner,

“Ah, Vinnesa, you made it!” Maria announced while approaching the girl.

“It was not that hard to find, I have been here a couple of times.” The girl admitted with a cheerfulness upon her face, “So you wanted to have some tea?”

“Indeed I did,” Maria said while waving her hand, “Come along now, I’ll show you to the room. Its a little out of the way from Gawkers and attention seekers.”

So the two moved from the Library, going up a staircase to a small room off to the side. Vinnesa seemed to have been carrying herself well enough, not really suspecting much of what Maria had planned. Was it because she saw through the girl’s schemes or simply immersed herself in an attempt to get friend, Maria could not know.

“Ah, Maria, you’ve arrived! Oh, Miss Relias!” Albert called out while giving a curt bow as Maria entered the room, “Maria was saying that you would be coming over today.”

“Thank you.” The girl walked in with a lightness to her feet, “Is you family doing well?”

“Indeed they are.” Albert claimed with a smile, “Altmer had a small plague, but it was taken care of swiftly before it could become a problem.”

“That is good.” She said while taking a seat and Maria walked over to get tea, “Elric… it has been a while.”

The man was silent for a moment, likely to hide himself from the prim and proper girl. However that was not going to last long, “It is the same, Vinnesa, how have you been?”

“I have been hanging in there.” The girl answered before her face grew a little tired, “And how is your family? Is all I have been hearing true?”

“Indeed, Father has started to approach the reaper, and because of his age miracles of the Lord only sooth his passing. However we are still searching for those who can help.” Elric admitted with a sigh, “However there is also the chance he pulls through. He does have the Lord’s blessing after all.”

>Try and learn a little more about this sickness anyways
>Lighten up the conversation with tea and jokes
>Ask Vinnesa about her family and realm

>>4583697
>>Try and learn a little more about this sickness anyways
We know modern medicine, it may not save him but it could help.

>>4583697
>>Try and learn a little more about this sickness anyways

>>4583697
>Try and learn a little more about this sickness anyways

>>4583697
>Try and learn a little more about this sickness anyways

>>4583697
>Lighten up the conversation with tea and jokes
come on, Elrics father just needs a priest to show up with a saints bones right? Right?

>>4583979
I think QM is trying to hint that it's either something we can figure out a treatment for (eg, Diabetes) or somebody overheard us saying how we poisoned the Miaph before and is doing the same to the father, which would let us recognize the symptoms and declare it an assassination to keep him alive a bit longer.

Learn a little more about the sickness
>>4583808
>>4583835
>>4583945
>>4583780

Lighten up the conversation.
>>4583979

Maria could not help but raise a brow to all of this, “How long has this been happening Elric? I have been hearing about it from here and there, but nothing too much.”

Elric looked a little troubled hearing Maria’s words, but as of now he was surrounded by people who were interested. Such interest was hard to ebade, especially when Vinnesa took a nod in agreement.

“Well, there is not much to it. He’s come down with it here a few weeks ago, but that is about it.”

“Have you all been chacking his food and such for poison?”

Elric’s brow rose, however the man shook his head, “I cannot really say. However I am sure that no one at our castle is willing to poison him, as it would cause much instability in the realm.”

“Hmm alright…” Maria simply shook her head as she took in the information. Just the timing of this disease was so convenient that she still could not believe it was this bad.

“I hope your father recovers.” Vinnesa said with a calmness in her voice.

“Thank you.” The man said as the sound of boiling water hit everyone’s ears.

With a smile Maria rose from her spot and collected the tea, placing the bags into the mix and giving a nice smell that her nose welcomed. Within only a few moments she was walking out with a tray full of tea cups to the table.

“Thank you.” Vinnesa said as she accepted a cup. Everyone did the same, giving Maria a good chance to sit down and enjoy her small cup of joy. Though as she did Albert raised up his voice.

“Ugh, hey Elric. I forgot to mention to you but the tea’s price is going to go up.”

“Really? What happened?” The man asked with a slight panic in his voice.

“Seems the Miaphate is having another round of their Civil Wars. Though this time their sects are fighting one another.” Albert answered with a sigh, “I wouldn’t worry about it too much, I think it will end here in a few years.”

“But those are years Albert!”

“You can survive.” Albert answered back.

The face Elric gave was quite funny, enough that everyone around the room gave a nice chuckle. It uplifted the mood more than before, though that did bring on some more wonderments.

>Maria shall talk about her times in the Miaphate!
>Talk to Vinnesa directly a little more *Topics?*
>Learn a little bit about the upcoming party

>>4584044
>Talk to Vinnesa directly a little more *Topics?*
How's her family faring in these times, Her academic life

>>4584044
>Talk to Vinnesa directly a little more *Topics?*
How's the copy of the book I gave ya?

Understood
>>4584048
>>4584111

>>4584263
Must be a slow night

>>4584268
Its after Christmas, everyone has a hangover.

>>4584270
Hey I drank jack hard last night and still made it in just fine.

“How if the family fairing Vinnesa?” Elric asked while trying to shift the conversation away from his childish antics, “Is you father well?”

“Indeed he is, and the man is getting more and more excited about me finishing the Academy.” The admitted with a shaking of the head, “Honestly, I think he is just finding the chance to go on more grand feasts.”

“Yeah that does sound like him…” Elric admitted with a sigh, “Guy is probably suffering from depression knowing that my Father is not going to be hosting anytime soon.”

“It will be good for him.” The girl answered with another sigh, “He cannot get any fatter without ending up like his father.”

“So, Vinnesa,” Maria said as she turned to her fellow, “How was the book I gave you?”

“Oh, the book!” The girl gained a small glint in her eyes, “It was quite the amazing book, and it held my heart throughout the entire entry! You said the version I got was unfinished, right?”

“Fufufu, I’m glad you like it!” Maria announced with a smile, “The Author said she will finish here any day now from the last time I talked to her.”

“Oh I cannot wait for it!” She answered with a smile, “By chance could I meet the author? I want to give her my support.”

“Hmm, I could, but I want to be guaranteed that you won’t steal her away from me! I am banking on her writing of course!”

“Yes yes, I will.” the girl seemed to think to herself for a moment, “How about you bring her to my Party here next week, same to you Elric.”

“Of course, I will set that up easily enough.” Maria claimed with a smile.

“Thank you very much, I hope to see you there Maria.” Vinnesa said with a smile.

Score for Maria.

>Go get a new gown for the party, something that wont overshadow the other girl.
>Go hangout with the gossip girls
>Have fun with the new Falcon

>>4584296
>Go get a new gown for the party, something that wont overshadow the other girl.
We don't want to whip out the red ball dress this time. God forbid she decides we intentionally made her father go stiff on her special day.

>>4584296
>Go get a new gown for the party, something that wont overshadow the other girl.

>>4584296
>>Go get a new gown for the party, something that wont overshadow the other girl.

>>4584320
>Go get a new gown for the party, something that wont overshadow the other girl.
>The most whitest gown that it would be easily mistaken that your glowing from God's blessings.

>>4584296
>>Have fun with the new Falcon
treat pets right

>>4584296
>Have fun with the new Falcon
>Spend time with Dahia to see how she's doing
I figure we can do both of these at the same time. The falcons are supposed to be extremely smart, let's see how smart it is while we train it.

>>4584296
>>Go get a new gown for the party, something that wont overshadow the other girl.

New Gown
>>4584309
>>4584318
>>4584320
>>4584324
>>4584748

Falcon Fun
>>4584456
>>4584691

It was the next day, and the sun was now blocked by an entourage of clouds. It gave the day a slightly gloomy feel to it, but at last there was nothing too crazy about it. Actually, sans the fact that the weather was no cooperating Maria was enjoying her time outside.

“Fufu, everything's coming together nicely.” She said as they stepped out of the carriage that carried people from the academy to the nearby town.

“Is it?” Albert dared to ask with a raised brow.

“Of course, now that we are going to the party I think we will have a good chance to flip this entire empire right up.” She further claimed.

“Yeah, things have been getting more and more crazy havn’t they.” Albert acknowledge with a sigh, “Though what will be happening afterwords you think?”

“After what?”

“Well, after Elric gets elected.” Albert pointed out, “The Electoral Count and most of the Nobility will be happy, but what does that make of the people who did listen to her?”

“You think their numbers are high?”

“The King of Holand has yet to return to the Academy.”

Maria could not help but click her tongue, “That cannot be dealt with right now, but I still have a claim over their little Despot. If worse comes to worse we will declare a war upon them for the Heresy they commit.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Albert admitted as the two of them went into the clothing shop.

“Oh, welcome back!” The lady called out with a smile, “Maria wasn’t it? Did the ball gown work well enough for you?”

“It worked wonderfully!” Maria answered back with a smile, “I take it you have sold a few more dresses with our little corset?”

“Indeed I have, it has been quite the hit after the night you presented it to the Academy.” She announced with a smile, “Are you looking for an update to it?”

Maria shook her head, “No, I am looking for something more modest. I am visiting a friend’s party and wanted to not look too stunning.”

“Hmm, that is the opposite of a dress, but I understand what you mean.” The girl answered with a smile, “Here, these over here might be good for you!”

>A standard red dress with sleeves and such for the cold weather
>Purple with a small hood going over it
>A respectable white dress, with the holy symbols upon it

>>4584859
>>A respectable white dress, with the holy symbols upon it

>>4584859
I also forgot about our plan to invade Holland. Btw did they decide to kick the bucket and embrace the heresy since their king was excommunicated ?
>Purple with a small hood going over it

>>4584859
>>A standard red dress with sleeves and such for the cold weather

>>4584859
>I like the respectable white dress.
The holy symbols might help ward off evil?
>(disguised) knuckleduster hair ornament.
Probably put some flowers in there or something. If anyone tries something stupid or this is yet another setup for Chloe banish random fey, we can at least be slightly prepared.

I'd like to put forward the motion to check with Kers on what she'd like to wear. I personally think a mask to give off a mysterious author vibe would be cool.Plus her stealth/strength abilities means she could probably disappear at random for even more spooky coolness People would be talking about the books and make wild conspiracy theories about her. It also gives the Daft Punk effect where people know her by the disguise, so she can actually walk in public or trail people for new writing material if she ends up becoming super ultra famous.

>>4584859
>>A respectable white dress, with the holy symbols upon it

>>4584859
>A respectable white dress, with the holy symbols upon it.
>Ask the tailor to add holy symbols to Elrics Girlfriend's dress just to be safe.

Respectable white dress
>>4584864
>>4584994
>>4585043
>>4585148

purple
>>4584874

red
>>4584978

must be a long one

>>4585261
Nah, I keep getting distracted.

>>4585264
back to the cage, wagie

>>4585264
have to sleep. will miss vote. get to work writeslave.

“I will take the white one, of course.” Maria answers with a smile, “I do love the icons that cover it, quite the exquisite piece.”

“Yes yes, a few people have been wanting it too!” she announced with a smile, “Many people seem to be thinking more and more about the faith these days. Quite the thing really.”


“Is that so, well then I hope they know the true Lord above all.”

“Indeed, thank you for coming.” The lady answered as Maria and Albert began to leave the place.

With that they were out into the streets, and as they looked around Maria noted the large amount of places still lit with fire. Indeed it was a calming aura, though…

“Feeling a little anxious?” Albert asked as he looked towards Maria.

“Of course I am, do you not feel it. This is the calm before the storm.” Maria said with a long sigh.

“Well, I will trust your words then.” Albert responded back with a sigh, “Well, we should get going shouldn’t we?”

“Indeed we should, to the Academy!”

With that the night was to end, the days going forward from here.

>Go make sure Fein Kers is ready for the party
>You know, why not have a date with Albert
>Other things you all wanna do before the party/Examination of the King

>>4585277
>Go make sure Fein Kers is ready for the party
Let's make sure our battlemaiden isn't gonna scare the girl too much, then fun times with albert

>>4585277
>>Go make sure Fein Kers is ready for the party
Shall we teach hr the joys of marketing an image. Does she want to be the type of creator everyone assumes a personal connection with or a mysterious figure.

>>4585277
>Go make sure Fein Kers is ready for the party
>Mentally prepare her to defend the host and guest like Bon and not get baited by anyone who might try to set her off.

Fein Kers!
>>4585295
>>4585326
>>4585336

It was the next day as Maria made her way about the Academy, with a great many people moving about the place without issue. However today Maria’s aim was within the library, or at least that was her guess where it would be located.

And as she scoured the bookshelves and tables she eventually found her target, who was now diligently working on a bunch of papers before her. She seemed quite into it, to the point that Fein Kers did not realize Maria was there. So the Dragon Slayer gave a small cough in her hands. Then she did it again much louder as is seems the Kers did not hear her the first time.

“Hmm?” The girl’s head quickly turned to the origin of the sounds, “Maria! So nice to see you!” Within a split second the girl launched herself from the table at Maria, and while the girl could have dodged it she did not want to hurt Kers’s feeling. So she was submitted to the death grip of another amazonian girl.

“Oh its been a while! A couple of weeks I think!” She cheered before her brow rose, “Huh, you are not begging me to let go.”

“Not begging you to…” Maria shook her head for a moment, “This is one of the hardest hugs I have received! Is this how hard you hug Bon!?”

In a flash Fein Kers disengaged Maria, giving a dummy looking smile, “I don’t try to, I just love him alot, as I do with all his family.”

“Can I ask you not to kill him then, he is the heir to my Father’s duchy.” Maria answered back with a small bit of iritation.

“Oh, sorry…” She said with a meekness becoming of her, “Uh, is there anything you needed?”

“You got my note yesterday correct? One of your fans wants to meet you for their Graduation Party.” Maria said with a devilish smile.

“Oh really! I-I don’t know what to think.”

“Think of it as something positive, since it means your work is valued by people.” Maria noted with a nodding of the head, “And don’t worry, she is a Duke’s daughter as well. So that means it's quite the notable fan.”

“Oh my, what should I wear then! I… don’t know if I have anything worthy enough.”

>Suggest a masquerade getup, to hide one’s identity for fun
>A standard gown should be enough, just the same as Maria
>You know, Kers, dress however you want! The more exotic the better

>>4585397
>A standard gown should be enough, just the same as Maria
>We know a seamstress.
>We also need to talk about weapons and dangers.

>>4585416
>supporting
gotta prepare the girl

>>4585397
>>A standard gown should be enough, just the same as Maria

>>4585397
>>A standard gown should be enough, just the same as Maria

>>4585397
>>You know, Kers, dress however you want! The more exotic the better

“A simple gown would look wonderful on you Kers.” Maria announced with a firmness in her fashion authority.

“Would it? Well, I guess I have my one from the Ball. Bon did like it!”

“You can use that, or you can just buy a new one.” Maria answered with a daring smile, “I know of a fabulous tailor in the nearby town who would be more than happy to take care of you.”

“Really!? I should go see her!”

“And you can take Bon with you too.” Maria said with a sly smile, “He will know what looks good on you.”

“Thank you so much!” Kers said before jumping from her seat. Though she looked like she was about to leave, she quickly sat herself at the table and gathered up all the papers, “I was able to get all the pages done up! Its ready for you to edit and get published!”

“Oh, thank you!” Maria accepted the papers with a smile, looking over them for a moment, “I will get to this right away!”

“Great! I really want to see it on the book shelves soon.” Kers said before giving Maria another hug, “Thank you so much for this! I never thought this would happen at anypoint in my life!”

“I try my best, Kers.” Maria said while returning the hug, “Now head out there and have a little fun with my brother. He is probably just moping right now for all I know.”

“Yup, I’ll do so!” She once again exclaimed while breaking off from Maria, “See you later!”

With that she ran out the door, leaving Maria with a large packet of papers in her hands. Indeed the work written upon this page was a lot, but here Maria knew the paper was probably worth double its weight in gold right now.

Though that did leave her with a problem, which was she needed to edit it. Though editing it would take time, which means she might not even get it done by the coming party. It would be great if she got it done by then, as it would be one of the greatest gifts to give to Vinnesa.

However, as they say, if something rushed out of the door is bad, it is bad forever.

>Go straight to the printing press, it must go out the doors!
>Do some edits, even if it takes Maria a good amount of time
>See if there is someone else who can do it for her

>>4585787
>Do some edits, even if it takes Maria a good amount of time
Considering it’s something new, I don’t think there’s someone else that can correct it in a good way

>>4585787
>>See if there is someone else who can do it for her

>>4585787
>Do some edits, even if it takes Maria a good amount of time
>Ask Melody to check up on how Dahia is doing.
She is under our protection after all.

>>4585787
>>Do some edits, even if it takes Maria a good amount of time

>>4585787
>Do some edits, even if it takes Maria a good amount of time.
>Ask Melody to check up on how Dahia is doing.
The demigod Nun. Such an interesting twist.

Maria should do the edits herself
>>4586017
>>4585791
>>4585863

Another shall
>>4585794
>>4585887

Can I get a quick roll? Same as usual but I want just one.

Rolled 35 (1d100)

>>4586154
got you covered and I hope it's smol

With the papers in her hand Maria could not help but start her work upon the book. And hell there was a lot of problems with the book itself. Indeed the main story was great, but then there was a random storyline of a lovestory smacked in the middle of it all.

And it was obviously a self insert of Fein Kers. Though some how she did finish the other half of the story, so at this point Maria is considering it being two books instead of one.

However to accomplish this is going to take a lot of writing and knowhow, only one of which Maria has been exercising. She should be able to get the separation done by the party, though what is to become of it afterwards Maria would need to surely figure out.

And so two days was pumped into it, placing Maria on the week of the event. She could not help but feel fatigue taking over her form, so an idea quickly came into her head. Indeed, it was something she had been meaning to check on for a few weeks but never really got the chance.

There was modest amount of clouds as Maria emerged from her editor’s room, the sun slightly stinging her eyes as she traveled in the open cold. However the cold only bounced off her skin as she did so.

However, the same could not be said about the bird that stayed on her shoulder. The bird she received from Solomon had not been out for a while, and honestly Maria thought that it might be nice to show her old ward something that reminded her of home.

So with a triumphant move Maria opened the door to the Nunnery, a series of people taking looks towards her as she walked the halls. However that momentary stun was gone in a moment as they soon realized who she was.

So one of them about Maria’s age decided to make themselves useful and walk up to Maria, “Hello there, Kingslayer. May I ask why you are here?”

“I am here to look for one of your fellows, a red eyes girl named Dahia. Can you lead me to her?” Maria asked with an authority befitting her title.

“O-of course! Th-though may I ask how do you know her?”

“I am the one who brought her here.” Maria answered with a pair of eyes that bore into the girl, “Is there a problem with that?”


“N-no! I am just surprised. She is… unusual.” The girl answered before giving a nod of determination, “Come along! She should be preparing the potatoes now!”

With that they traveled through the halls and a few rooms, the place a spartan style place. Indeed while most of these girls are likely ex-nobles they were either forced or willingly gave up their material connections of the earth.

Soon enough they arrived at a small room, with about three girls already in the room. Each was hard at work, making sure the butter they were turning was fit for consumption. One of them, with a pair of red eyes, too a break at the right moment to realize Maira’s approach.

“E-Elizabeth!” the girl called out before quickly running over to Maria, “I-it has been so long! W-why are you here?”

“I just wanted to see you.” Maria said with a devilish smile, “Have you been fairing well.”

“I… have tried my best!” She annoucned with a moment’s hesitation, “Is that a Falcon on your shoulder!?”

Taking a moment Maria looked into the room, just in case there was any problems. However Maria noted that while Dahia hesitated, there seemed to be no malice from the other girls. If anything, they seemed a little worried about that lapse of thought.

>Give the Falcon a name

>Ask her how things have been going
>Press her on why she was seemingly off
>Have fun with the bird, make her feel good

>>4586203
Name it Reiner
>Ask her how things have been going
Man I don’t like the way she hesitated

>>4586221
>Supporting.

>>4586221
>>4586243
Understood

“His name is Reiner.” Maria announced with a soft but false smile, “Have things been treating you well here?”

“Yeah, things have been alright.” She said as the reached over to pet the Falcon, “I’m just trying my best to hang in there.”

“Is something wrong?” Maria’s eyes narrowed across the room looking at everyone nearby.

“Yes…” She said timidly while shaking her head, “Its just so cold and I fell, odd.”

“Odd?”

“Its kinda like I don’t really belong here. The weather is so cold and my stomach never really settles well.”

“So you are home sick.” Maria summerised with a sigh.

“Y-yeah. Hard to believe isn’t it?” The girl said meekly.

“Yeah, being homesick of that dreadful land.” Maria took a look around at all the other girls, who all looked like they already knew this was the case.

So with that Maria could only do one thing, “Well listen to me, Dahia, I know you can get through this. The longer you are here, the less you will long for a distant uncaring land. Got it?”

“Y-yes! I understand.” The girl became almost chipper to Maria’s words.

“Good good.” Maria said with a smile while patting the girl’s head.

However as Maria thought about it more and more, things were a little odd from her knowledge. Yeah she was able to figure out this girl’s problems easily enough with a speech, but there was also a problem when it came to others.

Yes, the Emperor getting sick was something that always troubled her. Though she might waste time if she focused on that instead of working on the novel she was having written.

What would happen if he were to die right now though…

>Study a little medicine and collect some more books, maybe review Valor’s book
>Work on the book, Maria shall be prepared for the event!

>>4586454
>Study a little medicine and collect some more books, maybe review Valor’s book
God damn it. Medicine is our weakest skill, but the book won't matter if the election snaps early.

>>4586454
>Study a little medicine and collect some more books, maybe review Valor’s book
We can find if it's something related to the Budala and even if we don't finish the book, we can still present more than what she read

>>4586454
>Study a little medicine and collect some more books, maybe review Valor’s book
>Ask Kers if she overheard Lucien speaking of any specific symptoms or diagnoses and hand her the revised version for review.

I don't think our hawk can take it if we coop up inside fixing the book.
Kinda surprised we didn't point out that chill/stench we got upon entering the realm is not normal.As soon as the demons mucking about and trying to despoil paradise are removed it should feel much better.
>>4586496
Medicine is our weakest skill, but only from a relative standpoint. We offhandedly know more than they will for a few centuries on some world changing nobel prize winning stuff.
Eg We can cure diabetes and the first time a rough insulin attempt was tested on a room full of comatose orphans it was described as a miracle
We know the existence of bacteria and viruses along with roughly how they work and ways to prevent spread
We can drop death in childbirth by retarded numbers like 50~90% by forcing doctors to wash their hands after handling corpses right before going up to deliver the baby,
Inoculation might be around in Africa and possibly the Miaphate, but it's not understood in our continent.
Banning lead would raise the IQ of everyone by at least 20 points. Add another 20 for making sure there are sanitary bathrooms so that parasites can't spread by feces.
That medicine stat is more reflective of our understanding of the medicine in the setting.
Since Qm keeps on hinting at us to use the book I think we should use this time to improve. Knowing their standard of medicine helps us get an in and I'm kind of wondering if Chloe's conspirators cursed the King and Chloe is going to perform another miracle to (temporarily) save the King

>>4586454
>>Study a little medicine and collect some more books, maybe review Valor’s book

>>4586454
>Work on the book, Maria shall be prepared for the event!
We gotta stick to our first plan. Finish making the book presentable, then work on fixing that other problem. We don't want to stretch ourselves ridiculously thin, again

>>4586454
>>Work on the book, Maria shall be prepared for the event!

>>4586652
The other problem is the literal dying emperor. The book can wait, but once the emperor is dead then the election counts gather, and Elric hasn't secured the court yet.

Medicine
>>4586496
>>4586512
>>4586537
>>4586539

Work on the book
>>4586652
>>4586656

As Maria retired for the evening she decided now was a good time to look through her books. The idea of the Emperor dying was something she was more and more worried by, as he is indeed the Emperor and the one thing holding back his own sons. If he were to die, god know what would happen.

So with a huff Maria took out a series of books from the library and retired to her room. With each book opened up, she went through the analog and text to see what exactly she could learn from it. It was hours after she began that the door opened to reveal her maid, who was looking knowingly at Maria’s study.

“Has something once again caught your eye, Maria?” The girl while running over and starting a small boil of water.

“Indeed there has. I have been reading on the diseases of the world, and I could not help but notice a stark difference in these diseases from what I know of.” Maria said while pointing out a small diagram, “Here is a simple infection, caused by bacteria that no one knows about. It says here it's a normal disease, and that the more disastrous version is this one that has turned the puss green!”

The maid looked over it, before giving a shake of the head, “I… cannot really say mistress. If I remember correctly, the later is a curse upon which the original disease is worsened.”

“So bacteria are being supercharged with magic?” Maria could not belive the words that were coming out of her mouth before shaking her head, “Of course, people can be born without souls too. So its a no brainer that magic can be involved in medicine and diseases.”

“Have you referenced the other book Mistress?” Melody said while pointing out old Valor’s book.

“Yes, and indeed it says what you have just told me. And it even has the cure of a few of these too, but by the Lord I cannot understand them!”

“So there are some things even you cannot understand. That is… troubling.”

“Yeah it is. The only thing I can think of is that I track him down, but do I even have enough time to do that?”

The maid simply shook her head, “Even for my Mistress, it is impossible. If you were to leave today you could maybe find him by weeks end, but you run the chance of missing the party.”

>Maria needs the Emperor alive, go find the damn Alchemist
>No, Maria can understand it all herself! Just, go talk to Elric to learn more about the disease itself
>She should focus, on the book and party, those will stop Chloe from amassing anymore followers

I will give you all a warning now, we are approaching the end of the quest. If your decisions lead to a certain way, the game will switch to an epilogue as there is nothing more to write for that point in time.

>>4586875
>She should focus, on the book and party, those will stop Chloe from amassing anymore followers

Im choosing this as i feel the civil war is inevitable and we should be laying the groundwork for armies to endure our Divine Lord victory over this pretender Daemon

>>4586875
>She should focus, on the book and party, those will stop Chloe from amassing anymore followers
>Tell Elric about Valor possibly being able to cure the emperor and the connection to Lucien and Chloe.
The emperor found Valor once when Lucien was born. The Emperor or Elric can find him again AND negotiate/offer some of Chloe's blood as a payment if they have trouble motivating him. One of the fates we gotta pick between keeps her alive and being a captive blood bank that has human interaction is less insanity inducing than ten thousand years stuck in darkness.
Delegation is key. I don't know why we keep forgetting other people can do stuff like we didn't explicitly say to Chloe that you run yourself ragged if you try to do everything yourself.
If the book is in a readable state we can probably hijack the presses being used for Chloe's propaganda to make more books for meeting demand.

>>4586875
>She should focus, on the book and party, those will stop Chloe from amassing anymore followers
Unfortunately gotta focus on the more manageable problems
>>4586885
Is it 2 more threads on the way right ?

I just had a really dumb idea. How does the spear react to the divine blessing given by our god? If it doesn't do anything to that (or at least doesn't auto damage a person blessed by it) we could theoretically just tap the king with the spear and use it's supernatural dispelling properties to turn whatever is affecting him into a mundane disease that can be cured instead of a magical super virus/curse.
THe emperor might lose his blessing, but owing his life to us would let us have Elric named as successor as a favor.

>>4586875
>>Maria needs the Emperor alive, go find the damn Alchemist

We need another date with Albert before the end to discuss and plan for the future and stuff.

>>4586875
>She should focus, on the book and party, those will stop Chloe from amassing anymore followers
Damnit. I was hoping for a lead on Valor but nothing.

Party Focus
>>4586902
>>4586912
>>4586915
>>4587207

Alchemist
>>4587004

In the end Maria decided not to go out and search for the Alchemist, and instead focus on her work. Maria needed to prepare Elric’s camp for the election and possible rebellion, which means she does not have any time to care for the father. It was a highly selfish thing to do, but in the end Maria needs to prioritise her interests over those of someone she doesn't even know personally.

So with that she worked on the paper, finally separating the two storylines to a fine point. With all that finished, she simply gave it to one of her men to make sure that the item was published before the time they needed to leave.

So with all her work done, a day before the event itself, Maria was sitting in the room with Albert and the others.

“It has been a while, Matheo.” Maria called out from her seat, “If I may be so blunt, it has been quite a while since I have seen you.”

“Yeah yeah, I know that.” the young man said back to Maria, “I’ve been hard at work, you see, things at the castle have been hectic lately.”

“So if Father recovering?” Elric asked the young man with a nice hint of concern in his voice.

“He is recovering quite swiftly too. If everything goes well I’m sure a crisis has been avoided.”

“Fucking hell, thats good to hear.” Elric announced with a sigh of relief, “Lord knows what will happen if he died.”

“So he recovered by himself.” Maria said before shaking her head, “Well, it does not really matter now, but have you gone out and searched for an Alchemist named Valor?”

“I think I have heard that name from a few of the servants.” Matheo said with a raised brow, “But no, and if he was in the area we would have found him already.”

Maria gave a simple nod, there was nothing much else they could do. If the Emperor was healthy and well again, that means there are no more problems to worry about.

>Move on to the day of the Party, because why not.
>If there is anything else you all want to do, mention it now.

>>4587492
Did we get more critical info from the alchemy book ? if not just skip to the party

>>4587492
>If there is anything else you all want to do, mention it now.
>Has anyone seen the Inquisitor that was assigned to the school? He should be here investigating me and Chole after the that ball and yet he's nowhere to be seen.

>>4587600
almost forgot, there's this
>supporting

>>4587492
I think it's safe to assume that letting Kers review her own work so that she doesn't embarrass herself when she has to talk about what happens in her book later is important, but that can easily be done off panel.
>Message Victor to ask if the inquisitor has shown back alive yet and if there are any evil plots concerning the party
I think this can be mostly off panel too desu. Something as simple as a message letting him know to watch in the off chance the heretics want to interfere with the party

Understood, I will make a quick post about this.
>>4587600
>>4587609
>>4587611

It was later that day as the sun shined upon the Academy. While most were relegated to their dorms and the like, the few were given the chance to head to one of the largest events of the season. It was the coming of age ceremony for the Duke’s only daughter, who has recently become an eligible bachelorette thanks to the machinations of a False Saint.

Being the event of the Season, “So, Albert, whats the word on our carriages?”

“They should be arriving any moment now, though, uh, you sure we need the guard?” Albert pointed out towards a small entourage of men.

“Indeed, they are all loyal to me anyways. Isn’t that right Victor.” Maria answered while pointing out to the man to come forward.

“I am honored to be guarding both yourself and the Second Prince, Kingslayer.” Victor announced with a heartfelt smile, “Though… I do wonder where you found my fellows.”

“They are men who have been serving me in another capacity, but have been paid overtime for today.” Maria covered up the fact they were the bandits who operated her mailing service, “I do need to ask though, did the Captain fellow ever return?”

The Knight shook his head, “I have not heard from him since the rooting out of Heretics, now that you mention it. Though he is of able body, I am sure he is fine.”

Somehow Maria was not too sure about that, but the feeling went away as from the corner of her eye came Fein Kers running with Bon right behind her. The two looked like they had ran as fast as they could here, and were somehow worn out from it.

“Did…. We…. Making it?” Kers asked while supporting Bon on her shoulder.

“You have.” Maria annoucned while a pair of carts came by to pick them up, “Seems everything is on schedule, but where are the other two?”

“I… don’t know.” Albert answered with a good bit of confusion himself, “Matheo is never late, and Elric knows how important this is for him.”

It was at this moment Maria had a bad feeling in her gut, “If we don’t leave now, we will be on time for the event I want to be early on. Tsk, where are they.”

“I’m sure they will come soon.” Albert said while guiding Maria towards the carriage, “They have my trust.”

>Go ahead with the plans, if they fail to come that is fine
>No, Maria knows exactly the problem. To the Capital, NOW!

>>4587694
>No, Maria knows exactly the problem. To the Capital, NOW!
Why am I smelling budala here ?

>>4587694
>No, Maria knows exactly the problem. To the Capital, NOW!
Out of character is serious business.

Ok honest question. I might have to swap my vote. Once we get to the capital, what then? Emps could already be dead and there will be nobody in the party to sway the needed count to Elrics side. Then that makes Chole empress.

On the other hand we get there and find a soon to be dead emperor, with no medicine skills of our own, could we really get him to recover without another Godly asspull?

>>4587817
recover maybe not.

Buy days? probably.

>>4587694
>>4587793
>Cancel.
>Go ahead with the plans, if they fail to come that is fine.
There's likely nothing we can do to stop Chole at the capital. But at the party, we can at least stack the elector counts and stop Chole, at the very least, force her to start a war to take the throne if it comes to it.

>>4587694
This is a big conundrum, but I think Bon can step up to the plate here.
>>4587817
Honestly? I figured it was more of an ethical decision to help our friends than anything and we'd look like an ass for partying while knowing the emperor's dead. I think it would be easy for Chloe to spin it like we knew. I
We also don't know if it's the Emperor being dead or something else like maybe a heretic kidnapping to remove the competition or make Chloe/Lucien look good. We need to confirm what the actual news is since we're prone to dramatic events. IF we're lucky we can upstage Chloe by either rescuing our friend or her.
Overall I think the best idea would be to check the school/room to see if there was a message delivered that caused them to dramatically skip out before arriving late. They are our friends, we owe it to them to see if they're ok and we could use a very dramatic excuse for why the both of them are not there to argue on their own behalf instead of a half baked supposition/rumour.
I'm gonna go ruminate on it for a bit since I'm probably not thinking right straight after waking up.

>>4587694
>>4587883
>Cancel again.
>No, Maria knows exactly the problem. To the Capital, NOW!
Fucking, every time we fail to act like a noble heroine instead of being pragmatic it bites us in the ass. Fuck you pattern recognition.

>>4587694
>>Go ahead with the plans, if they fail to come that is fine

Our friends can handle themselves, our presence is required at the party before Chloe can poison their minds.

>>4587913
>Fucking, every time we fail to act like a noble heroine instead of being pragmatic it bites us in the ass. Fuck you pattern recognition.
Bruh, you changed again. Are you alright ?

>>4587694
>Go ahead with the plans, if they fail to come that is fine

>>4587694
>>No, Maria knows exactly the problem. To the Capital, NOW!

>>4588008
Hard choice because the wrong one means either A we lose the elector counts or B we lose outright anyway.

>>4587694
>Write a message to Elric and Matheo that will be sent to the capital
Absence is unlike you and as such I fear the worst has happened. I will do my best to persuade the councilors in your absence so that you need not worry or bother about such things during what I guess to be your father's twilight hours and allowing the false saint to gain power would tarnish whatever legacy he has to give.
>Victor, search the school grounds and then the city for the two. Absence is unlike them and I am filled with worry that either they have been kidnapped and need rescue or the emperor's returning health was a false rumour.
Lucien's blanket no knock warrant might come in handy here, and if anyone gets angry all blame gets deflected at Lucien.

CAPTIAL NOW
>>4587703
>>4587913
>>4588026

Go ahead with the plan
>>4587925
>>4588010

Um, not definitive.
>>4588064

>>4588098
I guess I should have clarified. We send a message out that we are going to the party in his stead for if something really bad is happening. That implies we're going to the party. Victor on the other hand is ordered to search for the two in the off chance they need rescue since we can't drop everything for something that might not actually be happening.

“Damn it, why does it have to be now!” Maria yelled as she raised her hand to Victor, “Get me on your horse, we are heading to the Capital!”

“The Capital?” Victor said with a alarm to his voice, “What the hell is happening there?”

“I will not say here.” Maria answered while pointing at Albert, “Get on a horse as well, you are coming with me.”

“O-okay!?” The man said while one of the ex-bandits quickly got Albert onto his beast.

“Sister, what do you want us to do? Are you going to be okay?” Bon asked with a good bit of worry in his voice.

“I will be personally, though that is not my worry.” Maria announced before shaking her head, “You two shall go to the event yourselves. Kers, I trust that you will be the entertainment for tonight?”

“I will try my best!” She announced before hugging Bon tightly, “Come on Bon! We have a party to get to.”

With them in the carriage Maria gave a stern nod to herself, knowing that things were already going to be extremely bad. No matter what she choose, it was going to be a detriment to her position. However, with hopes that Kers could at least make the family happy enough for their daughter to reconsider their alignment…

Lord help Kers.

“Men, move out! We are going to the Capital in a single night, no stopping! Am I understood!”

“YES!”

With that they ran out into the hills, kicking up the snow into a storm. The sun slowly settled into a rest over the horizon, before completely submerging itself into the hills. As the Eye of Lord disappeared, the winter began to throw its onslaught upon the company of persons. However each of these men knew they could trust Maria, and the Horses were scared of what would happen if they disobeyed their riders while the Dragon Killer loomed near.

They arrived, with the blowing winds getting worse with every moment. The frostbite biting even Maria as they passed the initial group of Guards with Albert’s family name.

“Halt, who goes there!” A guard announced as they arrived at the steps of the Imperial Keep.

“Friends of the Second Prince!” Albert declared with a firmness in his authority, “We have come to him in his time of need!”

“I am not allowed to let anyone in, orders from both the Princes.” The doorman declared with her own personal authority.

>Maria shall order him to back down, because she’s just that menacing *Royal Demeanor*
>Order that they tell the Princes of their arrival, though this will take time
>Maria shall sneak in personally, as to not alert anymore people of their arrival *Intrigue*
>Other Ideas

>>4588127
>Order that they tell the Princes of their arrival and mention that we are also a saint that liberated Ca'ren from a dragon queen x brood and banished a demonic plague whilst in the Miaphate. We are not sure how well we can bless others with healing, but if it's not too late for the king there is no reason to not take the chance.
>Royal demeanor to menace them into immediately sending the message.

I think we should figure out where Chloe is and figure out the situation from the maids or workers while waiting. Or Matheo since he should be around here too?
At the least it can give us some idea of what happened.
We also have the option of trying to give the King a little more time since we should be able to bless the king like we did with Dahia

>>4588127
>Maria shall order him to back down, because she’s just that menacing *Royal Demeanor*
I hope he's not dead yet

>>4588127
>>Maria shall order him to back down, because she’s just that menacing *Royal Demeanor*

>>4588127

>Maria shall order him to back down, because she’s just that menacing *Royal Demeanor*

>>4588127
>Maria shall order him to back down, because she’s just that menacing *Royal Demeanor*
Are you denying the lord's slayer access to the grand capital when there's heresy afoot!

Wait for the Princes...
>>4588145

Barge in, unannounced, because fuck it the man is dying.
>>4588153
>>4588184
>>4588207
>>4588356

Maria could understand the feeling of the two Princes, not wanting to bring pandemonium to their country because some randoms came into the castle at the 11th hour. However, against that, she also was aware that she might be the only person who can save the man.

“Listen to my words well!” was announced against the guard whose eyes were easily taken by Maria’s presence, “We are Elric’s allies and confidants, as well as the few who might save the Emperor from this disease! So open these gates, NOW!”

Maria’s words carried throughout the area, even the wind stopping as if under the control of her words. The men themselves were stunned at the command, but those who held the gates up responded with the order in kind.

So the gates were opened, allowing Maria and her entourage of men in armor to enter the place with impunity.

“Men, you are to drop Albert and I in front of the castle’s entrance, while you all stand in attention. Assisst the Servants in any ways you can, but do not allow yourselves to be dismounted until I declare so personally.” Were the orders she gave, both of which were followed to a ‘T’.

Thus, as the couple stood in front of the open doors to see a good amount of pandemonium run around the place Albert spoke up, “His Majesty’s room is this way, I can show you the way.”

“Then do so, we might not have much time.” Maria soon followed Albert, though she would occasionally just get in front of him thanks to her newfound abilities.

It did not matter, as soon they came across a small concession of people, all of which looked worried. In a corner was Matheo, who looked like he had just seen the health care clinic of a world war, cloth over his mouth included. Said man’s eyes widened as they met with Maria’s, and very much in suprise.

“What is happening, Matheo.” Maria called out as her eyes searched the crowd around them, “Where is Elric, and what the hell is this smell!”

“Thats a way to say hi, I won’t even question how you got passed the guards.” The man laughed while looking over them, “Elric is in the Death Chamber with his brother and Loveheart. If you are wondering the situation, just this morning the Emperor had collapsed and now we are at this point.”

“Why in the name of the Lord did they let Loveheart into the room!” Maria yelled, causing a good amount of the maids and servants to look at her in fear.

“Heh, because most of these dumbasses liked her! As for me, the smell was getting too much to bare.” He answered while shaking his head, “Terrible friend I am, and here I was staying by the His Majesty’s side for almost a month. And yeah, the smell is the Emperor himself.”

With that finished Maria glared at the room, noticing the large pair of doors that seem to just be covered in darkness. That was surely where the horrendous smell was coming from, reminder her of times in the Miaphate’s slums. And so Maria still cursed herself for not having the foresight of all this happening.

>Demand that everyone leaves the room, Maria needs it to herself to study the King’s condition
>Demand that atleast Chloe leaves, she is surely the cause of all this somehow
>Let everyone remain, this is a last ditch effort anyways

>>4588435
>>Demand that atleast Chloe leaves, she is surely the cause of all this somehow

>>4588435
>>Demand that everyone leaves the room, Maria needs it to herself to study the King’s condition

post failed to delete for some reason, I'm changing from this >>4588436 to this >>4588451

>>4588435
>>Demand that atleast Chloe leaves, she is surely the cause of all this somehow
we need some witnesses to whatever might happen inside

>>4588435
>Let everyone remain, this is a last ditch effort anyways
I'm not seeing Lucien following this, so let's do it even with the budala

This sounds like a variant of those plague demons and we might be too late for saving the emperor? What if we banished it (in the of chance it works) and/or arranged for the emperor to talk to God directly It doesn't have to be as long as when we met, but a few seconds of God himself explaining Chloe is a false saint might creak out a deathbed statement that Elric is to take the throne and Lucien is to be barred from taking the seat.

>>4588512
Considering the Lord was weakened after saving us, I think a meeting is too much without the emperor dying. That said maybe we can give the man some minutes of life after banishing the daemon

>>4588522
I figured it was saving our lives that weakened him since we most spectacularly died and bringing us back to life is a huge miracle.

>>4588434
>Demand that everyone leaves the room, Maria needs it to herself to study the King’s condition

It literally worked for Rasputin because the doctors were actually about to of all things kill the tsar's son by giving him blood thinning medicine when he was having a bleeding episode. They didn't know that this was the issue at the time. I feel like this works out as the best option. High risk though.

>>4588435
>Demand that at least Chloe leaves, she is surely the cause of all this somehow
We need witnesses. Even the shitty doctors work as witnesses since the two princes as witnesses only leaves civil war.

Everyone leave!
>>4588451
>>4588537

Chloe, leave!
>>4588479
>>4588721

Remain
>>4588481

With her destination given, Maria decided it was now time to make her way into the room and see whatever the hell was going on in the room. A few people were in the room, three of them wearing a beaked mask, making them unmistakably the doctors. From her reading, it seemed the thought of Miasma was still in everyone’s theories, and while it was not wrong she felt more could be done there.

As for the rest, well, it was the two Princes looking over the bed. Lucien and Elric were standing at opposing sides, both obviously men seeking the throne after their father’s death. Both however found the time to be by their Father’s side.

Was it that they were seeking the final words of their father, to look like respective sons for the Electors, or maybe just that they loved their father.

Soon Maria’s eyes glanced at the man lying on the bed, and Maria had to admit he was a monster of a man. Maybe it was because of the Lord’s Blessings to the Rulers, but the man’s frame was obviously larger than a normal man’s and his height even greater. Some would say, he was approaching the perfection of mankind.

“M-Maria?” Elric looked at her in suprise, “Why are you here?”

“I cannot leave my Friend at his Darkest hour, and I wanted to make sure I could not do anything about it.”

“I have tried every prayer I could do.” Maria grew a sickening feeling in her stomach as she turned to who was kneeled next to the Emperor, “I… Don’t know if you can do anything for him…”

“Loveheart.” Maria’s eyes sharped upon the girl, who was slowly looking up at her, “Why the hell are you here.”

“I am praying for his soul.” The girl said while looking up, tears forming in her eyes, “I healed him a few times before, but-”

“Get out.”

“H-huh!?” Chloe, along with everyone else in the room looked towards Maria.

“I said get out!” Maria yelled at the girl who was now looking at Maria with abject terror, “For fucks sake why is she even in here you idiots! Do you not listen to the rightful Prince!”

In a moment's notice Maria’s eyes caught motion, and quickly did she take out a dagger to defend herself from an assault, “You don’t say that about her.”

“Defending the witch, are we Lucien.” Maria growled, “She is the cause of all this, remove her before the curse claims him!”

“You speak lies.”

“You are the one being controlled you dam-”

“Stop.”

The room fell silent to the whisper, silencing even the beating hearts of those around him. It was not mystical or anything of the sort, but instead everyone stopping to hear the words of a dying man.

“Do not fight, I know you mean best for me but she has done me no harm.” The Emperor announced while looking Maria over for a moment, “I do recognize that name, many both praise and curse it. You are Maria Regnia, correct?”

“... Yes I am. I am honored to be known by someone like you.”

The man gave a silent laugh before coughing a small bit, “To think I would meet you on my deathbed, quite a pity. Elric, you should have convinced her to come over sooner.”

“I am sorry I didn't do it, Father.”

“It is fine.” The old man said while shaking his head, “I ask that you just pray for my soul, as I will be in the Heavens soon.”

Of course hearing that Maria felt like shit, but that was the least of her worries now. It seemed the man was indeed on his last leg, and that death was nearing. Indeed, she even wondered if she was too late to do anything.

“M-Miss Regnia.” Maria heard Chloe say meekly behind Lucien’s back, “W-we could pray together. Maybe, i-if you are like me we can help him.”

Maria took a moment, looking at the fallen body of the Emperor. She was 100% sure Chloe was the reason for this disease, though she does not know how it could have happened. Was is like the creature she met in the Miaphate, and that Chloe was unknowingly acting like it? Or maybe it was that the King was poisoned by an assassin.

If it was the former, it might be easy to just kill the source before her even if it meant killing others who try to protect her. Even if she did not have the spear with her, somehow she knew it would come to her the moment she needed it.

But then again, that was cold blooded murder. She could ask the Lord to help save the Emperor, but from his attempt to save her she wondered if he was strong enough to cure it.

Lastly, there was always the option of agreeing with Chloe. Maybe if they both worked at it, with Chloe purposefully healing him, that they could cure it.

>Kill Chloe, for it's the most guaranteed way at this point.
>Give a lonely prayer, just hoping the Lord could achieve this miracle
>Join Chloe in prayer, best they could do.

Give me rolls, Best of 3, Aim Low, Pray that you succeed.

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>4588784
>Join Chloe in prayer, best they could do
I'm thinking that we can either neutralize her effects or she stops leeching his life (uncounciously or not). Let's hope this works

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>4588784
>Give a lonely prayer, just hoping the Lord could achieve this miracle.
Oh lord by thy grace grant me the vision to see what ails thy servant, by this bone of saintly origin grant him thy comfort and thy strength, and grant us both thy wisdom that we can know thy will that we truly serve it. As thy servant be holy, should these near his final days grant him peace, be these not his last days, singe the source of his ails but a little, for thy will be done.

Rolled 19 (1d100)

>>4588784
>Join Chloe in prayer, best they could do.
Now isn't the time to argue, if she's really stealing power from the Lord to begin with, then her being forced to use it for the Lord is paying part of what she owes. We can make our case to the LIVING emperor as well as the relatively easy case to give to the councilors about some serious red flags about Lucien I noted in previous threads.
Lucien gets grudges very easily for little reason if Chloe is involved and is more than willing to flout international law, diplomacy, and generally abuse his power in the local area to do it.
There's some other stuff but basically Lucien isn't their puppet. He's Ford and Chloe's puppet and the new religion she's making is essentially a carte blanche for his authority to completely and permanently neutre any opposition from them.
.

Rolls are in. Votes are left.

>>4588822
sweet roll anon. now all that's left are the votes

>>4588822
>her being forced to use it for the Lord
And how do you plan to force her to do that? She was saying prayers long before we arrived and that didn't seem to stop her from leeching life or whatever she is doing.

>>4588839
Actually it kinda did. She's been meeting the emperor before so what I'm thinking happened (if your leeching theory is right )i s:
Chloe introduced to Emp.
Emp starts feeling sick
Chloe tries to heal him and it's basically just giving back the life energy she's been stealing in the first place
Rinse/repeat
Now we're at the point where it's all taken a toll on his body and a saint driven miracle could buy a bit of time.

I wasn't subscribing to leech theory even if i'm not discounting it, so Chloe juicing up our prayers with her divine power is basically handing it back to the Lord.
Either way means some of her stolen power is being given back to the Lord for this miracle.

My own theory was that her supernatural support units were poisoning the king and either let chloe perform a "miracle" by allowing him to recover and thusly declare Lucien heir and her saint. Or Chloe ruined their plans by actually healing him and they went with overkill

Rolled 94 (1d100)

>>4588822
>Give a lonely prayer, just hoping the Lord could achieve this miracle
Witness my final hours of this year where I pour all my luck in this roll.

>>4588847
Or they could just use it to pin Maria as the "kingslayer" when she appears just right now.

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>4588936
your luck sucks. My luck is usually average as hell.

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>>4588943

>>4588936
>>4588943
the duality of man, a shame your 5 didn't come early

>>4588943
So lonely prayer wins with roll 5. Good job anon

So, I guess the question is now, do you all trust the Heroine?

>>4588937
Why are you responding to yourself in the third person?
>>4589056
I trust that she means what she says. If we thought she was the mastermind, then she would be long dead already. The question is what person or people are tricking a god or demigod (depending on if Chloe was really the one referenced as a source by valor) into doing their bidding. It actually makes more sense that she's a demigod since she couldn't see the entire page of writing and ended up soaking the pages trying. That means the real god is out there with a destiny possibly tied to all of this.

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>>4589057

>>4589056
Not in the slightest. She seems incredibly untrustworthy to me.but then again I have a bias against airheads that get too much Intel on us.

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>>4589057

>>4589059
You left it a bit open ended on a loaded question by not specifying what we trust her with. I trust her not to cock the entire prayer up if that's why you were asking, but i'd be an idiot to think she knows what she's doing about the rest.

Join Together
>>4588789
>>4588822

Lonely
>>4588820
>>4588936

Just saying, its deadlocked. Being undecided will mean nothing at all will happen and he will die without contest.

>>4589079
Ah I thought you had tabulated a winner and were asking for more character motivation/clarification instead of a tiebreaker vote. Derp.Normally I'd be willing to budge on the vote to end it, but it's clearly the better of the two in my mind. Working against her or alone means we can both screw it up while working with her means we both roughly control it and I don't she is personally malevolent.

Will someone please just fucking vote. Someone who hasn't already? Where are the lurkers?

>>4588784
>Give a lonely prayer, just hoping the Lord could achieve this miracle

>>4588784
>>Give a lonely prayer, just hoping the Lord could achieve this miracle

Join Chloe
>>4588789
>>4588822

Fuck off ya witch
>>4588820
>>4588936
>>4589122
>>4589124

'Chloe' rolled a 90

>>4589165
We're burning the witch soon baby

“No, we will not.” Maria said while giving a glare at the girl, “Stay silent and do not even call upon the name of the Lord, for in truth you do not serve it.”

The Budala looked devastated upon Maria’s words, as her words did carve the sense of anger against her. However that does not matter, as Maria was more than sure that she is not to be trust, that she played host to the God who was causing all sorts of troubles in this realm.

With that Maria made her way to the man’s bedside, his eyes closed from the exhaustion of just talking for that minute of time. She was certain of it now, as both the smell and the color of this skin suggested it was a cursed plague like that from the Miaphate. As such, just as she had once before, Maria decided it was time to exercise it.

“Lord above, your servant dares ask you for another favor. Use my body as the catalyst, which has been bathed in the blood of the most ferial of Dragon Kind.”

Upon those words Maria’s skin began to gain a soft glow, not much more than a torchlight. However, all in the room noticed the faint glimmer of hope she was able to bring about. It was an ambition against the darkness that would have been brought from death’s embrace battered away.

“Use the belief of those across your realm to commit to us this one miracle, and in doing so, we shall endeavor to protect humanity in your name.”

All in the room, even Maria herself, did not know this. However, upon Canon Law a person must achieve three separate miracles in order to attain the mantle of Sainthood. The first was a Girl in the Streets, the second was the Slaying of the Mother of all Dragons, and lastly.

“So, bat away the curse from this man’s soul so that he may serve you once again, and fulfil your will once again. In your name, Amen.”

She healed the Emperor of the Holy Austin Empire, saving the Empire from the Civil War that would have followed.

Everyone around were surprised as the color upon the Emperor’s face came back, growing into a more healthy hue. Even Chloe, who was praying behind Lucien, had stopped to look at the results of Maria’s accomplishment. And as they looked upon Maria, they could not help but notice the faintness of a Halo before it went away from behind her.

“He has been healed.” Maria announced with the confidence of her accomplishments, “He shall remain asleep till morning.”

There was no murmer, as everyone within the room had their attention taken up by Maria. Some may say that at this moment, she held power above even the Emperor, and that her words shall be followed.

>Burn the Heretic
>Order her imprisonment
>Leave things for now, they will discuss all in the morning.

DC was 20, you guys got lucky. Roll was just to see if Chloe fucked up the miracle.

>>4589180
>Burn the Heretic
>Tie her up and light the pyre ourself

>>4589165
Holy moly this must be the power of new year
>>4589180
>Order her imprisonment
Just this for now so we can prevent her from trying something and Lucien may not bitch too much about it. Man after all this time I still can’t decide if Chloe is fucking things unwilling or not.

>>4589180
>Burn the Heretic
I know there's the possibility of a trap here. But I just can't accept that not resolving this now won't backfire later.

>>4589180
Also, will the first two options be royal demeanor rolls?

>>4589193
Nah, they will just happen. Your Royal Demeanor is at 100 now.

>>4589180
>Imprisoned in a deep castle room instead of dungeon (dungeon risks plot amour kicking in from protestant lies spreading)

>Loveheart, I refuse to be a sacrifice upon the altar of your ascension and you are worth more to your manipulators dead than alive now. Speak all you know for the inquisition while my mercy lasts.
>Order the capture of the damned fey bird

It's tied. again. . . Damnit.

>>4589226
You guys have like, 3 hours to fix that.

Fellas killing her will make her a martyr and we still don’t know if she’s oblivious to the peagan god and can be saved still

>>4589237
you rolling when time runs out ?

>>4589287
roughly 2 more hours.

Someone needs to make a decision.

>>4589323
kinda bummed that this decision is important and not even a quarter of the peple who came to vote during the husbandu decision came

>>4589180
>Burn the Heretic
By our hands she will roast

>>4589349
what a sad thing bro. why be so harsh ?

>>4589353
She's responsible for this and great other evils.

>>4589362
but we still need to make sure if she's really doing it or if she's a puppet my man. That's why we need to imprison her for judgement first

>>4589363
even if she's a puppet she still needs to burn

>>4589369
That starts an immediate civil war or riot because nobody else knows why she's being burned, if i'm wrong and she is a god it won't even kill her so you just enabled her to fake her death, her patron is of reincarnation so we'd have a reincarnator on our ass for the rest of eternity,and we don't even get the chance to find out who the fuck is using her so that they can just try again without us around to stop them in their tracks later.

If I switch my vote we'll be tied again. Plus do you really want her to have a chance to miracle her way out of the situation.

>>4589414
actually if you switch your vote imprisonment is gonna win. remember that burning will lose a vote as well my dude also pls do it

>>4589410
The only way I can get to change is if everyone agrees that she will burn no matter what after we torture and interrogate her. Even then I'm still wary that Lucien or her will pull some trick to escape.