"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: Data not found
Location: Data not found
POV: Narrator
The Grand Knight’s Territory is famous for always bouncing and striking back against the odds. One instance of Ursine incursion on year 872 started off horrifically disadvantageous for The Kingdom of Kazimierz. The invasion was actually not a sudden one, but Ursus had created an ingenious battle barge and landed bypassing the old strongholds at Vemel and Tirtu.
The tide of war would keep worsening until 877 where Sobieski the Illustrious Titan broke through Ursus’ armies encircling Kawalerielki from the east. His knights moved without rest, evading Ursine artilleries and pining the Eastern Ursus Army, comprised of 14th and 18th Artillery brigades with 7th and 11th Infantry Divisions, helpless against the city defense and Sobieski relief force.
The Northern and Southern army tried to relieve the pressure, but suddenly the King of Kazimierz, Konstantyn Jagiello II, rallied his people to struck the out of position relief force with his militias and Men-at-Arms while his Royal Guards, including the fabled Silverlances, keeping the Western army in check.
Jagiello II’s militias acted like an anvil for the relief force, shattering the Ursine armies cohesion. The knights are being given ample of opportunities to strike the invaders with impunity. Not to mention that the prior infighting between the Ursus Generals accelerated their own destruction.
The battle was won, the siege was lifted, and another nightmarish war of attrition ensued for years. None wished to back down, be it out pride or they still have much strength to potentially unleash against their adversary.
An upset happened however, when the Gaulish Empire along with Kingdom of Victoria intervened in 880’s, forcing both side to sign a white peace and Ursus to pay war reparations. It was unknown how it came to be, but myths abound about a personage, veiled in utmost secrecy, of putting the war to a grinding halt.
Regardless of the war’ conclusion, the war was one of many instances where they, regardless of how unfavorable it was, can beat back the odds. This also force the many national problems with Kazimierz to resurface, namely manpower and the slow mustering of armies due to conflicting chain of commands.
For centuries they had been employing numerous action to the point of abolishing archaic titles and offices while also enacting social reforms. All for national interest in upholding the Kazimierzian’ existence as a whole.
But one of the most successful reform are the one regarding attainment of knighthood and allowing the knights to form a union and become patron for merchants. This allowed a new surge of nouveau riche knight’s family and capitalist businessmen to finally blossom and inject the much needed life blood into the stagnating country.
Then it bear fruit with the most lucrative and controversial change for the people of Kazimierz and perhaps Terra itself; The Kazimierz Major. The all hailed to be the perfect manifestation of innovation and creativity while making use of tradition, no matter what form it took.
Promoting national interests and quelling public dissatisfaction for a country that starts to breathe once more. Said Major had also become such a sensational take on how Kazimierz managed to avert a lot of its problem that might cause civil unrest and entice foreign interest with Kazimierz rulebook.
The Kazimierz Major, used to be known as the Grand Knight’s Tourney, is an event full of pomp with gallantry and chivalry. The tourney is where the old and new family compete as a knight with capable commoners casting their lot to attain glory, wealth, and fame to then move up the social ladders.
It was first held on the year 1025. It was truly a tournament that was meant of only promoting knighthood as well as offering a chance for the commoners to attain titles and positions, which would strengthen the nation as a whole in the long run while quelling the thirst for social mobility.
As times goes by however, it brought unimaginable capital and wealth for the nation. The event had piqued the interest of surrounding nations and those who are immersed with wealth based ventures and or human resources management.
It started off as a simple form of encouragement from local knights who would employ a capable commoners into their ranks. From there a simple gift and thanks turned into potential show of power for new families, something the old families starts to struggle of accomplishing, their reasons are not as important in the face of reality.
Then the merchants also cast their lot, supporting and managing their commoners turned knights with capital, investment, and coverage. Thus Competition Knights was born, much to the chagrin of traditional knights, and referred as Campaign Knights in the future, who prefers military employment than playing knighthood inside a farcical cage and acting like a clown.
Thus the term Knight Club was born. It is a right given to competitions knights that had won enough notoriety and support from their tenure in Kazimierz growing capitalistic ventures. A Knight Club can be shared with family members or parties that had agreed to share the burden, further aggregating and swelling the numbers of usable manpower.
Through a ridiculous and awe-inspiring political maneuver, armed forces can be formed under a Knight Primus. A Knight Primus was usually conferred upon the Kazimierz Major Champion along with an epithet of their own, allowing them to gain their own Knight Order. Yes, their very own and legal army recruitment rights.
Kazimierz Major’s primary function and intended utilization was suddenly transformed from a join knightly endeavor of promoting national interest, into an overhyped and over-glorified blood sport where pretty much anything goes under and over the table.
Match fixing and manipulation had become common place, it was not even a surprising news for jobbing scandals to surface every now and then. Even when those scandals were dealt with, it is only akin to cutting wild grass without plucking its root, a fruitless and wasteful endeavor meant only to preserve the view.
With popularity comes depravity in the forms of illegal transactions, favors, and all those ‘oh so wonderful’ envelopes filled with blackmail materials. The sheer scale of wealth gained from this event is enough to further push the country agendas and needs for an ever changing times.
Kazimierz Major is now no different than an extremely elaborate political event, full of bling and blood, where the match was fought in front of the audience but perhaps was already settled beneath the table of negotiation and coercion.
An oxymoron where they’re all the proponent and opposition themselves. The matches are both uncertain but predictable, the bout is both civilized and cruel, and where the victor and loser fare not much different as long as the match was enjoyable.
A miracle that was spawned and nurtured to then be debased by a form of controlled anarchy enforced by civilized rule of wanton savagery. A resplendent gateway to wealth and glory amidst the illusion of gallantry and chivalry.
Thus it was truly a surprise when a certain serpent who is useful but risky, dreaded yet hailed, obedient thus utterly rebellious, and unsurprisingly full of surprises returned to Kazimierz, or to Kawalerielki to be exact, and cast her own into the muddied swamp.
Her arrival will bring about a much needed spice of excitement and painful headache upon this triennial event. No doubt that all parties she ever had ties with will scramble to get her on their side first.
Thus let the tournament of greed and illusionary ecstasy begin with the best possible entertainments to complement the main dish. A game, a battle, a will, and a selfishness… all is a fair game, thus turning the game into an unfair and rigged one is also acceptable. All under the sacred law of fairness.
Date: 5th March 1082
Location: Nearl’s Mansion Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Margaret Nearl.
“*yawn*…. Ummm…. Auntie?” Where is Aunt Nyx? I looked around and there was nothing that might have shown that she was here… I see… so that’s it huh? I’m such a crybaby, Father, Mother… I will do better from now on… I promise.
“Just a dream huh? Hahaha…” I can only laugh despondently, of course it was a dream. Aunt Nyx is busy, even when she does visit us, it had never exceeded 3 hours… that was 6 months ago too. She brought me many books and even some that I can clearly see to be handwritten…
Auntie is really strong… to spare some times for writing me stories to enjoy… I can only feel guilty now. All I did was being unreasonable and caused her problems, but she always complied… I should tell her not to bother anymore, especially since…
“*sniff*… uuu…. *sobs*” I can only cry again, but at least this time the tears can be kept quiet. I must be strong, Father and Mother depends on me to protect our family. I should apologize to… A-Aunt Zofia too, I must start referring to her appropriately too… I had probably caused her problems as well…
“Margaret! Come down now, you’re going to miss your breakfast at this rate!”
I can hear Zofia calling me from downstairs, she probably have to take care of Maria while I was doing nothing… uuu… Haah… alright, time to stop being so spoiled. I must be the shield of this family, Zofia also said that she has been training with retired knights, maybe I can join too now.
“Coming! But I’ll take a bath first!”
“Good! I’ll be waiting in the dining room. We have a special menu today so don’t be late!”
With that I headed towards the bathroom, each of our private bedroom had one attached to it for ease of access. Mother and Aunt Nyx had been fusing about it so many times that Grandfather, Father, and Uncle can only raise their hands in defeat. It was funny seeing them holding their heads while Mother and Auntie are chatting up a storm about what it should be modeled from.
It was when Auntie was still residing in Kazimierz. Uncle told me that she is now in Victoria and had become very busy, but still slacking off here and there. I remembered the one time where Aunt Nyx managed to coax me to skip my usual training to just go sightseeing. Of course, Mother and Auntie got into an argument over it.
Father tried to mediate between them only to receive glares and being shouted down then forced to make himself scarce… They’re really frightening when angered, said Father… well I guess mother is angry because she is fighting with auntie for a chance to pamper me… thinking about it again, that was truly a blissful time.
After I finish bathing and dressing myself, I headed downstairs. I’m worried about Grandfather but he would always tell me to take care of myself first, if only life can stay so simple.
‘Enough of that, I need to help Zofia in taking care of Maria…’
Not long after, I reached the dining room. We used to have dinner together all of us…
“Oh! Good morning Mar!”
“Good Morning, Aunt Zofia.”
“A-A-Aunt!? Why did you called me like that!?”
“Ummm… isn’t that the correct way of referring you?”
“Um… yeah? But come on, we’re only 2 Years apart! You made me feel old already…”
“Sorry…”
“Mmm… well we can talk about that later. Now come, you should eat while the food is still hot.”
“Alright, I’ll do just that.”
“…”
Zofia looks at me worriedly, it appears my speech pattern is truly jarring for her… but I must mature quickly. That’s the only way I can be a reliable Lady of The House. Uncle should technically be the new Heir now, but he never wanted it so… uhhh… growing up is really hard…
I need to get used to it now. Who knows when those evil knights will be back… also I must make Father and Mother proud… That’s settled, I’ll beg Grandfather to allow me of becoming a Knight. I will be a Knight strong enough to protect my family along with our creed.
I sit on one of the chair and I must say… these foods are different than what I used to eat before. Zofia had already become a better Lady than I am… Mother said that Zofia is technically our house servant, a Lady-in-Waiting to be exact… but I don’t want to treat her like that and neither did any of us ever treated her like that.
“You’re really amazing.”
“Uh… what?”
“You cooked all of these right? I can only praise you really… you’re so unlike myself…”
“???”
Wait, why did she looked at me in confusion? She cooked all of these right? Or she was actually never got complimented before, and only think it is expected of her? Poor her…
“Well, I mean the foods. Your skills are marvelous, I can’t even be jealous seeing how much you can cook so qu-.”
“Uh… Mar, I didn’t cooked these you know?”
“… Huh?”
“Huh?”
Wait she didn’t? Then who? Uncle never cared to cook something too elaborate and only simple meals. Grandfather is too sickly for it. Maria is too young… and I… um… h-h-hopeless right now… I still recalled the day I burnt a toast. Mother only giggled back then, but the embarrassment I felt was unforgettable.
“Then who di-”
“Me.”
I whipped my head around and see Aunt Nyx at the doorway, so yesterday wasn’t a dream!? I don’t know whether to be happy or embarrassed of knowing that Auntie was there looking out for me… perhaps all night long until I fell asleep too…
She also have Maria in her arms… why does it feels like she had become our nanny or something… I’m not complaining though, it is just that I can’t imagine how busy she is at the moment. I had always knew about her… reputations… but here? She has been really kind and maybe too overprotective with us.
“A-A-Auntie!? You’re real!?”
“???”
Aunt Nyx is now looking at me in confusion before an understanding seems to have finally dawn on her face. She smiled sweetly while… feeding Maria. Now that I look closer, she has an oatmeal bowl in her hand.
“Of course I’m real. If I’m not, how could I even hold this adorable bundle of cuteness in my arms? Also, open wide Maria, here comes the boat!”
“Yay! Yay! *giggle*”
Seeing Maria smiling and giggling again make me feel at ease. Well, since auntie is here, I might as well ask her opinion of becoming a Campaign Knight when I finally come of age.
“Auntie, I-”
“Not now, young lady. This is the time for you to eat and I know what you’re thinking. Which is why, eat first… or perhaps you don’t like it? Goodness me… my niece had become really picky…”
“I-I’m not picky! But oh…. Well… alright… thanks for everything…” I can feel myself smiling again, Zofia seems to be pleased and starts eating her food. Her eyes widen and can see stars dancing in it… Aunt Nyx have a really proud grin plastered on her face… before Maria yanked her hair.
“Oh almost forgot, here comes another boat!”
“*giggle* Aunt Nik! *giggle*”
I guess I really need to eat… I have been eating less and less since… they left…
‘No, no, no, cheer up Margaret. You must be strong!’
With that I start my breakfast. It consisted of steaks, salads, some kinds of noddles, and… finbeasts soup? I rarely ate finbeasts delicacies, they smells… but this one isn’t. Do I need to learn cooking in lieu of my usual training? Well I’ll put it on for later, it would be rude of me for not eating the food served to me.
POV: Nyx
After we finish our breakfast, Zofia take Maria off of my arms. I was quite reluctant but then again, Zofia still needs to finish her usual routine as Nearl’s Lady-in-Waiting. The girl is quite insistent of her role, despite the Nearls treating her as equal… I can sense the stubborn personality that will without fail blossom in the future for her… what is with this family and being stubborn?
Wait, what did you just said again? That I’m stubborn too like the rest of them? Nah, I’m perfectly capable of bending my own rules to see reasons…
I can put that thought for later, now I’m listening at Margaret’s plan of becoming an actual Knight. She insisted doing it out of her own free will which made me wanted to somewhat strangle that blockhead once he comes back…
“So… what do you think, Auntie?”
“Would you prefer a sweet lie or a painful truth?”
“… truth, please…”
“You’re too ignorant and doesn’t understand anything, being a knight is unlike those novels you read before sleeping. I’m a mercenary yes, but that’s exactly why I know the weight of firm obligation. Margaret, dear, you’re still very young… please think about it carefully… it would be very hard to reverse your decision when you commit on it.”
Her expression is shifting quickly, I can fairly guess what she is thinking at the moment. Margaret must be thinking something along the line of not being able to uphold her parents’ words while being too weak to boot. She is being unreasonably hard on herself, if not taken cared off she would end up like me and certain someone who can’t spell the word ‘help’.
Goodness me… with a face and expression like that, she wouldn’t last long against the cutthroat nature of adulthood…
“You should stop there.”
“!?”
She looked shocked, seems like she thought I read her mind. Heh~, her face had her entire train of thoughts and understandings plastered all over… I can’t see where Margaret’s own is even at, all her aspiration was born out of ignorance and second hand knowledge…
“No, I didn’t read your mind. Your expression is too easy to decipher and then interpret… also… You become a knight without an understanding of your own. You’re just going to be nothing more than a hack, a fake, like that.”
“M-my own understanding? And a hack?”
“Tell me, Margaret. What is Knighthood at its core?”
“Well… A Knighthood is…”
She starts telling me all she, perceivably, needs to know about knighthood. It was a type of answer I had heard before, the unoriginal and flowery kind to boot. My expression fell, I can’t help it really… I had a talk with Kiril before sunrise about Margaret’ possible aspiration. He succinctly, and perhaps coldly, dismissed her own granddaughter understanding about what a Knight is.
He’s seriously worried that Margaret doesn’t have what it takes to confront K.G.C.C. machination. K.G.C.C. is hardly an enemy from my point of view, I might be biased of my mercenary view but that’s how it is. Most of them are greedy pricks, but they did push Kazimierz to be more modern.
They can be really shady yeah, but they will never say no to a beneficial relationship. I can say this because I finally see something beneath their name… especially the General Chamber part in their name. They’re businessmen first and government official second, they’re disunited.
While I was at it, I also asked Kiril about what happened to Schnitz and Yolanta, his answer was really clear. So much so that when I heard it, I can even hear a pin drop from miles away, truly what an enlightening answer. That’s how loud his answer was.
Margaret’s voice finally faltered, I suppose she finally noticed my disappointment. She starts stammering but keep talking until she finished… when she does, I can only sigh.
“… Auntie?”
“… Kiril was right, your immaturity is too painful to even look at right now, but we all starts somewhere… I started worse than you, in fact.”
“…”
“I really wanted to tell everything you gotten wrong, but Kiril said it would only stunt your development. So I’ll only give you only a single pair of them; you have an ideal that is truly commendable, but you neglected a baggage called responsibility.”
“…” Her expression then worsen even more, but I can only smile amusedly at it. If this much is enough to dampen her resolve, then she would be eaten alive before she’s even ready. This is where Drill Sergeant Nyx is going to make her appearance.
Let us test that stubbornness of hers and see where it leads her. A good auntie should encourage and support her niece the way she can…
“But even though I had said all of that, I’m more than willing to train you.”
“!? Really!? Please! Please!” Goodness me! This cute little Kuranta just hugged me with a puppy-eyed gaze… I’m in bliss, this is nirvana… Alright, Nyx’s special Blitz Training Regiment coming right up~
‘hehehehehe…’
“…Auntie… you look scary…”
“Perish the thoughts my dear~… I’m just really, really, fired up now. Are you ready?”
“… Can I have it postp-”
“Alright to the training hall we go!”
“W-w-wait! Aunt Zofia help me, I beg you!”
“Um… Good luck! Also Maria, repeat what I had said.”
“Un! Big Sis good luck!” Aww… look at her waving energetically like that.
“See? You have a really supportive family, Margaret.”
“…” Why are you looking at me with such a blanched expression? My training regiments has always been successful in producing outstanding graduate. Sure some back pain, self-esteem issue, and all minor stuff might happen but nothing time and grit couldn’t fix…
POV: Narrator
A 10 years old girl was seen to be sending flurries of thrust with her swordstaff, while her opponent just side-stepped and barely parrying anything. Even so, the kid current movements had steadily becoming much more organized and paced appropriately.
Thrust was flown into a slash aiming at her adversary leg, if that failed then she would retract it and then deliver a diagonal cut by maximizing the weapon’ reach. Her opponent had been smiling all the while, clearly proud and pleased of the little girl’ prowess.
But all good things must come to an end and with that the older lady pivoted her leg to the right and letting the thrust grazing an empty air. Before the little knight can retract her swordstaff back, it was being held firm in one hand and then her opponent just used her leg to trip the little knight off-balance.
She comes crashing on the ground, not that hard but still hurt nonetheless. Causing the little one to yelp from both fright and sudden spike of pain.
“Eeeep...! Ouch! … Auntie… you meanie… uuuu…”
“Hmm? Pretty sure I held back, like a ton. Also stay still sweetie, I need to apply the ointment on your bruises. That’s enough training for today too.”
“Mrrr… I can still go for more!”
“Nuh-uh, you had been training for 3 hours with breaks and then 1 hour non-stop. Credit where it’s due, the fact that you managed to keep up for so long shows astonishing promise for your future as a knight.”
Margaret pouted but she can’t help the competitive grin slowly forming on her face. Her auntie’s training was truly merciless. But instead of being intimidated, Margaret enjoyed it a lot more. Especially when she managed to stun her Aunt stupid by actually landing a grazing hit with her swordstaff’s thrust.
Nyx ended up gushing over it for the next 15 minutes, non-stop, saying that her niece is a genius, fast-learner. She has all the right potential of being a Grand Knight, whether she choose the old way or the new way, her potential is truly like a radiant sun capable of illuminating the land.
Unlike a certain attentive but ultimately insensitive wandering blockhead, Nyx has no problem what her niece wanted to be. What she is concerned with is none other than Margaret’ personal prowess to be sufficient enough, she always encourage people to find a meaning by themselves.
Training villagers into militia, training civilian or aspirants into field agent, and teaching someone to be a better version of themselves. She has a wealth of experiences due to her tenures both here and previous worlds.
“… Thank you… auntie… for everything…”
“… You’re welcome, you should go eat your lunch and then continue your ethics lesson.”
“When did you cooked for lunch?”
“No I didn’t, Zofia did. So go now.”
“Un!”
‘Wait, I almost forgot.’
“Then what do you want for dinner later? I can make a trip to the market to find something since we still have 5 hours before sunset.”
“Hehe… you’re acting like mother… I miss her…” Margaret muttered longingly but then she noticed that her Aunt grimaced. Nyx tried to play it off, but it’s not working…
“… Sorry…”
“What for?”
“It feels like… I’m stealing a position I shouldn’t have ever touch for myself… Please believe me, I never wanted what happened to them to occur.”
“Auntie?”
The girl is just looking straight at her ever supportive aunt who is now sporting a forlorn smile. Her eyes had gone dull and Margaret can sense the weight life itself within those pink, amber-tinted, eyes.
She also noticed that her aunt demeanor can shift so quickly from one end to another. It was honestly saddening for Margaret to see Nyx being nothing else than her cheery self. Margaret starts to worry, and that seems to knock her aunt out of her negative revelry.
Nyx’s expression then shifted again into a brighter spectrum. All of her apparent sadness was hidden just as quickly when it did surfaced.
“It’s nothing. Also come on, you would be late and or make Zofia sad again.”
“Okay… as for dinner… erm… I leave it to you, since I’m fine with anything…”
Nyx just smiled at her niece before patting her.
“Live a little more, won’t you?”
“…I’ll try…”
Margaret then left the room, leaving Nyx all by herself…
“The effect of their disappearance is already this bad for this family… I can’t imagine what Mwi is feeling right now…”
Date: 8th March 1082
Location: Ministry of Defense, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Nelka Ramona.
“State your name, position, and intention.” An Adeptus’ official asked me when I reached his desk. The building is sparse from visitor like usual, since not many people would want to come here willy-nilly after all.
“Nelka Ramona, Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Interior Secretary, I had been summoned according to Lady Grand Knight’s directive of reporting as soon as possible.”
You might be wondering why someone so young can attain a really high station. I won’t lie that connection did has a hand on this but that’s not all there is to it.
Truth is, no matter who you’re in Kawalerielki, manpower has become really excellent nowadays that sudden reshuffle is commonplace within Kazimierz National Council. It is not unnatural to see a manager losing their post the next day due to multitude of reason.
One of the most expensive commodity in Kawelerielki is none other than trust.
Back to the present…
“A moment.” With that the official reached out to a terminal and starts speaking into it.
“Lady Grand Knight, Interior Secretary Nelka Ramona has arrived and awaiting your permission to enter.”
A slight pause.
“Understood, My Lady.” He then turned back to me.
“Lady Grand Knight is awaiting for you in her office.”
“Much obliged.”
Several floors later…
I entered her office immediately. My superior, Ioleta Russell, often get annoyed with me knocking every time. So, after a great reluctance on my part, I had forced myself to enter without knocking but still announcing myself as a compromise for this clear breach of professionalism.
“Interior Secretary Nelka Ramona has arrive to answer your summon, Lady Grand Knight.”
I’m now within Grand Knight Ioleta Russell’ office, I had been called so abruptly thus making me more puzzled than unnerved. I was in the middle of parsing, categorizing, and enacting upon Adeptus Sprawiedliwi’ future internal policies.
I can also see her writing upon stacks of document that needs her attention. Her the door open, she immediately look my way before smiling.
“Ah, Nelka! I had been waiting for you and- wait, didn’t I told you to call me by my name?”
“I’m afraid that is not appropriate at the moment, Lady Grand Knight. Since constitutionally you’re the Field Marshal of the Army as well as having being granted with the peerage of Duchess from historical stand point.”
“What is with you people really? … hah… so rigid and distant making me feel lonely…”
“...”
“No matter, I have something you need to read.”
With that she just hold out the document for me to reach out while turning her vision back on her own document. This is how we interact most of the time, Lady Ioleta giving me objectives with several pointers and only then am I arranging for the executions and possible fallouts.
I read it and the content made me tremble slightly but reflexively in disbelief and evident disgust, to think that someone still try to pull something like this. I quickly compose myself, as a person with responsibility should have.
“I think I can see the picture they’re aiming… several methods crossed my mind… While I’m at it, our agenda regarding that matter is moving along nicely. We can expect the dividends to soon be useful to our cause.”
“Good. Whatever you have in mind regarding that matter, I give you the authorization for it. For our most recent development however… I have something more interesting this time around, especially when K.G.C.C. invited us over it.”
Before I can answer, she handed her personal terminal and she motioned me to pick it up then the voice I heard…
[Yo, guess who?]
“N-N-Nyx!? ah… ahem, I mean… Uh…”
Well there goes my professional demeanor, it finally cracked using a cheat code called Nyx. Lady Ioleta doesn’t look up from the document she is currently processing, but I could have sworn that she is having a smuggest smile after years of trying to get under my skin.
I just realized that I had gone either silent or stammering nonsense for a minute.
[Helloooo? Anyone there?]
“It is truly a pleasant surprise to meet you once more, Lady Baroness.”
[Oh wow… Nelka speak in a stuck-up language now? A shame really, byeeee~.”
“W-w-wait!”
That woman just end the conversation like that!? Huh? Perhaps finally of not being to keep her poker face, Lady Ioleta burst out laughing.
“Goodness me! You’re truly so fun to tease, the others are too intimidated or too detached… so I rarely have fun while being chained into this accursed chair.”
“Lady Grand Knight… my predicament had, at the barest minimum, reinvigorate your mood. I suppose that’s fair… Do you have any directive for me?”
“Yes I do, go meet our contractor at 8 P.M at the usual dinner and hash out the details.” She handed me a memo and the outline is simple but obnoxiously time consuming…
“Understood. I’ll meet up with our contractor as you have ordered.”
“Good, say hi to her for me, and do enjoy your reunion date.”
‘… I had moved on years ago…’
“Excuse me, Lady Grand Knight.”
“Fare thee well too.”
With that I left her office and starts heading back to my car. She is kinda right though, it has been years since I saw her. I wonder what she will do for the upcoming tournament, it is going to be interesting regardless.
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is writhing in agony.
I decided to spice up the 19th Kazimierz Major with our lovely and dreadful Pythian lassie.
Nothing too bloody… by Nyx’s standard.
Update as usual ya bloody wankers.
Ciao
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: Data not found
Location: Data not found
POV: Narrator
The Grand Knight’s Territory is famous for always bouncing and striking back against the odds. One instance of Ursine incursion on year 872 started off horrifically disadvantageous for The Kingdom of Kazimierz. The invasion was actually not a sudden one, but Ursus had created an ingenious battle barge and landed bypassing the old strongholds at Vemel and Tirtu.
The tide of war would keep worsening until 877 where Sobieski the Illustrious Titan broke through Ursus’ armies encircling Kawalerielki from the east. His knights moved without rest, evading Ursine artilleries and pining the Eastern Ursus Army, comprised of 14th and 18th Artillery brigades with 7th and 11th Infantry Divisions, helpless against the city defense and Sobieski relief force.
The Northern and Southern army tried to relieve the pressure, but suddenly the King of Kazimierz, Konstantyn Jagiello II, rallied his people to struck the out of position relief force with his militias and Men-at-Arms while his Royal Guards, including the fabled Silverlances, keeping the Western army in check.
Jagiello II’s militias acted like an anvil for the relief force, shattering the Ursine armies cohesion. The knights are being given ample of opportunities to strike the invaders with impunity. Not to mention that the prior infighting between the Ursus Generals accelerated their own destruction.
The battle was won, the siege was lifted, and another nightmarish war of attrition ensued for years. None wished to back down, be it out pride or they still have much strength to potentially unleash against their adversary.
An upset happened however, when the Gaulish Empire along with Kingdom of Victoria intervened in 880’s, forcing both side to sign a white peace and Ursus to pay war reparations. It was unknown how it came to be, but myths abound about a personage, veiled in utmost secrecy, of putting the war to a grinding halt.
Regardless of the war’ conclusion, the war was one of many instances where they, regardless of how unfavorable it was, can beat back the odds. This also force the many national problems with Kazimierz to resurface, namely manpower and the slow mustering of armies due to conflicting chain of commands.
For centuries they had been employing numerous action to the point of abolishing archaic titles and offices while also enacting social reforms. All for national interest in upholding the Kazimierzian’ existence as a whole.
But one of the most successful reform are the one regarding attainment of knighthood and allowing the knights to form a union and become patron for merchants. This allowed a new surge of nouveau riche knight’s family and capitalist businessmen to finally blossom and inject the much needed life blood into the stagnating country.
Then it bear fruit with the most lucrative and controversial change for the people of Kazimierz and perhaps Terra itself; The Kazimierz Major. The all hailed to be the perfect manifestation of innovation and creativity while making use of tradition, no matter what form it took.
Promoting national interests and quelling public dissatisfaction for a country that starts to breathe once more. Said Major had also become such a sensational take on how Kazimierz managed to avert a lot of its problem that might cause civil unrest and entice foreign interest with Kazimierz rulebook.
The Kazimierz Major, used to be known as the Grand Knight’s Tourney, is an event full of pomp with gallantry and chivalry. The tourney is where the old and new family compete as a knight with capable commoners casting their lot to attain glory, wealth, and fame to then move up the social ladders.
It was first held on the year 1025. It was truly a tournament that was meant of only promoting knighthood as well as offering a chance for the commoners to attain titles and positions, which would strengthen the nation as a whole in the long run while quelling the thirst for social mobility.
As times goes by however, it brought unimaginable capital and wealth for the nation. The event had piqued the interest of surrounding nations and those who are immersed with wealth based ventures and or human resources management.
It started off as a simple form of encouragement from local knights who would employ a capable commoners into their ranks. From there a simple gift and thanks turned into potential show of power for new families, something the old families starts to struggle of accomplishing, their reasons are not as important in the face of reality.
Then the merchants also cast their lot, supporting and managing their commoners turned knights with capital, investment, and coverage. Thus Competition Knights was born, much to the chagrin of traditional knights, and referred as Campaign Knights in the future, who prefers military employment than playing knighthood inside a farcical cage and acting like a clown.
Thus the term Knight Club was born. It is a right given to competitions knights that had won enough notoriety and support from their tenure in Kazimierz growing capitalistic ventures. A Knight Club can be shared with family members or parties that had agreed to share the burden, further aggregating and swelling the numbers of usable manpower.
Through a ridiculous and awe-inspiring political maneuver, armed forces can be formed under a Knight Primus. A Knight Primus was usually conferred upon the Kazimierz Major Champion along with an epithet of their own, allowing them to gain their own Knight Order. Yes, their very own and legal army recruitment rights.
Kazimierz Major’s primary function and intended utilization was suddenly transformed from a join knightly endeavor of promoting national interest, into an overhyped and over-glorified blood sport where pretty much anything goes under and over the table.
Match fixing and manipulation had become common place, it was not even a surprising news for jobbing scandals to surface every now and then. Even when those scandals were dealt with, it is only akin to cutting wild grass without plucking its root, a fruitless and wasteful endeavor meant only to preserve the view.
With popularity comes depravity in the forms of illegal transactions, favors, and all those ‘oh so wonderful’ envelopes filled with blackmail materials. The sheer scale of wealth gained from this event is enough to further push the country agendas and needs for an ever changing times.
Kazimierz Major is now no different than an extremely elaborate political event, full of bling and blood, where the match was fought in front of the audience but perhaps was already settled beneath the table of negotiation and coercion.
An oxymoron where they’re all the proponent and opposition themselves. The matches are both uncertain but predictable, the bout is both civilized and cruel, and where the victor and loser fare not much different as long as the match was enjoyable.
A miracle that was spawned and nurtured to then be debased by a form of controlled anarchy enforced by civilized rule of wanton savagery. A resplendent gateway to wealth and glory amidst the illusion of gallantry and chivalry.
Thus it was truly a surprise when a certain serpent who is useful but risky, dreaded yet hailed, obedient thus utterly rebellious, and unsurprisingly full of surprises returned to Kazimierz, or to Kawalerielki to be exact, and cast her own into the muddied swamp.
Her arrival will bring about a much needed spice of excitement and painful headache upon this triennial event. No doubt that all parties she ever had ties with will scramble to get her on their side first.
Thus let the tournament of greed and illusionary ecstasy begin with the best possible entertainments to complement the main dish. A game, a battle, a will, and a selfishness… all is a fair game, thus turning the game into an unfair and rigged one is also acceptable. All under the sacred law of fairness.
Date: 5th March 1082
Location: Nearl’s Mansion Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Margaret Nearl.
“*yawn*…. Ummm…. Auntie?” Where is Aunt Nyx? I looked around and there was nothing that might have shown that she was here… I see… so that’s it huh? I’m such a crybaby, Father, Mother… I will do better from now on… I promise.
“Just a dream huh? Hahaha…” I can only laugh despondently, of course it was a dream. Aunt Nyx is busy, even when she does visit us, it had never exceeded 3 hours… that was 6 months ago too. She brought me many books and even some that I can clearly see to be handwritten…
Auntie is really strong… to spare some times for writing me stories to enjoy… I can only feel guilty now. All I did was being unreasonable and caused her problems, but she always complied… I should tell her not to bother anymore, especially since…
“*sniff*… uuu…. *sobs*” I can only cry again, but at least this time the tears can be kept quiet. I must be strong, Father and Mother depends on me to protect our family. I should apologize to… A-Aunt Zofia too, I must start referring to her appropriately too… I had probably caused her problems as well…
“Margaret! Come down now, you’re going to miss your breakfast at this rate!”
I can hear Zofia calling me from downstairs, she probably have to take care of Maria while I was doing nothing… uuu… Haah… alright, time to stop being so spoiled. I must be the shield of this family, Zofia also said that she has been training with retired knights, maybe I can join too now.
“Coming! But I’ll take a bath first!”
“Good! I’ll be waiting in the dining room. We have a special menu today so don’t be late!”
With that I headed towards the bathroom, each of our private bedroom had one attached to it for ease of access. Mother and Aunt Nyx had been fusing about it so many times that Grandfather, Father, and Uncle can only raise their hands in defeat. It was funny seeing them holding their heads while Mother and Auntie are chatting up a storm about what it should be modeled from.
It was when Auntie was still residing in Kazimierz. Uncle told me that she is now in Victoria and had become very busy, but still slacking off here and there. I remembered the one time where Aunt Nyx managed to coax me to skip my usual training to just go sightseeing. Of course, Mother and Auntie got into an argument over it.
Father tried to mediate between them only to receive glares and being shouted down then forced to make himself scarce… They’re really frightening when angered, said Father… well I guess mother is angry because she is fighting with auntie for a chance to pamper me… thinking about it again, that was truly a blissful time.
After I finish bathing and dressing myself, I headed downstairs. I’m worried about Grandfather but he would always tell me to take care of myself first, if only life can stay so simple.
‘Enough of that, I need to help Zofia in taking care of Maria…’
Not long after, I reached the dining room. We used to have dinner together all of us…
“Oh! Good morning Mar!”
“Good Morning, Aunt Zofia.”
“A-A-Aunt!? Why did you called me like that!?”
“Ummm… isn’t that the correct way of referring you?”
“Um… yeah? But come on, we’re only 2 Years apart! You made me feel old already…”
“Sorry…”
“Mmm… well we can talk about that later. Now come, you should eat while the food is still hot.”
“Alright, I’ll do just that.”
“…”
Zofia looks at me worriedly, it appears my speech pattern is truly jarring for her… but I must mature quickly. That’s the only way I can be a reliable Lady of The House. Uncle should technically be the new Heir now, but he never wanted it so… uhhh… growing up is really hard…
I need to get used to it now. Who knows when those evil knights will be back… also I must make Father and Mother proud… That’s settled, I’ll beg Grandfather to allow me of becoming a Knight. I will be a Knight strong enough to protect my family along with our creed.
I sit on one of the chair and I must say… these foods are different than what I used to eat before. Zofia had already become a better Lady than I am… Mother said that Zofia is technically our house servant, a Lady-in-Waiting to be exact… but I don’t want to treat her like that and neither did any of us ever treated her like that.
“You’re really amazing.”
“Uh… what?”
“You cooked all of these right? I can only praise you really… you’re so unlike myself…”
“???”
Wait, why did she looked at me in confusion? She cooked all of these right? Or she was actually never got complimented before, and only think it is expected of her? Poor her…
“Well, I mean the foods. Your skills are marvelous, I can’t even be jealous seeing how much you can cook so qu-.”
“Uh… Mar, I didn’t cooked these you know?”
“… Huh?”
“Huh?”
Wait she didn’t? Then who? Uncle never cared to cook something too elaborate and only simple meals. Grandfather is too sickly for it. Maria is too young… and I… um… h-h-hopeless right now… I still recalled the day I burnt a toast. Mother only giggled back then, but the embarrassment I felt was unforgettable.
“Then who di-”
“Me.”
I whipped my head around and see Aunt Nyx at the doorway, so yesterday wasn’t a dream!? I don’t know whether to be happy or embarrassed of knowing that Auntie was there looking out for me… perhaps all night long until I fell asleep too…
She also have Maria in her arms… why does it feels like she had become our nanny or something… I’m not complaining though, it is just that I can’t imagine how busy she is at the moment. I had always knew about her… reputations… but here? She has been really kind and maybe too overprotective with us.
“A-A-Auntie!? You’re real!?”
“???”
Aunt Nyx is now looking at me in confusion before an understanding seems to have finally dawn on her face. She smiled sweetly while… feeding Maria. Now that I look closer, she has an oatmeal bowl in her hand.
“Of course I’m real. If I’m not, how could I even hold this adorable bundle of cuteness in my arms? Also, open wide Maria, here comes the boat!”
“Yay! Yay! *giggle*”
Seeing Maria smiling and giggling again make me feel at ease. Well, since auntie is here, I might as well ask her opinion of becoming a Campaign Knight when I finally come of age.
“Auntie, I-”
“Not now, young lady. This is the time for you to eat and I know what you’re thinking. Which is why, eat first… or perhaps you don’t like it? Goodness me… my niece had become really picky…”
“I-I’m not picky! But oh…. Well… alright… thanks for everything…” I can feel myself smiling again, Zofia seems to be pleased and starts eating her food. Her eyes widen and can see stars dancing in it… Aunt Nyx have a really proud grin plastered on her face… before Maria yanked her hair.
“Oh almost forgot, here comes another boat!”
“*giggle* Aunt Nik! *giggle*”
I guess I really need to eat… I have been eating less and less since… they left…
‘No, no, no, cheer up Margaret. You must be strong!’
With that I start my breakfast. It consisted of steaks, salads, some kinds of noddles, and… finbeasts soup? I rarely ate finbeasts delicacies, they smells… but this one isn’t. Do I need to learn cooking in lieu of my usual training? Well I’ll put it on for later, it would be rude of me for not eating the food served to me.
POV: Nyx
After we finish our breakfast, Zofia take Maria off of my arms. I was quite reluctant but then again, Zofia still needs to finish her usual routine as Nearl’s Lady-in-Waiting. The girl is quite insistent of her role, despite the Nearls treating her as equal… I can sense the stubborn personality that will without fail blossom in the future for her… what is with this family and being stubborn?
Wait, what did you just said again? That I’m stubborn too like the rest of them? Nah, I’m perfectly capable of bending my own rules to see reasons…
I can put that thought for later, now I’m listening at Margaret’s plan of becoming an actual Knight. She insisted doing it out of her own free will which made me wanted to somewhat strangle that blockhead once he comes back…
“So… what do you think, Auntie?”
“Would you prefer a sweet lie or a painful truth?”
“… truth, please…”
“You’re too ignorant and doesn’t understand anything, being a knight is unlike those novels you read before sleeping. I’m a mercenary yes, but that’s exactly why I know the weight of firm obligation. Margaret, dear, you’re still very young… please think about it carefully… it would be very hard to reverse your decision when you commit on it.”
Her expression is shifting quickly, I can fairly guess what she is thinking at the moment. Margaret must be thinking something along the line of not being able to uphold her parents’ words while being too weak to boot. She is being unreasonably hard on herself, if not taken cared off she would end up like me and certain someone who can’t spell the word ‘help’.
Goodness me… with a face and expression like that, she wouldn’t last long against the cutthroat nature of adulthood…
“You should stop there.”
“!?”
She looked shocked, seems like she thought I read her mind. Heh~, her face had her entire train of thoughts and understandings plastered all over… I can’t see where Margaret’s own is even at, all her aspiration was born out of ignorance and second hand knowledge…
“No, I didn’t read your mind. Your expression is too easy to decipher and then interpret… also… You become a knight without an understanding of your own. You’re just going to be nothing more than a hack, a fake, like that.”
“M-my own understanding? And a hack?”
“Tell me, Margaret. What is Knighthood at its core?”
“Well… A Knighthood is…”
She starts telling me all she, perceivably, needs to know about knighthood. It was a type of answer I had heard before, the unoriginal and flowery kind to boot. My expression fell, I can’t help it really… I had a talk with Kiril before sunrise about Margaret’ possible aspiration. He succinctly, and perhaps coldly, dismissed her own granddaughter understanding about what a Knight is.
He’s seriously worried that Margaret doesn’t have what it takes to confront K.G.C.C. machination. K.G.C.C. is hardly an enemy from my point of view, I might be biased of my mercenary view but that’s how it is. Most of them are greedy pricks, but they did push Kazimierz to be more modern.
They can be really shady yeah, but they will never say no to a beneficial relationship. I can say this because I finally see something beneath their name… especially the General Chamber part in their name. They’re businessmen first and government official second, they’re disunited.
While I was at it, I also asked Kiril about what happened to Schnitz and Yolanta, his answer was really clear. So much so that when I heard it, I can even hear a pin drop from miles away, truly what an enlightening answer. That’s how loud his answer was.
Margaret’s voice finally faltered, I suppose she finally noticed my disappointment. She starts stammering but keep talking until she finished… when she does, I can only sigh.
“… Auntie?”
“… Kiril was right, your immaturity is too painful to even look at right now, but we all starts somewhere… I started worse than you, in fact.”
“…”
“I really wanted to tell everything you gotten wrong, but Kiril said it would only stunt your development. So I’ll only give you only a single pair of them; you have an ideal that is truly commendable, but you neglected a baggage called responsibility.”
“…” Her expression then worsen even more, but I can only smile amusedly at it. If this much is enough to dampen her resolve, then she would be eaten alive before she’s even ready. This is where Drill Sergeant Nyx is going to make her appearance.
Let us test that stubbornness of hers and see where it leads her. A good auntie should encourage and support her niece the way she can…
“But even though I had said all of that, I’m more than willing to train you.”
“!? Really!? Please! Please!” Goodness me! This cute little Kuranta just hugged me with a puppy-eyed gaze… I’m in bliss, this is nirvana… Alright, Nyx’s special Blitz Training Regiment coming right up~
‘hehehehehe…’
“…Auntie… you look scary…”
“Perish the thoughts my dear~… I’m just really, really, fired up now. Are you ready?”
“… Can I have it postp-”
“Alright to the training hall we go!”
“W-w-wait! Aunt Zofia help me, I beg you!”
“Um… Good luck! Also Maria, repeat what I had said.”
“Un! Big Sis good luck!” Aww… look at her waving energetically like that.
“See? You have a really supportive family, Margaret.”
“…” Why are you looking at me with such a blanched expression? My training regiments has always been successful in producing outstanding graduate. Sure some back pain, self-esteem issue, and all minor stuff might happen but nothing time and grit couldn’t fix…
POV: Narrator
A 10 years old girl was seen to be sending flurries of thrust with her swordstaff, while her opponent just side-stepped and barely parrying anything. Even so, the kid current movements had steadily becoming much more organized and paced appropriately.
Thrust was flown into a slash aiming at her adversary leg, if that failed then she would retract it and then deliver a diagonal cut by maximizing the weapon’ reach. Her opponent had been smiling all the while, clearly proud and pleased of the little girl’ prowess.
But all good things must come to an end and with that the older lady pivoted her leg to the right and letting the thrust grazing an empty air. Before the little knight can retract her swordstaff back, it was being held firm in one hand and then her opponent just used her leg to trip the little knight off-balance.
She comes crashing on the ground, not that hard but still hurt nonetheless. Causing the little one to yelp from both fright and sudden spike of pain.
“Eeeep...! Ouch! … Auntie… you meanie… uuuu…”
“Hmm? Pretty sure I held back, like a ton. Also stay still sweetie, I need to apply the ointment on your bruises. That’s enough training for today too.”
“Mrrr… I can still go for more!”
“Nuh-uh, you had been training for 3 hours with breaks and then 1 hour non-stop. Credit where it’s due, the fact that you managed to keep up for so long shows astonishing promise for your future as a knight.”
Margaret pouted but she can’t help the competitive grin slowly forming on her face. Her auntie’s training was truly merciless. But instead of being intimidated, Margaret enjoyed it a lot more. Especially when she managed to stun her Aunt stupid by actually landing a grazing hit with her swordstaff’s thrust.
Nyx ended up gushing over it for the next 15 minutes, non-stop, saying that her niece is a genius, fast-learner. She has all the right potential of being a Grand Knight, whether she choose the old way or the new way, her potential is truly like a radiant sun capable of illuminating the land.
Unlike a certain attentive but ultimately insensitive wandering blockhead, Nyx has no problem what her niece wanted to be. What she is concerned with is none other than Margaret’ personal prowess to be sufficient enough, she always encourage people to find a meaning by themselves.
Training villagers into militia, training civilian or aspirants into field agent, and teaching someone to be a better version of themselves. She has a wealth of experiences due to her tenures both here and previous worlds.
“… Thank you… auntie… for everything…”
“… You’re welcome, you should go eat your lunch and then continue your ethics lesson.”
“When did you cooked for lunch?”
“No I didn’t, Zofia did. So go now.”
“Un!”
‘Wait, I almost forgot.’
“Then what do you want for dinner later? I can make a trip to the market to find something since we still have 5 hours before sunset.”
“Hehe… you’re acting like mother… I miss her…” Margaret muttered longingly but then she noticed that her Aunt grimaced. Nyx tried to play it off, but it’s not working…
“… Sorry…”
“What for?”
“It feels like… I’m stealing a position I shouldn’t have ever touch for myself… Please believe me, I never wanted what happened to them to occur.”
“Auntie?”
The girl is just looking straight at her ever supportive aunt who is now sporting a forlorn smile. Her eyes had gone dull and Margaret can sense the weight life itself within those pink, amber-tinted, eyes.
She also noticed that her aunt demeanor can shift so quickly from one end to another. It was honestly saddening for Margaret to see Nyx being nothing else than her cheery self. Margaret starts to worry, and that seems to knock her aunt out of her negative revelry.
Nyx’s expression then shifted again into a brighter spectrum. All of her apparent sadness was hidden just as quickly when it did surfaced.
“It’s nothing. Also come on, you would be late and or make Zofia sad again.”
“Okay… as for dinner… erm… I leave it to you, since I’m fine with anything…”
Nyx just smiled at her niece before patting her.
“Live a little more, won’t you?”
“…I’ll try…”
Margaret then left the room, leaving Nyx all by herself…
“The effect of their disappearance is already this bad for this family… I can’t imagine what Mwi is feeling right now…”
Date: 8th March 1082
Location: Ministry of Defense, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz.
POV: Nelka Ramona.
“State your name, position, and intention.” An Adeptus’ official asked me when I reached his desk. The building is sparse from visitor like usual, since not many people would want to come here willy-nilly after all.
“Nelka Ramona, Adeptus Sprawiedliwi Interior Secretary, I had been summoned according to Lady Grand Knight’s directive of reporting as soon as possible.”
You might be wondering why someone so young can attain a really high station. I won’t lie that connection did has a hand on this but that’s not all there is to it.
Truth is, no matter who you’re in Kawalerielki, manpower has become really excellent nowadays that sudden reshuffle is commonplace within Kazimierz National Council. It is not unnatural to see a manager losing their post the next day due to multitude of reason.
One of the most expensive commodity in Kawelerielki is none other than trust.
Back to the present…
“A moment.” With that the official reached out to a terminal and starts speaking into it.
“Lady Grand Knight, Interior Secretary Nelka Ramona has arrived and awaiting your permission to enter.”
A slight pause.
“Understood, My Lady.” He then turned back to me.
“Lady Grand Knight is awaiting for you in her office.”
“Much obliged.”
Several floors later…
I entered her office immediately. My superior, Ioleta Russell, often get annoyed with me knocking every time. So, after a great reluctance on my part, I had forced myself to enter without knocking but still announcing myself as a compromise for this clear breach of professionalism.
“Interior Secretary Nelka Ramona has arrive to answer your summon, Lady Grand Knight.”
I’m now within Grand Knight Ioleta Russell’ office, I had been called so abruptly thus making me more puzzled than unnerved. I was in the middle of parsing, categorizing, and enacting upon Adeptus Sprawiedliwi’ future internal policies.
I can also see her writing upon stacks of document that needs her attention. Her the door open, she immediately look my way before smiling.
“Ah, Nelka! I had been waiting for you and- wait, didn’t I told you to call me by my name?”
“I’m afraid that is not appropriate at the moment, Lady Grand Knight. Since constitutionally you’re the Field Marshal of the Army as well as having being granted with the peerage of Duchess from historical stand point.”
“What is with you people really? … hah… so rigid and distant making me feel lonely…”
“...”
“No matter, I have something you need to read.”
With that she just hold out the document for me to reach out while turning her vision back on her own document. This is how we interact most of the time, Lady Ioleta giving me objectives with several pointers and only then am I arranging for the executions and possible fallouts.
I read it and the content made me tremble slightly but reflexively in disbelief and evident disgust, to think that someone still try to pull something like this. I quickly compose myself, as a person with responsibility should have.
“I think I can see the picture they’re aiming… several methods crossed my mind… While I’m at it, our agenda regarding that matter is moving along nicely. We can expect the dividends to soon be useful to our cause.”
“Good. Whatever you have in mind regarding that matter, I give you the authorization for it. For our most recent development however… I have something more interesting this time around, especially when K.G.C.C. invited us over it.”
Before I can answer, she handed her personal terminal and she motioned me to pick it up then the voice I heard…
[Yo, guess who?]
“N-N-Nyx!? ah… ahem, I mean… Uh…”
Well there goes my professional demeanor, it finally cracked using a cheat code called Nyx. Lady Ioleta doesn’t look up from the document she is currently processing, but I could have sworn that she is having a smuggest smile after years of trying to get under my skin.
I just realized that I had gone either silent or stammering nonsense for a minute.
[Helloooo? Anyone there?]
“It is truly a pleasant surprise to meet you once more, Lady Baroness.”
[Oh wow… Nelka speak in a stuck-up language now? A shame really, byeeee~.”
“W-w-wait!”
That woman just end the conversation like that!? Huh? Perhaps finally of not being to keep her poker face, Lady Ioleta burst out laughing.
“Goodness me! You’re truly so fun to tease, the others are too intimidated or too detached… so I rarely have fun while being chained into this accursed chair.”
“Lady Grand Knight… my predicament had, at the barest minimum, reinvigorate your mood. I suppose that’s fair… Do you have any directive for me?”
“Yes I do, go meet our contractor at 8 P.M at the usual dinner and hash out the details.” She handed me a memo and the outline is simple but obnoxiously time consuming…
“Understood. I’ll meet up with our contractor as you have ordered.”
“Good, say hi to her for me, and do enjoy your reunion date.”
‘… I had moved on years ago…’
“Excuse me, Lady Grand Knight.”
“Fare thee well too.”
With that I left her office and starts heading back to my car. She is kinda right though, it has been years since I saw her. I wonder what she will do for the upcoming tournament, it is going to be interesting regardless.
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is writhing in agony.
I decided to spice up the 19th Kazimierz Major with our lovely and dreadful Pythian lassie.
Nothing too bloody… by Nyx’s standard.
Update as usual ya bloody wankers.
Ciao
