>April 11th, 2058
In Shenshi's private quarters, Durgundar
Shenshi: The meeting certainly went better than the previous one, but there were still a few dark spots.
Ryuzen: Exactly why I called this discussion. It went too smoothly. The only real disturbance came from the BeastFolk and the Dragonsons — and even that was well within our expectations.
Shera: So, what's the issue? Surely you noticed something that doesn't meet the eye.
Ryuzen: It's the Orc Emperor. He arrived days before the summit and only stated he was a diplomat — which makes no sense. If he were here purely for diplomacy, bringing along such an unpredictable subordinate would be absurd. So either he has no other subordinates... or he brought this one for a reason. He may have even instructed him to cause a scene.
Shera: And why would he do that? No one's stupid enough to start a fight with me and the Dwarf in the room.
Ryuzen: Exactly — and he didn't. He picked a fight with me. They had ample opportunity to hurt my subordinate before I even noticed, but instead, he waited. His words felt deliberately provocative. I suspect he was testing my strength — though I can't tell why.
Shenshi: That lens gives his actions more meaning, but it only explains his early arrival and the skirmish. If he was here as a diplomat, why remain silent the entire meeting?
Shera: ^He caught the intent but doesn't seem to suspect me. I'll have to tread carefully.^ Yes, he also seems to overestimate his way with words. My guess? He's planning a war — but not one that involves the Orcs directly. Even the Orcs themselves admit to being warmongers, yet he kept denying it.
Ryuzen: That would make sense. As a diplomat, he can't openly wage war. He wanted to gauge the strength of potential enemies first — and after sizing up you two, he probably realized he couldn't win. Which means he'll need to increase his war power. Subjugating weaker races? That's a damn effective way to start.
Shenshi: Then we need to identify his likely target — a race that's small in number, weak enough to be subdued before we can intervene. We find them, we protect them, and throw a wrench in his plans.
Shera: The Orc wasn't the only problem in yesterday's meeting.
Ryuzen: The Goblin King?
Shera: You really are good at this. Yes — I don't believe the Goblin who attended is the real Goblin King. Based on intel from your counties near the new Goblin King's castle, there's no way that Goblin was him. I estimate him to be a very high Tier-4. Not exactly weak, but certainly not strong enough to revolutionize the Goblin race and repel two Dwarven counties.
Ryuzen: How confident are you in that assessment, Your Highness? [mocking tone]
Shera: Don't get cocky. You'll be coming to Rivendale soon enough — then I'll really know your strength.
Ryuzen: We'll see when the time comes. ^So even someone near Tier-5 is considered weak by her... yikes.^
Shenshi: All this means is we may have to fight the Goblins too. Regardless of their strength, fighting two wars will wear us thin.
Ryuzen: Easy fix — we don't fight two wars.
Shera: Easier said than done, Ryuzen.
Ryuzen: Nope. It's just as easy as saying it.
Shera:Ugh, get to the point already!
Ryuzen: We go public with the alliance.
Shenshi: That could definitely make at least one of them pause and reconsider. But are you prepared for the fallout?
Ryuzen: I don't do things half-heartedly.
Shera: Very well, as you wish. I'll instruct my subordinates to spread the word about the tri-alliance.
Ryuzen:NO! What the hell? You can't call it "the tri-alliance"! That name has zero presence. We need something with weight... something like… The Trinity Accord.
Shera: I've got no objection. [looks at Shenshi]
Shenshi: Me neither.
Shera: Then from this moment forward, The Trinity Accord is official.
Shenshi: This doesn't solve anything. It just buys us time. So what's the solution if the Orcs aren't deterred by the announcement?
Shera: We could strengthen the message with a demonstration of force.
Ryuzen: Everyone already knows your power. I'm the weakest link here. I do have an idea though — [glances at Shera] — but it'll delay my visit to Rivendale.
Shera: It's not like I care.
Ryuzen: Then hear me out. Remember Rakaal's invitation? I had my own plans for it... but I could use it now.
Shenshi: That invitation was practically a death sentence. Do you really think you can beat him?
Ryuzen: If I gave everything away, it wouldn't be a surprise. But I guarantee — this will buy us at least a couple months of peace.
Shera: You want us to just trust you?
Ryuzen: I hate that word. Don't "trust" me. Just know I don't make claims I can't follow through on.
Shenshi: I trust in your capabilities. If you're this adamant, I'll leave it in your hands.
Shera: Not like I have a choice now, do I?
Ryuzen: If that's all, I'll take my leave. Although I've just formalized the alliance, I don't yet represent the humans — so I've got some convincing to do.
Shenshi: That's true. Do you need help?
Ryuzen: I'd like the elf spy who tailed me to Durgundar to act as my secret bodyguard.
Shera: In exchange, I want you to tell me how you discovered her.
Ryuzen: Deal. We'll talk when I reach Rivendale.
Ryuzen leaves the chambers and heads to Ayane's room
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Ayane: For god's sake, can you knock?!
Ryuzen: Too bad — I'm an atheist.
Ayane: ^This mf knows how to get on my nerves.^ How did the meeting go?
Ryuzen: First of all, you should avoid that kind of language — even in your head.
I decided to announce the alliance. We need to head back, meet Kaito, set up a Vanguard meeting, and convince the pigs to follow our lead.
Ayane: That's a lot. Are we working with a deadline?
Ryuzen: Yeah — I've got other plans. Two, maybe three weeks, tops.
Ayane: Still keeping me out of the loop, huh? So, when do we leave?
Ryuzen: Actually... now that I think about it, we're not. I need you to handle something else until I'm done with this mess. Oi, elf spy — can you teleport me to Shera or something?
Elf Spy:[appearing between them] Mr. Ryuzen, now that I am no longer a spy, you may call me Lorein Moonveil.
Ryuzen: Cool name. Still just want to see if teleportation works.
Lorein: She's still in the Emperor's Chambers. No need for teleportation.
Ryuzen: Oh come on, let me have this. I just want to see how it feels.
They both vanish from Ayane's view
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Shera's Chambers
Shera: Why are you treating her like your servant, Ryuzen?
Ryuzen: Is that how it looked? Not that I care. I've got a favor to ask.
Shera: I've been waiting for this. Go wait in my chambers — I'll be there shortly.
Ryuzen: Seriously?! You're treating me like this after everything we've been through... [continues rambling]
Shera: Lorein, take him away.
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Lorein teleports Ryuzen to Shera's quarters. After about 15 minutes...
Shera: What's the favor?
Ryuzen: I want you to train Ayane. The same way you're training me.
Shera: The deal was for you alone. If you want to renegotiate, it'll cost you.
Ryuzen: Hear me out — if this goes to plan, it'll benefit you and the alliance more than it benefits me. Honestly, it might even make things worse for me.
Shera: I'm listening...
*YOOOOOOO! It's been sooo long! How are ya?! Wait, what?! The meeting already happened?! Aww man, I missed the whole thing! Damn. What are they even talking about? Meh, I don't care — I just got back and I want some action! I don't wanna hear their boring tea talk. huh what?…. they can't listen over me?….. no that can't be true! oh shit! my bad. FUCK I'm soo sorry....
Shera: That does sound promising. You'll still owe me — but I'll help you with this.
Ryuzen: Deal! Thanks — I'll see you in a couple months. Bye, babe. LOREIN! [teleports out]
Shera: That damn brat...
------
Ryuzen returns to Ayane
Ayane: You left right after asking me to do something. So clearly, you hadn't planned everything out — you're improvising. What do you want me to do?
Ryuzen: Yeah, I thought of it on the spot. I want you to go to the Elven capital — Rivendale. Shera will train you in combat and mana, or whatever you're compatible with. Sorry it's sudden, and that you'll be alone — but I trust her. And this will help you in the long run.
Ayane: ^What is this? Does he seriously care about me? No way… but then, why is he acting like this? Making snap decisions, thinking about my safety, my future... Why am I so important? What's he planning?^
I don't see a problem with it. Why not?
Ryuzen: Good. Lorein — get her to Rivendale?
Lorein: Sorry. She has too little mana for teleportation.
Ryuzen: Ah, so there are conditions. Then, Ayane, just go meet Shera. She'll handle the rest. I've got a mountain of shit to deal with. [teleports to The Nakamura Go-tei]
Ayane: Aaaand he's gone. Guess I'll go meet the princess, then.
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The Princess's Chambers
Shera: Shall we begin our journey?
Ayane: How exactly are we getting there?
Shera: We have a rare artifact — we built a flying ship with it. We'll reach Rivendale in no time.
Ayane: That actually sounds... fun.