Chapter 615: Empire’s Invasion [33]

An ensemble of jovial townsfolk sang. Tragedy had one of two uses, either destroy one’s opponent or grant a cause for people to rally. The latter befitted the discordant Glenda. For the hastiness of preparation; the festival sure garnered many pleasant compliments. Free food and drinks, neighboring taverns were in full swing. Anger displayed into a drunken stupor. In and so sat Igna at Mainde’s Tavern, a quaint little meeting area favorite for deals. In his company sat Vanesa and Draconis, the latter found great pleasure in playing games. The former remained more or less the same. She’d often spout mumbo-jumbo and dowsed right into her nap.

Neatly tucked in a cozy corner, drinks arrived the same as would regular guests. Baron Igna joined the celebration, the hero of Glenda carried weight in a name. The attention was very much appreciated. He kindly knocked back drink after drink, and consciously avoided the cigar.

Opposite them, on a similar yet stained leather seat, settled Kion and Alta. New bar-mates arrived, later on, blond hair and the radiance of upper nobility followed by a tranquil expression of serenity – Julius and Malley.

Igna held his chin with an elbow on the armrest. The first image was, ‘-smugness and confidence,’ not as if they could argue.

“Good to see you again,” said he softly.

“Cousin,” nodded Julius, “-quite the festival. We went around town; people are dancing to their heart’s content.”

“Free food tastes better,” retorted Igna, “-the celebration is on me. Let the people have fun, Glenda’s on the path to change, one we’ll be part of.”

.....

Malley’s curious gaze wandered onto Kion, her heart dropped the moment they made eye contact. “-A-are y-y-you t-the summoned hero?” she stuttered.

“No,” returned a kind blink, “-I’m naught but a man in the service of Baron Igna.”

“I doubt it,” her eyes narrowed, “-the elegant Alta, no way I’ll mistake the hero’s party for some humble nobody.”

“Quiet,” gestured Igna, “-Malley, do be mindful of thy tone,” between the whelming pressure and confusion, the pitch rose to attract attention. Guests slowed their pace to eavesdrop, a mishap beyond her control.

“I apologize,” she resettled.

“Let me explain,” voiced Igna, “-first,” hailing a waitress, “-mind we have more ale?”

“O-on it,” she gulped, her platter rattled, “-w-will that b-be all?” he nodded, and so scurried away. ‘What happened?’ was left to linger

“Someone’s popular,” winked Julius, “-I can see the lady bearing gentle makeup is flustered as well.”

Skipping the playful comments, “-Malley, Julius, these two are indeed Hero Kion and his party. There’s two more dancing about town. To the world, the hero died on the battlefield. Today onward, Kion will have another start at life, one in Alphia in the company of Odgar Codd. He wishes to be a member of law enforcement, tis the best I can offer as of yet. The agency’s a great group of people.”

“Is that the reason we’re here?” inquired the prince.

“Yes, you are to escort them to the airfield tomorrow. Arrangements have been made; a plane should be landing no later than 02:00. My job is done for tonight, Julius, take over, I’m tired.”

“No you’re not,” a portal summoned, red-fiery hair grasped his arms, “-retreating away from the celebration,” added another, one by one, the lights flickered to accommodate Gophy and the rest.

“We deserve our celebration,” interjected Adete sat atop the shoulder.

“And you’re coming with us,” winked Intherna. Miira stood gracefully, a big assuring smile watched as the lord was dragged out by the ears. Lilith and Intherna laughed loudly as they forced him outside.

“There they go making noise again,” said a lady in a seductive gothic-style dress, “-hear me,” her black nails wrapped around Igna’s order of ale, “-Malley, Alta,” she gulped the whole drink, “-there’s no way,” *hic,* her head rocked backed. Senseless jumbles escaped her slowed speech.

“Don’t mind her,” added Miira parting her long blond hair, “-she’s a lightweight when it comes to drinking,” sat with a low-cut dress, “-Prince Julius,” another drink knocked back without even denting her expression, “-are the children here?”

“Yes,” he smiled, “-they should be in the company of Estelle.”

As was said, the lady promenaded with kids in tow. The responsibilities had dulled any spark of revolt, the sharp tongue had no place to be. In addition to carrying a child, the head-maid fumbled along, not knowing the destination. Celebrations went on late, the people enjoyed their time, Igna bonded with his companions, an idyllic end to a less than likable fight.

The clock struck midnight, those blacked out drunk were teleported home, the portals soon led the sober safely away. éclair and Igna watched, the guests gave compliments to then leave. “What a pleasant sight,” returned Igna. A trail of trash, spoiled food, and vomit was left in their wake.

“Unpleasant sire,” refuted éclair, “-they’ve caused quite the mess.”

“Not really, look at their smiles. White and pure, it’s like the stars have descended upon us. Being a baron sure is rewarding at times.” The native of Glenda carried on to the housing district. Doorways to the villages collapsed by a clap.

“Looks like someone’s had more to drink,” commented he on Estelle’s stumbling.

“Help me out...” cried the exasperated Julius, “-I’m stuck with two lightweights,” he held Malley and the maid.

“What happened?”

“Miira,” he exhaled, “-she’s a sadist, I swear. Forcing Malley and Estelle into a drinking battle. Look at her,” he lifted the foot, “-she’s laughing even now.”

“Good job,” winked Igna, “-alright, time to head on home.”

“Fine,” he paused at a stray stool, “-Kion, Alta, Ulia, and Inesa, did I catch the names right?” They followed behind, “-yes you did,” said the hero. Alta’s demeanor was of woe, why would an enemy be so sad? If Gophy hadn’t gotten so drunk, her no holds barred tongue would have sliced the tension instantly. Sadly, upon glancing back, Igna digressed the thought. Goddess of Chaos had lost her mind and body into Intherna’s rather unstable posture. Add Lilith to the mix, and the daughter of Rah pleaded for help. Miira coyly ignored the request, choosing to care for Draconis instead. A distant, ‘-don’t hurl,’ halted shy of his ear.

Ignoring the mess, Kion turned to Alta, “-what’s the matter?” he inquired sincerely.

“I don’t know,” she stared the ground, “-I don’t want to leave, I don’t know why. Something compels me to stay,” her tender lashes stared on to Igna, “-my lord baron, is there perhaps a way I can serve you instead?”

“Another girl?” chuckled Julius, “-someone’s popular...”

“Shut it,” he returned, “-Alta, what about Kion, aren’t thee a trusted companion of his entourage. Isn’t it selfish to assume I’ll say yes?”

“No, it’s not,” she refuted, “-Kion said we were free to choose our paths since he selfishly agreed to start again. I want said opportunity; I don’t want to be shackled.”

“My lady, I understand thy troubles,” interjected éclair, “-alas, things aren’t so clear cut. There are underlying issues we ought to take into account. Glenda has restarted, the enemies and spies may still be around. Trust is primordial for the rebuilding of a council. The debacle of steward Undre,” he fixed Inesa, “-has shaken me to my core. As butler to my lord, I won’t accept such whimsical plea.”

The cold night felt colder, Alta’s dream squandered before ever lifting. She crumbled to her knees dramatically, fake or not, the watery shine of her eyes cried loudly. Kion had his head down, Ulia and Inesa were ashamed – such demands on he who had graced their survival would be blatant insolence. As a fellow whimsical type of person, he gave the matter a few seconds then exhaled. Intherna’s struggle ended in defeat, the three fell to eat the hardened dirt.

“Let me see,” added Igna, “-Kion, Ulia, and Inesa,” they looked up, “-what’s your look on her plea?”

“I have no room to argue,” said Kion.

“Same here,” added Ulia.

“Alta’s always been a girl to speak her mind,” firmed Inesa.

A subtle gesture ordered éclair to lend an ear, “-you’re going to hate this,” whispered Igna, “-if she’s truly who I think she is, we might learn more about the always enigmatic Empire.”

historical

“As you wish,” he sighed, “-I don’t have much room to argue either.”

“Good on you,” two patriotic taps on the butler’s chest sorted the issue.

Stood overlooking the woeful Alta, “-raise thine head.”

“...” she obeyed.

“It so happens the position of steward is available. Alta, let’s conduct a short interview.”

“Really?” she quickly wiped her tears, “-please, let’s do it.”

“What’s your name and background?”

“My name’s Alta Lionheart, a Bishop of the Dustina’s church. I hail from a noble family with deep ties to the emperor, my mother’s the sister of Paradus Essin. I graduated from the Imperial Academy at the age of sixteen and was offered a position as a trainee in the Cobalt Unit. I worked there for four years, completed my education in Magiology, and moved to fulfill my duties as a companion to the summoned hero.”

“Those are some big titles,” added éclair, “-what of the proof?”

“I vouch for her,” added Kion, “-she’s the smartest member of our group with the noblest of lineage. All the more reason I can’t intrude into her affairs.”

“What of statesmanship?”

“I was taught from the ground up in the arts of leading a nation. Boys and girls sharing close-blood ties to the Imperial family are required to do so.”

“Lastly, what of the aspirations, why choose to work in a less than amicable place?”

“You, my lord,” said she loudly, “-I admire you as a leader. There’s a certain charm about the way you move people. A speech with the power to elevate the people’s morale. As a child of nobility, I’ve always sought after someone to look up to, a mentor, and a guide. Everyone’s fallen short until today, please, take me as thy disciple.”

“Alta Lionheart,” he held out a hand, “-consider thyself employed.”

“R-really?” she accepted the offer.

“I can’t well ignore the weight of thy upbringing.” The discussion ended; a few words of courage parted their ways. Kion left for a new life. Miira took the lead and safely returned the drunken goddesses. éclair, Igna, and Alta remained before a wasteland.

“Master,” bowed éclair, “-I ought to return to my duties.”

“We’ll be in touch, have the reports be forwarded to lady Elvira and lady mother.”

“As you wish,” he vanished in a blackened mist.

Draconis slept face down onto the dirtied ground, “-how careless can you be?” complained he hoisting the little devil.

“I have a question,” she inquired rather shyly.

“What is it?” they walked.

“How should I address you?”

“No idea, a noble working as a stewardess is peculiar. How about we keep to Igna and Alta, is that acceptable?”

“Would it not be too formal?”

“Formality?” he chuckled, “-what would creating boundaries accomplish?” Stopped at the apex of the festival, “-Alta, I hope you don’t regret the decision.”

“What’s there to regret?”

“A lot of things. Working under me means getting involved in the dark side of what is considered moral. I kill if I can’t get what I want, I’ll eliminate anyone in my path. Corruption and blackmail, if they’re the only way to attain my goal, I’ll do it without a single thought. Therefore, bishop of Dustina, the coming days will alter thy perspective on life.”

“I’m settled on said front,” returned she strongly, “-we’re taught to use any underhanded trick available to guarantee victory.”

“A fellow schemer,” he chuckled, “-Welcome to the team,” they climbed onto the watchtower. “Here’s the office, bedroom, and everything. Construction on a new administrative building is in the coming renovations. For now, Glenda’s hierarchy consists of me and you,” dropped in bed, “-open the closet, there’s a portal headed to my manor.’ *Box of Alche: Creation.* a ring materialized, “-there, catch.”

“What’s this?”

“A signet ring, it bears the crest of Glenda and thy affiliation to me. Go on and rest, we got a big day tomorrow.”

.....

“As thee wish, my lord.”