Imperatrix Fallen: Alith's Cradle

XIII

WARNING: High-Energy ██████.

Use during the next █████ attack. Lunar cycle, distance to the core, ███████ ██████████ must be compensated.
Input energy: 250,000████Kv
Dossier on the Operational Status of the Walking Weapon, Prototype D-02, page 24, sent by the County of the Book to Quinta Uldrich and transferred to the King's County for its operation.

Makia arrived, walking toward the city gym. It was the chosen venue for the banquet. The decorations began two streets away, with colorful ribbons adorning the streetlights and floral arrangements on the corners. The festive colors were red, blue, and green, representing the Victrix, the Sacros, and the Aeternos. Elegant vehicles parked at the entrance as distinguished figures from Frontera III and its surroundings arrived.

Makia reached the door, guarded by two imposing Victrix soldiers. They eyed him from head to toe.
"Invitation?"
Makia handed over a crumpled piece of paper. One of the guards inspected it, then glanced back at him.
"Where do I leave the gift?" Makia asked nervously.
The guards exchanged looks.
"A gift for...?"
"For Carlota?"
"Leave it by the table," one of them chuckled.

Makia stepped inside the hall. "What the hell do I know about protocols for these things? Wasn't I supposed to bring a gift?"
Someone grabbed his arm—it was Marchit. Makia was momentarily stunned by how beautifull she looked in her tight green gala dress.
"You're late!"
"I... I'm sorry," he stammered, unable to stop staring. She noticed, blushing slightly.
"I'll just go drop this off, be right back."

Makia approached the gift table. It was stacked with grand presents, and his seemed pitiful by comparison. "So that's why they laughed, those arrogant jerks..." Nearby sat a table of Victrix officers, six peculiar individuals, all in their thirties. One of them was the albino, Valz. "Pfft, whatever." He discreetly placed his gift among the others, hiding it a bit. The six officers paused their conversation to stare at him. "Great, they're just adding to my nerves." Makia hurried back toward Marchit.

"Hey! Why so tense?" Quinta greeted him with exaggerated cheerfulness.
"I... uh, nothing. How are you?" he muttered. "She looks good... for someone who almost got me killed..."
"I'm so happy to see you! Miss Valeria gave me a gift, so this day couldn't be better."

Marchit hooked her arm around Makia's, interrupting the moment. "To our table, dear," she whispered into his ear. At the same time, three of Quinta's escorts pulled her away. They were from the Musics, clearly uneasy upon seeing Makia. "What are you doing here? Get back to entertaining—there's no stopping the music!" Quinta joked playfully at her escorts. It was only then that Makia noticed one of the guitarists in the band was Laura. "She looks different in clothes, ha!" he thought.

The evening proceeded smoothly. Makia tried to engage in conversation with the officers at Marchit's table, all of them recounting their exploits and old battles. Several soldiers came by to greet him. In the back of the hall, the main table stood, with Carlota seated in the center, Valeria to her right, and Rola to her left. The cousins chatted animatedly. As usual at these events, alcohol coursed through nearly everyone's veins, even the youngest soldiers. When the music shifted from solemn to something more lively, couples began to dance. "No... no, damn it." Marchit was already looking at him. Resigned, he took her to the center of the hall. By now, most of the tables were nearly empty.

One of the peculiar Victrix officers, a blonde man with a cheerful expression and rosy cheeks, approached one of Quinta's women to ask her to dance but was rejected. Laughter erupted from his table across the hall. Carlota danced with Valz. Rola paired up with another Victrix officer, sharp-featured with long, curly black hair down to his shoulders. Valeria watched quietly. Small informal groups had formed between the Victrix officers, the Sacros, and the invited landowners, exchanging praises. "These peasants have never felt so important," Valeria mused.