Caelusmens (Month 12) 19, 1616 Central Calendar, 13:00
Roguerider Foundation Headquarters, San Redentore District, Runepolis
When the disguised Princess Lugiel stepped into the private lounge Meteos typically frequented, she found the boy and his older brother Ace taking a nap, sprawled across the couches. The moment they sensed her presence, however, their slumber came to an end as they quickly stirred awake and sat upright.
"Oh my... I'm sorry for waking you boys," Lugiel sheepishly apologized.
"...Your Highness, you're here... Sorry. We weren't prepared for you," Meteos shook his head and returned her words with an apology of his own out of courtesy.
"Apology accepted, don't be so hard on yourself."
As Lugiel approached and eased into an empty couch across from the brothers, hands folded in her lap, she maintained her relaxed demeanor, observed their groggy faces, and made a lighthearted comment.
"...Honestly, you two really look like you could use a slow weekend. Tell me, do you two ever go on double dates with your girlfriends?"
"I'll pretend you didn't say that last part," Meteos groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "But I really don't mind a slow weekend or two..."
He recalled Nadia and Annette making a remark about seeing the penguins that had started moving in from the north in winter. And since there are no penguins in Parpaldia and its vicinity, he might as well show them to Kaios and the others. It's just that duty makes it hard to box this weekend and of course it's Zarathostra of the Messiah's fault.
"It's not that easy to find time with everything else going on," Ace said as he grabbed a hair tie to tame his messy hair into its usual style.
Lugiel nodded once and took a moment for everyone to settle down.
"Alright. Anyway, His Majesty has decided on certain policies, so I came by to inform you in advance."
Lugiel's words caught the two's attention.
"Hm, what kind of development?" Meteos asked, looking at her expectantly. Since Lugiel has a direct line of communication with Emperor Milishial VIII, being his spymaster, she can relay his decisions to the White Lotus without waiting for him to reveal it at the meeting with his ministers. This enables the White Lotus Leader to formulate plans in advance, either to support the emperor or to set him straight. But in the end, just like the Order of the Ancients before him, even Meteos can only give counsel. The final decision rests with the Emperor. He's just that powerful as an individual.
"Well, first of all, His Majesty has decided to give a decree canceling the Foreign Ministry's diplomatic visit to Bushpaka Latan and rethink the whole strategy now that the truth is out... A plausible excuse is being formulated, but it shouldn't raise an alarm on the other side, right?"
"Alarming the other side...? Hm, I don't think so. Diplomats from civilized countries canceling their visits to barbaric lands are commonplace in the known world. The current geopolitical situation works in our favor so as not to be seen as suspicious this time," Ace mused.
"Besides, the other side's response regarding this matter is one that Mr. Karl Krunch can inform us about, yes?"
Meteos nodded. Now if only their submarines would stop probing the Holy Empire's defenses. Encounters with 'unidentified sea monsters' on the waters near the equator which always flee when sonar detects them are becoming annoying. While it's tempting to sink one or two, doing so might unintentionally alert the enemy at an inopportune time. The enemy doesn't escalate their actions because they're smart and cautious. Unfortunately for the HME, they still can't beat Annonrial even if they go berserk.
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Just A Reincarnation Story (Summoning Japan Edition)
Fanfiction"Unacceptable. If there's one thing that a conveniently appearing overpowered entity in this world has shown us, is that we are seen as weak and hopeless. I find that previous life's terms unacceptable. I want a better world. With these hands, I dar...
