Steel and Mana

Chapter 349 – Leon & Mirian

The halls of the Ishillian Imperial Palace were quieter than usual; the different branches of the bloodline were barely making any noise within the deepest parts of their ancient nesting. With Mirian's return and the fact she held the Spear of Death, claiming Pascal's life with it, none of them even tried to protest. One by one, they turned themselves in, bowing towards Mirian, lining up to serve her as the one and only Empress. They knew they had no chance of marrying one of their own, offering them to the Empress... but she already had a son. So the race had begun, and Mirian knew it. But she also knew that changing the customs would take a long time... so she had to prepare herself, the Empire, and her son because she wouldn't let his life turn out to be like the previous, depraved Emperors and Empresses.

She was walking through the intact inner sanctum where the marble floors were polished to a mirror sheen, her steps echoing loudly, lost in her thoughts as she headed to the private chambers that she quickly designated as her own until the destroyed Emperor's Wing got rebuilt. She knew the Palace's renovation would take years, but there was no time to wait. Some of the people celebrated, and some were silently lamenting, but she did neither. It was the time for work and action, enacting her will over the Capital and then through the Empire, bringing it swift stability, with force if she had to.

It went surprisingly smoothly, at least within the Empire. Maybe it was because it was the first time since immemorial that the Spear had responded to someone sitting on the throne. It was enough to make everyone bow to her will... Unless they were foreigners. Because she was still waiting for the answers from the Geth and Sar Empires. However, at least it gave her a momentary respite, which she usually spent underground, combing through Pascal's hidden collection, cataloging everything, and taking inventory of what she had access to.

She was bringing a stack of the old books with her, intending to read them for a quick rest, sitting down in her private study, flipping through the thousand-year-old codexes. The heavy oak desk before her was already cluttered with other scrolls, ancient maps, and some fresh reports, which were usually coming in daily from different regions within the Empire. Just by glancing at them, she couldn't help but sigh, rubbing her temples as she tried to divert her focus away from the current issues and to try and relax. What she was actually interested in was the spell Pascal unleashed... And the reaction Sasha and Leon had to it.

Of course, she knew the name Vasa, but besides that, most of her knowledge was only ancient tales and fables. But... there had to be something more hidden in Pascal's tomes, especially if he managed to unleash something like his last try at killing his enemies. Her fingers traced the edge of a copy of a two-thousand-year-old map describing the North.

"Is it a coincidence that Avalon was established there?" she asked herself silently, looking at the old borders, which showed the mark right on the Pass Avalon was guarding as one of their cities in ancient times. "Probably not..."

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She straightened her posture, quickly donning the composed expression of an Empress, before allowing the visitor to enter. It was one of her newest advisors, Duke Darien Voss, part of one of the freshly raised families within the city. His presence told enough after entering, betraying how nervous but excited he was, willing to serve to the best of his abilities, fiddling with his fingers.

"Your Majesty," Darien said, bowing slightly. His voice was heavy with tension, and his shoulders betrayed his unease. It seemed that something had happened... But, before she could tell him to speak up, the man continued. "Sovereign Leon of Avalon has arrived. He requested to meet with you now... We tried to tell him it was getting late, but he insisted on waiting for you in the Grand Hall."

"You could have led him to me." Mirian exhaled softly, her breath sounding a bit annoyed. She told everyone that if Leon came, they should act as if he was of the same rank as her... but... Oh well. Ishillians are not used to bowing to others. Also, she knew that this meeting had been inevitable. Now that the war was over, it was time to talk about peace and the future. Finalize all the promises they made each other. And possibly, it could be the end of their alliance, which she hoped would not be the case. "Very well," she said, rising from her seat. Her gown, which was a deep crimson embroidered with gold thread, swept against the floor as she fastened it around her waist. "Let us not keep him waiting."

...

The Grand Hall was still as I remember it, although I mostly kept my head down the last time I was here. Heh... Anyway, I came here to finish what we started because after I meet with Mirian, I will ask my people to head back. Elliot had already collected his people, heading back towards home, a kind of parading march of our victory so everyone along our future borders knows whose side he is on. To make the point stick in every noble's mind forever, I sent the Valiant along with him. For an... added effect.

My thoughts were broken up when Mirian entered the hall, her footsteps echoing loudly, reverberating from the walls around us. She was followed by the same noble who welcomed me into the Palace, and I could see it in her eyes—the silent plea to ignore what had happened. Of course, I simply smiled because I wouldn't get hung up on things like this. It would be meaningless and petty. I reserve the latter for my enemies.

"Leon," she greeted me formally, motioning toward a smaller chamber off to the side. "Shall we speak in private?"

"I'd prefer that." I nodded, following her inside and letting her close the door behind us. The room was more intimate than the hall outside, its walls made out of bookshelves filled with countless books, and by the text on their spines, they were cataloging all the laws that ever went into effect in the Empire. The table in the middle of the room was adorned with a carved map on its surface, showing the original size and shape of the Empire with all of its regions. Well, well, well... I think, after today, this map will need to be redrawn. Or at least modified.

"You’ve done well for yourself," I said as I took a seat where I could sit close to the Northern region. My voice was much more relaxed now that we were alone, not bothering to keep up with any type of protocol. "You brought control over the city almost in a day, not to mention how you are handling the Empire. I'm impressed!"

"Thanks, it isn't easy. And I miss my hubby and son... But until I am certain the city is safe, I won't bring them here." She shrugged while she sat across from me, her hands resting lightly on the table. She studied me for a moment, maybe looking for something she missed, but I wasn't here to demand anything or renege on any of our previous deals. "The Spear also helps. I usually bring it everywhere now, and seeing it makes the nobles fall in line without resistance. Some even started calling me a Divine Empress... And I am not going to correct them."

"Yeah, I wouldn't either." I nodded, chuckling.

"But let’s not waste time with pleasantries. You and I both understand what this meeting is about."

"Sure," I smiled slightly, the corner of my mouth lifting and laying it out clearly before her. "Well, my Avalon’s intervention saved Ishillia from complete ruin, and as we talked about it before, we didn’t do it out of charity. We acted because it was necessary—for our own survival, as much as yours. I want to make this agreement between us official now that you are sitting firmly on your throne."

"Indeed." She nodded, acknowledging the truth of my words. "So what does Avalon seek in return? Is it still only your independence? Or did it change?"

"No, it did not." I leaned back slightly, my gaze never leaving hers. "It is the same as before. First and foremost, I want stability. Wars and conflicts benefit no one. So... I offer Ishillia a long-term alliance, one where we stand together after our region separates from yours."

"I have already drafted the agreement." She said calmly, reaching into her gown and presenting me with a parchment that, after I unfurled, reading through it, I smiled happily. Indeed. It was her edict that the Frontier would separate from Ishillia and become its own nation. Nations. Because Elliot was included in it, too.

"I appreciate it, really." I chuckled, happy that she wasn't going back on it or trying to ask for time to weasel out of our verbal deal.

"Honestly, I was ready to gift you the whole North." She smiled, making me shake my head.

"Avalon has no interest in ruining Ishillia. We are not conquerors, as I said. What we seek is a peaceful life. We are a sovereign nation, independent of Ishillia, free to govern ourselves as we see fit, and that is enough."

"What about the resources you need?" she asked, not in surprise but simply asking about my plans.

"I am not interested in dealing with politics of nobles and different cities, their needs and whatnot... I am only interested in what they have, so I will be more than willing to trade for it. This means that in exchange for accessing them, we offer you our technological and military expertise just as before, as well as extend the same trade agreements that are in place now. That would greatly aid in your reconstruction efforts."

"Meaning...?" She pressed on, wanting to hear me say it.

"I am offering to sell you the complete blueprints for the trains."

It was time. With Ishillia calming down, I wanted to reach all the resources it could offer to me. For that, a proper railway was insurmountable. Not to mention, having it would also help Ishillia rebuild and grow, making it a strong shield for us.

"You ask for too little," she sighed, shaking her head. "Many in Ishillia will still see Avalon as a rogue province, not a separate nation. I will do my best to prevent it. Also, you underestimated your influence on the North. They will listen to you more than to me, so it will be hard for me to put proper noble families there to rule them. The last thing I want is for them to start clashing with you."

"I think we would be able to deal with them." I leaned forward, my elbows resting on the table.

"That is what I am also afraid of..." She shrugged, shaking her head.

"Don't worry about it too much. It will be fine!"

"I do hope so." She tapped her fingers against the table, the rhythm steady but betraying her inner turmoil. "I have my hands full with the South and East, and I value you as an ally, Mr. Sovereign! The last thing I need is fucking our partnership up."

"Ahaha, relax! It will be fine." I laughed, eventually making her nod.

"What about the two prisoners you got?"

"What about them indeed..." I muttered, crossing my hands. "I don't know. Ideas?"

"Execute them." She said calmly, "I would if you handed them over."

"I guessed as much..."

For a moment, both of us fell silent. I wasn't lying; I couldn't decide what to do with Kiva and Lucca. I asked everyone on my side for their opinions, but there was a stalemate. Some wanted to keep them, turn them, led by Merlin. The other party, led by Yuri, was saying they should be beheaded, no questions asked.

It reminded me of how something like this played out in my old world, making us reach the Moon and raise a flag there. Maybe it was time for my own Operation Paperclip.

"What if..." I started, but Mirian raised her hand.

"It is a risk that is yours to take. Just make sure they don't come back for me if you let them loose. Otherwise, I will have serious beef with you."

"Understood." I smiled, "Don't worry. I don't think you will ever see them again..."

"That would be the best. So? Are we in agreement?"

"We are, Empress Mirian Ishillia." I nodded, reaching out with a hand and slowly shaking hers.

"Glad to hear, Sovereign of Avalon. One more question, though..."

"Yes?"

"How's Sasha?"

"Oh." I chuckled, "She woke up this morning. She is already up and walking."

"Glad to hear!" She sighed, "I would like to meet her... I wanted to say my thanks personally. If not for her, we would be all... dead."

"Yeah." I nodded my head. "She is awesome, isn't she? I chose my wives perfectly, didn't I~?"