The group was huddled up in one of the rooms, where Agedia continued the crash course on court politics for the group. She looked around at everyone and nodded.
“Ok, final review. Who can tell me the overall layout of the court?”
“Recitation:…”
Agedia sighed.
“Who BESIDES the shiny girl here who can apparently repeat any word I’ve ever said verbatim? Don’t worry, Seero. I know you’ve been paying attention.”
Agedia then glanced at Ateia out of the corner of her eye. Ateia gulped and then nodded.
“Um, so, normally the Emperor and his council rule as they please, but due to…stuff that happened recently, the current Emperor isn’t very strong. So, apparently there’s some Senate that’s regained power now, which is currently split into three factions?”
Agedia nodded.
“Right. Just the governing body that goes back to the earliest days of Elteno, but I know I didn’t enjoy those lessons either. What are the factions?”
Ateia concentrated.
“Um, so first is the traditionalist faction, led by Consul Gallus Albanius Noxisius. They, um…”
Taog sighed and whispered into her ear.
“Ah! They focus on maintaining the traditions of the Empire, and are mostly popular with the Imperial heartland. But for some reason they also don’t support the Emperor? They, um, probably won’t like us, since we’re from Turannia and Seero isn’t Imperial at all.”
Agedia raised an eyebrow but nodded.
“Yep, they’re a bunch of snobby jerks. Next?”
Ateia concentrated once more.
“Next is the military faction, led by Magister Militum Septimus Vipstanus Verrucosis. They represent the interests of the Legion and favor a powerful army. They are mostly popular with current and former legionnaires, as well as the provinces that face regular incursions. They also have connections to the Eastern Court since the Verrucosis family serves in the Legion there.They, um, might not like us since Seero is stealing glory and destroying Legions, even though they were rebels? That’s still weird to me, shouldn’t they be happy Seero stopped a rebellion?”
Agedia shrugged.
“Yep, they’re a bunch of hot-headed jerks. They won't have a problem with Seero killing rebels. They will have a problem with anyone who can destroy a Legion. And last?”
Ateia frowned.
“Um…T-Taog, why don’t you take one?”
Taog sighed but nodded.
“Right, so the last faction is the mercantile faction, lead by Aedile Lar Paesentius Hortensus. They are most made up of newer merchant families and so care mostly about merchants and trade. They have a lot of business connections with the Southern Empire and so likely represent the Southern Court’s interests. They don't have a specific reason to dislike us but even if they don’t we shouldn’t trust them.”
Agedia nodded.
“Yep, they’re a bunch of sleazy jerks.”
Ateia shuffled.
“Um, Agedia?”
“Yes?”
“Is there anyone in the Court who isn’t a jerk?”
Agedia rubbed her chin and thought for a long moment before shrugging.
“Probably Princess Caecila. She’s still learning how to be a jerk. Her husband too, though that’s because he’s kind of an idiot. But the Imperial family’s basically useless right now so don’t rely on them.”
Ateia gulped again.
“I-I see. Um, what about the Magister Exploratores? Can we trust him?”
Agedia’s face turned dark.
“Oh, he’s the worst jerk of them all. He’s stuck-up, callous, abrasive, and stubborn beyond all reason.”
Ateia jumped.
“What?!”
Agedia nodded seriously.
“Yes. He’s my uncle after all.”
Ateia’s jaw dropped.
“Wait what?”
Agedia then shrugged.
“But I will say he’s noticeably less stab-happy than Vibius was, so he probably won’t take you two hostage in an attempt to manipulate and blackmail the shiny girl.”
Agedia’s eyes narrowed.
“But that doesn’t mean you should trust him blindly. My uncle will do anything to protect the Empire. Since you two share that vibe he’ll like you on the surface, but that will not stop him from cutting you off or cutting you down if he thinks you’re a problem. And even if you’re not, he will still use you to the utmost he can get away with for the sake of the Empire. Make no mistake, you have no ‘friends’ in Corvanus, only temporary allies and future enemies. The only people who care about you bunch are you, so make taking care of yourselves priority number one. No one else is going to.”
Ateia and Taog gulped at that. Estrith scoffed.
“I do not see what all this fuss is about. If there are enemies or possible enemies, we should cut them down and grow from their deaths. Why do you Imperials bother so much with words and weaklings?”
Agedia sighed.
“Or you can be like little miss barbarian otter over there and get executed for murder within a week.”
Estrith glared at her.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
“What did you call me?”
Agedia grinned.
“You’re weaker than I am, so by your logic I can call you whatever I like. Isn't that right, miss barbotter?”
Estrith grit her teeth but said nothing.
Just then there was a knock at the door.
“Miss NSLICE-00P? Her Highness has asked me to inform you that we have arrived, and to join her at the hangar as soon as you are ready to disembark.”
Agedia took a deep breath.
“All right kiddies, class is over. Time to see who was paying attention.”
The group took one of the smaller ships down into a hangar in the city below. They then transferred onto a wagon pulled by a unicorn. Princess Caecila brought them to a villa prepared for high-ranking diplomatic guests, and let them rest for the night.
The group awoke to find Agedia waiting for them.
“I’ll be heading out today.”
Ateia froze, her eyes widening.
“You’re not coming with us?”
Agedia shook her head.
“I’m…well…let’s just say there are people who know me here and it wouldn’t help you to bring me along to the palace. The shiny girl could probably get away with it but there are other angles we need to work on anyways. You bunch go and mingle in the Court. I’ll handle the ‘stabbing in dark alleyways’ part.”
She then turned to NSLICE-00P.
“Shiny girl, you got one of those little golems, right? You can communicate with them, right?”
“Affirmative.”
Agedia nodded.
“Lend me one, and let me know if anything serious happens. I’ll do the same.”
NSLICE-00P deployed one of her mini-drone golems to follow Agedia.
“Best of luck. Worst comes to worst, just smile and wave, and let shiny girl do the talking.”
And with that, Agedia made her way out of the villa.
Just after breakfast, Princess Caecila arrived. She gathered the group and led them to the throne room…
The Throne Room of Corvanus was not built into a Legion Keep for once. The provinces entertained their guests with a display of military prowess, but things were different here in the Imperial Heartland. The Throne Room was a separate structure at the center of the city, right in a central courtyard surrounded by small marketplaces. It was Elteni traditional from the early days of the Empire, when the First Emperor declared anyone from the lowest beggar to the Consul of the Senate would have equal access to their ruler.
Terms and conditions now applied to the access but the public and civilian location of the throne room endured.
The throne room was a multi-storied stone structure with large archways serving as entrances and windows, though most of these were blocked off. They stepped into an entrance hall, where they were approached by the guard.
There was some commotion when the guards asked the group to remove their weapons, as NSLICE-00P calmly explained that was both forbidden by protocol and practically impossible without adequate maintenance infrastructure. Estrith, for her part, simply growled at the guards. But Princess Caecila intervened and since NSLICE-00P was an Amiciti Populi Elteni, they were allowed inside even with their arms.
This was not unprecedented, even. The foreigner could keep their weapons, for the Emperor was fully confident in his own.
And so the group entered the throne room itself…
It was an open stone hallway, sparsely adorned. It had stone pillars spaced throughout and a red carpet leading to a simple stone throne. The only decorations were two banners of the Empire standing behind the throne, and a simple brazier next to it.
Let the East have their weapons and the South their gold and jewels. The North needed no adornment but the authority and history of the Empire it had forged.
Well, things weren’t as simple as they appeared. NSLICE-00P detected massive mana signatures flowing through the stone all around her, with countless magic circles engraved just beneath the surface of the walls and roofs and floor. Even the Emperor’s throne was part of this circuit of power. She predicted that any attempt at treachery would be met with overwhelming force.
A number of guards lined the sides of the carpet, wearing golden plate armor and purple cloaks. Men and women in togas and stolas mingled and chattered amongst themselves to either side of the guards.
But all conversation stopped as the group entered the room. Fulcinia stepped forward.
“Her Highness Caecina Galvisia Electus, wife of Imperial Prince Octavianus Numerius Electus.”
Princess Caecina stepped forward.
“Greetings to you, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor of the North sat upon his throne. He nodded to Princess Caecina, but did not speak.
Princess Caecina turned and held her hand out to the back.
“It is my honor to present to you the woman responsible for the victory in Utrad. May I present to the Emperor the Queen of the Dobhar, the Saviour of Utrad and Turannia, and Amiciti Populi Elteni, NSLICE-00P, along with her companions Exploratore Ateia Niraemia, Exploratore Taog Sutharlan, and Estrith Edilddaughter of the Dobhar.”
NSLICE-00P stepped forward, along with her companions.
“Greeting: This unit is designated NSLICE-00P. It is nice to meet Emperor Lucius Numerius Electus.”
Emperor Lucius nodded.
“Greetings to you, NSLICE-00P, it is my honor to welcome a Friend of the Empire to my court.”
Emperor Lucius then nodded to one of his assistants. The assistant stepped forward and opened a scroll.
“The official investigation has revealed that Magister Caelinus declared himself Emperor, and moved to rebel. He was shortly thereafter confronted by NSLICE-00P, who put an end to his treacherous ambitions. The Emperor would like to thank the Queen of the Dobhar for her continued friendship with the Empire, and the favors she has bestowed upon it.”
Emperor Lucius nodded and then opened his mouth to speak.
“First and foremost, I declare that NSLICE-00P is truly a Friend of the Empire and its people, which she has proven now more than once. All talk and speculation regarding her deeds in Turannia shall come to a close. Any further doubts regarding whether she deserves her title are an insult to an Imperial Friend and to this Court, and will be treated as such.”
He glanced around the room at that, making eye contact with several individuals before continuing.
“All assets and holdings of Mettius Burrienus Caelinus and Vibius Vatinius Balbillus will be forfeited and donated to NSLICE-00P. As per her preference, these assets will be conferred to the Empire, which will pay her in equal value. First and foremost, assistance will be offered to her Steward in Turannia for the construction of a port and roads connecting her territory to the Empire. Her people will be permitted to trade with the Empire without restriction.”
The room was filled with murmurs again, mostly insults levied at the former magisters of Utrad. Emperor Lucius raised his hand and continued.
“NSLICE-00P will also be granted an artifact from the treasury as a gesture of my personal thanks. Next, it has come to my attention that our friend has submitted a request to the Exploratores, which was not transmitted beyond Utrad due to the treachery of the Magister Exploratores there. This request will be elevated to an Imperial order, and the Empire will raise the bounty on said request. The Magister Exploratores per Corvanus has been informed of the order, and will personally oversee an investigation on NSLICE-00P’s behalf.”
Emperor Lucius then glanced at a specific person in the room, a man carrying a staff.
“Finally, NSLICE-00P will be granted access to the Imperial Mage’s Academy and their libraries. She will be granted unrestricted access to all materials up to Class Three, with partial access up to Class Four. She should be treated as a Senior Mage of the Academy should she request access to other facilities and resources, and will be assigned an assistant by the Academy to guide her.”
Emperor Lucius then smiled.
“This is a but a small offering compared to what you have done on our behalf, NSLICE-00P. If this court can offer you any further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. You are a friend of the Empire and its people, and the Empire takes care of its friends.”
“Acknowledgement: This unit thanks Emperor Lucius for the assistance with her primary directive.”
Emperor Lucius then turned his attention to NSLICE-00P’s companions.
“Exploratore Ateia Niraemia and Exploratore Taog Sutharlan, step forward.”
Murmurs filled the room at that. Ateia and Taog couldn’t help but jump, their eyes widening as they stepped forward and saluted.
“Exploratore Ateia Niraemia, at your service, Your Majesty.”
“Exploratore Taog Sutharlan, at your service, Your Majesty.”
Emperor Lucius looked them over.
“I am told it was you who forged a friendship with NSLICE-00P and introduced her to the Empire. Likewise, due to the treachery of the Exploratores in Utrad, you two are the only Exploratores who have been assisting an Amiciti Populi Elteni with her requests. Your service has saved two Imperial provinces and has not gone unnoticed.”
Ateia tried not to gulp.
“I-It was our honor, Your Majesty. It’s our duty to protect the people of the Empire and its friends.”
Emperor Lucius nodded.
“Well said. Yet, those who have achieved that duty should not go unrewarded.”
All eyes turned to the Emperor, waiting for his next words.
“I, Emperor Lucius Numerius Electus, elevate Ateia Niraemia and Taog Sutharlan to the Patrician class, with all of its rights and privileges, and assign to them grants of land from the Imperial family’s holdings as their personal estates. And I appoint to them the rank of Imperial Inquisitor, with the mandate to investigate and locate NSLICE-00P’s missing people. You will be the agents of the Empire’s will, to assist NSLICE-00P as a Friend of the Empire deserves.”
Ateia and Taog’s jaws dropped as the throne room erupted into chaos.