NSLICE-00P and the others moved to a reception room, but a few minutes later the attendant stopped by again.
“My apologies, Miss NSLICE-00P, but there appears to be a second guest and a question of ordering. We are not certain how you would like us to proceed.”
“Acknowledged.”
NSLICE-00P rose to her feet and made her way to the entrance. The attendant’s eyes widened, but Taog just smiled wryly and shrugged, then the group followed after her.
Outside the house, NSLICE-00P found an ornate carriage covered in colorful gems and precious metals, along with Princess Caecila’s carriage. Princess Caecila was standing by the entrance, facing a man in a toga with her attendants.
“Now now, Princess, I know you are eager to make friends and play about. But Senator Balbus has some actual business to attend to with your friends. I’m sure you understand.”
Princess Caecila crossed her arms and frowned. Fulcinia responded in her place.
“And I’m not sure you do. Her Highness was commanded by the Emperor to act as emissary and guide to the visiting Amiciti Populi Elteni, as well as his liaison to two Imperial Inquisitors. Senator Balbus has not scheduled a meeting with us and has no authority regarding anyone here, so Her Highness’s arrangements take priority.”
The man scoffed.
“The Princess may claim any titles she wishes, it does not change the fact that she is a mere child flailing about, of dubious origins at that. Go, and let her enjoy her leisure. But do not suppose to interfere with official Senate business, or there will be consequences.”
Fulcinia’s face turned red and she was about to respond when Princess Caecila caught sight of NSLICE-00P. She smiled and walked towards the cyborg. The man tried to cut her off but Typheras stood between them. The man’s face puffed up but the minotaur woman just grinned and pointed.
“Before you feel the need to berate my ancestors, you should know you’re falling behind.”
The man glanced over, glared back at Typheras, and then stormed off to approach NSLICE-00P as well. Princess Caecila has already greeted her in the meantime.
“Request: Please report on the current situation.”
Princess Caecila nodded.
“I am pleased to inform you that we have determined the gift we will give you. We’d also like to invite you to visit the Imperial Treasury as a token of our trust and gratitude. If you would come with me, we can head there right away.”
“Acknowledged.”
“Hold it right there!”
The man in the toga stormed up to them. NSLICE-00P turned to face him.
“I am Drusus Vatinius Vitalion, emissary of Senator Paulus Fadius Balbus. Senator Balbus requires your presence at his villa today to discuss matters of great import. Your tours with the Princess will have to be put on hold.”
“Greeting: This unit is designated NSLICE-00P, it is nice to meet you. Request: Please specify details of Senator Bablus’s business with this unit.”
Emissary Vitalion stared at her for a second.
“Obviously, you are ignorant to the way of things here in Corvanus. Senator Balbus is a highly esteemed member of the Senate as well as a personal confident of Consul Noxisius. While we find it problematic you have not presented yourself as of yet, Senator Balbus is gracious enough to extend an invitation, that he may educate you on the proper ways of conducting yourself.”
“Requesting Clarification: So Senator Balbus is extending an offer of education regarding etiquette protocols?”
Emissary Vitalion sputtered for a second.
“Now see here, Senator Balbus is a very influential person in Corvanus society and it is a given that you will greet him. That must be your highest priority at present.”
“Requesting Clarification: So Senator Balbus is a significant authority and wishes for this unit to submit to an official procedure?”
At that moment, Princess Caecila interjected.
“Ah, Senator Balbus is indeed an influential figure, but there are no official procedures in place requiring you to do so. His subordinates and individuals requesting his patronage would need to present themselves, but if he simply wishes to greet you he may schedule a meeting at any time, provided he does not interfere with the official mandate by the Emperor.”
“Acknowledged.”
NSLICE-00P turned back to Emissary Vitalion.
“Query: Can emissary Drusus Vatinius Vitalion provide any details on the benefits to this unit of presenting herself to Senator Balbus?”
The man’s face contorted several times.
“Now see here! One does not simply demand benefits from Senator Balbus, such a barbaric thing is simply not done! But Senator Balbus takes care of his own, should you show appropriate respect for him, he will certainly find a place for you among the elite.”
“Analysis: This unit is not affiliated with the Empire or any political or social structures within it, and already possesses adequate connections with high-ranking individuals. A place among elite society not predicted as sufficiently beneficial for this unit’s primary directive.”If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
Emissary Vitalion gaped at her, then his face twisted in rage.
“Be careful, friend of the Emperor. You may have the ragged Imperial family of dubious blood licking your feet, but you have not won the favor of the true masters of the Empire. And you have already insulted them once with your negligence. There will be consequences if you do so again…for you, and for your friends.”
NSLICE-00P’s robotic eye turned red, causing the man to stumble back.
“Warning: Hostile intent towards this unit or designated friendlies will result in immediate termination.”
Princess Caecila stepped in between them.
“Let’s calm down for a moment, shall we? Obviously Senator Bablus would never threaten violence towards an Amiciti Populi Elteni, or two Imperial Inquisitors and members of the Patrician class. Such a thing would stain his name, and wouldn’t be done, isn’t that right?”
Princess Caecila glanced at Emissary Vitalion. The man opened his mouth, then frowned and fell silent. She turned back to NSLICE-00P.
“So there is no need for confrontation. Please, Miss NSLICE-00P, feel free to do as you please. I’m sure that Senator Balbus would like to avoid any misunderstandings, after all, so perhaps he would like to make a more formal approach at a later time? Unless you wish to greet him now, of course.”
“Response: Hostile intent has not been confirmed and no benefit to the primary directive is predicted. Offer by Princess Caecila is predicted as improving this unit’s general capabilities, and so will be prioritized.”
Princess Caecila’s eyes widened, then she broke out into a big smile.
“But of course. It is my pleasure to be of assistance.”
And so the group made their way onto Princess Caecila’s carriage, and set off for the Imperial treasury. Emissary Vitalion was left behind, his face red and a vein bulging on his forehead.
“Do not think I will forget this!”
On the way there, Ateia and Taog frowned.
“Princess Caecila, may I ask a question?”
Princess Caecila smiled.
“Of course, Ateia. Please, do not feel reserved around me. We have fought side by side now, have we not?”
Ateia made a small smile at that, before frowning once again.
“Is that…Senator Balbus going to be a problem? Was it a bad idea for Seero to just reject him like that?”
Princess Caecila crossed her arms and huffed.
“He was already a problem. He would be doing his daily greetings for his subordinates right now. Requesting that miss NSLICE-00P greet him right at this moment would imply that she is submitting to his patronage. So regardless of whether he respects me or the Emperor, he should at least have requested that miss NSLICE-00P meet with him in private at a later time. Though…that could have been the emissary’s doing as well. Drusus Vatinius Vitalion is known to be a bit haughty.”
Taog crossed his arms.
“Should we expect any retaliation?”
Princess Caecila rubbed her chin.
“I do not believe so, at least not openly. Drusus made a big mistake, having that exchange out in public, which means everyone will know he made an unreasonable demand of an Amiciti Populi Elteni. If Senator Balbus is smart, he will play it off as Drusus’s error.”
Taog’s eyes narrowed.
“What if he’s not smart?”
Princess Caecila frowned.
“Even in that case, Drusus invoked Consul Noxisius’s name. The Consul himself may be held responsible if Senator Balbus moves against you, and so would step in to stop any…more emotional reactions.”
Then she smiled.
“But enough of this. You will have the Emperor’s full support in such matters, rest assured. Besides, today I have the honor of showing you the Imperial Treasury. Please, look forward to the visit.”
Princess Caecila led them to the Imperial palace. The Treasury was kept in the center of the palace, the most guarded location in the Empire, and where the Emperor could access anything inside of it on demand. She led the group to a large gate with a sculpted mural of the Empire’s greatest battles on it, and two barracks of Imperial guards on either side. NSLICE-00P could detect a truly impressive amount of mana flowing through those gates.
But the Emperor had sent word ahead of time, so the gates opened without any fuss.
Inside there was no gold or Idrint. The coffers of the Northern Court were kept elsewhere, this place instead housed only the true treasures of the Emperor. Inside was a hallway dotted by alcoves on either side. Each alcove held a pedestal, upon each of which rested an artifact. While guards stood at either end of the hall and patrolled up and down it, the artifacts appeared unprotected at first glance. However, NSLICE-00P detected powerful and invisible magic barriers over each of the alcoves, and in the pedestals holding the artifacts. As with the throne room, things were not as they seemed when it came to defense.
Princess Caecila led them down, pointing out some of the objects.
“That is the lance of Vlatugni, the chieftain of the Mélusine who fought against Velus himself. This is a scale of Rityss, the Dark Dragon who once burned Elteno.”
As the group walked down the hallway, Ateia glanced around. As she did, she caught sight of a small ring, sitting on a pedestal. A simple silver band, set with a white gem. Beautiful in its own right but somewhat plain compared to the mighty artifacts all around it.
For some reason, Ateia couldn’t take her eyes off it. She stepped towards it, falling out of step with the group. Taog noticed her step away and turned to her.
“Ateia?”
He called out to her, but she didn’t seem to hear him. Princess Caecila noticed them fall behind, and walked over to them.
“Ah, you have a good eye.”
Ateia wobbled slightly, as if in a daze.
“What, is it?”
Princess Caecila nodded.
“We believe this is the Ring of the Saintess, given by Velus to his wife Luxia. She was said to have been a great hero no less than he, and the most powerful wielder of Holy Magic the world has ever seen. Well, no one on record has been able to actually do anything with this ring, so it may not be a powerful artifact, but we do believe that it deserves our respect.”
Ateia nodded, and then stood in silence, staring at the ring. After a bit, Taog placed a hand on her shoulder.
“You ok, Ateia?”
Ateia shook her head and then turned back to him.
“Fine, let’s move on.”
Princess Caecila continued the tour until they arrived at their destination. The pedestal in question held two books. Both had blank covers with no adornments, but one was worn and tattered, while the other appeared brand new.
“This is the Grimoire of Arofinas Leolar, High King of Mirima, given in friendship to Velus. A full compilation of the mystical knowledge of the Half-Elven King, written in Imperial for Velus's convenience.”
Princess Caecila turned to NSLICE-00P and bowed her head.
“I am sorry. I spoke with the Emperor on getting you access to the Mages’ Academy’s records on spatial magic, but Class Five materials are restricted even for an Amiciti Populi Elteni. The Court didn’t reject it out of hand, but the most we could do is leave it to the discretion of the Magister Arcanum, so you will have to speak with him on accessing those materials. But, the Emperor does have some magical knowledge he controls directly, and so we decided what we would gift you with.”
Princess Caecila held a pendant to the side of the alcove, and whispered into it. NSLICE-00P detected the barrier around that alcove fading. Princess Caecila then gently picked up the book with the newer cover, and held it out to NSLICE-00P.
“In the same spirit as the High King of Mirima, the Empire now presents this to our friend in turn. A complete and exact copy of the Grimoire, of which only one is kept at a time. The Emperor hopes you will find the knowledge illuminating.”
NSLICE-00P took the book.
“Expressing Gratitude: This unit thanks you for the additional intel.”
And so NSLICE-00P acquired the Grimoire of Arofinas Leolar.