☀️ Arselia and Akonia

From the first princess, it was clear that high-flown reasoning was burdensome to her at the moment, which was only confirmed by her laconic answers.

She is trying to adhere to the same standard.

— At the time of the attack on Hopelessness, my father was in the palace, of which nothing remained afterward. Based on this situation, as well as the fact that we never found him, we can draw the appropriate conclusions.

— ... I sympathize with this loss.

Somewhere in the back of Erephir's mind, the idea lingered that a third party might have influenced the fate of the monarch, and the princess knew this, which is why her wording was so careful. However, reality was what it was.

The Knight paused.

— Thirteen. One remained in Risserlande, and Sonata Reim, her students, and other assistants are currently searching for it. The other belongs to Monogat, the main lich of Nephiria. I have no doubt that sooner or later both will be in my hands, and then I will accomplish what neither Akonia nor Arselia could — I will close Anush from the celestials, otherworldly gods, aliens, and other creatures that are unnatural to this world. This has been my mission and dream since childhood, and I have no intention of stopping halfway. After that... I probably won't live much longer, so I'll have to seriously think about an heir.

This was more than Phyr had thought, who estimated the amount of work remaining at around five units at best. The resolution of the story was already near.

— This all sounds very interesting and useful, Erephir, but at the moment I have absolutely no idea how this will work and what time and financial costs are involved.

— Thank you. So, I will investigate.

— I think he wants to separate Mindjin from Welfern and declare himself its monarch, — Naria shrugged indifferently, — he has enough support in this region to do so if the central government weakens sufficiently. Given the current political situation, especially after what happened with Kridear, I think that after the war with Nephiria, if... when we win, that is exactly what will happen. In this case, I will have to choose between drowning the empire's subjects in the blood of a civil war or allowing all the dissatisfied to go their own way. Even if my ancestors curse me, I am inclined to the second option.

Well, Shen was not claiming power in Welfern itself, which was better than Erephir's worst fears. A nod of understanding was the response to this answer. Still, the emperors of the past would not have cursed the Suzerain for this: almost all of them expanded their territories in such a way that little blood was shed, or it was shed, but out of obvious necessity. Her Highness is thinking exactly the same way now, she has nothing to be ashamed of.

There was another thought. The integrity of the Empire has not yet been lost, and if the new Empress proves herself truly outstanding in the war with Farellia and Nephiria, eliminating the long-standing threat, then her authority will certainly be restored. The problem is again with Kridear... Senator Shen will insist that his loss is Naria's fault. This is where a tribunal against the self-willed leader of mercenaries, who really came up with the idea of sacrificing a region, could be helpful... Although it might not help, despite the crowd's love for public executions. In any case, although Erephir was slightly afraid that something like this might happen to her, now it was pointless... The Suzerain looked at all this in a much more humane way, this was clear.

— If this is needed for morale and for the political struggle, the evidence of our victory is with me, — she added to the previous nod.

— The condition of Lady Naera and the servants... I would also like to know. I have a small gift for your sister, if she is happy to receive it at the moment. If not... I will have to wait. I would also like to give you something, but... I'm not sure you want to accept anything right now.

"And also that we think alike about a specific item, it would be better to ask the servants if it is worth making boots from dragon skin. No, probably, I am feeling the emotions incorrectly again, the princess's father's killer does not deserve to be the subject of Her wardrobe, I need to find something else. However, the Suzerain's reaction to the "evidence of our victory" should clarify this issue."