☀️ Arselia and Akonia

"-- Something wrong?" Fyr clarified. "M, if you don't like it, you can be Alari again, but I just thought I saw skepticism in your eyes, so... There was also the option 'Lara'."

— Probably, Riya will be the best of all the options, — the Tanarsian woman exhaled, — it just feels a little... strange. Unfamiliar.

The redhead seriously studies the texts.

"-- You have a good, classical, ballad-like style. And the theme is martial, just as I like it. The music, it seems to me, fits easily here: it's easy to imagine accompaniment from a lute or guitar. This is helped by the way you strictly place stresses, for example:

"-- This sets the rhythm, which I like. Of course, if you want to move strictly in the direction of the classics, you could try to adhere strictly to poetic meters, but... As far as I can tell, people move away from that; at least I don't recall it in songs. In short, your modesty is false."

— Thank you. I hope this doesn't sound wrong, but I didn't think you were so knowledgeable about music either, — Alaria smiled warmly, — and I deliberately started my creative attempts with classical options before moving on to anything else. Even though I understand that the ballad genre is far from the most popular or in demand. But I plan to try my hand at others as well, just in the process of composing a more upbeat piece. Probably, — she thought deeply, — in the end, everything will depend on the desired theme and purpose of the song. I don't want to box myself into narrow limits and limit myself to just one thing.

"-- When I was writing the song, I tried to move far away from the classics towards experimentation, and I won't be modest, I really like what came out, simply because otherwise there would be no point in writing it ) But I'm still interested in someone's opinion, especially regarding the performance, since singing is new to me. Can you listen, please, please? )

She performs.

— Well, yes, — she nods approvingly, — quite and very not bad. Lively and energetic, it charges you with energy. Older people probably won't like it, but the youth will find it just right. Speaking for myself, I would listen to that. But I think you already understood that from the song I mentioned a bit earlier.

"-- I don't understand why? I just took someone's house apart brick by brick and am trying to build another house from it, I'm not a pioneer and literally bring nothing new except recompilation... You all praise me, but what's so special about that? If I didn't have the necessary skill for learning and rethinking, I would never have been able to draw a new smithing rune, for example, or experiment with weapon balance, and so on, stuck at the primitive level of iron daggers in my main craft."

— Erefir, not everyone, after a couple of months of getting acquainted with high technologies, combines completely different aspects of two of them into such a new form, performing a completely different function. And in such a way that it makes sense and works. If you will, — the Inquisitor thought, trying to find a better example, — it's like if a Wizard studied two different schools of magic and, after half a year, created a third based on their combination. I suppose the analogy also applies to combat techniques. You not only thought about matters that other masters overlook, but also managed to not fall far behind them in terms of understanding the field itself.

"-- Yes, consultation with a magic expert is needed, although I'll say straight out, this scenario seems extremely unlikely to me. Firstly, from a technical standpoint, achieving the effect requires a combination of a sapphire and a wheeled oscillatory circuit, and the frequencies must match; the conditions aren't so simple here. Secondly, the transmitted energy... Well, let's assume it's absent. Each device has its own power source. I doubt the threads can be amplified enough to transmit spells through them, and even if so, such a level of magic and such a level of familiarity with the system looks like something... That could be done without any towers at all, just by sending many completely unsuspicious spies with sapphires in their pockets. But alright, alright, I'll clarify, I'll drop by the Academy of Magic for that. In principle, I like that you're thinking about such consequences."

— Don't these towers, in your version, serve as repeaters? That in itself implies the existence of some kind of connection. Probably a permanent one. To an outsider like me, it looks like you're creating a kind of magical web, the existence of which is tied to a number of technical devices. It seems to me that spies with sapphires won't be able to boast such a thing, not to mention that it will be easier to detect them. And we both know that strength multiplies strength, especially in the context of such matters. However, as I said, I am not an expert. That's why I advise discussing these problems with someone who has deeper knowledge than either of us.

"-- ... No-no-no, wait, but Zlobynya dropped by our headquarters with occult supplies, meaning such methods of communication are available even to non-mages; he hardly has any talent, right? In any case, he's not a professional. And what's stopping a real, powerful, evil wizard from sending his minion to Margel with slightly more advanced occult supplies, and safely teleporting a huge poisonous cloud here that will kill everyone? That's a much less fantastic and easier-to-execute scenario, agree?"

— But is that occult communication system tied to the same threads? As far as I understand, his supplies don't use magical stones but work on a completely different principle. A completely different type of magic than what we are discussing. Similar to how, say, the abilities of Anuzite priests and healing mages, while achieving similar effects, use completely different methods. As I said, an expert opinion is needed. I would only be happy to be wrong.

"-- ... So much less fantastic that it could very well be a real vector of attack. Oh. Ha-ha. It's for revelations like these that I especially love talking with you."

— ... I thought it would be a heavy conversation, for you it's just a warm-up for the brain, — the Tanarsian woman smirked without malice, — thank you for the kind words. I didn't quite expect my life experience as a monster huntress to make me an interesting conversationalist.

"-- Reasonable. Of course, there will be positive consequences in the form of extra work for builders; a big construction project is always great for a country. And when engineering experience accumulates, those same people can go build something else, even bolder, be it tunnels, palaces, or even houses in Cridear. And so yes... It turns out it's worth warning the Suzerain and making purchases. Or, given that She has mines, ask that some deposits, previously considered non-critical, be developed in advance.

"-- And I don't think Velfern will 'expand' for the sake of sapphires; we have so many mountains I don't know how many centuries they'll last, unless we are just really unlucky in not having this particular resource among many others."

— Perhaps. But you're thinking in the right direction — the main thing is to inform the right people so you won't kick yourself later. I don't need to tell you that even now, stones are a valuable resource for us. And I actually have a couple of my own ideas on how they could be used.

 — As for the beneficial consequences, I agree, and as for houses in Cridear... when it comes to that, I'll definitely handle it myself. I promised Klin to help with the revival of his region.

"-- Kalinka probably won't like that, yes," the Nozenrot woman said, looking down sadly. "But her influence within her own organization is too great for anyone to engage in such sabotage, but I'll take it into account. Eh, it's a pity, of course, that our worldviews differ so much; I'm saddened by the thought that she can never be as happy for many of my achievements as I am for hers... Although I could be wrong. Kalinka's emotions are often hard to read; she may put on a stern face, but in reality think much more warmly and lament to herself about the same things I am now."

— I don't know Kalina well enough to make any judgments about her character. However, I know that close people can influence each other. Perhaps your example as a loyal comrade who stands by her will soften her views on technical progress. As I said, her interpretation of Ikigai is original. But this same friendship could also be the reason why more fanatical adherents consider her a weak leader, not fully serving the interests of the doctrine. Time will tell, but I hope you and she will have a happy ending. You can never really guess beforehand.

 — I once had a loyal friend and comrade with whom I shared many trials. There were no grounds for conflict whatsoever, except, perhaps, friendly teasing. But then times changed, and we needed to decide who we were and what we stood for, resulting in us ending up on opposite sides of the barricades. The reasons for disagreement were hidden until that decisive moment. Your situation is different, and your friendship, it seems to me, is strong. Despite the noticeable difference in views. So don't lose heart, redhead.

"-- In any case, regarding Ikigai, my possible invention is a blessing. Because technical progress is very strongly dependent on the self-awareness of the people who engage in it. M, that sounds egocentric, sorry... But the point is that the same physical effect can be used for good, for evil, or can cause chaos without realizing it. And so I try to follow the first scenario, although history will judge how well I succeeded... But the main thing is that technical progress cannot be stopped; if not me, someone else will drive it. Therefore — it must be guided, so that all niches in the economy are filled with well-thought-out inventions, but at the same time keeping the country at the forefront. Of course, it's not always easy to account for everything, but I really am trying..."

— I know, Erefir, — smiling warmly, Alaria patted the commander on the shoulder reassuringly, — I know. And I stand with you. Reactive doctrines built on fear never lead to anything good. And attempts to stop progress are, in essence, equivalent to trying to bury one's head in the sand, from which only you yourself will suffer. It's important to be able not to dwell on something, but to move forward. But that's not uncommon with doctrines that are based on fear. I'm glad you understand that. And I wish there were more people in the world with a similar approach. And therefore, it's only right for you to take the lead in technical progress. And I'll try to be by your side, since you like my advice so much. Perhaps I'll even give this progress a little push myself.