Knights of Tezoth

- Arnold, has that joyous hour truly come when the chains of your solitude shall turn to dust at the touch of a fair bride, and the sad prince shall awaken from slumber with the tender kiss of her longed-for lips?

- Your Charm. - The Knight of Sincerity bowed his head.

- My Lady Alsira, my indelicacy has no excuse, yet the circumstances that have arisen, namely - the upcoming events, compel me in the most treacherous manner to shatter this wondrous moment and barbarously abduct your escort, but I wish to believe that in your heart there will be room for forgiveness of this villainous act.

Arnold de Arriet reluctantly takes his leave of his dance partner and departs together with the peach-haired woman. Immediately after this, the celebration moves to its next stage, during which the knights of the regions had the opportunity to raise their prestige, and with it the reputation of their lord.

— Oh, there is no need for that, every moment of Lord Arnold's company fills the cup of gratitude to overflowing, Your Magnificence. — Alsira greeted the foreign lady lord as etiquette demanded. — From the bottom of my heart, I dare to express wishes of success in all endeavors of the events. I wish to envision a gracious end to the crown festivities, and a swift and friendly meeting.

The briefly spoken words of the peach ruler made her turn her memories back a little, but then they were dismissed as prickly humor. She would not want, out of inexperience, to gift a gallant escort with thoughts that disturb the peace of the soul.

Having studied the schedule of the announced competitions, Alsira scanned the hall for her own inadvertently-abandoned lady.

Alsira's eyes find the lady in the company of three giants: the knight of the Silent Terror, Sir Carnarez, and the vulgar lady lord. It was hard to guess what had brought them together, but in Ciel's voice no discomfort from the conversation was observed.

- ... So think carefully about my words, little olive. Or else a day will come when your flower gardens burst into flames, the paving of city streets will be trampled by the step of armored boots, men will be impaled on wooden stakes, and women on meat hooks.

- Eh, Carneya-Carneya, you need to find your love already, haven't you enjoyed the unruliness of youth to the full? You want to amuse yourself with these games precisely because your soul is not whole, and the emptiness inside yearns to be filled.

- Ha, I would gladly see the face of your husband when thousands of random vagrants are having fun with you. Let us see then whether your so-called love can withstand such a test.

On this crude note the conversation ends and the trio departs.

Emilia pondered...

- This is all strange, Lord Flavoresence. My father always told me that in any mischief, look for the one who benefits from it. I don't see any benefit for Deus in all that has happened. It rather looks like some kind of conspiracy... My Lord Vermgrace is either lying, or is under "someone's influence"...

- The world is steeped in evil and barbarism, as I have said many times before. This is nothing but its manifestation. Such events are to be expected, mostly of course near the northern borders, rather than in the south. But even within Tezoth there are individuals who, to put it mildly, do not inspire trust. It is hard to imagine how something like this happened and what the intent of the one who committed this deed was, but there is clearly no need to rush, - declared Orvald, making his position on any actions at the moment perfectly clear. - And Deus ought to convene a council of lords, or their representatives, to clarify the situation and share her version of events, and then make a decision. Perhaps we will soon receive some word from her on this matter.

- Convening any council now will be difficult, if not impossible, given the movement of the Estellian troops... Ngh... We need to minimize casualties and ensure that at the very least Florenzan is not touched by the flames of war and can serve as a safe haven for the dispossessed from all corners of the kingdom, but how can we achieve that? A man of my considerable size should find it easier to sit on two chairs at once, but a mistake could cost dearly!

- I believe that the most important task is the protection of Florenzan and its people. To that end, we should put the troops on the border on alert and, in the meantime, find out what our neighbors think about what has happened. Perhaps we will be able to cooperate with them and organize a joint defense against possible external threats. And of course, we need to get in touch with the capital.

What a pleasant-looking young man.

Yeah, too bad this cuckold is betraying the country and dooming a huge number of people to death.

well, he touched and touched. why complain. and who wouldn't touch?

He could've touched all he wanted, no one would've judged him. But the Ravnlanders went and did something horrible to the woman of his dreams, and instead of telling the whole truth and asking other regions for help, he became their pathetic little lackey, because he's afraid they'll do to Asalia's head the same thing they did to her body. And then blow it up like an overripe watermelon. And even if he helps them, it's not a fact they won't do it anyway. So he's a double scumbag.

What a pleasant-looking young man.

Yeah, too bad this cuckold betrays the country and dooms a huge number of people to death.

well, he touched it and that's that. what's the fuss about. and who wouldn't touch it?

He could've touched it all he wanted, no one would've judged him. But the Ravnlanders went and did something horrendous to the woman of his dreams, and instead of telling the whole truth and asking other regions for help, he became their pathetic little lackey, because he's afraid they'll do to Asalia's head what they did to her body. And then blow it up like an overripe watermelon. And even if he helps them, there's no guarantee they won't do it anyway. So he's a double coward.

I thought they did do something to her head..

- Serves you right, Your Strategicity. For all your numerous talents, you have grown too greedy in your desire to conquer Ikazkan and blindly trusted a man who should have been hanged from the nearest post or tree. I have said it a million times - if you see a shady character, hang him right away, no need to tempt fate. Wasn't it obvious that he would stab you in the back at the first convenient opportunity? And now, in your attempts to find an underground treasure, you are missing an exceptional opportunity to bring all of Tezoth under your heel. A pity. A great pity. But is there any other lord in this kingdom worthy of my service? I, Knight of the Golden Section, Rainris Xezbeth, will not waste my precious time on mediocrity. Karneya? An immediate no. A rabid dog belongs in a cage, not ruling a country. Maria-Tenerezza? For all her merits, she doesn't measure up to imperial material. Stratos? Too tunnel-visioned, niche ambitions. Grimban? He would have made a good ruler, but I still don't see a way to guide someone like him along the path of a monarch. Kaleido? Possibly. Drachlaus? A clown. A strong one, but still a clown. A dragonborn with a silly name is an immediate pass - this is a human country, non-humans should stay far from the helm and should be grateful we don't make shoes out of their scales. Man? Too unpredictable. Diramis no, Dirk no. Asalia? Possibly. Nilcha no. Berseriy is most likely dead. Kanonchan no. Tsiel better go babysit children and bake pies. So it turns out there are no more worthy ones. Maybe I should become a lord myself? But that's so much hassle, I don't want to - I'd rather run everything from behind the scenes.

who's that guy above?

One of Neira's comrades, one of those who stayed on the surface.

One of Neira's comrades, one of those who stayed on the surface.

And who was he even saying that to?

One of Neira's comrades, one of those who stayed on the surface.

And who exactly did he say that to?

He's just reasoning to himself in solitude)

Ah, damn. I thought he was addressing someone.