Posts from ⚔️Serberia Auto-translated

“So, it was like this…” Hearing the familiar initials, Ilva flipped back a few pages to the viscountess’s questionnaire and scanned for the third question. “This sounds rather sad… If you don’t mind me asking, outside of the questionnaire, why do you limit yourself to the role of a humble admirer?”

Dude, I wouldn't recommend participating in any case, because either the secret police or one side or the other will come after us.

— Aren't you from Illia, right? Well, there are three reasons for that. First, although our family enjoys a certain amount of respect in Myrkoria, my social status is significantly lower. Second, I'm younger and lack the influence and wealth. And third, the viscountess seems to have a husband, although I haven't seen him. In short, the best I can hope for is to disgrace myself and my family. Hmm... May I ask, how would you act in my place?

I agree with the Fortress faction.

I wouldn't recommend participating in any case, because either the secret police, or one side or the other, will likely come after us.

/ Okay, I won't then. Although the answers are too neutral for the police, but okay./

Let sleeping dogs lie.

—You’re right, I’ve only been in this county for a short time. What would I do? —Ilva started to write a response as usual, but then she stopped and put her notes aside. —It’s hard for me to give a definitive answer, as I can’t assess the severity of things like “disgracing one’s origins.” If only my name and reputation were at stake, I would act according to my heart without hesitation. But if the issue is much more complex and affects many lives... I would probably prefer to bear this burden alone rather than risk the lives and mental health of the people I love, especially if they themselves do not experience similar torments.

– Well, that’s what I think too. What about the other questions?

“Yes, yes, of course,” the girl said, regaining her composure. “Let’s move on to politics: I would be interested to know your opinion on a possible conflict between our country and Royental?”

— There are no winners in war, only losers, so such a prospect doesn't appeal to me.

– Uh-huh, wonderful… And finally: what is your opinion of Her Majesty, the Queen?

In the evening, Alessia returned to the hotel with mixed feelings, unsure whether to consider the day a success or not. She was confident that she had performed best at the competition, but she hadn't elicited much enthusiasm from the audience. Being a model was a prestigious and easy job, but the photographer's demanding requirements and the realization that she was being forced to advertise all sorts of cheap goods did not contribute to her peace of mind. The spacious room was stuffy, and Alessia opened the window. The sea rippled rhythmically, and the reflections of the stars seemed to dance on the surface. The sea... Alessia had never been a fan of vast bodies of water, but the sea reminded her of home, and that was comforting, albeit melancholic. Indeed, the first day in Myrkoria was special – as was every first day in a new place, but in recent years, Alessia had been in places that were either terrible or deathly boring. Perhaps this was the change, the new life she had been waiting for, wasting her days in Baldur without purpose or joy. Perhaps it was time to finally take a real step forward. Perhaps it was finally time for the summoning. This thought was not new, nor was it rare. At least a couple of times a week, Alessia would consider whether the best moment had arrived, but something always held her back. The demonology book she had recently acquired strengthened her resolve, but Baldur was like quicksand: there was never a good time, she wasn't in the mood, and she was afraid Gungnir would find out. But Myrkoria was not Baldur; indecision and procrastination had no place here, and today was a particularly special day. And it was perfectly clear that she should conclude the contract with Camilla; she had thought about it many times. It was decided: today, Alessia would finally do what she had been working towards for many years. Tonight, when the city falls asleep, she will perform the summoning. The night seemed terribly long, and Alessia was forced to spend these hours on her feet, fearing that if she sat down, she would immediately fall asleep. Restless thoughts tormented her. What if something undesirable was summoned? What if, after death, she really had to go straight to the abyss, to eternal torment? Or maybe there was no abyss, no demons – not in the usual sense of existence, but only human fear of one's own nature, and undesirable traits of one's personality are considered something external. People are told from all sides: be sensual, but not lustful; don't grovel, but don't be arrogant; be curious, but not at the expense of ethics. And so, a person adapts to a hundred requirements, but in reality, there is only one requirement: be moderate, don't stand out. And if he feels something supposedly bad in his nature, he says that a demon has confused him and invents a place from which all temptations come, just so as not to admit that it is all his, his own... What was she even thinking? Perhaps the all-night vigil until three in the morning is taking its toll – in a normal state, Alessia would not have had such nonsense come to her mind. Here is the pentagram, and everything is ready for the ritual; she remembered everything exactly, focused on the image of Camilla, and spent the whole day as an exemplary servant – and there is no philosophy, psychology, or other otherworldly matters here: it is just an ordinary agreement, you sacrifice something, and you get something in return. Let the Arterians around their idol spout pseudo-elevated nonsense, trying to explain why they worship their dead goddess, but demonology is an exact science. There is only an element of chance, but Alessia is ready to take the risk. Having calmed herself with these rational arguments, the sorceress began the summoning.

—Uh-huh, wonderful... And finally: what is your attitude towards Her Majesty, the Queen?

— You know, it might sound a bit strange, but I believe that the beauty of human life lies in its finiteness. Well, for example, if summer, my favorite time of year, lasted all year round, then although that would be good in its own way, I probably wouldn't appreciate it as much as I do now. The same goes for life itself. We appreciate its moments primarily because they will eventually end, sometimes without even realizing it. And Her Majesty, her eternal youth, and her talk about overcoming human limitations... It all sounds very unnatural. Perhaps I'm just young and don't understand anything, but I wouldn't want to live in a world where time has stopped.

—No, it’s a very unexpected and quite valid opinion. They say that everything in life comes at a price, but if life itself is infinite, then what is the cost? —Ilva drew a long line across the page, separating the current interview from the following ones, and stood up. —Sir Roland, thank you for the fascinating conversation! I will definitely recommend your establishment to my acquaintances. Have a good day and good luck! —Monad

“Oh, I remember you,” Antonia smiled. “So, you’ve finally decided to stay with us?”