Posts from ☀️ Arselia and Akonia Auto-translated

- I'm fine, I was on a date, so I didn't make it on time. Sorry...
Kilika glanced at the sketch, presumably in Gion's hands.
- No, I didn't meet that guy... And is he really a criminal? He looks very, very young.

- The main thing is that everything turned out alright. You couldn't have known that something like this would happen, you have nothing to apologize for. So, this jerk not only kidnapped a princess but also ruined your date, - he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
Then he looked at the sketch again.
- Yes, that's definitely him. I remember that arrogant face very well. Maybe he just aged well for his age?

Despite the happy resolution of today's story, it would be naive to believe that all of this will soon be forgotten. Mr. Mellis will surely gain a few more gray hairs. Narri also doesn't need any more worries, especially since she recently lost her father. And for Naera, the trauma from the events may linger for a long time. She is, after all, the second princess and a powerful sorceress, at the heart of the empire and, it seemed, under reliable protection. And then, some madman breaks into your villa, and all of this is useless against him. This isn't the first time for Margel, but it is the first time for the villa. After such an experience, another person might spend the rest of their life in fear. All that remained was to hope that this incident would not break her and that other misfortunes would pass the princess by. She has already suffered enough.
It was difficult to shake the feeling that the Welferna Empire did not have much time left. That all these recent hardships that had befallen the people of Margel and the vanished Kre'adars were the death throes of something that had already run its course. That everything that was happening was nothing more than a prelude. Of course, Alaria had no intention of giving up and planned to continue moving along the path she had chosen. Even if the empire falls, the people will not disappear. Her help will not be in vain, either for them or for herself. Besides, fate has already offered surprises more than once. What now looks like cracks may be nothing more than a test of strength. Especially in the context of Narri's mysterious motives. The combined power of all the shards, assuming that the first princess's experiments do not turn into a tragedy, may serve as a deterrent no less than the magical power of Sillion. Time will tell.

***

On Saturday, the Tanarrian woke up a little earlier than usual. The reason for this was not insomnia, but the volunteer plans that had been added to her schedule. She had no intention of neglecting her morning training or Carnelian duties, but she also didn't want to deprive the patients, who were longing for the comfort of home-cooked food. Therefore, she had to adapt a little to the new realities.

Again and again, she immersed herself in a state of deep meditation, accompanied by clear and rhythmic swings of her sword. Before the girl's eyes, her native Tanaris appeared once more, this time its uninhabited part. A group consisting of several inquisitors, including herself, confidently advanced towards their goal. Towards the monster that was terrorizing the surroundings – her first demon. And then they stopped, arriving at the place. A deathly silence fell. On the faces of her peers was a grim determination. The culprit did not keep them waiting. With a monstrous roar, a huge carcass jumped on the warriors who were not expecting such treachery from above. Despite its animalistic mind, the monster's hunting instincts served it well.
Alaria took the hit, an invisible shield protected her from the monster's claws, but the impulse from the opponent's landing still threw the girl back a few meters. Now this vision felt especially strange. The Tanarrian remembered how this trick had served her well, even during the time of Reim, until it mysteriously disappeared. Apparently, she hadn't devoted enough time to training. Well, that's another reason to catch up. Be that as it may, the enemy showed itself, its blood-red eyes surveyed the assembled young men and women with a look full of malice. Although the demon was surrounded, it felt no fear. It was driven only by a thirst for blood.
The inquisitors' plan was simple; they were taught to fight such opponents in this way. While the monster was recovering from its attack, they all pounced on it. The plan was not to kill it with swords as quickly as possible; each of those present knew that the creature was stronger than it seemed and could scatter them like flies. The attack was well-coordinated, and the goal was the monster's weak spots. With a wide swing of her flame-covered axe, the Tanarrian cut the tendons on the demon's left paw. In the next second, the creature's limb was engulfed in holy flames. Swiftly closing the distance, she made sure that her comrades did not disappoint her. The monster barely stood on its feet, wheezing and emitting a heart-wrenching cry of pain that echoed throughout the area as the fire consumed its body. And yet, it still had strength. As if driven by its own malice, which outweighed the pain, the opponent tried in every way to catch up with the warriors who had now become elusive. But it had less and less strength, while the flame did its job. It didn't take long before the demon was cleansed of the corruption that had fueled it and turned into nothing more than a handful of ashes. Victory.

Opening her eyes, Alaria took a fighting stance and made several trial swings, aimed at an imaginary opponent. Perhaps, in her current form, she could have dealt with such an opponent alone. Even in the inquisitorial years, encounters with this type of demon slowly turned from a series of triumphant victories into a routine. However, this part of the inquisitorial work was still pleasing to the Tanarrian. She was doing something truly useful. She was saving human lives. Her skills were indeed being put to good use. And yet, ambition and pride pushed her forward, in a desire to one day join the ranks of the legates. It's funny, but now she was doing something similar, just remember Valis. Perhaps, if she had been born in Anush, the Anush Alaria would now be the sword of the mother goddess? A playful thought, but nothing more. Anush values, although they had intersections with Enclessian values, were different from them. This means that her life experience would also be completely different. This would still be Alaria Doran, but a different Alaria Doran. Not the one who stood here and now, indulging in memories of the past.

Having finished with training and other matters, including Carnelian duties, the girl went to the SRI. She needed to find out if she could continue volunteering at the hospital, or if her help was needed elsewhere. If there were no problems, then she would continue to act according to her plan. Moreover, there should be more patients there after what happened at the villa.

- The main thing is that everything turned out alright. You couldn't have known that something like this would happen, you have nothing to apologize for. So, this jerk not only kidnapped the princess but also ruined your date, - he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.
Then he looked at the sketch again.
- Yes, it's definitely him. I remember that arrogant face very well. Maybe he just aged well?

Sometimes people tell me that I look 18 when I shave.

- That's nonsense, you can go on a date another day, but I feel bad for the princess.

At the villa, Erefir found neither Naeru nor the servants, only Naria standing alone in the middle of the familiar walls.

It was somewhat unpleasant to feel the emptiness where there had recently been constant bustling activity. And a thought flashed through her mind:
"Perhaps I was wrong to go to Draco Mellis. No, I don't think so... We already decided that it was, albeit not a very heroic, but the most rational course of action... And yet, something is bothering me."

Lately, it had been happening that Erefir found herself near the Suzerain in an unusual, not very formal setting, without the pomp that had always been there. And now, when this had happened for the second time, she began to suspect that it was not accidental. After all the misfortunes that had befallen the empire, after the attack of the Despair on the princess, after the possible loss of her father, and after the revealed Aconian truth, which, although not entirely negative from Erefir's point of view, Naria's eyes that night spoke of a completely different attitude, although it was not entirely clear... In general, as a result of all this, could it be that the heavy burden was breaking her dear Suzerain, preventing her from seeing people, forcing her to withdraw? Or was it not an emotional, but rather a conscious level, as Erefir herself had consciously become a recluse at one time because she did not see herself in "society" at that time?

But the Suzerain... Her dear Suzerain understood that she simply could not abandon everything, that she still had things that needed to be protected.

-- Your Highness... I apologize for violating your last order, -- said the knight, on the one hand, truly apologizing for what had happened, but on the other hand, not wanting to leave at all if it was possible. Perhaps she would be shown the door, and then she would have to obey, but... she would not like to leave the Suzerain in such a state right now, she really wouldn't.

Sometimes people tell me that I look like I'm 18 when I shave.

- Yeah, that's nonsense. You can go on a date another day, and it's a pity about the princess.

When I was around 25-26, people mistook me for a schoolgirl. Now, sometimes they call me a woman; I need to lose weight.

- I'm worried too. Never mind, we'll give him a hard time with reinforcements. I hope she's okay. And dates are still important. One way or another, life goes on.
- A date? - Beata finally paid attention to the conversation happening nearby.
She opened her mouth to ask Kilika for details about this mysterious lucky guy, but Guion stepped on her foot in time - it's not worth sticking your nose where you're not wanted; if Kilika wants to, she'll tell you herself.
- I'm so happy for you 🤗! - Beata smiled. - Guion is right; even though our main task is to help the princess, we are all living people with our own desires! This jerk found the time to attack 😤

Having finished with training and other tasks, including those related to Carneol, the girl headed to the SRI. She needed to clarify whether she could continue volunteering at the hospital or if her help was needed elsewhere. If there were no problems, she would continue to act according to her plan. Moreover, the number of patients there was expected to increase after what had happened at the villa.

Today, Alaria was sent to the same place as yesterday, but there were no new arrivals from the villa's staff, as it was not the only hospital in the city.

since it wasn't the only hospital in the city

🤯

I am genuinely glad for this clarification, because I was seriously worried that Narya had sent everyone to jail for negligence, or even wiped them all out.

This is what awaits Klin when Falet reveals how he learned about the villa's location.

She won't be able to kill Klin, even if she wants to...

Today, Alaria was sent to the same place as yesterday, but no new recruits from the villa's staff were found there, as it wasn't the only hospital in the city.

— Good morning, — the former inquisitor greeted Marei first, while trying to assess how tired she looked, — I apologize that I couldn't yesterday, but I think you've already heard about what happened.
Alaria could have added "I hope today will be without something similar," but then she decided that it would sound either too depressing or like an inappropriate joke.

-- Your Highness... I apologize for disobeying your last order, -- said the knight, on the one hand, sincerely apologizing for what happened, but on the other hand, not wanting to leave at all, if it were possible. Perhaps she will be shown the door, and then she will have to obey, but... she wouldn't want to leave the Suzerain in such a state right now, she really wouldn't.

- You know, Erefir, if I had let things take their course, neither my father would have disappeared, nor would Crider be destroyed, nor would Naera have suffered, but in the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter, because the near future is even darker than the present. Tell me, do you like your new life in Anush?

Added 1 minute ago

When I was about 25-26, people mistook me for a schoolgirl. Now, sometimes they call me a woman, I need to lose weight

- I'm worried too. It's okay, we'll give it to him with reinforcements, I hope she's okay. And dates are still important. One way or another, life goes on.
- A date? - Beata still paid attention to the conversation passing by.
She opened her mouth to ask Kilika for details, who was this mysterious lucky guy, but Gion stepped on her foot in time - it's not worth sticking your nose where you're not asked, if Kilika wants to, she will tell you herself.
- I'm so happy for you 🤗! - Beata smiled. - Gion is right, although our main duty is to help the princess, we are all living people with our own desires! This jerk found the time to attack 😤

- Thank you, guys. Maybe I'll have an extra reason to stay in the empire.

How much darker can it get?

because the near future is even bleaker than the present

The arrival of the celestial beings 😊

In the grim darkness of far future there is only RINZE