Posts from ☀️ Arselia and Akonia Auto-translated

Waving to the townspeople and maintaining a smiling expression, she says to the empress:
- It was... unusual. It seemed to me that the people accepted it a little too easily. I mean, your confession and all those miracles.

20 ноября.
Before leaving, Naria once again instructed her subjects to spend the day at their leisure, and closer to 9 in the morning, a wide variety of events began to start. 
Events marked with ✹ require one red star (standard is 0)
One red star is granted by participating in events marked with a green star (✹)
Participation in some events does not require red stars for characters with a suitable profession
Those who vote for something cannot take part in the same event and vice versa.

Margel — Golden Persimmon 975 (celebration of Her Majesty Empress Naria's ascension to the throne)

Center
[1] Purian Square ✹✹
[2] Baldr School (only the foundation has been laid so far) ✹

Emerald Alley
[11] Discordia ✹
[12] Leaf ✹
[13] Melody
[14] Rabbit Hole ✹
[15] Dionysus Photo Studio ✹
[16] Rumors ✹
[17] Ornament ✹✹
[18] Phantom ✹
[19] Splendor ✹✹
[20] Amamius Palace ✹
[21] XXX ✹
[22] Grace ✹
[51] Abundance ✹
[X-2] Dryad ✹
 
11th Residential Quarter
[59] Blake Apartments
[60] White Apartments
[N-2] Museum of Curiosities
Park ✹


39th Residential Quarter
[58] Wilma's House

69th Residential Quarter
[23] Hearth
[24] Everything Will Be Alright
[25] Hospital
[54] Wallen Mansion
[56] Linetta's House.

Ceremonial District
[52] Magic Bureau
[53] Air Dock ✹
[26] Transport Station
[27] Margel Police
[28] Diablo

Business Center
[29] Adventurers' Guild ✹
[30] Empire Hard Workers Commonwealth
[31] Workers' Guild
[32] Upgrade ✹
[33] Chronos
[34] Pam-param
[35] Fishermen's Guild
[36] Philosophers' Guild ✹
[37] Empire Veterans Community
[38] Hunters' Guild ✹
[39] Thinker
[50] Dawn
[X-3] Cherry ✹

Port
[40] Young Drowned Woman
[41] Tentacle
[42] Anchor
[43] Hellfire ✹
[44] Horror Room
[X-4] Aquamarine ✹✹
[N-1] Ogma's Bar ✹✹
[K-1] Carnelian ✹
[K-2] Ikigai ✹✹

Suburban Area
[45] Golden Hollow 
[46] Art Academy ✹✹
[47] Magic Academy
[48] Ideal ✹
[49] Playful Rabbit ✹
[55] Naria's Villa
[57-2] Clin/Sanexa's House
[57-3] Raptilion's House
[X-5] Moon Park ✹
[A] Kamimori ✹

Naria, Aiyano, and Sonata return to the villa, while Erephir is surrounded by crowds of townspeople who bombard her with various questions. - Where are you from? - How old are you? - Do you have a boyfriend? - Can you cut a dragon in half with one blow? - Where did you learn your martial skills? - What is your favorite weapon? - How much do you weigh? - What do you like to do in your free time when you're not on duty? - What do you love most about Margel? - Where can you usually be found? - What do you think about your new assignment? - How did you meet Her Majesty, Empress Naria? - What do you think about Her Highness, Princess Aiyano? - Am I right in assuming that a ponytail is your favorite hairstyle? - In how many regions of the empire have you been? - What are your bust, waist, and hip measurements? - Which forge would you recommend for buying equipment?

Beata and Guion were about to go into the Haven to check on the artists' status, but they saw that it had already been marked off the map. "I'm thinking, Guion... Now that Garrett has a brother, maybe he can be of some use to us? He can sharpen knives or something." "Beata, the guy just got resurrected, and you're already planning to put him to work." "It's called a 'baptism by fire.' We always do it this way in Carneole; let him get used to it." "But maybe he doesn't know how to throw knives, or..." "I'm afraid our guys will scatter all over the city and forget about our performance..." "So, we'll have to manage on our own?" "Yeah, that's the only way..." "We can't do it on our own." "We were promised help, so..." Beata hesitantly calls all the Carneole participants in the performance and looks at them. "Guys, are you still in? We have very little time, and we need to urgently find a musician/musicians to replace the missing one and a couple more performers for backup. Any ideas?"

Waving to the townspeople and maintaining a smiling expression, she says to the Empress:
- It was... unusual. It seemed to me that the people accepted it a little too easily. I'm talking about your confession and all these miracles.

- Such a reaction is not surprising from those who witnessed it all, and what else could they do? They wouldn't try to attack us with pitchforks when nothing dramatic happened, but instead, they greeted us with sincerity and kindness. It will be more difficult with the inhabitants of other regions.

Naria, Ayano, and Sonata return to the villa, while Erefir is surrounded by crowds of townspeople who bombard her with questions.
- Where are you from?
- How old are you?
- Do you have a boyfriend?
- Can you cut a dragon in half with a single blow?
- Where did you learn your martial skills?
- What is your favorite weapon?
- How much do you weigh?
- What do you like to do in your free time when you're not on duty?
- What do you love most about Margel?
- Where can you usually be found?
- What do you think about your new assignment?
- How did you meet Her Majesty, Empress Naria?
- What do you think about Her Highness, Princess Ayano?
- Am I right in assuming that a ponytail is your favorite hairstyle?
- In how many regions of the empire have you been?
- What are your bust, waist, and hip measurements?
- Which forge would you recommend for buying equipment?

Alaria sadly watched her fellow townsfolk and the local empress walk away. The warrior still held onto the hope that she would meet the former again today (perhaps at the same circus performance!), and decided to save the healing of her soul for a later time. It would be strange to reward only half of Carneol. And Beata and Guion were also overlooked. She could have worried, but Naria had a fair trait, even though the Thanarsian couldn't know this detail.

After that, Alaria turned her gaze back to Erefir. Carneol worked as a team, Guion inflicted the most serious wounds on the dragon, they all sweated together for the favor of the elements, half of the squad had even met the original commander, but the redhead got the glory and attention. Something was clearly wrong here.

Klin spent the rest of the night as usual, playing solitaire, until the morning clock struck the hour to set off for the ceremony. The mind of the undead was, as usual, calm: feelings and emotions were shrouded in a layer of mountain ice. Rising from the table, the knight went to the kitchen, brewed tea for Saneksa to wake up, chilled the remaining cake, and arranged a simple breakfast from the household supplies. While his companion was getting ready to go to the city, he himself, for the first time in many months, allowed himself to stand in front of a mirror. He straightened his crown, smoothed his trousers, tucked the talisman under his shirt, emptied his pockets, temporarily clearing them of inventory clutter, put away the written diary, some business notes, and unfilled tests. By village standards, he looked quite presentable, especially since he wouldn't be going on stage, so there was nothing to worry about. "You look great," he said again to his companion in her new dress. "Here, take this, put it on. " He handed the woman a cloak. "The autumn morning can be cool, and the outfit won't get dirty on the way." Following the path strewn with morning frost, Klin automatically turned his head towards the neatly decorated fence: to where, behind the fence, the familiar villa loomed as a dark silhouette. The dark window openings occasionally reflected the light of artificial light: Her Highness was probably finishing the last preparations for the ceremony. Just half a year ago, he himself would have been there, along with other servants, helping the future empress in this important hour for the whole country. But now... Now, perhaps another worthy person was taking care of his duties. For a moment, a smooth stream of nostalgic memories captured the mountaineer's mind: the first assignments, the clatter of dishes, scoldings from Aria, evenings of quiet conversations with colleagues, the first praise from Princess Naria... If the first half of his life was connected by an eternal spiritual chain to his family in Kriedar, then the second, without a doubt, belonged to this country villa. If not for the heavy shackles of the foolish curse he had incurred, he could have immersed himself even more in this second life, but even so, it had already become a part of his good memories forever. But now that too was behind him, and things would no longer be the same from "today" onwards. As he reached the main gate, the knight briefly slowed down, placed his hand on his chest, and said a phrase in the Kriedar dialect: this was how he said goodbye to his second home forever. "I hope this isn't the chair where we once spilled coffee..." the knight thought with concern, but soon he was completely absorbed in the speech of the newly crowned empress. Today, he felt an unusual pride in himself; pride in Her Majesty: not parental pride, not pride before a superior, not pride before an idol; it was a special Kriedar pride, a bright and sublime feeling that the inhabitants of the mountains keep in their hearts for the most worthy people in their lives. The bold and frank words of the empress only inspired him more: such honesty before the people was possible only for the bravest of mountaineers. And let the malicious tongues interpret this in their own political way: for Klin, the most important thing was the realization that Naria remained herself: not an infallible goddess, but first and foremost a Human. With her flaws, mistakes, and shortcomings; as the goddess-mother intended us to be. Breaking his own fears, the knight exhaled with relief. Before going up to the empress, Klin nodded reassuringly to Saneksa, knowing, however, that this gesture would hardly be enough. The Kriedar himself was not bound by fear or doubt at that moment, and the undead nature had nothing to do with it: he simply had no doubt about Her Majesty, whatever she might do. Unlike someone like his Karneol supervisor, everything was very simple for a Kriedar at home: there are people in life with whom the mind communicates; and there are those with whom the heart communicates. Therefore, the only thing that slightly worried the black knight was the inappropriate appearance for such a ceremony. The last thing the knight of death felt in his life was the voice of Saneksa, which painfully stung his soul; the first thing Klin Chegver felt upon being resurrected was the warmth of the empress's hand on his heart. The long-forgotten, rhythmic beat picked up the flow of healing energy and sent it in waves throughout the knight's body. The color of life painted his face, the blue flame faded in his eyes, the autumn chill touched his skin, and a stream of oxygen rushed into his lungs. The Kriedar had to make a maximum effort not to disgrace the ceremony, awkwardly staggering, coughing, or something like that. The further words of Naria sounded like a distant wind in his ears. Before leaving the stage, he managed to make a respectful bow to his savior. In his gaze, there were now three emotions: condolences for the sad occasion associated with the holding of this event; heartfelt congratulations and wishes for success in the upcoming reign; and finally, the greatest gratitude for the generosity and kindness shown to him. What happened next, the knight realized with difficulty. Of course, his loyal comrades also deserved praise and recognition for their deeds. He paused for a moment, looking at Sonata Reim: judging by the empress's words, he owed his miraculous healing, among other things, to the special operation carried out under her leadership. Finally, the living memory returned to him at the same moment that Princess Aiyano finished her speech. This is the same mysterious priestess that he mentioned on the first page of his diary! How interesting fate had turned out. In an hour of hopelessness, a former guard-apostle, healed by her hand, came to their aid; and then many comrades were saved by her remote support. And now, undoubtedly, he himself owes his life to the new princess, and instead of everything possible, he hears in her speech... words of support for his deceased homeland? Now everything finally fell into place: Her Majesty Naria managed to find a person as bright as herself. Klin Chegver enthusiastically joins the applause. After the official part of the coronation was over and all those involved were dismissed, the knight first rushed to find Saneksa in the crowd.

Someone touches Count Chegver's wrist, but the owner of the second hand turns out to be not the familiar Sanexa, but some young-looking guy. - Hey, mister! Klin! Uh, I mean, Your Excellency, Count! Sorry, my name is Anpan... I'm from Krideraar, just like you.

- Perhaps, with the involvement of new, capable individuals, we can find some way out. If not for the sake of grand ambitions, then at least for those who were not fortunate enough to live to see this day...
She grew quite somber – but given their current situation, this was only internal, not external – realizing how large a memorial ritual she would have to conduct.
- Please, don't forget that you are not alone, - she suddenly adds. - No matter how heavy your burden, you can always share it with others. And I don't mean crude power that can be used to control anyone. Your subjects not only obey and respect you, but also love you. I could see it in their eyes and hear it in their voices. Not to mention your trusted people and closest confidants. Remember, you once negatively responded to my request to "tell a funny story from your family's life"? However things were in the past, times have changed. Everything I said to the people on the "square" also applies to you. So... - she paused, not knowing how to finish.

***

Nariya, Aiyano, and Sonata return to the villa

After walking around the villa's hall a couple of times, regaining her composure and enjoying the long-awaited silence and tranquility, Aiyano finally begins to recover from the stress of the ceremony.
- No, still... It's one thing to read texts to the congregation or even debate with philosophers. But this is something completely different... - she finally exhales all the stress one last time. - Now that it's done, if we have a few minutes, we could finalize the issues regarding the coven... - she hesitantly suggests to the Empress.

Beata hesitantly beckons all the Carnelian participants in the performance and surveys them with her gaze.
“Guys, are you still up for it? We have very little time, and we urgently need to find a musician or musicians to replace the missing ones, and also a couple more performers as backup. Any ideas?”

— If Her Majesty hadn’t left immediately after the ceremony, we could have tried asking her for help, — Alaria sighed heavily, — otherwise, we could try contacting Lady Asukan. Trying to find someone in the crowd is a lost cause. Besides, we need to rescue the commander from the crowd. The townspeople seem to think she personally slew the dragon.

Someone touches Count Chegver's wrist, but the owner of the second hand turns out to be not the familiar Sanexa, but some young-looking guy. - Hey, mister! Kline! Uh, I mean, Your Excellency, Count! Sorry, my name is Anpan... I'm from Kridera, just like you.

—Your Excellency...? —the knight was momentarily confused. —Ah, just call me Kline, especially since we're from the same place. —he dismissed the unfamiliar title, greeting the young man. —Nice to meet you, Anpan. Hmm, I recognize your name from our mutual acquaintance: Creon. We were planning to find all the surviving members, but unfortunately, I only knew that you could be found at training sessions near Her Majesty's villa, but it seems no one was "home" then...

— If Her Majesty hadn't left immediately after the ceremony, we could have tried our luck with her, — Alaria sighed heavily, — otherwise, there's the option of approaching Lady Asukan. Trying to find someone in the crowd is a lost cause. Besides, we need to rescue the commander from the crowd. The townspeople seem to think she personally slew the dragon.

- The commander will handle it herself, but yes, we need to help her...
- Asukan is a good option, yes... Right now, we won't be able to find many others, unless those we made arrangements with show up...

- The boss will handle it herself, but yes, we need to help her...
- Asukan is a good option, yes... Right now, we won't catch many people, unless those we made arrangements with show up...

— If we had called all of us onto the stage, the search for musicians would be much easier, — Alaria said with a sigh, letting out a stifled laugh, — and we would have a larger audience. Maybe some of our contracted people know suitable individuals, implying that you haven't interviewed them yet. These are the main options.
The tanarsian didn't voice her thoughts aloud, but she still found it strange that today they would be celebrated more as circus performers than as dragon slayers. Well, except for Erefir. And the redhead would have been happy to share the glory with her comrades, but she wasn't even given the words or the opportunity.

- We didn't ask... Maybe we should tell the boss to work with the public. Ask if there are a couple of musicians available and invite them to perform...
Beata moves towards Erephir, skillfully pushing through the crowd.
- Psst, boss, can I have a word with you?
Meanwhile, Guyon begins to look for the Minister of Culture.

- We didn't conduct a survey... Maybe we should ask the boss to work with the public. He could ask if there are any musicians available and invite them to perform...

— We can try that. If nothing else works, we can ask her to talk to Kalina, in case she knows anyone suitable. Although... I doubt her congregation would be interested. And, in general, I'd prefer to avoid such measures.