Ashes and Kingdoms

5-6. Tentative First Peace

That night, after the feast, it was time for everyone to pick it up in the room, and Senato pulled back with "please wait a long time".

As she enjoys some surprise eyes, Senato smiles lightly and calls the servant. It was a swing of sword that made me bring it.

"Lord Dragon Hou Phineas"

There was something oddly respectful about the polite call. When Finn frowned suspiciously, Senato stood before Finn with his own sword.

"Dragon Hou will need the sword he deserves. During the day, I almost wounded General Glaus from my detours, but you saved it brilliantly. This is a thank you. It is a famous sword that is passed down to our home and once supposedly trained by a magician. He who is as young and powerful as he was worthy to possess."

To an unexpected gift, Finn turned his eyes in surprise and honesty. No words of gratitude appeared to me, and I looked seriously at the sword offered, in an unbelievable mood.

It was difficult to tell what the material was made of. The sheath was probably rebuilt, leather, not so old familiar, but clearly not commensurate with the enigmatic pattern. Without having to take it in my hand, I felt the power releasing from the pattern and my body.

Do you know what the power is?

"The power of the Spirit... no, the Spirit itself."

The voice of Lena, who answered, was trembling at you.

"A sword forged with old magic moves. It turns the Spirit itself into a blade. So never, never spill the blade, never break it. Even with our strength, we can stand it."

Oh, that's sad.

Finn snapped briefly. It didn't have to be explained in detail, I could imagine. Instead of working out ordinary minerals such as bronze and iron, they inject life into and melt each other of the uninhabited things there - swords made by blacksmiths and magicians would have been fantastic. It may have glowed when it was just done. If you are a fighter with a weapon in your hand, it is a delicacy that will make you want to use it once.

The magic remained in the sword in front of him. I want to try to pull it out, grip the pattern, and shake it. Even Finn, who realizes who the sword is, is distracted by the temptation.

But if you have it in your hand, you will be struck by the cold. This sword is the wreckage of what was once closer to the gods than man - because he is a dead spirit who has lost his self and only succeeded in the “power” to kill him.

Finn silenced with his sword in front of him, ignoring his awkward surroundings. At last Senato cuts the paralysis and prompts him closely.

"What's up, don't hesitate to take it. With this sword, I will continue to protect His Majesty the Emperor and the General."

That's what they said, and Finn breathed unexpectedly. Because I had an excuse to say no.

"I greatly appreciate your generosity, My Lord Senato."

He looked up and looked straight at Senato and said.

"But I can't have this sword. I do not intend to wave my sword for His Majesty the Emperor or His Excellency."

"... oh my God"

He didn't expect me to say no. Besides, for that reason. Senato was stunned and stared at Finn so much that the hole was drilled. He's not the only one, Varys and Glaus, and Rufus, too, blinded by surprise. Finn repeated clearly.

"Your Excellency will also know that I am nobody's subordinate. I fight to protect those who have lost their homeland, those who do not have the skill to defend themselves, from the fangs of darkness. Not for His Majesty the Emperor or His Excellency the Dragon Hou, protected by forts and soldiers."

It was also an oath against itself. Once again Finn becomes aware of what he is aiming for, the path he walks, stretching his spine.

While you were stunned, Finn bowed his head deeply and thanked you.

"You think Aoyagi's businesslike, but please forgive me. Excuse me."

It was also at tide time, and I didn't want to slurp and shame Senato that I could pull a gift in, so Finn left the room without permission to leave, just saying it unilaterally.

The faces left were flashy for a while, but slightly, and Glause spilled a small, bitter smile. He looks at the emperor like a prank, shaking his head like he's here.

"Oh, my God. How vividly I said it. All of us have been sleeved, Your Majesty."

"If I were you, I'd put the letter down as a witness."

Varys recovers from the upset and responds like nothing else. When he met Senato, he said in the same serene tone to his usual, quiet expression.

"Lord Senato, would this have convinced you that he is not our pawn? I think it's time to get down to business."

"... to your left."

Senato agreed somewhat grumpy and promised to start discussing it tomorrow, while putting the sword back in the servant's hands. Of those who were on the spot, only Rufus knew exactly how much anger was hidden in that suppressed attitude.

On the fourth day of his stay in Quanos, peace talks were finally initiated between the Emperor and the Nakte Dragon Marquis.

"Peace, because it's strange."

Senato said in a mixed voice with sarcasm and abalone, but he was certainly right. As a matter of fact, Emperor Varys and the Nakute Dragon Marquis are not in a state of engagement at one time.

On the occasion of the consultation, the Emperor and Senato sat opposite each other, and Finn's seat was prepared in the form of a view of those two from the side. Even though Glause and Rufus stand beside each Lord, they sit as if Finn were superior, so I guess the chair feels like ice.

(It's formal, but that's what matters now)

Finn told himself and restrained himself a lot to keep his sorry eyes off Rufus and Glaus. but I couldn't even softly admire the complexion of the two of them.

(... hmm?

At first glance, he realized something was wrong with Rufus, and Finn frowned. You're not feeling well somewhere, your blood looks bad and your expression looks a little bitter. I was worried and tried to ask, but sooner, I could see why.

Unlike the gray shadow I saw yesterday, the obvious and discerning emotion of Rufus himself rises from his feet in flames. A clenched fist beside his body was pushing back as if to hold it back.

No clear voice or sight appeared, but I was sure he was angry. The subject is Dragon Hou Senato. Apparently, we had a heated argument last night.

(And you were beaten)

If you look at the attitude of the two of us, it's obvious which is the winner. What I don't know is what you argued about. Are you referring to yesterday's “detour” or something that will take place today?

Even while Finn was observing the Legion Leader, the consultation was steadily progressing.

Not pointing swords at each other, responding to requests for assistance for troops and supplies, fine conditions and specific figures in doing so… and the most important issues were put on the table.

"Once again, Senato Jr., adopted by His Majesty the Emperor, will be named his successor."

"That's right. The first emperor, Fedoras, is responsible for the murder of my father and the taking of the throne, but he has no part in the little Senato. Though the matter decided by Fedoras, it does not extend to revocation. Even if he picks up his wife and children, it doesn't change that Senato Jr. is his first successor."

"But we haven't found the key player yet."

"Let's continue our search. I haven't had much of a chance to deal with him, but he was a smart boy, so if you hear we made a deal, you can think of showing yourself."

We don't even give each other yawns that we've almost identified where we are already.

Senato spoke calmly of an ominous possibility without shaking his heart to the safety of his grandson.

"As you said, my grandson may not be able to hear the rumors anymore."

Not to mention it, even Finn, who was oblivious to the rush, thought. Rufus clenches his fist even harder. Senato laughed, distorting the edge of her mouth, wondering if she had noticed the darker emotions behind her.

"In that case, may I present my daughter to His Majesty's wife?"

A quiet surprise took away the same voice. The silence that came down was so deep that Finn felt like he could hear Rufus' teeth.

"... Lord Fernena knows the depths of the Legion Commander of Rufus."

Vallis is careful to make sure. Senato waved lightly, just saying it was the end of the matter.

"That I don't have to ask which is better for my daughter, the wife of the Legion Leader or the Emperor's wife. Rufus agrees to divorce."

…………

It doesn't look that way though.

Everyone swallowed that word. Finn could not see Rufus properly and stared silently at the wood at the table.

Somewhat and Varis answered.

"That's not a sudden decision to make. Little Senato is missing, but the body wasn't found either. It would be pathetic to give up early."

"Sure. But neither can my daughter have children forever."

To the obvious words, Rufus' face turns red and black. As soon as he looked like he was about to stab the Lord from behind, Senato accidentally turned around. At that glance alone, Rufus blues as frozen and drops his shoulders without force.

Being shown an uncomfortable scene, Varis frowned slightly.

"A year. If we have not yet found a small senato in a year's time, we shall discuss it again. Until then, put this issue on hold. I won't let you leave my daughter in a hurry."

The year was long or short, Senato conceived, but nodded immediately, "It would be good". Finn wasn't the only one who heard that voice, rather than waiting a year or so, could do anything, but nobody said anything about it.

All the conditions were considered and approved, while the contents of the agreement were summarised, while still suffering from severe air. While it was cleared on parchment, the place for closure finally came, pinching the frequent break.

Soldiers line up sloppily in the front of the barracks, squares usually used for censorship, etc. Quanos Garrison Unit of the Fourth Legion, soldiers brought in by the Emperor and Glaus respectively, compared to the hilariously poor minister and small number of northern Tenryu Corps. All of them are witnesses to this agreement.

Finn advanced at the end when the Emperor and the Nakte Dragon Marquis signed and pledged, respectively, on the platform set up.

"I, Tenryu Hou Phineas, will be present at the agreement exchanged between the two names: Varis-Graaedius-Genacius, Emperor of the Diatius Empire, and Senato-Austra-Yerg, Naktedragon Hou"

At the same time that a clear voice spoke, fine particles of light appeared in the air, and suddenly the wind rolled in. It was the white dragon who feathered the giant wings.

The twirl rocks the square. Even Glaus and Varys, Rufus and Marquis Senato, looked up to the dragon's beauty without hiding their amazement in the boulders.

Finn waited for the noise to subside, but couldn't get quiet enough, so he had no choice but to raise his voice.

"I, with Tenryu, will see to it that this agreement is complied with!

As soon as I hit the water, the square calms back down. Finn slowly pressed his knees against the face of the Emperor and Senato before looking up at Lena's golden eyes.

"lest both names break their vows. To those who disobey the covenant, that the heavenly god Deia will not be sanctioned."

To put it so severely, Finn noted his name at the end of the deed. When you line up in two beautiful signatures of decorative characters, you're too cynical to think it's a mistake of some kind, but you can't help it.

As Finn finished signing and stepped back, Lena disappeared and the square was once again filled with whispering voices. I didn't know if it was cheering or just a hustle and bustle.

Glaus formally stated the signing of the agreement, and the emperor and Senato shook hands, but most of the soldiers paid attention to Finn, who stood further behind it.

Anxiety and excitement about the emergence of a real dragon marquis. He could beat the eastern Elesia, the first expectation. Finn, whose emotions pushed him like rage and became intolerable, quickly withdrew from the scene to an unpopular place to an unsightly extent.