Chapter 658: Memory (Volume 9)
After Astrid had shown Theresa enough goodwill, the blue dragon lingered in the human imperial capital for several more days. Only when the date set with her mother was almost upon them did she finally choose to take her leave.
In the afternoon before her departure, Astrid and Theresa discussed plans for future cooperation, specifically, sending human-crafted spices into dragon territories, and the construction of related mana-powered devices.
Spices were easy enough; most intelligent beings would not refuse things that noticeably improved food. What Theresa was unsure of was how the clan dragons would react to these novel items powered by crystallized stones.
After all, these products came from humans, a people the dragons had long looked down upon. Getting those proud wyrms to bow their heads and try such things will not be easy.
Moreover, Theresa knew most clan dragons adhered to ancient traditions and resisted novelties, which meant mana devices would not find as easy a path among dragons as they did in human society, even among humans there were conservatives who resisted these conveniences, let alone dragons.
Still, as an individual, Theresa liked these ingeniously crafted magical artifacts and hoped her own lair could be fitted with a set of mana-furniture similar to the rooms in the capital palace. She wished next time she could persuade her mother to let them stay in Capital City a while longer, and hoped the clan dragons would break their self-imposed isolation and actively engage with other intelligent races.
With Theresa’s departure from the royal city, diplomatic activity between the Valeria Empire and foreign nations paused. Merchants of the pan-human alliance returned to the southeastern coast after the mana-device exposition and resumed normal trade with local residents.
Everything seems to return to calm, like a pond stilling after raindrops; ripples extinct and disappeared, leaving the surface mirror-like.
But some things quietly changed beneath that comfortable surface.
Like the Valeria Empire’s border armies being steadily armed, and the war bills personally issued by Amalia aimed at the Kingdom of Velys.
On the twelfth day of the first month in the common human calendar year 1734, visibility across the Valeria Empire was high. The blizzard that had covered the northern provinces weakened, temperatures slowly rose.
Many enterprising caravans in Duke Charles’ territories were already at work, ordering servants to clear snow from roads, opening long routes for wagons, and organizing residents to break ice in the streets and alleys.
Sunlight broke through the clouds onto streets and eaves; the wind was less biting than in last year’s deep winter. Although it was still very cold, the weather shifts told everyone the cold snap was about to lift.
As Astrid had expected, the envoys Amalia had sent to the enemy kingdom brought back unfavorable news: the Kingdom of Velys did not accept their conditions, but neither did it refuse outright. Instead, the envoys were sent back to the Valeria Empire to tell her and Amalia that the king was seriously considering their demands and needed more time to answer.
Such a reply seemed open to negotiation, but everyone understood it was just a delaying tactic by the Velys king. He would never agree to the condition that amounted to putting his head on a belt. In this critical period beset by internal and external troubles, Velys’s best move was to stabilize the Valeria Empire and weather the storm before considering the future.
Of course, the obvious result was that Amalia, who had learned of Velys’s poor internal situation through spies closely linked to the envoys, would not let the kingdom’s upper echelon go unpunished.
War wasn’t a child’s game; to have such a rare opportunity to achieve objectives with minimal army casualties was not something to abandon. Velys had not negotiated with the empire from a position of honor, they’d attempted to strike opportunistically; now they were getting the same treatment in return.
On the seventeenth of the first month, after artisans labored day and night to complete reconstruction, Liya Tower Fortress welcomed a new garrison.
These soldiers were directly under the Valeria royal household. Most were veterans who fought at White Maple Town; some were recruits raised through recent conscription acts.
Old or new, they share one trait: they were equipped with the empire’s most advanced mana-weapons, from defensive shields and armor to swords, spears, and plasma bombs for offense, each unit a battle-hardened, fully armed elite.
It was no exaggeration to say these mana-weapons could allow an ordinary person without any mental fluctuations to wield the combat power of a high-ranking knight; soldiers already at that level outfitted with such gear saw their power rise several notches.
The Valeria Empire’s overall military strength had already surpassed the level it held during the time of Hibbort’’s passing, achieving a qualitative and quantitative leap.
...
"Sister, are you sure you’re going to Duke Charles’ land?"
In the study of the imperial palace in Capital City, the white-dressed girl who had confessed again and again sat at the desk. Her two smooth, delicate white-silk-covered feet did not, as before, wriggle out of her small shoes and stomp the hard chair when alone; instead they were neatly folded together, gently swaying as she spoke.
"Even though you’ve always been politically astute, I want you to reconsider this one thing."
Going with the army to the empire’s border to participate in the upcoming military operations, just the thought of it carries obvious danger.
As both sister and lover who cherished Astrid, Amalia’ concerns were both personal and for the greater good: she did not want Astrid to leave her and the capital to go to the front lines.
"You are the Empire’s regent, wielding great authority. Your appearance is distinctive; showing yourself on the border will make you an obvious target."
Even combining the Valeria Empire and the Kingdom of Velys, there was likely no other silver-haired, red-eyed figure like her, let alone Astrid’s cold and noble bearing. Anyone not completely ignorant of foreign politics could deduce her identity with a little inference.
Hearing Amalia’ words, Astrid acknowledges their logic. She leaned against the window, half shrouded in shadow, with a length of silver-white hair falling to her waist catching the bright sunlight. The pleated, lotus-edged skirt and the thin black stockings over her pale legs glinted attractively.
"I considered what Amalia and the rest said; this is the result of careful thought."
If she could avoid danger, Astrid wouldn’t choose it, but some things require her presence. The regent’s role was to act when the sovereign could not.
"The campaign against the Kingdom of Velys needs a cohesive military spirit and strict discipline. Although I’ve repeatedly emphasized through the imperial gazette that the king must pay, a direct, deep incursion into enemy lands won’t rally troops as fervently as a homeland defense."
And, restraining civilian casualties and thinking of the future between the two nations, Astrid did not, like Amalia on the original timeline, overpublicize hatred to inflame the populace and burn another land down.
Their enemy had always been the ruling class of the Kingdom of Velys.
"If I go in person, it will greatly boost morale and steady the army."
Astrid crossed her arms, fingers lightly touching her forearm. A deep-blue brooch at her chest emitted a faint magical pulse.
"Also, I’m the best negotiator to approach Saintess of Light Monica, we need her as a breakthrough for the Light Sanctuary side."
"From what we know, Brennild is probably hiding somewhere in Velys. If she tries anything again, I can possibly stop her, I can read and understand Elders speech and release primal magic."
Just as when Brennild tried to use a plague to cut off Liya Tower Fortress’s supply lines, Astrid and Lyra cooperated: the former’s excellent affinity for ancient magics and the latter’s extraordinary attunement allowed them to cast Surging Tide of Light and Resonance Hymn of the Glorious Cathedral, sweeping away the seeds of the plague.
Spells that struck at the source of magic were especially suited to counter Brennild, whose deity’s authority was tied to darkness. Fortunately, the Holy Knight at Astrid’s side wielded the Sword of Light, a blade that expelled darkness and dissolved sin; their combination was even more effective.
...
Understanding Astrid’s reasoning, Amalia briefly fell silent. A faint anxiety gnawed at her heart, tinged with reluctance and melancholy.
It was because she knew Astrid must do this that she was so torn.
"Is Lyra going too?" she asked after a moment.
Astrid nodded softly.
"Yes. She wants to personally judge those sinners."
In daily life, social interactions, and even in intimate moments with her lover, Lyra often appears soft and fragile, like a little cream cake sprinkled with pink velvet candy. Yet Astrid knew Lyra was not all gentle; at heart she was strong, soft with steel, and hated evil with a passion.
Beyond the objective reasons Astrid had given Amalia, there were subjective ones: she wanted to stand with Lyra through the difficulties.
Lyra had once gone alone to the Frostland to secure a power grab; now, with the capital’s situation calmer and Amalia less in need of constant close assistance, the future focus is the purge of the Kingdom of Velys. Astrid ought to stand at Lyra’s side to support her lover as much as possible.
Hearing this, Amalia, knowing Astrid’s decision was made and thinking that Lyra’s love for Astrid was not far short of her own, pursed her lips. Her blue eyes reflect the same color as the silver-haired regent’s and the red ruby pendant hanging at Astrid’s chest. Her fingers curled tighter.
At this moment, she didn’t feel particularly jealous of Lyra. Although Lyra will be the one at Astrid’s side in the coming days, it was ultimately for Astrid’s safety.
With Lyra as the visible powerful protector and the head maid handling hidden troubles and close guarding, Amalia could be a little reassured.
Sensing Amalia’s melancholy, Astrid walked over and gently took her hand, speaking softly.
"My ascension to Arcanist Mage, besides you and a few confidants, no one else knows."
"Don’t worry, Amalia... the actual safety is greater than you imagine...."
Given her relationship with Lyra and Elise, the three of them were very likely to act together.
Even if the Kingdom of Velys tried anything, it wouldn’t be easy. Two Arcanist mages, an Crusader, plus Astrid’s current mental power to support ancient magic meant that even facing Pope of Light Hebrew, they could escape if they couldn’t win.
Besides, Astrid will spend most of her time with the army, so her security will only strengthen.
Amalia tightened her grip on the hand Astrid held; five slender, pale fingers braided with Astrid’s in a firm interlock.
"...I know..."
If she could, Amalia wanted, like Lyra, to go with Astrid into danger rather than stay in the capital issuing orders and waiting for her to return. The crown perched atop her head felt heavier than ever, like a shackle.
But reason told Amalia she could stabilize domestic affairs, implement Astrid’s economic policies, and provide sufficient logistics, that, too, was sharing the burden.
Astrid blinked, leaned down, and kissed the empress on her forehead. Amalia wrapped her free arm around Astrid’s waist and drew her into an embrace.
Without much force, and with no struggle from Astrid, the regent’s slender form tilted into Amalia’s arms, filled with the sweet scent of her lover.
On the narrow chair they snuggled together; Astrid’s skirt rode up on the armrest, revealing a hint of dark, rounded contour beneath.
"If you still worry, I’ll prepare something to hide my appearance..." Astrid murmured into Amalia’s ear.
Like when Amalia, in their fourth princess days, had used plant membranes and dye to disguise Livia Valeria as a black-haired, red-eyed figure.
"Or... a potion to transform my appearance..."