Chapter 549 - The Cadrian Council

  Claire knew that walking down the street was sure to elicit an extraneous amount of staring. Everyone within a hundred kilometres of the colosseum had witnessed the battle; Flitzegarde’s announcement had garnered the attention of even those who were usually uninterested in the fighting. And with that level of interest naturally came a crowd. The people gathered around as soon as they learned of Claire’s location and gawked until their eyes fell out of their sockets.

  But while Claire was prepared for all of the gaping and goggling, she was not prepared for the crowd to be so persistent or awkward. A veritable legion of observers was following her from about a block away. She didn’t really mind—her ears and blood had always made her the center of attention—but most of her companions were less than comfortable.

  “How does this not bother you?” asked Sylvia, as she looked around. Though sitting on her favourite seat, her ears were drooped and her tail was lowered.

  “Yeah, fuck this,” said Jules. “It’s driving me batshit.”

  “Oh, come on. It’s not that bad,” said Chloe. “We’ve had similar back home.”

  “If by we, you mean you and Arciel, then sure. But the rest of us are normal people. We don’t get shit like this.”

  “It happened to me,” said Lana. “Almost every time we moored.”

  “That’s because you aren’t fucking normal either. Literal pirate queen lookin’ ass.”

  “While Chloe is correct, I must admit, it is rather difficult to grow accustomed to,” said Arciel. She and Chloe were the only other two unaffected. Allegra likely wouldn’t have reacted either, but the carcinogenic rabbit was already attending the panel as per the projection overhead.

  As she was also present within it, Arciel had donned a laughably pitiful disguise. She’d simply thrown a veil over her face and called it a day. She didn’t even change her clothes; she was still wearing the same, somewhat skimpy, asymmetric dress as her placeholder.

  Her blatant presence led the crowd to wonder if it was simply par for the course for aspects to exist in multiple places at once, but the theory was dismissed almost as quickly as it was circulated. Virillius had always needed to travel between the various battlefields, and seeing the Grand Magus not among their number only further cemented the conclusion. That, in turn, led them to further debate the nature of Arciel’s powers and lament the length of her duel.

  “I can’t even begin to imagine how long it would take. All this recent nonsense aside, the closest I’ve ever felt to this much scrutiny was the time I announced to my village that I’d become an arrow mage,” said Krail.

  “I’m not really sure this and that are exactly the same thing,” said Sylvia.

  “Of course it was. They were entirely proud of what I’d become, and I’m not taking anything else for an answer.”

  “Uh huh…”

  “I do not believe they have any reason to deny its efficacy any longer, given your recent accomplishments,” said Arciel.

  Krail shook his head and chuckled. “I wish that were true. My children have spent the last few days complaining incessantly that I was the only one of us who didn’t fight. I can’t believe how openly they’re doubting me. It almost reminds me of the first time I reported I’d killed an ascended monster. Literally no one believed me.”

  “What level were you?” asked Lana.

  “Thirty or so?”

  “Not bad.”

  Though they loosened up with casual conversation, the brigade was still plagued with an odd sense of malaise. It didn’t help that the countless observers were too cowardly to do anything but watch from an awkward distance. Perhaps in their minds, they were inconspicuous, but the whole party could tell that they were constantly fidgeting and stealing glances. Even the boldest among them—the high nobility that usually wouldn’t have hesitated to grab Claire’s attention—refrained from stepping forward.

  Claire knew that her attitude was at least a part of the problem. She wasn’t overtly glaring at the crowd or otherwise shooing it off, but neither was she being particularly hospitable. Her expression was cold as usual. After all, she was trying to enjoy her newfound freedom, and they were making it difficult, if not outright impossible.

  Perhaps if it were just the crowd, she could have brushed it off, but even the shopkeepers were avoiding her eyes and panicking every time she looked their way.

  Sighing, she eventually picked something random—a savoury crepe filled with all sorts of meat, before turning to the party.

  “Does anyone else want anything? Or should we head back?”

  “I would like for us to return,” said Arciel. “I suspect Sylvia is the only other capable of consuming any more.”

  “I’m actually pretty full,” said the fox. “I might grab something once we’re back at the castle, but that’s it.” The party had eaten a behemoth of a breakfast, with everyone but Claire expecting an extended battle. “Wait, Claire? Why aren’t you just getting something from the castle?”

  “I didn’t feel like it,” said Claire. “I’m taking us to the foyer now.” Snapping her fingers, she warped the whole party right back into the castle’s lobby. It wasn’t the usual gate-based teleportation, but the much less conspicuous, space-twisting ability she’d picked up from Aurora.

  She could have easily taken them up to the room with the very same spell, but she didn’t feel like it. Heading straight there, just to avoid interaction, would’ve made it feel more like a prison. Alas, in hindsight, it might have been preferable.

  The servants were much more professional than the townsfolk. Being thoroughly trained in noble mannerisms, they didn’t hide behind signs, sneak around corners, or stalk the brigade. Instead, they bowed, curtsied, and whispered among themselves while completely ignoring their duties. Many of them had their eyes sparkling as they scanned Claire’s face and confirmed that she was indeed the Claire they knew.

  “Wait, how do the castle people even know what happened?” asked Sylvia. “Weren’t they supposed to be working the whole time?”

  “The recreation room has an artifact that mirrors the colosseum’s display,” said Claire. “I doubt anyone would have worked today if it meant missing out on the show.” The snoose briefly glanced at the butlers and maids, almost all of whom vigorously nodded in response.

  “So uh, why’d we come back here anyway?” asked Jules.

  “From what I can tell, we were probably just trying to get out of the public eye, but I’m not sure returning to the castle did much to help,” said Chloe.

  Claire rolled her eyes. “Have you already forgotten that there’s supposed to be a conference?”

  “Conference?” The elf scratched his head. “What conference?”

  “I believe the winning champions are to gather for a discussion regarding the war and its consequences,” said Arciel. “However, I do not believe it has been scheduled.”

  “It should be soon,” said Claire. “Probably whenever the panel is over.”

  “How curious. I expected for it to be explicitly scheduled.”

  “Where’s the fun in that?”

  “I would not expect a peace council to prioritize entertainment.”

  Claire laughed. “Are you forgetting that this is Cadria?”

  “Please do not tell me there is going to be more fighting.”

  “There’s going to be more fighting.”

  “By Griselda’s hat.” Arciel sighed.

  “Don’t worry,” said Claire. “I’ll be there to help.”

  “Surely you jest. You have spent every last war council sound asleep.”

  “Only because they weren’t entertaining.”

  “Alright, hold the fuck on,” said Jules. “You’re going to need to explain what’s going on. I’m lost as fuck.”

  “I’m not going to ruin the surprise,” said Claire, with a chuckle. “Just sit in. You should be allowed to watch.”

  “I’m getting a bad feeling about this,” said Krail. “Am I going to have to speak?”

  “Yes. You’re technically one of the winners.”

  “Oh dear.”

  “I was under the impression that the event was not open to the public?” said Arciel.

  “It’s not.”

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  “I shall require more of an explanation.”

  “The event is not open to the public, but more powerful and politically relevant individuals are free to attend. Of course, as active participants in the proxy effort, you are all free to attend.” One of the maids, a thoraen lady, walked down the stairs and approached the party with all four of her hands on her hips. Her appearance was fairly average for a once-ascended female progressing down the standard path—she had a pale, lime-green body, stood at two and a half metres, and sported a pair of massive, translucent wings. The only thing that really stood out about her was her face, which was on the slightly less-pleasant side of pretty. “Each participant is also allowed to bring up to ten guests. All things considered, it is quite the boisterous event.”

  Her hair was arranged in a short, layered bob that made her seem older and more annoying than she really was. The strands were on the darker side of brown and could have easily been mistaken for black if not exposed directly to sunlight.

  “Hi, Bea.”

  “Good morning, Claire.” Though smiling pleasantly, Beatrice was anything but happy. Prior to her stint in Llystletein, Claire likely would have been intimidated by the way the thorae’s mana leaked from her body as she fumed, but as it stood, it only drove her to think of the maid as an angry puppy. “I can’t believe you left me in the dark! All this time, and you never even said a word! You could’ve at least commented on the way I did your hair!”

  “There’s a reason for that,” said Claire.

  “Somehow, I doubt it’s a good one.”

  “You know how I mentioned I can be in two places at the same time?” asked Claire, with a bit of a smile.

  “Yes?”

  “That was a lie.”

  Beatrice blinked.

  “Also, you haven’t been doing my hair,” continued Claire.

  “That can’t be right. I’ve been doing it every single morning for over a year!”

  “You’ll understand soon enough.”

  “Or you could do away with the whole cryptic act and explain.”

  “Unfortunately, I happen to be starving right now.” Claire pointed her tail at her crepe. “And this isn’t going to cut it.”

  “Just tell me.” Beatrice rolled her eyes. “And introduce me to your friends while you’re at it.”

  “Fine.” Holding her crepe in her tail, Claire lifted the fox off of her head. “This is Sylvia. You probably know her already.”

  “Hi! I’m Sylvia,” said the furball. “I’m Claire’s best friend.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Sylvia, and everyone else.” The thoraen lady lifted her bright purple skirt with two hands, pressed the other two into her surprisingly flat chest, and bowed. “I was under the impression that Claire’s best friend was supposed to be Mariabelle.”

  “Are you sure?” Sylvia blinked. “Because we’ve been best friends ever since we met.”

  “We have?”

  “Claaaiiirreee!”

  Claire laughed and gave the fox another squeeze before putting her back on her head. “I haven’t really been keeping in touch with Marie, so yes, I would say that Sylvia is my best friend.” She grabbed the party’s squid by the shoulders and pulled her in front of her. “This idiot is probably second. She’s mainly known for her stupendously titanic chest.”

  “I doubt that, considering she’s both royalty and an aspect,” said Beatrice, with a laugh. “But you’re right. She probably needs a reduction. Those don’t really look right on her frame.”

  “That’s not even the slightest bit true. You just have no taste,” said Chloe.

  Beatrice blinked. “That was an awfully strong reaction. Is being large-chested an important cultural thing in Vel’khan?”

  “Nope. That’s just Chloe,” said Claire. “Apparently, she has a crown fetish.”

  “I do not have a crown fetish! I mean, sure, I may have coincidentall—”

  “She used to be human. As I’m sure you can see, the tendencies still run strong.”

  “Evidently,” said Beatrice, with a sigh. “Queen Arciel, I do apologize for the rather rude comment. I would love for us to form a more personal connection. Admittedly, my position in House Galli—” The thoraen lady stopped mid-exposition. “This is all just a plot to distract me from my other question, isn’t it?”

  “Not at all,” said Claire. “Oh, and everyone else is just everyone else.”

  “You motherfucker! Look, I know we barely register on your radar, but you could at least pretend to give a shit!” grumbled Jules.

  Claire laughed. “The one with the foul mouth is Jules. He’s an idiot with a good heart. The two of you might not be too bad of a match.”

  “I’m not sure we’re even compatible,” said Beatrice. “In, uhm, that way.”

  “Don’t worry,” said Claire. “My fox is a pervert and knows a spell to help with that. If worse comes to worst, I can just do the thing I did earlier and make you some kids with magic.”

  “Sometimes, it’s a bit hard to tell if you’re actually trying to help, or if you’re just messing with me.”

  “It’s usually both,” said Sylvia. “Claire doesn’t really like being helpful just to be helpful.”

  “I’m incredibly helpful.” Claire lightly pinched Sylvia’s nose. “Just think about it. Jules is an aimless vagrant who has no idea what to do with his life from now, and Bea is probably going to join a convent without ever knowing a man’s touch if I don’t set her up with a husband. They’re a perfect match.”

  “For the record, Claire, I did have one proposal last year,” said Beatrice. “You should remember. We literally threw a party.”

  “Uhm. Somehow, I think that just makes it even sadder,” said Sylvia.

  “And I’m not a goddam ‘aimless vagrant,’” muttered Jules. “I know what I’m going to do after this. Krail’s the one that’s stuck trying to figure shit out.”

  “I never could tell the two of you apart,” said Claire.

  “Well, for one, he’s a fucking elf, and I’m a goddamn clam.”

  “Okay, that time, I’m sure she was teasing us for the fun of it,” said Beatrice. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone better with names and faces. She might even be able to outdo her father.”

  “He’s probably better at reading faces,” said Claire. “But I’m better at faking them.”

  “I can see that,” said Bea. “You have always been terrifyingly proficient at acting.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “You say that, but I’m willing to bet you still very explicitly remember all the times you’ve tricked people. Like, for example, the time you fooled House Sulla’s matriarch into thinking that her husband was sleeping with their daughter.”

  “Uhhh, Claire? That’s kinda messed up,” said Sylvia.

  “That wasn’t a trick,” said Claire. “Lord Sulla was sleeping with his daughter. I admit, I did fake a few tears and make up a few lies, but it was for the greater good.”

  “Somehow, I find it difficult to believe that you would concern yourself with a matter as trivial as the greater good,” said Arciel, blankly.

  “She hated his guts,” said Bea.

  “He tried sniffing my ears,” said Claire. “I was six.”

  “I’m not saying he didn’t deserve it, just that you only did it because you hated him,” said Bea.

  Claire shrugged.

  “What about the time you tricked the Atilius brothers into killing each other?” asked the maid.

  “We all hoped they would.”

  “That doesn’t make what you did any less terrifying.”

  “I barely did anything.”

  “What do you mean, you barely did anything!? You literally tricked them into fighting over you!”

  “All I did was flutter my ears.”

  “Yes, at both of them. While pretending to blush and stutter.”

  “Oh dear,” said Arciel.

  “Which means I effectively did nothing,” said Claire.

  “Okay, fine. How about the time you made Octavia drink out of a toilet?”

  “I didn’t even need to act to pull that one off.”

  Beatrice sighed. “That only makes it worse.”

  “Oh, Beatrice! How could you lay so many false claims upon me, when I have been nothing to you but the best of friends! Oh, what cruel injustice! What callous rancor! Wherefore have the gods crafted such a bitter trial, so as to turn one of my closest confidants against me!” Claire dropped to her knees and fought back a sob. “Which vengeful deity has cursed this dear comrade of mine with such wicked insanity? To whom must I offer my prayers to see this treachery undone?”

  Beatrice sighed. “I’m beginning to think that the Claire I was serving for the last year wasn’t really Claire at all.”

  “You’ll see soon.”

  “And you still refuse to tell me?”

  “You’ll see soon.”

  “I dunno if you’re actually gonna be able to get her to talk,” said Sylvia.

  “It was worth a try,” said Beatrice. “So? How long have you been this strong? Was it this whole time?”

  Claire shook her head. “I’ve only been this strong for a few months. Father would’ve destroyed me in less than a second before I killed Olethra. Oh, and my first ascension was about two years ago.”

  “Right after the incident then?” Bea brought a hand to her chin. “I’m not actually sure if that’s more believable than you hiding your strength for a decade.”

  “Well, I am my father’s daughter,” said Claire, with a smile.

  “By the gods, who are you and what have you done with Claire!?” asked Beatrice, wide-eyed. “Wait, are you just messing with me again? I swear to Vella, Claire!”

  “I’m glad it’s not just us she treats this way,” said Sylvia, with a giggle. “Oh, and you can say what you’re thinking out loud. She won’t get mad.”

  “Uh…” Beatrice smiled awkwardly.

  “She won’t! I promise!”

  Bea still hesitated to speak.

  “Oh, fine! I’ll just say it for you then.” Sylvia sighed. “You were thinking that it was way worse when Claire’s mom was around because there were two of them.”

  “How did you even…”

  “It’s true,” said Claire.

  “I can only begin to imagine,” said Arciel.

  “We can just have Sylvia copy me.”

  “I do believe one Claire is enough,” said Arciel.

  “Seconded,” said Lana.

  “Yeah, two would have me tripping balls,” said Jules.

  Claire laughed. “It’d be fun.”

  “Does thinking of your mother really not make you uncomfortable anymore?” asked Beatrice.

  “I’m not a depressed little girl anymore, Bea.”

  “Yes, but…” The thorae smiled softly. “Alright. I’m glad.”

  “Yeah, me too!” said Sylvia. “You wouldn’t believe how grouchy she used to be! Er, actually I guess you would.”

  “Oh do I ever have stories for you,” said Beatrice. “Why don’t we find a place to sit down? This’ll take a while.” She turned to one of the other maids. “Flavia, could you please bring us some snacks and tea? We’ll be in room 14072.”

  And so the discussion continued throughout the morning.