Chapter 615: Empires Invasion [33] (2/2)
The cold night felt colder, Alta's dream squandered before ever lifting. She crumbled to her knees dramatically, fake or not, the watery shine of her eyes cried loudly. Kion had his head down, Ulia and Inesa were ashamed – such demands on he who had graced their survival would be blatant insolence. As a fellow whimsical type of person, he gave the matter a few seconds then exhaled. Intherna's struggle ended in defeat, the three fell to eat the hardened dirt.
”Let me see,” added Igna, ”-Kion, Ulia, and Inesa,” they looked up, ”-what's your look on her plea?”
”I have no room to argue,” said Kion.
”Same here,” added Ulia.
”Alta's always been a girl to speak her mind,” firmed Inesa.
A subtle gesture ordered Éclair to lend an ear, ”-you're going to hate this,” whispered Igna, ”-if she's truly who I think she is, we might learn more about the always enigmatic Empire.”
”As you wish,” he sighed, ”-I don't have much room to argue either.”
”Good on you,” two patriotic taps on the butler's chest sorted the issue.
Stood overlooking the woeful Alta, ”-raise thine head.”
”…” she obeyed.
”It so happens the position of steward is available. Alta, let's conduct a short interview.”
”Really?” she quickly wiped her tears, ”-please, let's do it.”
”What's your name and background?”
”My name's Alta Lionheart, a Bishop of the Dustina's church. I hail from a noble family with deep ties to the emperor, my mother's the sister of Paradus Essin. I graduated from the Imperial Academy at the age of sixteen and was offered a position as a trainee in the Cobalt Unit. I worked there for four years, completed my education in Magiology, and moved to fulfill my duties as a companion to the summoned hero.”
”Those are some big titles,” added Éclair, ”-what of the proof?”
”I vouch for her,” added Kion, ”-she's the smartest member of our group with the noblest of lineage. All the more reason I can't intrude into her affairs.”
”What of statesmanship?”
”I was taught from the ground up in the arts of leading a nation. Boys and girls sharing close-blood ties to the Imperial family are required to do so.”
”Lastly, what of the aspirations, why choose to work in a less than amicable place?”
”You, my lord,” said she loudly, ”-I admire you as a leader. There's a certain charm about the way you move people. A speech with the power to elevate the people's morale. As a child of nobility, I've always sought after someone to look up to, a mentor, and a guide. Everyone's fallen short until today, please, take me as thy disciple.”
”Alta Lionheart,” he held out a hand, ”-consider thyself employed.”
”R-really?” she accepted the offer.
”I can't well ignore the weight of thy upbringing.” The discussion ended; a few words of courage parted their ways. Kion left for a new life. Miira took the lead and safely returned the drunken goddesses. Éclair, Igna, and Alta remained before a wasteland.
”Master,” bowed Éclair, ”-I ought to return to my duties.”
”We'll be in touch, have the reports be forwarded to lady Elvira and lady mother.”
”As you wish,” he vanished in a blackened mist.
Draconis slept face down onto the dirtied ground, ”-how careless can you be?” complained he hoisting the little devil.
”I have a question,” she inquired rather shyly.
”What is it?” they walked.
”How should I address you?”
”No idea, a noble working as a stewardess is peculiar. How about we keep to Igna and Alta, is that acceptable?”
”Would it not be too formal?”
”Formality?” he chuckled, ”-what would creating boundaries accomplish?” Stopped at the apex of the festival, ”-Alta, I hope you don't regret the decision.”
”What's there to regret?”
”A lot of things. Working under me means getting involved in the dark side of what is considered moral. I kill if I can't get what I want, I'll eliminate anyone in my path. Corruption and blackmail, if they're the only way to attain my goal, I'll do it without a single thought. Therefore, bishop of Dustina, the coming days will alter thy perspective on life.”
”I'm settled on said front,” returned she strongly, ”-we're taught to use any underhanded trick available to guarantee victory.”
”A fellow schemer,” he chuckled, ”-Welcome to the team,” they climbed onto the watchtower. ”Here's the office, bedroom, and everything. Construction on a new administrative building is in the coming renovations. For now, Glenda's hierarchy consists of me and you,” dropped in bed, ”-open the closet, there's a portal headed to my manor.' *Box of Alche: Creation.* a ring materialized, ”-there, catch.”
”What's this?”
”A signet ring, it bears the crest of Glenda and thy affiliation to me. Go on and rest, we got a big day tomorrow.”
”As thee wish, my lord.”