Trapped in Another World With No Magic

The Imperial Audience where Daniel was finally able to attend goes relatively smoothly after the awkward request made by Silence. Wulfsten, Halkadon, and Resken are offered official lord statuses. They won’t own land, but they’ll earn a pension from the Fievegal, and they’ll hold a sort of parallel rank to Lieutenants in the army, but mainly for the purposes of their own autonomy on a mission. It also removes a layer of the question if they are regularly hanging out with Zuzia, particularly if and when she starts travelling with them. Once Daniel is recovered, he needs to remove the magic contract from her, which should be fine in a day or so.

In addition to the mercenaries, Klur was rewarded with a new golem arm with a new experiment being performed based on the teleportation pack the ladies devised for Daniel. With the right activation sequence, which does admittedly require the use of his right arm, Klur can cast far more powerful spells. His nose is a bit crooked, and he has scars all over his face and neck, but the goblin earned himself immeasurable glory amongst the other goblins, and has been eager to resume command of Grendel Six.

Djihnlierr received a pardon for her efforts, and the demon soldiers she commanded have largely been dismissed. Some applied for the same program Emerald is technically a part of, where they have started with a “debt to the Fievegal” that they can pay down for citizenship within the Fievegal.

It’s not an immediately pressing issue, but Vaergraes is hoping to stabilize the west by at least offering the tribes and towns that are mostly independent the option of joining the Fievegal, or at least establishing friendly relations with them.

And, though not entirely relevant to the audience, the Selkethia are finally sending an ‘envoy’, which Daniel understands to mean a future queen to start a hive within the Fievegal’s main territory. As long as the ‘subordinate-Queen’ and her hive remain amicable, Daniel doesn’t really care what they do. He imagines their worker class, which isn’t truly sapient, and in fact, shares more with the Death Knights or the non-sapient Charonim that can be magically summoned as expendable mana-fueled troops, will be almost as efficient at manual labor as the golems, but without needing to expend the Citadel’s supply of mana. They require food, of course, but the expenditure of mana tends to be a bit less efficient overall, even if golems can work without sleep.

As for the present, Daniel is just taking his seat with Veiranoei and Gwenesphia on each his arms to join the group intended to discuss Silence’s request for betrothal to Kuboen.

Arachne, Vaergraes, Hekate, Veiranoei, Gwenesphia, Daniel, and Zuzia have gathered from the Fievegal side, while Kalegrynten, Goelselmo, Erue, Peiburi, and Kuboen are gathered on the Mattarglos/Honeydip side.

They’ve all gathered in ‘Drawing Room Two’, which is just up the main corridor from the audience chamber itself. It’s a cozy room with various furniture for a great number of people to sit in, since it’s intended to accommodate all of the Empresses and prospective guests as well. The currently gathered group are in various seats around a coffee table, with Bellphine and a few other ladies in waiting serving tea.

Kuboen and the Honeydip family are visibly nervous, while Silence is completely calm and stoic. It doesn’t help that Arachne has joined them, and even if she’s wearing muted colors as a dress, her appearance is far more alien than most people can get used to, in addition to her intimidating size.

Silence simply takes a sip of tea as if nothing else in the world is going on. She doesn’t seem to think there is any reason for concern, or she simply accepts everything as it is.

Hekate jumps right to the main point of contention. “First off, you’re too young, Silence. The Fievegal has a hard-line stance that eighteen is the age of maturity for marriage and other standards.” She immediately whips her head to stare accusingly at Daniel with big, expectant eyes of anticipation, eagerly awaiting his response. It’s clear that she intends to weaponize Daniel’s refusal to immediately respond during the audience just a bit ago against him. If he’s not careful with his response now, he’ll be painting himself into a corner that he won’t be able to weasel his way out of.

Daniel looks at Hekate, and then to Kuboen, and finally Silence.

Silence replies without a single stumble, “I was not ‘born’ as a child, your Imperial Greatness. I was created to serve the functions of an adult; combat and logistical support, escort, and the ability to speak and negotiate in order to act as a mediator with allies and enemies alike. My summoning, functionally, is no different from this World’s perspective than the Divine Summoning that brought Grandfather, her Highness Zuzia, and his Majesty Rikuto to this world, if we are speaking of time spent on a world.”

“But, unlike Daniel, you didn’t exist before Arachne summoned you,” retorts Hekate. “Same with Arachne.” Hekate gestures to where Arachne is seated on a large cushion under her abdomen.

Silence counters politely and mostly respectfully, “Regardless, I believe I have proven my ability to function as an adult, and have never once held any childish tendencies, your Greatness.”

Hekate’s ears and tail go rigid, and Daniel almost misses the subtle dig. He immediately reaches behind Gwenesphia to plop his hand on Hekate’s head to keep her from jumping up, and she shivers in irritation, but manages to let it go. She picked up on it as well.

The mechanic then says, “Even if all of this is something I’m willing to accept, Silence, there is one more problem.” He turns his gaze to Kuboen, asking, “Kuboen, what are your honest thoughts about this proposal? No worries, no audience, just everyone gathered here. And, let it be said, this conversation will remain private.” Daniel shoots a pointed look at everyone, and they all nod in agreement.

“As I mentioned, Daniel… I… It… caught me off guard. I hadn’t given it any thought as a possibility, so I have no idea what to say. I dare not disrespect her Highness, but… I am conflicted. I was talking myself through the struggle of carrying her and Klur.”

“That is untrue,” retorts Silence as she looks at him, her voice never changing. “You said that Daniel better offer my hand in marriage to you for your deeds, and that ‘Prince Kuboen’ sounds good. Even ‘Prince Consort’ would be plenty.”

Kuboen’s cheeks flush pink as he is stunned by this. It’s clear he said things along those lines, and it takes a long time for him to finally provide an answer. “I… I said those things… trying to keep myself moving. I…”

“So, you were not genuine about your thoughts and feelings in a most dire situation we may not have survived?”

He is stunned silent again, trying to make sense of everything, including his own embarrassment.

“That’s enough, Silence,” replies Daniel. “I truly appreciate the bravery both of you showed during the entirety of the mana fire incident. No one situation was any less perilous than another, and yet, you acted with selflessness and honor. Kuboen, obviously, if you were to make the same request for Silence’s hand, it would be an extremely easy decision. However…”

Hekate complains, “Daniel! She’s too-...” He whispers, “I’ll get to that, hang on.”

Daniel turns his eyes back to his Charonim ‘granddaughter’. “Silence, the Fievegal has a stance that marriage must be consensual, ultimately. I understand your desires, but unless Kuboen is in agreement, I’m afraid I cannot grant that wish. Please name another wish.”

Silence is quiet for a moment, and she finally replies, “I have no other wish,... your Imperial Majesty.” She stands up and bows respectfully, turning to leave, even without permission.

Daniel is a little sad at this, but he decides to add, “Silence…”

She halts, turning to look at him. He continues, “As for the maturity side, I will work with the others to devise a sort of maturity and competency test; a definitive answer to prove that you have the functional capacity of an adult, since you’re right. Your creation is not the same as a child being born. However, be warned that this test will be difficult, such that many adults into their twenties and thirties would not likely be able to pass. If you do pass, and you find someone who is willing, I will allow your marriage then.”

Silence is quiet for a moment, and she replies, “I am not… good with people, Grandfather. Lord Kuboen expressed interest first, and I believe I can trust him. I have tried to consider other options, but I see no other.”

Kuboen stands up in a panic, embarrassed by this absolutely unflinching declaration. Daniel tries, “These feelings can come and go on whims.”

“Perhaps, but they can also strengthen with a reliable starting foundation and the continued expression of trust, eventually becoming love…”

The gatonine quickly says, “I can’t! Excuse me!” He rushes past her and towards the exit, but he halts when Baron Goelselmo Honeydip calls out, “Kuboen! Wait!”

Daniel says seriously, “If you intend to pressure Kuboen, don’t. That was why I wanted this to be private.”

“We won’t,” replies Goelselmo. “I actually want to apologize if he has given offense in any way, either by convincing her Highness to make such a request, or if his further behavior was disrespectful toward the Imperial Family.”

“No offense was given, my Lord,” replies Silence. She walks past them, holding her head high. “It seems your Son speaks his mind most dishonestly even when he thinks no one is listening. But, it is no matter. I am capable of sacrificing life and limb to protect the Fievegal from a safe and harmless calamitous disaster, but I am too young and capricious to pursue the apocalyptic dangers of marriage and love. Good day, my Lord.”

Hearing it like that stabs at Daniel, since the sarcasm could be cut with a knife. She’s not wrong, but it’s clear she’s genuinely angry about being denied. She’s even twisting the knife further, because it was ultimately at least partially Daniel’s fault that it got so far out of hand.

Kuboen calls out, “Wait… your Highness… Silence.”

She turns to face him without saying a word.

“I… do you… actually love me?”

The Princess faces him fully and answers with her typical unwavering honesty, “I don’t know. I’ve never experienced love. But, I had accepted my death, and when I awoke to find you giving every last droplet of your own sweat and blood to carry me away from danger, you spoke so fondly of the idea of marrying me, that I felt it was acceptable.” She touches her chest where her heart presumably is, and she adds, “I felt in that moment the same feelings of attachment, or perhaps even more… mine than what I feel for Mother, Grandmother, and Grandfather. I felt that our connection was something that was special to me and me alone, and it made me happy.”

Everyone is silent for a moment. Her voice never reflects when she is happy or angry, and Kuboen is conflicted about a few different things. He looks at Goelselmo and Gwenesphia for a moment. He glances at Arachne and Vaergraes, who remain respectfully quiet as they watch the scene.

Goelselmo replies, “As his Grace said, I won’t try to pressure you, Kuboen. I only ask that you respect her Highness’s feelings and her dignity.”

Kuboen tilts his head down with his eyes closed as he thinks.

He tries to envision the future with her, and strangely enough… he can. Their children are energetic, and though she is more akin to a machine, she never stops, never tires, and carries a great deal of strength into looking after the children. She listens to Kuboen’s thoughts, never tries to outdo him, but frustrates him because, like so many others of the upper ranks of the Fievegal, she is a prodigy in talent, able to perform seeming miracles at will, compared to him, who is a reasonably skilled knight with a fistful of magic to his name.

But, then, he also knows she’s not eyeing the family wealth or connections. She doesn’t care at all about such things, unlike the women who approach him at banquets. Those of higher rank want a sex toy, while those of lower rank want a step up.

Kuboen lets out a soft sigh. He holds out his hand towards Silence, and she cocks her head. But, she gives him her hand, and the gatonine smiles. He turns to face Daniel and Hekate, and he kneels before them.

“Your Grace… I… wish to court Princess Silence with the intention of marriage.”

This gets a twitch out of Silence, finally breaking her immovable facade, and he squeezes her hand a little more, reassured that she does have feelings in there somewhere. Her own hand tightens around his a bit, further reinforcing it.

“You understand if she fails her maturity test, you will have to wait eighteen years, correct?” asks Daniel.

“I understand, and in the unlikely scenario that such a thing happens, I will wait. I have my own insecurities about ‘love’, but… I agree with her Highness. Ours was not a social connection nor political. We bonded on the battlefield, and though a passionate flame often burns bright before flickering out, I believe our union will only strengthen with time, not weaken.”

“Are you sure?” asks Silence. “If you behave this capriciously before His Majesty the Emperor, he may make me wait eighteen years for you to mature.”

Kuboen scoffs, and he laughs along with Gwenesphia and Goelselmo while Daniel retorts, “I told you, Silence, I doubt most adults would pass the test I’m making you take. You either wait the time or you pass the difficult test the first time. No exceptions.”

“Daniel! I want to take the test, too!” replies Hekate as she whips around in front of him, pressing her chest up against his belly with her hands on her hips. “I’m mature enough to pass your stupid test, so when I do…”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Daniel pinches her cheek, and she whines. He says bluntly, “Anyone born naturally obeys the age of majority law, Hekate.”

“Grrraaahhh!” she shoves his hand off of her cheek and grips his jacket, tugging on him impotently as she complains. “Daniel, you butt! I wanna take it anyways! And, if I pass, I’ll make you regret not accepting my feelings!”

Daniel chuckles as he does his best to stay on his feet. He says to Kuboen and Silence, “Since you accept each other and the terms, we’ll proceed forward. Kuboen, you have permission to court my granddaughter, Princess Silence, and if she proves she was created as a full adult, then I will allow you to marry as soon as you wish. Just know that the rank belongs to Silence. You will be a Prince Consort who will not inherit her title if she passes away.”

“I understand,” replies Kuboen. “Thank you, your Grace, your Greatness.”

“Make Silence happy, or else,” warns Hekate. She then whispers to Silence, “Silence, I’m rooting for you! Prove we can be adults before we’re eighteen! Mwahahahaha!”

“Never gonna happen, Hekate,” replies Daniel.

“I’ll chew your face-...!” starts Hekate, but she halts herself. She clears her throat, saying in a more ‘mature’ way, “What I mean to say, dear Husband, is that I will engage my teeth with your expressive counterance to remove the insolence that curses you.”

Daniel teases her, “I think that’s the most elegant way I’ve ever had my face threatened to be chewed off.”

“See!? I can be mature!” Hekate stands proudly, puffing her chest up as much as it’ll go in her usual rooster-like attempt to look bigger and prouder than she is. Gwenesphia can’t stop laughing while Silence and Kuboen face each other, asking if they’re sure, to which both reply ‘yes’.

Meanwhile, Vaergraes approaches with Arachne, and Daniel asks them both. “Do either of you object?”

“No,” replies Vaergraes. “I would actually only like to make one request…” She looks over her shoulder at the towering giant looming over them all.

Arachne replies, “I have no objections, Father. Thank you. And…”

Daniel, sensing what both of them want, he states, “Arachne, you may take the competency test as well, and if you pass, you’ll be able to behave as a full adult. If I catch wind that either of you cheat, though, there will be no second chances.”

“I would not dare,” replies Arachne with a similarly stoic tone. “If I wish to be spoiled as a princess, I have no doubt that I merely need to ask. But, I will always strive for the utmost filial piety.”

Daniel looks at Silence, and she replies less sincerely, “I have no desire to cheat either, Grandfather, assuming the test is something that can be passed.”

“Well, I don’t intend to put any nuclear theory or thermodynamics on it, unless you want me to provide you with chances for bonus points.”

“Yes,” interjects Silence before Daniel can make his actual point. He’s not easily riled by the arrogance of those around him, but if she wants the extra challenge, he doesn’t mind. He simply smiles dryly.

“Alright, Silence. Challenge accepted. Arachne, Silence, you both may study any field you feel will be on the test, but I won’t tell you, and you will need to write essay-style answers. Memorization will not be enough. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Father,” “Yes, Grandfather,” reply the two summoned princesses.

Daniel then looks to Zuzia. “You’ve been strangely quiet, Zuzia.”

“I’ve been thinking about it, and it’s a strange problem to have to consider.” The Polish woman strokes her chin as she thinks. “On one hand, pure creation of life should remain firmly in the hands of God, but… Well, they’re both standing right here. But, how will this change Arachne’s position in the Fievegal if she’s recognized as an adult, but doesn’t carry out her duties as a Princess? Not that I’m an expert, but I noticed a lot of people asking why she has been mentioned as a Princess, but not presented, when you even sat with Jieka and Tekten through the audience itself.”

“I am indeed the eldest Princess of the Fievegal, your Highness, but I have no illusions about my appearance, even when appropriately dressed. And, introducing myself as an evolved Death Knight would not evoke feelings of welcome and diplomacy.”

“The dragons often appeared in their true forms at our council meetings, and I was asked to not invite them very often afterwards,” adds Vaergraes. “This was before the Fievegal, of course. But, it is admittedly easier to have polite discourse when the other species and races are not intimidated outright.”

“Can’t you use the same transformation spell the dragons or Yaulwembor use?” asks Zuzia. “It obviously works on Hekate.”

Hekate twitches, looking a little distraught. Zuzia quickly apologizes, “I’m sorry, Hekate. I didn’t mean… Uh, no, I could’ve picked a better example.”

“I-It’s okay,” replies Hekate as her ears and tail droop.

Daniel pets her head with a smile to reassure her. Arachne answers Zuzia’s question, “The existences of Silence and myself are unprecedented, unfortunately. I don’t know if transformation magic will work, or if it will de-stabilize my existence and I will cease to be. Or, if I will become a new person once transformation occurs. I am comfortable with my state of being, which Father approves of. If I could do more to be of help in audience, at balls, and in negotiations, I would happily perform these duties. I… chose the form of the Charonim for Silence so that she may benefit from a softer, more welcoming appearance, but I would not have been able to defend Mother, Father, and many others had my form been any different, because I am suited to certain forms of movement and combat.”

Zuzia is a little conflicted about this answer, but she understands.

That said, Daniel also doesn’t like that Arachne feels like she needs to be excluded. Suddenly, he has an idea. “Arachne, how much mana can you make use of now?”

“Father?”

“I’m asking because maybe we can demonstrate how powerful you are in a peaceful way.” Daniel looks at everyone around himself right now, and he jokes, “Wenlie is going to be mad, but I’m planning to build a railroad across the Fort Twilight crater, as well as a logistics center at the heart of it. But, the crater is too wide and too deep to make a normal railroad construction across the heart of it, not without a professional architectural engineer planning it, which I am not.”

“Well, the easy answer is to go around the outside, then, isn’t it?” asks Zuzia.

“True, but we’re the Fievegal. And, once the crater eventually fills with water, I want it to serve as a strategic location.” He then looks at Arachne. “Yaulwembor was able to store Sayrdarralouche’s body in spite of how large he is, the radioactive, er, uh, anti-magic fallout, and his own magic-resistant skin.” Zuzia looks at her gloved hands when Daniel says this, since they are scarred from trying to fight him. She has many lingering questions about that, but they’ve been hesitant to withdraw his body for now, just in case he is still not officially dead.

Daniel explains, “If we can bridge the gap using Behemoth Maples, they should prove tall enough to give us centuries of sturdy support structure for the railroad and the new fort. Though, we’ll need to find ones that have already toppled, since I don’t want to take perfectly healthy trees, since they’re probably hundreds or thousands of years old.”

“I… do not know, Father. Though, the first problem is that I can’t use Lord Serrentuk’s Gate spell, nor do I have Yaulwembor’s uncanny ability to copy magic.”

“Then, let’s call it part of your test, Arachne. I would like to have a railroad that can reach the Empire in, let’s say a year, since magic is essentially cheating compared to what we had on Earth at the time the railroads were first being laid.”

“Father, I promised I would not cheat…”

Daniel chuckles, and Zuzia explains on his behalf, “This time, it’s just a figure of speech, Arachne. But, still, a year is pretty tight.”

Daniel nods, “Indeed it is. But, if you can accomplish this task, I’ll give you an automatic… hmm, how about twenty-five percent? That will go towards your final score. What do you think?”

“Grandfather,” interrupts Silence as she steps away from Kuboen for a moment and places herself in front of him to petition him. “I would like to undertake this project.”

“First, Silence, it is rude -and immature- to interrupt people, especially someone speaking to your own Mother…” Silence twitches, and she bows her head instantly. “Apologies, Grandfather. Apologies, Mother. But, I am absolutely passionate about receiving my competency as soon as possible.”

“I do not mind,” replies Arachne gently. But, she then asks, “But, Father, would it be acceptable if we both work on this project? Surely, we can meet the intent of this portion of our test even working together and cooperating.”

Daniel nods. “Yes, that’s fine, and the second point I was going to make.” Daniel smiles at Silence. “I know your very first request to me appeared like I was going to outright deny you, Silence, but I am not so unreasonable as to not at least hear a question that aims for teamwork, especially.”

“You are right, Grandfather. I was hasty… Thank you, Mother.”

Arachne smiles softly, and Daniel adds, “However, I will be sending people to spy on you wherever you are, so I expect both of you to contribute to the project if you are going to work on it together. And, if you somehow are able to do it entirely by yourselves or only with the help of your summons, you will not receive the twenty five percent stipend towards your final grade.”

“Why not?” asks Silence a little impatiently, even though her voice, as always, remains level. “If the test is to build the railroad to Imperial territory, and we have the power to do so, why shouldn’t that be sufficient?”

Daniel refuses to answer, simply looking at Arachne.

The giant drider-like woman replies, “It’s obviously a part of the test, but I do not understand either what you are looking for as an answer, other than we must cooperate with others as well.”

“May I explain it?” asks Vaergraes to Daniel.

The mechanic nods, explaining, “Whether it’s you or someone else, I would expect them to ask and receive the answer.”

Vaergraes smiles, and she explains, “You are Princesses of the Fievegal, yes? Part of this test will be allowing you to behave as such, for better or worse, and make use of people who need jobs or limited resources, including people who are already tasked with other projects.”

Zuzia adds, “Asking for help isn’t an automatic fail,...” She glances at Daniel to confirm, and he nods, allowing her to continue. “If I were in your shoes, I would take this as a challenge to use your power, but also to demonstrate your ability to get along with other races, to negotiate with other lords and ladies -or Empresses-, and get the project done as Princesses, rather than… living excavation machines.”

“I will be the only one who will not directly help you for nothing, once I’ve explained how to lay the tracks. You will order components, make trades, or even summon the iron bars yourselves for all I care, as long as you create a reliable, sturdy mechanism. During the project, you may petition me as the Emperor for anything you need from the Fievegal or the Citadel, but if you try to appeal to me as your family, it will be a failure of the project. That said, if, at any point, you wish to surrender and ask me to help as your family member, you are free to do so. This is a bonus test, not your final competency test.”

Zuzia offers, “I’ll help you with some of the modern designs that I know of. But, also, if I remember right, I think I heard somewhere that Rikuto actually was studying to be an architect. So, keep that in mind, too.”

“Daniel! Daniel! What about me!? What about my bonus test!?” asks Hekate.

He simply chuckles and shakes his head at the feldrok teen. “Even if you get a perfect score and every possible bonus point available, it’s just impossible. I’m sorry, Sweetpea.”

“But…” her ears and tail droop, and Daniel pets her head.

“Hekate, that’s no reason for you not to strive to tackle these things. But, I am beholden, personally, to laws from my homeland. Maybe if I was a different person, or written by an author from a certain country or showrunners that can get away with it, but I’m not. I’ll say it until midnight of your eighteenth birthday, Hekate. Please be patient. Or, if you are so adventurous…”

Daniel hesitates when the ravenette’s ears fold back and she glares at him with actual anger, curtailing the thought. Daniel doesn’t mean to downplay her feelings, since he knows at this point that Hekate’s not just infatuated with him.

That said, she surrenders with a sigh. “Fine. But, if you slip up even once, Daniel, I won’t let you get away with it!” She points at him with fearsome eyes.

The others chuckle, and Daniel replies, “Yes, yes, Hekate.” He then turns to Zuzia. “I’d like your help writing the competency test itself, Zuzia. We’ll also need input from Serrentuk and Senn.”

“If I may, your Grace,” speaks up Erue while Zuzia nods in agreement with Daniel’s request.

“Go ahead, my Lady,” replies Daniel warmly. Daniel could and probably should refer to her as ‘mother’ or ‘mother-in-law’, but he is mindful that Kuboen still isn’t happy about Daniel having a harem that includes Gwenesphia.

“I am honored by Princess Silence’s request, and the betrothal you have granted. But, I… feel compelled to remind you, your Grace, that ours is a modest Barony. Though you’ve helped restore our primary trade, the difference in ranks is quite significant.”

Daniel replies, “I know what you’re talking about. Mattarglos is also heavily merit-based more so than genealogy, right?”

“Jeen…?” repeats Erue, glancing at her husband.

Zuzia replies, “He means bloodlines, the way the Empire seems to be.”

“Ah, then you are correct. It counts, but less so than merit, which is how the Grand Premier is ultimately chosen if and when it comes time to replace him.”

Daniel answers, “I want the Fievegal to eventually move towards the ideal of my homeland, which actually didn’t have aristocracy at all. Though, there was still a functional aristocracy through wealth. Calling themselves nobles was typically a death sentence in a way, though, so they simply buried the truth under ever-changing language. But, many good lessons came out of our move through the industrial revolution.”

“Some bad ones, too,” retorts Zuzia with a dry tone. “Company towns, sweatshops, the gold standard…”

The mechanic chuckles warmly. “Yes, I’m aware of plenty of pitfalls, and we’ll have many stumbles of our own, I’m sure. But, I actually plan to make noble titles within the Fievegal something you can legally purchase; a sort of formal licensing process to help strengthen the ties with our allies, and incentivize the pursuit of prosperity, since the economic tide truly does raise all boats. But, more importantly, I’m not as worried about ‘good breeding’ as long as people can support their families and don’t make obvious mistakes, like marrying enemies of the Fievegal. Lèse-majesté won’t be necessarily regarded or punishable the way it is in other nations as a result, but neither will it mean our nobles need to cow to every insult or threat from other nations. If we can find the footing I hope to establish, we will be an unshakeable monolith that the rest of the world will have no choice but to respect, even if they don’t necessarily like or want to trade with us.”

“I-... I’m humbled and flattered that you have given us such consideration, your Grace,” replies Erue.

Daniel smiles. “In truth, as long as Kuboen does his best to be a good husband to Silence, then that is the best thing I could ask for. Which reminds me; Kuboen.”

“Y-Yes, your Grace?”

“If you do end up becoming Silence’s Prince Consort, then the land of a barony won’t necessarily be a fit for you. But, you can keep it or pass it on to one of your siblings that you name heir, so long as they migrate to the Fievegal with the permission of Mattarglos.”

“Fine by me,” replies Kalegrynten, who has remained seated at the table, enjoying tea and snacks while listening in. He mostly joined this meeting to ensure Kuboen doesn’t get taken advantage of, but he knows with Veiranoei that would likely never come to pass.

“I will hold onto this royal gift for now, your Grace, though I thank you for your permission.”

Daniel nods in approval. “Arachne, Silence, I expect big things from you two. And, the sooner you make progress, the better. I’ll begin working on the first trucks for spacing and testing while you guys start the process of obtaining or making the rails and timbers. If you can make use of a behemoth maple as the center post at the heart of the crater, that would be wonderful, but don’t feel that you have to. And, as I said, do not take any that are healthy and still standing unless we can find no others.”

“We will make you proud, Father,” replies Arachne, as both she and Silence bow respectfully.

Good… If this goes well, and they are competent project leaders, this will get the railroad done while I focus on other things.

Daniel smiles, and Kalegrynten jokes, “Now that everyone’s emotions are all settled, do I have to finish all these snacks myself?”

Everyone laughs and returns to the seating area to finish the talks more properly and enjoy the snacks and tea the Ladies in Waiting made for them.

That said, what feels like a moment of rest is only a brief interlude in a world where many far away fires are still burning.

And, the shadows cast by a fire are rarely ever stationary.

***