Steel and Mana

Chapter 361 – The Summit (1)

Inside my twins' temporary chambers, I stood calmly, arms crossed, and a constant grin on my face—something that further annoyed my kids. Arthur and Leyla sat in front of a large mirror, a team of attendants fussing over their appearance, adjusting collars, smoothing the fabric of their outfits, and ensuring that not a single strand of hair was out of place. It was necessary to prepare for the Summit as we were not only representing Avalon but, in a way, Ishillia. Knowing how the neighbors around us look at diplomacy and nobles, we ought to play the part. Well, it was my kids' first time to endure sitting in place for hours while maids prepared them to look... presentable.

"Ugh!" Leyla let out an annoyed huff, shifting uncomfortably as one of the attendants secured the delicate golden clasp of her ceremonial garments. "This is ridiculous. We're just going to be sitting there the entire time, and we have to get dressed up like this? I feel like a doll being stuffed into a gilded cage. This is totally unnecessary, Dad!"

"It is a norm amongst Emperors and Kings," Arthur answered calmly as he looked at her via the mirror in front of them, his own formal uniform being fitted to him. "You should get used to it when you are visiting others. This won't be the first political event you are going to attend if you want to tour the land. Besides, you look regal. Like a queen."

"I am having second thoughts about leaving Avalon now. Not even that cake is worth this type of nuisance." Leyla rolled her eyes, though I could see a smile hiding at the edge of her face. "And regal? No. I feel like a peacock. And don't act like you're not itching to get out of that ridiculous collar yourself. I can see you fidgeting. And hear your thoughts."

"No comment." Arthur chuckled, tugging at the high collar of his tunic.

"Haah..." Leyla shrugged again as the maids finally finished, allowing them to move freely while filing out of the room, leaving us alone. The moment they were gone, I stepped closer, looking at them proudly, before my face turned to serious, something they noticed from the mirror's reflection.

"I need both of you to listen carefully. This Summit has taken a serious turn." I watched as my voice made both of them straighten in their seats.

"What do you mean? What's happened?" Leyla frowned as they turned around, looking at me, trying to read my thoughts.

"Something's wrong, isn't it? Something more than the usual political posturing." Arthur immediately picked up on the underlying tension in my voice, his eyes sharply focusing, expecting the worst.

"It is not yet that serious," I explained while signaling them to listen carefully to what I was about to say. "At least, not yet."

"Enemies?" Arthur asked, the question escaping his mouth before he could think about it, flinching, and I could see that he was more stiff than before... I could feel there was something more to it than a hunch...

"Kind of." I nodded as I began, observing his expression closely, "Mirian had a vision. A dream of a future where the Spear of Death is in her hands, fighting against beasts."

"At the Pass or...?" he asked again, and I kept looking into his eyes to see the change in his mood, which was becoming increasingly grave.

"No. Not really."

"That would mean––" Leyla blurted out, making me nod.

"In her vision, Avalon failed to keep them out."

"..."

Silence filled the room at once. I kept looking at my son, becoming sure that something he wasn't ready to share yet may be connected to the sudden fact that Mirian had a vision. I wouldn't be surprised, but I didn't ask about it yet. But, the moment this Summit is done, I will have to have a serious talk with him.

"That's bad..." Leyla swallowed, her fingers gripping the edge of her dress, wrinkling up the smoothened skirt she was wearing. "Are you sure it wasn't just a dream? I don't think I ever heard of her having any kind of vision. Isn't this just a bad hunch?"

"Even if it is, we can't take a warning like that so leisurely!" I shook my head, my expression stern. "Also... my own hunch says that no, it wasn't just a dream. These artifacts hold power beyond our understanding. The fact that their wielders receive visions is not out of the question. We would be fools to ignore it when it happens. This is why everything has changed with this Summit. We are no longer just here to observe or support Mirian's proposal. We need to use this meeting to prepare for what may come."

"So you will make a move..." Arthur narrowed his eyes, his mind already racing through the possibilities of what I may do. "Then what do you need us to do?"

"Good." I gave them a small nod of approval, proud that my son was already thinking ahead. "For now, silence will be your greatest tool. You don't need to speak at the Summit. Instead, I need you to listen. Pay attention to every single leader, advisor, maid, or fly if it gets into that room. Watch their expressions, their reactions, and—"

"—use our gifts to read them," Leyla finished, realization dawning on her. Her voice was quiet, contemplating, exchanging a glance with her brother.

"Exactly." I nodded, knowing that they weren't exactly capable of complex mind-reading. But they were capable of discerning thoughts, feelings, and moods. That should be enough. "I want you both to pick up on every stray thought and every flicker of emotion and feed it to me if you can. I need to have a basic understanding of what each of these rulers truly wants, not just what they say out loud. We need to know who is open to cooperation and who will try to sabotage this effort. They can lie to us; they can't lie to you two."

"Understood." Arthur let out a slow breath, nodding. "So you want us to act as your enhanced eyes and ears."

"Yes," I confirmed, looking at them with a faint smile. "We have our warning, and I am not about to see the city I built to be destroyed by brutish animals. If we are to have any chance of bringing the surrounding empires together, I'll do so. If they can't act nice, I need to know how to play them against each other—to make sure the right alliances are formed and the right words are said. One way or another, I will force them to become peaceful. Mirian is pushing for unity, but with how things are, that unity may not happen without a bit of force. Just like dogs don't like to eat their medicine, we must shove it down their throat."

"Yeah... I don't think many will appreciate that, Dad." Leyla glanced down at her hands, then clenched them into fists. "But we will do what we can!" She looked back up, eyes glowing, determination burning within them.

"Do you think they'll listen?" Arthur asked, contemplating, "To the idea of the Empress's vision of a union? Or will they just refuse it straight out of the blue?"

"Half of them will, half of them won't." I sighed, rubbing my temple. "The most outraged will be the Geth Empire and probably the people from Scorc. Some will pretend to listen while secretly planning to use this opportunity to their own advantage, probably the Sar Empire and Roblesia. Then, there are the small countries that would love it because they can get a guarantee they won't be gobbled up again. So it is complicated! That's why your role is so important, kids. I need to know who I can trust—and who I can't because their words lack honesty."

"Don't worry, Dad!" Arthur smiled up at me, his emotions finally calming down, his initial worry subsiding, "They won't even know we are reading their cards!"

"That's why nobody is playing cards with us," Leyla exhaled, crossing her arms. "Yeah. We've got your back, Dad."

"I know you do. And you are right... I don't play cards with you two because I can't bluff either of you, you little imps!" A small smile flickered across my face, but it disappeared just as quickly. "Get ready. The Summit starts soon, and I need both of you to be at your sharpest." Letting them talk it out a little, I was about to head out, but just as I reached the doorknob, Arthur called after me.

"Dad."

"Hm?" I paused, glancing back at him.

"If Mirian's vision is right…" He hesitated for a brief moment before continuing. "If Avalon really does fall… what do we do?"

"It won't fall," I answered immediately, without hesitation, without letting the two even think for a second I would let something like that happen while I live. "We make damn sure it doesn't happen."

With that, I stepped out of the room, leaving the twins to finish their preparations for their new mission.

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A few hours later, the grand meeting hall of the Ishillian palace was a hotbed of activity as about a hundred servants ran from and to, finishing the last-minute adjustments. Outside of the palace, horses arrived, bringing carriages filled with the different leaders coming from their private courtyards, even if they were only a few minutes of walk away from the main palace. It was all about appearance at the start... and the Emperors, Kings, and Queens can't arrive on foot now, can they?

Pathetic. But I couldn't say it out loud, could I?

Arthur, Leyla, and I emerged from the inner palace, walking in amongst the first arrivals, but not exactly the first. Merlin, Elliot, and the rulers of the most minor kingdoms were already present, meaning their three leaders were the first to come.

"They are nervous," Arthur whispered, leaning close to me.

"They aren't hostile, though," Leyla added, watching as Merlin was talking with them, probably already roping them to our side. "I feel as if they are already being swayed by Merlin's words."

"I wouldn't be surprised." I chuckled, looking around, noticing our place at the table, the flag of Avalon standing behind our chairs. "Since their failed attempt at attacking Ishillia back then, they lost all initial influence over anything around them. They were lucky to remain independent."

"As far as I know," Elliot said, joining us, overhearing my words, "They are pretty much tied to Roblesia by now. They are independent regions, yes, but they don't have any foreign diplomacy of their own."

"Which we can grant." I chuckled, knowing that Merlin was doing precisely that. He was already throwing in the juicy bait that if they go with Mirian's union, it won't just be Roblesia who can decide for them. They can regain their international voice.

"Roblesia won't like it." Arthur and Elliot muttered at the same time.

"I don't think Dad cares about that." Leyla chuckled, looked up at me, and then turned her head. "Oh, look!" She nodded her head, and I noticed two newcomers entering. "It's your future wife."

"Shut up." Arthur scoffed, making us chuckle.

"I am not selling my kids' hand in marriage," I interjected before Leyla could continue teasing, my eyes locked on the young Prince Veron and his sister, the even younger Princess Fila. "Both of them are mages?" I asked quietly, watching my twins nod. "I see."

Of course, the two also noticed we were looking, greeting us with a slight bow and heading to their seats, Veron holding Fila's hand firmly. It was evident, without the gift of my kids, that the young girl was just as overwhelmed as Galahad usually was when getting to such a noisy place. She was showing a very similar expression to my youngest son... Maybe I should let them meet. Even though I am not about to settle a marriage for my kids, I am also not against giving them an opportunity to get to know others.

Especially if it is about Galahad... He only has us, which is not much.

"The famous Sovereign of Avalon..." A voice interrupted my thoughts, making me turn my head ever so slowly, noticing the arrival of Emperor Kadosa IV of Geth. His voice was calm and... low. But, the way Leyla curled her fingers, she already had signaled me what she was feeling. Not that I needed it... I could see it in his eyes. He hates me, alright.

"I am." I nodded, turning towards him calmly. From the edge of my vision, I saw that Pion and the group of my guards had also stepped out of the shadows, ready to intervene, only to merge back into the darkness when Lucca walked forth, with a low wave of his hands, here to join us. "You must be the current Emperor of Geth." I continued, measuring him. "This is the first time we meet face to face."

"It is," he said, looking at me and then at Lucca, grimacing, before stopping at their designated chairs. His entourage followed a step behind their emperor. "..."

There was something he was about to say; I could see the words forming in his throat when more people arrived. Whatever he wanted to say... It had to wait for the Summit to begin.