Steel and Mana

Chapter 364 – The Dinner

I wasn't surprised that Kadosa had left; his pride simply couldn't cope with my provocation. Good. I am not going to cradle a snake in this union, not if Mirian's vision is an actual warning. And... with my implications planted into his people's ears, I expected a regime change soon enough anyway.

What remained after a long and somewhat tiring first discussion was a formal dinner where informal talks could begin.

It was a bit different than having dinner back home. My own palace was pretty big, yes, but not as decorated as Mirian's home. Honestly, it reminded me of how it was in my previous life, how the history books showed how ancient emperors lived in unbelievable luxury. It was uncomfortable, and I could see the same thing in my children's eyes.

Golden chandeliers hung from the high, domed ceiling, and their light reflected on the polished marble floors. We were seated along a long, ornately carved table that stretched the length of the entire dining hall. It was draped in a deep crimson cloth and set with silverware that was indeed made of silver. About a hundred servants moved back and forth between us, pouring fine wines and presenting plates of food from all of the participating kingdoms. Mirian went out thoroughly with this; I could tell from a first glance.

"Enjoy it," I told the kids, reaching for a roasted lamb and taking it with my bare hands, paying no mind to any etiquette. If I can grab it, I will. I am not about to learn how to handle five different forks and spoons.

"Well... it does look good," Arthur mumbled, following suit. Soon, they were finally settled enough to enjoy the dinner.

"Just relax," I repeated, smiling at them. "There's no need to keep a lookout anymore."

I didn't need their help to read the room anymore as my eyes calmly scanned the table, taking another juicy bite.

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Emperor Ahnud Sar swirled his wine absently, his thoughts far from the extravagant feast before him, barely registering what was put on his plate by one of his advisors. He just couldn't shake Kadosa's words, acting, and departure from his mind. Something felt off about it, and he had a feeling he wouldn't see him anymore. The taste of the wine was lost on him, its richness lost on his tongue as his mind simply ignored all the sensations, still going over the preliminary negotiations from before. He already knew a union was going to form... Nothing could stop that from happening.

“Your Majesty,” a voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Scholar Amur, one of his advisors since he took the throne, leaning in close to avoid being overheard. “The Roblesian delegation has been in deep conversation with Avalon’s prime minister since dinner started. Should we be concerned? Should I try to...”

"..." Ahnud’s gaze flicked to Queen Nuen IX, who sat across the table, her lips curved in a faint, knowing smile as she exchanged words with her chancellor before turning back towards Avalon's Merlin... holder of one of the Gods' gifts. “Concerned?” he murmured, his voice quiet. “No. Cautious, perhaps. But I wouldn't bother with it because the ones she is talking to are holding all the cards. She’s testing the waters, nothing more. With this union coming into existence, we don't need to be wary of another war.”

Yet even as he spoke, his eyes drifted to High Cardinal Damar, seated at the far end of the table. The man’s placid demeanor was infuriating. Damar’s hands, just as before, were folded neatly, his expression serene, but Ahnud knew better. The appearance of God Wyland's lost book was... A great sign to the bastards... They are going to be staunch supporters of this alliance, taking it as a sign from the Gods.

“Keep an eye on the High Cardinal,” Ahnud said, his voice barely above a whisper. “He will try to wiggle his way into Avalon, no matter the distance between the two. They are fanatics, and a newly discovered artifact that was lost for more than a millennium will make them want to learn about it everything they can.”

"I understand." Amur nodded, his face tightening with understanding. “And what of Emperor Kadosa? His absence is...”

"That's that. Drop it." Ahnud’s eyes closed, speaking firmly, making sure all of his advisors heard him. “Kadosa’s pride has always been his weakness. We don't speak of it anymore. Geth made their decision, and so did we. As for how it will affect us in the future... We will see.”

But even as he dismissed Kadosa’s absence, a part of him wondered if he was making a mistake or not. Avalon’s rise was unprecedented, their power staggering. If they continued unchecked, even his empire, as far as it was from them, would have no choice but to yield. It was already happening... The thought alone left a bitter taste in his mouth, one that no wine could wash away.

"That book..." He thought to himself, glancing at Merlin, cursing the luck that such a backwater place managed to find one of the Gods' blessings. No wonder they got so strong so quickly!

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While seemingly Emperor Ahnud was sulking, Queen Nuen delicately picked at a piece of roasted pheasant, hiding her amusement behind her goblet of wine whenever he remembered Emperor Kadosa's expression. His dramatic exit made her evening all the more entertaining, making her feel especially pleased with the first day of the Summit's results.

“The fool,” she thought to herself. “He lost before he even played his hand. Not that he had any good cards left in it... Should have folded like Ahnud.”

"My Queen," Her chancellor, Lord Taelor, leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. “The Theocracy’s delegation seems... unusually quiet. Do you think they’ve already made their decision?”

"Of course." Nuen’s eyes flicked to High Cardinal Damar. “He is a man of faith, and to bout, he is no fool. He knows where the wind is blowing. You should already be aware of that.” She smiled, making her chancellor, who was younger than her, shrug.

"Their speeches are always pointing toward the Gods' wills. It is hard to know what they actually mean or if they indeed believe what they say."

"It isn't easy to read them," Nuen nodded, smiling to herself, "But it isn't impossible either. I learned how to read between the lines because Damar's favorite method is using faith to mask his true intentions. If they are silent, it is because they are content. Otherwise, he would have already thrown out his favorite word: Heresy."

"I understand..." Taelor frowned. “And what of Sar? He’s been watching us all evening.”

"I am not surprised. We did give him a good spanking in the war. He has been salty ever since." Nuen smiled, glancing at Ahnud and even raising her goblet towards him. “Let him watch. Ahnud Sar is a defanged lion.”

Then, her gaze shifted to Leon of Avalon, sitting close to the head of the table, almost beside Mirian. For such a powerful man, he was young, and there was a type of confidence about him that she found intriguing.

“Avalon is offering a new order,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “We have always thrived by playing the long game. This is no different. Keep to my orders, chancellor, and keep probing their Prime Minister.”

"Will do, my Queen." Taelor nodded, though his expression remained cautious. “And if they demand more than they’ve previously touted about?”

"Don't fall for traps." Nuen’s smile widened, though it did not reach her eyes. “Don't show weakness either. They proposed it... If they start bullying, it would be a card we could play, turning this union straight on them.”

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The High Cardinal, one of the few delegations who barely spoke, sat with his hands folded before him, appearing calm and contemplative. In truth, his mind was racing with the possibilities ahead. His attention was on Goldengrove, on Avalon's Sovereign... and his uncle. The man named Elliot hasn't said anything so far; it is as if he is invisible, but not to his eyes. He already knew that if he wanted to get to Avalon, the quickest route was through this Goldengrove. Through its head, Elliot. Everyone will try to go straight to Avalon, clogging up the main roads... So, he would take the backdoor.

“Your Eminence,” one of his advisors, a young priestess named Olivia, whispered. “The Roblesian queen seems... eager. Do we follow?”

"Of course." Damar’s gaze paused on Nuen for a moment before shifting to Elliot and then to Leon. "But we will be faster this time around. We have something Avalon has been asking us for the past few years, so... If this union becomes official, we will be the first to strike the iron."

"The plants...?" Olivia's brow furrowed, and it was still a mystery to her what Avalon wanted with that. “And what of the Sar Emperor? He’s been watching us all evening. He may try to subtly sabotage our efforts and deals.”

"I don't think he will." Damar’s lips twitched a little. “Just look at him. That is the face of utter defeat.”

He took a slow sip of his wine, the rich flavor, something he let himself enjoy for a little. Avalon’s rise was undeniable, and Damar saw an opportunity. One that was now clear as day, thanks to the revelation from the God of Magic himself, returning his Artifact into mortal hands.

“The Church has always been a guiding force,” he said, his voice full of actual reverence. “If Avalon is to shape the future, we must ensure they do so with wisdom and faith. We will not oppose them. We will guide them.”

"I see..." Olivia nodded, though her expression remained uncertain. “And if they refuse to be guided?”

"They won't." Damar’s eyes closed slowly. “Every human believes in something, and the Gods' miracles are undeniable facts.”

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As guessed, the most active were the big players, those who were battling it out a decade ago. To my surprise, though, people from Scorc were silent... Cooperative. I would have not bet on that. As for the small ones, they were huddling together like meerkats. The western three? They were more interested in the dinner than politics. They were probably already expecting a big payout now that Geth was absent, feeling that they may be able to gobble them up... Which was not out of the question if Kadosa isn't removed.

"I didn't expect you to be such a hardass out of the gate." Mirian leaned in, her voice low, but I could hear the amusement in it. “They’re watching you, you know.”

"I'm flattered." I chuckled in answer. “Let them watch. They’ll see what they want to see. Although, for more content, I'll ask them to start paying me.”

"I have no doubts about that." Mirian’s eyes narrowed, though her tone remained light. “Confidence is one thing, Leon. Arrogance is another. We need them to work together... if the beasts do come, we need the region to stand as one.”

"I know." I nodded as I turned to her, my expression calm but resolute. “This isn’t arrogance. It’s strategy. Kadosa is unpredictable and unstable. You, of all, should recognize a crazed Emperor. He needs to be removed and done as early as possible. Look at Scorc. They have big grudges against you and, in proxy, against me. Yet... they are here, silent, but still part of the talks. Kadosa? He couldn't look past, even though he suffered less than Scorc.”

"I know..." She studied me for a moment before nodding and letting out a long breath. “Just be careful. Not everyone at this table is an ally. Not yet. Don't scare them away.”

"I won't." I smiled while my gaze swept the room, lingering on Nuen, Damar, and finally, Ahnud Sar. “Plus, I don't think they would be easy to scare away.”