Kaiser Ersatz

Matching each other, and complimenting one another as one characteristic of a hall of a supreme leader reigning such a thriving land, so was the nuance this hall brought... simply reluctant to waste the lavish vibrancy of the dusk with no other way in to elevate the serene tenor. Altering the ambience - stance of furnishings that served as a harbinger of the light of dusk... perfectly built those windows were, that welcomed the bright light, and flawlessly selection of the hue that nourished the golden radiance the dusk created... a warming luminosity... hence it wasn't too dark nor it was too bright.

Such proper lighting portions under the high ceiling... where the female knight knelt down in the presence of the king. A rare sight where a gender regarded as a gentle one, that of femininity adored and treasured by masculinity. Fewer than a handful, they who possessed a gentle soul reached the rank of knighthood by the country to serve as the royal protector for the king whom that blonde knight respect the most, - because she was the personal protector for the king himself... a faithful servant whose life at an honored risk to be offered as an exchange for the king, both for his safety and viability.

"I have come at your summons, Your Majesty."

Thus that blonde knight lowered her position as well as her posture, symbolizing a devoted aspect of her humble demeanor in the presence of her king. Kneeling one feet down, touching such a glossy floor with that of thick layer of steel-plated limbs on a large hue of golden with no visible dust at every corner of one's eyes. Therefore the gleaming glare of the dusk that always made its appearance when given a space to set the warm radiance through rows of large windows overlooking its source... source of the dusk blue sky.

The trustworthy sword of hers, was off from her hip, placing and lying it down on the same glossy floor, next to that knelt feet... embodying the innocuous approach and an innocent intent, eliminating the misleading intuition by presenting such a threatening instrument before her king. As for made an eye-contact was a must when one would like to speak with Your Majesty, hence her blonde head was looked up from such a lower position towards him who sat on a majestic throne of a supreme leader of this country, implying a self-effacing act upon doing a selfless willingness.

Expressing her courteous utterance upon voicing her words of salutation to address the summon of her king, managing the spoken volume through the small opening gap of her lips in such a manner that every words were conveyed a loud and firm voice yet didn't blare that could possibly cause a turbulent nuance, and weren't too quiet for creating a faint-hearted impression where her king would have a hard moment to hear every words of hers.

Everything was in a proper fashion, in accordance with every ethics and norms that had played as both a shining example and paragon for hundreds of years,

"First and foremost, Captain Revesia Rondine..."

A low vowel voice, wet rippling sound yet no hoarse but a mellow one... giving one impression of a sensitive individual who seemingly nurturing a sense of a subtle authority joining together the sagacity within that benign vibration amongst the quiet ambience. Perhaps being greatly affected by the ages and that of irreplaceable life experience as such wisdom was inherited. The gradual demise of pigment cells in hair proven to be sufficient... as they were dying, as well as the physical prime that moderately met the same fate, declining and shrinking upon the skin became wrinkled in the end of the dawn age into the dusk. Forging that pair of wistful eyes and rueful smile brighten by the arrival of that blonde knight kneeling down before her elderly king.

"Allow me to convey my gratitude upon answering my summon in this pleasing end of the day... even after going through such a tiring day in the noontide, you take your restful time to come upon my self-seeking call.

Wearing the notable of the crimson royal robe of the king... resting his fragile body in the royal throne decorated by many yet simple gems attachments only to discern the preeminent presence in the current place. A head ornament of many-jewels crown, being placed on the king's head full of white hair... becoming, too, a plus value on that eminent position.

However such an altruistic remark the king had conveyed, startling a bit of ignoble inside the heart of that blonde knight who bowed her steel-plated body even more, and a humble objection out of undeserving self... hence the bowed head of hers, staring at her own reflection on that glossy floor.

"By no means of declining Your Majesty's most precious words, it is my obligation to answer for my lord any given moment. Therefore, I deserve no such regard."

Feasting that pair of the king's eyes on, discerning the will of no pressure to bend her neck down, hiding her face that felt the unworthy feeling upon gaining such words even when her body itself already bowed in devotion. And that scenery alike, pulled out the king's lips, causing the curling of the upper lip inwards as a smile of no pressure was present on the king's grateful face,

"Please, raise your head, Captain Rondine... there's no need for doing that," an amiable voice was then heard coming out from that little pulled-upward lips after a brief, subtle laugh, "That noontide incident was indeed an unfortunate moment for our city. Never expecting the peace of the land to be threaten by a threat beyond humans capability, therefore the inevitable casualties to be expected... yet you were - with so much courage in your heart - leading an army of a handful soldiers and raging to the front line in name of protecting the welfare of many people while disregarding your own. Surely such a deed is worthy of regard and admiration."

Raising her head that blonde knight was... Captain Rondine eventually grasped the kind of intent her king delivered to, "Thank you, Your Majesty... for it is my commitment to protect the city and its inhabitants as you have entrusted the Light of Morning Star to me. And it was also thank to the Ancient Heroes who lent their hands helping to achieve victory upon the seemingly impossible threat - most contributions are on them, truth to say... if it were not for them, our side would assuredly be suffered the most."

Hearing such good news, pouring a warm peace into the king's chest and wider smile as the result while slowly nod his head, constructing a hopeful culmination inside his mind in the end, "I understand, it was thanks to them once again for leaving no notable casualty. Notwithstanding the current condition, you yourself should also deserve that praise of your bravery - as I already said - your initiative and integrity deserve that praise. Arrived at the scene beforehand to control the mass panic and lead them into a safe area while the Ancient Heroes handled the threat freely with no worry it would affect the residents. What a consonance coaction."

"My deepest thanks for your kind compliments." evoked the revered feeling instead the reserve one, for her king's words this time, that blonde knight bowed her head in one motion of devotion, "I could promise the warranty that the relation between our soldiers and the Ancient Heroes would be tighter together, in order to protect the Light of Morning Star."

"I heard they have acquired the five member just now, haven't they?" out of trivial curiosity, asking such a minor question out of the blue only to meet his satisfactory the king was then, unintentionally changed the subject matter after certain with the outcome but the consequence,

"That is correct, Your Majesty," without a bit of hesitation, promptly providing the answer that blonde knight was, "The fifth and the closing member of Ancient Heroes... her name is Iecie Sigurros Turetajs. She is a Half-elf, and also a graduate from University of Ospheus. She joined their cause a week ago, and was too, the one who sealed those monsters with her magic."

"I see... a Half-elf. That's quite a rare sight to see."

"Indeed, Your Majesty."

"I would like to meet her sometime... offering my gratitude for her for keeping the peace above this thriving land."

"I am quite sure she would feel honored just to be able to meet with you, Your Majesty."

Sharing the same smile the king and his royal protector were, upon addressing that group of Ancient Heroes with one another and that Half-elf in particular... evoking that of proud to have them on their side in a general perspective as they ensured the welfare for all residents of a rapidly thriving city as time went. Hence the ease posture the king showed, placing his fragile shoulder back on that large backrest of the crimson throne... knowing well that any casualty could be and would be minimized upon the establishment of their group - rest assure and assuredly.

Such a discordant vibration however, was shown by that one individual of the arbiter... standing silently with no words beside the gleeful king, wearing the same royal robe as he filled the role of the king's court - the ever-present royal council, serving the king to lighten any burden of his related to conceptual matter any way he could. Seemingly minor presence in the current occurring dialogues, yet eventually came out with such a cavernous question which dwindled the gleam of those smiles alike.

"And then, what is the exact number of the casualty caused by the noontide incident?"

A deep voice, gentle and serene yet giving that of an authoritative sound upon voicing his question that brought back the gravity of conventional expression and the subject matter of the blonde knight when she was about to provide the immediate answer for that noble middle-aged man.

"Yes, Curia Regis," turned her azure eyes that blonde knight was then, meeting her stare with the tranquil gaze of him, "There are currently three hundreds and thirty-seven refugees who settle temporarily at the temple. That is approximately eighty five families - seventy-eight adult males, eighty-eight adult females, one hundreds and thirty-three children and the rest are eldery people."

"Then, what about the damage of the city?" the royal council forthwith with his next question, seemingly gave no space for that blonde knight to breathe between her answers.

"Yes, Curia Regis." so did the blonde knight, seemingly unfaltering to provide the following answer, "Approximately an area of three hundred and sixty thousand square feet, the equivalent of seventy buildings... were demolished to the ground in the process."

"What of it, Regis?" the wondering king, flicked his head in the slightest to his right once his personal advisor became quiet for a moment after gaining the information he just asked... staring with a facial of curiosity the king was, then asking that royal council regarding the veiled intention beneath those prior two layers of straightforward inquiry.

"My apologies, Your Majesty," the noble middle-aged man, rushingly swept his feet of fancy pair of shoes, turning his whole body and position at which the king capable of witnessing his whole gesturing apology for his sudden interrupt... prior to his reasons were to be elucidated, "I am afraid that my assessment over the noontide incident may differ. No matter where we perceive at it, our side is suffering the most. Many people have lost their houses as the collateral damage is surpassed that of the infrastructural damage perpetrated by them several previous incidents. In addition to the above matter, it was the Half-elf who perpetrated the initial incident as she was the one who brought the creatures inside the wall and indirectly becoming the main cause of it. In spite of successfully re-contained the creatures, she - alas - has committed such an offense for. Would Your Majesty, at least, revise her action?"

Listening to suchlike the exhaustive reasons and logical interpretation, a brief chortle was never to be foreseen coming from the king later, "Hahaha... I understand your concern, Regis my old friend. But for me, losing a physical belongings is something one's should be grateful for... especially for a person whose life left only a last countdown... so long it wasn't their life, I could find a peace in it. Above all, we could rebuild, repair, even improve their homes, couldn't we?"

Jolly man the king was, despite the position and an important role he must carried on his fragile shoulder hidden beneath that crimson robe. Exposing the positive vibe and smile upon explaining, seemingly disregarding the reality that many of his people had just lost their shelter... yet from his wrinkled eyes showed that much of empathy.

And as his loyal advisor, that noble middle-aged man simply couldn't deny every words his king just conveyed - a full of confidence remark which marked the duty he must performed later, "Yes, most certainly, Your Majesty. Thanks the detail of which Captain Rondine just reported, we could assume the pecuniary asset in order to compensate the loss."

"Then regarding the matter of that new member of Ancient Heroes," lightheartedly went on with his settlement the king was, in order to ease the concern of his personal advisor, "It is their independent privilege that allows them to walk at their own paces. The kingdom has no authority over them... even I capable of nothing much regarding their agenda nor policies. However, it is the renowned group we're speaking of... their past deeds were admittedly virtuous by many, therefore there's none really... to be worried about as the noontide incident is more likely to be an accident, thus I have faith in them. Nonetheless, as my loyal advisor... and an old friend of mine... you're right... maybe I should anticipate for the worse."

Keeping his serene and clear mind that noble middle-aged man was, showing gratitude of no words upon listening to the caring consideration shown by the king with his tender smile across that wrinkled old lips hiding beneath the thick gray beard while his stare was slowly being moved, turned towards the knelt knight... asking one query to her,

"Captain Rondine, do you know where they keep those sealed creatures?"

"Yes, Your majesty," with no a second halt, the blonde knight right away delivered an answer from what she knew, "They secure the creatures at their headquarters - Halle der Helden. And for what purpose... I apologise, I have yet to find any detail of it."

"It's fine, Captain. The information you provided is sufficient to arrange the next anticipation," the king responded, then turning back his gaze for the royal council beside, "Then, Regis, do you have any suggestion regarding the situation?"

"Well," touching his round chin out of habit when analyzing the pattern of reality, thinking one or two step ahead to minimize or even prevent the future casualty... any casualty... the royal council - the brain of the kingdom - eventually came up with a measure of lighthearted decision, "For now, myself suggests to increase the number of guards in the proximity of Hella der Helden, in order to initiate the first move securing the civilians around it when the similar incident may occur in the future... while also keeping an eye on them."

"Hmm... that's quite a wise decision," acknowledging his personal advisor the king was, and smiled while he was elucidating his thought without reluctance... one exception include however, "But the priority should be protecting the civilians. I sincerely disapprove the decision to watch over the Ancient Heroes, for it is lawfully wrong to intervene with their personal belongings."

Quite a disappointment that noble middle-aged received for himself, partially accepted while mostly disregarded his suggestion was... for there was a shrouded intent within it that couldn't and wouldn't be chewed over within the circumstance - a veiled intention but for a greater good... for country, for the kingdom, and especially for the king himself. There was left nothing he capable of upon the words that had been spoken by the king, however. Hence the approving gesture he showed,

"I understand, Your Majesty. I shall fulfill your wish."

"In consideration of the noontide matter, should we declare its resolution, Regis, and proceed with the crucial one?"

"Yes, most certainly, Your Majesty... it is the right time to discuss the matter, since nobody but Captain Rondine herself who is already in here."

Seemingly this afternoon's talk was only wrapped the surface of something much more deeper, so did the ambience, as the agonize began to reign the wrinkled old face of the king... abruptly turning the benign mood into something more agitated when he was about to stimulate the following matter - to the depths of an unseeyn dispute... as well becoming the major reason for the summons of that blonde knight who had no idea about what to be revealed.

"Captain Revesia Rondine, there is an order which I would like you to carry... an old man asking a favor for his beloved country and his people."

With that of concern on the king's wrinkled face, he began to voice his most disturbed tone, seemingly disregarding his own esteem upon conveyed his desire and in the end... startling that stoic look on the blonde knight as well. Not only from the way of altruistic idiolect her king displayed upon speaking, but also from the order itself... never expecting to receive such an order like this one throughout her life as a knight.

"I wish you would investigate something within the noble houses which I fear... might lead to an assassination attempt. Curia Regis would explain in detail."