Heavy Knight v. Rogue

Three days later, Will returned to Gadreel. His holiday in Lezhe was much needed and the imperial royals seemed to enjoy themselves as well. With fun and sun coming to end, Will returned to business.

First on his agenda, was his weekly clerk meeting. Reading over the accounts and listening to clerks report them, his business was filing well. And people were beginning to feel bullish on mankind's chances of winning.

"Is there anything else, anyone wishes to report?" checked Will.

"I do," Mei said raising her hand.

Receiving the go-ahead, Mei spoke, "Boss Will, please know I speak on behalf of all of us when I say we have been overwhelmed with complaints regarding your contract with the Emperor Jacques-Louis.

"What's the problem?" asked a shocked Will. "People feel you're preventing them from investing in the Rhaziesian Empire. Our customers want you to get rid of your contract exclusivity, or add them as signatories like Duke von Mueller," Vanessa explained.

"Didn't you tell them there are other countries to invest in?" Will said angrily. "Why must they cut in on my deal!"

"Surely you're aware of your and the imperial duke's reputation. Our customers are keenly aware the future is uncertain. And, they are concerned you'll grow wealthier and they'll lose out in the long-term," Miles advised.

"I cannot let them in on my contract they would cause more harm than good. Remind them if they are concerned about uncertainty tell them to purchase more bonds," Will reiterated.

"They shall not be happy to receive such news," Mei commented.

When Will mentioned they call more harm than good, he was referring to their interference in soft infrastructures such as health, culture, education, law and order, and finance.

"Then they can donate to the young emperor like our king," Will replied.

"Boss they want to invest, not donate!" Vanessa explained.

"Boss Will, rightly or wrongly, people believe you'll return Rhaziesian Empire to its former glory. With the Qhosnir Empire under attack, and the Great Eastern Empire a potential ally, the Rhaziesian Empire could develop unhindered. That could lead to a large windfall," said Miles, doing his best to explain people's thoughts.

Will agreed, investing in emerging markets could prove to be successful. But emerging markets were also incredibly difficult to navigate, which is why Will's foreign direct investments had such strict stipulations.

When investors tailor their strategies to each country's context, they can capitalize on the strengths of a particular location.

But faced with added investors, Will had three choices: he can adapt his investment model while keeping his core stipulations, he can turn them away, or he can ask them to pool their investment.

However, as a rule of thumb, more investors mean more interference, which means more customer service.

Will choose option number 3. It was the simplest and straightforward approach.

"That's it! If! It's conditional! This could be all for folly. Why do these people want to invest with such a large risk? Common sense should tell them to invest in bonds until we win or lose the war!" Will complained.

They looked at each other, unsure who should answer. Until Jesper spoke up, "Uh, my lord, your secret dealings with the Rhaziesian Emperor and Duke von Muller have led some to believe in a conspiracy. They believe you have inside knowledge of the war."

"That ridiculous!" Will exclaimed.

"We are aware sir," Jesper agreed.

'Obviously, the Third Great Schism was causing people to find ration in make-believe,' Will thought.

"What's next," Will said ready to move.

"But sir, you've yet to address the topic," Jesper said.

"Tell them to invest in Rhaziesian bonds. Then I'll consider the proposal after the war," Will ordered.

"What's next?" Will asked.

"Ambassadors from the Dukedom of Kro, Kingdom of Zhekid, and The Kingdom of Icer are in the Great Eastern Empire. They notified me, they'd like to speak with you when they arrive. They should be by the end of the week," Mei announced.

"When did I become the world's credit agency? Send me an encyclopedic report on their countries and natural resources," Will demanded.

After adjourning his meeting, Will walked into the garden to check on his disciples.

When he went outside Kallista and Camille helped Lukas with his Tai Chi poses as Nisha observed them lazily.

"Lukas are you familiar yet with our schedule?" Will asked.

"Tai Chi, breakfast, study, lunch, meditate for an hour in the afternoon, and we'll spar after you return from work. At night before bed, I'll take your Aether-infused herbs. This shall be my routine until I leave your care," Lukas repeated.

"Good but you're forgetting something, I shall also find knights for you to battle, as my disciple you are forbidden from turning down a battle. You shall face every challenger head-on. Every opponent provides a teachable moment, any questions?" Will asked.

"None master," Lukas replied.

"Now I want you and Kallista to duel. I want to see your skill levels. You both are journeyman ranked. A heavy knight versus a rogue," said Will encouragingly.

"A word of warning, I have been trained by the best Imperial knights since I could hold a sword. I shall not go easy on you, please forgive me, Pirate Princess," Lukas said sorrowfully.

"Neither shall I go easy on you. I see the way your eye catches my frame, do you find me attractive? If you'd like, I can personally tutor you…" Kallista said seductively.

'Maybe I should've warned him she was trained in the art of deception, seduction, stealth, camouflage, knives, torture, poison, speed, and assassin techniques by a master assassin,' wondered Will.

Lukas' mental defense collapsed as Kallista walked seductively toward him. She walked right up to his stupefied blushing face and moved in for a kiss, only to rest her hooked assassin knife on his jugular.

"I guess I win," Kallista said cutely.

It wasn't until he heard Will declare her the winner, that he looked down at his throat in fear.

"Kallista's the winner," Will declared.

"Wait that's not fair!" Lukas protested.

"How is it not fair, did not master start the duel?" said Kallista devoid of charm.

"You lost brother!" Princess Melody said walking out the veranda.

"That's not a duel!" Lukas protested.

"Why because she used her charm and feminine wiles to defeat you?" Princess Melody asked disgusted at his sexism.

"Princess Melody, thank you, please leave this to me," said Will respectfully.

"What did you learn Lukas?" Will asked.

"To always be on guard," he said sadly.

"Yes, but also duels can take any form. Remember, I told you at the start she was rogue. But you expected her to fight as a knight," Will instructed.

"Let's go again," Will said dropping his hands.

This time Lukas immediately strengthened his body with mana and even materialized a shield entirely made of mana and summoned his blade from his storage ring.

Without pause, he went on the offensive. Kallista immediately cast [Ice Javelin] and [Ice Bind].

Lukas' back foot was frozen in place, but he was able to block her javelin with his shield.

"[Extra Strength]," Lukas yelled and broke free his foot from the bind.

Lukas covered his sword in a sword aura and shot at Kallista.

Kallista cast [Ice Wall] to stop Lukas's advance, then he rapidly cast [Tempest], [Snow Storm], [Freeze].

Will's garden suddenly turned icy cold as Lukas was trapped in the middle of a blizzard.

Lukas quickly cast [Sanctuary] to move through the storm unhindered, but within 30 seconds his failure faded, and yell, "I give."

Kallista canceled her spells and looked cheerfully at Will.

"Lukas, what did you learn?" Will asked.

"Not to fight a mage?" he replied, his ego damaged.

"No, you're an impressive fighter. But you attacked her head-on. When you fight mages, you need to move, dodge, and keep them guessing. It makes it difficult to land a spell on you, and gets them to spend their mana reserves," Will explained.

"Ah, I understand," Lukas said.

"You're so used to fighting as a heavy knight, that's the only way you know how to fight. I've brought a friend to help train you," Will said excitedly.

"Crown Prince Lukas, please meet your new sword instructor Crown Prince Vaalyun Yllamoira," Will bowed as Vaal walked out the veranda into the garden.

"Greetings Vaal," Will said with a warm friendly smile.

"And to you my friend," Vaal said hugging Will.

"Disciple greets instructor," Lukas replied.

"Instructor greets student. I have watched your duels you are certainly impressive, but your master is correct your mind is too rigid. You are to see the Elvish Embassy after lunch. We'll meditate and spar. I'll send you back here by dinner," Vaal explained.

"Crown Prince Vaalyun Yllamoira's grandfather is my second master. We'll train you together. I would not recommend you to Crown Prince Vaalyun Yllamoira if I did not think you weren't outstanding already.

Ultimately the reason you lost to Kallista is your lack of experience. Remember we talked about, wisdom. Do not miss this opportunity to gain experience and develop," Will passionately advised.

"Thank you, master, for this opportunity," Lukas said emotionally moved.

"Good, now the three of you go study. Your tutors are waiting for you inside. Lukas, I think you'll like your instructor, he's my city administrator."

After the children left, Vaal looked at Will and said, "you think it wise to keep such a spider under your roof?"

"I think it's better to keep my enemies closer. With my soldiers escorting her, and my spies ever watchful, I feel it's okay. It's better to keep her here than in Tirana," Will explained.

"You did not see the princess' face when Kallista seduced her brother. It was as if she found an equal. You might be able to have an amicable relationship.

I suspect the princess is plotting something, but she'll wait until she has a comfortable advantage. Bring her to your side she may make a dependable ally," Vaal suggested.

"Or a more dangerous enemy," added Will.

"She's only a threat to you in the empire," Vaal explained. "She has no power here."