This is where things get heated

12 January 423

With the time of celebrations coming to an end, and with life regaining some form of stability after the troubled month of December, I had started to lower my guard over the situation at the palace.

Sure, I would still give utmost attention and scrutiny whenever something 'confusing' or 'perplexing' would happen during the normal routine of the day. Much to my relief, things went particularly fine for a little more than two weeks.

My 'studies' continued, some results from the slow-paced reforms came to finalize and judge the recent changes in the taxation as a complete success, and best of all, I finally got Fourier to study about politics and basic economics.

I wasn't planning to turn him into the best statesman of this world. I knew well enough of my limitations AND the blond's own reluctance about the subjects.

The lessons were all to get him prepared for when he would ascend to the throne. The Prince knew this and took the lesson with half the attention I would've wanted him to have each session.

The only reason why I was lenient about it was that the young man finally broke through the mourning phase he had been suffering after the death of his father. The cheeky smile, the pushy attitude, and the mirthfulness finally returned back to bring new life to the castle.

It was a common sight to see 'His Highness' deciding to greet me with a hug. While there were some rumors at first, those seemed to vanish overnight when nothing concrete about a 'forbidden love' was discovered by the servants.

Crusch departed from the castle as December came to an end. The Duchess had her own paperwork to handle back in her fief, and she couldn't exactly leave her father to deal with the documents when the man had officially 'abdicated' for her to govern the Karsten's domains.

She had yet to clear her schedule to come to visit, but I expected her to find some space with the passing of Mid January thanks to some celebrations that would require her presence at the palace for a couple of days.

But while the young woman was recalled back to her home, I quickly remembered that Felix wasn't a knight to Crusch. With Fourier surviving his original death date, there was no promise and no switch away from the Royal Guard.

So the catboy remained in there, reluctantly abiding to Captain Marcus' orders and training, while also enjoying the company of his friends. He would hang around Reinhard and Julius a lot, but he would still make enough time to visit my room while I was drowning in some 'homework'.

He was one of the few lifesavers in those circumstances, with the other ones being Alice, the twins, Fourier, and Hannah.

I had pondered about sending the old maid and the children back to Erindor, but I decided to keep by until the last week of the month. I didn't want to deprive the young demi-humans of my presence for that long, and yet I had to send them back to a safer place.

The castle was protected, but I was wary of what Pandora would've planned if she had a way to harm them.

She sought to inflict 'harm' to me through those I cared for... and I was more than happy to dispense retribution in the form of punishment that only misbehaving children were aware of.

It was effective as it successfully kept the dangerous Witch away from trying to maim anyone.

But with the guard easing over the lack of threats, I was quickly reminded that there was no true peace from the problematic events that this world was known for.

It's been two days since I was told of an important meeting that I was going to be assigned to. An event that I hadn't thought possible since I've taken steps to lessen the chances of this happening.

And yet, much to my undeniable annoyance, it was happening. And now I was tied to it because of my current position.

Vincent Vollachia, the 77th Emperor of the Vollachian Empire, wanted to meet with Reinhard van Astrea... while also discussing the chances of a Non-Aggression Pact.

The event itself should've happened six months after Fourier's canon death, but with my efforts to avoid it from actually happening, it was just delayed by two months.

Despite the fact such an event would've warranted the presence of Miklotov as a powerful representative of the Dragon Kingdom just like it had happened in Volume EX 4, the Prime Minister saw it fit to assign me as his replacement.

So I was to arrive in the Imperial Capital in a couple of days together with Bordeaux Zellgef and with a group of strong knights. I was 'surprised' when Felix, Julius, and Reinhard were chosen.

Well, not that 'much' with Reinhard since he was mentioned as someone the Emperor wanted to meet but... yeah. I wasn't happy. And so wasn't Fourier.

The prince was legitimately annoyed that he couldn't join the event. Even though his presence would be a powerful move that would show a strong face before the rest of the nations, the risk of incurring in an assassination attempt were big enough to refuse any attempt of the blond to take part to this.

I was pissed myself that I was being unconsciously used as bait. I was the only one that knew of the trap that just waited to be sprung.

A complex coup attempt against Vincent Vollachia by having Lugnica framed while the real prick behind the ordeal would try to take the throne.

I wasn't really sure how Gramdart Holstoy planned to do so without having an affinity to win the 'challenge' of the throne, but the real problem that graved on my mind was how I was supposed to exploit the situation for the maximum reward possible.

With the time of preparation limited to just two days, I actually managed to do much with how powerful my spy network ended up turning into.

Give a bunch of morons some proper coin and good orders, and they will turn in the most advanced intelligence service this world has ever seen.

Which wasn't much since it was like pitting the MI6 against the Spanish Inquisition.

Still, with a couple of proper moves, I ended up bribing just a couple of soldiers beyond the border and... I was ready to go to the meeting without having to fear for any major plot twist.

Gramdart was the real problem, with Balroy Temeglyph becoming secondary as he would fail against Reinhard when he would give his own try to coup without any support.

Yet, despite this little novelty bringing me to a state of partial serenity, I failed to genuinely feel calm over what was going to be a monumental diplomatic point.

It was unheard of for two nations that were as bitter as Lugnica and Vollachia to reach a compromise and put an end to the brief border wars. Which was why I was tense as fuck, and worried of messing things up for a reason or another.

The objective was simple, but the practice was troublesome as hell.

1) Get the NPA going as smoothly as possible. There was no need to rush, but also no reason to appear too appeasing before a war-centered country like Vollachia;

2) Get the events of the 'Royal Selection Prequel: Imperial Diplomacy of Bloodshed' twisted so that Lugnica gets some more points with the current Vollachian leadership;

2) Get the heck out of the country before some other issue that I had no preparation for decided to come by and screw with my plans.

Three general points. It shouldn't be that difficult for me to follow those and then see some glorious success out of it.

I couldn't afford to mess up. I really couldn't.

And if the nervousness wasn't messing with my brain, then there was Sage Bordeaux that decided to take this opportunity to narrate his grand military deeds when he was younger.

I didn't see the man around the castle after the ceremony announcing the royal elections, but I knew that he was busy handling some of the capital's districts, mostly the military-related stuff.

So when he started to barrage me with tales of 'glory, justice, and wisdom', I found myself brought back to a time when some of my older relatives would take me to the side to do the same. Story after story, I knew pretty much all that was known to my family... about the family.

From the first known ancestor which once served as the Steward and knight to one of the French Kings ruling over Jerusalem during the crusades, then the possible connection to Jeanne D'Arc considering the area in which the family came from... to the Spanish side from my mother's family that originated in one of the few noble families that existed in Spain back during the first Reconquista.

Despite the glorious upbringing... there wasn't much good to say about the current extended family. Some people were nice, most were hated and ignored, and the rest were either uncaring of family gathering or even unknown (as in not known to be alive or dead).

But yes, Bordeaux decided in his ultimate grace to turn me into his surrogate grandson and start drilling tales of his past as if necessary to spread his knowledge to the world.

Sadly for him, there wasn't much to learn from the objective way he depicted all those important events he had been part of. Mostly because what he was saying was already mentioned and expanded in history books about the modern era.

And this situation was the main entertainment for the two-days trip to reach Rupgana. The man looked so happy, as if he was leaving something for the newer generations to learn from.

In his own words, he was giving his input for the youth to learn and improve from the elders' past mistakes. And yet none of the tales mentioned mistakes, in fact it was all about the good bits of the deeds... with short references to 'ignorable' issues.

Despite the horrible ordeal and boredom that came so close to shattering my tired brain, the convoy of carriages eventually arrived in the core of the Vollachian Empire and...

I quickly found out that we weren't alone as the chariots arrived in front of the Crystal Palace, the home of the Vollachian Emperor. As I slowly left the vehicle, I found myself pausing as I saw someone tiny, giggling and tremendously familiar coming to crash onto me.

She turned up to aim her green eyes at my face as she rubbed her chin on my lower chest.

"Hi."

Childish, amused, and promising lots of death to those that scorned her.

Yep, the bundle of joy and murderousness that was Meili Portroute smiled widely as I decided to pat her head. I was still recovering from the last two days, but soon my mind started to grasp at the reality of the situation when I felt my 'Ara Ara' meter spiking to dangerous levels.

Approaching slowly and with her blades still sheathed, Elsa Granhiert was giving me a fascinated look as she regarded the little interaction with her young partner with an entertained sigh.

"Lord Bukharin."

"Ms. Granhiert, little Meili," I greeted curtly. "I wasn't... expecting any visit from Gusteko."

The woman allowed a nod. "In fact, this isn't exactly a planned visit. More like... our charge wished to see the capital of Vollachia."

"Your... charge?" I quietly inquired, just now noticing the nervous looking young man waiting for a reason to approach.

He was wearing a dark green coat over his dark-yellow uniform. He looked like an officer of the Gustekian army, but he also seemed unfit for the role considering the frail frame of his.

His pale-red hair reached his shoulders, left naturally unruly as the fellow adjusted his glasses while his unusual eyes, which were gold with slivers of silver, shied away from directly staring at me.

"You know, you shouldn't behave so disrespectfully to someone that is as important as Lord Bukharin," Elsa chided quietly while turning to her contractor. "Weren't you the one interested in talking to him."

He frowned, giving a silent nod and... then he tried to speak.

"I-I- I just wanted to... to not be too forward."

Too forward?

"Well, I don't see how this is really a problem," I remarked with a kind smile. "I'm John Bukharin, may I know your name?"

He tensed up, surprise swelling in his face as he quickly blushed at the question.

"I-It's a pleasure to- to meet you, Lo-Lord Bukharin," He said, his stuttering worsening at the attention he was receiving. "A-And my name is... is Prince D-Dvoynoy, you- you met my brother."

Any hint of warmth vanished instantly as I realized who I was talking to. So Ivan had a family? Why didn't Edna say anything about that?

Despite my confusion and my uneasiness, I was taken by surprise when the young man actually spoke up once more.

"I-I know that my brother- he made several mistakes in the past. S-Some that might have t-troubled Lugnica for- for nothing," He bowed his head slowly. "I-I wish to humbly a-apologize for his actions."

...

"Prince Dvoynoy, I don't see a reason for you to apologize for his actions. What he did were his own actions, not yours to justify."

"Apologies-"

"And there is no reason to say 'sorry' when it wasn't your fault. I don't blame the family for the mistake of a single individual."

The comment quickly gained a relieved look from the noble. "Y-Your words warm my heart."

How could someone so subdued be related with that crazy bastard? And why didn't I hear of any Gustekian royal family until now?

I really needed to give a look at that nation despite my unhappy disposition over the topics even so barely related to the mad prince.

The conversation didn't continue after these final words, with the prince asking for permission to leave together with his guards (prompting a pout and a mean comment from Meili at being forced away from being pampered by me)... when he easily outranked me in the world's recognition of status.

It was an odd encounter, one that left me surprised for many different reasons, but I was ultimately more surprised when we were finally reached by the one that was supposed to lead us to the throne room.

The smiling man that was Cecilus Segmunt was waiting by the open gates, donning his usual blue Kararagi Kimono with an inner light-purple robe and a pair of Zoori (or Japanese/Kararagi sandals). He looked peaceful, and I almost envied him to be so at ease with the world since he was the strongest of the Nine Divine Generals of Vollachia.

"Lord Bukharin, Lord Zellgef," He first greeted with a calm hum, then turning with more interest at the trio of knights guarding us. "Ser van Astrea, Ser Juukulius, and Ser Argyle."

"Cecilus Segmunt, I wasn't... expecting for you to come for this diplomatic meeting."

He blinked at my words, but he nodded in agreement just shortly after. "I was surprised myself when the Emperor summoned me for the occasion. But I guess it has to do with the recent events that have... endangered his standing."

I frowned, but it was Bordeaux that spoke up. "Recent events?"

"Something that I can't discuss about here in the open, but I think his Highness will be more than happy to make this circumstance known since it is one of the real topics for this invitation."

Real topic?

I was confused by these words and the overall mysterious tone taken by the swordsman, but then I started to realize something I hadn't considered until now.

All the strange additions to the scene... These events weren't the same as Volume EX 4. Starting from the new 'entries' in the current cast... to the presence of the mightiest of the Nine Divine Generals.

Whatever was being left untold right now, I knew that it had to be important enough to draw this kind of representatives from Lugnica.

And despite my confidence over my spells, my reinforced sword and little trump card in my holster, I could tell that something bad lurked about...

Little Apology: This chapter should've been posted yesterday, but I got distracted and wrote something else. Next time I will be more attentive to the update schedule.

Afterthoughts: Chapter is a wee bit short, but not without reason. Next one will be packed with lots of action and... some massive plot twist for the main story. For the first time in a long time, the MC will have to deal with a crisis beyond precedents, and one that risks plunging the world in a great war if he doesn't play his card properly.

Also, a little personal opinion... that might be a tad bit controversial: after watching the latest episode from Season 2, I find myself disappointed with how the route is taken by the anime. While from someone that is outside of the big lore this might sound harsh, I do believe that they are cutting some important content that will give sense to some absurd decisions that will happen quite soon by the plot. I like the animation and the pacing, but I think they are cutting way too much and thus stacking for a 'strange' ending to this season.

EDIT: Omake is now out!

Omake EX 5: The Confusing Trio

Cast: John 1 (We Need More Paper/Re Zero); John 2 (Reluctant Hero/RWBY); John 3 (We Happily Fall/Player!Multiverse);

Three Bukharins take a seat by the only table in that office in the middle of nowhere…

"I suppose your presence here isn't meant to cause any trouble," John 1 guessed nervously, still trying to wrap his head over the other two.

John 2 shrugged, looking surprisingly calm about the situation. "I woke up just an hour ago in here. And I really don't have a reason to attack anyone..."

Once he was done with that response, he grew unfocused for a moment before giving a tired sighed.

"And before anyone get suspicious of me spacing out from time to time, it's just… sleeping. Work is a nightmare."

How did this happen?

I really don't know, Ozzie.

[It's kind of interesting. Three dummies comparing each other.]

Nah, I don't feel these two are 'dumb', Sallie.

Meanwhile John 3 looked completely distracted as he pushed his finger into… nothing. There was nothing in front of him.

He paused as he realized that he was being stared at. "Is… there something wrong?"

"What are you doing?" John 1 asked, a hint of nervousness flaring.

"Oh, just checking if this wasn't caused by someone I knew."

"Someone bad?" John 1 pressed.

John 3 shrugged. "Dunno really. He didn't exactly pit me against good factions… yet."

"Was he the one guy behind your displacement?" John 2 asked, groaning as he got a nod out of it. "Well, at least you know who did that."

"You don't?" John 1 retorted with surprise.

"Not really… no. I have some ideas but… let's just say that there are just so many people that could've done that."

John 1 nodded in agreement. "Sounds acceptable… but I don't think I've asked yet which 'world' you were sent into."

"RWBY," John 2 quickly replied, actually smiling at his choice. "I would say a little more than a decade before Canon."

"I'm in Re:zero, and I'm quite sure I came by two years before canon..." John 1 said while nodding at his more active counterpart, but then he turned at the quieter of the three and frowned.

Instead of being distracted like before, John 3 seemed to be pondering about the situation.

"Well… I'm not really tied to a single world," He replied, getting a frown from the two other Bukharins. "I started in Minecraft… and now I'm in Westeros."

"Game of Thrones or-" John 2 quipped, only to be interrupted by John 3.

"The Books version… with some sprinkles from the TV series. But nothing really big, I just killed Aerys and-"

"Killing Aerys isn't a 'big' thing?!" John 1 half-yelled in that exclamation. "Hello, Jaime Lannister?"

"To be fair, Jaime was a Kingsguard, making the deed way worse than it should've been. Mad King and all of that..." John 2 pointed out. "But you've not said anything about the time. When did you kill him?"

"280 AC."

"Just a year before Robert's Rebellion? Wait, is that related to your world-hopping?" John 1 continued.

"Y-Yeah. I get long-term tasks and I get to complete those."

"Sounds tough… but like, how do we get out of here? I bet the kids are worried sick-" John 2 muttered with some concern.

"Oh, you've kids too?" John 1 asked to his RWBY version. "Mine are surely thinking about that too… the same with Fourier and Felix."

"You saved Fourier?" John 3 inquired with some pleased surprise. "Kudos for you then."

"Thanks and… wait, you don't have children?" John 1 asked back.

"I-I mean, I've been busy with other stuff. Plus with the fact I can't exactly settle in, I've been less interested in… romantic relationships."

It took just a moment for the rest of the Bukharins to understand the implicit truth, causing them both to blush at the curious development.

"That's… interesting-"

[You know, Sienna would surely love to finally 'cement' your relationship with her.]

I'm more worried of 'someone else' to jump into the action.

Ms. Branwen will not do something like that-

If someone was to incriminate her about it. Which means she would've to just make careful moves to make this consensual.

But while this mental discussion was happening, John 1 looked awkward and… slightly unhappy.

It's been a while since he thought about a serious commitment. Could it be that he was focusing too much on paper and giving little attention to the chances of broadening the family?

…

No. As much as he would like for that, the situation was complicated enough to make any steps in that direction one troubled by a literal minefield.

Maybe he should try to unravel the messy webs of relationships he was tangled into… but this would require time, attention and… to be away from other important situations.

His world wasn't exactly the calmest, and deadly events would happen suddenly and without explanation most of the time.

"But I kind of have… something. I can't really say- nor can I show it since I'm rather protective of it," John 3 resumed with a distinctively tense but serious voice. "It's really important."

"No need to push one another but… I guess we should try to get ourselves out of here," John 2 mentioned.

"Like through the doors over there?" John 3 quipped, snapping everyone's attention at the three doors that weren't there when they sat down.

The trio stood up from their chairs and walked to the curious doors. Those were tagged and read from left to right with:

"Hero," John 2 muttered surprised.

"The Fall," John 3 said while looking positively confused.

"And… Paper," John 1 commented dryly, finding the irony as pungent as the edge of his paperwork. "I think this is mine."

"I feel like this make some sense to me too," John 3 agreed with a hum.

"How does 'Hero' stick with me though?"

The rest shrugged, and John 2 had to sigh at the lack of support about it.

"I guess this is mine too and… well, it was fun."

"More like enlightening."

"I wonder if I will end up in your worlds too," John 3 muttered quietly. "Still, farewell."

"Farewell."

The doors opened and then… closed. The Bukharins were soon brought back to their respective 'homes'.