Divine Communion

Year 748, 19th Year of Arcana Reign, 10th of 11th month, Vigdis Watchtower, Vigdis city, one of the 5 Great Northeast Districts, Elysian.

The Vigdis watchtower, which was up to 12 meters high, was filled with several soldiers going back and forth. Most traveled on patrol, some stayed to do guard shifts. This tower is dilapidated, not as beautiful as it was in its heyday a few years ago. The dark color of each of the doors and windows had faded, and the vines coiled its way along the tower walls.

The climax of the war in the 5 Great Northeast Districts itself occurred in 732, in the 3rd year of the Arcana Reign. Which was later recaptured by Grand Marshal Sahar August Einri Zehra, who at that time was still serving as a small soldier in Livia. Which two years later, 4 of the 5 major District in the northeast, were finally recaptured.

August Einri managed to earn his name in the military, and got a promotion. For his success against the occupation of the 5 Great Northeast Districts at the age of 14, Einri was appointed one of the commanders of the Great Command of the western border garrison, leading the Livia Armored Cavalry which was previously commanded by General Ilta, the sworn younger brother of his father who at that time, was still in office as Grand Marshal on the side of the Emperor.

Now, in 748, the situation in 4 of the 5 Great Northeast Districts is stabilizing, though it's still fragile enough to relax. A destroyed city cannot be rebuilt so quickly, mainly because the state treasury is not good.

The major command in the Garrison of the 5 great Northeastern provinces was currently held by a senior General, Old Marquis Sorin Tanith Yseult Keres, who was currently playing chess with a young man.

"Your Majesty is asking about the Hereditary Princess?" The Old Marquis paused, somewhat surprised, but not so surprised. He continued, "The news spreads so fast, huh."

Alarik Kai Snezana Senka, the Crown Prince, runs his little pawn a few squares forward to eat another of his opponent's pawns. He smiled slightly and said, "Well, a wise Princess, who took command of the Border Garrison and scored her victory at the age of 15, who doesn't know about that?"

"The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree. Father and daughter are the same. In fact, only a year apart." The Old Marquis grumbled.

"You know her, Old Marquis?"

"Yes. You too, didn't you two study at the imperial academy together, Your Majesty?"

"Yeah, only 3 years."

"Your Majesty, I seem to know the reason why you accompanied me to play chess today." The Old Marquis sighed in disappointment, continuing, "I am very sad.

Kai laughed. "The old marquis definitely has a charm himself." he then moved his chess piece. "From what I know, in the past, you were one of the closest people on the Grand Marshal's side, correct?"

The Old Marquis shrugged his shoulders. "Even now it's still the same. It's just that the schedule has been very busy lately so it's a little difficult for us to meet and get along like before." He paused for a moment and took a few breaths while moving his pawns, racking his brains for good moves to bully Kai.

Kai said, responding. "His only daughter is fighting on the battlefield, the Grand Marshal will certainly be busier to create balance within the country."

"You are right, Your Majesty."

"Right, tell me about the Princess."

The Old Marquis sighed again. "This story may be well known to the public, however, I am the one who witnessed the incident firsthand. The Hereditary Princess has followed her father to the battlefield since the age of 7. So, you could say she is already very used to the conditions amid battle. Plus, it was the Grand Marshal who personally educated and raised her."

Kai noticed. Seemed to enjoy a story he had listened to a thousand times. They still attack each other through chess pieces.

"When the Hereditary Princess was 9 years old, there was an ambush in our border camp. News of Princess's whereabouts in our camp somehow leaked into the hands of the enemy. They risked everything to kidnap her. Between herself and the safety of the entire camp, Hereditary Princess knew clearly which one would be prioritized by her father. So, during 2 full days on the run with the enemy troops, Princess Hereditary kept a mouthful of kerosene in her mouth. She knew the natural situation in enemy territory as clearly as the palm of her hand, just from hearing stories from camp informants."

"With that small mouth of kerosene, she was able to burn the enemy camp tents and give a smoke signal about the existence of the enemy camp which moved frequently and was hard to track. We don't know exactly how the story went, but she made it. "

Still fresh in his memory, are the times when he looked in disbelief at a little girl who didn't really care about her actions, who wasn't frightened or even at all remorseful after she burned down the tent belonging to a company of troops. "Hereditary Princess is a madman who is willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of her cause. She is ambitious and full of plans. We won't know what she's thinking. Despite the good fortune that she was not interested in court intrigue and politics, however, there was still no guarantee that she would not get involved at all. You've been crowned the Crown Prince. Please think carefully about who will be your companion. "

Kai the Crown Prince laughed. "Old Marquis, weren't you two comrades for life? What's wrong with you? Shouldn't you recommend her to me?"

"Your Majesty, I am actually saying this as one of the Hereditary Princess' uncles. Believe me, even if she were married, she would not submit to you. Her spirit of wanting to rule is too strong. This will not be good for you. The Imperial Harem is not allowed to interfere in the Imperial Court, so she will not be satisfied with that. Your Majesty, please pay close attention to that, a lion kept in a cage will not thank the hunter who has kept it, even if it has been fed and lavished with affection."

"Old marquis, you underestimate me too much." Kai licked his lips with his fingers, wearing a complicated expression with a glint in his eyes that radiated a certain intent.

-0-

The results of the Morning Court discussing the matter of the Divine Communion today ended in the conclusion that the Hereditary Princess was appointed as the right-hand man of the security guard during the Banquet. In which the decision more or less invites dissatisfaction from several courtiers who cannot voice their disapproval. As long as the Grand Chancellor and Excellencies Over Masses agreed, then the rest of the audience would have no voice to complain about.

And Zachkiel had sold his head for this plan. He couldn't help but sigh.

Beside him, sat a man with half-gray white hair and a thin beard that filled his chin. While on the other side of this person, sat a man who looked neither old nor young. They are the Excellencies Over Masses and the Minister of Rites. Excellencies Over Masses will always be the main star when it comes to gatherings of people. While the Minister of Rites himself is in charge of all the designs when the Emperor is about to hold an event. The two people's serious conversation had started long before they entered the morning court at 9 o'clock, and now that it was more than 2 hours past lunchtime, they were still continuing the conversation. Zachkiel who was sitting with them didn't even have a place to join in.

It was only when the two of them had quieted down a bit that Zachkiel said, "The banquet this time will be held outdoors, won't it?"

The two of them turned. Excellencies Over Masses, His Highness Bronimir Cystenian Odalis, said, "Yes. Although the risks might increase during the banquet, but as long as everyone's space is wide and free, it will be easy to see which ones carry risks and which do not."

Zachkiel replied, "People complain a lot when the banquet is held indoors. The Holy Communion itself is actually a traditional ceremony, not the Emperor's private event, of course they will feel disadvantaged if they can't see it. They just don't know how dizzy we would be if it was done outdoors. "

After Zachkiel finished talking about what weighed on them the most, His Highness Bronimir sighed while the Minister of Rites, Sioned Nikolaus Isolde, rubbed his head in frustration.

They talked about a few more things before separating.

To further discuss the situation, the famous people in the Capital then booked a restaurant near the Solace river which was directly facing the view of the frozen surface of the river. Trees that have shriveled up during the fall leave dry twigs to hold large amounts of snow before they all crumble when they become too mountainous. Animals with thin fur will hide and do not dare to come out as long as the weather is still not conducive to their survival, eating and depleting the food rations they store during the winter.

Lanterns of various shapes are brought to life in every corner of the city. Illuminate a world that is being enveloped in monochrome black and white.

Asura was crouching in front of the restaurant door smoking his cigarette, when the new Zachkiel put on a fake surprised face. The Supreme Commander immediately dismounted from his horse in one perfect leap. His feet, covered in half-foot boots with iron treads, pressed against the snow, creating deep arches like the hoofs of a horse. Zachkiel approached and greeted the Prince.

"You came too soon, Prince."

Asura was silent for a moment. His eyes were looking straight ahead, his long and curly eyelashes covered his eyes, making him so mysterious from any angle. The pipe of the cigar, which was made of ivory, was as deep black as mahogany, contrasting with the skin on his hands, which was even paler than the night snow. The man took one long breath and let out a smoky breath. He then spoke in a deep voice. "They serve too much meat."

"That's not to your taste?"

Asura chuckled until one of his canine teeth stuck out. "Too fatty."

Zachkiel nodded in understanding. He then politely excused himself and entered the restaurant. Still not too many to come. The Minister of Rites noticed his presence and immediately patted the blank side to his left. Zachkiel politely nodded and immediately took his place. He saw that the main icon at the small banquet tonight didn't seem to have arrived yet.

Meanwhile, on the other hand, someone was holding a blood-red paper umbrella with a gold carnation pattern. The 5.5-foot-tall figure wore a snow-white dress with fox fur wrapped around her neck. Her figure seemed to blend in nicely with the frozen view of the city. Every step she took left quite a deep imprint behind. Her golden blonde hair was tied high in a silver hairpin with the same carnation pattern. It was the only piece of jewelery she wore.

Seeing a white swan walking towards him, Asura tried to find out who it was before knowing it in the next second. It was the Hereditary Princess. Asura gave no meaningful response, and still maintained his comfortable squatting position.

Which madman travels in the snow without a vehicle?