31

Chapter 31: Sealing the dealNotes:

I am very sorry for two weeks of silence. I just felt miserable and couldn´t bring myself to write more than a few sentences per day. My life is about to change pretty rapidly and I will have to learn how to cope with that.

My humblest apologies.

(Especially to "What a gamer" whom I promised a update sooner.)

EDIT: 8888 Hits!

EDIT 2: 9000 Hits!

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Chapter 31

Now that she had gotten Emilia´s verbal agreement to their alliance she needed only to accomplish two more objectives:

Convince Roswaal and actually write the treaty.

Well, she hoped this wouldn't end up being too difficult. She had experience with legal documents and knew the required formal characteristics well. Nonetheless it took a whole day for her to come up with the exact ramifications of their contract.

Normally, in a more civilized world this process would have taken weeks of careful consideration and discussion from both parties, but Tanya doubted that Emilia was familiar with such office politics. Also this allowed her to build in some loopholes that she could later chalk up as "unintentional". Tanya truly wanted this relationship to prosper and to do that she needed trust, but always having a backup plan was a must for her.

The second she had reread her alliance proposal and checked for errors she made her way to Roswaal´s office door and knocked.

"Margrave Mathers?"

"Yes, Laaaady Degurechaff. Please enter."

"I trust that Lady Emilia has told you about our arrangement already?"

She presented it like it was already made official. This would surely force him to comply with most of her wishes if he didn't want to upset his chosen candidate.

"Not quite, but I have a vague ideaaaaa."

Roswaal´s smile was slightly unsettling as always. He almost certainly knew far more than he let on which was unnerving, because Tanya never knew if she had played him or he was the one playing her. Just like that bastard Being X.

"So you do know that we both plan to work closely together in the following years in order to achieve a glorious future for Lugnica. We will share information, resources and manpower between our camps to support each other as best as we can."

"Myyyy, how intriiiiiiiguing..." he drawled.

Tanya couldn't help but ask herself again why this clearly competent and intelligent man had to use that stupid accent of his. It sounded absolutely retarded!

She forced a smile: "Yes. It is a marvellous idea, isn't it? We both will be equals in this alliance who provide for each other. This way we can make sure that one of us wins the throne with near certainty. Whoever of us both gains more public support by the end of the royal selection also gains the votes of other; basically doubling their influence. A simple and fair system if I say so myself."

Both options were good for. It was not like she actually wanted to be queen of a medieval country so she would be more than happy to hand over the responsibility to someone she could indirectly control like the half-elf. Should the state of affairs require political intervention then she could probably move "her good friend" Emilia to follow the best course of action. Otherwise she would enjoy a more comfortable position as a noble with good relations to the crown. Maybe she could become a strategist in the army? Rerugen had loved his job after all. Food for thought.

"Of course to accomplish this we need your agreement as well Roswaal. Without your cooperation we will not be able to undertake this important endeavour. Your decision is going to shape our future."

Stroking someone´s ego to make them feel generous was a technique as old as time itself. Hopefully some good old fashioned bootlicking would do the trick to sway him to her side.

"I admit that I also seek your approval for selfish reasons."

She tried her best to look embarrassed by sheepishly fiddling with her hands and looking down at the ground.

"My wonderful sponsor in the royal selection is Reinhard van Astrea who is not only a incredible charitable individual, but also the current sword saint. I myself have been lauded as the greatest combat mage in the world in my homeland. You see... I do not question Lady Emilia´s skills as a spirit arts user, but I must sadly say that her combat capabilities unfortunately cannot measure up to my camp. You, Margrave Mathers, on the other hand are often called "the strongest magician in Lugnica" and are certainly quite adept on the battlefield."

Her piercing gaze met his and she smiled hoping that he got the hint.

"Indeeeed. It would only beeee fair if I participated in the bargain to properly cooooompensate you for your no doubt eeeeextraordinary abilities..."

Good. She wouldn't have to spell it out for him.

"Yes. That was the idea. Does that sound acceptable to you?"

"More than acceptaaaaable..." he laughed creepily.

"In that case I have already prepared a document in duplicate for you to read through and sign if you agree. It details the nature of our future relationship in more detail, but it is basically nothing I haven't told you about. Reading them will nonetheless take some time, because of all legal clauses, I am sure you understand. Perhaps I should come back in an hour or two to give you time? I wouldn't want to pressure you in any way."

"No, it´s quite alright. I have compleeete trust in you Lady Deguuuurechaff."

She suppressed a grin. What fool didn't read the contract he was about to sign? That was such an amateurish mistake to make. Didn't he realize that the future of this country could be at stake? He couldn't possibly already know what was written on the paper he just validated with his signature, could he? No that would be impossible.

Tanya promptly thanked Roswaal for his time and bid him farewell with two signed copies of the treaty in hand. Because the margrave was Emilia´s sponsor and de facto caretaker she technically wouldn't need the half-elf´s acknowledgement as well, but her signature would make it more official. It would irrefutably prove that the whole Emilia camp had unanimously agreed to Tanya´s terms.

So, her next destination was her new business partner´s study. She had originally sought out Roswaal first, because it would seem rude of her to not ask the lord of the house first, but it also served the function to pressure the half-elf into agreeing should that abominable Puck manage to dissuade her from the alliance.

No! Her thoughts were too negative! Tanya tried to slip into a more positive mindset to fool the emotion-reading spirit. If looked at objectively then his protectiveness of Emilia was admirable. Really. It was a good trait that would keep her associate safe from dangerous individuals which in turn would lighten Tanya´s workload. Puck was good. Nice even.

She forced herself to smile again while she walked through the seemingly endless corridors. The sweet, benevolent upturn of her lips was so unlike her normal persona that any knowing onlooker would have fled in fear if they had seen this smile.

One knock on the door was all it took for Emilia to call out to enter.

"Ah, hello Tanya. Did the meeting with Roswaal go well?"

"He agreed rather enthusiastically. Here see for yourself."

She handed her the signed contract.

"Would you please grace me with your signature as well?"

"Lia, shouldn't you read it first?" said the - lovely - spirit.

"The margrave already gave his consent, but if you doubt me and his judgement then go on and read the treaty thoroughly. I will be back in an hour, because I do not wish to sit here idle and twiddle my thumps during the duration of your study."

If the trick had worked on Roswaal who was a far more conniving individual than Emilia then she could try it her too. Implying that the act of checking the contract was not only a breach of trust, but also boring would hopefully be enough to deter the girl from trying. Even Tanya herself had not always been immune to such guilt-tripping. (Only if her adjutant had used her adorable puppy-eyes had she fallen to the temptation. It was hard to say ´no´ to Visha.)

"Oh, no! Sorry. I didn't mean it like that." she cried followed by the furious scratching of a quill on paper.

The girl was so pathetically easy to manipulate that she couldn't help but intensify her smile. The slipup from angelic to predatory only lasted a few heartbeats, but was noticeable to any perceptive observer.

She imagined that the currently invisible Puck was glaring at her in this moment, but he obviously didn't interfere or else Emilia would have stopped putting her signature under the document. What a relief. Still, it was not good that she had to depend on the – wonderful – spirit´s complacency. Beatrice would surely know of a way to protect one´s mind against spirits. Immediately after this whole ordeal was over Tanya would need to ask her.

Indeed it took only a short conversation and a warm handshake to seal the deal after which she excused herself again and went to her room. It was done! The alliance was officially made and she had secured herself not only the help of the court magician Margrave Mathers, but also basically unlimited access to the Forbidden Library and two great spirits! Her odds of survival were going up! A time for celebration would come later though, at the Astrea mansion.

"Ah, Rem! Good to see you. I was wondering if you knew where I could find Subaru? I am in need of his assistance in finding the library again."

"As far as I know Subaru decided to go to the village earlier, Lady Degurechaff. He wanted to play with the kids one last time before we depart to the capital tomorrow."

"Mmh, that is troublesome. Also you said ´we´? Will you accompany us?"

"Yes, Milady. Rem shall drive the coach."

"Two coaches? There is no need. Subaru can ride with me. Seeing as both our camps are now in an alliance I am going to provide the means of transportation for his return of course."

"I am terribly sorry Lady Degurechaff, but those were Lord Roswaal´s orders. Also with which carriage do you plan to depart in anyway?"

"With my own of course. The one I came here with."

"Pardon this Milady, but it seems as if the driver that brought you here has not returned from the capital as of now."

Indeed. Or else he would have reported to her already. What was going on? Her instructions had clearly been for him to return the day before her departure. Well, the day wasn't over yet so maybe he was just late and would show up soon. Nonetheless was it good to plan for the eventuality that he didn't return from the capital altogether.

"Then I am to assume that I will be travelling with you should my servant not show up here in time?" asked Tanya.

"Yes, that is correct Milady. Rem will deliver you home as per her master's orders."

Speaking of yourself in third person was never a good sign. Tanya hoped that the poor girl had no personality disorder.

"How perceptive of Roswaal to notice the absence of my staff before me. I am glad that he keeps such a close eye on my wellbeing. Give him my thanks."

Inwardly she was fuming. Had the man arranged for her driver to disappear on the way here? Was this a elaborate trap for him to get rid of her? Tanya could already imagine dozens of scenarios in which Rem "accidentally" drove the carriage away from the main road deep into the woods and tried to assassinate her there away from any potential witnesses.

But no. That would make no sense. He had just agreed to their alliance and had no reason to make an enemy out of one of his most important allies. Killing her now was foolish and extremely dangerous. If he wanted to finish her off then he would do so himself. Only powerful magic really worked against powerful magic after all. Such an important duty would not be left to a mere maid and a childish butler.

Maybe he wanted her to know that he was in control of their relationship by demonstrating that she was at his mercy. If so then she was not impressed. Should he be the culprint behind the disappearance of her driver then he would pay for that. Wasting human resources like that was unforgivable. 

Before Irlam village was even visible to her she already heard Subaru´s voice. 

"Victory!" he shouted.

"VICTORY!" answered the crowd.

"And don't forget to do this every morning! Radio calisthenics is important to keep your bodies healthy and your minds focused. When I hear that you have diligently followed my instructions then I will even bring you a gift from the capital! It will be super cool!"

"Yaaayyy!" howled the kids that surrounded him in apparent glee. For this backwater village the largest city in Lugnica was probably an exotic place.

Physical training was indeed an important part in keeping yourself in shape and enshouring optimal work efficiency. Even in her first life as a salaryman she had exercised daily to stay fit and minimize sick days. A healthy mind needed a healthy body. Long years of sitting behind a desk and working on a computer back then had prevented her from ever becoming "buff", (as Neumann would have called it) but she had been not unmuscular. Of course that had been when she still had a male body so it had been easier to get strong in contrast to being a malnourished little girl. Course you Being X!

If Suabru understood this then perhaps they could get along better than anticipated.

"Hello Subaru. Are you finished with your business here?"

"Oh, hey Tanya! Yes, I am. Nice of you to visit me. I knew you couldn't go a single day without me!"

Perhaps not.

"No. I require your help in finding the Forbidden Library. Again."

"Oh? And you walked all the way out here just to fetch me? I don't know if I believe that." he teased.

"What other option did I have? Opening every door in the mansion is hardly a better alternative."

"Really? I am flattered that you trust my ability to find her so much, but have you not asked Beako how the door crossing works?"

"No? What does that have to do with anything.

He looked at her like she was stupid. She didn't like that. It made her wish to bring out her shovel.

"Beako is connected to every door in the mansion. She can feel them all! If you want to talk with her then you just need to open one and ask her to put a portal there, you know?"

She gave him a long, deadpan stare before she finally broke the suffocating silence.

"Really."

Her tone was so completely flat and not amused that Subaru visibly cringed away from her.

"Y-Yes."

All secrecy and subtly be damned she suddenly pushed mana into her computation jewel and took off like a flash of lightning, leaving a shaken Subaru in the dust.

Notes:

Shit is going down. Soon a lot of exciting stuff will happen.

50.000 words and the action hasn´t even started yet. What am I doing with my life XD

I am neither talented nor patient enough to write a 300.000 story so there will probably be great time skips after the sanctuary arc. (I also only really know the anime so what happens after that is relatively unknown to me.)

EDIT: I looked it up and this is apparently only one of 21 Tanya fics on this site that goes beyond 50.000 words. Such a shame. If you are reading this, ask yourself:

"Why aren´t you writing for Youjo Senki?"

Go on and spread the glory of Tanya! For the Empire!