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Maria Louisa Regnia, better known to the Nobles of this world as the Kingslayer, has finished mopping up the series of Cultist who were plaguing the lands of Saint Hospit. Now though all of them have either been captured or put to the sword, making Maria’s legend grow.

Now though, she must deal with something that could shake her entire life. The arrival of the Protagonist, Chloe.

Character Sheet:
Standard Skills
Social Skills
>Royal Demeanor [85]
>Conversation [60]
>Expression [15]
Intellectual Skills
>History [30]
>Intrigue [75]
>Medicine [30]
>Economics [35]
>Military [70]
Physical Skills
>Agility [60]
>Weapons [75]
>Athletics [30]
>Animal Handling [15]
Mystic Skills
>Faith [50]
>Magics [20]
Other Items
>Wealth [10]
>Direct Military Strength [10]
>Social Standing [55] (Kingslayer)

Note that
15 Novice
25 Apprentice
50 Adept
75 Expert
100 Master


“Baron Vosk, you have spread foul heresy across my realm. At this moment, I ask you what even made you consider such a path!” Announced Count Helio, a modestly built man who was supposed to watch over these lands.

“I plee guilty, please! Just get me away from her! End my life!” The Baron yelled at the top of his lungs like a mad dog. All his fear directed towards Maria, who oversaw the man’s tortures in the previous day.

“...” The Count simply shook his head as if disappointed, “Very well, you shall be given it. Upon recommendation I shall give you-”

>Death by Hanging
>Death by Impaling and Humiliation
>Death by Fire
>*Write in*
>>
>>4301440
>Death by Hanging
>>
>>4301440
>Death by Fire
>>
>>4301440
>Death by Fire
Heretics get the flames
>>
>>4301440
>>Death by Fire
Fire for heretics, impaling for heathens.
>>
>>4301440
>Fire
>>
>>4301440
>Death by Hanging
>>
>>4301440
>>Death by Fire
Inquisitor Maria Louisa Regnia has a nice ring to it
>>
>>4301440
>Death by Fire
>>
-Death by Fire. A just death for Heretics like you.”

With those words a pair of guards from the Count’s own home. They were nothing special, in her honest opinion, but they were quite able and radiated the no-nonsense type for the most part.

Maria watched from her place on the wall as the old Baron, along with about five of his total cultists were carried from the place directly outside of the gate to their piles of wood waiting to be ignited.

A small sense of glee washed over Maria as she watched the men and women tied to large wooden posts. Somehow they seemed to have more decency at this time than when Maria first found them in the caves. However it was all for not as the fires were finally lit aflame and they were all consumed in Holy Fire.

“Hmm.” Maria turned to Prince Lucien, who hummed to himself while looking upon the flames. Apparently when it came to Austin Laws, it was only the lords above one another that could directly issue verdicts and sign off on one’s death.

“Can’t believe those fuckers were crawling underneath my very fingers.” Bon angrily sneered while looking out himself.

“It could not be helped. It took us a little while to even find them.” Ford admitted with himself while turning away from the execution, “I can’t take this anymore now. Let us leave.”

“Yeah, its all done now.” Albert admitted while adjusting his glasses.

“We will return then.” Lucien answered them all as if issuing a command himself.

The last few days have been trying to organize the ending trial of these men, making it near the end of the week. Tomorrow will of course be Sunday, where everyone was expected to go attend some form of service. Luckily, the Bishop had apparently survived thanks to Maria’s thetrics and invited her along with others to his service in then Monastery.

Such a chance, while expected before, was now an exemplar and guaranteed for Maria’s accomplishments.

For today though, after all the moving of Prisoners and getting those confessions out of them, Maria was tired. At least, now would be a time to talk to anyone once they arrived back at the Inn.

>Talk to Ford, as to finalize this chapters of their co-operation
>Talk to Melody, as to help her through this quite grave time.
>Get into a conversation with Lucien, because Maria really wants too
>>
>>4301845
>Talk to Melody, as to help her through this quite grave time.
>>
>>4301845
>Get into a conversation with Lucien, because Maria really wants too
Torn between Lucien and Ford, but I honestly I think we've maxed out our Ford points at this moment in time so might as well make progress with Lucien (and hey, at least we have things to talk to him about now)
>>
>>4301845
>Talk to Melody, as to help her through this quite grave time.
Her Dad did just get killed, after imprisoning and trying to kill her.
>>
>>4301845
>Get into a conversation with Lucien, because Maria really wants too
>>
>>4301845
>Talk to Melody, as to help her through this quite grave time.
Making sure your maid is okay is always a good idea. Less chance of her secretly harboring resentment.
>>
>>4301845
>>Get into a conversation with Lucien, because Maria really wants too
>>
>>4301845
>Get into a conversation with Lucien, because Maria really wants too
>>
>>4301845
>Get into a conversation with Lucien, because Maria really wants too
>>
>>4301845
>Talk to Ford, as to finalize this chapters of their co-operation
>>
>>4301845
>Talk to Melody, as to help her through this quite grave time.
>>
>>4301845
>Talk to Melody, as to help her through this quite grave time.
>>
Soon enough everyone arrived back in the Inn without much of an issue. Though Maria could not help but feel a little bit odd as she would swear there should have been celebration. The people outside of their little group were celebrating to the Heavens above about the slain heretics, but none of the people here were in that festive mood.

And honestly the reason for it escaped Maria, as killing Heretics was probably the most fun she has had in a year.

However, there was one person who she needed to check up on before the day was over. With that thought in mind, Maria opened her own door.

“Oh, Mistress Maria!” Melody said with a small bit of excitement, “Everything has been prepared, and I was luckily able to clean up a good dress for you to wear at the Church tomorrow.”

“Thank you very much Melody.” Maria answered with a genuine smile, “Are you doing alright. Why it was only just yesterday that you wanted to get back to work. Surely your Father would want to see you.”

“True, but my Father was able to start making a recovery the day before. Even if he is bedridden right now, Mama will agree he is back to his old self.” Melody cheered, “We owe you our lives Mistress Maria, so I wanted to get back to work as soon as I could.”

“Are you very sure?”

“I am!”

“I find that hard to believe, why the amount of blood I saw there and those men dragging you.” Maria looked off to the side with a wave of her hands, “Do you not still suffer terror from that?”

[Conversation Success]

Maria watched as Melody slowly became paler, her steps faltering for a moment. Those were not the movements of someone who was truely over what they claim. Yes Melody went straight to work trying her best, only asking not to attend the trial and burning of the Heretics that caused her to much pain.

All in all, she was no in the right condition to work.

>Rest the girl’s head on Maria’s lap, so that she can actually rest for once.
>Get the Maid to sit down instead, as a lap pillow is not proper for a Mistress and her Maid
>Let her continue working, as that might allow her to take her mind off things

>Also, add things you guys want to talk to her about.
>>
>>4301941
>Rest the girl’s head on Maria’s lap, so that she can actually rest for once.
"It's alright, you've been taking care of me for all this time and I can do the same for you now"
>>
>>4301941
>Rest the girl’s head on Maria’s lap, so that she can actually rest for once.
>>
>>4301941
>Rest the girl’s head on Maria’s lap, so that she can actually rest for once.
>>
>>4301941
>Rest the girl’s head on Maria’s lap, so that she can actually rest for once.
>>
>>4301949
>This, we should spoil our meido every now and then.
>>
>>4302017
I agree.
>>
>>4301941
>I hardly believe that you could sleep at night. Try to sleep in my room for now until at least you won't be bothered by the harrowing experience you have. I would be troubled if my personal maid don't have enough rest only to collapse from exhaustion.

Spoil the meido!!!
>>
>>4302227
+1 to this addition.
>>
“Melody, come over and sit with me.” Maria lightly ordered the girl with a slight wave of her hand.

“Uh, I do not need it Mistress. I am simply here to do my Job as we agreed upon.” The girl answered with a small sputter.

“Well that will not do! Come over and sit down, as part of your job!” Maria annoyedly ordered with a bark.

“Uh… Alright.” With a little bit of wariness, her maid slowly came over and sat upon the bed with Maria. Of course, the girl was not quick enough when Maria grabbed her by the shoulders and to her lap, “Mistress I-”

Maria gave a light pat upon the black head, “It’s alright, you’ve been taking care of me for hours on end for two months now, this is the least I can do for you.”

“M-Mistress…” Maria was not very surprised at the reddening face of her Servant while mumbling, “B-but I left you at such a dire time.”

“Oh, but your Father was Possessed.” Maria counted with a sharp bit of wit, “Now I find it hard to believe you can sleep at night. Come one and at least sleep, if not rest a little bit from such a harrowing experience. I don’t want my personal maid to die of exhaustion!”

“I guess so… Thank you for everything Mistress.”

“Of course, you probably do so much more work that I could ever know. Why my standard of living surely dropped without you around, so you were doing something right for sure!”

With those words finished the two allowed themselves a little time to rest. Maria taking the time upon herself to rest and recharge. These have been quite hectic days, and later on she will need to ready herself for them. Why, she had been here for an entire week, so surely there will be tons of….

“Agh…”

“Is something wrong Mistress?”

“I’m going to have tons of homework when I get back.” Maria lamented while slapping herself in the face.

Slowly Melody rose from Maria’s lap, “Surely it would not be that much, why you did a great deed.”

“Yeah, but then that would be rude. Prince Lucien and the others will also do so, and I would hate to be the one who ratted herself out. Agh, I will never recover.”

“I am sure you can do it Mistress. You are quite brilliant in your own right.”

“Oh, I guess so. I shall face the future with a strong heart of steel! Ohohoho!”

>Continue talking to the maid into the night
>Have a late night drink
>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>Other
>>
>>4302231
>Continue talking to the maid into the night
>>
>>4302231
>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>>
>>4302231
>Continue talking to the maid into the night
>>
>>4302231
>>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>>
>>4302231
>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow

Keep in mind we got a miracle under our belt. Which will be very helpful with further engagements with the Church.
>>
>>4302231
>>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>>
>>4302231
>>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>>
>>4302231
>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>>
So my internet is down. I will post as soon as it comes back, so please wait for that.
>>
>>4302231
>Head to sleep so Maria can be bright and early at the Monastery tomorrow
>>
Soon enough night turned towards day, and Maria had gotten herself ready for the sermon of today. The clothing that Maria had originally brought were of red color, and sadly this land was not populous enough to merit anything better than it, so Melody had to spent almost an entire day yesterday getting it ready for her.

Now though, as they rode to the Monastery Maria was confident in its cleanliness and making. She was funny enough to be picked up in the Monastery’s own carriage, though her fellow occupant was someone she might not really wanted to see.

“Is there something on my face, Ford?” Maria asked with a clever smile about herself.

“No, there is not.”

“Then surely there must be some reason you keep looking at me. Why I am sure this dress is as Noble as it could be. Unless, you by chance see a part of it as Lewd~”

“Guh!” The man quite literally choked for a moment, “By the Lord above, no!”

“Hmmph, I guess I was hoping for too much.” Maria answered back off handily.

The carriage once again got silent, though Maria’s teasing seemed to have permeated the ride just a little bit. Though as they rode, Maria could note that Ford’s face was growing just the tadest paler and seemed like it was chewing an odd food.

Finally the man came forth and said what he was trying to figure out, “Kingslayer, do you enjoy killing other people?”

Such a question was out of left field and quite literally struck Maria an Out. She honestly did not expect such a question to come up.

“I ask because of what happened in the caves. You were always on the frontline, fighting with only a small Vanguard protecting you. I even heard from the culprits that you became in and of yourself a distraction, before quickly killing three men.”

“Pff, that was only because they were going to kill me. Why did I leave the leader alive, and I saved the one who was possessed. I find it hard to believe that you would do otherwise.”

“I would of incapacitated those men, as they will serve trial. Even if their fates are guaranteed to be death.”

[Military Success]

“But that is the main point of Chivalry, to fight with valor and to slay as many men in battle to gain prestige.” Maria answered back with a furrowed brow, “War is but a must for us, as we can strengthen our Lord’s power in doing it.”

“I am asking if you enjoy it, Maria.” He responded sharply again.

>Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
>Maria shall always take what is most efficient. Let it be killing or taking a surrender
>Deny it whole heartedly, as he is accusing her of being a Sadist!
>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
>>
>>4302510
>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
>>
>>4302510
>>Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
go full dracula
>>
>>4302510
> Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
> Bitch thrill of battle is what I live for
>>
>>4302510
>Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
Especially impaling people hohoho
>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
>>
>>4302510
> it is not the kill that i enjpy, but cleansing the land of heratics. they are vile beast, who deserve nothing but contempt and death
inqusitor maria
>>
>>4302510
>Maria shall always take what is most efficient. Let it be killing or taking a surrender
>>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*

There wasn't really time for other actions in the middle of a melee. The consequence of not acting immediately in war was the death of two brothers and almost our father. We were captured for our quick action but it saved our dad.

As such, no hesitations and no letting others hold us back from here on out.
>>
>>4302510
>Maria shall always take what is most efficient. Let it be killing or taking a surrender
>>
>>4302510
>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
>>
>>4302510
>Maria shall always take what is most efficient. Let it be killing or taking a surrender
I'll add this to my vote:
>>4302515
>>
>>4302510
>>Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
>>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
>>
>>4302606
>Maria shall always take what is most efficient. Let it be killing or taking a surrender
Adding this as well
>>
>>4302510
>Maria shall always take what is most efficient. Let it be killing or taking a surrender
>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*

I don't think Maria really enjoys the killing. More the accomplishment in being better than them.
>>
>>4302510
>Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
>>
>>4302510
>>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
Nah if killing men was an enjoyment we would have cut down the possessed man and the Baron where they stood instead of exocising them and taking him alive for trial.
>>
>>4302510
>Admit that Killing men is an enjoyment
>There is another reason for this question… Maria could taste it *Intrigue*
>>
I'm kind of baffled how many people want to tell Ford, the guy who already dislikes us because he thinks we are dangerous, that we enjoy killing.
>>
>>4302690
Well it seems the majority wanna intrigue Ford and value efficiency. So I guess you gotta be happy for that?

Writing anyways, thanks for the Huge amount of votes.
>>
>>4302724
Thank god
>>
“Oh, I guess I have no choice.” Maria lamented with a sigh, “The battle and domination in and of itself is fun, but I see fighting in a more civilized light at the end of the day.”

“Civilized? There is nothing civilized about it.”

“Why there is, as whenever I see a conflict I will always aim to do the most efficient thing. If it involves killing a thousand men in my path, I will not bat an eye as they were fools who got in my way.”

“And you will spare them if they don’t?”

“Oh, but you miss understand. I will even do so if they agree to back down. It is up to our prior events if whether or not they are kept safe after that.” The Kingslayer gave a sinister smile, “Heretics will all need to die, as keeping a single one might lead to a resurrection of their cult. Enemy soldiers I hope will be much more easy to forgive.”

“So that’s it?”

“Coming from the man who I should also be asking such pointed questions.” Maria leaned forward towards the man, “Why would you be asking such a thing?”

“Th-there is, I uh, I wanted to know for sure. That is all.”

“Oh but there is-” The carriage finally stopped, Maria looking out to see the steps of the Monastery before them, “I seemed to have ran out of time, so we will haft to continue this on our way back. For now, we must play the honored guests of today’s mass.”
>>
With that the door upon their carriage opened, allowing the two to walk out of it and through the aisle. Well this might have been a romantic scene, something more akin to a marriage, but they were here for something else. To receive recognition for their duty to the Lord above.

Maria’s eyes searched between those already sitting in the room. First and more immediately she noticed was the Nuns who were looking upon Ford with the stereotypical love struck look. IT was something Maria expected, and counted herself lucky that Ford would not allow them to break their vows.

Near them was the other group, whose faces and stares made Maria double take. Most of their faces were angled towards Maria, which contained a sense of admiration and pride. One that was the Commander representing an entire company of Heroes, that is what Maria felt from it.

However the others against Ford were more mellow, almost loathing. Her eye laid upon them for only a moment longer, and soon she realized exactly what it was.

A silent loathing, one very much bothered by another’s actions.

However those thoughts of Maria’s were quickly snapped when the rest of the guests arrived. A series of Barons and even a couple Counts appeared, each seemingly to applaud the victory over evil in the previous week. Of course, Lucien and co. were there as well.

Soon the sermon began, which seemed to focus on the triumphs against Evil. Tales such as Saints destroying Dragons and facing off against a Devil’s Chosen, each ended with the victory of the Saint in some capacity.

In the end, Maria and Ford were given the first right to partake in the Blessing to Man. A simple act in which the Priest would deliver to each person a few drops of water. Your hands would be filled, and then you were to drink from that. The reason for this was the Lord above everyone was said to have turned the swamps of this land into purified freshwater wetlands, allowing some of the first Kingdoms to form among such rich soils and drink the water directly.

Soon the sermon, and thus Mass was over. Maria however was not tired, as she has committed to these rights and rituals ever since she returned from the Miaphate.

Honestly, facing Demi-Gods really woke up people’s faith in a higher being.

>Go see the Bishop, who will surely be happy to see Maria
>Go talk to the Knights whose assistance was vital to the people’s success.
>Interact with the Counts, as Maria can never have too many friends
>Head to Lucien and Co. as of course Maria would.
>>
>>4302762
>Interact with the Counts, as Maria can never have too many friends
>>
>>4302762
>Interact with the Counts, as Maria can never have too many friends
>>
>>4302762
>Head to Lucien and Co. as of course Maria would.
>>
>>4302762
>Go see the Bishop, who will surely be happy to see Maria
Let's see how the dude is doing
>>
>>4302762
>>Interact with the Counts, as Maria can never have too many friends
>>
>>4302762
>Interact with the Counts, as Maria can never have too many friends
>>
>>4302762
>Go see the Bishop, who will surely be happy to see Maria

This or talking to the knights.
>>
>>4302762
Oh dear looks like Ford did something to earn their ire. So much for him being the safe choice to have with them. What did he possibly do to piss them off...wait sparing even the lives of heretics? Questioning if we like killing.

...oh my. So that's what happened. Poor Ford forced to take lessons from the person he hates and loathes the most.

>Go talk to the Knights whose assistance was vital to the people’s success.

Let mingle with church's army and further improve our relations.
>>
>>4302762
>Interact with the Counts, as Maria can never have too many friends
>>
With a small smile about herself Maria quickly made her way over to the three Counts who had shown up to the Mass. The first she noticed was a modestly built man who helped her with the execution of the Heretics. So with an in, Maria made her approach.

“Ah, Count Dorcy, the trials went really well from where we watched.” She announced while finishing her approach to the small group.

“Hmm, oh Regnia!” The man quickly turned about with a smile, “Luckily it did, though I am a little sad things will not come out how I will want them too.”

“Oh, were you scheming something much more dire then?” She jokenly asked with a cynical smile.

“Well, I will not be able to consolidate the territory. His relative Count Vosk of Lorain County has advocated that if we were to touch the man’s child.” The man ran his face through his hands, “Ugh, it's only because the child has been so sickly I am sure he aims to take the territory himself.”

“Oh, I… don’t really know what to say. If the heretic had a child, well its difficult.”

“Hehe, you think he has the short end of the stick.” Another Count with a rather large belly laughed, “You don’t need to deal with the fact one of his Barons apparently had a Bastard Child, when he had a wife too!”

“You just love wailing your woes don’t you Jamison. I would think having a heretical cult is far worse than a simple inheritance exploitation.” The third and last one said with a wave of his hand.

“Tsk, I guess your right.” Jamison lamented, “Still it was quite Bothersome.”

Maria could not help but hear something quite interesting, “Who are you talking about?”

“Hmph, Baron Loveheart’s little mess of a life.” The Count soon grew quite the smile, “Actually, if my memory is right she’s about your age Regnia.”

Maria felt her heart skip a little as her little suspicions were confirmed, “I did hear that she was going to be joining the Academy’s ranks quite soon.”

“Sounds about right, though that will be after we finalize the Baron’s inheritance law.” He noticed Maria’s tilting of the head and continued what he was saying, “Well you see the guy’s court kinda hates him for the adultery, so he was wanting me to change the Realm’s law for him. We should be getting everything done by the end of the day once I return to the Feif.”

>Try and convince him not to change the laws, thus delaying or even preventing Chloe’s arrival
>Promote the law’s change, as it is the right thing to do.
>Enchorage the Count to seek payment for such a drastic change in laws.
>>
>>4302919
>Encourage the Count to seek payment for such a drastic change in laws.

We want competition. But it has a price.
>>
>>4302919
>>Promote the law’s change, as it is the right thing to do.
>>
>>4302919
>Promote the law’s change, as it is the right thing to do.
>>
>>4302919
>Enchorage the Count to seek payment for such a drastic change in laws.

I am extremely tempted to test what degree of plot armor she enjoys.
>>
>>4302921
>We want competition. But it has a price.
What do you mean? We won't get any money out of this.
>>
>>4302919
>Promote the law’s change, as it is the right thing to do.
>>
>>4302919
>Enchorage the Count to seek payment for such a drastic change in laws.
>>
>>4302921
>>4302942
>>4303012

>>4302925
>>4302934
>>4303011

There is a tie, I want to see what you guys choose. Do you help the Heroine, or mess with her. That is the choice.
>>
>>4303135
Vote for the moral choice new guys
>>
>>4303135
if we try to sabotage her would she know?
>>
>>4303189
Probably not at first.
>>
>>4303135
I'll vote to seek payment just to see how thick her plot armor is.
>>
>>4303202
Alright, there we go. Any others who vote Im not gonna read.
>>
>>4303203
I mean we are an otome villainess, of course we make obstacles for our dear little protagonist.
>>
Oh, and thanks to whoever archived the last thread. You saved me a ton of trouble.
>>
“Seems quite a bit nice of you, Count Jamison.” Maria remarked with a skeptical eye, “Do you not get anything out of this?”

The man seemed to have thought to himself for a moment, “Well his daughter is quite the lady, even if she is a Bastard.”

“Hmm, but you will get nothing from it. Surely doing such a large favor should be done with compensation.”

“Eh, I guess you are right.” The Count admitted with a wave of his hand, “I think I have something in mind, though honestly we will need to see how able the Baron is to adhere to a reasonable arrangement.”

“Well… that was that.” Count Dorcy said with a bit of surprise about himself, “We should probably be making our way out of here. We are all busy men of course.”

The other men made a few nods and soon they were making their way out of there. However before Maria herself could make some steps she was face to face with a rather older man. A small cheerful smile about himself as he looked over.

“Well well, it is my pleasure to meet you when I still have a brain Kingslayer.”

Maria gave the man a curt bow, “It is my own to meet you Bishop Illios, I am really happy that you were able to pull through from when we first saw you.”

“Indeed indeed.” He laughed with a cheery smile, “I cannot give you enough thanks for what you have done. Not only here, but the trials from across the great sea.”

“Please stop my good sir, I can only take so much.” Maria joked with a wave of the hand.

“Alright alright, if you were ever to be cloistered I would welcome you with open arms!”

“P-please no!” Maria almost panicked upon hearing him say that, “I am quite fine being in the realm of Nobles, why I still need to find a lover so my family can enter the Empire.”

“That maybe so, but a miracle did occur about you recently. Am I correct?” He asked with a rather joyous smile.

“Y-yes it did. I assume the soldiers are who told you.”

“You are indeed correct. Though it is weird that you were able to perform such a feat without the aid of Saint Hospit.” His eyes seemed to sharpen upon her, “Normally a Noble is not able to perform a Clerical Miracle, only those with the aptitude of Sainthood should be able too.”

“Y-you are saying I have an aptitude for magic?” Maria could not help but stumble upon herself upon saying those words.

“You might, as it might have been a blessing from the Lord above. If you ever have the chance, I implore you to ask the Cardinal to assist in your tutelage.” His eyes sharped upon her for another moment, “I will tell you now though, as many Nobles get it wrong. What the Lord has given to you was a Miracle, not Magic. Magic and Sorcery is what we Inquisitors must watch out for.”

“I understand, I forgot about that.” Maria admits, the man seemingly getting a little heavier as she heard those words.

“Alright then, I will let you be my dear. I need to get some bedrest before I regret it!” He left her with a laugh about himself.
>>
>Go talk to the Guards
>Go see Albert and try to get him networking!
>Simply take one’s leave, Maria’s time is done here.
>Other
>>
>>4303251
>Go talk to the Guards
we definitely need to see the cardinal later
>>
>>4303251
My vote
>>4303218
You're welcome.
>>
>>4303300
>Go talk to the Guards
I'm an idiot bwah
>>
>>4303251
>>Go talk to the Guards
we about to become inqusitor saint Regnia
>>
>>4303253
>>Go talk to the Guards
>>
>>4303251
>Go talk to the Guards

>>4303348
Imagine the expression on Solomon's face when he finds out about that. Wait she became an inquisitor AND a Saint? Though come to think of it its probably a reward for killing two demigods.
>>
>>4303419
We gonna make a new division similar to Adeptas Sororitas and be the Sister Superior.
>>
>>4303253
Just for the record QM. Try to minimize creating extra threads when you haven't gone past bump limit + starting to get to the end of the board slide
>>
>>4303253
>Go see Albert and try to get him networking!
>>
>>4303555
Don't worry I know. The Bump limit however is 5 days on this board.
>>
Maria of course would have time to maul over the words of the Bishop in due time, for now however she needed to move onward to other matters. A quick pivot on her feet allowed her to travel towards the gathering of a few men, some dressed in armor while others were in simple tunics.

The man who Maria always talk to when entering the Monastery talked first, “Kingslayer, have you finished talkin’ to all those uptight Nobles.”

“Uptight? Seems a little rude since I am one as well.”

“Eh, sorry about that. Just those guys never came over to help us like you did.” He admitted with a calming smile, “I am sure the Bishop already told you this, but we are thankful for your help in saving both the Bishop and Saint Hospit.”

“Thank you,” Maria answered back with her heart warming up just a little bit, “You know,I never did catch your name. What would it be?”

“Oh mine, uh, I am Sir Victor.” He answered as if he was being a timid child finally being recognized.

“Oh, so you are a Knight!”

“I am, given my title from the Bishop himself for the duties of defending the Monastery.” The man’s back however quickly became much straighter, “I ask of you though, Kingslayer. I wish to be in your Service as a Knight.”

“Oh, really?” Maria was taken aback, “What about your vows defending the Monastery?”

“I have already asked the Bishop and he approved. He wants to make sure that someone who saved his life is never placed in the way of danger.”

“Alright… give me a moment.”

>Take the Knight’s offer
>Deny him

On the other end of things
>Talk to him about why the Knights are against Ford
>Ask where Maria can get herself a suite of armor, as she might need it soon.
>Maria shall head on her way out, she already knows just by an educated guess
>>
>>4303575
>>Take the Knight’s offer
>Talk to him about why the Knights are against Ford
>>
>>4303575
>Take the Knight’s offer
>Talk to him about why the Knights are against Ford
Let’s confirm what has he done
>>
>>4303575
>Take the Knight’s offer
>Maria shall head on her way out, she already knows just by an educated guess
>>
>>4303575
> Take the Knight’s offer
> Ask where Maria can get herself a suite of armor, as she might need it soon.
>>
>>4303575
>>Take the Knight’s offer
>>Talk to him about why the Knights are against Ford
>>
>>4303575
>>Take the Knight’s offer
we must start building our inquisitorial retinue
>>
>>4303575
>Take the Knight’s offer
>Talk to him about why the Knights are against Ford
>>
>>4303575
>>Take the Knight’s offer
>>Maria shall head on her way out, she already knows just by an educated guess
>>
>>4303575
>Take the Knight’s offer
>Maria shall head on her way out, she already knows just by an educated guess
We should look into getting ourselves a suit of armor when we can if we're going to hunt down heretics and lead armies.
>>
>>4303575
>Take the Knight’s offer
>Maria shall head on her way out, she already knows just by an educated guess
>>
Quickly enough Maria turned herself about and faced the man with a genuine smile, “Thank you very much, I would be thankful for you to join me as a Knight.”

A smirk about him the Knight kneeled upon the ground, “Then upon this moment, I hereby swear myself to the Kingslayer.”

They stood there for a moment, Maria letting the idea simmer in her brain. This has become an interesting turn of events, and surely they will be able to use it to their advantage. Having a retinue of men does not sound like a bad idea the more and more Maria thinks about it.

“You may rise now my Knight.” Upon hearing her words, the knight did just that. A soft smile upon herself Maria continued, “Now I do wonder, many of the Guards do not seem to be taking lightly to Ford. Is there a problem with him?”

Victor’s eyes became slightly wide before rubbing the back of his head, “I guess I should not be surprised about the Kingslayer noticing that. Indeed that is so, many of the men did not like his performance back when we were fighting the Heretics.”

“You have yet to tell me what he has done.” Maria said with a small qurp.

“Indeed, well, uh, he does not have much of a zeal we expected from a friend of the Kingslayer.” He gave a sigh before shaking his head, “When we were charging in, the man demanded that we keep as many of the Cultist alive. IT did not help when we found out the Cultist themselves were afflicted with a sorcery that made then worth five men apiece.”

[Military Success]

“Thats right, you should have beaten me to the Ritual chamber since I took the long way around. Do you think he was just being too cautious?”

“Indeed that was so, and while he led from the front the man never truly took the life. Of course a few guards made sure that mistake did not hurt us.”

“Well, enough of that!” Maria quickly ended their conversation with a sinister smile, “We have been staying at an inn in town, so be sure to meet us there. We plan to leave by tomorrow morning to make it by that nightfall.”

“I understand, I will meet you there by the Morning.” And with that Victor quickly ran off to do his own thing.

With that it was time for everyone to leave, Maria making her way towards the carriage in which Ford will be riding. Now, should she confront him about this, maybe to get some resolution from such a task?

>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
>Instead, convince him to let Maria ride back with Lucien on the way back
>Just give the man a silent treatment, because Maria would like to just mess with him.
>>
>>4303917
>>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
>>
>>4303917
>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
I understand him wanting to keep people alive, but it’s strange for a soldier to be this afraid of killing
>>
>>4303917
>Just give the man a silent treatment, because Maria would like to just mess with him.
>>
>>4303917
>>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
>>
>>4303917
>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
>Dude you gotta get that sword of your wet
>>
>>4303917
>Just give the man a silent treatment, because Maria would like to just mess with him.
>>
>>4303984
>>4304046
She just sitting there menacingly
>>
>>4303917
>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
>>
>>4303917
>>Just give the man a silent treatment, because Maria would like to just mess with him.
>>
>>4303917
>>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others
If it was bandits, it's understandable. Bandits value themselves as it's their greed that leads them to harm others.

Cultists act in the name of their dieties and demons, and as such will stop at nothing to achieve their ends. If we had not been in the position of kingslayer, we might not have understood that as well. But when dieties are in play, the hesitation of mortals will be taken advantage of.
>>
>>4303917
>Just give the man a silent treatment, because Maria would like to just mess with him.
>>
>>4303917
>Ask him why he is so against the killing of others

Time for another one of Maria's lessons that as much as Ford hates will ensure he lives a longer life.
>>
Just as when they left the Inn, Maria and Ford were loaded up in the forward carriage which belonged to the Bishop. The man himself was giving a wave towards them as the driver raised his reigns, soon the snap of the vehicle going forward was heard and they were off.

For the start of the journey Maria chewed on whether or not she should give him the silent treatment, just for the hell of it. However that was boring in and of itself, so Maria went ahead with the thing that has been pressing her.

“Ford, if I may ask.” Maria straightened her back in preparation, “Why are you afraid of killing people?”

“Huh? W-what was that?” He looked up a little jarred from Maria’s words.

“I asked you why you were so hesitant to kill people. It is a simple one, and I could think of plenty of situations where you were hesitant at committing the act. So why?”

“I do not need to say so, I simply just don’t want to.”

“Are you really going to weasel your way out of this? I answered when you asked if I enjoy killing men, so at least you can tell me why you are a Soldier acting like a pacifist!”

[Conversation Success]

“...” The man shook his head before looking at Maria straight, “Fine, because I do not want to fall down that narrow slope.”

Maria could not help but tilt her head a little upon hearing those words, “Narrow slope? What in the name of the Lord are you talking about?”

“Killing another person is never right. No matter how many times people tell me it is a must we must try our best to be the better man.” He looked at Maria straight on now with a fine burning pair of eyes, “I have seen too many times where killing others just leads to more and more violence, until it completely consumes a man whole.”

Even in his burning gaze Maria did not back down, instead it strengthened her will, “You speak as if you know of a man who did just that.”

“Because he was my Father, Marshal Lord of the Austin Empire and the exemplar of wrath. But not just him, every other scoundrel who roams the Imperial Palace who orchestrates the death of even infant Children to get their way. All have murdered men before, so I will try my best to be better than them.”

Such an odd explanation, Maria mused. He was simply a man who does not belong in this current era, wishing that the old ways would die already.

>To each, their own. Atleast Maria will leave it at that.
>Tell him why Killing is what’s needed to have a long life in this day and age.
>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
>>
>>4304237
>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
While he think low of us because of our title, we’re far away from baby killings and that nasty shit
>>
>>4304237
>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
Maria may be many things but she has never touched the innocent much less a child. even though she herself has been a victim of such schemes at a tender age indeed.
>>
>>4304237
>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
>>
>>4304237
>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
>>
>>4304237
>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
>>
>>4304237
>>Tell him why Killing is what’s needed to have a long life in this day and age.
>>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
I
>>
>>4304237
>>Try and learn more about these Schemes, as Maria might be able to help him deal with those. *Intrigue*
>>
After a moment's thought though Maria could not let those words go, “Schemes? If there were such men then I am sure I can help you deal with them.”

Ford’s eye focused on Maria for a moment once again, “They have already been put a stop to, at least for now. I do not need to bring a Kingslayer into what would amount to a fossilized plot.”

“Fossilized? Why it is still in your mind I would not call it that.” Maria mused with a sly smile forming.

The two looked at one another, Ford surely losing the battle of will between them, “Fine. I will tell you Kingslayer, but you must vow never to speak of this, lest someone gets a similar idea.”

“I can do that.”

“Good. I found and stopped a scheme to murder the Second Prince Elric.”

“Oh, oh Lord.” Maria finally realized just what he was thinking about all this time. Maria’s heart from a time when she was still an ordinary girl from the modern age ached, “That is, such a dreadful thing!”

“It was worse when it was the boy’s very own wetnurse.” Ford simply shook his head for a moment, “I found her placing the pillow on his face, an attempt to smother him. So I smashed into her with my shoulder and knocked her down. She died the moment her skull slammed into a nearby chair.”

“Oh…” Maria leaned back into her seat a little while looking at the man. Now his paranoia was starting to make sense, “So you are always watching out for the time in which Lucien might be targeted.”

She received a nod, if seemingly a bit more on the stubborn side.

“And I assume because the Maid died, there is not a single suspect in the attempt?”

She received another nod.

So Maria straightened her back, an idea starting to form in her mind.

>If you wish to convince him to allow Maria to help guard the Prince, Give me a d100 roll.
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
>>
>>4304863
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
>>
>>4304863
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
We can help in our way from the shadows, but I don’t wanna make it direct and tie us down from something else
>>
>If you wish to convince him to allow Maria to help guard the Prince, Give me a d100 roll.
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.

We won't devote ourselves to guarding him. Guarding isn't our skillset.

Investigating and figuring out WHO needs handling? THAT we can do.

Explain to Ford that while we WERE in the thick of the combat, most of the work was everything that came BEFORE the combat. Getting the evidence, isolating a cultist, putting people at both exits of the compound.

We can do THAT for Lucien. If he doesn't want us to get the perpetrator killed, we can do our best to ensure it doesn't happen. But such investigations take time and resources.
>>
>>4304875
Its more of protecting him from the shadows, thats the idea I'm going for.
>>
>>4304877
I will further say that doing this will align you all with Ford, or atleast that is what Ford expects of you.
>>
>>4304875
Backing
>>
>>4304863
>>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
>>
>>4304863
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life
>>
>>4304877
Shadow protection entails constantly investigating possible threats.

Let us be a flashlight into the darkness upon request as opposed to a lantern expending energy to illuminate everything around.
>>
>>4304863
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
>>
>>4305106
Are we going to be a spymaster in the future?
>>
>>4304863
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
>>
>>4304863
>Maria should not devote herself to this, as it might tie her down from another calling in her life.
>>
“Such a brutal event, that is for sure.” Maria admitted with a small sigh, “Time will only tell if some does the same against Lucien I assume.”

“Indeed...” The man seemed to have finally started to mellow out now, probably the exhaustion of saying so much finally reaching him.

“Well I will be sure to keep an eye out then.” Maria said with a smile.

“That does not comfort me very much.”

“It’s not suppose to. Its not a vow or anything, but I will simply keep an eye out.”

The man clicked his tongue before looking out the window, obviously he had enough of Maria’s shenanigans. Honestly now Maria could understand the man, and in her honest opinion he does not seem to be anything too special.

Compared to the likes of say Soloman, Ford is simply a Paranoid fool. Rightfully paranoid Maria is sure, but nothing more really.

It was not long after that when they arrived at the city, the place now bustling with activity. Finally people were able to leave their homes, knowing that the threat of a literal demon was extinguished.

Once they arrived at the Inn Maria was welcomed by Melody, who had quickly brought about some tea to her hands to enjoy. Indeed she did, but as she looked out of the windows at the slowly setting sun she wondered.

“Do you want to go shopping Mistress?” Melody asked while pouring herself some tea from the kettle.

“I do not really know, Melody.” Maria admitted with a sigh, “In all honesty shopping does not excite me nearly as much as the other girls say. I just find it a waste of time and resources.”

“Hmm, I think I understand Mistress.”

>Head out to make sure the Bandits are all ready to move out
>Get Albert so Maria can meet with some of the Merchant Guilds
>Actually, head out and shop. Maybe go meet with some of the people too.
>Rest for the night now, As Maria feels she will have a nice conversation with Prince Lucien on the trip back~
>>
>>4305377
>Get Albert so Maria can meet with some of the Merchant Guilds

We should push Albert ideas about innovating farming methods to our father.
>>
>>4305377
>Get Albert so Maria can meet with some of the Merchant Guilds
>>
>>4305377
>Rest for the night now, As Maria feels she will have a nice conversation with Prince Lucien on the trip back~
>>
>>4305377
>Rest for the night now, As Maria feels she will have a nice conversation with Prince Lucien on the trip back~

Wow that was a pretty unanimous vote against potentially starting the Ford route - but then again we should wait and see what the otome does before we start seriously gathering romance flags.
>>
>>4305377
>>Actually, head out and shop. Maybe go meet with some of the people too.
>>
>>4305377
>Get Albert so Maria can meet with some of the Merchant Guilds

>>4305409
Ford requires far too much babysitting and teaching. While anons like messing with him and teaching him a lesson. It would be too much work. Basically messing with Ford is fun dating him not so much.
>>
>>4305409
I want to spend time studying improving our skills and getting more connections. Running security detail for a prince would be giant sink of our time.
>>
>>4305377
>Head out to make sure the Bandits are all ready to move out

>>4305409
He wasn't exactly charming and doing guard detail is boring. We can't even really investigate because we have zero leads.
>>
>>4305377
>Actually, head out and shop. Maybe go meet with some of the people too.

>>4305409
I think Maria has her sights set higher for marriage.
>>
>>4305377
>Actually, head out and shop. Maybe go meet with some of the people too.
>>
>>4305377
>Get Albert so Maria can meet with some of the Merchant Guilds
More connections is good.
>>
“You know, Melody, where is Albert~”

Within only five minutes of mentioning the man’s name Maria was already walking outside with them man. Albert of course was startled by the speed in which they had moved through the inn, though he was skillfully navigating the grounds of the city quite well.

“M-my apologies Miss Maria, but why did you want me to go out with you and your maid?” He asked with a shaking smile.

“Oh that is quite rude to ask for the third time Albert.”

“My apologies, but I would have mistaken your words for a tornado.”

“Fufu, you are lucky I found that funny.” Maria mused before shaking her own head, “What you agreed to before was that you were going to introduce me to the Guilds who operate around here. Mainly the ones that work with agricultural equipment.”

“Oh, that sounds right.”

“Now, do you by chance know where we can find it?”

The boy’s eyes started to look around, “I am not very familiar with this city as I am from another, but if my guess was correct… over there!”

Albert quickly moved his way about, much quicker than he was following Maria. Soon enough they entered a place whose sign was that of a blacksmith’s hammer and wheat.

“Hmm, may I ask who you are?” a man standing with a thin but tall frame asked. In his hands was a clipboard and charcoal, things that only an educated person would be able to use.

“I am Albert Giovana, son of Howard Giovana, the man who owns the Giovana Textiles Guild and Tradeposts.” Albert said rapidly with an enjoyed smile upon his face.

“Oh… OH!” The man’s eyes went wide with a sudden realization, “Oh, my apologies, however I must quickly ask for atleast some proof. That would make you an acting representative of his Guild correct?”

“That is so, here you are.” Albert handed the man a small letter.

Quickly did the man open it, reading through its contents. He took a moment to look through it, a smile growing wider and wider from what Maria could see. Soon enough he placed the letter back, “Alright alright, it is not everyday I get to meet a representative of the Giovana Merchant Family. If I may dare ask, what is it you are wanting to talk about?”

“It is not for myself, but this lady right here.” Albert explained while presenting Maria, “She wants to talk to you all about some future business we wish to discuss. She is the Daughter of the MaKainian Duke.”

“Oh, really?” the man’s interest seemed to have grown ten fold upon hearing those words, “Very well, I will see if the Guild Master is in. If you would follow me.”

And with those words they began traveling towards a place for talks.

>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
>Try to bring the guild into the Realm so MaKain can move more goods
>Try and get a feel for Austin’s economic climate for the coming years.
>Other, of course
>>
>>4305587
>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
>Try to bring the guild into the Realm so MaKain can move more goods
>Try and get a feel for Austin’s economic climate for the coming years.

Just having the practices won't work well since we'll need the equipment too.
And I see no reason we can't get a feel for the economy from our conversation.
>>
>>4305587
>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
>>
>>4305431
To be fair Maria is guaranteed Solomon if she can't find someone else to her liking.

>>4305587
>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
>Try to bring the guild into the Realm so MaKain can move more goods
>>
>>4305599
It sounded like the "new" farming practices included crop rotation, which to my knowledge doesn't require any special equipment other than the actual crops and tools for harvesting them that should already exist in MaKain.

>>4305587
>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
>>
>>4305601
And Solomon has a huge advantage. He's the only one actively trying to court Maria and has shown her quite a bit of respect with breaking tradition and giving up on any other wives for Maria.

>>4305587
>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
>Try to bring the guild into the Realm so MaKain can move more goods
>>
>>4305655
More like Solomon is suffering from a severe case of Fear boner anon. Even him giving up other wives and breaking tradition has mostly to do with his knowledge of her killing him should he try it. As she even threatened/warned him about it. It's painfully obvious how much he is attracted by how scary and dangerous Maria is. Which is where his true advantage lies is unironically his fear boner. That's the real reason why he conceded on those points(he initially pushed for it until Maria warned him what would happen should he try). Unlike the other capture targets not only does he deeply appreciate what makes Maria so terrifying he is willing to pursue her despite the fact(actually fuck that he loves the danger/scary aspect of it). Though when you get down to it its literally because of his fear boner for Maria. Of all the capture targets he's the only one who has discovered the power of the fear boner. Which is where his greatest advantage lies compared to the others. After all, Maria is a villainess. Having a fear boner is a HUGE advantage when dealing with her. Too bad Solomon is the only one who has figured it out(probably by accident but still).
>>
>>4305673
You would have a point if that had happened, but Maria never threatened him.

She literally just told him that she might not want to marry him, that he had to prove to be worthy of her first and that she would only marry him if she would be his only wife.

He never was threatened and the whole exchange was more flirting/teasing than threatening.
>>
>>4305673
I've never seen an anon so fascinated by a fictional character who has a fear boner.
>>
>>4305587
>Focus on trying to get farming practices to MaKain
Ugh guilds. Men of the trade seldom meet for merriment and soon the conversation tends towards conspiracy against the public.
>>
Soon enough Maria arrived in a rather furnished room, the place covered in a variety of exotic rugs and beast hide. It was obviously a place meant to impress people with the wide variety of items, and Maria was sure they were from many corner of this odd world. Though as she looked about, her eyes were caught on something quite odd.

It was a spear, made of darkened steel that radiated the feeling of dread and cold. Somehow she felt like it was recognizable in the briefest of instances, but the sound of a door being opened quickly snapped her out of her thought.

“Hmm, oh I see you are a woman who enjoys her arms. Quite unusual.” The rather puggy man came in and sat himself on the couches near the center of the room, “That one is quite an odd weapon, supposedly it was from the East near the edge of the Pegan Hordes and Miaphate.”

Maria could not help but look at the man with her full attention now, “By chance was that the Duchy of MaKain?”

“Oh, so you know of it! Such a place is too far for most to really care, though I would admit it has the most hardy people thanks to both the weather and Wars. Why it's where the Dragon rules if I am not mistaken.”

“You would be correct in those assumptions, for I am Maria Louisa Regnia. The Daughter of the Dragon.” Maria answered him with a triumphant smirk about herself.

“Oh my oh my, royalty from a land so far away. I would be hard pressed to even have expected someone from the Academy, let alone MaKain.”

[Royal Demeanor Success]

“I do enjoy such flattery, but I am not here to be called an Angel upon this world.” Maria quickly said while taking her own seat, with Albert doing the same next to her.

“Oh and you are sharp as well, hehe, usually those words can get any Noble girl begging for our Chocolates.” He soon placed a hand upon his chest, “I am Guild Master Saller, I operate this branch of the Guild whose reach is across these Northern Lands. Now, what is your business from being so far away from home?”

“A couple of things.” Maria started with a smirk and a finger raised in the air, “I have heard of new trade practices being developed in these lands, so I wish to export them as quickly as I can toward MaKain.”

“Hmm, I can see you have quite the foresight. Such a task however will be hard, as while I can give you books I will not be able to teach your citizens.”

“Hmm… well you see there is something else I desire.” Maria leaned back now finally being in an element that she enjoyed, “How about expanding your trade towards MaKain? We could always use some more traders in the realm and we are stark few right now.”
>>
The man’s eyes widened, however quickly did he reach to his side and brought out a map. Placing it upon the table everyone was able to look upon it, “Hmm, as I thought I will not be able to do it. While I could try a land route, it is too far to do so and I can’t see there any able coastline.”

Maria could only click her tongue at what she never realised. When it comes to accessing Water, the only sources in MaKain are a series of rivers that run across it. Other than that, they were landlocked.

“Hmm, the only way I can see us being able to work together is if you were somehow able to move north though Polain, right here near the Tectonic Knights. Otherwise, I am sorry but I cannot do such a thing.”

Maria’s eyes continued to look over it, noting the fact there was a possible channel to the sea the Duchy could take. If one was to go South west, they would easily gain a Port there.

Maria quickly clicked her tongue, as the idea of taking territory was an idea. MaKain probably has recovered from the Wars with the Miaphate, but they are all wars one in the same.

>Maybe see if Maria can draw some upstart sons of the Merchants.
>Ask more about the metal spear to which the Merchant Holds.
>Leave for now, atleast Maria has some knowledge
>Tell him if she will definitely be back, as Maria plans the conquest of the Northern lands.
>Other Schemes, as I am interested what you come up with.
>>
>>4306090
We need map QM. Can you provide one?
>>
>>4306090
>Ask more about the metal spear to which the Merchant Holds.
>>
>>4306090
Wait a second aren't we allied with the Tectonic Knights? Why aren't we able to cross through their lands?
>>
>>4306090
>>Ask more about the metal spear to which the Merchant Holds
>>
>>4306090
>Ask more about the metal spear to which the Merchant Holds.
>>
>>4306090
>Leave for now, atleast Maria has some knowledge
>>
>>4306090
>Ask more about the metal spear to which the Merchant Holds.
>How much he wants for it
>>
>>4306090
>Maybe see if Maria can draw some upstart sons of the Merchants.
>>
>>4306121
We are, we have some basic alliance.
>>
>>4306095
I will when I figure out how to make one nice enough and what else is near you guys.
>>
>>4306090
>Maybe see if Maria can draw some upstart sons of the Merchants.
>>
Hmm, it was starting to look like war was inevitable. Or atleast, it is if MaKain wishes to become anything better than a Miaphite punching bag. For now though Maria was in talks with a Merchant, matters of the Realm are of little matter to a man who only paid attention to his coin.

Though Maria could not help but look off to the side, “Is there anything else you can tell me about that weapon. I find it quite odd that I have yet to hear about its making myself.”

“Hmm, oh that one. Well it was something my father got his hands on when he was much younger and traveled the world. After that I do not know much about it.”

“Hmm, I wish to buy it along with those books.” Maria made her demand with a pair of blazing eyes.

“Oh my, well I would find it hard to sell it Miss Regnia. It is a memento of my Father’s.”

“I thought you were a Merchant, you fellow should always have some kind of price no matter what it is.” Maria quickly mocked with a smile.

[Conversation Success]

“Oh, you are indeed correct. I am much more the fool now I would guess.” The Merchant admitted with a sigh, “Then let us start with Price!”

Quickly they went into a conversation about the value of the weapon and books. For the most part Maria had a basic understanding of money values, however occasionally Albert would help her realize the difference in coin values.

Soon enough they came to a good price, Albert assuring Maria that it was quite low for what they were buying. Either way, Maria was more than able to pay for the goods outright which allowed them to easily return to the inn.

Now the day turned to night, and Maria went to bed ready for the ride back tomorrow.

>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>Catch up with her brother Bon about what Lucien has been doing
>Have a Chat with Melody and Maria’s Knight Victor
>Other
>>
>>4306456
>Catch up with her brother Bon about what Lucien has been doing
>>
>>4306456
>>Have a Chat with Melody and Maria’s Knight Victor
>>
>>4306456
>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>>
>>4306456
>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
Get in there
>>
>>4306456
>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>>
>>4306456
>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>>
>>4306456
>>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>>
>>4306456
>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>>
>>4306456
>>Use Maria’s achievements to ride with Lucien
>>
>>4306456
>Have a Chat with Melody and Maria’s Knight Victor
>>
>>4306456
We probably should contact bandits before we move out so there is no misunderstandings
>>
Said night finally turned towards the day, sounds of roosters hollering about themselves. For Maria, she took the morning dolling herself up with the help of Melody, the maid happily doing her duty as they finally finished packing the Noble’s things.

“Alright then, are you ready to leave Mistress?”

“I am indeed Melody, though if I dare ask do you not wish to stay with your Father just a little bit longer?”

“Again, Mistress, I have talked to him enough. We should get going now before the Marshal’s Son leaves you behind.” Melody joked while carrying a rather bulky suitcase.

“Oh don’t worry, we are very ahead of Ford’s schedule. I made sure of that~”

With that the two left her room, going down the staircase and through the mess hall. The sounds of carriages being loaded came into the Kingslayer’s ears as she finally approached the carriages. Soon enough she caught the black hair of Ford, who looked busy at the moment until he turned to face her.

“I take it we will be leaving within the hour?” Maria asked the man.

“We will, your carriage will be the second one in from the front.” He said automatically without any care.

“Hmm, but I wished to talk to the Prince on the way back. Why we never really had a moment during this journey, and it felt as if I was just dragging him along to all of the events.”

Ford’s eyes narrowed upon Maria with the feeling that he just wanted to kill her now. Of course, he would never do that but it was besides the point.

Since there was no answer she continued, “I believe it is just that I atleast get this chance with him, after all I slayed his realm’s heathens and bastards along your side. Honestly bringing you into it was out of the goodness of my-”

“Fine.” He broke the deadly stare with a sigh, “I will arrange you to be with him, along with your brother. Your maidservant will be required to stay in the second carriage along with Albert though.”

“Thank you very much.” Maria ended with a small bow.

Soon everyone was loaded up, Lucien and Bon both being loaded in the forward carriage with Maria. Bon seemed to have lightened up, even hugging her as they finally took their seats.

Besides that however, no one really said anything. The carriages soon began to move under their feet, which was only the start of their travel.

>Talk to them about what they did in the city over the week
>Tell them of Maria’s Inquisition!
>See if they want to play a traveling game.
>>
>>4306861
>See if they want to play a traveling game.

Wasn't one of our goals to get Albert to meet with Lucien?
Has that happened yet?
>>
>>4306861
>>Talk to them about what they did in the city over the week
>>
>>4306861
>See if they want to play a traveling game.

Also, did we ever get around to contacting our startup spynetwork? Will they just be staying behind, or will they follow us?
>>
>>4306869
We will get to that in time, I have plans.
>>
>>4306861
>Talk to them about what they did in the city over the week
I am genuinely curious as to what the bros have been up to.
>>
>>4306861
>Talk to them about what they did in the city over the week
>>
>>4306861
>Talk to them about what they did in the city over the week
>>
>>4306861
>Tell them of Maria’s Inquisition!

If we have topic let's make it interesting one
>>
>>4306870
Rather then plans I would prefer to send our knight to get them, because now it feels like we left them behind and went back on our word
>>
>>4306861
>Tell them of Maria’s Inquisition!
>>
>>4306883
Eh, I was just going to have Maria inform them off screen. After this scene, she should be meeting with them.
>>
>>4306889
Good enough
>>
>>4306861
>>4306861
>Talk to them about what they did in the city over the week
Talking about the Inquisition sounds like Maria's tooting her own horn. If they bring it up we'll answer but they're probably got the gist of things.

>>4306864
Hopefully - they've had some time together since Ford left the part pretty quickly and Maria was running around finding heretics.
>>
>>4306861
I kinda wanna use this time to also see if Lucien knows anything of others trying to get at him.

We will help with Lucien, but hell if we'll make a pledge to Ford about it.
>>
Slowly but surely they traveled through the lands, the sights of farms and hills covering Maria’s view. Why she even noticed among the guards her Knight, Victor, was among them. It was a relieving feeling that no one seemed to have stopped him from coming with her back to the capital.

“So,” However Maria went ahead and turned her attention back to the carriage’s occupants, “Lucien, what did you three do while I was away tracking down the heretics?”

“Hmm, we walked around.” Lucien responded as he himself returned from looking out into the wilderness.

“Well actually we were looking for you!” Bon quickly replied as well with a bit of irritation, “You just upped and disappeared one moment, and we could not find you anywhere.”

“Oh, sorry about that. I was searching for a heretic at the time.” Maria admitted with a small blush.

“Hmm.” Lucien’s eyes did not convey much, but Maria got the feeling that he was putting things together himself.

Bon went on ahead and continued, “Well, after we gave up we were hanging out in the inn. Surprise to me, but Lucien here got into an actual conversation with your friend. Albert I think his name was?”

“Really! Sorry for asking but what did you two talk about?” Maria asked the rather dead looking Prince with wide eyes.

“Farming practices. I wanted to make sure they were real. We are planning to find and standardize them here later.”

“Oh of course, he got to you through your work.” Maria almost laughed to herself before shaking her head, “Sorry Prince Lucien, but it is quite a humorous item.”

“It is fine. I wish the best for my people.” The animation in his eyes suddenly became shining, almost angelic in their movement. However, to Maria’s lamentation, they returned to normal soon after to the same dull eyes.

“Well, was there anything else?” Maria asked with a hint of disappointment.

“I guess there was, Lucien tell her about the little Bird and the Girl.” Bon joked with a good hearted smile.

“Hmm her? I liked her bird.”

Maria stopped there for a moment, the word ringing in her head. ‘Liked’ was a word not commonly heard from the mouth of a corpse, let alone Lucien. She had a bet, however did Maria really want to risk learning the truth of this encounter?

>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird
>Instead, try and find out more about the Empire from Lucien. Surely it would be a topic he would talk about.
>Switch to a simple game of ‘Eye Spy’
>>
>>4307028
>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird
>>
>>4307028
>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird
Its going to be the otome isn't it?
>>
>>4307028
>Switch to a simple game of ‘Eye Spy’
>>
>>4307028
>>Switch to a simple game of ‘Eye Spy’
>>
>>4307028
>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird
>>
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>>4307035
>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird

"... what kind of bird?"
>>
>>4307028
>Instead, try and find out more about the Empire from Lucien. Surely it would be a topic he would talk about.
>>
>>4307028
>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird
>>
>>4307052
If its a duck for the first time I'm gonna feel pity for Lucien. No man deserves that kinda torment.
>>
>>4307028
>Continue to press, find more out about this girl and her bird
>>
>>4307092
Let's see
>A Kuudere prince
>Tsundere turned paranoid guy
>Sister complex
>Nerd

Well shit if all is done, let's marry the normal Knight guy. I want to live with this normie guy for the rest of the simple life.
>>
“Uh, if you do not mind me asking.” Maria began with a small drop of sweat going down her brow, “Can you describe this bird more?”

“Hmm, it was a small yellow one. Yes, it seemed to shine similar to a small star.”

“A-and the girl?”

“She had blond hair, but her eyes were of crystal blue.”

Maria could feel her stomach drop for that moment he finished that description, as they fit exactly with what the Main Protagonist was described. She was a beauty that would always shine throughout the world no matter what she wore. An image that was ingrained in the mind of people who saw her.

Somehow Maria felt like she was defeated already. Somehow because of her he somehow already met the Protagonist.

“Pff ahaha!” Bon quickly broke out in laughter at the sight of Maria’s fretting, “Damn Lucien, was the girl that fucking cute that even you would remember her.”

Maria’s face soon began to drain of life as she saw the Prince’s eyes widen, “Why do you say that Bon?”

“You were always a sucker for the cute things, don’t you lie.”

“G-guh!” To Maria’s bewilderment she was greeted by the sight of a blushing Lucien, “I do not know what are you saying Bon.”

“Don’t kid yourself, I remember how down you were we could not bring Krist with us to the Academy.”

“You… are correct.” The man admitted, somehow becoming even more timid than Maria remembered him.

“Now why don’t you look at Maria in the same light.” Bon quickly wrapped his hands around the Kingslayer without much care, “She’d make one hell of a wife, I am sure.”

“B-Bon!”

“...” There was no rebuttal from the Prince.

Oh, how much Maria wanted to die right now.

With that Bon could not stop laughing till the carriage finally arrived at the Academy. The Sun was setting, and everyone had unloaded themselves to return to the dorms and Servant Quarters respectively.

For Maria, by the Lord above she was feeling drained. The teasing, while lesser from what happened at first, was still too much for her mind. No amount of training could ready oneself from having their life joked about infront of a potential Suitor.

No amount of scheming was going to defend her from that sadly, unless she killed her brother. And honestly, she did not really want to bother with having Kinslayer added to her titles.

>Go visit the Bandits at their new hideout
>Have a relaxing talk with Melody and the Knight Victor
>Simply sleep for the night.
>>
>>4307284
>Have a relaxing talk with Melody and the Knight Victor
Let's ease our mind
>>
>>4307284
Welp we just confirmed that the MC has some serious fucking plot armor holy shit. To be honest though we never stood a chance with Lucien due to the requirement of the Innocence hidden stat. At least our brother didn't fall for her too or otherwise we would have been in deep shit.


>Go visit the Bandits at their new hideout
>>
>>4307284
>Have a relaxing talk with Melody and the Knight Victor
>>
>>4307284
>>Go visit the Bandits at their new hideout
>>
>>4307284
>Go visit the Bandits at their new hideout
So the otome cometh. But honestly I don't think Maria should count herself out of the running until she sees the two interact at the school.

She might have a small chance with the second Prince, since he actually sounds pretty similar to Maria personality-wise: go getting, ambitious. Maybe we could get a meeting through Albert.
>>
>>4307284
>Go visit the Bandits at their new hideout
>>
>>4307284
>Go visit the Bandits at their new hideout

>>4307326
>At least our brother didn't fall for her too or otherwise we would have been in deep shit.
4D chess is matchmaking Chloe and Bon to remove Chloe from play without triggering villaness flags. 75 intrigue pls come through
>>
>>4307401
Yes we should hook up the protag and Bon.
>>
>>4307401
In the original game, Bon should be dead and we don't qualify for the Saintess power. The thing is anon Chloe can easily turn our brother against us. In comparison her winning the royalty over isn't nearly as threatening as her winning Bon. Keep in mind Bon is the only surviving heir because we lost all our other brothers. Bon is literally our only weakness. We aren't nearly as weak as the original villainess but we gained a huge weakness instead in the form of Bon. Chloe isn't about to settle for someone like...Bon. After all, she has royalty in her eyes. Letting Chloe have our greatest weakness would be GG.

Unless Chloe decides to make sure Maria isn't an enemy. Sadly we already have seen the proof in how strong her plot armor is. Which means we are probably fucked in that regard.

>>4307412
It only works if Chloe actively chooses to ally with Maria instead of being her enemy.
>>
>>4307414
You're transplanting our Maria's personality onto Chloe anon. If she's anything like regular otome protags she's going to be a pure hearted ingenue, and the beef between her and Canon!Maria probably started because Maria hates commoners like most nobles and was pissed Chloe just waltzed in and stole her man. Treating Chloe nicely and knowing when to be a graceful loser will be enough to keep our relationship cordial with her.

As for her being mentioned by the demon, I'm going with the theory that that count had demonic foresight about the 'game' plot rather than Chloe is the agent of the demon. If I'm wrong I'll be super impressed
>>
>>4307284
>Have a relaxing talk with Melody and the Knight Victor
>>
>Have a relaxing talk with Melody and the Knight Victor
>>
However, even with her tired aching body protesting, Maria still had another thing to finish before she decidedly went to her bed. So with that in mind, the girl had gotten herself a small tame horse and rode the beast towards one of the nearby mountains.

[Military Success]

It was her during her planning that the Villainess realised this was to be the best location of all. You see, there was apparently a small path which led to a small plateau in the mountains. Out of the way and so obscure the chances of a Lord pressing their weight upon her Minions was minimal.

Soon she arrived in the camp, the sights of small fires and even a shallow cave entering her vision. However just as when she met them, the Bandits already had prepared a series of bows and arrows aimed directly for Maria’s skull.

“Do you all not recognize me?” Maria bitched with a simmering annoyance.

“Oh, its da Ma’am!” Soon enough the men slowly emerged from the woods with a series of bows and arrows on themselves, “Hows it been? Ya finally came back from da North?”

“Indeed I have, and I can see you already made a good home for yourselves.”

“Indeed we have Ma’am, nothing much else to do since we arn’t stalking for food right now.” He admitted with a small hint of annoyance.

“Well is that not a good thing? I am funding you ten with the same money I would give a personal retinue.”

“Hehe, yeah its more gold than we’ve ever seen in our lives. Three whole pounds worth of it.”

“Now, is there anything your guys have found out already?” Maria asked with a licking of her lips.

“Well da mail system is fucked ‘round here. They only have a carrier with a wagon to move all the stuff. I can easily take what I want from it and I bet the guy would not notice.” The bandit laughed to himself for a moment, “Besides that, we were looking over in town and there are a bunch of nice shops ‘round there. Little expensive, but a couple seem to be adjacent to the allies of the town.”

Seems they are already on a good track, now what did Maria need them to do?
>Start collecting the mail and seeing anything that might be of value. Maybe also check out the lone rider if he seems panicked enough.
>Eavesdrop on the cafes, surely they will bring some good intel on the students within the academy.
>Focus on destroying other Bandits in the area and absorbing them. It was a pity Maria lost some in the transition, so she wants to make up for it with this.
>>
>>4307635
>Start collecting the mail and seeing anything that might be of value. Maybe also check out the lone rider if he seems panicked enough.
inb4 we end up with our own courier service from delivering "lost" mail
>>
>>4307635
>Start collecting the mail and seeing anything that might be of value. Maybe also check out the lone rider if he seems panicked enough.

>>4307661
Fuck yeah! We should become the ComStar of this setting!
>>
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1.66 MB
1.66 MB GIF
>>4307635
>Focus on destroying other Bandits in the area and absorbing them. It was a pity Maria lost some in the transition, so she wants to make up for it with this.
>>
>>4307635
>Start collecting the mail and seeing anything that might be of value. Maybe also check out the lone rider if he seems panicked enough.
Getting into the mail route is the best way of longterm info gathering - plus we could eventually stop letters getting *out* of the academy if we get the bandits to intercept it.

>>4307661
>>4307681
kek support this. Isn't Maria a Saint, giving these lowlives employment?
>>
>>4307661
>>4307681
>>4307705
Supporting the new business venture.
>>
>>4307635
>Start collecting the mail and seeing anything that might be of value. Maybe also check out the lone rider if he seems panicked enough.
>>
>>4307661
Giving the bandits a second job that gives them "laundered" income in addition to secret bulk income for being a spy service?

Quality. Plus the business would help reduce crime.What with the absorption of other bandits.
>>
>>4307768
A courier’s greatest enemy is a bandit. What better defense could you have than a rival band of cutthroats?
>>
>>4307436
To be honest I'm kinda suspicious about how mesmerizingly beautiful she is. Stinks of magic. If that turns out to be the true reason for it I'll also be really impressed. I mean damn the hidden backstory is that the Otome made a deal with demons in order to enchant any of her prospective suitors? Damn.

>>4307635
>Start collecting the mail and seeing anything that might be of value. Maybe also check out the lone rider if he seems panicked enough.
>>
“Hmm, how about we start running an actual business.” Maria felt her smile grow ever the wider, “You all will become a mailing service for the local area, picking up where others lacked in both security and ability.”

The men all looked at one another, “You want us to become an actual business?”

“Fufu, well that will be the front. Occasionally you will find the spare letter here or there, making sure it gets where it needs to go.”

The man Maria was talking to grew a dangerous smile as he inched forward, “I think I’m seeing whatcha means, yeah, we can really do that.”

“Perfect, now what exactly is your name anyways?”

“Hmm, mine? Its Jimmy.”

[Economics Check Minor Success]

“Alright, call it Jimmy’s couriers and freight. Try your best to undercut the market wherever you can, as I am sure it will be peons to what you actually get from me.”

“Understood my Lady.” JImmy said with a sickly smile.

“Oh, and get some more handsome folk in your troop. You all don’t have the face for legal business.”

“Little rude, but I could’ve saw it coming.” The Bandit admitted while lowering his head a little, “Well, if ya are done mocking us, you going to be off?”

“I will be.” Maria answered while mounting her horse once again, “Make sure to send what you find to me directly though Melody. I will explain our arrangement, but be sure to use the more kindly face fellows so she does not have a fright.”

“Tsk, alright alright we’re a bunch of ugly fucks.”

“Don’t worry I am sure once you all have enough money you can visit all the whores you want.”

With that Maria left the Bandits, the group shaking their heads at their devious employer. Why, some would swear if she was not a Noble, she would be one hell of a Bandit. No, she would have a Mercenary Company, you know, the legal bandits.

For now though, Maria is back and learning. Now what should she focus on catching up on?
> The studies of previous military Battles *Increase Military*
>Standard Accounting Principles *Economics
>Studies of the Saints *Faith*
>>
>Other activities, as we are having a minor time skip.
>>
>>4308008
>Standard Accounting Principles *Economics
Lol we can totally revolutionize accounting with our future knowledge. Let's see how they do it in these times and make sure to update it for our own use.
>>
>>4308015
>>4308013
In that case can we also practice our riding skill with some company? It would be fun to ride around with friends, contacts, or potential suitors ect.
>>
>>4308008
>>Other activities, as we are having a minor time skip.
>Work on improving conversation

Look the otome is imminent, we gotta boost our conversation if we don't wanted [Failed] [Failed] [Failed] [Partial] to happen in every single one of out conversation checks with a potential suitor / the otome.
>>
>>4308027
nevermind changing my vote to this. Anon has a point.
>>
>>4308008
>>4308027
Support
>>
>>4308008
>Standard Accounting Principles *Economics

We have enough in conversation as it is.
If we're going to effect economics however we need to get that higher.

Don't we have 6 months before she shows up anyway? Without the further potential delay the tithe will cause her.
>>
>>4308008
>Standard Accounting Principles *Economics
I’m thinking of faith next and then conversation
>>
>>4308008
>Standard Accounting Principles *Economics
>>
>>4308008
>Standard Accounting Principles *Economics
>>
>>4308052
>We have enough in conversation as it is.
Except most times we can only get a partial success with Ford, and getting into heavier topics than the weather with Lucien will required much more than Ford.

And even if there's six months until she gets here, Maria needs to start getting points with her chosen beau from this moment onwards if she wants to stand any chance when Miss Stealer of Hearts rocks up and starts making everyone swoon. Every point counts, especially if she locks onto the same guy we're going after.
>>
>>4308112
We don't have much of a chance with Lucien as it is due to our lack of innocence, and we don't have to pursue him anyhow.
We still don't exactly know what's going to make this setting an otome gone wrong though, so I'd still rather focus on areas greatly beneficial to our future that we could do better having skill in.
>>
>>4308184
Hmm, I don't know what you are saying but things have already gone wrong. The Villaness has killed roughly half a dozen people personally before the main events start.
>>
It has been a few days since Maria’s return to the Academy, and honestly in that week they must have changed everything. Of course, Maria was not someone who would willingly lack on their schoolwork, and as such was forced to focus on something.

In this case, she focused on learning economics. Surely in the next few years she will be organizing businesses and working with prominent Merchant Guilds, all of which focused their time on managing accounts and talking trade. If she did not know any of that, she would be the ignorant one in the relationship.

That was something she did not want to have happen.

Now though she was in class, a small bundle of paper within her hands as she crossed the room and handed it to an elderly man who looked slightly too old for his job, “Here is the make-up work Professor Sollen.”

“Hmm…” The man quickly looked over the papers one after another, “Well it seems this is in your own handwriting, and that you are understanding Double Entry quite well. By chance did you have a teacher in this before?”

“I did, though I will be honest he lost his wits on occasion to bouts of rambling.” Maria joked with a small shaking of the head.

“Well your Father made the correct decision in choosing him. Understanding this much can only bring prosperity to your husband’s realm.”

“Thank you very much.” And with those words Maria broke off from the man with the sun nearing its highest peak. So with that she went out of the doors to where her maid was currently stationed.

“Mistress, has your labour born any fruit?”

“Indeed it has Melody.” Maria answered with a grand smile, “Where are the girls meeting up today?”

“Tiffany, the maid to Erica, has said they are meeting in the Gardens.”

“And is there a reason they did not come to invite me?”

“Well, Mistress, Tiffany said they would expect you to appear when you are done with work. So in that they did not bother.” The Maid simply gave a simple smile, “It seems they are right about it though. Tiffany agreed that it would be a funny sharrade to continue.”

“So she can call me the Enigmatic Lady?”

“We use the name, Mysterious Duchess, Mistress. I am sorry to have disappointed you.”

“Hmm, I might like that one better.” Maria admitted with a small laugh of her own.

In any case Maria needs to decide what exactly she should do for her time. Her morning class was over, so it was lunch then onto her for the other classes for the day.

>Go visit the Gossip Girls
>Visit Lucien and Co.
>Go see the Head of the Academy.
>>
>>4308220
>Visit the gossip girls.
We still girls damn it! We will talk about boys and girly stuff while having tea parties and do girly things. And maybe they got some rumors when we aren't here.
>>
>>4308220
>Go visit the Gossip Girls
Gotta keep up to date.
>>
>>4308220
>Go visit the Gossip Girls
>>
>>4308220
>Go visit the Gossip Girls
>>
>>4308220
They expect us to just know about their tea parties and show up. Means they get us more than they let on.
>Visit the gossip girls.
it's important to our handling of school affairs.
>>
>>4308220
>Go visit the Gossip Girls
Be nice to see our friendo Elizabeth again. Also what has been going on in the Academy / with the second prince?

So as our personal knight does Victor follow us about like a guard detail or is he someone we only call when we need someone skewered?
Because if he's the former I'm cracking up at him having to sit through a bunch of ladies teaparties.
>>
>>4308220
>>Go visit the Gossip Girls
>>
>>4308764
Sadly it makes more sense for the later, though if you guys will it I can make it the former I can do that.
>>
>>4308220
>Go visit the Gossip Girls
>>
Soon enough Maria arrived at the gardens where she had learned the little lunch party was supposed to take place. It was rather easy to find them, the triumph of girls all talking about unusual stuff. Maria simply smiled as she approached, waiting for one of them to notice her.

And somehow the first to notice her was Elizabeth Ire, “Oh, Maria! You have been gone for too long!”

The others quickly took notice as Maria finally took her seat, “It surely has Elizabeth. Have things in the Academy been good?”

“Well, it has.” She answered with a slight blush, “We are all looking forward to the Winter dance here in a month.”

“Yes we are.” Erica quickly added with a smile, “Though a few things have already happened while you were gone. Did you know a maidservant was with child only a few days ago?”

Maria shook her head, “Indeed I have not. I take it she was sacked?”

“You could say that, though the carriage that took her in was oddly ornate for a simple commoner merchant family.” She added with a small devilish laugh.

“Oh the boy is gaining a fright,” Tracy finally began to speak, “Supposedly the Clergy is figuring out what kind of action to pur against him. Though his family are Counts, so there is a chance they might be able to pay for absolution.”

“Money solves all woes I guess.” Maria admitted with a sigh.

“Oh if only it could buy you a good suitor though.” And with those words all the girls around Maria gave a sigh to whoever words those were.

[Military Success]

As the lul came Maria could feel something was off, her eyes moving towards a point across the gardens. It was obviously a servant, though he was staring right at their little party for a little too long. Obviously he was not trained, as the man did not pick up Maria knew about him.

>Go confront them herself, as Maria would enjoy a light interrogation
>Send Melody to confront him, as servants chatting is nothing suspicious.
>Leave him be, as what hes seeing now should be public knowledge.

>Also, I take suggestions for conversation topics!
>>
>>4308803
>Send Melody to confront him, as servants chatting is nothing suspicious.
See something you like ?
>>
>>4308841
More like have Melody "notice him" and go over for a normal conversation.

Also we need to get Melody trained in intrigue. She's gonna be stuck in the middle of a lot of it.
>>
>>4308803
>>Leave him be, as what hes seeing now should be public knowledge.
>>
>>4308803
>Leave him be, as what hes seeing now should be public knowledge.
We should ask about the ball. Who's going with who? What is the dress code if there is a theme? What styles are in fashion? What good tailors(armourers) can do a rush job? You gotta prepare the field of battle to your advantage after all.
>>
Perhaps we could leave him be and have us/Melody tail him when he leaves so we can find out who is trying to spy on us?
>>
>>4308854
>>4308873
I don’t understand why you guys are leaving he be
>>
>>4308878
What's he really going to do, spying on a normal conversation between noble ladies?

Don't go borrowing trouble just yet.
>>
>>4308881
we could just have melody feed him false gossip and see where it goes?
>>
>>4308803
>Send Melody to confront him, as servants chatting is nothing suspicious.
>>
>>4308881
It's not what he gets out of it. It's about what it means that he is spying on us.

Who put him up to it? Do they want to spy on us or on someone else?

>>4308803
>Send Melody to confront him, as servants chatting is nothing suspicious.
>>
>>4308803
>>Send Melody to confront him, as servants chatting is nothing suspicious.
>>
As the talking continued Maria made a small motion with her finger to Melody, the girl’s attention quickly taken by it. With another motion of Maria’s finger she pointed towards the servant who was spying upon the crowd as a whole. There was a brief stagger, but quickly enough it seemed that Melody caught Maria’s intentions and made her way over.

With that problem being dealt with Maria went back to the crowd, “So have you three figure out who you will be going with?”

The group quickly seemed to stumble as Maria asked the question. Though maybe as expected it was Elizabeth was the first to talk, “Well, there was this one boy, his name was Taylor if I am correct.”

“Taylor of Hempton?” Tracy quickly asked with a coy smile, “If I am not wrong, he is the Son of the Hempton Duchy over in the western isles.”

“Quite the catch you have made Elizabeth!” Erica announced with a small hug to her friend, “Oh but mine, oh I so do wish I could Matheo. The man is such a dream, but atlast I have only talked to him once…”

“Thats what happens when you try for one of the big fishes.” Tracy admitted with a sigh, “I do not have one myself as of yet, though I believe myself attractive. What about you Maria~. Rumor has it you’ve been with the First Prince’s group more than any other girl in the school.”

Oh this was getting a little troublesome, “Oh that, it was simply meeting up with my brother. And no, none of you can have him.”

“Oh come on! He is surely a handsome man with strength behind the sword.” And with those words Maria was able to navigate Tracy away from prying into her life.

“Well, I will mark it as a maybe then.” MMaria joked before sighing, “Well, what is the style here in the Austin Empire. I will admit we in MaKain enjoy ourselves some animal furs, but even with the fall winds they seem a little too much.”

And with that Maria learned some about the local style and culture, slowly formulating a dress that she herself shall wear. It was in such a scenario that Maria would be able to skillfully format a dress within a few days time.

Soon enough Melody returned with a rather confused look, which Maria determined as the girl not really getting much else from the man. Oh well, Maria has known Melody as probably not the most skilled when it comes to Intrigue.

Soon enough it was class time, and Maria went to them without a second thought. She just wished to get caught up so the classes started to make a little bit more sense.

>Trackdown the Servant to learn who asked him to spy
>Go visit Lucien and Co.
>See how Albert is doing with his school work, maybe get some pointers.
>Start a training for Melody in the art of Intrigue
>Other Schemes
>>
>>4309162
>Trackdown the Servant to learn who asked him to spy
>>
>>4309162
>Start a training for Melody in the art of Intrigue
>>
>>4309162
>Trackdown the Servant to learn who asked him to spy
>>
>>4309162
>Start a training for Melody in the art of Intrigue
>>
>>4309162
>Start training Melody the art of intrigue
>Maybe a little bit of combat enough to get out in any situation (defensive)
We need to train her this. It would be a waste of time doing everything and not utilize people around us.
>>
>>4309162
>Start a training for Melody in the art of Intrigue
>>
As soon as classes came, classes went. Maria quickly learned enough to get by in Faith while Military could not really teach her anything more. It was a kind of irony that Maria was, at such a young age, able to achieve far more in scholastic potential in war than her professors.

Yes, such a grave state a woman to be in.

However Maria did not mind that, simply relishing in the fact that she only needed to deal with faith studies. As such, she actually got some extra time to do other things. Things that were to the benefit of both herself and another.

“So you want me to feed people alcohol?” Melody asked with cautious brow raised.

“If you feel it can be to my benefit. A person drunken on spirits cannot think straight. Doubly so if he did so unexpectedly.” Maria responded with a smirk.

“I… think I understand.” Melody responded with a slightly worried demeanor, “But where did you learn all this from?”

“A drunken fool.” Maria quickly responded with a laugh, “Don’t worry too much, Melody. I was trained from the age of 6 onwards to know all this.”

“Oh, I guess thats alright.” Slowly she moved towards the small bed within the corner, “I am going to get some sleep Mistress.”

“Alright, just be sure to practice your lipreading here tomorrow.”

“Understood Mistress.”

With that Maria soon traveled her ways towards the rather large desk given to her by the Academy. She still needed to finish her homework and the like, so it was not much of a bother to her once the week ends. However as she did so, something sitting on the desk caught her eye.”

“Hey, Melody, do you remember those papers that were on my desk at the Inn. Did you by chance pack them?” Maria asked with a small sweat coming down her brow.

“Hmm?” The girl she was talking to looked up with a small bit of confusion, “Those? I burned them just as you asked.”

That did not explain why there were here, and the sudden worry became much worse for Maria. The red text of madness were almost the same as she saw them before, and her eyes could not help but red.

Plot…. Prince…

>Burn the pages, NOW!
>Its a prophecy, one that could help Maria
>Lock them up instead
>>
>>4309349
>Its a prophecy, one that could help Maria
Let's see if we can manage to read something outta it
>>
>>4309349
>Its a prophecy, one that could help Maria
>>
>>4309349
>Lock them up instead
We should tell the Headmaster about this.
>>
>>4309349
>Lock them up instead
Apparently they have some kind of magical protection. How annoying that they registered to us for some reason.
>>
>>4309349
>Its a prophecy, one that could help Maria
>>
>>4309349
>Burn the pages, NOW!
>>
>>4309639
They already got burned, and now they're back.
If we lock them up they probably wont just teleport onto the desk and influence us anymore, and we can talk to the headmaster or another priest about them.
>>
>>4309641
Or this time when we do it personally it sticks. Our servant has no saint's finger on her neck and the personal attention of gods.

And locking it up is no guarantee that it can't just influence us further.
>>
>>4309643
The writing is probably the main influence, given that we didn't feel any magic coming from the pages, just insanity.
They also came to our desk, instead of going to Melody, the person who burned them, which would imply whoever put them there was confident in them staying, even though they must know we successfully exorcised a demon.
Finally, erasing something that could shed some light on the movements of the demons or the future of the country doesn't sound wise, but I'm not sure Maria can read it and stay sane as she is, which is why I want to get somebody who can to look at them.
>>
>>4309349
>Lock them up instead
And then run for a priest / headmaster for an exocisim.
>>
>>4309688
supporting this
>>
Slowly Maria looked upon the text, the desire to know the future quite evident. If she knew just a little bit more than surely she would be able to prepare for it. Yes, it would be a tool that would make her schemes that much bet-

“No!” With a quick motion of her hands Maria snared the papers and threw them into the desk drawers. With another motion, she locked them without any more of a fuss.

“Something that matter, Mistress?” Melody was quickly to her feet and next to Maria from the show of force.

“I… I need an exorcist.” Maria admitted with her breath becoming steady.

“I-I can have one brought quickly tomorrow morning!”

“Do so.” Maria shook her head for a moment, “Just, sorry. You can go back to sleep.”

“Understood Mistress.” Melody replied before making her way to the servant’s bed prepared for her.

However before Maria could go, she felt something quickly ‘go off’. As if a weight upon her mind was cleared up once again from a fog she did not know she had. With a guess in mind, Maria quickly reopened the dware in which she buried the papers in, only to find nothing.

Were those papers… real?

Lethargy finally overtook her will though, so Maria decided to sleep this mania off. Was it going to get much worse, she surely hoped it would not.

>Go visit the Academy’s Head
>Go See Albert
>Check up on Lucien and Co.
>>
>>4309804
>Go visit the Academy’s Head
>>
>>4309804
>Go visit the Academy’s Head
>>
>>4309804
>Go visit the Academy’s Head
>>
>>4309804
>Go visit the Academy’s Head
>>
>>4309804
>Go See Albert
>>
By the morning of Maria’s scare she was up and moving as fast as she really could. Thanks to that little scare she did not really get good sleep the previous night. Yes, such a thing was not very sound for her mind that was for sure.

So Maria passed the series of arts and statutes of Saints and Paladins, each of which holding a story much more epic than what Maria knew from the game. Feats such as slaying Dragons and Giants was actually quite common. Maria could only guess it was because this world was in fact, fantastic, that men were clearly celebrated for those deeds.

A small laugh escaped her mouth as Maria thought about doing so herself, as no one ever said the time of ancients and gods has yet to stop.

Though Dragons might be considered a protected species at this point as well….

Oh well, modern sentiments aside Maria arrived at a pair of double doors, giving them a rhythmic knocking to the door. Soon a soft words for one to enter rang in Maria’s ears, allowing her to enter the place.

“Hmm, Kingslayer may I ask why is it you are here this early in the morning?” The old man asked with worn tired eyes.

“Sorry Headmaster,” Maria quickly gave the man a courteous bow before becoming upright again, “Something quite troubling has happened to me last night.”

“Has there now? Then please do tell if you would.”

“Well, last week I fought against a Demonic Cult. During my investigations I found documents written by someone who was possessed. Those lead me to the Cult, but afterwards I ordered them burnt as I did not need them anymore.” A small drop of sweat went down her face, “However they appeared again in my room last night, until disappearing when I locked them away.”

“Interesting and troubling.” The man admitted with a shaken calmness in his voice, “Can you tell me exactly what was written, both before and after you burnt them?”

>Tell him exactly what Maria saw
>Hold back some snippets (What parts?)
>No, to divulging them is to bring risk to Maria’s being as a whole.
>>
>>4310267
>Tell him exactly what Maria saw
We have already proven our faith so we can expect some leniancy.
>>
>>4310267
>Tell him exactly what Maria saw
>>
>>4310267
>Tell him exactly what Maria saw
We have our proof of small sainthood to protect us
>>
>>4310267
>Tell him exactly what Maria saw
>>
“I can.” Maria answered while taking in a breath for herself, “The first time I read it, the papers told me of both a prophecy and the location of the Cultist’s activities. The second time I did not read much, but it had something to do with the Prince and a plot.”

The man’s brow raised slightly, “And what of the prophecy. How can you be sure about it? What did it say?

“It, well, talks about a person called the Golden Child coming, how she she has claims of hearts, and lastly it mentioned the Kingslayer.” Maria ended it with a strong sigh to herself.

“So you fear it because it mentioned you specifically?”

Maria nodded slowly, “It is, and that I know it to be true. The golden girl has already made her move meeting the First Prince.”

The Headmaster’s eyes widened for a moment before shrinking again, which to Maria was obvious that he did not really know what to think of this himself. Slowly but surely though he sat down with a sigh, “Then it was one that bore truth. May I ask who this Golden girl is?”

“A girl named Chloe Loveheart.” Maria answered with an absolute certainty.

“Hmm, that is troubling. I believe I have already seen her application arrive at my office.” The old man shook his head, “But it seems we will not need to worry too much though.”

“So you don’t think she’s a Devilish plot?”

“Indeed, as it seems the Demon gave you truth as to entice you to his power and cause. Why it seems you know it in your very soul that it is so, which would only occur if it was a true Oracle.” The man stroked his beard for a moment to ponder, “If I have heard correctly, you performed a Miracle of the Lord correct?”

Maria gave him an unsteady nod.

“Then you have similar abilities to a Clergyman. You see I was asked to train you in order to better attune yourself to the Lord above, however that comes at a great risk. Said risk is the interference of other beings as you have experienced.”

“So you are saying… the Demon tried to tempt me because of the miracle?”


“Indeed, he saw someone who if they fell should reap him the greatest reward.” The Headmaster announced with a certainty, “I am sure that little act of his however cost the lives of three men to perform. He rolled a poor gamble though.”

“So.. will you help me?” Maria asked, a little hesitant.

“Indeed I can, however I heard the hearts of even the most devout theologians can become overridden by spirits beyond. Let them be good or evil, the risk still exists. If you become skilled at the Lord’s work, you shall wield his power with impunity and purge even the strongest of demons. Failure will lead you straight to the pire though.”

“Uh, isn’t that a little too grave sir. You are a Cardinal are you not?”

The man gave a short laugh, “Indeed I am, though you can say I wish to make sure a child knows the risks.”

>Take up the training
>Maybe not
>Delay the decision for now
>>
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>>4310548
>>Take up the training
DESU VULT
>>
>>4310548
>Delay the decision for now
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
My body and soul are ready
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
Becoming a Saintess it is then.
>>
>>4310548
>>Take up the training
Not even the intangible will be safe from us.
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training

>>4310565
>DESU VULT
lol
>>
>>4310548
>>Maybe not
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
DESU VULT
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
No one expects the Maria Inquisition
>>
>>4310548
>Maybe not

Yeah, I can just see how our reaction to Chloe will make us fail as a saint and lead us to the pyre. The plot can't get rid of us easily the way it was planned before, so now we have a new way.
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
Stamping out HERESY >>> boys
Too bad there's no hot priest capture target...
>>
>>4311227
Maybe we'll find a nice priest husbando.
Solomon wasn't a capture target either, but he's the current front-runner for Maria to wed.
>>
>>4311173
The thing is, we don't have the plot armor. And so, we need to get every advantage we should get. First thing first is to get favors to the god or deity of this world.
>>
>>4310548
>Maybe not
>>
>>4310548
>Maybe not
Chloe is going to get us burned and you know it.
>>
>>4310548
>>Take up the training
AVE MARIA!
>>
>>4310548
>>Maybe not
>>
>>4310548
>Maybe not
This is a little too much for now
>>
>>4311394
>>4311335
>>4311321
>>4311314
At least vote to delay the answer guys
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
We're already in the demon's crosshairs, it'll be stupid not to find a means to protect ourselves.
>>
>>4310548
>Take up the training
>>
Sorry, dumb shit happened. Writting it now.
>>
Maria thought about it quite a little bit to herself, the idea of possession was quite the risky endeavor. In her honest opinion Chloe was probably going to make this bite Maria in the ass once she arrives. However there was something Maria started to think a certain way.

Fuck it, for the Lord she will risk it!

“I will still do it.” Maria answered to the Headmaster, “If it is a risk to embrace the Lord’s gift, I see no problem.”

“Hmm, it seems your will is solid.” The old man admitted with a small smile, “Then come to my office after Mass on Sunday and we shall began.”

“Thank you very much!” And with that Maria quickly made her way out of the room, the day’s classes starting.

However, just as fast as the morning classes came they went, leaving Maria with her small group of kinda friends.

“So, you hear about the incoming student?”

“The Recognized Bastard? Sure did.”

“That damn Baron, he will ruin the reputation of the Academy forcing the girl in.”

It seems everyone was talking about Chloe, much to Maria’s dismay. In two week she will arrive, which if memory serves right is two week off from her original start date. Though somehow Maria expected that to not matter in the scheme of things.

“Uh, Mistress, I got a letter for you.” Maria turned to her maid with a small opened letter in her hands.

“Thank you Melody, who did it come from?”

“The same servant from yesterday.”

“Oh really?” Maria quickly noted the letter was opened probably because Melody wanted to make sure the contents were safe. She seems to be taking to the lessons well Maria guessed.

To the Kingslayer

I wish to meet you personally this time, as I have heard a great many tales of you. So please, come grace us with your presence. I am sure you already know where to find us.

-The Second


Maria’s eyes read over it again one more time, quickly realizing the implications of this. A personal invite to meet with the Second Prince! Oh Maria could not keep down the devilish smile she was growing.

>Take him up on the offer
>Go see Lucien and Co instead
>Say fuck it and hang out with Meldoy and Maria’s knight Victor
>>
>>4311440
>Take him up on the offer
Aw yiss, trauma time!
>>
>>4311440
>Take him up on the offer
Ayyy let's meet the guy who's probably the most on Maria's wavelength in this place.

Albert better have put in a few good words after we got him an audience with Lucien.
>>
>>4311440
>>Take him up on the offer
>>
File: santa face.png (1.51 MB, 1333x826)
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>>4311440
>Take him up on the offer

but how discretely can we do it?
>>
>>4311440
>>Take him up on the offer
>>
>>4311440
>Take him up on the offer
Oh you sneaky bastard
>>
>>4311518
actually can we
>Say fuck it and hang out with Meldoy and Maria’s knight Victor
simultaneously. I'm sure he would not deprive us of our maid and bodyguard.
>>
>>4311440
>>4311562
This.
>>
>>4311440
>Take him up on the offer
>>
A small smile broke out upon Maria’s face as she placed the letter down. The other girls were too engrossed in their conversation about the coming student, Maria was thanking the Lord above for this chance to finally meet the man.

Soon enough classes came, Maria once again performing quite well in her Military classes. Such a subjects was funny enough of high quality, but Maria could only wonder the reason why it was. Then again, this school was mostly to all of the faithful so the Church likely sees it as a deterrent against the Pegan Hordes.

That came and went though, just as Maria’s class on faith. It was soon after that Maria finally made her way across the more grand but oddly quiet place. Honestly that made sense, as it was located both close to the library and the Headmaster’s office. However, Maria quickly realised something quite odd about this meeting place.

It was quite a bit smaller than Lucien’s.

As Maria walked in that was the first thing she thought, as the place was quite literally covered in books and paper work.

“Ah, so you have finally arrived, Maria Regnia.” A blond haired boy said while sitting on the only couch in the room who wore a handsome smile, “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ah, Miss Maria.” Quickly Albert turned around, as Maria realized he was doing some school work on a table.

“Albert, for the Lord’s sake work on your stuff!” Bickered another boy who seemed to be busy with a quill in his hand.

“Oh sorry!” Albert quickly responded before getting back to his work. The boy Albert was with simply gave Maria a quick glance before seemingly tutor Albert.

“Uh, thank you for the welcome Prince Elric.” Maria announced the smiling man’s identity with a courteous bow.

“You are welcomed, though sorry if we could not really welcome you full heartedly.” He admitted with a shaky laugh, “I… uh… thought Albert would be done with his work by the time you showed up.”

“Sorry sorry but I have never heard about the Battle of Morain until ten minute ago!” Albert complained with a stressed cry.

>Try and chat with the prince until Albert and the other get finish
>Try and help Albert with his Military Homework
>Eh, lets make some tea then
>>
>>4312178
>Eh, lets make some tea then
>>
>>4312178
>Eh, lets make some tea then
Tea first even if it won't quench their thirst for Maria.
>>
>>4312178
>Eh, lets make some tea then
>>
>>4312178
>Try and help Albert with his Military Homework
Let's put that 70 military skill to work
>>
>>4312178
>Try and help Albert with his Military Homework

We did get a few economics boosts from him earlier, time to repay the favour. Plus helping him out of the goodness of our hearts might score points with both him and the second prince. (Also proves that we're not a simply gold digging wrench here solely to sink our claws into royalty)
>>
>>4312178
>Try and help Albert with his Military Homework
>>
>>4312178
>Try and chat with the prince until Albert and the other get finish
>>
>>4312178
>>Try and help Albert with his Military Homework
>>
Maria shook her head with a small sigh, “Albert, you should have come to me if you were having problems with Military History Class. I am quite proficient at it myself.”

“You think you can get it through his damned skull.” The other boy said with a bit of annoyance.

“I think I can, have you finished the work yourself?”

“What, you already caught up?” He gave a sigh before pointing to a chair, “Go on ahead then. My name is Matheo by the way.”

“It is a pleasure, Matheo.” And with that Maria took a seat next to Albert and began their work.

With that they began to quickly get to work, and sure enough it seemed that poor ol’ Albert was quite a ways behind on his work. There was no problem however as they quickly went through the battles, citing how the leaders acted and the ethics expected in war.

[Military Success]

Quite an irony they were, Maria admitted, but that is the reason the Church was teaching it. They were things a Faithful to the Lord should acknowledge and not commit unless there be hell to pay.

And in Maria’s honest opinion, that might very much happen in this world.

“There.” Maria announced while Albert closed his book.

“Huh, well that was something.” Matheo said with a rather perplexed expression.

“Do say Rengia,” The Second Prince began with a small smirk while setting down a small pot of tea, “How did you become so knowledgeable in the Art of War?”

“Well, it was mostly thanks to my Father and upbringing. Though I will admit actually fighting a war can do it too.” Maria moved her hands and accepted a cup with a subtle fruity smell to it, “What is this tea? I never smelled it before.”

“It is said to come from a land far in the west, beyond even the Western Isles.” Elric announced with a sense of pride in his voice, “Is it to your liking?”

Still a little surprised that the Prince actually brewed drinks himself Maria took a sip. It seemed to have a taste close to raspberry, though she could not say so for sure.

“So, mind where are you from anyways?” He asked with a charming smile, “A duchy from the east I heard.”

>Allow Maria to gloat about her Achievements and Experiences
>It's best not to have a one sided conversation, urge him to tell her stuff. *What do you wish to press for?*
>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz
>>
>>4312488
>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz
>>
>>4312488
>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz
>>
>>4312488
>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz
>>
>>4312488
>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz

Wow it feels so odd to have a prince make conversation with us instead of the other way around.

But this guy is clearly fishing for info from us, so let's keep things close to our chest for now.
>>
>>4312488
>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz
Maria isn't a loose woman.
>>
>>4312488
>“So, mind where are you from anyways?” He asked with a charming smile, “A duchy from the east I heard.”
Like hell he hasn't done his own digging if he sent someone to do intrigue work. We'd dig to get answers before asking questions.

>Hmm, he is being a little too chummy… treat him as Maria would a cautious person like Waltz
FUCKIN INTRIGUE ROLL considering the methods leading up to this meeting. Hell maybe
>It's best not to have a one sided conversation, urge him to tell her stuff. *What do you wish to press for?*
Simply to get him to drop 'courtly' pretenses and just talk to us on a level field.
>>
Maria stirred around her drink a small but, a hint of annoyance starting to build inside her head. This situation was different from the other, where the Prince of the Empire was asking to know more about her and spark conversation. Honestly it was both a relief and a worry, especially so in that this man did try to spy on her rather unsuccessfully.

“MaKain is where I am from. It is a simple duchy off in the eastern end of the continent.” Maria simply said without much else to it.

“Is that so. What exactly is life like over there?”

“Simple, if a little bit on the cold side.”

“Surely there must be more about the lands you call home.”

“It is my home, but I was not there for a good part of my life.”

“You were not there?” Maria easily noticed how the Prince started to become a little more agitated the more they talked, “Uh, were you with relatives or something?”

“It is simply a time I do not want to talk about.” And with those words Maria took a sip of her cup.

Soon enough a small chuckle escaped from the mouth of Matheo, who simply came over and patted Elric on the back, “Don’t worry too much, my Prince, you have plenty of other women who would swoon over you.”

“Guh.” And like that all the steam that was running about in Elric’s body seemed to escape as he allowed the couch to embrace his form.

“Fufufu, are you so used to women swooning over you Prince Elric?” Maria joked with a smirk, “While I do not mind the hospitality, any person worth their grain of salt would see this as quite odd.”

“You got me.” He admitted with a small reluctance while staring at the ceiling, “But if you are not going to bring anything to the conversation.”

“You are going to blame me for that? Surely you should already know a majority about me.”

Matheo simply shook his head while Elric did not really say a single word.

This fool…. “What do you know about me?”

Finally the Prince straightened his back while looking quite beaten, “Well, about everything Albert told of you.”

“Which is?”

“Uh, I will not say.”

“You sent a servant to spy on me.”

“Yeah, I should have picked a better one.” the Prince admitted with a sigh.

>Storm out in anger
>Laugh at him, laugh at the pathetic Prince who can’t even learn someone’s public history!
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks
>>
>>4312807
>Laugh at him, laugh at the pathetic Prince who can’t even learn someone’s public history!

Can't even plunder the rumor mill. What a failure of a politician.
>>
>>4312807
>Laugh at him, laugh at the pathetic Prince who can’t even learn someone’s public history!
Ojou-sama laugh
>>
>>4312807
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks

Maybe Ojou-sama at him laugh in our head, but it really wouldn't do to burn bridges with a prince so soon.
>>
>>4312807
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks
>>
>>4312807
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks
>>
>>4312807
>Laugh at him
Complete with ohohohoho Ojou laugh then
>Pity him by starting a conversation dropping all these silly tricks
This prince would be prone to assassination and betrayal if he can't even have good men OR even a trusted one. Lucien is lucky that a paranoid Ford has him. He would not survive in a political climate full of intrigue and backstabbing.
>>
>>4312807
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks

I mean he knows we're the kingslayer. I say we educate him a little bit in the ways of intrigue.

Lucien has the paranoia of Ford to protect him from intrigue. We commend them both on it.

Ie: walk him through what we would do in his shoes, assuming the same assets.

Identify our friends, which his servant did. Talk directly to them, which would alert us directly to his interest in us; courtly or otherwise. Also get an idea of how some of our friends perceive us.

Get information from Ford and Lucien, who likely wouldn't alert us about such a collection of information.

Then arrange this meeting, having at least half the answers before asking the questions.

Also explain our reasons for explaining, that we mean no Ill will, that explaining this helps explain the kind of person we are to him, and ideally gets him to trust us more. We personally would like that as he's an interesting enough person to have reached out to us like this, but we would also understand if he interpreted the thought process as somewhat unnerving.

Hopefully though, such an explanation explains who we, Maria, are.
>>
>>4312807
>>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks
As funny as it'd be to antagonize him a little, let's try and reduce our potential enemies.
>>
>>4312807
>Laugh at him, laugh at the pathetic Prince who can’t even learn someone’s public history!
This is too good.
>>
>>4312822
But let’s still talk to him
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks
>>
>>4312807
>Simply start a normal conversation with the man, asking that he drops all these silly tricks
>>
>>4312807
>Laugh at him, laugh at the pathetic Prince who can’t even learn someone’s public history!
That's just sad...and funny.
>>
>>4312807
>Laugh at him, laugh at the pathetic Prince who can’t even learn someone’s public history!
>>
“Ohhoho!” Maria could not hold back her laughter any more, “You could not even learn the most basic thing about me!”

“Tsk, you do not need to be so blatant about it. I didn’t bother putting that much brain power to it.” He said off handedly.

“If you are not careful such a lapse in judgement would be your downfall Prince Elric.” Maria mocked with another laugh before inching closer to the boy’s face, “Why I could have seen it as a front to my well being, be it just enough to seek revenge upon you.”

He slowly inched back into the couch, “T-tsk, so what you didn’t do it!”

“Hmm?”

Seeing his chance the Prince ran counter and was now moving towards her, “I can read people pretty well, and the moment I saw you I thought how beautiful she was.”

Maria just gave the man a dumbfounded look, “Really.”

“Alright you got me.” He announced but still holding his own, “But I was not lying about reading people. You would not just mess with someone unless it was going to heighten your standing in power or that he is an affront to the Lord above us.”

Maria chewed on his words a bit before finally relenting and giving a shrug, “You got me, though to come to that with so little information.”

“I can read people,” He admitted with a sigh, “Though I thought you would have been active to talk about your homeland and life. You’re not shy, and from what I see before myself you will never hesitate.”

“Well that is where your lack of information comes from,” MAria began with a sigh, “If you asked around, you surely would know that I attained the Title Kingslayer. The reason for this title is that I slayed two Emperors of the Miaphate, one during a battle and the other while I was held hostage by them. Such information could have been learned by talking to your brother or Ford I am sure.”

“Well look, I don’t have the best relationship with my brother.” Elric quickly barked with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

“Well maybe you should have talked to some of my friends, I am sure all of them would quickly fall for your false charms.”

“Do you know what happens if you talk to random women, they will go rampant and follow you everywhere.”

“Are you calling my friends simple minded.”

“Am I wrong.”

“No you are not.” Maria admitted with a sigh, “Still you could have chosen a better servant.”

“Phonse is quite the butler, I assure you.” Soon after however Elric gave a shrug, “Most servants who would do the task would likely rat themselves before the day was over. At least you didn’t figure out it was me before I invited you here.”

“It's because I never bothered to look into it.”

“Then we are both in the same boat.” He announced with a large smirk plastered upon his face before shaking it, “Though hey, I’ll admit its novice work. Like I can do much better than a Demon Cultist. You’d probably have found out the moment Phonse was with me in public.”

“At least you realize it.” Maria said with a rather large sense of triumph in her heart.
>>
>Ask him why he even wanted to talk to her in the first place.
>Alright, thats enough and Maria wants to see her Maid soon, she shall leave
>You know what, keep bickering with him. It's kinda fun
>>
>>4313254
>Ask him why he even wanted to talk to her in the first place.
Surely he has an agenda. Maria must know.
>>
>>4313254
>Ask him why he even wanted to talk to her in the first place.
>>
>>4313258
>Ask him why he even wanted to talk to her in the first place.
>You know what, keep bickering with him. It's kinda fun

Both. Both is good.
>>
>>4313277
This

Plus he's given us information as well about his situation
>>
>>4313258
>Ask him why he even wanted to talk to her in the first place.
Back to business boys
>>
>>4313258
>>4313277
+1.
Just from this interaction it seems like a nice relationship could develop here.
>>
>>4313277
Support
>>
>>4313277
This.
>>
There was a moment’s lul as the two participants in a small bickering match took their breaths. From the side lines, the two males looking in were split between horrified and quite amused. Said amused one had already gotten out his rather large amount of dried fruit to watch the fireworks set off again. The other, well Albert did not know what to make of this and began to eat the fruit out of stress.

“So,” Maira finally broke it with a single word of her own, “what was the reason for me being here?”


“What do you mean by that?” He asked with a soft sigh as his break was, well, broken.

“You are the one to invite me, so you must have a reason. You even sent a servant to stalk me.”

“So you want a reason?” He announced with a sigh, “Well would you accept that I just wanted to meet you?”

“No.”

“Well it is the truth.”

“You surely lie, you desire to use me as a weapon against your brother so that you can take the throne!” Maria stubbornly retorted with an annoyed snear.

“I do not. Well, yet.” He admitted before leaning forward with agitation written on his face, “But do you think I would be dumb enough to make a person I barely know an ally?”

“...”

“Well I am not,” He answered with a stern determination, “Would you blame me if I wanted to meet a person who not only eliminated heretics, but holds the name Kingslayer?”

“I… do not.” Maria admitted with a bit of reluctance. Admittedly, she would probably be a fan of theirs and try her best to at least meet them.

“Well there, that’s my reason.” He ended with a smug nose in the air.

“Bravo bravo!” the sounds of clapping could be heard from behind Maria, “I want an encore!”

“Shut up Matheo.”

Said boy was quickly throwing a dried fruit into his mouth, “Coming from the man who just got into an argument with a Lady.”

With that Maria gave a small yawn, “Well sorry everyone, but I need to go sleep.”

“Well, don’t be shy in coming back.” Matheo jokingly said with a laugh.

“I will probably take you up on that.” And with that Maria drifted her way through the small room and through the door.

Well, that was an experience for Maria. She will surely take him up on that opportunity again.

>Focus building on a skill *Which one?*
>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
>Hmm, maybe find a good point to drop in on one of the Princes *Which one?*
>>
>>4313681
>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
Let's get her to a good level first
>>
>>4313681
>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
>>
>>4313681
>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
>>
>>4313681
>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
>>
>>4313786
Melody needs to be able to outwit commoners and simple nobles.
Partly in case a situation like the last occurs
Partly because if someone investigates properly, she's target one.
>>
>>4313681
>Focus building on a skill *Which one?*
>Conversation
Chloe is due in two weeks, we're running out of time before she rocks in and starts seducing people
>>
>>4313681
>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
>>
>>4313868
>Start seducing people
What a slut. I can never see an Otome game the same ever again.
>>
>>4313868
Support
>>
>>4313681
>>4313868
This.
>>
>>4313681
>>Continue Maid Training! And add Victor for good measure!
>>
It has been a few days since Maria met with the Second Prince, and in that time she has been steadily working with both Melody and Victor in order to get them just that much better at stealth. Sure it will take a while before they are atleast halfway proficient, but Maria had nothing much else to do in her preparations.

“So you wish for me to join the Academy’s guard?” Victor asked with a little hesitation.

“Indeed, as what better way to practice eavesdropping that standing at your post.” Maria answered with a grand sinister smile.

“Hmm, I have been lacking something to do since I came here.”

“Well I guarantee you there will be more stuff to do once the schooling season ends.” Maria finished while the sounds of knocking could be heard from the door, “Come in.”

To Maria’s call, Melody came through the door with a small stack of papers and envelops inhand, “Mistress, you have some mail today addressed to you.”

“I do? But who would be sending me mail?” Maria was a little stunned as she accepted the letter.

The Envelop it was in looked to be quite damaged, wear all about it from wherever it came from. Looking over the wax seal Maria noted that there was no real defining mark place upon it. Actually it looked quite suspicious, though Maria noticed that it was already opened.

“Melody, did you open this?”

“Y-yes.” She said with a slightly reddening face, “I-its safe.”

Without much to go on, Maria took out the paper and started to red the contents.

To Maria Louisa Regnia,

It has been quite a while since we have talked, has it not? Maybe you have forgotten about me in such a time but I surely have not forgotten our agreement. I will admit though my advisors are not liking it one bit.

I have claimed my Birthright, as in accordance with the first part of our agreement. I have much to thank you for it, and it seems I truly yet to repay that debt as you managed by yourself the task.

Though on other matters, I have heard you align yourself with the Tectonic Knights in the far north. Such a matter is troubling to me, as you can say we were once sworn enemies when they held the lands within my Empire. Is it because you are scared I would fail, or maybe you still have a healthy fear of these lands from when we tried to take yours. Actually, it is quite understandable in my opinion.

What troubles me is if you take what those monks preach to heart.

No matter however, as with this letter I wish to invite you back, if only for two weeks. I do not really mind when, but it must be soon so that I can atleast placate my advisors that I am not a homosexual.

- Soloman


>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>Do not send anything, as Maria does not wish to give him any responses at this moment.
> *Custom response*
>>
>>4313967
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
And that the next time she visits it will be with an crusader army. We're taking not!Constantinople baby.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
>>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
As much as I want to write "gay" in medieval letter.
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.

>but it must be soon so that I can atleast placate my advisors that I am not a homosexual.
Kek, now Maria HAS to go, solely so she can make very pointed remarks to those advisors implying Solomon wants her as his beard.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>DO NOT accept invite yet tell him we wish to finish our education or some other believable lie

Yeah let go to kingdom where kings are blessed by God that hates our guts, great idea. We won't get sacrificed 100%
>>
>>4313967
>>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>Tease him a bit
>>
>>4313967
>>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>>Tell him that Maria will not change her faith, as it might be a breaking point for them.
>>
>>4313967
>Write back agreeing accepting the invite.
>>
Maria simply shook her head at the letter, as while she honestly liked the boy the two were from different worlds. And unlike stories of Romeo and Juliete Maria will not renounce her religion just to get someone’s love. However the situation would be just as dangerous if she is not careful enough.

Yes, one wrong move would mean her death because of the interference of Gods.

With a sigh Maria quickly got out a piece of paper and started to write:

To Soloman,

It has surely been a while since I was able to leave that realm. In that time I was able to make friends and allies with those Monks who value me for the same deeds you do. In the same time you have Conquered the east, I have solidified my base and grew in faith in the west.

However I will admit I am still interested in visiting, if nothing else than for us to make sure this is the path we wish to choose. If nothing else than your advisor will think you a heathen instead of being a homosexual, which I honestly wonder which would give him a heart attack sooner.

In time, we shall surely meet again.

- Kingslayer


“Alright, Melody can you take this to Jimmy to deliver?” Maria said while handing the letter over to her maid.

“Y-yes!” And with that response Melody quickly grabbed the letter and was out of the door.

With the maid out of the room Maria could hear a small shift in Victor’s armor, “So, what exactly was that?”

“Simply a letter from a past long ago.” Maria admitted with a sigh, “Though I am a little sad I will not be able to pursue it.”


“Is that so.” He seemed a little hesitant before smiling, “How about this coming weekend you join me in some sparing? Some of the guards and students have been looking at a miniature tournament.”

“You really think its wise to invite a woman to your guy’s event.”

“Says the girl who slaughtered five men herself.”

“Ugh, you could not think of me as delicate though. I did lose my shoulder in a spar.”

THe man simply shrugged, “Things like that happen, and it seemed to have been God’s will after all.”

>Join in the spar tournament thing
>See about invading Lucien’s Group
>See if Elric and Albert are going to be up to anything
>Other activities for the weekend
>>
>>4314641
>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>>Other activities for the weekend
>>
>>4314641
>>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>Join in the spar tournament thing
So has this ended the Solomon route then? If so we really need to be picking who we're gonna pursue.
>>
>>4314641
>>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314641
>See if Elric and Albert are going to be up to anything
>>
>>4314839
I mean, you guys can try and make a religious head of an entirely differnt religion convert.
>>
>>4314839
Just find a normie guy who is honest-to-god guy without knowing Maria exploits are. So when someone messes with our cute boi, we gonna John Wick whoever tries to bully him.

Also I see Maria retiring on a quiet farmland place where she can spend the days peacefully.
>>
>>4314944
How about creating an absolutely heretical syncretic religion together ?
>>
>>4314641
>>Join in the spar tournament thing
>>
>>4314944
Eh considering how much his gods would hate us conversion was never an option. I thought he was interested in it for the taking keep your friends close and enemies closer expression rather literally. I thought he had to have it handled if he reached out to someone who specifically his own gods hate. So much for him being a ballsy enough to do it.
>>
>>4315047
And here I thought you going to say the word fear boner
>>
>>4314944
>Converting Solomon effectively slaying another king.
Imagine the reality breaking seethe from the gods.
>>
“Thats sounds like a fine time.” Maria answered back with a smile, “I do need to keep up on my practice, so a few matches would be enough to satisfy my muscles and bones.”

“Great, I will come over and pick you up when the event is about to start.” Victor answered back with a resolute smirk.

With those words time quickly moved on from what was a wednesday to a friday, Maria finishing up on the Faith studies. The outside was raining quite hard, however Maria did not truly mind it that much. With rain will soon come clear skies, and with those skies the spar matches will happen without any interference from God above.

Classes were over, so she was drifting through the second floor halls when she heard a small clambering of footsteps. Curiosity getting the better of her, she looked over the railing to see what was happening.

Upon the floors below was Prince Elric, the man seemingly taking too large a bite out of the female populace. If Maria’s memories were correct, the man was seen as a proficient lady killer and casanova. Such a personality was dangerous Maria admitted, with woman being only adolescents and little adult supervision.

The only thing keeping the place from being a brothel was that the Church would excommunicate any who got or did the impregnation. Such a brutal reality for an Otome game, as nothing in the game was of the ‘H’ type. At worse there was handholding and kissing, and a make out scene with the male leads.

Back to what Maria was chuckling at, she watched as the boy only barely becoming a man was surrounded by women at all sides. If memory serves her right, the place where he and the others hanged out was supposed to be semi-secretive. Sort of like a retreat from the Prince’s daily life of women and grandeur.

“Please I need to go do some things, can we all talk a little-”

“Prince Elric, please come to my Tea Party!”

“My Prince, I brought cookies!”

“Elric-Dono, do you want your fortune read!”

Why they all seemed to be quite brutal today, Maria would admit. Maybe if she were of kinder heart, she would do something about it.

>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
>Announce that Elric shall be Maria’s, as no one would dare touch him after that.
>Stay there and laugh, laugh at the silly prince and his antics.
>>
>>4315333
>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
>>
>>4315333
>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
Let’s ease it for the guy
>>
>>4315333
>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
>>
>>4315333
>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
>>
>>4315333
>>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
>>
>>4315333
>Stay there and laugh, laugh at the silly prince and his antics.
>>
>>4315333
>>Use herself as a distraction so the Prince can slip away
Should totally laugh at him afterwards though.
>>
Such a funny situation, Maria would admit. However at the end of the day the Prince is simply just a man who could be blessed with the power of God. As such, he is well within the reach of Maria to bother and mock him however she wants. Though if this goes on any longer, well surely his life would be marred with hassle.

[Royal Demeanor Check Success]

“Ohoho!” Maria could not keep her laugh in any longer, allowing it to ring about the room with impunity. All of the girls who were clammering towards the prince quickly turned their heads towards her.

As quickly as they did that, the groupies broke out in calm curious murmurs. Yes many of them were probably wondering why Maria was even there, sitting herself upon the railings with a smug smile. As far as Maria knows, her existence was somewhat of a rumor and a myth. She had few but loyal friends, and her deeds are only piling on by the days.

For example, she is the only person in the school to have outright killed men with her own bare hands. Doubly so for being a woman and who her victims were.

“Well well, it seems like we have quite the group forming.” She announced with a hint of cynicism in her voice, “Though there are so many of you clambering towards the Prince… Who would take him?”

The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop rather dramatically, each girl looking at one another with suspicion. Yes it seems none of them were truly friends, simply folk who were drawn together through some kind of bizarre fanclub.

“Why forming a mob like this is would only cause him to flee you, so why don’t you all figure out who is just enough to take his hand.”

[Conversation Success]

“I-I am!”

“No I am a Duke’s Daughter! I should get him!”

“No you will not take Elric-Dono’s hand!”

And like that the entire mob was set into a series of angry batter and rivalries. Maria gave a short laugh as she watched her handiwork, such a odd but efficient way to mess with a crowd.

From her point of view, Maria easily watched as the prince slipped out from the crowd, making his way down the hallway towards the library.

>Go on ahead and meet the man at his little refuge away from clambering fans.
>No, let him go. Maria is not like one of those groupies to just take advantage of a situation
>Go to the hall where his study reside, and laugh till Maria is contempt.
>>
>>4315663
>Go to the hall where his study reside, and laugh till Maria is contempt

Run villain.exe
>>
>>4315663
>>Go to the hall where his study reside, and laugh till Maria is contempt.
This is the part where we throw our heads back and laugh!
>>
>>4315663
>Go on ahead and meet the man at his little refuge away from clambering fans.
>>
>>4315663
>Go on ahead and meet the man at his little refuge away from clambering fans.
>>
>>4315663
>>Go to the hall where his study reside, and laugh till Maria is contempt.
>>
>>4315663
>Go on ahead and meet the man at his little refuge away from clambering fans.
>>
>>4315690
This. We must abuse the Ojou laugh as much as possible until the eventual harlot comes in our academy.
>>
>>4315663
>No, let him go. Maria is not like one of those groupies to just take advantage of a situation
>>
>>4315663
>Go to the hall where his study reside, and laugh till Maria is contempt.
You mean
>content
right QM?
>>
>>4315841
yes
>>
With a devilish smile Maria made her way down the halls, not bothering to head to the first floor. The place was funny enough already starting to die when it comes to activity, most of the students likely getting ready for the weekend.

Soon enough though Maria ended up in the hallway where the Prince was sure to reside. Her heart filled with a strange malice that could only be emptied through one method.

“Ohohoho!” Maria released her laughter loud enough that any nearby could hear it. Simply making her presence known to the Prince was enough for her, as she not only gets to laugh at his silly behavior but also telling him she did it to mock him.

Soon enough though she was out of steam, the laughter of a banshee subsiding with it. Though as she turned around, she saw a quite humored Matheo walking his way towards her.

“What, if I may dare ask, did my Prince get up to this time?” HIs face betrayed his words though, as he looked quite sinisterly humored in asking it.

“Oh, the standard debacle of a skilled Casanova.” She could not help but chuckle a little, “I had to save him from the hordes of women the fool invoked.”

“You should have just let him get cannablized.”

“If I did that, I would lose a very valuable contact. And a humorous target.”

“At least you will admit it outright.” He gave another chuckle before presenting his hand, “NOw would you like to go talk to my poor Prince?”

>Take him up on his author
>Actually, Maria shall aim to talk more to this cynical bastard
>No, Maria shall send him a her regards later. Likely in the way of a rude pastry delivery
>>
>>4316154
>Actually, Maria shall aim to talk more to this cynical bastard
>>
>>4316154
>No, Maria shall send him a her regards later. Likely in the way of a rude pastry delivery
Get him a lemon tart because it'll be a clever play on words.
>>
>>4316154
>>Actually, Maria shall aim to talk more to this cynical bastard
>>
>>4316154
>Actually, Maria shall aim to talk more to this cynical bastard
>>
>>4316154
>No, Maria shall send him a her regards later. Likely in the way of a rude pastry delivery
>>
“Do you really think I am that much of a desperate woman? Actually, why would you give such a chance to Elric when you can have it yourself.” Maria responded back with a curved smile.

“Uh, what do you mean by that?” The man’s smile slowly became shaken as Mari approached him.

“What, you were the person who wanted to bring a woman to the Prince? Are you going to be so shaken when she approaches you again?”

“H-hey now! I, uh.” The Prime Minister’s son’s face grew two shades redder, his face becoming a minor mess of emotion.

“Ohohoho!” Maria could not help but laugh then and there, “It seems you cannot handle the same teasing that the Prince gets on a daily basis. I take it you do not partake in the Prince’s shenanigans?”

“Y-you would be correct.” He answered back with a slight shaking of his head, “However, I seem to have almost fed the Prince to the starving wolves.”

“Look I’m not that bad. I like to think of myself as a cat willing to play with her food for as long as its alive. And yourself, the Hyena who always laughs as I do so.”

“So am I the vulnerable mouse to you?”

Maria simply shrugged, “No, I simply did not wish to look like a loose harlot like those groupies of his from earlier. It was simply too fun not to mess with him.”

“Yeah, definitely.” The man seemed to have most of his steam blown out of him from Maria’s little tease earlier.

“So how do YOU pass the time of dear Matheo? I find it hard to believe the Prince has enough moments to fill in your day.”

“Eh, I just try my best to keep up on my studies and read some books. Can’t say it's as productive as Albert’s monetary schemes, but it keeps me quite sane.”

Maria hummed to herself for a moment, “Hmm, what kind of books.”

“What kind?”

“Indeed, you can say I use to be an avid reader in my youth.” Maria answered while remembering her time in the modern era.

“I have been mostly engrossed in the old classics, though there are a few entertaining chronicles here and there.”

“Would you know the most common genre?”

“Common Genre? You mean the categories right? Well its either the old tragedies, the Holy Book, or the Chronicles.”

Maria hummed to herself, “So no recent romances?”

“Recent romances, what are you talking about?”

Something has finally reached to Maria’s attention, an opportunity. Why is she sure the Printing Press is about in this world thanks to panflits being popular, so maybe she can fill in something that is missing.

>Leave this man to further scheme, Maria shall be the writer of an Otome Novel!
>Invite him and the Prince to the Practice Session
>Talk to him a little more *About what?*
>>
>>4316569
>Leave this man to further scheme, Maria shall be the writer of an Otome Novel!
>>
>>4316569
>Invite him and the Prince to the Practice Session
It's writing time baby
>>
>>4316569
>Leave this man to further scheme, Maria shall be the writer of an Otome Novel!
>>
>>4316569
>Invite him and the Prince to the Practice Session
>>
>>4316569
>Leave this man to further scheme, Maria shall be the writer of an Otome Novel!
>>
>>4316569
>Invite him and the Prince to the Practice Session
>>
>>4316569
>Leave this man to further scheme, Maria shall be the writer of an Otome Novel!
Cliche? Yes. Amusing? Always
>>
>>4316866
Now we can abuse this system and make 100+ volumes of Otome story that the future generations will read.
>>
>>4316569
>>Invite him and the Prince to the Practice Session
>>
>>4316569
>Invite him and the Prince to the Practice Session
>>
“Oh, it's nothing.” Maria quickly said with an opportunist Spirit building up within her heart, “In other matters, if you are by chance bored here tomorrow you can come over and watch the sparring tournament that are apparently happening.”

“Sparring Tournament?” Matheo seemed a little surprise before thinking to himself, “Well, it would be a good chance to get Elric some military support.”

“Well then I will see you two then?”

“I can’t say as of now. We will need to see.”

“Well, that can’t be help since it was on such short notice. I believe it will be at the training grounds if nothing else.” Maria soon began her steps away from the man, “Well I must be off, there is something that I must do quickly.”

“I will see you later then.” Matheo said back before turning heel and heading his way out himself.

Maria herself quickly returned to her room, much to a slightly confused Melody. Said maid was quickly put to work gathering a series of paper and pens to Maria’s desk. All in all, it was a nice set up for her to began writing.

“Hey Melody, I do have a quick question.” Maria sounded to her maid.

“What is it you need, Mistress?”

“Do you know about what the commoners rate of literacy is?”

Her maid simply tilted her head, “Are you asking if they are able to read?”


“Yes, that is what I am asking.”

“Well, they have been pretty good at it. You know, since everyone is reading the pamphlets.”

“Has anyone tried to print anything other than a damn pamphlet?”

“The Holy Book.” Melody answered back with a shrug.

So technology is not far enough for Maria to make entire Novels, she could guess that is both good and bad. However there was also the fact her market was quite large, though pandering towards pesentry could be a problem in the eyes of Nobles.

Well, in the end, it is simply prestige and notoriety Maria is aiming for. Income is simply secondary as she has her Father’s fiefdom. Yes if she became a household name, she could sway the masses into supporting her crusade!

>Make a story of a Commoner becoming a Noble and marrying a duke. *Commoner*
>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
>Simply make it based on Maria’s life, but with the names changed and the like. Nothing is better than reality after all.
>>
>>4317102
>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
Let’s begin with prestige
>>
>>4317102
>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
>>
>>4317102
>create mail service
>obtain printing press for book
>have distribution service for the first magazine with chapters of stories
>create publishing house in partnership with delivery service
>>
>>4317102
>>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
>>
>>4317102
>Make a story of a Commoner becoming a Noble and marrying a duke. *Commoner*
Our greatest victory will be writing something so good that even the nobles are eventually read it out of sheer curiosity.
Plus we'll get a bigger reader base if we go for the commoners, and being the only form of fiction other that the Bible will mean we've got total control of the market.
>>
>>4317102
>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
>>
>>4317102
>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
We should keep a diary while we're at it though. Might be worth publishing in our final days.
>>
>>4317102
>Make a story of a Commoner becoming a Noble and marrying a duke. *Commoner*
>>
>>4317102
>Make a story of a Commoner becoming a Noble and marrying a duke. *Commoner*
>>
>>4317102
>Forge a story of a Duchess vying for a Prince’s love against another ‘marriage candidate’ *Nobility*
>>
>>4317102
>>Make a story of a Commoner becoming a Noble and marrying a duke. *Commoner*
>>
“One about a royal candidate vying for her love!” Maria announced with a thin smile about her face.

Yes while there are plenty of Commoners about the place, the ones who would truly both pay the most and give her the best support is the Nobility. Who knows, if she is skilled enough at it she would surely be able capture the Commoners through sheer curiosity.

So Maria began to write an outline of her story, crafting a strong duchess as her main character. Of course, she made sure the girl was innocent, mostly because she did not want her to become some kind of villanesse.

Oh but who to make the villain? Probably an incompetent lass who tries and fails at the grind of intrigue. Though she still needs to be frightening, so there shall be no problems giving her a massive backing power wise. She was simply dumb enough to face the diligent main character.

So Maria wrote, using tropes that Otome would employ years into the future when media is trafficked in mass.

With that, night became day as Maria finished her first draft of a pamphlet sized story and went to bed. It was a dreamless one, letting her wake up ready and prepared for the matches. She had Melody help her with some thick spartan clothing, stuff that one would normally expect men to wear.

Finally as she was picking up the Partisan Blade that there was a small knocking at her door, “Kingslayer, are you ready?”

“Yes, you may come in.” was her response.

With a small smile she opened the door to her awaiting knight who was wearing pieces of chainmail about himself, “Then let us go!”

Soon they began to travel about the grounds of the place, going through the halls and gardens to the front of the Academy. Such an area was where the Knight who were tasked in defending the Academy were stationed, so it made sense to place the Arena next to them.

“So, got anything you wanna try?” He asked with a thin smile about himself.

“Hmm, I probably just want to practice honesty.” Maria admitted with a sigh, “While I am proficient, the last spar I took part in ended in an injury on my end.”

“Hmm, makes sense.” He admitted with a minor shrug.

“What have you been doing anyways?” Maria asked with her brows furrowing, “I know watching over the Academy is not the most glamorous job. While I plan to wage some wars, there is surely none as of yet.”


“That? Well I have been mostly been training and standing guard.” He admitted with a small laugh, “I guess I wished for something a little more I could do, but oh well.”

>Instruct him to assist the Bandits, as now they are a ligament business after all
>Send him to the local city to help take care of crime. Surely the local guard would love for a Knight in their ranks even if temporary
>Just have him stay nearby, Maria might need him at any time honestly
>Other schemes
>>
>>4317637
>Just have him stay nearby, Maria might need him at any time honestly
Keep him close for training bladework.
>>
>>4317637
>Send him to the local city to help take care of crime. Surely the local guard would love for a Knight in their ranks even if temporary
Just so he can get some action
>>
>>4317637
>Send him to the local city to help take care of crime. Surely the local guard would love for a Knight in their ranks even if temporary

I don't think he's shady enough to be willing to work with our bandits to be honest. The man was a Church knight after all before being transferred to our services.
>>
>>4317637
>Send him to the local city to help take care of crime. Surely the local guard would love for a Knight in their ranks even if temporary
>>
>>4317637
>Just have him stay nearby, Maria might need him at any time honestly
>>
“Well, if you do get bored you can always go and work with the guard in the nearby town.” Maria said off handedly, “Surely that will keep you active and up to snuff on combat.”

“Hmm, I guess I can.” He soon shinned a smile as they finally arrived at the training grounds, “Finally, hey Clarkson I brought her!”

A rather big middle aged man turned face from a small group of Knights, “Hmm? Oh Victor there you are? So this here is the lass you were talking about. Weren’t you the one who got hurt fighting the Marshal’s son?”

“Indeed I am, though I am confident in my ability now.” Maria answered back.

“Well if what Victor told us is true I would want to see it.” He gave another hearty laugh before tossing to her a small set of chain mail, “Now put this here on, no reason to lose safety.”

“Easy enough.” She answered back.

So quickly Maria put on the rudimentary armor while the man sent a few people off to began the fights. As she finished putting it on, the tightness on her chest was not really something she liked. Then again, she should just be thankful for it as well for the endowment.

“Alright you ready?” Clarkson asked with a smirk before point his sword to a rather young looking man, “Jimmy here will be your first opponent. Though don’t you two rough up eachother too much.”

“Go it!” The young man announced while readying his shield and sword.

Soon enough they were moved to the open ground where a few fights were already happening. Of course, they got their own little piece of ground to themselves for their spar.

“Well, lets get started.” Jimmy announced while giving Maria a short bow, “Let the best fighter prevail.”

“Indeed, let us fight!” Maria gave her own bow before preparing her weapon.

For Jimmy, he seemed to have taken a defensive stance raising his shield in protection. However wielding a sword was probably a negative for him as attacking required him to lose his guard.

Indeed, she could use this.

>>Roll a d100, best of 3, aim low
>Wait for him to attack, maybe provoc it with a bait.
>Simply use Maria’s reach to whittle his defense down to none
>Give him an old tripping technique
>>
Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>4318095
>Simply use Maria’s reach to whittle his defense down to none
the dc is based on our skills right ?
>>
Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>4318095
>Simply use Maria’s reach to whittle his defense down to none
>>
Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>4318095
>Simply use Maria’s reach to whittle his defense down to none
NAT 1
>>
Rolled 20 (1d100)

>>4318095
>>Simply use Maria’s reach to whittle his defense down to none
>>
>>4318103
It is, though at 75 I wonder why I even bother.
>>
With a smirk written across her face Maria went on the offensive, her attacks slamming into the shield before her. One ring against the shield sounded, then another, then a final one.

“Ah fuck!” The young man screamed as Maria’s spear was brought to impact the man’s chest. The sharp clang of metal could be heard as his armor took the impact of her playful attack.

“Looks like my win.” Maria championed with a smirk.

“Yeah, fucking hell your brutal.” He rubbed the chestplate before readying up his weapons once again, “Lets do it again.”

“Hmm, are you a masochist?” Maria playfully mocked.

“No, but I wanna try going on the offensive at least once.”

“Alright, sounds fine by me.” Maria twirled her spear for a moment as the man finally forgone his shield and made the charge.

However powerful the man was however it was nothing in comparison to Maria’s speed. Him being in plate compared to her chain, she was easily able to sidestep his attacks. She dodged one, then rolled under another before finally taking her spear and slamming it into the guy’s back.

“Dead.”

“Fuck…”

“Lets get you someone who can fight better than you.”

“Fine…”

The Young Man seemed a little bumbed out, but it did not really matter since this was a tournament kind of thing. Though from what Maria is understanding, its more of a whoever does the best over the day gets the crown. Ah well, this is just her having a good bit of fun.

However as she walked back to Clarkson, she could not help but see a pair of fellows coming up form the side. Much to her surprise, it was the Second Prince Elric and Matheo. Though she could not help but notice Second Prince was outfitted in some high quality armor.

“So you finally woosed out on us Jimmy.” Clarkson joked as they finally arrived.

“Hey she’s a professional. I’m still waiting for my first War.”

The man gave another laugh, his eyes shifting towards Elric with a small gleam, “Well I think I found you a good partner. Lets see how you two do against eachother.”

“Oh alright!” Jimmy answered with a chirp.

“As for you lass, go to the guy over there with a spear. Now that I know Victor wasn’t shitting me, lets see you have an actual fight.”

While Maria should lecture the man for belittling her she simply accepted it, “Thank you very much.” It's best not to make enemies with the guy who's supposed to keep everyone from being injured.

Looking at her opponent, it was another younger man who instead weilded a spear. Such a long weapon, though its honestly a little bit less than Maria’s Partisan Blade. However, since the man was obviously bigger than her Maria would say he would have equal reach to her.

Now, what to do?

>Try and overpower him
>Go for a weapon Parry
>Simply roll under his spear and jab the stomach
>>
File: spook comin 4 u.gif (558 KB, 540x540)
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558 KB GIF
Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4318594
100s
>>
Oh, same rolls as before
>>4318631
Imma say this one does not count, since i feel you were meant for the last post.
>>
File: 1529032997221.jpg (141 KB, 783x586)
141 KB
141 KB JPG
Rolled 18 (1d100)

>>4318629
>>4318631
>>4318634
>Go for a weapon Parry
>>
Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>4318629
>Go for a weapon Parry
>>
Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>4318629
>Go for a weapon Parry
>>4318638
Neat
>>
Rolled 2 (1d100)

>>4318629
>Go for a weapon Parry
>>
“So you are my next partner? You sure you wanna try?” Said the man as he made a few practice strikes with his spear, “Don’t think beating Jimmy the Newbie will be much of an accomplishment.”

“So you are going to mock me?” Maria twirled her Partisan Blade about before finally pointing it at him, “Then let us see if you are able to actually beat me.”

“Alright!” And like a bullet the man’s spear went right by Maria, causing the girl to quickly step out of the way. However the man went for another jab, however the attack was far from Maria to bother reacting.

“By the Lord you are brutal!” Maria announced while finally getting back on her feet.

The spear finally returned back to the fighter, “You say that, though you can read my attacks well.”

With that exchange the man went for the jab again, except this time instead of dodging Maria used her weapon as a block. It was a little risky, using the Partisan Blade as a parry weapon but when she was able to return his physical force she knew she had already won.

With that, the man was left wide open and allowed Maria to give him two smacks in the chest plate.

“Wow,” He announced while finally getting control over himself, “Bravo on that, bravo.”

“Thank you thank you.” Maria answered back.

“Though a few quick things, it would have probably been much easier if you just rolled around and hit me in the side.” He admitted with a small smile.

“But would that have been fun?” Maria answered back, “Well, all I can say is don’t be so married to your attacks and wait for your opponent to mess up. The second stab was not necessary as I was already out of your reach.”

“Eh, its what this practice is for.” He looked over Maria’s shoulder with a wicked smile, “Why hello there, you gonna be my next victim?”

“Nope, not yours but hers.” Maria turned to see Elric in full plate standing there, “Maybe now I can get some revenge for you embarrassing me yesterday.”

“Oh, you can’t take a playful jab?”

“Not when your friend mocks you about it all night.”

“Should I be pitying you.”

“I don’t need it. Instead, just let me beat you now.”

“But that would be pitying you.”

“Shut up.”

With that Maria quickly looked him over, quickly noting some odd features on his armor and choice of arms. For one, he did not take a full shield but instead what looks to be a kite shield. The way he carried it along with a short sword, it was making Maria feel unease.

>Go on the offensive
>Roll around him to strike the man in the back
>Try and use Maria’s reach to suppress the Prince
>>
>>4319125
>Roll around him to strike the man in the back
With that kind of shield he can go for the kill once he parry’s an attack easily.
>>
Rolled 6 (1d100)

>>4319147
>>
Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>4319125
>Roll around him to strike the man in the back
>>
Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>4319125
>Roll around him to strike the man in the back
>>
>>4319125
>Try and use Maria’s reach to suppress the Prince
>>
The two soon were squared off, looking over eachother for any forms of weakness. From what That Kite Shield, yes it was a good item to use in Parrying. To think that the Prince was actually modestly skilled enough to consider parrying his opponent.

So Maria waited for the chance, which soon came as the boy went for a thrusting attack. With that move, she was quickly able to move about to behind his back. There was a soft ring of metal as her strike just barely reached its mark, quickly getting batted away with his shield.

“I got the first hit, so its my win right?” Maria joked while moving a few feet back.

“It is, I was so close too.” Elric lamented before preparing his weapon, “Come on, once again.”

“Sure.” Maria admitted as she resumed her stance.

This time the Prince waited and waited, his shield likely getting quite the workout being there this long. They stayed like that for about a minute, before finally the Prince broke his stance and went for a strike.

Just like before, Maria quickly rolled her way around him and went for the strike. Just as before, the Prince was too slow in defending the strike and another sound of metal rang throughout the grounds.

“Damn it! How are you so fast!” He complained while rubbing his back.

“Honestly I’m probably getting lucky.” Maria admitted with a sigh, “Though you should probably learn to step out of the way incase you know someone is behind you.”

“... Yeah I guess…” Finally he picked up his arms and gave a small stretch, “Where exactly did you learn all this anyways?”

“A variety of places, though I never had a hard core teacher.” Finally she rested the blade’s staff on the ground, “I assume you were training with knights.”

“You guessed right, Grand Master Reeling was my teacher. Wanted to make sure I don’t die in the battlefield like my Grandfather.”

“Oh, who got your Grandfather?”

“Some peasant commander with a spear…”

“...”

“...Yeah, well everyone admits he was a bastard anyways.”

>Just continue to Chat with the Prince as a break
>Go ask for the best swordsman around to fight Maria
>Find Victor to challenge him to a spar!
>Other Schemes
>>
>>4319567
>Find Victor to challenge him to a spar!
Assert your dominance by beating everyone in a spar.
>>
>>4319567
>Just continue to Chat with the Prince as a break
>>
>>4319567
>Find Victor to challenge him to a spar!
Everyone must get beat up equally by Maria to show we aren't biased.
>>
>>4319567
>Just continue to Chat with the Prince as a break
>>
>>4319668
>Everyone must get beat up equally by Maria to show we aren't biased.
Or we can acquire valuable info with the prince
>>
>>4319567
>Find Victor to challenge him to a spar!
>>
“Hmm, well if you would excuse me for a moment, Elric, but I must go and beat up my Knight.” Maria said with a sinister smile.

“Wouldn’t that be the opposite of what you need to do?” Elric answered with a shaking head.

“What, I need to make sure everyone who is in this little tournament are beaten equally. No matter if they are peasants or Princes!”

Elric simply shook his head, “By the God above.”

“If you have a problem with it he will probably hear you out.” Maria said while starting to walk towards where she saw her Knight last, “Once you start showing up to the Church once in a while.”

“Hey, its not my problem I have too many things happening. I am a Prince after all.”

Maria simply shook her head with a small sigh as they finally arrived at the sight of her Knight finishing his fight. Victor had quickly taken a hit to the shield, to which he replied with a nice smack with a club. The nice ringing that sounded through the field was sign that his fight was over.

Soon enough her turned his head to face Maria, “Oh Kingslayer! Do you need anything?”

“You can say so.” Maria answered back with a spear towards the man’s chest, “I challenge you to a quick match against me!”

He looked at the spear for a moment, almost flabbergasted, until he finally nodded, “Alright, I guess I can try to meet your standards.”

“Perfect!”

And with that they entered the area where he last was, quickly raising his Shield and wooden club. If Maria remembered correctly the man was a mace wielder, but here something like that can cause the most amount of damage. Thus, it was replaced with a light wooden club.

With that the two squared up, the man with what looked to be a tower shield preparing for an onslaught.

>Try and break through his armor directly
>Try and bait out an attack
>Go around him again, since it seems to keep working
>>Rolls like usual
>>
Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>4319970
>Go around him again, since it seems to keep working
He's shield will make it hard against our partisan
>>
Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>4319970
>Try and bait out an attack
I feel a Knight will predict such an obvious move as flanking him.
>>
Rolled 14 (1d100)

>>4319970
>Try and bait out an attack
>>
Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>4319970
>Try and bait out an attack
>>
>>4320058
ez win gg no re
>>
From Maria can currently see she was likely not going to be getting through the Knight’s shield any time soon. So with that in mind, Maria went into wait seeing if there was a chance any attack would come her way. Yes it would be quite the troublesome thing for Maria.

Though it seemed just as she was waiting so was Victor. Being a man proficient with a shield meant the guy was just going to sit there and wait until his opponent actually did something. Bothersome, but honestly something Maria learned to handle.

So with that in mind, Maria quickly made a few steps forward into the reach of Victor, quickly making a false strike right upon the Shield with her blade. In the Rhythm of Battle, Victor quickly took up the chance to attack her as he opened the shield and brought down the wooden club. However, with the moment given Maria quickly rolled away and dodged the attack.

And like that, Maria quickly struck the man with her spear in the chestplate. With that, their little fight was over.

“Well I expected as much from a Kingslayer.” He said before letting out a worn sigh, “Are you getting Hungry? I can see if the Servants can bring anything good.”

“I guess I am.” Maria admitted while resting her Partisan Blade onto the ground, “I guess you wish to join us oh Prince?”

“You got me, though I am sure Matheo will join us once he’s done shopping around.” Elric answered back with a positive.

With those words everyone quickly made their way towards a small partch of ground that was open up. Soon enough, Victor brought over what looked to be a few loaves of bread and some jerky, handing half the bread and a little meat to everyone.

“I hope you do not mind the meal Prince Elric. I know it is nothing up to your Royal Standards, but its what we Knights eat on watch.” Victor said with a solemn bow.

“Eh, as long as it has some taste its fine. I’m not some damn spoiled brat so you know.” The Prince bickered back while taking a piece of the Jerky. Quickly he gave a soured look, but did not really say anything else about it.

“Well, how is this Tournament going anyways Victor? I’ve fought a lot of people but I do not know where I stand.” Maria admitted with a sigh.

“Well Kingslayer, you are standing near the top, and will probably be placed against the Royal Guards who have come to the school.”

“Honor Guards? Are you talking about the ones who are supposed to protect the oh so fragile Princes?” Maria said with a cynical smile written on her face.

“Yeah yeah laugh it up, you know you only got lucky.” Elric said with a souring expression about himself.

“Fufu, well you are right to an extent, but I still beat you.” Maria leaned back while placing her hand upon the forehead like a worn damsel, “Oh great Second Prince Elric, why did you have to be beaten by a Girl.”
>>
>Chat about their experiences in previous fights and practices
>Ask Elric about what kind of ambitions he even has, hell he’s come here to practice fighting for some reason.
>Try and learn a little more about the Holy Austin Empire
>>
>>4320352
>Ask Elric about what kind of ambitions he even has, hell he’s come here to practice fighting for some reason.
>>
>>4320350
>Ask Elric about what kind of ambitions he even has, hell he’s come here to practice fighting for some reason.
>>
>>4320352
>Ask Elric about what kind of ambitions he even has, hell he’s come here to practice fighting for some reason.
>>
>>4320352
>Try and learn a little more about the Holy Austin Empire
>>
>>4320350
>Ask Elric about what kind of ambitions he even has, hell he’s come here to practice fighting for some reason.
I'm really liking the dynamic she has with Elric, really hoping that we end up going down his route.
>>
>>4320352
>Ask Elric about what kind of ambitions he even has, hell he’s come here to practice fighting for some reason.
>>
The three of them were enjoying the meal of Jerky and Bread to themselves. The meat was a little bit on the salty side and the bread a little too grainy, but ever since her time in the Miaphate she learned to not really care about those things. Yes, because if she did care then that would be both a weakness and quite pitiful compared to the rest of her God Damned life!

“So Elric, I have been wondering something.” Maria began as she finished the meat, “Why is it that you are here? It is quite weird for a Second Prince like yourself to care much now that your older brother is surely going to live for a few decades more.”

“What, would you believe that I just wanted to practice?”

“Of dear Prince, I do not.” Maria said straight to him, “Why I am not seeing Matheo come back yet, so I am sure he is talking to many of the guards right now.”

The swordsman simply shrugged with that, “You got me, I guess. Look, I do not wish to be placed behind my brother just because the fellow was born before me. Hell, if nothing else I am quite well ahead of him in many respects.”

“But don’t you need him to give up his birthright for that?”

“No I do not.” The Prince said with a sinister smile, “Yeah its different in many other places, but here in the Empire the Elector Counts are the only ones who truly choose the successor. Hell, they don’t even need to be from our family but tradition and the Blessings of God are in our Dynastic Favor.”

“Huh, so you don’t need to, uh, yeah.”

The Prince shook his head, “I do not, though for some reason the Electors still align themselves with him. Or, well, at least none have called out for me to be placed on the throne yet.”

[Intrigue Success]

Maria’s eyes sharpened as she heard him talk, “Have you at least talked to them about it? Maybe dropped the hint that you are interested in taking your Brother’s place.”

“...”

“Ugh.” Maria could only slap her face at the fact. If you don’t tell anyone, its like being a woman who tries making dozens of hints to her boyfriend that its their anniversary. It does not work.

>Ask the fellow about who he thinks will even support him
>Try and learn some more about Holy Austin’s customs
>Get back to the Sparing!
>Other
>>
>>4321064
>Ask the fellow about who he thinks will even support him
And that’s our guarantee that if the corpse dates the otome we’re safe
>>
>>4321064
>Try and learn some more about Holy Austin’s customs
>>
>>4321064
>Try and learn some more about Holy Austin’s customs
I need to know more about this fantasy HRE before I can even begin.
>>
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“Well, what else do you all need to deal with anyways?” Maria asked with a small headache forming.

“Well, it can come down to the Lord above if the Emperor gets accepted.” Elric answered with a small huff.

“Really?”

“It's been a formality for years, but there have been times God has rejected an Emperor chosen by man.” A small cynical laugh escaped Elric as he finished his bread, “An Emperor must be Chosen of Heaven and Earth, only then does he have the Divine Right upon the Lord’s Empire.”

Maria could not help but give the man a small whistle, “Sounds like a lot of pressure.”

“It is. I mean look what it did to my brother, he’s never looked really alive since I’ve known him.” Elric simply shook his head, “Poor Lucien was molded into what the Scholars, Electors, and Father thought was a perfect monarch. Though from the tales of legend I feel he is far from it.”

With those words a lul quickly come, though just as fast as it came it went away as the sounds of metal clanking against one another. With that, everyone who was sitting around soon rose from their meals. However they did not get much further until a man most soundly built and with a helm covering his face.

“Are you the Kingslayer?” He asked Maria, the odd look his helmet was giving her seeming off to Maria.

“You would be correct, I take it you wish to challenge me?”

“Indeed, I have heard you’ve defeated most of your opponents soundly and wish to test my metal.” The helm seemed to go crooked for a moment out of curiosity, “Though I find it odd that you are female.”

“Oh, should I show you where to put that mouth of yours!” Maria grobbled with a simmering vein appearing upon her fore head.

The figure seemed to lean in as he imposed himself over Maria, “Indeed, try and prove me wrong. Follow me, I have a good place for us to fight.”

[Military Success]

So Maria followed, making sure to study him and the surroundings. A quick glance at Victor seemed to explain only confusion, as many of the others were the same. Alright, clearly this man was not of the guard. Maybe a Wandering Knight?”

Once they arrived at what seemed to be a rocky surface, the man slowly took out his weapon. It was a rather large halberd, and something that Maria could not help but feel was off. Such a large weapon was not normally meant for men to hold…

>Go for a rolling then strike at his midsection
>Try and stay away until an opening presents itself
>Go for a trade off, seeing who can hit first.
>>Don’t forget, I need rolls.
>>
Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>4321576
>Try and stay away until an opening presents itself
Ok so this guy is either a beastman or supernaturally empowered
>>
Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>4321576
>Try and stay away until an opening presents itself

>>4321580
Or they're a woman.
>>
Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>4321580
>>4321587
>Try and stay away until an opening presents itself
>>
Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>4321576
>Try and stay away until an opening presents itself
>>
Without much more Maria and the large figure looked at one another, each likely waiting for an attack. In the end, of course, it was the massive fighter who seemed to have lost his patience in that he went for the attack first with a thrust of the polearm.

Maria could feel her heart skip a beat as she narrowly dodged away from the attack, the amount of force easily causing her hair to fly. In the next instant, she needed to roll again as the being attacked her again.

Soon enough there was a lul however, and Maria tried to quickly take that up by rushing him directly with her spear. However, she did not expect him to let go of the spear in favor of a fist to her sternum.

A dry cough erupted from Maria as she was staggered if just for a moment, her heart beating with a dangerous rhythm. Next up was a shoulder check by him, but to her credit Maria was somehow able to dodge out of what should have been a near instant movement.

This was the moment, Maria hoped, and once again she reached forward with a strike that should end it. However the being somehow sidestepped it, quickly making a finishing attack upon her upon the stomach with the Halberd. There was a sudden pain there, but gladly it was nothing she had experienced before.

“It is my win then.” He said with a stern coldness.

Maria looked the man up for a moment with contempt, “Yes, you got it. Happy?”

“Indeed, as you came closer than most.” And with those words the figure turned on his heels and started to make his way out, “These lands will prove fruitful it seems.”

There was a quietness that took over as everyone tried to figure out what exactly happened, to which Maria broke, “What the hell was that? Did anyone catch his name?”

She looked at the other two, both simply shaking their heads at her. Soon enough though the pain he inflicted was subsiding, and Maria could honestly begin to breathe again. Well, at least she was standing back on her feet in no time.

>Go take a rest in Maria’s room, Maria was flying way too close to the sun.
>Continue, if just at a slower pace than before. No reason to stop now.
>Stick around, but no more fighting for now.
>>
>>4322020
>>Stick around, but no more fighting for now.
>>
>>4322020
>>Stick around, but no more fighting for now.
Let's not get injured again. Besides, I think we've done well enough.
>>
>>4322020
>Stick around, but no more fighting for now.
Dammit, a shame we still didn’t win
>>
>>4322020
>Go take a rest in Maria’s room, Maria was flying way too close to the sun.
>>
>>4322020
>Stick around, but no more fighting for now
Damn the 13 was only enough to escape the fight without serious injury? This guy's skill levels must be off the charts. At least we proved we're nothing to sneeze at.
>>
>>4322233
normally we just need to get a roll under our skill to get a pass, so yup this guy must be poggers
>>
>>4322020
>Continue, if just at a slower pace than before. No reason to stop now.
>>
>>4322020
>Stick around, but no more fighting for now.
>>
Because of the punch Maria received, she soon opted to stick with just watching over the fight from here onwards. After an impact like, well she learned her lesson last time in her spar against Ford. It took a miracle for her to recover from that, so she surely did not want to know how bad this one could take her for.

So for the time she began to watch both Elric and Victor in their spars about the place.

From Elric’s fights, it was obvious he was a trained professional. Going against a man with a mace, the young man easily parrying it and striking at the other’s exposed chest. Honestly if Maria was not wary of this, she probably would have been soundly defeated by his attacks. All in all, the Prince won another and narrowly came out victorious in another.

Victor however seemed to be struggling. It was obvious he was not used to the weight of his wooden club, as he attempted to smash through the enemy’s shields with brute force. However none of them seemed to cave in time for him to deal any actual damage. Instead he suffered a pair of defeats before Maria could really even count them.

As she watched the Prince’s next spar however she noticed someone off to her side, “Oh, Matheo I was wondering where you were.”

“Hey I was simply watching about, trying not to get in your way.” He answered back with a smirk.

“You were just hoping I would torment the Prince didn’t you?”

“Indeed, as honestly its a breath of fresh air to see him put down by a lady.”

“Well if you watch I believe soon he will be put down by a rather large man.” Maria jokenly pointed out as another man in plate approached the slightly worn Prince.

“Well thats nothing new, you should have seen him as a child. Poor guy was beaten senseless by the Grand Master of the Royal Knights.”

“Oh, then I say his parents were smart about it. Best not to have only one child who can fight well.”

“Yeah, deafinitely.” The boy soon rested his hands behind his back in a lethargic action, “So tell me, you like him?”

“Eh?”

>Deny it to the end of time Maria! *Tsundere*
>Maybe
>No, just flat out no
>Yes, he is a viable suitor for Maria and she would take that chance
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
Boy be fishing. What's his game over there...?
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
Swipper no swipping
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
>>
>>4322566
>>Deny it to the end of time Maria! *Tsundere*
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
Ew no.
>>
>>4322566
>Deny it to the end of time Maria! *Tsundere*
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
>>
>>4322566
>Wait a second, Matheo is just being an asshole *Conversation*
Fuck no! I would rather marry the twinky Knight that we picked on Saint Hospit than marrying a fucking easily gullible prince.

I mean Jesus wtf is happening on the Royal family? It's like the children are born from incest parents that they came out retarded/autistic.
>>
>>4323114
Then should we actually try to go down the Solomon route?
>>
>>4323120
We're fishing for prospects. For now Soloman has a large running start but we don't know in the future.
>>
>>4323120
Or we could be shameful and marry our brother then elope. But that's highly unlikely.
>>
>>4323120
I think we're locked out of Soloman now, he's the Miaph and we're a saint, that kind of cross-faith relationship is unlikely to work out.
>>
>>4323130
We can try to work something out, besides we haven't really started our training yet.
Isn't our first lesson supposed to be tomorrow?
>>
>>4323131
The thing is, if we do our saint training, the Otome in the future will exposed that we had an affair from a foreign prince and brand us as heretic. I don't know what contingency plan we had in this case.
>>
>>4323144
Convert Soloman
>>
>>4323144
Literally nobody but Melody knows about Solomon and us having an arrangement.
I do wonder that if we went to a different country whether we'd still have the capacity to act as a saintess though.
>>
There was only a split moment in which Maria was taken aback from Matheo’s little ploy, but soon enough she simply looked at him with hardened annoyed eyes and a little fire burning in her first.

“Matheo, you are just being an asshole.” Maria answered back with a large amount of steam rolling off her head.

“You just figured that out?”


“I did not, simply that you tried to catch me off guard and that is an ass’s move.”

“Eh, you got me.” He soon grew a small smirk, “But you still have yet to answer.”

“To you Matheo, no I will not.”

With that he simply shook his head and resumed watching, the day quickly going away as everyone was finished putting up their armaments. With that the feeling of swinging the weapon from the morning was still aching in Maria’s joints.

“So you did pretty well in the Elric?” Matheo asked with a sinister smile about himself.

“Indeed I did, somehow.” He gave a small chuckle, “I think the only person who had beaten me outright was Maria over here.”

“Ohoho, and that has surely put you in your place of Prince.” Maria joked with a jester of the hand.

“Yeah, good for you my Prince.” Victor said with a sigh.

“Hey don’t worry too much I’m sure it was just an off day for you.” Elric answered back to the down trodden knight.

“Yeah, well I tripped on my own feet at one point. Thats something even a toddler can avoid.”

“Yeah well… yeah.”

Yeah, not even Maria could not help his spirits with that one. It was quite the morbidly funny event she would admit, but she surely was not going to tell Victor that.

>Head out to get some dinner with everyone as a minor celebration
>Go back to Maria’s room to rest and talk with Melody
>Take a nice warm bath to wipe off the sweat
>>
>>4323298
>Go back to Maria’s room to rest and talk with Melody
>>
>>4323298
>Take a nice warm bath to wipe off the sweat
Who do you suppose has the balls to peek?
>>
>>4323298
>Take a nice warm bath to wipe off the sweat
>>
>>4323307
Albert?
>>
>>4323298
>>Take a nice warm bath to wipe off the sweat
>>
>>4323298
>Head out to get some dinner with everyone as a minor celebration
>>
With the darkness of night taking over, most of the Nobles who stayed around the Academy have either gone to sleep or began to do so. For Maria the soft warmth of a the waters were more than plenty for her as she slowly submerged herself into the waters bellow.

“Oh by the Lord, I needed this.” She exclaimed while sitting on the side of a heated basin.

The entire place was empty, as even Maria sent Melody away to do a few chores. Such a time by herself was rare, as she was either being a social butterfly or flanked by one of her two servants. Each of which she was thankful to have in her honest opinion.

“I only got a week, don’t I?” Maria called out with her thoughts to the incoming heroine. If she is not careful, the Heroine could go crazy and somehow achieve a Reverse Harem ending. Though honestly she found the chance of the girl getting the secret ending that you needed to replay the Otome Game enough times to meet all the suitors quite silly.

No, chances are Maria would be facing off against her for the love of a single man. Well, thats if she even wants to try that as she thought about it.

Her objective in coming to the Academy was to get a powerful Husband that would make the Duchy of MaKain powerful. So to Maria’s guess, her Father was aiming to become one of the Elector Counts.

Now though, with her allegiance to the Northern Tectonic Order and the chances at becoming a religious figure blessed by the Lord himself. Well maybe she should instead aim for a fate her Father did not expect. And if she had to be honest, she would not put the Duchy solely in the hands of Bon and believe it will prosper.

Yes, that was what this bath really was, just a time for Maria to think and reflect. To figure out what her future shall be.

>Aim for a marriage *With whom?*
>Take up the mantle of Sainthood, maybe focus more on her relationship with the Tectonic Order
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.
>>
>>4323764
>Take up the mantle of Sainthood, maybe focus more on her relationship with the Tectonic Order
God is the best capture target
>>
>>4323764
>>Take up the mantle of Sainthood, maybe focus more on her relationship with the Tectonic Order
Although part of me wants to wait and see how Soloman reacts to our letter.
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.
>>
>>4323764
>>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.

I like Solomon, but any smart and powerful Duke or Prince is good enough for me.
>>
>>4323764
>Aim for a marriage
I haven't decided yet. It's good to keep our options open.
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.
>>
>>4323764
>>Aim for a marriage
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.
Still too early to commit to anything. I wanna see what Soloman comes up with.
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.
>>
>>4323764
>Take up the mantle of Sainthood, maybe focus more on her relationship with the Tectonic Order
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice
>>
>>4323764
>Take up the mantle of Sainthood, maybe focus more on her relationship with the Tectonic Order

THIS + we need to remember to communicate about trade route to our land with new farming techniques
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice
>>
>>4323764
>Take the tides as they come, as now is not the right time for Maria to make this choice.
I'm not giving up on Soloman or Elric (or....Ford....) any time soon.
>>
>>4324167
But Maria doesn't even like any of the capture targets in that way, and going down the Solomon route will require quite the hoop-jumping at this point.
>>
>>4324239
You're mistaken if we're going to jump any hoops. If anything we're going to make Soloman jump those hoops for us!
>>
>>4324289
Dude's already jumped plenty of hoops, play too hard to get and they give up.
>>
>>4324239
I want to see just how wrong this otome can get if we go for the Solomon route
>>
>>4324463
I'm down for it, but if we do it after starting saint training, then we'll probably gain the ire of this god as well as the gods of the Miaphate.

Trying to escape the machinations of the gods could be fun though.
>>
Results:

Take Tides as they come: 9
Saint: 4
Wed: 3
>>
>>4324466
As long as we don't try to convert Solomon we can probably figure something out like a truce between the gods or at least get them to leave us out of it.
>>
>>4324505
Neat
>>
>>4324239
>>4324239
Maria's also barely spent any quaity time with any of the capture targets for any feelings to develop. Its too early to say romance can't blossom.

But honestly with Maria how she is it's most likely going to be the guy catching feelings and then confessing to Maria for Maria to even realise she likes him back.
>>
>>4324551
>>4324555

We don't even need to find a husband.
We can just become a warlord or Saintess and expand the influence of the Duchy.
>>
>>4324557
You guys can do a lot here. I'm not apose to you trying to join say the duchy of MaKain and Tectonic Order into a Kingdom. Just some people are gonna stand in your way if you don't play those cards right.
>>
>>4324565
thanks for pointing out. gonna keep our options open for now
>>
“I… do not know yet.” Were the words Maria said to herself.

Time was definitely getting close, to the moment that Chloe was going to arrive in the academy. When that day comes, what will be of Maria. Her life was the perfect formula that turned her into a Villainess, the more she reflected upon it. The being who this entire world was built for will surely give her a rough awakening.

This feeling was fear, fear that Maria will lose control of her own fate.

However she soon melted into the pool of water she was in, letting the warmth consume her. It’s not wise to be so stuck on something like that. Because if she was too scared then she would be unable to do anything about it.

With that thought, Maria’s night ebbed away and soon the sun from afar rose above the hills and mountains.

It was Sunday morning, morning Mass of course was just finishing up. Of the many ironies of this school, one is that the students are not truly required to attend the Church’s services. It is heavily suggested of course but no one is bound by virtue that attendance cannot be tracked very easily.

Soon the smell of incense cleared up, and those who did come began to take their leave. For Maria however, she soon drifted towards the front to where the Headmaster stood, acting at the priest for the previous service.

“Kingslayer, I see you have come to follow up?”

“I have.” Maria answered back without betraying an emotion, “What will be the first lesson?”

“Well first we must find a good way for you to carry out your worship.” He answered while drawing out one of the Holy Books, “There are many methods I have seen. Men and Women have simply read the Holy Book, completed a Fasting, and sometimes even self flagellation. All these can be seen as equal to the Lord above, as long as you yourself place faith into it.”

Maria could not really help but ask, “Uh, is that truly it? Simply meditation?”

“Meditation?” The old man’s drow rose upon that word, “What do you mean by that?”

“Well, uh, honestly it is staying in a single place without doing much else except thinking and praying.”

“Hmm, you must be misunderstanding. These are not simply staying still, but acts to which the Lord watches. If you complete a task in his name, he will take notice. The grander the task, the more he will grant one his power.” He grew a slim smile upon himself, “Just like the deeds you performed have brought his eye to you. A Monk might devote an entire chronicle to the Lord while the Knightly Orders will Worship though the destruction of his enemies.”

>Try to read the Holy Book from front to back.
>Commit to a day’s worth of prayer for a few times a month.
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
>>
>>4324608
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
>>
>>4324557
My hours in ck2 has convinced me that our bloodline is too powerful to let it die out.
>>
>>4324608
>>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
>>
>>4324608
>>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
I'm pretty sure we can do the other two sporadically as well, but focus on this.
>>
>>4324608
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
>>
>>4324608
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory

>>4324615
If we stay a virgin we'll become the ultimate demon bait.
Perfect for someone who wants to slay a bunch of them.
>>
>>4324608
>Try to read the Holy Book from front to back.
We gotta know about the god we’re getting help from, then we can honor him in battle
>>
>>4324639
Actually, has Maria read the Holy Book before?
QM can you answer?
>>
>>4324647
She has not, the language is of course limited to the clergy.
>>
>>4324608
So let's see.....
>Try to read the Holy Book from front to back.
That's faith+history
>Commit to a day’s worth of prayer for a few times a month.
That's faith+expression
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
Military+direct military strength
>>
>>4324649
Oh, in that case I'll change my vote.

>>4324608
>>4324637
>Try to read the Holy Book from front to back.
We should learn more about the guy for sure.
>>
>>4324608
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
>>
>>4324608
>Grow it through acts of battle and glory
>>
>>4324608
>Try to read the Holy Book from front to back.
>>
Maria thought about it for a moment, though it was not a very hard thought. Honestly it must have been what gave her so much to begin with, and would only grow more into her being as she grows.

“I want to seek Glory, in the name of the Lord.” Maria answered with a stern determination in her heart.

“Oh, I assume that would have been the case. Youth can do that, though unlike others I believe you would be able to perform such a feat.” He answered with a calm demeanor about himself, “I will say however that it is as it entitles, you must perform feats of grandeur in order to join the ranks of those with ability, searching for it would require much more from you.”

“I would guess, things such as searching for Heretical Cults and the purging of Pagans are what I am tasked to do correct?”

“Indeed, however I implore you to look into the stories of Old. Those men have also achieved grand feats such as slaying dragons and trolls. Many Knights search to complete such deeds but do not achieve them in the end. But you could be different.”

“Indeed, that would be a journey in and of itself.” Maria answered with a sigh, “To go on one, that would mean I would need to leave the Academy.”

“Hmm, but you are only the daughter of a Duke, are you not? Unlike many others who come here you do not need our tutelage to gain our blessing.” He hummed to himself for a moment before shaking his head, “Sorry, that was a dangerous thought I had. Before you make any decision, I would suggest you take your time and study. Maybe read the Holy Book to understand the Lord much better than the common man.”

[Faith Success]

“But was it not written in the language of the Lord? I would need to learn it or find a translation somewhere.”

“Indeed that is so, but you have both the support of the Holy Pope and one of the Knightly Orders? I would be hard pressed if his Holiness bars me for teaching you.”

>Began to study the Holy Language
>Search the Tomes of the Library for possible tales to go off on.
>Get a map and scheme, scheme for an invasion.
>>
>>4324966
>Began to study the Holy Language
Amen
>>
>>4324966
>Get a map and scheme, scheme for an invasion.
Alright boyos, time to start a land war in not!Asia(minor)
>>
>>4324966
>Search the Tomes of the Library for possible tales to go off on.
Let's find some monsters to go kill.
>>
>>4324974
Purge the sandniggers?
>>
>>4324966
>>Get a map and scheme, scheme for an invasion.
>>
>>4324988
Remember, Soloman's the wife.
>>
>>4324994
Let's invade soloman's country and make him our bitch.
>>
>>4324966
>Search the Tomes of the Library for possible tales to go off on.
>>
>>4324966
>Search the Tomes of the Library for possible tales to go off on.
Let's stay in an around the academy vicinity for now - Chloe is due and we're still waiting to hear back from Solomon.

Heck maybe poking around in the archives might give us more info about the demon we tangled with, or some other dark secret. We do essentially have a free pass to look up whatever we want, under the guise of research.
>>
>>4324966
>Search the Tomes of the Library for possible tales to go off on.
>>
>>4324966
>Get a map and scheme, scheme for an invasion.

Crusade!
>>
“Well can I take that up with you later? I want to begin my research as soon as I can.” Maria asked while pondering where exactly she would start.

“Sure, you may do so. When it comes to one research, it is best to find your own kind as long as it does not tetter towards the heretical.”

With those words finished Maria quickly made her way to the library, the halls once again starting to become more bare of religious iconography in favor of simple patterns.

The Library that stood was something of a large creation, standing atleast three stories and filled to the brim with writings. Many of these are in languages from all over the Lord’s Lands, so many Maria would admittedly not be able to read outright.

Quickly scouring the place, she got a small understanding of what is held here. First and foremost was the Chronicles of Old, each of which were filled with the documented history of places all over. It would not be that hard to see them as a source of true rationale and fact.

A ways from that of course there are the stories of old. These contained deeds that can go much further back than even the oldest Chronicle, shared through oral tradition. If Maria had to guess this would probably hold details of a fantastic world many would call fiction, though is that true in a world where Miracles and Magic can occur with certainty?

So much information, Maria would admit that it was daunting to cover it all herself. Maybe it was high time she looked into getting some help with this. Well she could use Melody, but then again Matheo and Albert both seem to be the bookworm types.

>Focus of the factual Chronicles
>Try and understand the Epics of the past
>Ask for some help

>I need rolls, Bo3, Dangerous
>>
Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>4325309
>>Focus of the factual Chronicles
>>
Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>4325309
>>Ask for some help
>>
Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>4325309
>Ask for some help
>>
Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4325309
>>Ask for some help
>>
Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>4325309
>Ask for some help
Albert my boy
>>
>>4325309
>Ask for some help
>>
For Albert today it was a rather quite day, as he finished his worship at Mass and was now busying himself with documentation and the like. It was simply just busy work, as the young man did not have much else to really work on. Though in the end someone needed to get these documents done even if it took a century to pull off.

However his day was interrupted when the door to his study sudden slammed open, “Albert~ I am in need of your help!” announced Maria as she barged into the other’s study.

“Oh, Miss Maria, uh, what do you need?” He asked while scrambling to put away his notes.

“I need you to help me research! We are looking for the creatures to slay!” And with that she quickly ensnared the poor man’s hand and raced off to the library.

Soon enough Maria had gotten the poor steward to begin working on the paperwork. The Kingslayer had quickly immersed herself in the old lores, finding some odd things among the books. Maria finally noticed a page of something she was interested in, her brow being raised upon seeing her desired find.

“Did you find something Miss Maria?” Albert asked while setting down his book with a sigh.

“Yeah, did Elric or Matheo tell you about the knight I fought yesterday?”

“Yeah, something about it more or less defeating you soundly.”

“Yeah… well it seems such a being kept appearing every twenty five years. Whoever the Chronicalers are, they have taken to calling him Mulnyr of the Iron Wall.” Maria answered while placing the book between them, “Uh, were you able to find anything?”

“Uh, you wanted me to find monsters that we can search for, right?” He asked with a little hesitation, “Most of these Epics involve the beasts being slain or tamed. I have yet to find one who has ran away successfully. Uh, do you have more about this man?”

Maria looked over the book again, “It does not say much besides him showing up to challenge the greatest at competitions. Though with him showing up ever twenty five years, well, I can find it hard to be a coincidence.”

“Almost like he is testing the warriors of each generation.”

“Yeah, thats what he is doing!” Maria called out before her brow furrowed, “But what is he exactly? And why is he doing that?”

“I do not know Miss Maria, though it is starting to get late. We should head back and get ourselves something for our dinners.” He answered while getting up.

>”No, I will have Melody bring us something. We must keep researching!”
>”Sure, let us go get something to eat, together.”
>Maria shall take ehr rest for now, as in the coming week she will find out where this being shall show up next!
>>
>>4326048
>”No, I will have Melody bring us something. We must keep researching!”
>>
>>4326048
>”Sure, let us go get something to eat, together.”
Gotta reward the help somehow
>>
>>4326048
>”Sure, let us go get something to eat, together.”
>>
>>4326048
>>”Sure, let us go get something to eat, together.”
>>
>>4326048
>”Sure, let us go get something to eat, together.”
>>
>>4326048
>>”Sure, let us go get something to eat, together.”
>>
“Then let us go get something to eat.” Maria answered back while putting away a few of her chronicles for storage.

“Us? Uh, what do you mean by that?”

“That we are going to go get something to eat together.” Maria answered with a charming smile.

“Oh, uh, alright.” He did not give Maria much resistance as they soon made their way out of the Library and through the buildings.

It was only a matter of time that Maria ended up at the Cafiteria, though compared to a modern day cafeteria well it was much more like a restaurant. For starters, all the table in the place were circular as a means of preventing the Nobles from acting superior against one another. As well, when Maria and Albert took their seats she they have their dishes delivered directly by one of the maids.

“Oh, thank you!” Maira answered as she received what looked to be a piece of muton and bleach white bread. However funny enough as she looked up towards Albert the man had a strange look about himself, “Is something the matter?”

“Hmm, oh no. Just I -”

“Didn’t expect me to thank the Maid.” Maria finished while pointing her fork towards the man.

“Indeed, that is it.” Soon though the man’s eyes became curious, “Though why?”

“Why would I thank the maid?” Maria was not expecting that in the least but went ahead, “Well, I find it better to give them honor for doing their work. Why if I treated them horribly, I would likely have my food spit into.”

“Is that so,” She noticed that the young man grew a slim amile, and she could not help but hear a small snicker under his breath.

In her honest opinion, it was simply just a mannerism taken from the Modern day to this age. She never saw the need to stop, and even the Miaphate’s Servants slowly molded to her cause after paying enough attention to them.

Though now that she thought about it, that dialogue was similar to the game. Huh, yeah its slowly coming back to her now.

“Thought of something interesting Miss Maria?”

“Hmm, oh I was just remembering something from long ago.”

“Really? From your Childhood before or after your imprisonment?”

“Before, very much before.”

“Alright…”

>Find out if Albert has any current endeavors, like what Maria ripped him off of.
>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
>Just chat, topics will be taken from you Anons unless you want me to make shit up.
>Just enjoy the dinner.
>>
>>4326701
>Find out if Albert has any current endeavors, like what Maria ripped him off of.
>>
>>4326701
>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
>>
>>4326701
>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
>>
>>4326701
>Find out if Albert has any current endeavors, like what Maria ripped him off of.
>>
>>4326701
>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
>>
>>4326701
>Find out if Albert has any current endeavors, like what Maria ripped him off of.
>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
Both is good. Maybe ask how church finance project is coming along as well
>>
>>4326701
>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
>>
>>4326701
>>Learn about the city in which he comes from.
>>
>>4326701
>Find out if Albert has any current endeavors, like what Maria ripped him off of.
>>
“So,” Maria began trying to figure out a topic, “Can you tell me anything about where you came from? It was the…. Altmer Republic right?”

“Yeah, that's the place. Uh, what do you want to know about it?”


“Well I have an understanding that you elect a series of Doges and that it is mainly ran by the Merchant Class, but is that really all your home has to offer?”

“I guess you are right.” He answered back with a sigh, “Well the place itself is rather old, dating back to the old days of the Orstein Empire. Of course they collapsed soon after, which left us in Altmer alone. Rumor has it that we started to sail Merchant Ships when the people of our small city were becoming too lonely to do otherwise.”

“That's… an odd origin.”

Maria simply received a shrug, “I like to see it as humble beginnings. Really we became much more powerful when the Holy Austin Empire was being formed. We bank rolled King Austin, which resulted in his victory over the Pagan Hordes.”

“Oh, so that's why your Doge acts as the Emperor’s Steward!”

“It is the right bestowed upon our Republic, which has resulted in our prosperity.” He seemed to think to himself for a moment before asking, “So what about your lands, the Duchy of MaKain?”

“Oh that, well it is a rather cold and hilly place. Though we make enough crops to survive we are in dire need of something more.”

“If that's the case how did you repel the Miaphate’s Invasion?” He asked with a genuine curiosity in his voice.

“That was simply a skillful fluke my Father performed.” Maria answered with a small but sad smile, “It resulted in the death of two of my brothers and almost killed my Father. If I did not intercept the enemy flank, they would have all perished that day.”

“Oh, sorry for that.”

“It's alright, as the ones who did it are now with their heretical gods. Oh, the more I think about it the more I must admit they were quite the fools.”

“Well, I guess a toast to your brother who sacrificed themselves so that you can be here today?” Albert said while raising his glass to Maria.

“Yeah, a toast to the dead. They shall rest in peace while we live further their desires and dreams.” A small clank went through the dining room hall as the two took their respective drinks.
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I will leave this thread here, since we are on page 8 and I want to take the rest of the day to figure our this Quest's future. Next thread shall be tomorrow for sure.
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>>4327488
I very much like Albert. We should get sea access for our Duchy so we can enter into trade with his family and town
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>>4327494
Ok OP. Don’t leave us hanging
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>>4329382

Next Thread
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new thread boys >>4329382
>>
And can someone archive this for me? That would be great.



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