Late February 2539 CE.
At the official conference summit located in the southern Kanto region, Solis Aeternum, the ga do structure stood elegantly in pristine white. Flags of the Sol fluttered against the cold wind. Citizens and dia personnel gathered near the grand entrance behind the red-and-white fence, buzzing with anticipation. They waited eagerly for a glimpse of the royal family.
Crisp royal guards in white uniforms stood in two rows leading to the towering glass double doors. Overhead, Armatus units patrolled the airspace, their arcanite engines humming distantly.
Among the guards, a tall elven mage stood out, bearing the emblem of the Eir Regis house on his long white arc coat. His sleek, dark hair was parted on both sides. Friederich stood regal and composed, one hand folded behind his back, the other resting on a bladeless sheath.
“Ahem!” A female voice called out from behind him.
Friederich instantly recognised her from the rhythm and weight of her footsteps. Without turning, he greeted her calmly, “Admiral Sandria inhardt.”
“Oh, keen observation,” she remarked flatly, joining his side. “Well, I preferred it when I was just a system director.”
“Zeigerlich is wholly under your command, Admiral. The title is proper, given your responsibilities. It’s obligatory,” Friederich replied with calculated precision, sothing she valued. His sharp eyes continued scanning the crowd and skies, ensuring all was secure.
“I rely led the overhaul,” Sandria said matter-of-factly.
She wore a complentary uniform with white and red accents, silver seams adding a lavish edge to her aesthetic. Her dark hair was woven into a crown braid, and her sunken eyes betrayed the toll of her overwhelming workload in her new role. She stood perfectly still, like a machine.
Behind her, three forr Armatus knights stood in their personal armour, one silver, two bronze, observing the surroundings with quiet curiosity. Having severed ties with Dunkelheit, they now served as part of Zeigerlich’s new ranks, shadowing Sandria wherever she went.
“At ease, knights,” she ordered firmly, then checked the ti on her ring. A small hologram appeared, almost ti for the royal arrival. The knights saluted and straightened their posture.
Friederich gave a small nod of approval before turning back to her. “Well, after the ss we left when storming that ship, I’d say you did a remarkable job. Revamping the battlecruiser to outshine its forr self in a few short months. That’s no easy feat.”
A rare smile escaped Sandria’s lips, but she quickly suppressed it. “The battlecruiser is my ho, and her people are my family. With the Pri Minister’s full support, I had to give it everything.”
Friederich nodded in acknowledgnt.
Above them, the Solis Aeternum flagship pierced through the clouds, descending gracefully. Its massive silver hull bore the emblem of a red sun on the flank, leaving an impression every ti it appeared, a symbol of salvation from the day she first arrived in this small yet formidable nation.
The Pri Guardian eventually turned to her. “Your Zeigerlich battlecruiser is giving Solis Aeternum the wiggle room it needs for troop deploynts. I hope it plays a significant role in today’s talks with the leader of Thylin.”
“I don’t hope for war,” Sandria stated firmly, “but if the threat cos knocking, I won’t back down.”
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Friederich raised an eyebrow and chuckled. “That sounds like sothing Zetius would say. You and he are similar in that way.”
“We both have sothing worth protecting. That’s what makes us protectors,” she replied nonchalantly.
After a pause, Sandria gently placed a hand on Friederich’s shoulder. “About Zetius... How is he?” Her voice softened, betraying concern.
His face darkened with solemnity and guilt. “His body’s fully healed... but he still hasn’t woken up.”
He closed his eyes, steadying himself. He rembered his encounter with Celestius Nyrethein, the enigmatic woman who confessed to pulling Zetius’s consciousness into the dreamless realm, the realm of between and utter chaos.
Sandria gave his shoulder a consoling squeeze. Her dark eyes, filled with quiet understanding, lingered on him. “Don’t worry, Pri Guardian. Zetius will return. That’s not hope. It’s a fact.”
Surprised by her words, he blinked. Then, a soft smile crept across his lips. “Right… He always does.”
Three white limousines rolled to a halt. Princess Aurelia Sol Solara stepped out, assisted by her father. She wore a white business suit, her red hair styled in a crown braid while the rest cascaded over her shoulders. She carried an aura of nobility and poise.
The crowd erupted in cheers as the royal procession made its way forward. Guards saluted, smiling as cara flashes lit up the scene. Aurelia waved with grace, her radiant smile warming the atmosphere.
Sandria nudged Friederich with her elbow. “Here cos your princess,” she teased, still expressionless.
Friederich puffed his chest and cleared his throat dismissively. Observing her from afar, he noticed she’d chosen the opposite outfit to the one he had suggested the night before. Still, the white suit suited her perfectly, projecting professionalism. Aurelia no longer looked like a sheltered royal. Today, she ant business.
She strode with composure alongside the Pri Minister, flanked by protective personnel. Their boots echoed on the dark red carpet as they marched.
At the rear, a tall elven mage in a pointed hat followed closely. His dark red cloak and the red Arcanite Harnesser atop his staff marked his Lunarius rank. He radiated quiet strength.
Aurelia’s steps quickened as she spotted her Pri Guardian. Reaching him with a cheerful grin, she called out, “Fried!”
“Princess, you seem more mature. I’m grateful for that,” he replied dryly, ignoring the watchful gazes of Sandria and her knights.
Aurelia scratched her nose, then turned to Sandria. “Director!” she greeted with a wave.
Sandria returned with a small bow, showing respect to both her and Ryusei. The knights saluted crisply.
“Greetings, Princess. Pri Minister,” Sandria said.
Ryusei nodded theatrically, exuding gentle authority, then he lightheartedly scolded his princess, “Please address her properly, Aurelia. She’s now Admiral Sandria inhardt of Zeigerlich.”
Aurelia responded with a thumbs-up and a cheeky grin, then straightened up before Friederich could utter another word.
“Co, everyone. Let’s head to the hall,” Ryusei said, beckoning the group.
They moved through the grand corridor, lined with tempered glass doors, and arrived at one of the main conference rooms. The sleek double doors opened into a minimalist yet sophisticated space. Three semi-circular tiers of conference tables encircled a central podium. Each tier rose slightly above the last to offer a clear view for all delegates.
Soft ambient lighting ran beneath the edges of each tier, while integrated holo-screens lined the tables, providing real-ti data access for each participant. The central podium, crafted from brushed steel and embedded with sleek digital interfaces, stood as the elegant focal point of the room.
A cat Widren maid nad Yammi, along with a blonde maid, was already stationed beside the catering carts, which were neatly arranged with teapots and snacks. The maids courteously ushered the arriving guests to their respective seats.
Together, Ryusei, Aurelia, Friederich, and Sandria took their places on the left row beneath the flag of Solis Aeternum. At the centre, seated under the flag of Germund, was an elven Lunarius wearing a pointed hat. He lounged comfortably and gestured for the blonde maid to bring his beverage.
“Who’s that?” Aurelia whispered to Friederich, pointing at the Lunarius with a slight pout. Friederich recognised the elven mage, erald monolid eyes, brown hair, and an easy-going aura from past encounters. Likely from his days training under Master Ignius. They had never spoken, so he simply gave Aurelia a shrug.
“It’s Lunarius Willhelm,” Ryusei interjected in a deep voice. “Willhelm Mae Arden of Germund.”
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