"The Emperor is participating?!"
"Admiral, you can’t lose out now, can you?"
"Sigh."
Admiral Julius Schneider closed his eyes for a mont.
After the news spread across the Zyphran Dominion that Aetherion’s Emperor, Franz Barielle Aetherion, would personally participate in the expedition, all hell broke loose.
To begin with, the power struggle within Aetherion was already common knowledge. It was only being held at bay through constant suppression. Those seeking to tear down the crown were being restrained by force, backed by a bloc of lower nobility operating under Vanitas’s control.
As a result, Vanitas had naturally beco an enemy of the High Council. And with Franz openly enabling him, allowing him to act as pleased, the Emperor himself faced mounting criticism.
The prevailing conclusion was simple.
The Emperor was treating this expedition as an excuse to distance himself from the crises within Aetherion, while those under Vanitas’s command struggled to contain the sparks before they erupted into an uncontrollable blaze.
"Don’t worry," Franz said. "I’m constantly monitoring the Council of Owls through my puppet."
"Right." Vanitas nodded.
Vanitas had already appointed a figure to preside over the remaining mbers of the Council of Owls. Needless to say, that figure was nothing more than a Franz puppet with an alter ego.
After witnessing the massacre Vanitas Astrea was capable of, the Council understood that there was no room for dissent.
Beyond them, even the underworld fell silent. The shadows where opportunists and hidden powers usually moved could not so much as scream under the watch of the Gambino Cri Family, who had ties with the Astreas.
Any faction that had once waited for opportunities now chose silence instead.
It was tyranny, by every definition of the word. Yet even those who lived under tyranny understood that in history, there were monts when survival depended on choosing the correct side.
Among the major underworld blocs, a single conclusion began to circulate.
Vanitas Astrea’s initiatives were no longer rely about control, but usurpation.
That Vanitas Astrea was preparing to beco the next Emperor.
"Though I didn’t expect you to bring your fiancée," Franz said. "Might I introduce myself properly?"
Both of them turned toward the distance, where Aetherion’s reinforcent knights had gathered. Among them was Margaret, issuing orders under special circumstances, having been placed in a leadership role by Franz himself.
"I’ve invited her to dinner," Vanitas said. "You can have your chance then."
"Fair enough."
As their conversation carried on, both of them paused at the sa ti.
A group of n was approaching from the far end of the encampnt. At their head walked a tall figure draped in a white uniform. His presence alone was enough to draw the attention of nearby officers.
Admiral Julius Schneider.
The de facto ruler of Zyphran. The man who commanded its fleets and, by extension, the fate of its seas.
Julius ca to a stop before Franz and extended a hand/
"Your Majesty," he said. "I am Julius Schneider. I apologize for the circumstances under which we finally et."
Franz accepted the handshake.
"No apology is needed," Franz replied. "If anything, I should be the one thanking you, Admiral, for holding the line."
Julius gave a short nod. "It is our duty. Though I would be lying if I said the situation has not escalated beyond expectations."
His gaze turned to Vanitas.
"And you must be Vanitas Astrea."
Vanitas t his eyes. "A pleasure to et you, Admiral."
He accepted the hand that had been offered.
"I’ve heard a lot about you, Vanitas Astrea."
"They were probably anything but pleasant."
Julius let out a chuckle.
"Most n keep skeletons in their closets, don’t they?"
Vanitas did not deny it. He released the handshake and slipped his hands back into his pockets. Instead, his eyes moved toward the man standing just behind Julius.
"Ah," Julius said. "I nearly forgot. This is Vice-Admiral Roman Neuschwan. He’s been wanting to et you for a while now."
"Is that so?"
"Yes." Roman Neuschwan nodded and stepped forward, extending his hand. "I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Vanitas Astrea. More specifically, about how you took care of my niece, Karina, during her ti in Aetherion. She’s spoken often about how much she learned under you."
Vanitas accepted the handshake.
Roman’s grip tightened almost imdiately.
A clear warning.
Vanitas didn’t even react, eting Roman’s gaze evenly.
"As her superior, it was my responsibility," Vanitas said. "And I agree. I learned a great deal from Karina as well."
For a mont, neither man let go.
Roman’s eyes narrowed slightly. Then, at last, he released his grip and took a step back.
Julius cleared his throat, breaking the tension.
"If we’re done asuring grips," he said, "we have more pressing matters."
Franz glanced toward the sea.
"Yes," he continued. "We’ve been briefed on the situation. But I have to ask. What exactly are we dealing with out there?"
Julius exhaled through his nose before answering.
"As always, leyline instability," he said. "With the Archmage missing in action, leylines all over the world have begun to spiral out of control."
Reportedly, ever since the incident in the Theocracy, the Archmage had been reported ’missing in action’. Vanitas kept his expression even, turning his gaze on the dark tide stretching across the ocean.
Julius continued.
"Just a week ago, Vice-Admiral Iridelle Vermillion departed with one hundred n."
He paused.
"Care to guess how many ca back?"
"Half?" Vanitas asked.
"Twenty," Julius replied. "It’s the worst loss record of her entire career since joining the Bundesritter."
Franz frowned.
"These truly are trying tis."
"Indeed."
* * *
"Are you sure you want to have dinner with us?" Vanitas asked, seated on the edge of the bed behind her. "This would be a good chance for the Illenia Knights to bond with the others."
"It’s fine," she said, already fastening her ornants and earrings in front of the mirror. "The Illenia Knights have nothing to prove. Still, it’s strange. Now that everyone knows I’m engaged to you, they all look at like they’re afraid."
She t his eyes through the mirror.
"Do they really think you’ll glance their way and kill them if I’m ever disrespected?"
Vanitas tilted his head slightly. "Should I?"
"Gosh, no." She let out a short laugh. "Don’t waste your ti on them, Vanitas. They’re not worth it."
Margaret found the change unsettling in its own way. In the past, her authority had always been questioned simply because she was a woman.
Now the balance had shifted entirely.
Knights who once looked down on her could barely et her gaze. Superiors who had bullied her spoke carefully around her.
"Could you help put this on?" she asked, lifting the necklace in her hands.
"Of course."
Vanitas rose from the bed and moved behind her. Margaret brushed her hair aside, exposing the pale line of her neck.
"There," he said.
Margaret glanced at her reflection. The necklace settled neatly against her collarbone with a single diamond at its center.
"How do I look?" she asked.
Standing just behind her, Vanitas looked at her through the mirror. The white dress suited her perfectly. Her hair had been carefully arranged by the servants Franz had brought along.
"Beautiful."
Margaret turned toward him and reached up, straightening his collar.
"Well, you look quite handso yourself as well."
When she was done, she leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss against his cheek.
"Not there."
"Hm?"
Vanitas stepped closer and kissed her properly. Margaret smiled when their lips parted.
"Shall we?" she asked.
Vanitas offered his arm, and together, they stepped out of the hotel room.
Below was the banquet prepared by Zyphran officials, arranged to receive Aetherion’s Emperor himself. Long tables symtrically lined the room, draped in colors that reflected Zyphran.
The atmosphere was formal. Every glance remained just a mont longer than necessary when Franz Barielle Aetherion was ntioned, and even longer when Vanitas Astrea entered the hall at his side.
Seeing the table assigned to them, with Margaret’s arm in his, Vanitas walked toward it at once.
As they passed, conversations faded to a backdrop, then fell silent altogether. Eyes followed them.
Vanitas ignored every glance. He guided Margaret to her seat first, pulling the chair back for her before taking his own.
Across from them was Admiral Julius Schneider, seated next to a woman, who seed to be his wife.
The rest of the seats remained empty.
It was clear they had arrived early, or rather, been seated early.
"If you’re looking for the Emperor, he’s over there greeting officials," Julius said, gesturing with his chin.
Vanitas followed the direction of his gaze. At the far end of the hall, Franz was surrounded by nobles and officers.
"I see."
"Since we have the ti," he said, "allow to be a proper host."
He placed a hand over his chest in a restrained bow.
"Julius Schneider. Admiral of the Bundesritter Navy."
Margaret inclined her head in return. "I am the Marquess’s fiancée, Margaret Illenia. It’s a pleasure."
Julius nodded, then gestured to the woman beside him. "This is my wife."
She offered a polite smile. "Frieda Schneider. I’ve heard quite a lot about the Marquess and Miss Illenia."
" too?" Margaret asked, pointing at herself.
Julius laughed and nodded. "Yes. My wife studied last year’s Red Moon incident rather closely. It would be safe to say she has beco quite a fan of Vanitas Astrea’s research."
"Oh?" Vanitas raised a brow.
"Yes." Frieda inclined her head toward him. "I am a professor at the Cerulean Magic Tower, though nowhere near your level, Sir."
Her gaze then turned to Margaret.
"And Miss Illenia, the Dullahan subjugation was fascinating. I have never seen a thod like that employed before."
"Ah..."
Margaret’s eyes turned toward Vanitas for a mont as mories from a year ago surfaced. The Dullahan. In truth, she had not been the one to deliver the killing blow, but it was all Vanitas.
Yet, as always, he had pushed the credit onto her and her knights.
Vanitas t her glance briefly.
"Well," he said, "results are what people rember."
Frieda smiled. "Still, it left a strong impression. Because of you, Sir, casualties during the Blood Moon this year were the lowest ever in recorded history."
There seed to be so sort of expectations here. If they believed that the sa brilliance could simply be transferred to the sea, Vanitas had no intention of indulging that notion.
Truthfully, his understanding of the ocean extended little beyond anomalies and abstract theory. Naval operations were an entirely different skillset. It was not a field he could afford to gamble in.
Just as the atmosphere was beginning to liven, an empty seat was suddenly occupied.
Vanitas glanced over and nearly frowned. Margaret, on the other hand, kept her expression perfectly composed.
"Ah, my apologies for being late," Roman said. "Unfortunately, my wife couldn’t make it today. Since we were allowed to invite one person each, I thought I’d bring my niece along."
Standing beside him was Karina.
Her eyes locked onto Vanitas at once. She did not spare Margaret even a glance. Only after that did she turn toward the Admiral across the table and offer a polite smile.
"I am Major Karina Maeril, sir. It’s a pleasure to et you."
* * *
Vanitas let out a quiet breath as he stepped away from the table and moved toward the drinks. Spending that long in the sa space as Karina had been suffocating. He needed distance, even if only for a mont.
Just as he reached out, soone tapped his shoulder.
He turned and t her eyes.
"Didn’t expect you to co."
"Vice-Admiral Vermillion."
"Yes." Iridelle frowned. "So where’s the Archmage?"
It had been a question gnawing at her ever since that day. And only Vanitas knew the answer.
"She won’t be making any appearances anyti soon."
Iridelle’s brow twitched. "Why? What did you do, you bastard?"
"Secured my insurance."
"...What?"
"Only I know where the Archmage is," Vanitas said. "Do you understand what that ans, Iridelle?"
"...."
Her fists clenched. Her glare sharpened as she understood the implications. That ant neither she nor Hughes Bolton could touch him.
But still...
"What makes you think I can’t rip it out of your mouth right now?"
"You’re welco to try."
Vanitas t her glare with cold eyes.
"And if you so much as lay a finger on my fiancée," he continued, "I’ll personally make sure the flas spreading from Aetherion don’t stop at Zyphran’s borders."
Iridelle scoffed. "You overestimate yourself. You’re ten years too young to threaten so openly, boy."
Vanitas took a slow sip of his drink before replying.
"You really want to do this here?"
Iridelle glanced around the hall. Officers were everywhere. Knights. Mages. Guests pretending not to listen. She weighed the distance, the ti it would take to chant, and the man standing before her.
If Vanitas wanted to, he could slaughter everyone in the room before she finished a single spell.
"Tsk."
She clicked her tongue and looked back at him.
"That’s right," Vanitas said. "Bare your claws sowhere else. I’m not your enemy."
"I can’t believe Friedrich trusted a snake like you."
She turned away, leaving him with his glass.
Vanitas watched her walk back into the crowd.
"And that’s his mistake."
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