Steel and Mana

Lancelot turned out to be a perfectly normal baby. It really showed us that Arthur and Leyla were a bit special because this little fella was usually fast asleep after having his fill from either of his mother's breasts. Yep. Either. I don't know if it was normal or not, but all four of my wives began producing milk just the same. Was this... some kind of psychological thing? I don't know, but it surprised me and Luna the most.

It also excited the little impish twins because they now had ample chance to enjoy it once again instead of getting used to eating regular food. Heh, lucky bastards, because even as their Daddy, I still had to wait for my turn... Oh well, if the 'Gods' could hear me, they may think I am complaining, so I usually stop my thoughts then and there.

After we were done with the celebrations, I was finally returning to normalcy, which meant I was working on my previous ideas, overseeing the incoming reports, and ensuring every part of my little Empire was working as intended. This meant visiting the factories; I noted with happiness that production had already begun on the first train engine and on the mech that would be given to Mirian. With the expertise of our workers, they were doing it much faster than I expected... With a quick calculation of their speed, the barebone mech should be ready by summer, and they could start building a second one to complete it by winter. With the horde that came last time, I knew I needed a proper squad of at least five as soon as possible. I needed my Knights.

With their manufacturing at such speed, I turned my attention to the rail lines, knowing I could let them work without interfering. The very first pairs were effortlessly laid down, heading from the factory out to a lot that was being flattened and covered in concrete. It would be a massive, heavily guarded area where we would start storing our completed machinery. Of course, it was just the start because I have also scrutinized the mountainside since designing it.

While witnessing the power of the Judgement, I knew we needed emergency bunkers. So, when time and resources allow us, I want them to start drilling into the mountainside and create bunkers for not just us but for all my people. If we ever get into a pinch, we would have a place to retreat to, keeping us safe against the elements, man-made or magical. Anyway... for now, it would be nothing but a parking zone for our completed machines until they are taken away or put into service. My next stop after it was at our borders.

After the snow melted, our massive, artificial moat finally resembled two actual rivers before merging and joining into the original one, flowing downwards towards the capital. "Should I create a navy?" I involuntarily asked myself. Nah... Focus, Leon! Mechs? Trains? And you still need to start building your own machine... what about the airship plans? Fuck, sometimes I wish I could be a cool time-mage, stopping it and doing everything at once! Tsk.

Shaking my thoughts back into place and focusing, I returned home and began drawing up a bridge that would be used by our train alone, passing the border towards Lothlia. Because of our plans, I decided that our workers would build it in advance, let our little cockroaches reach it by themselves, and continue laying down the railway after crossing it. When they get deep enough, the trap will spring to life, and they will have nowhere to run.

With everything set into motion, by the end of the first month of spring, I often found myself back before my drawing board, doodling either on my personal mech or on our future airship. With the experience of the past winter, I was sure that I needed Mirian's beam weapons, and my best bet was the Scorc's magic formation. In my mind, I had already deconstructed and rebuilt it a hundred times, finally shrinking it down and making it more efficient by implementing Merlin's ideas into it. As for how well it will function, I am still trying to figure it out, but...

"Sovereign." Merlin's shy voice dragged me out of my thoughts as he entered, looking at me with an unsure expression. "Am I coming at the wrong time? I knocked, but..."

"Nah, it's fine; I'm alone; no others are below my desk."

"Hauh..."

"Ahahaha! I was thinking about magic. The girls are having a kids' day, hosting a puppet show in the theater." I explained with a grin, standing up to prove that I wasn't just teasing him. "What's up?"

"Ah, yes, I heard about that. Elena is with them and probably all the kids in the city. I am coming because of this!"

"A letter? From Duke Kustov?" I hummed, seeing the familiar seal on it. "You can summarize it for me."

"Our duke was made to be the new head of the Silver Region."

"Woah!" I flinched while taking it from his hand, "That's... damn logical! Good! Mirian knows how to deal with problems, huh? So what, did Milan become the new head of the House of Kustov? Is that the gist of it?"

"Exactly. And he is now Emperor."

"Does that make you some kind of... extra royalty? You were an emperor once, too..."

"Please don't tease me, Leon!" He moaned, dropping his shoulders, making me laugh and pour some tea for ourselves.

"Elena?"

"Um... She has been... touchy. Increasingly so! When we go to bed, she always hugs me and... rubs against me..."

"Merlin." I stopped him, looking into his eyes, "Grow a pair."

"Of what?"

"Balls, my man!" I grunted, feeling frustrated in Elena's place. Damn girl, you have such a patient with this blockhead!

"B-b-but!" He tried to say something, but I didn't let him.

"Merlin... Is the controlling tattoo ready? For the mechs?"

"Ah, um, almost! Yes, it's, I finished it, but–"

"What about the Empress's mech? The modified core formation with the failsafe?"

"That–"

"Merlin..." I shrugged, holding his shoulders while looking deeply into his eyes. "Your mind is chaotic nowadays. I don't mind, but this is getting out of hand. I know the tattoos are done and dusted; we discussed this before. But you seemingly forgot it... You have already given me your first versions of the modified core, too!"

"I... did?"

"See? Okay, you got one week!"

"For what?!"

"I am sending you on a week of leave, kiddo! Don't you dare come to work, got it?"

"B-b-b-b-b-b-u-b-b-u-!" I thought for a moment that I managed to break him because not even a three-letter word could leave his mouth.

"You can come back when you are no longer a virgin. Now, go! Go home, seal your fate with Elena, and make that girl happy! Believe me... after your pent-up hormones empty out, your mind will feel light as a feather. It will be freed."

I didn't let him speak a word again, pushing him out, sending him back home with Oleg, and telling him not to let Merlin back into the palace—not until he looked relieved.

...
....

......

Down South, Nuen Roblesia IX, the Queen of her kingdom, was hosting a lavish banquet for the same reason her western neighbors, the Sar Empire, were patrolling their borders with increased fervor. The Empress of Ishillia, Mirian, had come to visit, and she brought along her young husband, the newly crowned Emperor, Milan Kustov. Even though everyone knew that he was simply wearing the title, as others wore fancy headdresses, nobody dared to give a side-eye when interacting with him.

Mirian's visit was not a surprise, as it had been widely announced and prepared for in advance. Going by her remarks, she was trying to build a connection with their neighbors, opening a new chapter in Ishillian history. Of course, few believed her. She was an Ishillian, after all, and that bloodthirsty Empire had conquered more territory than any other entity in this world for the past two thousand years.

Yet, Nuen accepted their letter and welcomed them in, unlike the Sar and Geth Empire, who refused to entertain Mirian's diplomatic efforts. Even though it was already considered a massive gesture, she tried opening a conversation in the first place. Was it a trap? That was what everyone was thinking about, but nobody had any answers for it. Still, why would it be? Not even an Ishillian was crazy enough to visit another's home to blow it up.

"I really enjoy your people's artistic gifts. Your buildings have a flair that... pleases the eye. Or at least, my eye." Mirian exhaled, walking with Nuen Roblesia, strolling through the streets of Zartha, the capital city of Roblesia. For this occasion, their route was predetermined, and every five meters, guards were watching over them while the houses on both sides were emptied out, more soldiers stationed within. Not even a fly was permitted to get close to the two rulers...

"I was surprised when you asked me to show you around in your letter. I thought it was a figure of speech at first."

"No." Mirian answered, shaking her head, "I like experiencing life; I attended our Academy too, even though I am of Ishillian descent, and they can teach me nothing. It is where I met my husband, so I think it is important to see the world and give life a chance to show you something you would miss otherwise."

"You sound wiser than your age suggests, Young Empress." Nuen chuckled, making Mirian smile as true enough; she was half of her age. "I heard your reforms; they are making the rounds amongst my nobles."

"They probably call me mad and fear that others get the same idea. Especially now that you are meeting with me."

"Then they are not fit to be my nobles if they lose faith in me so easily."

"That is true." Mirian answered in a mutter, stopping and looking at the massive temple before them dedicated to Goddess Elyse. "As I said, I like your country's architecture. It feels powerful, just as the Goddess you worship."

"This city was burned down once and then rebuilt..." Nuen began explaining after a pause, looking at Mirina, who couldn't help but smile.

"I know. It was us who razed it to the ground. But that was more than a millennia ago."

"True." She smiled back at her guest, "And it gave birth to this style you complimented twice already. Goth Roblesia I spent his time after ascending the throne to rebuild our country, devoting its existence to the teachings behind the Goddess of Power so we would never suffer such a fate again. Since then, we call it... The Gothic Architecture."

"Marvelous. Even its name is mighty. But I get it... sometimes, the forest needs to be burned down to have a chance at growing again."

Hearing Mirian say it made Nuen's eyes twitch. She was an experienced ruler and was taught to read between the lines from a young age. She wasn't blind to the fact that undercurrents were gathering in Ishillia, especially because Mirian kept announcing law after law, whittling down the power of nobles, reaching into their coffers, and using their wealth to raise its ordinary people up. Only the uneducated would remain blind to the fact that if this kept happening, there was a chance for a rebellion. Yet right now... She was feeling as if Mirian was doing it precisely for that reason.

"Fires can be destructive and could spread far." Nuen started speaking first as they began walking again.

"Especially when arsonists are standing by, holding fire spells in their hands. I know. But, if there are friends who would help when that happens..."

"Fighting off the arsonists?"

"No." Mirian chuckled, making Nuen lean a bit closer, even more interested now, "They can dance and throw their party tricks around as much as they want. But when their people go out to party, they leave their homes unlocked, especially when they are as excited as our arsonists... It would be a shame if their house also caught on fire."

"Yes... that would be an issue." She nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear, thinking fast and quickly while listening to Mirian, who was genuinely admiring the city's architecture.

"I don't expect my friends to rush into the fire for me. I just hope they don't throw more wood into it and hold me back from putting it out."

"As long as it doesn't spread, I don't think a good neighbor would do something like that. Decorum even dictates to help them put out the fire..."

"That," Mirian chuckled, looking into Nuen's eyes, "Is up to the neighbors if they want to risk it."