I gape at her. To be fair, mentioning the Grimoires and the mental affinity was enough to guess this had something to do with the dreaded enforcers of the crown. However, I was expecting another advisory role. Perhaps a temporary position in mopping up any Grimoires unhappy with their sudden decline in position. Not a full-fledged membership into the shadowy order.

Why is this happening?

[You have the means to successfully carry out an interrogation and the proper mindset.]

Really? I have the proper mindset?

[Your answers were…within acceptable parameters.]

I am suddenly very concerned for this kingdom. Saints protect us all.

[Unlike the offer from the Hall, your answer is required with some expediency.]

As in…

[Now, preferably.]

Excuse me? They want me to decide whether or not I want to drastically change the direction of my life in a day? Well, sure! No. Absolutely not. How about that for an answer.

Miss Talia frowns. [In the event you refused, I was instructed to deliver a piece of news. In the coming weeks, the crown will be announcing a decree. It will ban the contracting of select elementals unless given a special writ by the crown. Anyone known to contract said elementals will be detained until they dismiss their contract.]

…

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Detained until their contract is dismissed? What nonsense is this? Summoners can’t ‘dismiss’ an elemental. Our mana is bound together! In a sense, we are one in the same. The only way to break that bound is through death.

[…the crown is aware.]

Oh, so they’re not idiots, they’re just cruel bastards. What, do they expect us to order our elementals to let themselves be slaughtered?

[…yes.]

Too bad! Do you know how rare it is for a summoner to have that level of control over their elemental!? Incredibly! Almost every sentient elemental makes sure they cannot be ordered to harm themselves and is given the right to self-defense and they will defend themselves. What then?

[An elemental is considered an extension of the summoner. They are responsible for the creature’s actions. Should an elemental attack an official of the crown in the process of carrying out their duties, then the summoner will have to bear the consequences.]

Which is imprisonment and death. Let me guess. Succubi are going to be one of these banned elementals.

[…yes.]

Ha. Hahaha.

These bastards.

I get it. I really do. The Grimoires have been a pain in everyone’s asses for a long time. Gordon Sr. muscled his way into the position of one of the king’s advisors and strutted around the kingdom as if he was untouchable. With him gone and the family weakened, the king wants to make sure they don’t make a comeback. Senior’s bloody end gives him the perfect excuse, allowing him to paint them all in an equally terrible light. If the fallout was contained to them, I might accept it, despite the hit to my own influence as Junior is practically my minion.

However, this won’t end with them. It hurts all summoners. Not just those with whatever other elementals they plan on restricting from this plane, but every summoner. It paints us as villains, besmirches the entire art. Damn it all, it’s happening again!

And to top it all off, the bastards are coming after me personally. Miss Talia was told to mention this to scare me into joining them. They are threatening me.

It takes a conscious effort to control myself and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Miss Talia grimaces, the clarity of expression speaking to how uncomfortable she feels. Beside her, Aurelius frowns, no doubt wondering about my sudden hostility. Lord Westerly appears to be nodding off, head bowed and body slumped but the reaper on his shoulders becomes active, undulating around him and flickering in and out of sight.

“My answer is no,” I say slowly and precisely, anger making my words clipped. And you can tell whoever is behind this horseshit that I look forward to seeing the hero who plans to detain me because I’m not giving up my elementals. I reject this ‘decree’ wholeheartedly and I suspect many other summoners will.

[I…] Her lips twist in distaste. [I have been trained to be an interrogator since I was a girl. I have always known I would serve the crown. But, I can see that eventually, perhaps soon, that path will lead us into conflict. That is undesirable. No, it is unacceptable.]

What do you want me to do about it? I won’t retreat and there is no room for compromise.

[The fault is not yours and my decision is my own.] She shakes her head, her expression relaxing. [We have an interview to finish. Would you like a moment to collect yourself?]

Hmph. It takes more than that to rattle me. What next? Will they be cracking down on ‘deviant’ behavior? Or perhaps they’d like to pass a decree banning ‘outsiders’ from our lovely human kingdom? Target more of my lifestyle.

Miss Talia pauses suspiciously. Oi, don’t tell me I’m right!?

[No, there are no more decrees you should be concerned about, to my knowledge. Continuing the interview. Do you have loyalties to any powers outside the kingdom?]

Loyalties? I’m married to an elf. That means I have elves for extended family. I don’t know them but I’d lend them aid on principle, doubly so if Kierra calls on me. Do you consider that loyalties outside the kingdom? If so, then yes.

[Would you be at all interested in a career in the army?]

Absolutely not. Career implies dedication and commitment to the army, the kingdom, and the king. I’ve got my own plans, thank you.

[Even if it came with several benefits? Such as a rise in rank, a larger territory, and even the role of advisor in the future?]

I can get all of those without dedicating my life to fighting for someone else.

[Even if the particular opportunity would afford you the writ needed to allow the ownership of your succubi?]

I twitch with the effort to hold back a scowl. Did you have to bring up that nonsense again? I was managing to delude myself into thinking it was a bad joke. If whoever is offering this ‘opportunity’ is trying to take advantage of that ridiculous decree, then they can shove their offer up their ass.

Bastards. Saints, just thinking about this makes me want kill someone. Talia, skip the rest of the questions and tell me this offer so I can reject it and end this farce!

She blinks. [The crown prince has extended an offer for you to apprentice under one of his personal knights for a period of three years. You will serve him directly in a series of planned campaigns for a period of three years, after which you will be knighted into the order of the Harvest Royal Knights.]

My legs bounce with the urge to jump off my seat. So, it’s not the king. Just his firstborn son and heir. I’m sure you know my answer.

[No, I take it?]

Correct.

“Thank you for your time, Lady Tome,” she says aloud, standing up. I’m quick to follow her, Aurelius a little behind, his gaze moving between the two of us with interest. “Tomorrow, the details pertaining to the final test will be posted on boards outside this building. Be sure to check it.”

“I’ll be sure to do so. Master Aurelius, Miss Talia.” I turn my attention to the drowsy summoner and shake my head. "If that’s all?”

“You’re free to go.”

I turn on my heel and stomp out of the room, practically fuming. Here I thought my acolyte years would be carefree. Instead, I find out that the crown is targeting summoners and I’m in their crosshairs. How far is this going to go? How far am I willing to go to stop it? Am I going to have to commit regicide to stop them from screwing over my family’s art once again? Or am I going to be forced to leave the country to avoid the hassle of being hunted?

Sigh. This is why I hate royals.