Quest 2, Part 17: [What agreement?]

The sound of hundred women orchestra playing in unison makes an astonishing sight on the side of the seemingly endless sized Mirror Hall. The optical illusion the walls provide really is breathtaking in all senses. On one side, the youth are dancing or feasting on cousine unknown to the world, while on the other the adults pretend to have intelligent discussion.

But all these have no meaning because only the great metal round table of exquisite decoration and the ten participants sitting around it are important this day.

Nine leaders of countries and a small, child-looking, elf girl, Neth. This, of course creates some confusion, but the evening passes by as important word dares to leave none of their mouth, sweating they enjoy the unbelievable experience. This, until the host herself brings up the subject.

“So, I believe we should start discussing about the… issue we gathered you here. Do you agree?” As expected, the only responds are quiet nods unbefitting their position.

“Then let me start. The one of the main topic of today is the announcement of the change of the governing body and fundamental workings of our country” Gasps and confusion, these words are the closest to describe what is happening. After a few seconds one representative raises a question.

“What does that have to do with the war?”

These countries should have nothing to with it, and the only reason such an evening is held is because of a loss, isn’t it? They should be discussing about reparations and annexation right? Wrong.

“I believe you misunderstood us. “ she snorts. ” This evening has little to do with the war. “an uninterested sigh leaves her mouth, before slowly continuing” but I suppose it’s easier to clarify that too, since you are all here.”

“I will say simply. As every large change in our country affects the world greatly, it is our duty to help you prepare for that. You will be given a detailed book of our new laws when you leave.

As you know, currently all land end everything on it belongs to the [Princess] appointed by the guild [Ancients’ Aurora], who in exchange of abiding her rules guarantees your freedom and safety. This has not changed, but from now on we edict a new, never before seen approach, based on voting by the citizens. This way it’s easier and quicker to make smaller changes for the government while keeping up with public opinion.”

This may sound like the well known constitutional monarchy from the real world, but in reality it’s far from it. The reason for this, in the same time the country supported by it’s citizens is capable of sustaining itself, but the Princess still holds absolute power over them if she decides so. This results in that one of them is unneeded at all times and no country would accept such an ideology. Normally.

However, the country is not owned by the Princess but the guild. The [Player Guild] I own. Even if I’m not here, as long as the citizens believe in us and we hold unquestionable military might, no one can change that. It is also the guilds responsibility to stop corruption from spreading, which is why I had us trained spies. Revolt? Fascism or communism? I will destroy all filth before they poison what I gave birth to. Giving people too much freedom and they ruin themselves. If they don’t like it, they are free to leave. I’m sure any feudal country will gladly receive new slaves.

Even if I am not in this world anymore, the country will flourish and stay strong under my shadow of protection for a very long time.

While there will be, after everything is prepared of course a voting based parliament, they will hold no actual power. Their purpose will be to do all the annoying paperwork and patching up small loopholes in the law that will happen as society evolves and this world’s magical industrial revolution begins.

The closest thing I can refer this to history is when the first industrial revolution reached west europe. The old means couldn’t cope with all the new events and half feudal countries appeared. Nobles who did not prepare lost their land and money and became beggars. The clever few bought their lands and hired their old peasants as labour, simply turning into entrepreneurs. Their tiles became useless and the king held but one single power, to veto.

What I am creating here is just a disfigured and grotesk version of every knowledge I have about history patched together as I see it to the best.

It sure is hard to explain this to uncivilized apes, poor Neth. These people never seen or heard anything modern and complex in their lives. This only takes hours for her to get across.

“About the other matter at hand.” she continues to the next topic without any discussion.

“I announce by the name of Princess Aurora, that from the 406th year of the Second Founding, 5th moon, first night, the Aurora Academy will open it’s gates. Everything is prepared and we are ready to accept students.

In the first year, we will start a Basic course that is free for all who in this year becomes ten or is older. There is no maximum age limit, it is free for everyone and we provide basic necessities. After every year they will have to pass a test. If they fail they may repeat the year but has to pay from then on.

To provide a drive, those who score above a certain line may receive scholarship. In addition, three who score the highest on graduation, are granted an audience to the princess herself and may make a wish.

There will be a Noble course which includes all the necessary extra training in etiquette, politics and philosophy. We provide no support for this course, for obvious reasons.

On both courses students may pick up extra classes on medicine, weapon training, magic training or other courses on demand.

Huh, that was long, I think I said it all, remind me if I forgot something.”

It’s alright.

But she makes a small remark right after.

“Right, I almost forgot. About the war, we wish to annex the northwest of us, both sides of the gulf and thirty kilometers to outside of the mountain range. We will not stop until our demands are met. I think this is letting you off easily, but this was determined by the Princess.

Any questions?” With a gentle smile she asks, while an attendant hands out a few papers.

Her actions raise commotion instantly. Her declaration sounded more like a comment on her breakfast instead of a serious discussion about the most important cause of their existence. Some like animals not minding their presence simply agape or shout incomprehensible things. These are just the smaller nation who joined for easy gains, but they are in my home nevertheless. Let them taste their own sour saliva.

Neth slowly swings with her arm and they find themselves unable to speak.

“As I said, this event is not about the war. If you continue to disturb the ball I’ll ban you and your descendants from entering this ever city again.” She looks around the audience who are enjoying the evening and know almost nothing of the state of the conference with her beautiful gem-like red eyes.

“If it were me…” Threatening them clearly they all quiet down. All I see is unreadable faces or panic, but there is no way they are not raging inside, fighting their stirred up emotions.

“You spoke of many things, but do you even have the authority? Why is your Princess not here?” A single man raises this question that no person wanted to be the one to ask until now.

“She has more important things to take care of and left this [small matter] to me. Everything I say is to be taken as if it’s said by the Princess.”

It’s strange, shocking, unbelievable. What leader would leave such important thing to others like they are unimportant? This probably confuses them even more. Am I hiding because of fear, or I planned a secret backstabbing attack? How can I still resist, they probably think.

She stands up, looking in their eyes one by one.

“That is all for today. As this is the last day, I expect you to leave in the evening. The playtime is over. Those who stay here are considered unconditionally surrendered. From midnight your protection is over and our our main attack will begin. Bevare, we will destroy everything that stands in our path to our new borders.”

With a sweet smile she turns away and starts to walk, before stopping again.

“Oh, how forgetful I am. Our whole conference is being-, I mean was magic-broadcasted to all cities over the population of 5’000 on the whole continent. Very loudly. I expect that in a few hours almost every single intelligent being will know of this.”

Giving the last punch in she laughs as with her tiny legs she slowly strolls and joins the innocent chindrens' dance.