“It is now a better and more efficient system as we had a hundred of years to improve and reform it. Back then, the old economic system had many loop holes and almost no restrictions allowing those in power abused to such an extends that it caused a major economic crisis that almost lead to a huge revolt. Even so, we of the markets association believe that given a second chance, we can return to the old system and make various policies and regulations to make sure history would not repeat itself-”

The old man on the stage, who exudes charisma and charm, eloquently expressed his argument with carefully worded speech laced with a certain type of sophistication. The man’s mannerism was calculated giving a supposed aura of honesty to many but not those who is discerning enough.

Amongst the crowd of people, Rino and I sat, listening to the argument of the representative of the Markets Association.

The old man is a classic example of suave businessman as far as I’m concern. It’s no wonder why the markets association would chose him to represent them and the backers behind the association.

After some more flowery speech, he ended his argument with a subtle plea for the masses to reconsider that the many benefits of the reformed system would outweigh all the cons.

There was a sizable amount of clapping after he ended his argument and left the stage. Now it was the Palace representative turned to give out his argument. It was someone Rino and I were familiar of. Decked in a feathered official robe, Ghaez got up to the stage and then began his argument.

--

We both left along with the crowd. Arguably, the result of the debate was sort of a draw. Both sides had their point but for me personally, I preferred Ghaez blunt and straight-to-the-point argument. The summary that I could make for Ghaez’s argument was that even if the old system had improved immensely, most of the citizens are still content with the current system. Change is inevitable but as of now, there’s no urgency or a need to change.

“So did you enjoy the debate?”

Rino who was walking side by side with me, was in a rare situation of having a deep thought.

“I did. Listening to both sides of the arguments, they have their points but I feel like the markets association had little understanding on how the society will actual react to drastic change.”

I nodded and chuckled slightly.

“What? Do you also perceive me as somehow unable to comprehend the complex points?”

Vefal glared at me with a pout.

“Oh no, it’s just that I’m surprised you can enjoy nearly an hour of speeches about Currency.”

“Well, it was compelling. It’s true that I appeared boorish and uncultured but I fully understand them. Do you think I didn’t receive any education when I was chosen as a Royal Guard? You know how I am…”

“Yes, I do. You like things to be simple. You live by the motto of ‘Everything can be reduced to simplicity if you change your perspective’ right? Anyway where are we heading to now?”

Hearing me interrupted her before she launches into a rant, I picked the words she told me during the assignment and she lapsed into a satisfied smile.

“Let’s go to the Garden. We should enjoyed some peace and serenity after listening to such bickering’s.”

We walked along the street again until… we met with particular individuals.

“Ruigne!!”

Three figures stood in front of us and two of them exclaimed my name excitedly. Two of them were males and one of them was a female Wolven. If there is one thing that all three of them shared, it was that they all were wearing dresses.

……

What the fuck?

“August, Stryklos and Miss Fralein, it’s good to see you all here?”

“Nice to see you too, Sir Ruigne and Madam Katarinova.”

Fralein curtsied perfectly while August and Stryklos stood there with their dresses, like it was perfectly normal.

“Why are you two wearing dresses?”

Rino bluntly asked without reservation. Well, that’s good since I also am strongly curious about this.

“Dresses?! I’m insulted, bewildered and very irate! These aren’t dresses! They’re traditional clothing called ‘Wariya’ wore in the South of Valvakea. For every assignment, I would proudly sampled their culture and embrace their locality!”

Stryklos with an insulted looks, bombastically explained while flinging both of his arms, the reason why both of them were wearing dresses.

“It’s true, they may look like dresses but the people of Valvakea, male and females use these in their everyday life!”

-August follow up with Stryklos.

Well, technically it is true since the book that I had read about the Valvakea did mentioned their preference in wearing a dress-like piece of cloth, similar like a kilt but looking closely, I compared the dresses that they wore with the illustration of ‘Wariya’ in my head.

Nope, the difference in length and a significant design of making the front of ‘Wariya’ bifurcated in the middle just like a Scottish kilt but the dresses they wore was missing those.

They had worn real dresses for women.

No wonder passer-by’s were casting disbelief gazes at the two of them.

And the probable villain who tricked these two men into wearing them was keeping a poker face worthy of a professional gambler.

“So did you ask help from Fralein to look for these… Wariyas?”

“Yeah, she was once stationed on an outpost at Valvakea for almost half a year so she definitely knows how they looked like.”

August was beaming at her with a delightful face, conveying his full trust.

…

“Alright, well then, enjoy your day!”

-Was the only thing I can say for who am I to judge and besides, I am thoroughly amused by this.

We past them by and said our goodbyes. After some distance-

“Ruigne, will you also be wearing that?”

“Nope, if I were to have the need to wear a Wariya, it would be a genuine one, not one of those...”

Hearing me said that, Rino turned at me with a realization. In the end, she only gave a small chuckle.

--

A week had passed.

In that week, I had spent time with most of the summoned and some of the Natives that I am considered close with to a certain degree but what surprised me were that I discovered some shocking facts about my fellow summoned.

First, I found out that Kiefy had been visiting the red-light district. It was four days ago when he needed some help with finding something that only I could do. After I finished helping him, he casually asked if I like to follow him to that side.

I’m tempted but I’m deathly afraid of the consequences if Vefal and Rino found out.

Then again just because he did went inside, doesn’t mean he was engaged in some sexual vices. Huh, maybe I should ask him what he’s doing there next time.

The second was with Koizumi. Two day after I went out with Kiefy, I was approached by her, saying she has something to consult with me. We walked around time chatting about mundane topics but I saw from her expression that she had something to say but she was still unsure whether she should have confides to me but lastly she did.

Turns out there are a love triangle happening between her, Herkaloi and Ubermensch. To be exact, it’s like Herkaloi have a crush on her but she instead has a crush on Ubermensch and Ubermensch showed the signs of being denser than a diamond.

She already consulted with several of the summoned including Vefal but not Rino. I think she’s afraid of her?

Anyway, she decided to seek me because in her words, I’m already in a relationship so I must have some insight in the working of romance… right.

The only thing I could do was to give her two advices which was what Shakil had given me and just go with the flow as no one like forced development without a proper resolve, then follow up with Shakil’s advice when you have that resolve.

The others who she had consulted probably gave better advice than I did.

“Ruigne, you remember your parts?”

“Yes~, you forced me to repeat my lines for hundreds of time.”

I can’t help but roll my eyes. Since the time we started, all her reservation towards me was gone. Back then when I was helping with her research, she had restrained herself and kept a polite and reasonable front. Now, she’s like ‘do that a hundred times’ and ‘you need to sound more firm on that part’. I thought Tevalini was a perfectionist but this girl goes up eleven.

In the Tower of Judgement-quite an ominous name- We were in the waiting room with Ghiscra pacing back and forth in a gradual signs of meltdown. Well, at least Tevalini was right about how she can’t really handle this despite she insist otherwise.

“Oh no, I forget to breakdown the detail on how Eomancy Conversion contributed to the process of the Node! Ruigne, pen!! It’ll be for a while!!”

“Ghiscra, calm down, sit.”

I stopped her from pacing. She’s trembling really badly.

“But Ruigne, They need to know the internal working of how the system works! What if they voiced their complain that-”

“It’ll be alright. Remember, this review is only meant to know whether this invention will have enough overall benefits, so we need to convince them that it is. Besides, if they really want to know about everything how the invention works, they could ask for the copy of your technical procedures.”

Hearing me, she calmed down a bit and took a deep breath. After a minute of silence we both looked at the watch and noticed a dot had been filled. It’s time.

We walked out from the room, ready and all.

After we reached the hall where we will put our presentation, we were greeted by the guards and ushered in.

…

Looking at the audience hall below us, there were several familiar and unfamiliar figures. The latter looks like tough crowd.

Oh ye gods, Now I’m nervous.