A cacophony of chatter filled the congress hall. Tall rows of benches hugged the circular design of the dome room that countless people found themselves within. Each bench surrounded a counter in the middle, showing the speaker for each estate, guild, and collection of Sirns and Sirnas who were comparable to royalty but below the king and queen.

Logan was seated with the Eventas, with two guards and an attendant that fetched food and drink when asked. Their counter was neat, with a stack of parchment and books ready to present when the time came.

The room went deathly silent as a door towards the largest counter opened, stepping through it was the imposing presence of a king.

At 6’5”, the king stood over most that were in the room. Brushed-back black hair and a full beard showed the man was still full of life, even when he was in his late 50s. Blue piercing eyes looked over a few closest to him. Moving the coattails at his back, the king sat on a large throne, waving a hand to motion everyone to be at ease. The king was wearing a mix of gold and blue hues, accompanied by white and grey. His raiment was cleaner than anything.

Yadiel Travets, the king, was accompanied by his wife, Aeverie Travets, who stood at 6’ and had long flowing blonde hair. She shared the blue eyes of the king and sat on a throne the same size as his. As was the custom, the monarchy could be either male or female-led, but Gauntlet was currently in a partnered leadership, with both the king and queen holding similar powers.

At their behind were three smaller thrones that were sat upon by the eldest son, Yasere, at 30 years of age his hair had started to grey already. Garbed in metallic armour, though with formal tabards and leather sections, the man seemingly took pride in his classed status. His blue eyes scanned the room authoritatively. His 6’ stature wasn’t dwarfed by his family.

The youngest son, Yaltosk, was a young 23 years old. His black hair was long and wrapped in a braided ponytail. An almost identical beard adorned his face, if a bit shorter than his father’s. He was dressed in a lordly raiment as well, though had depictions of stone spikes and pillars. Logan could tell he was magically inclined, it was strange how the populace viewed mages when a part of the monarchy was one. His yellow eyes passed between a few faces but settled in the middle of the chamber. At 5’11” he was the shortest of the family.

The last was their only daughter, Aldith, at 18 years old. She had her blonde hair free to the winds, not that there was any in the hall. Dangling down onto her lordly raiment, Logan could tell she was not of the magic vocation. Most likely a Rogue or Fighter. Her yellow eyes shone against her hair. Standing, she was 6’1”.

Logan had heard ahead of time that the monarchy always sat within the congress meetings, but it was still comforting to see it in action. They were no figureheads.

The rest of the people sat down with simmered voices between them to discuss matters here or there. A man at the counter in front and below the monarchy tapped a gavel, alerting everyone that an address was to be made.

“Welcome all to this congress meeting. There are many topics to discuss at hand, we estimate this session will last five days, if any topics brought up would extend that, we will announce at the end of said meeting.”

A smattering of whispers was shared, the addresser allowing them to finish naturally before continuing. Logan picked out the word “festival” amongst the chatter.

“For the first half of today, we shall discuss the recent events of the goblin invasions and that of the near-future Ice King and his revival.”

The man continued for about a half hour, detailing how many goblins had attacked, their locations, times of day, and more. It was extensive, but they had quite a long period to research it all to this point. Some points, such as there being a hero goblin, caused audible gasps across the hall.

When it came to the Ice King, it was foreseen that he would rise within forty-seven days. Details about how it would occur were discussed as well as potentially not occurring at all, with Logan’s interference changing the foresight.

“With these two events so close together, we shall be testing the Demonturtle Shell barrier twenty days from now”, the addresser announced as a few attendants moved parchment between the counters.

The Demonturtle Shell was named after the monster, the Demonturtle, as it was created through its components. It was over fifty miles wide, covering the entirety of the Gauntlet capital in a spherical protective barrier. Cuts in the earth from the moat to the ocean meant it protected against underground, underwater, and overhead threats as well as ground-level ones.

“With the magi who operate this not available at the time of the invasion, and ready too long thereafter, we have since hired new magi to man this construction 24/7. With the aid of Raid Master Cassius, we have also stocked the supplies needed to fuel the barrier.”

A few more words were spent explaining the barrier, its functions, as well as the times it would be tested.

“To this point, we put forward our first topic. Shall we have the barrier active at all times?”

The hall filled with voices once again, this time as loud as when Logan had entered. Even the monarchy spoke amongst themselves over this first ruling.

One woman from a counter asked aloud, “What are the costs of doing such?”

“Refer to the third parchment we have handed out to find the costs of the Demonturtle Shell. Active bombardments will increase this based on damages, but an attack such as the goblin invasion would make it tenfold dearer.”

“What of travellers?” A younger man asked.

The addresser looked at the younger man for a moment, obviously annoyed at the seemingly obvious question, “As has been the case in the past, the Demonturtle Shell barrier will allow human, gashriek, saeber, diglaeta, and demon-blooded of each in without issue.”

A few of the older members of Congress chuckled at the reply, it was surely something known to most.

Questions popped up here or there, debating the costs, timelines, noise, sight, and other common factors that would come with the barrier being enabled all the time. There were also concerns about the components needed to keep it active, which would require more raids to be undertaken by adventurers to supply said need.

With over nine thousand within the guard, the barrier would free up some of their positions on the walls, but many would still work within the walls and quell monsters approaching. The cost of the barrier would also move around taxes to account for its operation.

Questions and discussions went on for a few hours before the voting process began. Eventa voted for it, as did the monarchy. With five members present, the monarchy had a combined vote weight of seventeen, four for the king and the queen, with three each for the offspring.

In the end, the vote was 67% in favour, passing it with a majority. A reconvene would be held next year to decide if it would be active for another. If they felt strongly about it, the king and queen could overrule if needed anyway, but as far as Logan heard this rarely happened.

“Now, onto the next topic. Road construction…”

3 days later.

“The next topic at hand is put forth by Noble Eventa. The abolishment of the duelling laws.”

This perked up the halls incredibly, chatter lasting several minutes with laughter permeating at times before the addresser called that to a halt.

Armin stood as he began to make his case, “My topic today, as stated, is the complete removal of all duelling laws currently in place. Duels will become an illegal activity, though matches may still be allowed as long as both sides are amicable and accepting. If you will look over the parchment being handed out”, he stopped for a minute as it was, “you’ll see a list of misdeeds undertaken from the duelling system.”

Armin laid out the different parts of his points before being asked a question by a woman higher up on the counters, “With the passing of the barrier law, this will also hinder the economy of the kingdom. Do you have a counter to that?”

Clearing his throat, Armin replied, “Yes. I have ledgers detailing the costs of guard interference, hunter contracts, and loss of items due to inappropriate duels. With the recent expunging of the under markets and spell ring factories, we have brought in enough coin to pay out bonuses to the guard to lessen the burden this would place on them, with the removal of oversight fees for duels.”

“What of the honourable duels amongst the nobles and royals?” Another man asked.

“I am saddened to witness first-hand and have second-hand knowledge of, several cases where the ‘honour’ held by duels has dwindled to nothingness. Refer to the second sheet for occurrences where noble houses have had their members accosted by adventurers for duels ending in service and then capture, and even old members of the MT who have done the same. Nobles are not protected, neither are—”

“What!?” A woman shouted from afar, “Nestral was forced into his service?”

A noble who had gone missing and was found a few days earlier by other hunters.

“Yes. After his retrieval by the guild, Twain Dagger, it was revealed it began with underhanded duel enforcement.”

A short man in a light-red robe added, “The Magi’s Tower association corroborates the claim of MT mishandling due to duels. Several magi have been taken under the false pretence of duels for service.”

Jirango then stood, “Gerro Guardhouse corroborates this too. Many of our parrots have undergone truth magic to reveal their sly tactics of abusing duels. The money spent on jailing abusers or saving the abused is quite high, I assure you.”

Prevesna stood after Jirango returned to his seat, “The Lightbeam guild also accepts this. Classed-End, the northern quarter of Gauntlet, suffers many duels forced upon weaker opponents to bully items or free work out of the victim.”

“Would imposing heavier rules and oversight not erase these issues?” A mercantile-looking man asked.

As was expected, there were many questions and pushbacks from the hall on this matter. Many still felt that as such an old law, that duels were an institution of Avanar. While others agreed that the law was archaic and oftentimes barbaric.

Like many of the other topics, the monarchy mostly listened, letting others ask the questions before they decided to ask. Logan could see that the offspring were quite focused on the discussion though. Yaltosk especially whispered to his parents over some of the questions.

Hours went by without a consensus being reached, too many questions and discussions for such an old law. As such the recess was called for the next day, if there was no conclusion within the first two hours a vote would be forced.

People exited the congress hall in droves, Logan sighed at all the stuffy talk of all other matters but was content that he could listen in on so many affairs. It clued him into other parts of this world and into how people in higher positions dealt with it.

Armin Eventa rubbed his face as if to remove hours-old dust from it, though some of the annoyance was most likely from the events keeping him up at night. Logan could sympathise with the lamenting over how it would all go.

If it weren’t for Logan’s status as a classed being, combined with Regeneration, he would have felt aches across his body for sitting and standing still for so long. He hadn’t used his empowered Identification either, so the creases beneath his eyes had yet to return.

Before entering the carriage to leave, the group was approached by the familiar face of Xican.

With his hood down, the mage’s black hair flowed slightly in its swept-back manner, “Good to see you again, Logan.”

“Hello, Investigator Xican.”

“Please, I am not on those duties right now. Xican is fine. I was surprised at your counter’s topic today.”

“As were many others. I saw you amongst the others from the MT.”

“We are a mainstay in Congress. Magi are oft called upon for magical aid. The Demonturle Shell being one of them”, Xican replied with a chuckle.

“I take it your association will be paid on the regular for its operation then?”

“Yes. Maintenance is regular for the barrier, plus shift changings of magi to operate it.”

“Did the MT compile all that info surrounding the invasion? Did my report give you much to go on?”

“That we did. Our seers were the ones consulted on the Ice King’s revival too. Both were curious events indeed”, Xican replied as he looked around, “Tis a shame. Such disastrous turns. We are due an Oracle anytime now to balance out these events”, he continued as he looked back at Logan.

Logan smiled, hiding the fear inside, “Don’t we all pray for that? But when’s the last time we’ve had one?”

“That we do. Either way, I am glad you’ve kept your nose clean when compared to your work at the Frost Monarch’s cavern.”

“Feels like a loose leash right now. Just comes down to a disallowance of making a guild”, Logan announced as he loosened his collar a bit around his neck.

“Oh? Plan to make one instead of joining the MT, do you?”

“A looser leash fits me better.”

“Quite. I am sure you’ve continued to hear horror stories, what with Thermodan’s… recent dealings.”

“Any word on his whereabouts?”

“Not in any tower”, Xican mentioned quickly, “He is adept at ritual magic, as you know. We believe he is masking his presence with rather strong magic.”

“Can’t hide forever”, Logan trailed off.

“Nor can we speak until nightfall. Rest well”, Xican ended as he tilted his head downwards.

“And you.”

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