Reborn From the Cosmos
Arc 8-62

I’ve imagined this meeting a hundred times.

The best scenario I could imagine was a sharp-eyed soldier asking my intentions and then holding back a sigh of relief when I make it clear I want nothing to do with the destroyed city, hadn’t launched a preemptive strike on behalf of the north, and had no intention of continuing my rampage in the direction of the capital.

The worst scenario I imagined was a group of royal knights ambushing the estate, announcing their presence with a storm of lethal magic. Not because I was concerned that they’d hurt me or my clan. Rather, I was horrified at the thought of my mother-in-law taking the assassination attempt as a challenge and storming the palace. Or worse, convincing her sister to wage war on Harvest. Knowing the elves, it wouldn’t take much convincing.

None of my imaginings ever came close to this scenario. Really, what in the Abyss is going on? Did I hear this woman correctly? I think she just promoted me by several ranks and gave me the city, but that’s impossible. There’s no way I would be rewarded for spitting in the face of authority, committing several crimes, and causing general strife…right?

A quick glance around the room shows that my reaction…isn’t shared by the rest of the table. No one else is shocked. Maxine is horrified, though the only part of her expression that shows it is her wide eyes. Rey is absentminded, gaze flicking around the table without understanding. I’d bet a bag of gold she has no idea what’s going on. On the opposite end of that spectrum, both Marcella and Talia look thoughtful, though my flower is looking towards me while the merchant is focused on the Butterfly.

Rolly, the annoying lightfly, is absolutely delighted, cackling as she wobbles back and forth over our heads.

I guess no one else is going to question this, leaving it to me.

“Is this a joke?”

Not the most diplomatic way of phrasing my concern but the shock causes my true thoughts to slip out.

“You think the king would send royal knights out on a prank?” The royal agent waves at the scroll. “It’s the real deal. Again, congratulations. I’m sure your descendants will speak of you as the great ancestor that changed the fate of the Tome family.”

“No, wait a minute. This doesn’t make any sense! I caused a whole lot of problems and you’re rewarding me?” There’s something wrong here.

The Butterfly, I should really ask what her actual name is, shakes her head. “Lady Tome. Lou. Can I call you Lou? I want to speak with you sincerely. No agendas.”

“...I guess?”

“Don’t look at me like that. This isn’t a trick. Tricks only complicate things and my job is to uncomplicate them. I’ve got a lot of experience doing that and I’ve found that the best way to get things done is to explain the situation clearly to those involved. After that, most people will make the right choice by themselves. So, let me explain the situation to you.”

Despite being metal, her strange gaze seems to bore into me. “You single-handedly decimated a city full of competent fighters. On top of that, you are practically married to the daughter of a duke. On top of that, you are married to foreign royalty.”

She raises a hand. “A strong fighter that took on the city with the most capable casters and won.” She raises her other hand. “A woman with strong ties to two armies.” She brings her hands together and points her fingers at me. “One of those things would be a problem. Why in the saints’ names would we want to fight both?”

This goes beyond being a pain to deal with. “I committed crimes. I assaulted a noble and kicked him out of his home. There isn’t a rug big enough to sweep all that under.”

“Hah! I’ve got a rug five centuries long.” She pinches the bridge of her nose as I give her a disbelieving look. “Got caught up in the metaphor, sorry. I understand where you’re coming from. You’re worried this is a trap, but I assure you it isn’t. Yes, it’d be a problem if people thought we let a crazy noblewoman kill hundreds of people and walk away without consequences. But what if you’re the victim? What if you were appointed the new countess and came to Quest before the official decree to give Lord Teppin the chance to arrange his affairs? What if said lord conspired with the guilds to drive you out of the city before your appointment?”

I gape at her. “No one’s going to believe that!”

“Why wouldn’t they? How many people know everything about what happened? More importantly, how many of them care? Do you think the people care if the fighting stops and we help them rebuild?”

“They’re not going to accept the woman that killed their loved ones.”

“Again, you are underestimating what people will accept if it means they get to live in peace. Trust me, you won’t have any problems you can’t handle.”

…I guess this is real. Everything from her tone to her body language says she isn’t lying. Then, is it a bribe? They’re giving me the city in hopes I stop causing trouble? And to save face. This really is a nice solution. Except…

“I don’t want to govern the city. As soon as I wrap up a few things, I’m leaving.”

“No problem. Do you have a proxy in mind? I can help you arrange someone competent or smooth any issues. Oh, and I’d like to know where you’re headed if you don’t mind. Just to give the person in charge a small talking to. Nothing bad, should make your business easier.”

“…you’re being really accommodating.”

“I explained that already.”

“And the king is going to support all of this?”

“I’ve got a royal writ with me, don’t I? Don’t worry. The king trusts me implicitly. If I guarantee it, it’s already done. Wouldn’t be able to do my job otherwise. Ah, the promotion’s already a done deal. In fact, someone is coming in a few days to do a proper little ceremony. Hence the time sensitive part.”

I sigh as I drop my head to the back of the chair. “Why couldn’t you have threatened me?” I grumble. Really, at least I’d have some idea what to do then. They can’t just give me a territory. Isn’t this irresponsible?

“Cut me a break, countess.” I wince at my new title. “Come on. What’ll put a smile on that face? Don’t underestimate my means.”

I glower at the royal agent who sounds far too cheerful for someone who’s basically rolling over and showing the crown’s belly. “I’m not interested in wealth.”

“I expected as much. Your reputation proceeds you.” She raises a brow and points a finger at herself. “Oh? Is it me you want? I don’t mind, but I doubt I could keep up with that physique. Might have a heart attack. Though I could think of a lot of less pleasant ways to go.”

I feel a headache coming on. “That’s not what I meant!”

“So, not me. But a harem of women? I can introduce you to some good ones.”

“Can you just leave?!” I grouse, covering my eyes with a hand. The headache is getting stronger. “What is happening? Why is it happening?”

“Harvest has a long history of appeasing threats.”

I move my fingers and turn to look at Talia. Her lips are arched in the tiniest of smiles as she stares at The Butterfly. “There is a reason there hasn’t been a major conflict in the kingdom for five centuries.”

The royal agent nods. “Mm. Fighting doesn’t do anyone any good. My group is proud of that record. You wouldn’t believe the screw-ups we’ve cleaned up.”

“But this is more than simple appeasement,” my flower continues while lacing her fingers. “Destroying a city is quite an accomplishment but it doesn’t warrant this treatment. Especially not if the person has ties to the north, the crown’s biggest worry. Quest could easily become the staging ground for civil war.”

The Butterfly shrugs. “I’ve done my research. The new countess isn’t interested in war, nor is Alana James.”

“For now. Who knows what they will want in the future? And it is a lot harder to rescind a title than grant it. Normally, you should be trying to drive Lou out of the city. Or, if you always intended to make her the governing lady of Quest, it should have come with stipulations. And yet, rather than trying to restrain her, you’re just trying to make her happy.”

The royal agent smiles. “Could just be because I like her.”

“Your kind doesn’t act on feelings and you always have multiple plans. You came here ready to declare her a traitor or pacify her. From the time we’ve met till now, you’ve learned something that convinced you pacifying her is the best option and pacifying her at any cost at that.”

My flower leans forward. “We haven’t said anything so that only leaves one option.”

“Sure you don’t want to come back to the capital with me? Saints, if you want, I’ll make you queen. Imagine having someone competent on the throne for once. Sigh, what a beautiful dream.”

“What have those eyes seen?”

The Butterfly chuckles. Then, like someone opening the tap of a barrel, the humor rapidly drains out of her, leaving behind a deadly serious countenance.

“I’ve seen enough.”