The Reluctant Vassal's Guide to Living in the Frontier (with some Treason)

Project CLOCK was a research study funded by House Sol to investigate the nature of the Quantum Realm not long after its discovery. Part of this was the creation of a machine to enable living beings to enter, along with a life-support suit to protect those within. The suit was completed first while the machine was under construction.

These logs were discovered during a final maintenance check of the suit before the machine's first operation.


Following the discovery of these logs, Project CLOCK was dissolved and the machine currently sits deep in the vaults of House Sol.

While she occupied her time studying the dome plans to send over to Radana, Kat noticed a gaggle of Prisms eagerly browsing the section dedicated to aeronautical development in the library. She watched them energetically activate a hologram demonstrating the latest improvements to aerodynamics and hummed. It seemed like they too had a project to bring home themselves, possibly even improving the Witchfire further.

It hadn't even entered production yet and already, there was the real possibility of a new version. The Hyacinth Prism would have to keep an eye out for that.

(Visit the Academies (Hawk Mk2)): 2 +15 (Kat) +12 (Wealth) = 29)

Progress: 2/4. In Progress.


(Infiltrate Spies (Great House Orochi): 31 +14 (Dorothea) +12 (Wealth) = 57)

Progress: 2/4. In Progress.

The notification for the end of the bidding popped up and the mercenary groaned, putting their head on their desk in frustration. "Ugh. Undercut again," They grumbled, peeking up with an eye to marvel at the ridiculous discount the winner had offered to the client. "That's almost practically doing it at cost, and it's in-house as well. Do Orochi really just like war that much?"

A knowing sigh followed that moments later, recalling that it's a mix of personal taste and cultural pressure that has led to the Great House's obsession with a warrior culture. The briefing they were given said just as much, as well as the encouragement to keep at it. One lost contract to them was one less mercenary on the market to compete against for getting a good position to work from.

The disguised spy groaned and rose from their chair, making sure to lock the screen before exiting their rented terminal. Just a quick walk over to get a drink from the internet bar owner first, then they'd get back to the job application grind. They needed a little pickup after that.


(Consecrate Order (Undying Chorus): 55 +10 (Violet) +12 (Wealth) = 77)
(Consecrate Order (Fireflower): 72 +10 (Violet) +12 (Wealth) = 94)

Progress: 7/8 (Undying Chorus). In Progress.
Progress: 7/8 (Fireflower). In Progress.

With a sharp ring, the tough guard was finally and thoroughly broken. The practice blade went flying out of the traditionalist's hands while his opponent's sword was leveled evenly at him. "Well," He plain said, looking wholly disturbed. "I think that settles it then. Clearly the weight of the outside overcomes in the end."

"Yes...but just barely." The traveler's blade lowered and was rather messily stabbed into the ground, allowing for its wielder to suck in deep breaths. "Stars, that took everything out of me to do. I don't think that it would work in a practical setting, like a real battlefield. Not at least without support, and even then, I'd be hesitant."

A flicker of frustration crossed over his face. "So the spar was inconclusive," He summarized depressingly. "I lost the battle, but you lost the war. This won't do."

"Oh, it absolutely won't do," You grumbled and paused the video recording. Your top and lower teeth began ground against one another, driven by the ridiculousness of the situation. Just how hard was it for one side to actually pull ahead of the other?!

At this rate, you were actually going to have to be watching them all the way, filling out paperwork as it came! Your lazy shortcut, up in flames! Especially if it was so close that it could swap about later in the future, neither side totally conceding when the results were this close.

No, you were going to have to do something about this. With a growl, you accessed your information taps and began to weave your webs. If neither side was willing to lose, then you'd make them both win.

- Yeah, even though Fireflower pulled ahead in raw number role, they actually landed in the exact same bracket as that of Undying Chorus. So the result is actually going to be a tie. But hey, at least I have a pretty good idea for the hybrid name then.
- By my reckoning, all characters are occupied then for next turn. Well, hopefully there'll be an opportunity in the future for recruiting another.
- This little sidestory was actually spurred on by recent internet events, and a hankering to try my hand at doing some light existential horror stuff. Quantum Layer's haunted ya'll.

Agenda for the Second Senate Legislative Session (To Be Hosted Cycle 30)

TOPIC: The Kelon Reclamation Campaign.
Many cycles ago, during the reign of a previous Stellarch, the worlds of House Kelon had been shamefully lost by a retaliatory invasion from the Free States. Attempts to retake these lost lands had failed, and the ceasefire had put a pause on further attempts. The time was not wasted however, as House Kelon took shelter with their liege Great House Orochi and built up their armies in preparation. Now they wish to make a final petition for aid from the members of the United Empire.

IF PASSED: Begin preparations for a military campaign to retake the lost worlds of House Kelon.

IF FAILED: All Houses must pass a Military check. Depending on the level of failure, House Sol will lose Influence.


TOPIC: Military Expenditure of Seized Assets.
Following the considerable seizure of wealth from the previous bill, now comes the question of how to spend them so. House Sol is now being petitioned by various arms manufacturers and companies from across the United Empire, many of them begging for just a tiny slice of the new budget. Many of these projects look very promising but the asking price certainly makes one pause. The Senate is asked therefore to ratify this allocated budget that may benefit them too.

IF PASSED: House Sol loses five (5) Wealth and gains ten (10) Military. Afterwards, each House may make a Military check for a chance to receive a free technology.

IF FAILED: House Sol loses ten (10) Industry.


THE SENATE WILL CONVENE FOR FINAL DELIBERATIONS AND VOTING ON CYCLE 30.

- A little quick primer for House Kelon:

Austra winced at the sudden sparking and loud cursing that followed from her fellow Starblazer. "I guess they definitely know we're here now."

"Implying that they were both blind and deaf to our corvette shooting down their fighters," Milan drawled and pushed his glasses up with one hand. The other was busy tapping away at a small keyboard that extended out from his set of armor, apparently controlling the various automated mixers making concoctions within the suit. "Or maybe we were just doing a passing shooting. Whatever story makes sense to you."

"Loud," Themba mumbled, giving a dirty look to the others while holding their sniper rifle. "Quiet."

"Nah, let's make a bit more noise!" Tsuru cackled, hefting her twin submachine guns with glee. "The more pumped up, the better they'll fight!"

"Or maybe the faster you get shot," Julius shot over from where he was working the circuits. "Not sure if I'd look forward to looting the pirates or your body more."

Tsuru's grin widened dangerously. Austra muted herself, let out a groan, then activated her armor's speakers. "Enough," She told, using some of the solarium circuits in her throat to speak over them. "We have a VIP to rescue first, and quickly before they get taken away. The contract doesn't say we'll get compensated for additional travel, so let's not burn credits arguing so pointlessly."

Themba flatly pointed at Julius. "Hurry."

"I am, but these connections are almost an offense to how they'd do it back home." Another splice and he nodded, shifting to make sure his assault rifle on a sling was within easy reach. "There. Ready to force it open whenever."

The party of Starblazers immediately shifted to a practiced formation born of experience working with one another. Austra and Tsuru took point, the knight drawing her sword and the mercenary bouncing a leg eagerly. A space was reserved behind them for Julius to slide into once he activated the controls, the fortress-city engineer their backup shooter. Thembra simply wrapped thenselves up in their cloak and vanished from view, unless one noticed the tip of their rifle barrel poking from within. Milan took the rear, having no weapon than the gaseous potions he brewed.

He tossed two such mixtures to the two ladies on his way to the back. "Hit a room with these to give them a big headache," The scientist cheerfully explained. Both the point women nodded and tucked it away, mentally reminding themselves to use it before it went bad. Milan's potions only had potency for so long.

Austra focused on her helmet interface and set a timer. A countdown appeared in Milan's collar readout and Tsuru's cybernetic eyes. She raised a hand for the benefit of those without such displays and brought it down in a single swift manner. "Go!"

Julius connected the wire and the door to the pirate lair slid open.

Immediately small arms fire began to spray the opening but Austra was racing through it, her body burning with all her circuits activated. She shrugged off the few shots that she couldn't dodge before raising her pistol in one hand to fire at targets pinpointed by her suit's targeting systems. The other hand swung her blade to slash at a nearby pirate who had the poor luck to arm themselves with a shotgun.

While they fell screaming, Tsuru rushed in with a maniac joy in her eyes. Though Austra wasn't a bad shot, her pistol lacked penetrating and killing power. The same could not be said for the menacing guns in the genetically and cybernetically augmented woman's hands as she aimed and fired with a laugh. Bodies began to drop in earnest as she walked her aim between targets, each kill a proof of the effort poured into her birth and training.

"Take cover you psycho!" Julius shouted from where he was doing so. He fired a few supporting bursts before turning to focus on some of the squirming wounded pirates. A hand reached into his pack and withdrew several sets of electric cuffs. "We can do this the easy way- where you are restrained and taken prisoner- or we can do this the really easy way."

The way he motioned with his rifle was enough to explain the other method and the wounded allowed themselves to be captured. Seeing that the Starblazers were willing to take prisoners, some of the uninjured threw down their weapons and held their hands up in surrender. These got a loud and disappointed raspberry from Tsuru, who reluctantly aimed away from these captives to-be. She didn't notice one of them immediately going for a sidearm the moment she looked away.

But before the perfidous act was complete, a bullet hole appeared between the pirate's eyes and they tumbled back into the floor. From where they had climbed up to, silently knifing those who hadn't noticed their approach. Their digital camouflage cloak ensured that the only way to notice so was via noise, but Themba was quiet. Almost as quiet as the muted clicks of their sniper rifle firing to provide overwatch for the others.

But even they couldn't keep up with the rate of pirates surging forward to reinforce their comrades. Austra noted the new bodies and growled, complaining over her radio. "I thought intel said it was only a small gang!"

"Could be that they were under the protection of a larger one," Milan dispassionately noted while he hurled a freshly created gaseous concoction his suit just finished mixing. Where it shattered in the back, enemies gasped and clutched at their throats, temporarily incapacitated. But he couldn't make it lethal, in case the VIP was among them. "Might I suggest using what I had given you?"

"Sure!" Without second thought, Tsuru giggled and brought out the glowing mixture. From where she was standing at the front, she could throw it directly into the biggest clump of hostiles. As it sailed through the air, Austra suddenly felt a pit in her stomach form and instinctively reinforced her senses.

It meant that when it cracked open and a massive BANG echoed out, accompanied by dazzling light, she was largely unaffected. Julius and Themba, having few protections, saw it unfiltered and immediately crumpled to the ground with shouts. Milan let out pained grunt, his own brew being far more than what his hazard equipment was rated for and he fell to one knee. Tsuru who normally rejoiced in injuries that proved her prowess let out an uncharacteristic scream and slammed into the floor, her eyes reporting catastrophic failures.

At least the pirates were even worst off, many of them knocked directly unconscious. "I... may have made that one...too strong," Milan admitted through gasps.

"You think?!" Julius growled. "When I get my hands on you potion-maker-!"

"M-movement!" Themba rasped from their vantage point, panic filling their voice. "T...target!"

Austra's eyes widened when she spied it too, the gang boss emerging from a backroom with the Statblazer's VIP target tied up over their shoulder. The pirate leader took one look at their incapacitated crew and took off running for what the lair blueprints had pegged as the hanger. They were trying to escape!

Her legs burned with energy when Austra forced herself to take off at a sprint. She holstered her pistol, not daring to hit the hostage. It also gave her a free arm to work with, which came in handy when a improvised barricade the pirates had been taking cover behind stood in her way. With a leap and a thought, her suit's vector thrusters fired up and she ran along the wall, gaining speed to make up for the headstart the pirate had.

It meant that moments after they had burst through the door, Austra was just right behind with her blade at the ready. But she froze at the sight of the sneering criminal holding a pistol to the child hostage's head. "Another step, and I pull the trigger!" They shouted while slowly walking to a lowered ramp to a small shuttle.

She was aware that the other Starblazers were finally recovering, but there was quite some distance between them and her. Her helmet interface helpfully informed her that by the time Themba could get into a sniping position or Milan whisk up a nonlethal potion, it would be too late. Then she remembered the one she still had. But if the mixture's strength was too strong like Tsuru's-!

The pirate took another step and she made up her mind. Slowly, the Brilliance Knight held out her blessed blade, made of her people's holiest material. The criminal growled and pressed the barrel of the gun closer to the hostage. "Don't try anything. Drop it."

Austra's head tilted. "But of course."

Her grip relaxed and the blade dropped to the ground. The pirate's eyes tracked the falling sword and in that instance, Austra made her move. All her circuits in the other arm was poured exclusively into speed, forgoing Amy sort of protecton in favor of swiftness.

It meant that she was able to pluck and throw her stored potion, at the cost of a sickening crack when her wrist snapped from the sheer force put behind it.

The gas-filled orb rocketed towards the pirate and missed their face by mere hairs. That was Austra's greatest fear, that she would miss. Breaking a wrist did tend to spoil one's aim.

So she was very glad when the projectile smashed right into the shuttle's cockpit.

The mysterious glassware material containing the mix within held out for a moment longer, then it shattered to unleash the mix within. At such close range, the small spacecraft's systems were all fried at once, the entire craft rumbling from the impact. The way it shook drew the pirate boss' attention for a moment, taking in the loss of their escape vehicle.

They realized their mistake a heartbeat later when Austra next broke her legs to cross the remaining distance in an instant with a powerful leap.

Her uninjured arm snapped out and ripped the VIP hostage away while the rest of her body slammed into the criminal. It meant they were spared of the loud crunch of the two crashing against the side of the shuttle. Austra was first to recover and tensed, but relaxed when she noticed through her cracked helmet optics that her opponent was knocked unconscious. She rolled over and exhaled a pained grunt, waving to Milan when he was first to catch up.

The scientist's glasses dangled askew and there was a suspicious slap mark on his cheek that matched one of Tsuru's cybernetic hands. "Your injuries-!"

"I'll live. See to the VIP first!" Austra wheezed, her circuits well and truly drained. Milan hesitated, but nodded and began to diagnose the shocked hostage. His awkward reassurances of safety to the crying child were a better balm than any of his potions to Austra's pain.

She'd still give him a matching slap on the other cheek though. Then a round of drinks for everybody at the Starblazers Guild upon their triumphant return.

(Visit the Academies (Hawk Mk2)): 40 +15 (Kat) +12 (Wealth) = 67)

Progress: 4/4. Completed!

The Hawk Mk2 is now available for aircraft design.

The test pilot growled and pulled at the yoke hard. They knew they were already disadvantaged as was with having been caught in a badly executed maneuver, but that didn't mean they were out just yet. All they had to do was bank hard and throw off their pursuer's aim-

"Gun, gun, gun. That'd be a kill."

They groaned and slapped at the buzzing light that accompanied the declaration. "Acknowledged, kill. Resetting." They craned their head and saw the blur of the new Hawk Mk2 pull away, heading back to the agreed-upon starting area. Their own craft turned to head back to their 'spawn,' effectively redoing the engagement. At the agreed upon chime from both, the two aces of the sky threw themselves back into a dogfight once again, pushing the limits of their machine to see how far they could go.

"Fox 2, launched. Waiting." Moments later, that damned buzzer went off. "Kill?"

"Dammit, kill," The pilot of the Hawk Mk1 grumbled and flicked a few switches. "Gotta get myself a nice promotion to get in one of those soon."

"Don't worry, I'll let you have a go later. You better come by later with a cold crate later though."


(Colonial Expansion (Calenwyrm)): 63 +16 (Radana) +12 (Wealth) = 91)

Progress: 6/8 (Stage 2). In Progress.

There was a chill that ran down the spines of the gathered engineers and architects when the moment came. The dams they had put up around the area opened and a torrent of seawater came rushing forth, looking to finally retake the space they had once been removed from. They washed over the large domes and submerged them totally, the seabed that had taken a long while to expose now recovered and returned to its natural state.

Soon, the team was staring at only the structural pillars meant for additional foundations poking out of the water. They seemed to hold, but these were not the real test- it was that which was now underwater and hopefully holding. Many flinched when their radio buzzed to life with a report from the head foreman at the site.

"No flooding reported. Conducting leak inspection." They dared no celebrate yet, some looking ready to rush down and help go through the structure themselves. But they held, trusting their plans, their calculation, their team in making something truly splendorous in the name of House Iris. The radio then cackled to life with an update. "Leak inspection completed. Stars be damned, you did it!"

The mix of ambitious architects and jaded engineers threw up their hands and cheered, many turning to one another to express congratulations in that moment. There was of course naturally more work afterwards, but the hard part- not drowning everybody- was finished. Now came filling the insides below while building on the water above. The Coral District was finally taking shape.


(Infiltrate Spies (Great House Orochi): 45 +14 (Dorothea) +12 (Wealth) = 71)

Progress: 4/4. Completed!

Two (2) Spies have been dispatched to Great House Orochi (Total: 4 Spies, 2 Cells)

The man checked the address once more before tapping at the intercom button. He could hear the muted buzz of a bell echoing from the building within and waited, sure that somebody should have at least heard. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the intercom's camera screen activated to show an androgynous-looking individual in a lab coat standing there. "Oh, hello! You wouldn't happen to be…?"

He flashed his WarNet ID card. "Indeed. I'm the one you hired."

"Excellent, excellent!" The door slid open a moment and the person was there, beaming and reaching out for a handshake. "Welcome! You're a real sight for sore eyes, you know? Already, I feel quite safer knowing there's some on-site security now for us and our clients."

"It's an honest job," The mercenary calmly brushed off while finishing the greeting. "May I come in?"

"Of course, of course. Here, let me even give you a guided tour, it's the least I can do." Together, they proceeded through to the lobby, a rather homely setting that one would normally expect of something like a regular doctor's office. The hired man's eyes wandered to note the various posters put up to advertise the clinic's services, each of them a colorful caricature of the various acts.

Guaranteed stable and perfectly modeled children!

Pass on the best in you and your partner(s), no matter what!

Ask about our nerve reallocation program today, get them their first augments tomorrow!

"Ah, right. You're not from around here, right?" The facility scientist asked when they noted the curious look. "And I guess you're not familiar with artificial reproduction facilities in general."

"Can't say that it's exactly been something that comes often in the job," He lamely excused with a roll of the shoulders. "But I'm pretty sure that this was the fourth one I've spotted going through the streets. It's just about as common as a medical clinic around here."

"You can thank our way of life for it." Now that he thought about it, the scientist walked with a sort of gait to them, that of a trained soldier. But it was faint, almost buried, and nowhere near the real grizzled sort that he had seen elsewhere. "When so much has become associated with strength, including just living in itself back in our troubled days, then it's only natural that couples seek out any way possible to give their child just that little bit of extra edge. It's so deeply embedded that I don't think we could stop even in a time of plenty."

"You never gave it a shot?"

They pursed their lips. "I think some rather rural communities have but their rejection has become rather...cultish. Apologies, it is neither here or there and I may, I would encourage you to not speak like it is a simple choice." They gave a serious look to the hired mercenary. "For our people, it's no longer just a way to become strong in itself- it's how we create the future over whatever stands in our way. Do you have a problem with those of us born in vats rather than wombs?"

The man immediately raised his hands and shook his head. "No, not at all," He insisted with an apologetic dip. "It's just so different that I'll need time to get used to. But rest assured that even if I don't understand or agree in the end, you hired me to protect me and I'll do that from whatever comes."

The scientist studied him for a moment before their shoulders relaxed, tension visibly leaving them. "No worries and I do apologize for getting heated as well. There's unfortunately just too many in the galaxy that see those born artificially otherwise."

"Well, if you want, just pay me a bit extra and I'll punch them for you." They shared a laugh and moved now to the backrooms to where all the actual science happened, the mercenary listening intently to their guide without reservation. All this information was both rather interesting...and valuable to the right client. Just as I'm being paid a little extra on the side to have a good look around.

- It should be noted that Orochi's mastery of artificial reproduction can also extend to those who have all different sorts of or even multiple partners. A celebration of strength is a celebration of life after all.

"Awawawa-!" The cry left the young lady's lips when she fell, the datapads she was holding all spilling to the ground noisily. "Oh no oh no oh no! Please don't be broken, please don't be broken," She chanted beggingly, scooping up the digital storage devices she had been told to deliver in the Lycoris Sanctuary. When the last one was confirmed uncracked, she let a sigh of relief and continued on her way.

She almost tripped again moments later, only catching herself at the last second. A suffering moan escaped her, wordlessly cursing her natural clumsiness. She was always like this, be it indoors or outdoors, alone or accompanying others on patrols. At this rate, she'd never impress her instructors and be passed over for the others to receive their first solarium circuit. Maybe she'd even be flunked out, one of the rare few who did so. That thought made her shoulders sagged depressingly about her dream of becoming a Brilliance Knight.

She mentally clapped herself on the cheeks after a moment. She couldn't be moping more, especially when the assembly was soon. A quick check of a passing clock in the hallway started her and she picked up the pace, almost running now. Ah, I'm going to be late, that's bad-!

Her frantic rush combined with her lack of balance could only end in one way, and it occurred right when she approached a set of stairs going down. Her foot tripped on nothing and she tumbled, a panicked cry ripping out from her throat. Her eyes widened at the datapads flying from her arms once again, this time sure to be smashed on the steps-

Then in a single moment, she was pulled out of her fall and the airborne items neatly collected into a single stack. They balanced on one arm while the other gently held up the clumsy Bud, who blinked at the beaming woman who saved her. "Twas a near thing, but never fear! We are here to lend aid to you!"

She confusedly stared as she was lowered, throughly perplexed. But the woman's smile seemed to be wholly genuine and earnest. "Um, thank you. But we...?"

"She means us." Another appeared, climbing up the stairs and taking some of the datapads from the other to carry. She turned to study her and the young lady felt a shiver run down her spine at those eyes that seemed to analyze her. But the reassuring nod helped soften it somewhat. "An old friend asked, and we took the gig."

"A selfless request to help a maiden, what else could be more nobler!" The other sang, making a dramatic pose with her free arm. "Of young and flowering talent, to be cultivated into a new beautiful fresh lily-!"

"Enough, enough. Don't scare her now."

The clumsy Bud swallowed but accepted the offer to help regardless. She stayed silent, focusing on watching her steps now and just listening to these two mysterious women chat between themselves. It was mostly bickering and snipping at one another, but done with a dry and light air to each insult that spoke of a trusted bond between comrades. It felt almost like what she had seen sometimes between her instructors, though less formal and stifled.

Finally they arrived in the main assembly hall and the Brilliance Knight in training wanted to wilt to disappear. There, greeting the two mysterious helpers, was her idolized hero that inspired her to take this path in life. "I see you were successful then," Lycoris Knight Dorothea mentioned with a nod of the head. She held out her hand and easily accepted the offered datapads from the two. "Thank you."

"Twas nothing!"

"Just remember our payment."

There was a light chuckle. "Of course. I'll see you later then." They departed with a wave and Dorothea turned to the trembling Bud. "Ah, I'll need the ones you're holding too."

"I, um, yesofcourse." The words came out all jumbled as she held out the datapads with trembling hands. While Dorothea took them, an unbidden sentence escaped the young one's lips. "... I'm sorry."

"Hm?" The Lycoris Knight's eyes rose to meet hers with an inquisitive look. "Whatever for?"

"For...for being here, taking up your time and all the others." Her shoulders slumped when it all came out, the self-doubt spilling forth. "I'm not a good candidate to become a wielder of solarium. I fall a lot, dragging the patrol team down, and I'm not sure I'm confident enough to be like one of you. I don't have that surety to be fighting for House Iris. So I'm just wasting everybody's efforts."

A hand reached out and lightly pressed against her head, causing the young woman to flinch. "Do you really think that we see duty to the Solar Queen as the only way to help the people?" Dorothea softly asked with a small smile. "You needn't take an oath to be a Lycoris in spirit. You've actually just met some of my friends who do as such. They don't possess a single circuit between them, only just some cybernetics."

Eyes widened in shock at the reveal. "But they were so kind and helpful-!"

"And that's the point. We don't need a reward to help others like teaching you. The experience alone can be worth it sometimes. Although," With one hand, Dorothea withdrew a single datapad from the stack and held it to her, "gratitude can a fine substitute too."

The Bud blinked and took the gift. She stiffened upon opening it up and seeing a scroll of pages. "What's this?"

"It's mail from citizens you've helped while tagging along on patrol. From what I've seen, they're always thanking you for making sure that they're safe and happy, even while the others had moved on to deal with the danger." Dorothea paused. "Not to say that isn't important too, but it goes to show that duty is not the only way to be a true Lycoris. Do you understand?"

Her hand shook as she read the well-wishes and she hugged the datapad close to her chest. "I do. I'll...I'll do my best," She whispered. "I won't give up now."

"And worst comes to worst, I could always ask Yuuki if she'd like a new waitress." The Lycoris gently steered and pushed the Bud on. "Go then, I think the others are waiting for you."

She did so, still holding those digital words to her body and those spoken words to her chest. All the worry and nervousness evaporated from her for just a moment, but it was enough. For the first time, Sayu's voice joined the chorus in the Lycoris Sactuary loudly and clearly and forever on through teary eyes.

"If I could reach out and hold your hand,
There's no way I could return to this city,
Which never knew loneliness, could I?
Your hand, in light, making shadows.

"So sing and let it be heard,
How this story continues,
And take me to stars I've never seen."

(Consecrate Order (Undying Chorus): 23 +10 (Violet) +12 (Wealth) = 45)
(Consecrate Order (Fireflower): 39 +10 (Violet) +12 (Wealth) = 61)

Progress: 9/8 (Undying Chorus). Completed!
Progress: 9/8 (Fireflower). Completed!

The plan in your head was genius, almost frighteningly so. You'd carefully balance the line between arbitrary tyrant and benevolent judge, swooping in to end the debate between the prospective two Brilliance Knights Orders with a mix of forceful authority and gentle persuasion. When executed just right, you could minimize just how much you were forced to appear before them while also shoving the burden of justification over to the others. Best of all, compared to so many other of your conspiracies, this one was simple, and thus foolproof.

Really, you did scare yourself sometimes and you were so tempted to make an order of velvet cake to the kitchens. Maybe after this.

You watched from a hidden camera when the two groups of competing Brilliance Knights stepped into the Solar Reliquary, summoned here by request from your office. The Undying Chorus, the traditionalists, were guided in by Kat while those Fireflowers, the progressives, followed Dorothea's lead. They looked reverently upon their surroundings, that which depicted select scenes of knowledge from the Solarium Codex upon which the Helmsman rose to prominence with. A few looked ready to fall to their knees and start performing prayers, earning an annoyed cluck of the tongue from you.

You had chosen the location to try and impress upon them their authority to smother any possible complaints, but it looked like that could work a bit too well. If they started insisting on paying their full respects to the holy artifact before them, this could drag on for hours if you didn't interrupt their moment of rapturous enlightenment. Nothing too it then, you would just accelerate the schedule and hope they had been cowed enough so already.

So you frantically gestured and Radana rolled her eyes before straightening out, all joviality replaced with focus when she strode out to greet your other retainers and the guests they had brought. "Presenting now!" She called out, her voice carrying through and grabbing the attention of all. "The Solar Queen of the Helmsman!"

On cue, you stepped out from the shadows and made your way to stand right in front of where the Solarium Codex laid. Despite not having given an order for it so, the two groups of enhanced humans immediately sank to one knee in a show of fealty that had your eye twitch for a moment. The other eye matched a moment later after when Kat and Dorothea apparently decided that was indeed the right call and followed suit to make their own show of loyalty.

Radana, looking like she was torn between laughing or joining in the gesture, cleared her throat and recited the words you had told. Or at least a rough approximation of what they had been. "Her Majesty has seen the plight which plagues you both so, and will now address it now. Please listen to her words."

That hadn't exactly been the exact wording you used, but you supposed your best friend couldn't quite pull off the harsh wording you had wanted to structure it with first. But that led to the bigger issue that now, the flow was broken. If you were to continue with the planned speech you had made earlier, now you would come across as far too authoritarian and suffocating to your future elites. Considering that was definitely the last thing you wanted to come out of today, you had no choice. It was time to improvise and wing it.

Gah.

At least Radana provided a suitable platform to grab onto and work from. "Please rise. We are equals now," You began with a measured fake cough. When some heads looked up confusedly, you hastened to tack on an appropriate explanation. "We are all servants of the Mother Star at the end of the day, each with our own duty and obligations to the knowledge we safeguard for the people. All that differs is merely the mantles and vows we take, which is why I wish to speak to you all today on a level field. Again, I ask you rise and join the conversation freely."

One by one, the assorted Brilliance Knights rose to their feet and looked at one another warily at first. But then with some small conversation to help break the ice, soon the traditionalists and progressives were mingling alike into one larger crowd than two separate divisions. You counted that as a victory in your head, as that meant you could now condense what had been two separate talks with each into one single one now. All you had to do was land it, and you'd be home free with a bit of luck!

"So I've heard that while your styles and organization are near-identical, it is in the ideals espoused that a stark contrast is made," You mentioned, managing to flinch when all eyes returned to you. "Were it normally a private venture, then I would have no place with interfering in it so. Yet the formation of your two groups was specifically in response to my command to create and ordain a new Order of Brilliance Knights in service of House Iris. Am I correct so far?"

The self-appointed leaders of the two groups reluctantly nodded and you made a dramatic sigh, pressing a hand to your chest. "Then in part, I suppose I shoulder a portion of the responsibility for having almost driven friends apart," You told with every bit of fake sorrow you could muster. Out of the corner of your eye, you spotted Kat and Dorothea seemingly scandalized at your admission of self-professed guilt. Radana simply raised an eyebrow in comparison and you resisted the urge to stick a tongue out to her. "Your bonds of companionship are among your greatest strength and I had cruelly nearly broken them so with such a limited allowance of who would be chosen."

Almost immediately, there were bursts of panicked denial from the two aspiring groups. "Your Majesty, you did nothing wrong!"

"Trust us when we say we held no hard feelings for whoever won in the end!"

"Even if it could be only one of us, we can find other ways to serve House Iris!"

That last one was the perfect setup and you latched onto it. "You are right, but to do so without recognition is not acceptable. Nor is it the way of those who lead House Iris to let such efforts go unrecognized," You declared and firmly faced the assembled Brilliance Knights. You felt like you had set it up adequately enough now, you could make your grand proclamation. "So we must simply revise what shall be recognized. If the case of one winner and one loser is unacceptable, then we must either have two losses...or two victories together."

Your arm shot out and you issued a decree with all the authority you could muster, hopefully backed up by the sight of the Solarium Codex right behind you. "I hereby order that the Order of the Undying Chorus and the Order of the Fireflower to be dissolved...and merged together as one! Let you learn from that which made us strong in the past, but never look away from what shall bring greater triumph in the future! Continue on and fan the flames higher, let all see the brilliance the knowledge of both yesterday and tomorrow you bring to bear.

"So shall be the purpose to this Order of Undying Fire!"

You let slip a wide smug grin when in response to your decree, the Brilliance Knights stiffened before saluting as one. Their eyes seemed filled with eager acceptance of your hybrid combination and you nodded, turning away with an appropriately flashy flair of your cloak. You knew that this had been a success and reveled in it while walking away. After such a grand announcement and immediate acceptance, you surely had nothing more to worry about and could finally get to prefilling out all the paperwork.

Which meant you could had time to goof off in the future, and none would begrudge you of it! Truly, you were the master of finding ways to not work!


Radana watched her best friend go off and felt the edge of her mouth tug upwards. But she was able to maintain the mask and turned to her fellow retainers of the Solar Queen, tilting her head appropriately. "Do you think you could take it from here?'

"After the grand and glorious speech that Her Majesty just gave? Of course!" Dorothea exclaimed and pumped her fist excitedly. "To imagine she had the wisdom to not only see the issue, but order the merger in such a fashion! I doubt there's a single soul among them now that would dare oppose this now."

"They...they look happy," Kat whispered in a small voice. "N-no losers. Only winners."

"And they shall continue to win, in the name of House Iris, so long as they heed the words of Her Majesty!" The Lycoris Knight raved and turned to face this new Order now. "Leave it to me to get them all sorted out now. There's likely a hundred and one different logistical issues from the fusion, but I have faith we can work it out, just like Her Majesty did. And should we need, she has made it clear that she will always be willing to listen and help!"

Oh dear. She's only just created more work for herself now, hasn't she? Radana noted before giving a small smile. "Please allow me to help."

The Order of Undying Fire is now available to train.

- This one was fun to do. It's also fitting given it's your first elite unit you've made yourself.
- Technically stars are undying fires in themselves, aren't they? At least till they explode.
- You've unlock a building chain that will be a training/housing for them. Maybe give it a name such as Stellar Archive.