Chương 65: Chapter Sixty-Five: Commodore

After taking a moment to ensure neither of them had any noticeable flush on their faces, Serena and Amelia returned to the observation deck, where they found Greatlord Oshiro alone.

"Greatlord," Serena intoned, bowing. Amelia followed suit, this time remembering his title. Even in the dimly lit room, the Greatlord's presence shone. He stood with perfect posture at the window, his hands clasped behind his back. What would it be like to wear his horns? To be responsible for Asamaywa's security and the million demons residing in the city? Today's events felt significant to Serena, but they were probably a small blip in the Greatlord's diary.

"Where's Chesterfield?" Amelia piped up, her voice a little quieter than usual. Even she wasn't entirely immune to the Greatlord's aura.

"He stepped out to meet the Imperial Investigator and someone… important." The demon sniffed.

"I suggest you get ready to bow when they arrive." Before Serena could enquire as to whom the important figure was, the greatlord continued, "Seems interesting things keep happening around you two." He turned to face Serena.

"Even before Lord-Prospect Thornheart's appearance, your name was constantly on my desk, Lord Halen. I knew I wouldn't regret recommending the daughter of Highlord Halen." He raised his eyebrow, his expression warming.

"You've had an interesting career, Captain. I still don't believe your victory at the battle of Port Highwind was adequately commemorated. A Cascadian Lordship and a Bronze Eagle aren't enough for the results of your duty." Serena swallowed. What prompted this sudden outburst of compliments? Even as she questioned it, she could feel her pride swelling. To cover up her reaction, she bowed deeply once more.

"Thank you, Greatlord," she said, trying to keep her voice even.

"I merely followed your orders and–""No need for modesty," Greatlord Oshiro interrupted.

"Stand up, Captain." Serena straightened.

"While the international situation is growing more perilous by the month, your actions have reaped more than we could have hoped along the Republican lines," he continued.

"Their situation was much more dire than we previously estimated. Meppen's defences collapsed yesterday. We'll liberate the city within a week." Serena's eyes widened, her mouth briefly opening in shock. Could it be? The Republican capital!

"T-that means–" Serena paused, forcing herself to stop stuttering.

"Then the Republic's about to be cut in half. That means we've…" Serena trailed off, her mind imagining the map. With the capital, Meppen, taken, the Republican wartime industry in the east would come under siege. With Cascadia occupying the railways, the munitions and weapons produced in the industrious Ironburg wouldn't be able to get to the west, meaning that the front would completely collapse! It was only a matter of time.

"It's only a matter of time," Greatlord Oshiro said.

"Two or three months to crush what remains. If you allow me to finish your sentence… you are correct." His eyes flashed menacingly.

"We've won."

"I can't believe it…" Serena muttered. Eight years of war. Eight. Sure, not all of it was the brutal attrition war it had become – still… eight years. Serena had given so much. She'd lost a brother to the conflict! Her father had become a Highlord! She'd given her youth for it! To be honest, the last one seemed to be reversing, thanks to Amelia's morning healing. Serena was pretty sure she would pass for around twenty-five now, more than half a decade younger than her actual age of– Well, never mind.

"Neither do I," the greatlord said solemnly.

"Not yet. They've run out of experienced men, and the mercenaries from Christdom and the Federation cannot plug the gaps. They cannot raise more conscripts, not without starving their population. They've lost too many warriors and mages. The few powerful Speakers they have left won't throw away their lives in a lost war. Even so…" The greatlord sighed.

"We still don't know what the other nations will do, especially Christdom. You've heard them talking about a coalition of the willing." His mouth curled into a sneer as he sarcastically mimicked human nations' phrasing.

"It would be madness for them to get involved now," Serena pointed out.

"They wouldn't commit their national armies and navies to fight in an unfamiliar land and sky." Cascadia had ruled the Republic for more than a century before their rebellion. No one knew that sky better than they did. The Empire knew the location, direction and power of every anabatic or katabatic wind. They knew the jet streams, trade winds, the extent of the easterlies, and how the mistral winds broke upon the territory from the Sabanis Channel." Madness is the key word here, Captain Halen.

Some of my peers have already begun celebrating, but I fear we may become mad ourselves just as we enter a more perilous time. Never before has Cascadia shown such unity against a foreign threat." The greatlord raised a fist, clenching it until his knuckles whitened.

"Never before have we built so many warships, raised so many battalions, nor bled so much blood. The human nations put their weight behind the Republic because they feared Cascadia would become a major power on their continent. Now, that reality is about to come true, and our military might has never been greater. Even the Sabanis Dominance is becoming wary of the East's strength."

"... You fear a larger war is coming?" Serena questioned. After she received a slow nod in response, she continued, "I've had similar concerns. So has Father." She didn't mention the information Aiden had leaked the other day regarding further expansion of Cascadian wartime industry beyond what the Republican war would require. It was probably information she wasn't supposed to have.

"Highlord Halen is wise, and I see you've inherited that wisdom." He clicked his tongue.

"We must not become drunk on this victory, but focus on firmly grasping the next one before it slips away. I'm confident that you will be of great value to the future of this Empire, Captain Halen. Whether you work under me or anyone else. I was not merely passing polite words earlier regarding your achievements. To that end…" Serena's Lord Superior took a breath.

"... I'm recommending your advancement to Commodore, Captain."

"C-commodore!" Amelia squeaked, her teacup frozen on her lips.

"Greatlord!" Serena threw herself into her deepest bow yet. Commodore! She was going to be promoted! Had she truly earned this!? No, she had, hadn't she? She'd dedicated so much… But… Commodore! To reach this rank so quickly! She was so young! She was only– Well, never mind.

"You'll still need to pass the exam, Captain," came Greatlord Oshiro's amused voice.

"You might be working for Intelligence now, but they can't stop me from doing this. It'll be a difficult exam, so make sure you study. I won't be the only Greatlord on the panel."

"Y–" Serena cleared her throat. The adrenaline was making her stutter.

"Yes, Greatlord! It's an honour!" Serena rose from her bow to see her Lord Superior looking at her with an appreciative smile. Turning her head, Serena saw Amelia had put down her cup and was silently clapping with small, eager motions. Well done, her girlfriend mouthed.

"I don't know what to say. It's an honour!" Ah, she'd started to ramble.

"I only wish I could show my appreciation!" She couldn't stop herself from bowing again. This wasn't embarrassing, was it?

"You only need to keep doing what you're doing, Captain," Greatlord Oshiro mused.

"Although you might start by preparing some more mint tea. I seemed to have run out."

"Ah, of course." Serena turned and busied herself preparing the tea. She boiled the water and began steeping the tea leaves, trying to hide the smile that kept breaking out on her face. When the door opened again, she barely registered it. When she did turn, her eyes widened at the sight. She saw Greatlord Oshiro bowing as profoundly as Serena had just been toward him in the direction of the door. It wasn't just a bow of respect, but one of submission as well. What!?

Serena quickly faced the door and looked at the newcomers. Who in the Seven Hells could have turned up for a greatlord to behave like that? She couldn't sense anything in the aetherfield, so it couldn't have been the monstrous Eastern Overlord that had demonstrated confidence in dressing down Amelia when she was under the influence of Asclepius. There was Chesterfield, strolling in like he owned the place. Not him. Next to him was a neatly dressed, spectacled demon with tidy hair – the Imperial Investigator.

Serena recognised the uniform. Not him. No, it was the hulking figure behind them. Serena's blood turned cold. Her earlier adrenaline from Greatlord Oshiro's recommendation now told her to run. Her instincts screamed at her one terrible, irrefutable fact. If she fought with this man, she would die. Not even Katalin imposed such dread upon her! His massive body blocked the door, and he had to bend down to make it through. His thick horns barely missed the ceiling.

He was the tallest demon Serena had ever seen up close. The man must be at least eight feet tall! Alongside his horns, short brown hair that was greying crowned a heavily scarred face. One of his eyes was milky white, the cause of which was highlighted by a great scar starting from the top left of his forehead and ending at his mouth. His other eye, set under a heavy brow, was brownish-orange, a sign of possible lowborn origins.

Not that a single person in ten thousand klicks, whether demon or human, noble or commoner, would dare speak the word lowborn in reference to this man's presence. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. His head sat upon a thick, muscular neck. He wore a weighty gold-trimmed white cloak - big enough that two people could use it as a sleeping bag.

His torso was adorned with a thick chestplate inlaid with gold and silver, forming the Imperial sigil – a crown wreathed by a pair of horns. His armour was metallic with the same base white and gold trim as the cloak. He wore similar pauldrons, vambraces and gauntlets across his shoulders and arms. The cloak partially covered his shoulders, but she caught a glimpse of a wolfhound's face inlaid upon them.

His armour didn't end there; his legs were fully protected by cuirasses, poleyns, greaves and, for his feet, a pair of sabatons that narrowed into a deadly point. The remaining areas were covered with a coarse-looking leather that looked like it could resist even an aura-enhanced sword. Speaking of weapons, he carried a pistol holstered on his right hip that looked too heavy for a normal person to use one-handed. He also possessed a longsword on his left hip, its hilt decorated with the same Imperial sigil.

A belt was fitted around his lower chest, where no less than a dozen daggers sat ready. As a Cascadian Lord, Serena was entitled to carry her sword in most places, but this man was one of a select few who could carry weapons in a location where not even Greatlord Oshiro could. The Cathedral of Bone, in the presence of the Empress herself. Seven hells. What in the Blue Moon was a Lord Guardian doing here!? Was… was the Empress nearby!? They were her personal guards, after all!

By Imperial decree, other than the Empress, only their captain and the four overlords had authority over them! Not even Greatlord Oshiro could refuse them! They were the elite of the elite! The pinnacle of warriors! And now he was looking at her! Damn it! Her mind and eyes had been wandering! Serena threw herself into a bow and then, realising she should do more, hurriedly got on one knee and bent her head, trying to fight against her body that wanted her to run. Thank the hells, Amelia was following suit.

"Welcome, Lord Guardian, protector of the Shard of Infinity, shield of the Overlord of Overlords, blade of her Divine Will." Greatlord Oshiro spoke, his voice low.

"Your will is my will. My sword is your sword."

"Your will is my will," Serena intoned, echoing the line from her ascension vows.

"My sword is your sword."

"M-me to!" Amelia blurted out.

"Your will is my will…" There was an awkward pause.

"My sword is your sword." A long silence ensued, and then a low voice growled, "Lords of the East. Your consideration is noted. You may stand." Serena hesitantly stood, only to see the Lord Guardian's eyes boring into her.

"Lord Halen," he spoke.

"Yes, Lord Guardian?" Somehow, Serena kept her voice from shaking.

"Is that"–the man sniffed heavily–"mint tea you're brewing?"

"What? I mean, yes! Yes, Lord Guardian!"

"I see." The enormous demon slowly crossed his arms, his forehead furrowing.

"May I have some?" Serena blinked three times before her mind steamed back into gear.

"Of course, Lord Guardian!" She gestured to the kettle.

"Help yourself! I mean," she hastily corrected herself.

"I'll pour you some now!"

"No need." The Lord Guardian strode across the room. No, he didn't stride. He glided. Somehow, he made no discernible sound with all his mass and all that metal armour.

"I'm particular in how my tea is prepared," he declared, coming to stand next to Serena. She involuntarily took a step back. How could she not? That man was massive. She would tweak her neck looking up to talk to him!

"Would anyone else like some?" the Lord Guardian asked the room.

"Do not trouble yourself, Lord Guardian," Greatlord Oshiro intoned with a bow.

"No, thank you, Lord Guardian," the spectacled Imperial Investigator said.

"There is no need, Lord Guardian," Chesterfield said.

"I still have a warm cup left over here."

"No, thank you, Lord Guardian!" Serena managed to blurt out, reading the room.

"Yes, please!" Amelia chirped, bouncing up to the side of the Lord Guardian, who was picking up the kettle.

"I need a refill! Oh… why are you pouring it away?" Amelia! What are you doing!? Serena desperately prayed her attempt at telepathic communication would work. Stop! Stop talking! Or I'm going to pull your cheeks so far apart you'll… you'll…

"These leaves are Kasimanda mint," the Lord Guardian explained, his voice suddenly quiet and soft yet still carrying throughout the room.

"They should not be brewed with boiling water; otherwise, the tea will become bitter. Eighty-two thols for one hundred and fifty seconds is the preferred approach for the cleanest flavour."

"Mmm, mmm!" Amelia hummed.

"I see! I recently tried firemint tea myself!"

"Oh, a rare treat in the East, Lord-Prospect Thornheart!" The Lord Guardian's voice sounded… impressed. The massive demon set about refilling the kettle and heating it, the tools looking comically small in his huge hands.

"Firemint is tricky. If you want to maximise its characteristic popping effect, then it should be brewed at eighty-eight thols. To maximise the flavour, ninety-six thols. Both for three minutes."

"I'll remember that, thank you!" Amelia earnestly replied.

"What other type of mint leaves are there?"

"An excellent question, Lord-Prospect Thornheart. Allow me to tell you about the famous Drissian Icemint. It has the bizarre effect of making your throat feel chilly despite the warmth of the drink. You'll rarely find it out here as it needs to be bathed in purple moonlight to prevent deterioration. Now, there's also heavy mint found on the slopes of Oker, those are called heavy because…" Serena blinked another three times as her brain was overheating. Of… of all times! Of all people!

This was who Amelia had just chosen to be her new friend!? Madness! Pure madness! She was dating a madwoman! A crazy, unstoppable madwoman! She slowly turned her head, making eye contact with Greatlord Oshiro, whose face was a little paler than she'd ever seen before. What's going on? Serena asked with her eyes. I don't want to know, the Greatlord's eyes responded. Her Lord Superior broke eye contact before turning and looking out the window. Serena looked into nothingness. Was she dreaming?

Was she going to wake up any moment?

"Let's start with Noburu," the Imperial Investigator quietly said to Chesterfield, bringing Serena back into reality.

"We need to explore the exact extent of his mistwalking. If it's something we can handle without establishing precautions within the Shimmer, then we won't need to occupy too much of our Lord Guardian's time." The Imperial Investigator looked up from his papers in the direction of Amelia and her new best friend, who were busy discussing the varieties and brewing differences of northern mint.

"Umm… then we'll talk to this Miss San and cross-reference our information."

"You're the expert," Chesterfield nodded. He turned and gestured towards Serena.

"Lord Halen, over here if you could."

"Ah… yes," Serena answered, her voice weaker than she would have liked. No, that wouldn't do. Hadn't she promised herself she would move forward with Amelia till the end? Ridiculous situations like this were bound to appear in the future; she couldn't lose her composure at each and every one!

"What is it?" she asked, her voice recovering its usual resoluteness. That's right. She was Captain Halen, soon to be Commodore Halen! Talented Speaker and war hero! Who was she to get unnerved by her girlfriend befriending a demon that could call upon more Imperial power with one wave of his hand than the entire Eastern Admiralty could? Ah… she was getting a headache.

"During the following interrogations, please focus on the personality and temperament of our two thieves." Chesterfield's face had its usual easy-going smile.

"I would like to hear your evaluation afterwards."

"... Of course." Serena bowed. She wasn't sure exactly why.

"Lord Halen," the Imperial Investigator intoned, bowing towards her.

"Akechi Kogoro. Pleased to make your acquaintance. May I say how honoured I am to meet someone with your achievements? You've managed what I could only dream of in the skies." Serena eyed the man for a moment.

"You served?" she asked, noting his familiar posture and bearing.

"I did – four years under Greatlord Kiyoshi. I remember hearing your name for the first time when you were made Captain of the Black Ship. Who could have expected the string of victories that would follow your appointment? Nevertheless, I did not have the stomach to face the action you did. I know my way around people better than I ever understood my gun or sword." He tapped the Imperial insignia on his chest.

"Now I serve her in a manner more fitting to my talents."

"Investigator Kogoro, I will remember your name," Serena affirmed.

"It's an honour, Lord Halen." He bowed, and when he straightened, his eyes widened slightly, lingering on something just past Serena's shoulder. She turned, and only by the mightiest effort did she not jump in surprise at the Lord Guardian standing just behind her. Sipping his tea.

"So we don't know how deep he can go?" the Lord Guardian enquired, his voice returning to a low growl.

"Not yet," Chesterfield replied.

"Once we make him aware there is no escape, we'll have him demonstrate his mistwalking. Once again, thank you for taking time out of your schedule, Lord Guardian." Chesterfield bowed. The man was oddly polite to the towering figure. Not that he wasn't polite to Serena, but she sensed that politeness was superficial, sometimes even bordering on mocking. The tone in which he spoke to the Lord Guardian was genuine.

"We would've been involved one way or another. You were lucky I was already in Asamaywa." The Lord Guardian downed the remainder of his drink and set aside the teacup.

"Lord-Prospect Thornheart," he said.

"Pay as much attention to me in there as you would towards anyone else. You might learn something."

"R-right!" Amelia nodded, flashing a thumbs up, before quickly hiding it and not so smoothly transitioning to a bow.

"Thank you!"

"Let's go, Investigator." The Lord Guardian left the room, quickly followed by Investigator Kogoro. A few moments later, they stepped into the room below. The mage inside was focused intently on her spell and fell out of her chair in shock when she realised a Lord Guardian was next to her. After a quick performance of frantic bowing and apologies, she soon left the sleeping Noburu alone with the Investigator and the Lord Guardian. The enormous demon took up position behind Noburu.

His piercing eyes seemed to lock onto Amelia before turning towards the floor as if looking for something. And then, he vanished. Even though Serena had just been informed about the Shimmer and mistwalking, seeing it first-hand was entirely different. How… was that even possible? To do something so incredible with no burst of aether or noise? One moment, he was there, and the next, he wasn't. As the thought formed in her mind, so did a memory of when someone had spoken very similar words to her. Hmm…

the human was not here and then she was. It was what Anathor told her when Amelia first appeared in her quarters onboard the Vengeance. Is this how it happened? Did Amelia travel through the Shimmer? Did someone aid her?

"Wow…" Amelia muttered.

"Impressive," Greatlord Oshiro intoned. Chesterfield merely chuckled softly. Serena didn't have time to say anything. Investigator Kogoro reached over and used ammonia salts to shock Noburu awake.

"Ah!" Noburu cried, his eyes flicking open.

"Hello, Noburu," Investigator Kogoro said with a smile.

"Before we start, I must warn you: If you use your blessing without my permission, you will die. Do you understand?" Well, Serena thought. That's one way to wake someone up.