Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 175: Arc 4, Act I, - 20: Trailon, The Princess and A Voice of Thunder
As her majesty spoke, even all those in the back could hear her voice. Once the doors had shut, a wave of magic flowed through the room; one that made her voice crystal clear.
Low mutters travelled around the room, before Feyan stood up with a huff of his breath. Documents shuffled in his hands, "Honourable council, esteemed guests and diligent personnel, I wish you all a good morning.
I thank her majesty, the Undying Princess, Xia Lan Daiyu, to allow me to convey this crucial and sensitive information to you all on this day."
As Daiyu sat, "You might wanna take notes," she whispered to Jotou.
Scribes of the palace sat at the ready, already noting down the words of greetings. "We will begin with the most recent event in Hartamat.
On the 18th of August, around twenty-two hundred hours and midnight, a device was activated which recorded the events of the two days to follow, the 19th and 20th of August."
Feyan continued to explain the events of Hartamat and the time resets, based on the information provided by one Major Schroeder.
"These events were successfully thwarted after two weeks, on the 2nd going onto the 3rd of September. While no one within these ’time loops’ could recall the previous days, the Thundering Blade, Ms Jotou Howllett, could.
With her recalling the information, she was able to gather the aid and assistance of Hartamat’s Defence Force and end the cycles. The side-effects of this ’experiment’ conducted by a supposed rogue battalion got more severe with each loop.
Multiple civilians even reporting seizures and intense migraines that impeded movement. This detrimental device was created by a Professor Fredrik Alano, a specialist in magi-technology.
After a thorough interrogation-" Feyan went into how the magic of the device worked, "-And this device was destroyed by the Thundering Blade and party, with the aid of Major Schroeder and Hartamat’s Defence Force.
Why this information and these events had not come to anyone’s attention sooner is due to the travel ban in Hartamat. We waited for further information, but none had arrived.
As per the council’s decision, we sent a messenger after two weeks to report back on the situation and came back with the news of the events; fortunately, while the disguised Trailon soldiers were being arrested and the events had concluded.
The said professor will be brought to Cravolta City Penitentiary for various reasons. After a speedy reply from Luxinorian academics in the magi-technology field, they state that everything should return to normal.
The people who were affected may see accelerated growth and will adapt for lost time; any living thing will catch up to the two weeks, excluding the memories that are lost.
We will have to excuse Hartamat from much of the council’s business, as well as the business of Trailon, while they recover and we find a new minister to replace the position.
They will also gain financial aids and regular check-ups with the gracious aid of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Finance. And their calendars will be forced to be altered to be in sync with the rest of the world."
Feyan switched documents as chatter grew slightly louder in the room, "This will also of course be added to Trailon’s list of war crimes, namely falsifying that their troops had gone rogue and sending aid, as well as harming civilians.
After the setback in Kria, the City of New Beginnings, where trials or discussions of these matters would typically be held, the responsibility now falls on us, based on a very old accord.
Hefaloss, the City of Jewels, has of course refused to deal with the matter after we suggested they be the replacement intermediary. As we are already in war against the Tri-Regime, Hefaloss wishes not to be caught in the crossfire.
After the matter of the Trailon Regime secretly invading Kria, an order was issued to Prime Minister Aldous Woddard on the 18th of August, 979.
They were invited to Tamara Palace by the council to speak their piece to the Council of Cravolta and were given a deadline of three weeks to reply. The final day being on the 8th of September which is the coming Sunday.
There is still yet to be any response from Trailon. And with that, I believe this briefing is concluded. Thank you," Feyan exhaled before sitting down.
"The floor is open," Daiyu said whilst seated.
"Well, I believe we should discuss what to do with this situation. It takes less than a week for a formal reply and if it has taken this long," the Minister of Foreign Affairs spoke while seated, his voice echoing throughout the room as well.
The murmurs grew louder. "A secondary warning perhaps?" the Minister of International Trade spoke up. Her proposal was replied with sounds of disagreement.
"Swifter action needs to be taken I believe. If negotiations cannot occur, then requesting aid from other countries to face them is an open option," a Deputy Minister of Justice voiced.
"Boo," "No, that’s a bad idea." The council erupted into noises of groans and disdain. Some slapped the tables in disagreement, as jeers began going across the table.
Whatever enchantment or illusion within the room was knowing enough to distinguish when a person wished their voice to be projected; especially knowing not to project the slurs being flung across on occasion.
Some laughed loudly when ideas were shut down or insulted. Jotou stared... ’This, is a parliament? Maybe the countess is right. They’re no better than children arguing...
Honestly, I don’t think anyone really grows up. They just become bigger children. The only difference is whether or not you mature. I fear for Cravolta; this is a horrible way to conduct anything.
Are all world parliaments like this? So unprofessional while the country does its best to survive...? As if I didn’t hate education systems enough, I now have another system to hate.’ A glare formed as Jotou stopped dotting down notes.
"In all reality, I suggest we extend the deadline for Trailon’s reply for another week," the Deputy Minister of Defence announced facing the Royal Ministry.
"I think that would be unwise; we need to be quick," Daiyu replied, to which Feyan nodded. "We don’t need to be housing empty threats, and showing leniency would only make them test the boundaries."
The princess showed her notes to Feyan, to which he hastily wrote the proper way to say it in pleasantly legible handwriting.
"We can’t say that for absolute certainty and there may be a miscommunication or an error that occurred along the way. Perhaps sending another letter would suffice," someone voiced from the council.
The Minister of Human Resources spoke up, "Or perhaps they have heard of the death of the previous monarchs and now know of the ’situation’ of the ’previous’ princess.
They may know she is not the same and don’t want to show proper respect. If even our citizens are at odds..." A lot of the council slapped the table in agreement whilst many abstained with pouts.
Daiyu clenched her fist, nearly breaking her pen. She took a deep breath, "This is an act of fear. If we don’t push after they refuse to answer, it gives them more confidence to use their means to achieve victory."
"How would you understand the lives of the people going to war? The previous princess died in the frontlines. And of course you, ’your majesty’, wouldn’t want to lose this sudden growth in wealth and power, would you?"
To the Defence Deputy Minister’s comment Daiyu growled under her breath. Something, anything to throw would be fantastic right now- Her foot tapped... Oh, how easy it would be to make the entire room tremor...
Feyan held his lips shut, glaring to the minister, but he did not want to act out. He turned to Daiyu. The princess’s teeth were clenched, "That’s not what this is about at all-"
"I suggest that we send a second letter of warning and extend the duration, so maybe more soldiers’ lives can be spared," he continued to the rest of the council, interrupting her.
Feyan knitted his brows and opened his mouth; only for a hand to wave in front of him, as Daiyu shook her head for him not to speak. Daiyu turned to the council,
"Well, we know someone who has been in the thick of Trailon’s schemes and battles. Why do we not ask his opinion on the matter since mine is somehow invalid? Thundering Blade?"
"Huh?" Jotou glanced up to see Daiyu giving a half-cocked smirk. The entire council turned, the reporters who were furiously writing glanced up while a silence waved over the room.
"M-my lady are you, sure about this?" Feyan leaned in.
"Trust me," Daiyu kept her eyes on Jotou. Jotou shook her head, to which Daiyu nodded her head.
"I have nothing to say," Jotou whispered.
"You have to now~"
"Well? If the Thundering Blade has something to say, don’t keep us waiting till evening," the minister continued.
"Go on," Daiyu coaxed.
’I’m gonna kill you, I swear to hell...’ Jotou stood up and faced the gathering with a slow turn. Her eyes sparked a little to the deputy minister.
Jotou knitted her brows, "How noble of you to safeguard the lives of soldiers, those who have vowed their lives to serve their country and defend, while Trailon harms innocent civilians. Truly, a saint you are."
Arabella glanced with a lean forward. The deputy minister glared, the silence of the council speaking more volumes; perhaps they were just quiet because Jotou stood up whilst they all sat? "This is utterly disrespectful," he replied.
"Oh, my apologies, I merely called you a saint. If you believe this to be untrue then I can’t change your opinion. However, I’m not here to do that," Jotou looked down at her notes, her heartbeat quickening.
At the same time, some familiarity of confidence trickled into her. She glanced at the whole council, "After all the information presented, it’s quite obvious that innocents are not out the realm of endangerment for Trailon."
Her words projected across the room, her shoulders broad, "Giving them more time will embolden them to continue their underhanded methods.
And hell only knows how long the public of Cravolta and every other allied nation will tolerate it. There will be civil unrest in the public the more delays are made.
Not to mention, any operations they may already be organizing that could harm even more civilians in the near future. As the princess stated, inaction will only be seen as an act of fear."
’And the only reason he wants to do that, is to secure his place on the council. Like when Commissioner Wellers’s reputation of the Krialin went down with the Velatos Case. Add that to his obvious dislike of Daiyu. You think Daiyu’s just being greedy? Pot calling the kettle you bastard.’
"I can not only personally verify the information provided today is true, but have been involved in those matters myself, as well as my friends.
The devastation, the fear it causes to civilians is severe and those who wish to fight will fight till their last breath for a cause.
And what better cause is there than to purge an evil from this world? Trailon has provoked first and we have every right to advance.
The pros outweigh the cons and choosing to simply give them more time will not only lose us that window of opportunity, but work against us."
A minister spoke up, "Still, the idea of sending troops because they did not reply-"
Jotou glared as a few arcs of electricity jolted across her blonde locks, rising up much like Hotaru’s tail would, "I am NOT finished!" Her eyes widened, "Not even the decency to request permission to interrupt someone speaking!"
The minister gulped before sitting silent. The countess smiled as her eyes twinkled with bits of water. Jotou huffed; the lightning disappeared, "As I was saying, I believe there’s a third option; simply to be patient.
There is no reason to be making this important decision now on hypotheticals. Trailon still has time to reply and after that period, when we know their choice, then we can truly decide.
This meeting, if I’m not mistaken, is merely to brief and inform everyone of the events, including the public. With this information, everybody can mull it over before the day comes when a final decision needs to be made.
Whether it was because they disrespect the current monarch, which I do not believe would be the case, or some other reason, is irrelevant. The Council put forward the invitation and they answer to the council, not the princess alone.
So, for now we give them time and respect the enemy though they refuse to respect the law and wish to use underhanded methods to achieve victory.
I suggest, this meeting to be adjourned to the day after a reply—or a lack there of. Thank you," Jotou sat down with a huff, while the room remained silent until whispers took over.
Daiyu held back a satisfied smile, "I knew you could do it," she hushed while the council discussed.
"Psychopath..." the blonde sighed. "I hope I did well..."
Archduke Guuraj turned, "It was... abrasive, but necessary. You handled that well, though there may be some, conflicting opinions within the council..."
"Nonsense," the countess’s voice travelled like a mellow stream, "She handled that perfectly, like a true queen would—decisive and not afraid to keep order. Unlike someone who appeared to pause and stutter when she was interrupted."
Daiyu took a deep breath and faced the council.
"I don’t care of what opinions they hold of me. I know who I am; if they have a problem, they can speak to me directly.
The princess has to hold back, otherwise there would be reason for unrest and would sully the name of the Royal Ministry. I’m just an honoured guest, an outsider.
Daiyu did nothing wrong and took a diplomatic approach, which, I couldn’t take with all these people being so pompous. So, I would suggest you take that into consideration before criticizing her actions, Countess," Jotou hissed.
The countess’s smile faded bit by bit, before she turned to the council in silence, her eyes slanting down.
Jotou frowned to the council ahead, before seeing her friends sat at the sides... ’Why are my eyebrows still tense?’ She unstiffened her brows.
’Oh hell... calm down Jotou, you’re becoming that angry-cringy version of yourself from years ago... Hell... Okay, okay...’ Jotou breathed, holding her forehead gently as the memories of her past whizzed back and forth in her mind.
’Why is that part of me even here? It’s from all those debates. I became such a bitch. I’m fine, I’m fine, nothing to be angry about. I need to do something after this.’
As Jotou calmed her breaths and cooled herself down, the rest of the council were coming to a close on their discussion. Her eyes were locked onto the table the entire time.
Feyan closed the meeting, adjourning it for another day as per Jotou’s suggestion, which the majority of the council seemed to agree with.
