Valkyrie's Shadow

Chapter 19

The Nobility of Re-Estize possessed no inclination to educate their scions about a group of traitors and rebels.

This was how it always was, and Ludmila suspected that it was how things would remain for most. Merchant houses like Corelyn, Gagnier and Wagner were more well informed, but their knowledge tended to revolve around the practical matters that Merchants tended to focus on. The Sorcerous Kingdom’s intelligence on the Empire had the same sort of feel to it, focusing on the here and now that they believed to be of significance. Numbers were plentiful, as were sterile domestic assessments and analyses of strength.

In all, it felt akin to looking down at a city as one flew high above. One saw what existed and could observe operations from a distance, but knowing the why and how of everything according to the actors below was far beyond reach.

Of the Empire’s history, culture, and inner workings, Ludmila knew little and the upper echelons of the Sorcerous Kingdom for the most part didn’t care. This lack of care wasn’t for the Empire in particular, of course: it applied to everyone. There simply was no need for the powerful to concern themselves with what they considered trivial matters. No matter how the weak squirmed, they were effectively insects – the non-monstrous type – relative to the supreme might of the Sorcerous Kingdom.

Issues were to be crushed underfoot. To some, like Lady Shalltear, the only thing of interest once it reached that point was how satisfying the crunch was.

If it were a matter of war or conquest, this would be sufficient to achieve broad, indiscriminate objectives. The task that Ludmila and her friends had set themselves to, however, was drawing in a passively uncooperative client state and transforming it into a proud member of the Sorcerous Kingdom’s hegemony. At the moment, the Empire’s relationship with its suzerain was more like someone chaining up a small animal and dragging it along.

This could be felt whenever they interacted with officials from the Empire who were aware of their identity. Hesitation, uncertainty and fear shadowed their words and actions. If Ludmila was not aware of what went on between the two states, she would have thought that the Sorcerous Kingdom was a fearful overlord with a penchant for abusive relationships rather than a nation that had graciously accepted the Empire as a protectorate and mostly let it be.

Pride dictated that this was an impermissible state of affairs. The type of change that they sought, however, required true understanding and candid cooperation.

Lady Frianne settled herself more comfortably into her seat. Her deep blue gaze turned inward as she appeared to gather her thoughts.

“Where would you like me to begin?” She asked.

“It shames me to admit,” Ludmila said, “that my knowledge on the matter amounts to ‘he killed a lot of people on his way to the top’ and ‘the Empire got better’. There are the rumours that circulate with trade and travel, of course, but I would like to hear things from a more credible source.”

“I suppose it could be paraphrased in that manner,” Lady Frianne said. “But you’re right that it doesn’t help with understanding the…spirit of today’s Empire. We were once a part of Re-Estize, but our government and culture have drifted far from that of the Kingdom. That being said, the Emperor’s ascension is not a matter that should be unfamiliar to aristocrats like ourselves, but it is still a tragic story.”

“‘Tragic’ is not what one usually associates with the Emperor’s rise to power.”

“It’s not,” Lady Frianne agreed. “But it does not make it any less so. Especially to a member of the Imperial Dynasty…and especially for my cousin.”

Lady Frianne raised a slender hand, as if to knock on the driver window behind her, then stopped.

“We should stop somewhere if we are to speak of this,” she said. “There is a park up ahead and to the right, if you don’t mind telling your driver.”

『Driver, find us a place to stop in the park ahead and to the right. Let the others know we’ll be there for a while.』

As the carriage turned into a lane that led through garden’s stripped bare by winter’s embrace, Lady Frianne nodded slightly.

“You’re very much like the Nobles from our marches, Lady Zahradnik,” she said. “Many of them become distinguished Commanders in the Imperial Army. It’s easy to understand why you’ve been chosen as a liaison officer.”

“Are all of the Imperial Army’s Commanders from the borderlands?”

“Most. General Kabein of the Second Legion is from the interior, but it takes an individual of exceptional talent to rise through the ranks without a martial lineage…you’re all just made differently, somehow. At any rate, my cousin is the man that he is because that is what the times demanded of him.”

“What happened?”

“The same thing that happens to anyone possessed of superlative quality,” Lady Frianne smiled bitterly, “those who cannot compete directly seek other ways to get ahead. The previous Emperor died for reasons unknown, and many speculate that he was assassinated out of desperation. Jircniv was only fifteen then, and rival factions hoped to supplant him before he could solidify his power base. Instead, they found him capable beyond their imaginings.”

Lady Frianne’s bitter smile took on a hard quality, and her eyes seemed to gleam as she continued her account.

“Jircniv ripped the initiative straight out of his enemies’ hands,” she said. “Asserting his authority over the First Legion, he moved before anyone could capitalise on his father’s death. Starting with the Empress Dowager, he ordered those suspected of assassinating his father cut down. After that, he went after every substantial source of political opposition – including all of his siblings. In the end, three of the five Margraves of the Empire were eradicated, and every major faction was shattered. Unfortunately, Jircniv’s mother was lost in the conflict. His Imperial Majesty secured the throne of Baharuth, but he lost his immediate family in the process.”

“Was that all truly necessary?” Florine asked, “What did the rest of the Imperial Dynasty have to say?”

“The three Dukes stand with the Emperor,” Lady Frianne told her. “We always have. It’s probably the main difference between Baharuth and Re-Estize. For whatever reason, House Vaiself never saw fit to solidify its power base by cultivating its own dynasty and has paid the price. The Imperial Household has been inviolable since its establishment because no one can stand against the Imperial Dynasty’s combined political will. That being said, Jircniv’s actions were necessary: both at the time and for the future. One might say that it was something generations in the making…my cousin just happened to be the one in the right place at the right time.”

Ludmila frowned at the notion that a sovereign could plot against his own Nobles in such a manner. It was not just the sovereign, either, but the entire Imperial Dynasty – Lady Frianne seemed nothing if not proud of her cousin’s ‘achievements’.

“So you are saying that this would have happened eventually even without the current Emperor?”

“Eventually, yes,” Lady Frianne nodded. “His Imperial Majesty’s extraordinary talent saved the Empire several generations of slow reform. The imperial throne has four legs, so to speak. First is the Imperial Dynasty, which also includes the Imperial Harem and stands as the bulwark of political power and wealth in support of the Emperor. Second is the Imperial Army, which answers to the Emperor and enforces his will. The Imperial Ministries are the third. Finally, there’s the Imperial Magic Academy: the institution that raises the future leaders of the Baharuth Empire.

“While other nations stagnate, the Empire forges ahead. In time, the citizens of the Empire – be they Noble or commoner – will not only be unified in purpose and benefit under imperial law, but also carry within them the indomitable spirit of the Empire itself.”

Beside Lady Frianne, Miss Erex remained silent and attentive, but she seemed every bit as convinced of the sureness of what had been said. The establishment that these two noblewomen believed in was not the aristocracy, but that of imperial power. Ludmila could only wonder how many Nobles had been removed because they were truly incompetent and how many had been purged as obstacles to that power.

Clara reached out and picked up a napkin from the table, wiping away the remnants of her breakfast.

“So with the aristocracy rendered relatively impotent,” she said, “the Emperor has been free to act as an absolute monarch.”

“That’s right,” Lady Frianne said. “To this day, His Imperial Majesty has been implementing new reforms and placing men and women of talent in their deserved positions. The attainted that you’ve seen in the city are the result of the constant examination of our administration. There used to be far more of this sort, but most of them have withered away without their titles.”

“This sort…” Clara said, “What measures are used to determine fitness for one’s station in the Empire? Those who are clearly incompetent should be simple to keep track of, but measuring different Nobles in different circumstances should result in unreliable judgements at best.”

“It might seem a daunting task,” Lady Frianne replied, “but the institutions of the Empire are not to be underestimated. As I said, these changes have been long in the making – the fruit of generations of talented visionaries. Not only are Nobles subject to stringent audits, but all future leaders of the Empire attend the Imperial Magic Academy. Those who graduate must meet imperial standards. Failures who assume leadership of their respective houses are easy targets. With the abundance of titles held by the Emperor, those of talent who distinguish themselves can enter the ranks of an aristocratic establishment tailored for the Empire’s needs.”

『This Empire is dooming itself to mediocrity…』

Unable to bottle up her feelings any further, Ludmila silently vented her frustrations.

『Huh? Whaddya mean by that? Seems like the exact opposite to me…』

『It’s not, Liane. This is too important to discuss while we’re distracted. We’ll have to speak about it later.』

“What about the families of the attainted?” Clara asked, “With traditional methods of aristocratic education, one might assume that Noble scions will follow in their parents’ footsteps, but presumably they attend the Imperial Magic Academy here.”

A crack appeared in Lady Frianne’s mask. She appeared to be aware of it and aware that they had noticed.

“That’s right,” she said quietly. “They do. The fools that lead their houses to ruin are deserving of every bit of scorn that comes their way, and those that persist in their foolish ways, doubly so. But their families…it’s a difficult problem. More than a few of my classmates have been subjected to attainder.”

“If the Empire is so keen on recognizing individual merit,” Florine asked, “shouldn’t they be trying to retain promising individuals?”

“It’s not just because society shuns them,” Lady Frianne sighed. “These idiots on the streets that desperately fling themselves at you do not represent all of them. Most are at least brought up as proper Nobles and possess a Noble’s pride. Can you imagine discovering one day that your house has been attainted? I’ve seen what it looks like when one’s entire world collapses.”

Lady Frianne shuddered, arms crossed tightly over her midriff.

“Very few can simply shrug it off. They waste away under the shame of dishonour that they never deserved. Many girls commit suicide to avoid the fate that they would otherwise see. The moment she received the news, one of my classmates cast a Fly spell and went out the window to disappear into the sky. Ten minutes later, her frozen corpse came down and shattered into countless fragments on the road. Those that don’t end themselves in some way are forever changed. They eventually withdraw from their old lives and those that knew them never see or hear from them again.

“Even if help was made available, they will never seek it. They have accepted that they are no longer wanted and do not wish to be a burden on those who are. All that is left for them is to quietly live out their lives with their families in a place where the scorn of the world cannot reach them.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the cabin. Ludmila stared out at the bleak and empty gardens outside. What would it be like? To be raised from the moment you could walk for a life of purpose and responsibility, then having it all stripped away just as one was ready to step out into the world? To be marked for life through no fault of their own before one could even prove themselves?

“Do you think it’s worth it?” Clara asked.

Lady Frianne blinked.

“I beg your pardon?”

“The price of the Empire’s progress,” Clara explained. “To have people crawl under their own power to the foot of a cold and graceless throne. Building a soulless society where citizens only exist to be used and all else is trampled underfoot. Even those who make great contributions will only be appreciated for as long as they continue to perform. The Empire may indeed forge ahead for a time, but, like your Emperor, it will lose everything that it holds dear.”

“You sound like my grandmother.”

“Do you think she’s wrong?”

Lady Frianne put on a resigned look.

“No.”

“I thought not.”

Clara shifted slightly, reaching into her Infinite Haversack. Lady Frianne’s eyes widened as she looked at what was placed on the table.

“That’s…that’s my treatise. You’ve read it?”

“I have,” Clara smirked. “We all have.”

“If so,” Lady Frianne said, “then why…”

“Because we were curious,” Clara told her. “There’s no denying that you’ve heavily invested yourself in this work, but your conduct thus far made us wonder if they were simply pretty words written to dazzle the impressionable. We have no interest in entertaining the façade that the Empire presents in an effort to impress or placate us; no one here can be fooled by such things. Substance is what we seek, so it would be best if you keep this in mind to avoid any more time-consuming cross-examinations.”

Lady Frianne stared at the first volume of Fundamental Principles of Magocratic Governance before nodding quietly. Clara rested a hand upon the weighty tome.

“And,” she said, “if you need help, you can always check with us to see if anything can be done.”

“Then you believe that my work holds real, practical value?” Lady Frianne asked.

“It is written with imperial interests in mind,” Clara answered as she idly tapped the cover, “but I believe that many of the ideas presented are sound. Of greatest importance is the notion that proper cultural development is crucial to the health of an advanced state and its citizens.”

“I see…my grandmother advised me to pay special attention to those aspects, but it always feels like those who read it focus on the technical applications instead.”

“Judging by what I’ve seen of the Empire,” Clara said, “you have an uphill battle ahead of you. But don’t lose heart – you at least have some supporters in the Sorcerous Kingdom.”

“Thank y–”

Another tome landed on the table with a thump.

“Sign, please,” Liane said.

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