The Mechanical Era

The moonlight shined through the window of the castle. Rose, with her messy hair and in her pink nightgown, was reading a book before she went to sleep. There was a sudden knock on the door. 'Who dare disturb me now?' she thought to herself.

She turned on the lanterns with a fire spell and consented. Yet, nobody came in. Frustrated, she reluctantly got off her cozy warm bed to walk over to the door to see who it was. There was nobody present, it appears they have gone far away. It was only after she closed the door, Rose noticed an envelope on her side of the room.

'They must have slid it under.'

Rose picks up the envelope and walks over to a table to read it. As she looks closer, it appeared to have been carried over by a messenger pigeon. Rose opens it up to find a letter from Albersterg, informing her about a pierrevol attack in their city. After she read the letter, she put it back on her table, placed a small mirror to keep it in place, and went to sleep.

'I will discuss with the assistant minister tomorrow.' she thought.

...

Rose was sitting in her white office chair, properly awake and prepared, waiting for the assistant minister. She combed her hair a bit more to be sure it looked good along with the blue royal gown she picked to wear today.

*Knock Knock Knock*

"Come in." She responded after placing her brush in the drawer. Nathan entered the office, all dressed in a fancy red suit, with yellow buttons, gold linings, and a yellow neckerchief. He knelt in front of her before greeting her.

"You summoned me your majesty?" he asked.

"You look rather good Nathan. Is that the reason why it looks you long?" Rose asked.

"Why yes my queen. I thought I rather try something new. If your majesty desires, I could return to my normal attire if you wish."

"No no. I think it looks good on you." She responds.

Rose then took the letter and handed it over to Nathan. He read the letter detailing the pierrevol attack, what time it occurred, the mana stone it contained, the casualties inflicted, and much more little, but useful, details.

"A lone demonic attack. A powerful one too." Rose told Nathan.

"What do you think Minister?" Nathan continues to observe the letter. Rose assumed that he was gathering all he could to give her his opinion on the matter,

"A pierrevol is no laughing matter, your highness. The sight of these rare demons would mean that they are planning something. I advise that your majesty should stay alarmed, and start training the knights as soon as possible."

Rose sighed. "That old bastard seemed to be right about something," Rose mutters under her breath. She regrets not informing her knights to start training earlier. Maybe that old hag knew what he was saying after all.

"Do not blame yourself, your majesty. There had been multiple false alarms from what the pope had told us. Besides, this would allow us to slander them further."

"I guess that is correct. But please do inform the knight commander of the situation. We need to start training the knights harder for upcoming battles."

"That I will do, your majesty. But before that, there is something I need to inform you." Nathan replied. From his pocket, he took out a letter and gave it to Queen Rose.

"The two teachers that told me they were resigning from their lucrative job had moved up north. They are currently in hiding, with the support of the rival families.

They might want to use them to teach their children away from the academy. We got tipped off by some anonymous man. We found letters multiple letters the teachers exchanged with the rival families."

Rose put down the letter after reading it.

"Do we currently know a hint of their location?"

"Unfortunately no. However, they are suspected to be hiding either in Hernfur, Trinoco, or Oulem. All small cities with less than 400 knights. We are not sure they are staying together or separated, but most likely separated not to put all their eggs in one basket."

"Well, I think you should put someone to investigate them. How are their children doing? Is there any success in that area?"

"It is going well. However, we are having a hard time with the Maybale sisters. Their connection as twin sisters seems near unbreakable. Although..."

"What is it?" Rose leaned forward.

"Princess Sofia has submitted a request to practice with Prince Friedrich, from the Kingdom of Mandella. Princess Lisa on the other hand seems to resent him.

We can inform the Mercia family of this new connection. They might be able to pressure Friedrich to influence the child, like what we have done with Edward." Nathan suggested.

"That is a very good Minister. Thank you for the advice. Before you go, I have a request for you." Rose replied.

"What is it, your highness?"

"I will be writing a lot of letters to inform the rest of the continent of this encounter. I need you to send it over to the other kingdoms when I am done. It will ensure the peace of the continent for some time."

"When will they be ready?" he asks.

"By the end of the day," she replies.

"I understand your highness," Nathan says and leaves the room.

...

Kant finally finished the bill. Kant opened up his office window to take a look as he waited for Arjun. He looked onward to the city that he ruled over, admiring the beauty of the complex habitat. It was then when a knock came on the door where he entered the office. Arjun informed Kant that a message had arrived from Albersterg.

He took the envelope and opened up the letter. Arjun waited as Kant read the letter. He had not opened the letter himself, instead bringing it to Kant to read as he requested it.

"The letter details a pierrevol attack on their city. It seems to be the cause for King Heinrich's decision."

"A lone pierrevol attack?" Arjun said out in shock.

"Yes, that is correct. It would be wise to inform Kristina about the situation. Have the knights train for the immediate future." He takes out a file and hands it over to Arjun.

"In regards to the Private Corporation Act of 5018 and Public Patent Filing Act of 5018, I order the renovation of two buildings to be used to be prepared and start recruitment of workers who are capable of working for the two registrars.

The same goes for the police headquarters that we have chosen. Have knight commander Kristina start recruiting officers immediately. I will instruct them on what she needs to do afterward.

Other than that, do inform the kitchen to prepare the dough for pizza tomorrow. I am sure our guest would be delighted." Kant requested. Arjun simply nods and leaves. After a few minutes, Kant looks back at the letter and smiles.