Fierce Tea Party

Queen Katrin. Have you been well?

Thank you for asking, Queen Cristina.

No troubles, though the journey here was not easy.

Traveling from Isiel to Elaia does mean crossing quite a few mountains.

Phew...

Greetings, Your Majesties. It seems I'm a bit late.

Duchess Isabel...! No, it's all right. Sneaking past the Empire's prying eyes is no simple task.

It was nothing... Ah, Queen Katrin of Isiel, yes? I hear you're a master of powerful magic.

...It's nothing worth boasting about.

Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation!

One cannot miss such an occasion. Besides, it's a chance to exchange knowledge between nations.

Hehe, indeed. Princess Erin, you've grown so much. To think you could host such a gathering...

I just want everyone to grow closer from now on. Please look after me! Hehe.

This may not be the most leisurely of times to sip tea...

But for cooperation's sake, it's necessary.

Exactly! Showing the strength of our unity is the best way to keep our enemies from moving recklessly.

Princess Erin, surely you've prepared desserts for us after such a long journey?

Of course! I'll bring the finest cakes in all Elaia!

Greetings! So you've all gathered here.

Princess Isolde. You're rather late.

Something came up on the way...

You mean the Imperial Army?!

No, nothing like that. I just found an interesting book. I even brought it along to lend to you, hehehe!

...A book?

Yes. Surely you don't dislike books, do you, Your Majesties?

Of course not. In Isiel, we encourage reading.

M-Mercia is the same! I adore books, truly. I always expand my knowledge in the garden, haha!

As for me, I like technical texts, ancient techniques, refining methods useful for Magitek, that sort of thing.

I see. I do hope this one proves useful to you.

Thank you, Princess.

It would be wonderful if your people could share in it too. Books are food for the mind.

Naturally.

Well then, let's take a look.

Huh...? <Affairs in the Bedchamber>? Princess Isolde, don't tell me...

Yes, it's a romance novel. A very steamy one at that. Perfect for long nights, hehe.

It's the magnum opus of an author I greatly admire, Sir I.S.B.!

Cough! Cough!!

...Ahem, this is... somewhat...

S-Such a scandalous title... How could you bring such a thing...!

Duchess Isabel, please say something! Show Princess Isolde how unbecoming this is of royalty!

Eh...? Oh... well, I... actually think it's fine...?

Huh? What's everyone doing?

Oh, a book? I love books too! I have so many picture books!

H-Hide it quickly! Princess Erin mustn't see!

Y-Yes!!

Ehh...?

Princess Erin. It's best to ignore such innappropriate hobbies. Allow me to show you an ice-sculpting spell from Isiel instead.

Oh! I'd love that!

I'll fetch some ice for you, Your Majesty!

Innappropriate...?

Sigh. What an indecent title. Let's put it away before she returns.

I-Indecent...? Ahem...

Hey now, don't judge it by the title alone. You need to read it to see its true...

P-Princess Isolde... best if you stopped there...

A-Anyway! Since this is a tea party for exchange, why don't we start with gifts?

I'll present you with Mercia's famous rose face mask, it makes your skin positively radiant!

That's a wonderful idea. I have something as well.

It's a design for a magical cannon, suitable for castle defenses. Simple to construct.

Such a valuable gift...? Are you sure?

Consider it a token of friendship. It's well within what I can offer.

I gratefully accept.

Queen Katrin, I brought the ice!

Wowww!

...Why do I suddenly feel embarrassed about myself? You're all such amazing people.

I think you're wonderful too, Princess Isolde.

No, I still have far to go.

Hehe, the ice lamb is so cute!

In return, I'll give you my favorite picture book, The Fisherman's Reward. It's a touching tale!

N-No, you don't need to...

Oh?! That's the very book I read when I was little!

Really?

...You all truly do love reading, don't you?

There's much to learn from the words of those who came before.

I agree. Why don't we each recommend a book?

Ah! In that case, the one I just showed you...

Let's exclude novels overly preoccupied with desire.

...Fine.

Well, as I said, I prefer books directly tied to technology. Though sometimes... romantic ones too... ahem!

Fufu. In Mercia there are many works about nature and daily life. Farming guides, too.

The books of Isiel on mining and minerals are the true essence of knowledge.

It's not so easy to study such things otherwise.

F-Farming's not easy either if you've never tried it!

Hmph! I'll have someone bring my favorite book. You'll be astonished!

I'll look forward to it, Queen Cristina.

But is this not meant to be an exchange? Competing too fiercely is not wise...

That may be true. Still...

Even among allies, there are always points where one wishes to prove themselves superior.

We in Cornwall cannot accept any hierarchy among the alliance. Nor favoring one nation over another.

You misunderstand.

This is just a form of sport. Healthy competition fosters unity, and through it, growth.

That sounds convincing... but isn't today a tea party? Perhaps you should calm yourselves.

We don't even have a common ground to compete over. Competing in reading makes no sense.

Unless it's writing... ahem!

The tea might be getting cold! I'll bring fresh tea and my favorite sweets! So please... no fighting...

D-Don't worry, Princess Erin! We're not fighting. It's... a friendly rivalry!

Well... I never meant to get heated anyway.

Really...? The mood just felt scary...

They're all simply so impressive that it brought out a competitive spark. But since we lack common ground, I suppose it'll fade away.

Common ground? What's that?

Princess Erin, simply put, it's something everyone likes or cares about.

Ah! In that case, I know one!

You do?

Yes! Ethan!

Ethan?

Ethan...!

...! The Swordbringer?!

He always said it, you know. "This damned world, this damned world."

...Saying such things in front of a child...

But he also said he endures it because of the people he met on his journey! That he owed debts of gratitude everywhere.

Indeed. Without him, some places would have long since been swallowed by the Empire.

True...

We too have been helped greatly. We're always thankful to the Swordbringer.

Ah...! And he also said...

Before his adventure ends, he wants to date a strong and beautiful woman! Hehe, such an embarrassing thing to say...!

Then the contest is decided. On my way here, I saw an orc village.

I had the same thought. Monster hunts would benefit the locals as well.

I hadn't intended to compete, but if you insist, then I'll take it seriously.

In that case, I won't back down either. I want Ethan to see the strength of our duchy.

And I will not lose when it comes to bonds of fate. Ethan is my revered comrade, after all. Hehe!

Kyaoo...?

Phew, it has been a while since I really worked up a sweat. I knew Elaia's weather was warm, but now it is downright hot.

Honestly, I took this too lightly... I find myself respecting you anew, Queen Katrin.

Not at all. Your magic was quite impressive as well, Queen Cristina...

I think I dropped the most enemies.

We can compare after we are finished.

By the way... how are we going to evaluate this?

I bowed out, but since I am accompanying you, it would be hard for me to judge fairly.

Hmm... let us leave it to Princess Erin.

A good idea. She is the one who brought it up.

But everyone, wagers are fine... but we should be cautious.

You said as much earlier. You mean things feel off, do you not?

Even with an orc village nearby, they would not normally rush us like they were being chased. There may be something else at work.

For now, we should focus on the fighting.

I will keep watch so nothing goes wrong.

Fufu. Reassuring as always, Duchess.

Then... we should return before sunset, so let us push a little farther in.

[Grooarrr...]

A Minotaur...?! What's a demon of the labyrinth doing here...?

We'll get no answers from a beast that doesn't speak. Let's defeat it, and we'll send an official team to investigate later.

[Graaaahhh!!]

If it's a demon, then I should be able to turn the fight in our favor.

I was worried I wouldn't get to do anything today, but this works out nicely. Heheh...!

Now!

We did it...!

I'd like to say it was only thanks to me, but honestly... my mana's completely drained.

Hmm... I still have plenty to spare.

That was no easy foe. I'm relieved the queens are unharmed.

From here on, leave it to me. You should rest.

Fufu, then we'll call the wager yours, Queen Katrin.

That won't do. We'll ask Princess Erin to judge formally when we return.

Still, you all hold yourselves so well. After such a fierce battle, not a hint of fatigue...

As expected of queens who rule nations.

You simply grow into it. When all eyes are on you, you cannot afford to show weakness.

Truly the Ice Empress! I'll never forget today's lesson.

Looks like Princess Isolde has found a new idol.

I've always had an interest in admirable people. Heheh!

Princess Isolde's own contribution was splendid. The fight would have been harder without her.

Thank you, Your Majesty...!

Now then, shall we head back and enjoy the tea party?

You've all worked so hard!

Sorry to leave you behind, Princess Erin.

Hehe, it's fine! I was busy baking fresh cookies to serve you anyway, so I didn't notice the time.

The judge has arrived. Well then, shall we hear the results?

Very well. I can hardly lose.

I advanced plenty and cut down many myself. I look forward to the verdict.

As for me... who knows? I'll simply congratulate the winner in advance.

Ahem!

I will now announce the winner of this contest...

Hehe, just as I thought. There are quite a few monsters that my magic reduced to ash.

Then I can only concede...

A fine match, Queen Cristina.

I'll make sure history remembers that in Ethan's legend, the Queen of Mercia, Cristina fought at his side.

As expected. No matter their numbers, I swept them aside in an instant.

Impressive... To defeat so many and still have strength left over.

Truly remarkable, Queen Katrin...!

It seems I was the one most suited to stand beside the Swordbringer.

Hmm, so my efficiency paid off after all.

Indeed... the Duchy of Aurelia is not to be underestimated.

I admit defeat, Duchess. Well fought.

I only did as Ethan taught me. Technique is important, but using it in the right moment matters more.

Eh...? Me? Really?

All I did was support from behind... but to have that recognized is an honor. Thank you, heheh!

We couldn't have fought so freely without you.

I agree. Princess Isolde, you fought splendidly.

Congratulations!

The Swordbringer's party has arrived!

So Ethan is here. Shall we go another round?

You never do know when to quit. Very well, I'll oblige.

Eh? It's not over yet...?

Since it's a rare diversion, why not enjoy it longer? What shall the next contest be?

Another contest?!

This time, I want to join too!

Princess Erin... perhaps we should step aside.

I get the feeling this little rivalry... will drag on all night.

R-Really?