>>4198665
Miellewds-guy here.

>but it would reflect poorly on our mission if my robes are all wrinkly by the time we get there
Gotta remember Lyann's idea of lovey-dovey is different from ours.

>Thank him and accept them, if just to indulge him

>>4198665
>but it would reflect poorly on our mission if my robes are all wrinkly by the time we get there
>We had already decided on just the driver and a guard

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Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4198684
>>4198688
>>but it would reflect poorly on our mission if my robes are all wrinkly by the time we get there

Flipping a coin for the 2nd option, I guess.
1<- accept them
2<- stand by our plans

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I'm gonna use cms because inches are too vague for my tastes.


>>4198694

We smooch our redhead's forehead, then politely ask her not to wrinkle our ministerial robe.

"Fu~ yes, Master." She replies softly and straightens up, still holding our hand in hers
"Now, the garrison commander may want to send some troops with us," comments Aritsu, "but will they not be in greater danger than us?"
"Yes," we reply, "I had already decided to keep it down to a driver and a ceremonial guard. Mostly just there to fill the seat and help dissuade people from getting too intimate with the coach while we talk to the elders.."

And indeed, the commander does try to send a platoon with us, but can't help but follow our wishes.

Thus, we are soon leaving town, riding on the coach as if moves smoothly down the road to the nearest settlement. Well, smoothly is just a figure of speech here, since the roads in this region are just pressed dirt, compacted from regular use over the centuries.

>It's fine, isn't it? There's no other cities in the region anyway. They're connected to the rest of the empire by sea routes, and soon sky routes
>Let's set aside some budget to improve the region's roads.
>Other

"Ah!" -whimpers Dawn as the coach jumps briefly but suddenly after hitting another stone on the road
"Uhm? Our purple sweetheart has a rather sensitive bum, doesn't she?" We joke gently, and pat her head

Since she's on the petite side, it is surprisingly comfortable to lift a hand to pet her. Should we say she's the perfect height?

By the way, height-wise it goes:

Zoe (155cm)
Stella (156cm)
Dawn (157cm)
Aritsu (160cm)
Mako & Ren (168cm)
Lyann (172cm)

Well, succubus tend to be on the taller side, when you think about it? I get the impression they are more western-average when it comes to height. I mean, the matron, Aura and Sykia are all roughly ~175cm tall, not counting the horns.

Wait, isn't our blueberry maid actually a runt? Though you need to consider that she's not really a full succubus to begin with...

"Uh~ somehow, I get this feeling you are thinking something rude." She complains while we gently rub her head
"Are..."

>n't you petite and cute? I think your height is really charming.
>n't you on the short side of things? Well, you are fun-sized, anyway.
>you sure? I was just thinking you are the perfect height to pet like this, you know?

"E-eh!?" She seems somewhat surprised, her tail straightening behind her

My bad, Zoe is actually 161cm tall. Eh, she's on the taller side within our girls, after all.

>>4198749
>Let's set aside some budget to improve the region's roads.

>n't you petite and cute? I think your height is really charming.

>>4198749
>Let's set aside some budget to improve the region's roads.
>n't you petite and cute? I think your height is really charming.

>>4198749
>Let's set aside some budget to improve the region's roads.
>n't you petite and cute? I think your height is really charming.

>>4198858
>>4198815
>>Let's set aside some budget to improve the region's roads.
>>n't you petite and cute? I think your height is really charming.

"Eh... is that so?" She says while blushing a rather neon-like pink. "This is the first time I am actually glad I'm short."

We gently caress the top of her head. I wonder if it is because of her succubus side or her vampire side, but her hair is really, really soft and fluffy. It almost flows around our fingers as we rub her head.

"P-president, you prefer shorter girls, then...!?"
"Hm... even if that's so, that's alright." Lyann doesn't seem overly affected. "I can always kneel down, anyway. Besides, I enjoy petting rather than being petted, after all... yesh, back when Master was tiny and cute, I'd just squish him against my bust after his bath..."

...somehow, Lyann seems to have gone to some far away place within herself.

"Love?" We wait for a few moments... yup, we lost her

And so, with a pink mood Lyann, a conflicted Aritsu, and a happy and enthusiastic Dawn, we make our way to the 1st settlement without any major issue.

The village is on a cliff's side. Ah, we remember seeing something like this... was it in a western? Well, its on the cliff side so its off the swamp below, high enough most bugs don't bother them, and down from the jungle atop the cliff, so most monsters can't reach them.

Wait, isn't this cliff amazingly straight? ...isn't this a hex side?

It's been a while since we found one of these. The last one was underground, though it was a corner shared by three different hexes, and this is just two. Well, this is much easier to access, anyway.

The tribe's guards gesture us to stop our coach, so we

>Descend and help our fiancées descend after us
>Wait for Lyann (our slave), Dawn (our maid) or Aritsu (our executive assistant) to descend first and help us down. We're in public, after all
>Other

>>4198882
>Wait for Lyann (our slave), Dawn (our maid) or Aritsu (our executive assistant) to descend first and help us down. We're in public, after all

>>4198882
>Wait for Lyann (our slave), Dawn (our maid) or Aritsu (our executive assistant) to descend first and help us down. We're in public, after all

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>>4198895
>>4198892
>>Wait for Lyann (our slave), Dawn (our maid) or Aritsu (our executive assistant) to descend first and help us down. We're in public, after all

"Fufufuf... Master was so small and cute..." ah, it looks like Lyann still ahsn't come back from lalaland yet.

"Dawn, I'm counting on you."
"Yes, leave it to me!" She sure seems energetic right now

Our blueberry maid descends as gracefully as if she was bouncing on the tips of her toes, and stretches her hands up to catch ours and help us down.

Hn. The guards are looking rather nervous now. Did we make it clear to them that we are a big shot, then?

As we step on the grass and leaves at the jungle edge, we move a few steps, and wait for Aritsu to follow suit.

"We are the ministerial delegation on behalf of the empress herself." Explains Aritsu to the guards. "Please let your leader know in advance so we can be properly received."
"W-wait, really!?" The jackal-headed guard is clearly startled

He asks his friend to watch over us, and takes off down a rope stair into the village.

"Dawn, ...
> wake Lyann up."
> prepare some snacks while we wait."
>Other

>>4198908
>wake Lyann up."

>>4198908
>> wake Lyann up."

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>>4198963
>>4198936
>>wake Lyann up."

"Hey, was Master cute when he was a kid?" Dawn whispers in Lyann's ear
"Yup! He was the cutest! He was so tiny and brave!" She nods nods
"But, which one would you rather take to bed? Little Eldric, or big Eldric?"
"Ah, that is a complicated question. It depends? I would have loved it if he had bullied me when he was little... yesh, the idea of tiny Eldric's whip on me..." She goes apple red
"Really?"
"Obviously."
"Really really?"
"Indeed."
"Then, which one's would you rather suck?"
"Eh~ that's another very complicated question..."
"It is?"
"Yes, I mean, it would have an air of immorality if you enjoyed the charm of a little master, right? Even if he ordered you around, you couldn't help but feel that you are doing something wrong, which would give it a distinctly erotic feel..."
"You do realize you are saying all this within hearing range of Master, Aritsu, the driver and the guard, don't you?"
"Eh?"
"..." Grin
"Eh?"
"..." Dawn's smile stretches in such a devilish way you cana ctually believe she's some sort of monster rignt now
"EEEEEEH!?"

Our maid comes down with a smile.

"She's awake, but I think she'll be useless for a bit, Master."

>Thankyou?
>Knock on the top of her head
>Other

>>4199018
>Knock on the top of her head
dummkopf

>>4199018
>Other: Sigh in exasperation.
This was our fault, after all. We knew she liked pranks.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

1<-- >>4199056
2<- >>4199028

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From the last 3 Dawn pics, which one do you prefer?

>>4199056
>Other: Sigh in exasperation.
>This was our fault, after all. We knew she liked pranks.

"Alright, it was my fault for asking you..."

We try and try to turn on [Dancer] for Lyann but... she already had it on. Right, her main job line is all [Dancer] based, after all.

Wait, in that case, how come everyone heard it as lewd stuff instead of just letting it go? Could it be that we've misunderstood something about how the [Dancer] effect works?

Even when Aritsu was walking in that amazing almost-dress yesterday all day, people didn't think it was weird. That includes our princess herself.

However, now that Dawn got Lyann to say embarrassing things in public, the reactions were much more natural.

It may be...

>based on the 'audience' and the 'performer' feeling that his or her actions are normal and part of a performance, or not. In that case, let's try having Lyann thank 'her audience'. Well, if we're wrong, it will just come out as shameless, cheeky, and shamelessly cheeky, tho.
>that her 'audience' felt it as part of a performance, but are reacting to a 'poor act' rather than 'a lewd act'. In that case, acts performed by a stage job are still judged based on their artistic value.
>Other

Well, they are both very different ideas, let's try and see what happens, then.

>>4199094
>based on the 'audience' and the 'performer' feeling that his or her actions are normal and part of a performance, or not. In that case, let's try having Lyann thank 'her audience'. Well, if we're wrong, it will just come out as shameless, cheeky, and shamelessly cheeky, tho.

>>4199094
I prefer the evelynn with naked legs
>based on the 'audience' and the 'performer' feeling that his or her actions are normal and part of a performance, or not. In that case, let's try having Lyann thank 'her audience'. Well, if we're wrong, it will just come out as shameless, cheeky, and shamelessly cheeky, tho.

>>4199094
>>based on the 'audience' and the 'performer' feeling that his or her actions are normal and part of a performance, or not. In that case, let's try having Lyann thank 'her audience'. Well, if we're wrong, it will just come out as shameless, cheeky, and shamelessly cheeky, tho.

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>>4199140
>>4199121
>>4199107
>>based on the 'audience' and the 'performer' feeling that his or her actions are normal and part of a performance, or not. In that case, let's try having Lyann thank 'her audience'. Well, if we're wrong, it will just come out as shameless, cheeky, and shamelessly cheeky, tho.

"Ah..." looking at our beloved being so deeply and clearly embarrassed does stir up our S side, just a little, but this is a good chance to understand a bit more about this world's rules. "Lyann, thank your audience for their patience."
"F-fuu!?" She looks at us, startled and so red she looks like an adorable apple
"Thank everyone for their attention. This is an o r d e r." We repeat, as calmly as we can, and using our rarely exercised rights as her master to give her an [order] she can't resist.
"Y-yes!" She isn't really calm, but the collar works, and she turns towards the driver and the guard first, somewhat mechanically. "T-thank you very much for your attention. This slave hopes you were entertained."
"..." The soldiers look at her with some curiosity, perhaps not sure on how to react.

Wait, if the 'performer' thinking that her actions are normal was a requirement, all the lovely noises our Aritsu made yesterday inside the coach wouldn't have count as a 'performance,' would they? So maybe its based on the perception of the audience?

Or is there a different criteria?

"Thank you for your attention!" She repeats, a bit clearer this time
"Ah... yes. It was amaz- I mean, it was fun." The soldier scratches the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable

So, the [Dancer] correction didn't work, did it? Then, it is not based off an attitude factor at all. Maybe it depends on the 'performance' having artistic value to begin with?

Thinking way back, that evening our mom took us to watch the nomad's performance of [Prancing Spring] and then gave us 'the talk,' the elf nomads did some very lewd things as part of the dance, but the onlookers didn't seem shocked or surprised.

Well, mom took us to see it because she knew it was a lewd play, didn't she? It was, in a very real sense, both educational and artistic, so is the artistic value of a performance piece which decides if the job correction affects it or not?

Then, we can't just turn on [Dancer], [Singer] or one of its branch jobs, walk into a vault, rob it clean and walk out, can we?

Ah, but there may be some effect based on both factors, expectations and artistic value. The people yesterday saw our lovely elf, with her [Dancer] on, and wearing her dancer's silks, so they were somewhat predisposed towards accepting her appearance and actions as 'having artistic value,' right?

If we are correct in that last assumption, and it feels about right, a [Dancer] couldn't really walk around in the nude per se, but it would be 'fine' if she was dancing down the street, though? Hn... I wonder if there's a way to test it or something like it...

>Suggestion

>>4199121
>I prefer the evelynn with naked legs

I really like Eve as Dawn, specially since her rework/visual upgrade.

>>4199310
So we need to make it as if it was a performance that would imply artistic value?

So [Dancer] would need some kind of dance performance or appropriate props (like Dancer's Silks) to proc the effect; maybe if we activate [Singer] or one of the associated Jobs?

Is there a Job that could fit the idea of a stand-up comedian, like [Storyteller]?

>>4199321
[Singer] would do it, since it is voice-oriented. IIRC storytelling, jokes (it had a different, very specific name I can't remember atm tho) were just some of the types of [Perform] you could pick with a bard in D&D... let me check real quick.

Act (comedy, drama, mime)
Comedy (buffoonery, limericks, joke-telling)
Dance (ballet, waltz, jig)
Keyboard instruments (harpsichord, piano, pipe organ)
Oratory (epic, ode, storytelling)
Percussion instruments (bells, chimes, drums, gong)
String instruments (fiddle, harp, lute, mandolin)
Wind instruments (flute, pan pipes, recorder, shawm, trumpet)
Sing (ballad, chant, melody)

For this system,. you'd need to split them between physical and non-physical, though once the audience assumes a performance is goin on, it can freely switch, mix and alternate between physical and non-physical performances.

Ah, that makes me think that ]modelling] would be a valid performance if the audience was told about it beforehand, probably. Once they know about it, seeing a dancer (or singer) just walking down the street in some amazing clothes would be included under [modelling], probably.

>>4199350
Okay, so activate [Singer] ( or the Job of [Comedian]) on both Lyann and Dawn, and declare that they need more levels in their Job if they can't make these soldiers laugh?

>>4199362
It doesn't work retroactively tho, so you can't change people's perceptions of things that already happened. Lyann will just have to be embarrased for a while.

What I was asking for is a way to test the idea that you need both perception and action to mix in order for something to count as a performance.

For example, from this we can understand that two [Dancers] just having sex on the street would get arrested, but if they did a real dance with clear sexual content, it wouldn't shock anyone and would count as art, which is what happened waaaaaaay back when we saw that performance at the elven nomad's campsite.

So it was the right decision to not have sex outdoors with Aritsu, since it would have just been indecent behavior, after all.

I didn't actually want to give options for this since I was hoping for some feedback, but let's try these.

>Explain Dawn about Earth's ancient jesters/fools, and see if we can unlock [Jester] as a job here.
>Have Lyann do a sexy/lewd dance in front of a small audience to see how far we can push that effect, or if we are even on the right track. Maybe just the elf maids in the island as audience, or Mako & Ren + shadoes?
>Having Lyann strut-walk with some amazing clothes and varying degrees of nudity to test if its indeed a matter of performing + perception that defines if something is 'safe' or not. I wanted to say in the succubus town since they wouldn't be shocked either way (they're pretty clothes-optional to begin with) but precisely because they wouldnt be shocked either way, maybe it wouldn't even work as a test?
>Other

>>4200138
>Explain Dawn about Earth's ancient jesters/fools, and see if we can unlock [Jester] as a job here.

>>4200138
>>Explain Dawn about Earth's ancient jesters/fools, and see if we can unlock [Jester] as a job here.

It's nice & reassuring to see you out and about OP. Take care!

>>4200517
Well, not really out, since quarantine, but thanks.
I was worried I wouldn't get my new glasses delivered before the quarantine started. It would have sucked to spend weeks unable to see anything at all.

Im already pretty blind, and without glasses, that's only worse.

***

It may be a worthy experiment to see if we can influence the creation of a [Job], but if we succeed, making our strawberry succubus into a [Jester] may actually be a rather bad idea... well, she's nice and her pranks have always been on the harmless, light side, so its probably alright.

Probably.

Maybe?

Hopefully. Well, we can just cuddle her until she stops if she gets too terrible. Yup.

Well, its something to talk about it with her later. For now we just look at Lyann with sympathy, and wait for the guard to come back.

"Ah, tea!" Dawn declares in a good mood as she brings out a small table, a set of chairs, and a small, thin oven, and tea set.

Well, looks like she is well prepared.

We sit down with an apple-red Lyann to wait for tea, and for the tribesmen to invite us into their town.

***

Will write more later, sorry I was super slow today.

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The imperial palace is built in the eastern side of Alquia, allowing for the breeze that comes down from the hills, passing through numerous springs and fountains, to set a nice, refreshing mood in the eastern gardens, and specially in the gazebo at the center of the gardens.

“Your majesty, if we could talk about your soon-to-be consort for a moment...” The vizir comments after setting down the cup he had been nursing in his hands, “you know how the nobles feel about him.”

The beautiful young empress is sitting across from him, keeping the floor of the gazebo empty so that they can observe each other fully, as tradition (and security) demands, her shadows keeping watch over the vizir. He is her trusted agent, or he wouldn't be allowed this 'private' consultation, but this is as close as he can get to her uninvited.

She is wearing the crown's fourt set of jewels, reserved for half formal occasions in the summer heat. Indeed, it would normally be worn without any further clothing, but Mako simply wasn't quite comfortable with such a wardrobe, even if both her mirror and every servant in charge of dressing her up kept assuring her that nothing was unduly exposed. As such, she was wearing the jewelry set over an exceedingly thin white silk gown, a gift from the jungle nation of Lapsiona, in celebration of their newest trade agreement. It was light and diaphanous enough to pay tradition its due, while keeping her comfortable with the feeling of clothing on her shoulders.

To be fair, the jewelry set was quite large, with a broad jewel bead broad collar which, rather than a full circle, consisted of an ebon gryphon (the black panthera-based gryphons being the symbol of the imperial household in Alquia) with widespread wings. The animal's body rested behind her in perpetual watch against potential attackers, while its overstretched wings reached over her shoulders and cascaded over her ample bosom to keep her modesty.

A thin and elegant tiara stood out over her forehead, its golden sheen an excellent contrast to her absolutely black hair. She had had it modified and extended so it curled into two thin spirals behind her, as she knew her consort-to-be liked her with twin tails. Matching bracelets, wrist and ankle cuffs adorned her limbs, and a wide and colorful set of bejeweled belts rested over her hips.

1/?

>>4207526


She adjusted her posture slightly, a little nervous, wanting to be sure her legs were properly crossed and truly keeping her modesty in such garb, again missing the long, flowing robes of her native Mantequira.

“You know I trust him completely.” She replied after a moment
“Yes, your majesty. He seems loyal and his work has been quite acceptable. His suggested reforms are already starting to sway public opinion towards for the better, but he... we, cannot help whom he is.”
“It was his grandfather that led the rebellion of the northern provinces, and I have read the reports. I cannot say I blame them. The taxes and tribute were unsustainable, in various ways. The distance alone made the cost of sending the annual tribute several dozen times its actual worth, and their taxes yielded no benefits to the people paying them.”
“Yes, well, it was the cost of the peace the empire brought into the continent, your majesty. Now that the provinces are back to being kingdoms, it is projected that the return of open warfare between them should be...”
“That is the past.” She interrupted him. “We are at the doors of the century of the Golden Gorger, please get some new ideas already!”

The vizir paused at that. As a loyal and devoted alquian, the thought of upsetting his empress was already disturbing enough, but was she suggesting his policies were inappropriate?

“I have read the reports,” he changed his line of attack, “and I understand the important of fighting these [ERROR]s, but it looks as if the defenses prepared will be more than enough to push them back for another ten thousand years. Your majesty, once the battle is over, we will have not one, but two dreadnoughts inside the enemy's capital, each carrying hundreds of thousands of troops, all of them equipped with the newest gear, we could...”
“We will wholeheartedly assist in the defense. Then we will participate in the celebration, I will officially take him as my consort, and we will leave the city together. Peacefully. Do I make myself clear? Peacefully. With cheers.”

The vizir knew better than to add a 'but' to that. He nodded and straightened himself on his seat.

“In that case, why not at least take the chance to negotiate a more favorable trade arrangement?”
“While the dreadnoughts are there, you mean?” She frowned, her exquisite little nose wrinkling just a little bit as she leaned back to look at him down its length.

2/?

>>4207530


“...yes. As you said, we are at the doors of the century of the Golden Gorger. It is a time for the power of trade.”
“I... will speak with him. Signing up an official end to the armistice, the beginning of officially peaceful international relations and our seal on the documents that recognize the northern provinces as their own kingdoms would indeed be a fine wedding gift for our beloved consort... and we are beginning an age of trade. Surely, he wouldn't begrudge us if we secure a good trade deal...”
“You could ask for it as dowry.” The vizir suggested.
“...yes. Alright.”

The young empress gestured, and [a] Lyann climbed up into the gazebo while carrying a gold-coated plate with drinks and desserts, kneeling by her mistress feet while holding it up for her.

“Thank you.” The young empress smiles at her beloved friend and toy
“Your highness... isn't this a hidden meeting?” The vizir looks slightly upset
“Lyann is ours. She is ours by choice, by love, by duty and by deed.” She looks at the redhead “Is that not right?”
“Yes, mistress.”
“She was a gift, and in that she loved her master, the only way she could fulfill his intentions was to love us. She gave herself to us and became ours, wholeheartedly. Whatever we decide, she will keep quiet because that is her duty.” Mako paused for a moment, then fed the redhead a grape with a smile. “Don't bite it, hold it between your teeth.”

The redhead nodded quietly, her ruby lips peeling back slightly so she could bear her teeth and carefully keep the grape in place.

“Now, you were saying the nobles do not approve of our decision?” She asks the vizir
“None would oppose your decision, your majesty.”
“But they don't like it.”
“That... is correct.”
“We sent our consort-to-be into the east so he could secure the territories that are on the verge of seceding. We trust he will succeed, and secure the land and its people with the least amount of violence, and resistance. He will make sure everyone benefits, and secure not just the present, but the future of the region under our banner.”
“And then you will make him a marchis.”
“And then we will make him a marchis. He currently holds no titles within our kingdom, vizir. We cannot take him as a consort until he does.”

3/?

>>4207533


The vizir considered this. Indeed, a marchis (a “ruler of a border area”) is a middle rank within the nobilities' high ranks. It is the marchis who is in charge of defending and managing the frontiers of a kingdom.

They are authorized, and indeed, expected to, raise their own armies, though by recent imperial decree, reguonal armies are being absorbed into the imperial forces...

“He won't be allowed to raise his own forces.” He said after a while
“He will have control over the troops assigned to the region, however.” Mako pointed out
“But those troops will cycle back into other regions every three years.”
“That is correct. We want our troops to grow a national identity, rather than a regional, tribal identity. Thus, we will move them around within our frontiers to help them do so.”
“I understand... what about taxes?”
“They will be invested into the region, and any leftover will be deposited into the imperial treasure. He himself has laid down the checks and balances to make sure regional governors do not falsify records or hoard wealth beyond their lot.”
“But, if he set those checks and balances himself...”
“He won't be a minister forever. A marchis' work is quite intense. He intends to develop the swamp lands, and expand our domains to include them. We have spoken of this with him.”
“Understood.”
“By the way, we are planning on adding an expiration date to every ministerial position lower than vizir.” The empress reached down towards her redheaded toy, and pushed the grape into her mouth. “Hold it on your tongue.”

The redhead made a concave nest with her tongue, holding the grape into place just behind her teeth.

“If that is all, would you like some dessert?” The empress offered the plate to the vizir
“Ah, thank you, your majesty.”

***

"Ah" Lyann smiles as she stands by our side
"What is it, love?" We ask her
"Hmm... secret." She says with a smile
"...alright?"

As the guard comes back, he explains that the elder will meet us, and invites us to descend into the village.

>We are the imperial minister. He will come to us
>Agreed and follow him
>Other

>>4207539
>Agreed and follow him
Go along with whatever the locals do. But keep a mental list of any breaches of protocol, propriety, and etiquette. Give them enough rope to hang themselves.

>>4207539
>>Agreed and follow him

>>4208690
>>4208394
>>Agreed and follow him

"...?" Aritsu seems a bit surprised as we nod and begin walking towards the flimsy rope stair

She probably wants to say something about this being unseemly. We represent the empress of the enture subontinent, so making us go to them is equivalent to making her go to them.

Well, Mako is gentle enough she wouldn't actually mind. Actually, she would probably be happy she gets to see her subjects' homes and village, but... I wonder if this is what Lèse-majesté means?

She doesn't actually undermines our position by saying anything, though.

Well, Dawn and Lyann keep quiet as well, though probably for different reasons. I suspect Dawn is clueless on the problem and Lyann doesn't wants to say anything either way.

"Hm." The stair hangs down freely for several meters until it reaches the plateau far below. I guess that's a great way to restrict access to your home, but what if someone cuts the stair from above? In that case, do they have to climb the cliffside to place a new one, or what?

Either way, the town is pretty simple. We expected square homes with stairways to the roofs, but they're actually ^ shaped... well, this side of the region has a monsoon season, so I guess good roofing is essential.

Ah, I wonder what that would be like, rain that lasts for several months?

By the way, we could just hop down...? We would probably be just fine even if we let fo of the stairs and fell the last few hundred feet...

>Just climb down
>Sure, that way we can make sure noone is looking up (and peeking at our girl's from below)
>Other

>>4212996
>Just climb down

>>4212996
>>Just climb down

>>4212996
>>Just climb down

When we meet the elders, we should demand to know why they would be so rude to the representative of the Empress.

>>4213139
>>4213253
>>4213003
>>Just climb down

We climb down easily, which probably surprises the locals, and reach the bottom of the stairs without any issue.

The guards look at us with a somewhat surprised expression, then wait with us for our companions to arrive to our side.

"Ah, this place is pretty windy. It feels nice." Comments our strawberry maid as the breeze blows over the lot of us
"I wonder if the cliff's top cover the town from the rain..." Lyann looks around, but decides that if its so windy, water is likely to get in anyway

"Please follows us." explains a guard, and starts walking forth down the main street

Well, even if we call it a main street, it is a fairly small town. We could easily see both ends from the stair as we climbed down. And so, we quickly arrive at a long house built on top of a large stone platform, with a ramp on one side leading to a small terrace.

There's a long balcony leading from the terrace to each of four doors along the side of the building. The doors look like a bunch of carefully bound logs rather than a solid wooden plank, and we don't see a lock on the doors.

They do have handles, though.

"The elder is in the last room." Comments the guard that guided us, and gets out of the way.

Well, the balcony going around the building's front is wide enough that we have room even while walking side by side with someone else, and there's simple but colorful plant pots every few feet along the way.

They may not be very advanced, but they do like to decorate their homes and buildings with carefully crafted objects. Speaking of, the floor on the balcony is made of small, carefully laid bricks.

Is it a form of parquet? The walls are covered with smooth clay, and painted over in two clearly marked tones, with a white band up to about our knees, and yellow from it to the roof.

There's a square and spirals patter separating and mixing the two.

Yup, their clothes look quite simple, but it looks like they enjoy decorating their buildings quite a bit.

***

As we approach the door

>We knock on the door, then wait
>We knock, wait a moment, and walk right in
>Wait for Dawn to open it for us
>Other

>>4213376
>We knock, wait a moment, and walk right in

>>4213376
>Wait for Dawn to open it for us

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4213748
>>Wait for Dawn to open it for us
>>4213454
>>We knock, wait a moment, and walk right in

"I am coming in..." We announce ourseles and walk in casually

Uhmm... we were expecting either an office or at least a dining room. This room is full of amulets hanging on the walls and from the roof on ropes, shields and weapons on the wall, with large animal skulls hanging between displays...

>From this, we notice that they must have a necromantic tradition, since you need a necromancer's "Preserve Corpse" to prevent a body from transmuting into loot.
>So they're trying to show off their warrior tradition
>So they're showing a traditional. almost primitive meeting hall.
>Other

>>4213777
>From this, we notice that they must have a necromantic tradition, since you need a necromancer's "Preserve Corpse" to prevent a body from transmuting into loot.

>>4213777
>From this, we notice that they must have a necromantic tradition, since you need a necromancer's "Preserve Corpse" to prevent a body from transmuting into loot.

>>4213882
>>4213797
>>From this, we notice that they must have a necromantic tradition, since you need a necromancer's "Preserve Corpse" to prevent a body from transmuting into loot.

Well, its not like we mind. I mean, one of our best friends and soon-to-be brother in law is a high level necromancer, you know?

Plus, plenty of temples offer necromantic services in order to preserve bodies for funerals ,and it is also quite common among primitive... ah, no, let's call them colorful tribal societies instead.

Yup, plus it does add a nice tribal look to the room, but I guess it must be traditional. I mean, you'd expect this sort of decoration inside a hut, not a proper building.

Well, I wonder if the elder is just that oldfashioned, or is he trying to intimidate us or what...

"Come i- " The elder's voice seems surprised as we just came in

Oh, were you expecting us to wait in annoyance until you let us in? Sorry, but we were invited, remember? There's no point in waiting if we were invited anyway, you are doing things out of order.

Well, the elder is an... should we call him old-looking? I mean, he's an elder, but since he has a jackal head, I honestly have no idea how old he is.

Can you tell apart a 3-years chicken from a 7-years chicken just by glancing at its face? I can't.

Well, I guess his fur is kind of grey?

Plus he looks pretty strong, in a wiry way, and he's not using a cane to walk so... sorry, I really can't tell. I haven't seen enough old beastkin to tell. Plus every beastkin seems to have its own traits anyway...

>Are you the elder? (Take initiative)
>... (wait for him to talk)
>Other

>>4215146
>... (wait for him to talk)

>>4215146
>... (wait for him to talk)

>>4215185
>>4215194
>>... (wait for him to talk)

"You, why didn't you wait to be allowed in?"
"We were told you had invited us and were waiting for us. Why should we wait at all? Is it your way to raise your own self-importance by making people wait for you?"

>You're just the leader of a small tribe of less than a thousand people, you know? It's not even large enough to be called a town. It would just barely make it into being categorized as a hamlet, or maybe a village if we are feeling generous. The maid barracks at the palace are more populous than this place, you know?
>Anyway, our empress has sent me to find outw hat reasons do you have to disturb the peace in this province.
>Other

>>4215199
>Anyway, our empress has sent me to find out what reasons do you have to disturb the peace in this province.

>>4215199
>Anyway, our empress has sent me to find outw hat reasons do you have to disturb the peace in this province.

>>4215199
>>Anyway, our empress has sent me to find outw hat reasons do you have to disturb the peace in this province.

>>4215320
>>4215272
>>4215270
>>Anyway, our empress has sent me to find out what reasons do you have to disturb the peace in this province.

"The exalted empress passed away years ago. This is historic fact. We have heard that a young woman calling herself empress has appeared, but she is not related at all, is she now!?"
"Uhmm... I wonder if she could be said to be the previous empress niece? If you agree to the point of view that the royal figures are sisters, then that would make things clear."
"...what?"
"You do know the royal family here is a branch of the royal family back across the sea, yes?"

>Is not like they are gimme a dozen, but they did send a proper replacement
>If anything, being directly related to the original bloodline gives her more right to rule than the previous empress had. Probably
>Anyway, even if she was fake, she controls the army, so just shut up, sit still, and pay your taxes. She has decided to bring prosperity to the country, so what do you have to complain about?"
>Other

>>4215361
>Other
>If anything, being sent from the original bloodline with a new mandate means that her authority over Alquia is reinforced. Now, are you saying that you will not kneel to the Empress?

>>4215361
supporting >>4215400

>>4215361
>If anything, being directly related to the original bloodline gives her more right to rule than the previous empress had. Probably

>>4215506
>>If anything, being directly related to the original bloodline gives her more right to rule than the previous empress had. Probably
>>4215483
>>4215400
>>If anything, being sent from the original bloodline with a new mandate means that her authority over Alquia is reinforced. Now, are you saying that you will not kneel to the Empress?

"B-but my... no, I mean, my people's historical vindication... c-can't we at least burn the enemy's village first!?"

>"Fool, there is no enemy! That's just your neighbor! How long do you intend to hold on to something as stupid as tribal hate for!?"
>"As if any government official would say yes! Give up on veneagnce for something that happened generations ago, already! Fortunately, troop rotation will come in effect soon. Once your youngsters get to see the rest of the empire, something as dumb as who stole who's basket in the arsehole of the empire hundreds of years ago won't matter anymore."
>"Alright, I will listen. What is this dire grievance of yours that needs you to burn someone else's homes?"
>Other

>>4215546
>"Alright, I will listen. What is this dire grievance of yours that needs you to burn someone else's homes?"

>>4215546
>>"Alright, I will listen. What is this dire grievance of yours that needs you to burn someone else's homes?"

>>4215666
>>4215619
>>"Alright, I will listen. What is this dire grievance of yours that needs you to burn someone else's homes?"

"They burnt our village in my grandfather's times!"

>"How dare they! Let's burnt their village, enslave their men, confiscate their animals, salt their land, burn their crops, whip them and sell off their women!" (blow it up out of proportion until he backs off. If he doesn't, just tell him we're not serious and that he's an asshole)
>"And I'd bet that if I asked them, they'd say something similar was done to them. Just let it go, or I will appoint someone to replace you."
>"Alright, let's burn their village" (after we relocate them for our plan on settling the swamp land.)
>Other

>>4215748
>"And I'd bet that if I asked them, they'd say something similar was done to them. Don't harm innocent people for the crimes of their grandfathers."

>>4215748
>Other: “And what did your grandfather do to them that caused them to do it? Or are you saying you are completely innocent?”

>>4215748
I can't decide what to pick.

Can i get a thread description?

>>4220507
Finding things out about the Dancer Job, and dealing with the Balkans of Alquia.

>>4220606
EP020 Archived

Rolled 1 (1d2)

1 - >>4216335
>>Other: “And what did your grandfather do to them that caused them to do it? Or are you saying you are completely innocent?”

2- >>4215764
>>"And I'd bet that if I asked them, they'd say something similar was done to them. Don't harm innocent people for the crimes of their grandfathers."

>>4222189

"But we're barely even real people! They're liars, thiefs and murderers, everyone knows it! Their feet smell and they are a naturally violent type! Also, their fur is coarse and hard." The elder says so completely serious

What's with this classic, trope-like racism. Is this guy real? No, I mean, I know he's real, I just briefly wished that he wasn't.

"So, you are saying that, since they're less human, they should just quietly accept whatever happens to them."
"Yes! Your excellency sure gets it!"
"Yes, yes, I get it indeed."

Is there a box I can hide this guy's body in after I kill him? No, wait, I can just use my [Inventory], can't I?

Aritsu takes our hand into hers. Ah, that was dangerous, we were about to kill this old guy...

>Wait, so what? Isn't this the type of guy the world would be better off without?
>Let's try and replace him with someone less retarded.
>Other

>>4222683
>Let's try and replace him with someone less retarded.
"I have good news for you, gramps. You're getting early into retirement"

>>4222683
>Let's try and replace him with someone less retarded.
"So, by that logic, since you're not really people, because you're violent, xenophobic, savages that only cause problems for the Empress, you should all be eliminated. Everyone else in the Empire knows it. You really think that the rest of the Empire sees you any differently, since you don't act any different than the Monsters in a Dungeon? Well, even if the Empress would forgive you, you disappoint her, and that is a crime that I, and the rest of the Empire, will NOT forgive."

>>4223097
so, you wanna attack him, or arrest him or what?

>>4223176
Have him replaced. Tell him that we've found him to be unsuitable for the position, and tell him he's fired.

I suppose an acceptable outcome is to make him so mad he attacks us, then we arrest him for being a rebel, and have him replaced.

>>4222701
>>Let's try and replace him with someone less retarded.
>>4223206
>I suppose an acceptable outcome is to make him so mad he attacks us, then we arrest him for being a rebel, and have him replaced.

"I see no difference between them and you, though? You are..." -we feel bad saying it, as our puppy and kitty imouto instantly pop into our mind - "...just a beast walking upright, aren't you all? You got poked once, so you'll bite back. And no matter how it turns out, you'll stick your nose into a beehive and get stung, but try again and again because you can smell honey deep within. How are you any different from an actual beast? Just because you live in a building and wear some clothes?"
"What...?" The old man stiffens
"I look around, and see nothing but the lair of a beast, complete with left over bones from its previous kills. I hear you, and hear nothing but growls of bitterness and stupidity. 'They are different from us because the tip of their ears are darker than us,' seriously? May as well be having the 'butter on top' and 'butter at the bottom' argument all over again."
"What? Butter, I don't...?"

Right, right, no Dr Zeuss here.

"I'm saying that you the same as them. I see no real difference, just a bunch of animals competing for the resources in a tiny area, instead of people working towards civilization. How did you even make it into settling down? My guess would be that a previous empress just gave you your first huts and land and said 'You live here now' and you all just wagged your tails and settled down where your owner told you to."
"We're not...!"
"How are you not? You have the head of a beast, think like a beast, act like a beast, and you live like a beast (surrounded by the trophies of its kills). I don't know if you are just too old and set in your ways, but I'm passing down an edict. You are relieved of your position. I will interview the rest of your able-minded citizens and see if there's anyone worth taking over your rabble... no, your 'pack'."

The old man's eyes open wide, and he catches himself before he growls at us.

"Guards! Guards!" He cries out, and we can hear the noise of running feet outside

Uhm... should we let them break in and have him shout something cliché and self-incriminating? We could always easily suppress them right away. Or should we just overwhelmingly knock them unconscious right now?

Ah, maybe we should ask Asmund's help and pick up some [Necromancer] levels. That way we can simply kill someone, preserve the body, and use [Raise] later to ressurrect them whenever.

>Blow the room sky-high, using overwhelming force to awe them into surrendering
>Let this play out a bit more
>Other

>>4224086
>Let this play out a bit more

We should apologize to Mako later, that we couldn't make everyone see reason so we had to get forceful with her citizens.

>>4224086
>Blow the room sky-high, using overwhelming force to awe them into surrendering
I'm tired of this shit

>>4224202
We're not a Maquis or Duke yet, we're still the Finance Minister.

Wait until we're a noble and these people are part of our domain.

>>4224209
ok then, going with
>>4224086
>Let this play out a bit more

>>4224264
Yes. And once we become the noble lord of this domain, we'll crush the people under our feet. We'll improve the infrastructure and healthcare, while putting a boot to the necks of every hothead that wants to start trouble.
We'll have the Honey Faeries work as our secret police, implementing KGB style tactics, forcing these rebellious dogs to testify against each other by making them into slaves, and making them publicly denounce each other and themselves, especially in front of their families.

>>4224295
calm down dude

>>4224295
>Honey Faeries work as our secret police
I thought they were gonna be cutesy farmers working on the swamp wildflowers while the jungle faeries protected them, tho?

***

We wait for them to break in, and let out a "You will not get away with this!" in monotone.

Our smart and cute fiancées look at us, and we can see that they get it, though they all respond in a different way.

Aritsu sighs
Dawn jumps in front of us while crying out "Sire, please use me as your shield!" ...in monotone
Lyann just stands there. Wait, does that means she's the only one that didn't get it, or that she's the one that got it the best?

"You, you...!" The elder's face is red. Well, probably. Its hard to tell with the fur and all, but its an educated guess. An educated guess. "We will dump your body on the road to those savages' village, and make it look like they attacked you, then surely, the army will...!"

Ah, Lyann is moving now. She does a dancing pirhoutte so she can cast [Frog], and easily turns the guards + the elder into toads.

I've always felt like making a retort to that... shouldn't the spell make them into frogs? Toads are a different species altogether, you know? Is like comparing humans to gorillas... eh, whatever.

The toads panic as they well should.

>Step on the elder-toad
>Catch it
>Other

>>4224389
>Catch it
you going to the shadow realm, jimbo

>>4224389
>Catch it
Good job, Lyann.

>>4224428
>>4224405
>>Catch it

"Hm. I can actually tell your age like this." We comment as we catch the slow-moving toad "Well, the effect should run out after a short while..."
"Ah, I used [Extend] to make it a 24-hours effect..." Our redhead throws as a side comment

I see, she stretched the effect. Indeed, her thesis is about affecting spells and skills with secondary effects, after all.

"Well, I can't tell if this is for the best or not. I mean, I feel a bit silly talking to a toad." We turn towards the soldiers "Don't panic, it will wear out by this time tomorrow. Also, I won't punish your village if you listen obediently to my instructions..."

Ah, it is easy to carry the elder like this, but it will really delay negotiations.

"Lyann, can you please break the [Frog] effect?"
"Yes, Master."


The elder goes back to normal. He still looks a little green, though.

After that, the negotiations went rather quickly... we are going to talk with the most prominent youngsters and pick a new elder. As for this one...

>He attacked a minister and had plans to kill us and blame a third party. Those are obvious crimes, so we're taking him back to the capital with us
>He's going to retire
>Other

>>4224492
>He attacked a minister and had plans to kill us and blame a third party. Those are obvious crimes, so we're taking him back to the capital with us

>>4224492
>He attacked a minister and had plans to kill us and blame a third party. Those are obvious crimes, so we're taking him back to the capital with us
We should do the same thing to the other tribal leaders.
I guess this is technically entrapment, but I'm not too concerned.

Should we give the young leader that is chosen a chance to petition us to reduce the sentence for this elder?
Or should we make it clear that attacking a government official, the representative of the Empress, cannot and will not be forgiven?

Sorry guys I completely lost track of time while in quarantine and thought it was wednesday.

***

We speak with the cowed guards, and repeat ourselves. They will let the village know, we will interview every candidate for the position of elder before assigning the job.

They've killed each other for hundreds of years, until it became a part of their traditions. We are ending that, and we are ending it now.

The guards leave the room in a panic.

"Eh... President, are you feeling alright?" Our beautiful princess asks us
"No. I hate doing things this way, but you heard him, didn't you? They... no, maybe its just the old folks? I hope that's how it is."
"...yes. Me too." She says as she holds our hand

Over the next few days, we find that the only tribe that doesn't really seem trapped in this loop of violence is the northernmost tribe. Curiously, they're the least civilized of the lot, living a nomadic life style in the north of the region.

Well, it takes almost eight day to interview each elder and replace them when needed. At night...

>We go and cuddle our puppy girl. Hers is the healing cuteness
>Its time to train our brand new petgirls and unload some frustration*
>Other

(*) IIRC we had Lyann 'spawn' while she was our pet, aiming at breeding a pure sex pet.

>>4230461
>Its time to train our brand new petgirls and unload some frustration*

>>4230461
>We go and cuddle our puppy girl. Hers is the healing cuteness

Rolled 2 (1d2)

1 - >>4230694
>>We go and cuddle our puppy girl. Hers is the healing cuteness

2- >>4230553
>>Its time to train our brand new petgirls and unload some frustration*

Well, I'll write a pdf on it later, anyway

***

Dawn lets out a deep sigh as she sinks unto the desk, her horns sinking in the pule of documents in front of her.

"Hey, now. A good maid shouldn't let out such a sigh in front of her master, should she?" Lyann chides her gently from her own desk

Well, we've been relying on our beautiful fiancees to help us organize the region's new relationship between its (small) capital and the surrounding villages.

"The princess is working quietly, why don't you try and copy her?"
"Wawawawa~ you didn't notice?" Dawn smiles and straightens up "Aritsu, is it alright if I go nibble on you for a bit? You don't have to say anything if it is, I'll just help myself~"

After a moment of silence, Lyann looks towards the desk where Aritsu is working, stopping her pen over the documents she was writing.

"Eh? Hmm... dearest, you there?" Asks the redhead
"Oh, she's there, she's just doing her elf meditating-sleep thing again."
"Well, that's fine then. Its just 15 minutes or so. I think I'll carry her to bed so she can rest laying down, though."

The redhead gets up and walks over to the elven princess, then gently picks her up, chair and all, moves her back slightly, lowers the chair and picks the girl up in her arms.

"Ah... that looks kind of erotic.." Comments the blueberry maid as Lyann holds the sleeping princess in her arms
"You are looking too much into it." Lyann sighs, and walks over to the bed
"Maybe if you weren't both nude...?"
"Cute girls are to be naked inside the master's room." Lyann quotes her master's rule
"Hmm... and why are you groping her left breast."
"I am not!" Lyann replies "I'm just holding her!"

She does her best to reply in a low enough voice she won't wake up the sleeping princess

"Then don't pull on her nipple?"
"Alright, you got me there." She smiles, then lowers the elf unto the bed and gives her a gentle but long kiss before going back to her desk

They work quietly until Aritsu wakes up

"Hnn...!" The princess stretches and lets out a cute little moan that causes the girls to look at her
"Hey, did you have a nice rest?" Lyann greets her
"Ah, sorry, I just wanted to rest my eyes for a little bit."
"That's alright. Maybe we should all take a break, too." Lyann finally lowers her pen "Dawn, can you go set some fresh tea?"
"Sure."

The strawberry-colored maid gets up and moves towards the stove and the kettle. Soon, all three beauties are having tea and pastries while talking about the job.

1/?

>>4232371


"The governor... you can't really say he did a good job, but..." Aritsu comments between nibbles on a doughnut
"He didn't do a bad job either. Just so-so." Replies Dawn
"So-so... you picked that up from Master, didn't you?" The redhead smiles as she looks at her friend
"Where else? But isn't it accurate? I mean, as far as public officials go, he wasn't corrupt or abused his power, but he didn't do anything of notice, either. He kept the garrison in good shape, collected taxes and sent them back to the capital but..."
"He kept everything up and running in a timely fashion, but he did not build a single piece of infrastructure, either." Finishes Aritsu
"Well, he is still young" Comments Lyann "He will probably do well in a different position. An embassy somewhere? All he needs to do is pass messages along through official channels while enjoying prestige due to his position."

Over the last week, the trio has been auditing the governor, and have unanymously agreed that while he isn't a bad person, he's not a great governor, either.

It is in the middle of their conversation that we arrive back from the island manor, and they greet us quite happily before giving us their report.

Now that we are done with the tribes, Lyann lets us know that Mako wants to see us, so we should head to the palace that night.

"Alright." We kiss her and ...

>ask her about Okaba and Asmund's progress
>ask her about how things are at home
>ask her about work at Mantequira

>>4232497
>ask her about how things are at home

>>4232497
>ask her about how things are at home

Ah, I forgot, but got reminded: we should look for Lyann's mother. Now that we are getting the full resources of Eopolis, the Miel Hegemony, and the cooperation of Sebastia and Alquia, it may be possible to track her down.