The Hundred Reigns 107: The Cocagne Affair (7)

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Satine ended the dance looking quite shaken.

“That is… unbelievable,” she said once Simon concluded his tale, her skin paler than chalk. “I would have been informed…”

“I have no doubt the Oracle knows, since she was already alive and active when the Zodiac Fiends first started stirring up trouble,” Simon replied. “Maybe she wants you to focus on the Overlord, or she is mistaken and believes the seals can be reinforced. Either way, the threat is real. Even my father threw enormous resources to secure those demonbarrows, and I know the Cobweb is looking for them too.”

Satine glared at him. “Or this is just another lie to keep us distracted and divided.”

“Ask Frea to check the seal and double-check yourself, if you don’t believe me.” The look of shock on the princess’ face when he named her elven teacher was pure delight to Simon. “Do you realize it now? Endymion knows everything about you and your organization. You will lose if you pick the wrong fight.”

Satine remained silent as the music reached its conclusion. Simon let go of her once the dance ended, at which point he noticed Alphonse walking up to him with a furious expression. 

The Paladin took off one of his gloves, and then threw it at Simon’s feet. 

Silence fell upon the room, which Alphonse quickly broke. “You know what that means, Magnos.”

By the Light, everyone was looking at them now, from Remedia to Norbelle…

“I suppose we cannot settle this with a dance competition, Alphonse?” Simon quipped in an attempt to lighten up the mood.

It failed miserably. 

“Are you mocking me?” Alphonse raised his voice, his fist clenched. “After all your family has done, you think you can just walk away?!”

“Alphonse…” Satine said, but it was already too late.

“What’s going on here?” Norbelle asked, a wide grin stretching on her face. “Did you steal another girlfriend, Simon?”

“I did no such thing,” Simon retorted in annoyance. Everyone would think he was a skirt-chaser at this rate, and worse, the situation was rapidly getting out of hand! “He is a man our father wronged.”

Norbelle pouted, drawing a blank. “That hardly narrows it down.”

“Your family executed my uncle and he ordered my master’s assassination!” Alphonse snapped, his finger pointed at Simon. “I shall have retribution!”

“This is madness!” Verdis protested. “Simon is no killer!”

“I shall have no blood staining my ballroom!” Remedia ordered with a thundering voice, crackling with magic. “Who are you, Ser, to challenge one of my guests under my roof?!”

“He is Alphonse of Lore, the man I told you about,” Filip said, squinting at Alphonse. Having one of his handpicked guests causing trouble didn’t reflect well on him. “Those are serious accusations, Ser.”

This is bad, Simon thought while trying to figure out a peaceful way out of this situation. A fight would likely lead to Norbelle or Remedia getting involved, which in turn would bring this ball to Endymion’s and Illusea’s attention. Should I challenge Alphonse to a no-Class duel? He’s honorable enough to agree, but it won’t settle the matter.

Leonard, who had been attending the party with Meredith, walked up to Simon’s side. “Your Highness, allow me to be your champion.”

I have to choose now. Simon considered how to de-escalate this situation before it spiraled out of control, when an idea crossed his mind. Let’s hope this works. 

“Very well, Alphonse,” he said. “I agree to duel you at a place and time of your choosing, under one condition.”

Alphonse glared at him, smelling a trap. “Which one?”

“As the challenged party, I have the right to pick the weapon.” Simon crossed his arms. “And in the spirit of this country, I shall thus pick prayers.”

Alphonse blinked in surprise. “Prayers?”

“We will call upon the Light to bless us with our highest Tier spell,” Simon replied, spotting the way Norbelle smirked with a finger on her lips. “If you can cast one higher than mine, then I will let you kill me. If I win, we shall part ways without bloodshed. Surely if I am as unholy as you say, then my pleas will go unanswered.”

There was no way Alphonse could cast Tier V prayers at the moment, and even if he could, surely seeing the Light bless the Overlord’s spawn should shake him to his core; perhaps enough to listen to reason. 

“You will cheat,” Alphonse said, his scowl deepening. “There is no way you would agree to this otherwise.”

“The Mage can be our judge.” Simon turned to Queen Remedia, hoping she would go along rather than smite them on the spot for ruining her ball. “Would you agree to arbitrate this contest? I assure you it won’t last long.”

Remedia hesitated and scowled as Filip whispered something in her ear. Whatever he said caused her to nod slightly. 

“Very well,” she decided as she put on her Class outfit and then swiftly summoned a faceless effigy in the middle of the dance floor. “I shall pay close attention, and anyone caught cheating shall be punished for it. Everyone, please step back.”

The crowd moved back with delight at this unexpected spectacle, leaving Alphonse and Simon alone in the middle. “I would wish you good luck,” Norbelle told her brother, “But we both know you won’t need any.”

I pray you’re right, sister, or we’ll have a fight on our hands. Simon glanced at Alphonse and said, “You first.”

Alphonse took a deep breath and quickly cast his spell. “Guide our way and blind the wicked, oh radiant lightstone! Light Nimbus!”

A circle of blinding light materialized over the effigy’s head, and gasps of awe spread through the crowd. Norbelle smiled ear to ear with interest, and even Simon’s eyes widened in shock, though not for the same reason. 

“A Tier IV spell,” Remedia noted with appreciation, “An impressive display for one so young.”

And that didn’t make any sense! 

Something was wrong. Alphonse shouldn’t be able to cast a Tier IV prayer spell at this point in time. Barbas himself couldn’t cast one at over level fifty! Even when taking into account the fact that Templars were mere Vassal Classes of the Paladin, Alphonse shouldn’t be higher than level thirty or so right now.

He had somehow become stronger much sooner than in previous reigns. 

This must be because of his Heroic Destiny ability, Simon thought, his jaw clenching. Does it grant him an exp boost proportional to the Overlord’s level or something similar? If so, then Alphonse’s actions might begin to deviate across the reigns as he grows in power. There’s no way he’ll stick to training in Valne if he skyrockets in levels.

Solving that mystery would wait for another time. For now, Simon followed Alphonse’s demonstration by casting something a cut above his rival’s spell. “Lightstone, burn that which offends thee! Kindling!”

Holy blue flames consumed the effigy, to the shock of everyone save Norbelle and Cocagne’s royal family. Satine covered her mouth in shock, and Justine’s eyes gleamed with fascination behind her fan. Alphonse’s confidence collapsed, his jaw dropping. 

“A Tier V prayer,” Remedia said, Simon catching a smile of relief at the edge of her lips. They had just avoided a fight. “There was no foul play from either side. I thus declare Simon Magnos the winner.” 

“That’s impossible…” Alphonse muttered, now at a loss for words.

Here’s my chance, Simon thought as he made his move. “Do you realize it now? You were deceived, Alphonse. It was my father, Balzam Magnos, who framed me for your master’s murder because it amused him to see us at each other’s throats. He feared we might one day meet as friends, and do you know why?”

Simon put a hand on his chest and dropped the bomb.

“Because the imperial concubine your uncle was meeting behind the Overlord’s back… was my own mother!”  

His declaration was met with gasps from nearly everyone in the ballroom. Satine covered her mouth in shock, Alphonse was paler than chalk, and Norbelle… Norbelle was the only one grinning, the cruel bitch.

“The Overlord executed her alongside your uncle, because they planned to leave for Lore with me in tow… and Balzam Magnos does not share.” Even now, after many reigns to process this truth, Simon couldn’t suppress the bitterness in his voice. “Do you understand now?! He hoped that we killed each other because had things been different, we could have been family! The irony of us tearing each other apart amused him to his core!”

Alphonse stared at Simon as if the bastard prince had grown a second head… or rather, like a man suddenly reconsidering everything he once took for granted. 

He… he was listening.

Alphonse was actually listening. 

“I have told Princess Satine everything you need to know,” Simon said, immediately. “You are aiming your sword at the wrong target. I will not deny my father’s sins, and I’m sure he’ll pay for them one day–” And already had, “–but the Overlord is not the threat you should be focusing on right now.”

Alphonse’s expression turned into a thoughtful scowl, which only deepened when Satine leaned over to whisper in his ear. He stared at Simon for a moment, clearly needing to digest all these new pieces of information. 

“I will… investigate this,” he decided. “If you are truly innocent of my master and uncle’s deaths, then…” Alphonse took a deep breath. “Then I am truly sorry.”

For once, Simon was surprised in a very pleasant way, and slightly at a loss of words.

“Apologies accepted, Alphonse,” Simon replied, not sure what else to say. “It’s my father alone I blame.”

Alphonse nodded sharply, and then turned to now and apologized to Filip and Remedia. “I am sorry as well for ruining your ball, Your Majesties. It seems I was deceived.”

Remedia nodded slowly, though she didn’t forgive him entirely. “You should be on your way, Ser Alphonse, Princess Satine. Your presence caused enough of a ruckus.”

It was a polite way to dismiss them, and probably a way to save their lives. Those two had caught Norbelle’s notice and perhaps that of dangerous spies attending this party. Alphonse and his companion bowed at the queen and her husband, then left. 

For what perhaps must have been a first, the Paladin and Overlord unknowingly parted ways without bloodshed. 

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The ball soon died down after the duel, though Simon had made such an impression that he spent most of the evening being swarmed by nobles eager to barrage him with questions. How did he learn to cast Tier V prayers at his age? Was it true that the Mage took him as her newest apprentice? Was it true that he had bested the Ranger in a duel? Did he have an illicit relationship with Empress Euphemia and was sent to Cocagne as punishment? Simon had no idea where that one came from, and it left him rather uneasy. 

“Now everyone thinks I’m a professional wife-stealer,” Simon complained to Norbelle once they returned to their quarters. “Are you happy now?”

“Yes, very,” she said, hands behind her back. “Although I would have preferred if your date hadn’t slipped away. Did you frighten her off?”

Yes, he had. “She teleported home in a pinch to deal with a… family matter, but she will come crawling back soon enough.” 

“Interesting… and a shame. I had left a basket of wine for you two, to ease the coupling.” Norbelle licked her lips in a way that reminded Simon of a wolf salivating at the prospect of incoming bloodshed. “I was looking forward to it almost as much as a new Paladin candidate showing up.”

Simon raised an eyebrow. “Paladin candidate?”

“Don’t play coy with me, brother.” Norbelle smirked at him. “That Alphonse is the new Paladin’s son. He must have a Paladin Vassal Class, so he can transfer that experience once we inevitably kill his old man and hasten his inheritance.”

Ah, Norbelle, so close and yet so far. “Are you going to pursue him?”

“Why would I? Paladins always fail to beat us, that’s what they’re known for.” Norbelle chuckled to herself. “The new one won’t even get past Thalas.”

The worst part was that she was likely right… Alphonse was doomed to fail in his quest to defeat House Magnos, at least until that Heroic Destiny power let him catch up in levels. Simon wondered if it would be worth dedicating a reign befriending the White Unicorn to better investigate that ability.

I may have a path open to make peace with them now, Simon thought. Showing his prayers and Anathemic Secrecy-powered false affinity for the Light threw its believers off their game. I don’t think the Oracle will let go of our feud so easily, but Alphonse’s group isn’t beyond help… and who would be better at handling the Zodiac Fiends than them? 

“Anyway, my dear brother, I think I’ve finally figured out what’s going on with you…” Norbelle licked her lips. “What I don’t get is why and how, but I’ll find out eventually.”

“Will you now?” Simon teased her evasively once they reached their bedrooms, knowing better than to give away anything. It could be a bluff for all he knew. 

“Yes, I do, but I’m having fun trying to figure it out… you’ve managed to make this boring assignment finally enjoyable, and that’s priceless.” Norbelle pecked him on the cheek as they passed by her room. “Thank you for the wonderful evening, and don’t forget to kiss Remedia for me.”

Simon raised an eyebrow as Norbelle closed her door behind her. Had she figured out he was the Overlord, or that he had plans of his own? He had tried not to give anything away, but his half-sister was about as sharp and perceptive as Louis. 

Either way, he found his quarters empty. Leonard and Meredith were probably spending the night together, as Simon foresaw when he gave them some free time. He had the intuition that those two were more or less bound to get together, given time, at least unless the civil war split them up.

After checking he was alone and incinerating the one mouse he found trying to spy on him with Hellfire, Simon noticed Norbelle’s gift basket and opened one of the wine bottles. He heard the familiar, faint noise of someone teleporting into his room. 

“It is quite late, Your Majesty,” Simon told his not-so-unexpected guest. 

“Did you foresee I would come here?” Remedia asked, glancing at the wine. Did she think he would stoop so low as to poison her? “Is that why you sent Lady Eligos away? Because you thought I would come to you?”

“It was just a gut feeling, and a happy coincidence. The wine wasn’t delivered for you.” Simon offered her a glass. “I would check it for poison just in case, and I’m afraid I don’t have food for dinner.”

Remedia smiled and waved her hand at his table. Delicious-looking blackberry pudding materialized on top of it, alongside cutlery.

“I have to ask,” Simon said, “Did you teleport it from the pantry or create it from nothing?”

“The latter. One of my predecessors was inspired to create this Black Pudding spell after a few slime-related incidents.” Remedia used her magic to cause a knife to float and cut slices of jelly for them. “You love to cause trouble, don’t you? Picking a fight with my Ranger husband and then the Paladin.”

Of course she knew about Alphonse’s true Class. Simon suspected Filip had intended to introduce them to each other during the party, only for things to degenerate. The King-Consort was not having a good time lately.

“My apologies about that mess,” Simon replied, the queen smiling at his lack of surprise when it came to Alphonse’s Class. He tasted his pudding slice and found it deliciously sweet. “I didn’t expect things to take such a sharp turn.”

“Is it true what you said? Your father killed that boy’s uncle and teacher?” Remedia gulped. “Did he… truly kill your mother?”

“Yes, he did all that, and he framed me for the deed.” On top of taking her skull and using it to lure me into a trap for a laugh while he was at it. 

“It does not surprise me. I only had the displeasure of crossing paths with Balzam Magnos once years ago, and I mostly remember his unwanted advances and…” Remedia scowled. “That other issue…” 

Simon frowned at her. “That other issue?”

“It’s nothing to concern yourself with. I think… I think it might be too late for us either way.” Remedia sipped her wine with a scowl on her face. Simon noticed a faint aura of magic in her hand, perhaps a purging spell to avoid any poisoning attempt. “The damage is done.”

Now Simon was curious. “If you need someone to talk to–”

She snorted. “Would you take the prince of a hostile neighbor for a confidant?”

“Who else then?” Simon replied pointedly. “You and Filip don’t get along, Verdis is young, and you don’t seem to have any close friends.”

“Blunt, but not incorrect," Remedia admitted, though she quickly changed the subject rather than pursue that line of thought. “What is this threat you mentioned? What did you warn Satine about? It must have been quite important to make the Paladin reconsider going after the Overlord.”

Simon considered how to answer. He had so far been careful when it came to telling others about the Zodiac Fiends because the likes of Vouivre or the Cobweb were already looking for them, and the idea of someone like Louis hearing about those was terrifying. At least he could trust the Paladin to try to destroy those crystals rather than exploit them. 

Nonetheless, he recalled from his father’s notes that Cocagne held at least one demonbarrow, and it would have struck him as odd if the Mage knew nothing about dangerous demon lords or Abraxas…

“Have you ever heard about the tale of the Heroes and the Zodiac Fiends?” Simon inquired.

Remedia’s expression immediately sharpened. She knew. “Of course.”

“It’s not a legend, it’s history. A group of demons based on the Zodiac constellations are spread across the world, and their seals are wavering. They are threats to us all.” Simon met her gaze. “And there is one in your country, Your Majesty.”

Remedia held onto her glass without a word, her expression a blank mask of stone. Simon felt tension spreading through the air as she hesitated over whether to keep her mouth shut or give away a vital piece of information. 

“There is indeed one such fiend sealed in Cocagne,” Remedia admitted. “But it is quite secure.”

“It’s not,” Simon argued. “Next year will see the return of the same comet that unleashed the Doom, and it will raise miasma levels worldwide. Once it crosses the constellation associated with your land’s Zodiac Fiend, the monster will regain its full power and break out. No seal will be able to hold it.”

“Why tell me this?” Remedia asked, her frown deepening. “My nation remains independent from the empire. You would have a much easier time swooping in and conquering us after we exhaust ourselves fighting a demon lord, if what you say is true.”

“Conquest is not my goal,” Simon replied. “I am telling you for the same reason I let the Paladin go, even though he’s my family’s enemy: because this new Doom is a threat to us all, and countless people will die if we do not deal with it.”

Remedia fell into silence once more, considering his words. Simon could tell they had hit a nerve, and she knew enough to at least take them into consideration. 

“There used to be a treasure buried beneath our Summer Palace in the north of the country,” she finally said. “A miasma crystal bearing the emblem of the Lion, which the royal family swore to safeguard from fools and villains alike. We kept it safely sealed in its vault for centuries…” She chuckled upon finishing her wine. “Until one of my predecessors required a power source to keep this castle afloat.”

Simon’s eyes widened in shock. “No way…” He had spent days in this castle and never detected a whiff of the Dark. “I don’t sense anything.”

“As I said, our seals are secure… or I would have assumed so until today.” Remedia set her glass aside on the table. “When will this comet arrive?”

“On the 27th of Frimaire 404 AD, according to my calculations,” Simon replied. “If it is the Lion, then it will empower the fiend from the 23rd of Thermidor 405 AD to the end of Fructidor.”

“A month of disaster two years from now…” Remedia nodded to herself. “I am not entirely convinced by your claims, but this would line up with other information I have gathered from personal and institutional research, especially on the matter of miasma build-up worldwide.”

“So you believe me?”

“I do, to a point. I trust, but verify.” Remedia smiled faintly. “Either way, I thank you for bringing this information to me. It has not fallen on deaf ears.”

“I hope so, for your sake and that of your nation.” Simon sighed and stretched his neck. “Either way, Your Majesty, my thanks for the pudding, but we should probably continue our discussion in the morning.”

“Yes, of course. I expect you to show up at the expected time.” Remedia shifted in place, looking suddenly hesitant and unsure of herself. Her tongue clicked in her mouth, the queen clearly having something to say, but struggling to hold it back.

“Your Majesty?” Simon inquired. 

“I…” She cleared her throat. “I have a question for you. A rumor reached my ears, which I am unsure whether I should believe or not… or if you will even answer honestly.”

Simon had a pretty good idea of what she had heard. “Ask away, Your Majesty.”

She steeled herself. “Is the Overlord dead?”

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