Giant Conqueror!

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #1

He was back at home. After all these months of traveling and fighting, Gabriel finally arrived back in Toroa, just sadly under different circumstances than he wished for. Since he left home Sarah was keeping him in the loop about what was going on at the Island and saying some of these news were making him worried would be an understatement. Giant in front of a small army attacking the coast forts and actually conquering territory was something unusual and at the same time dangerous. After all, giants weren´t really common in the West Blue, and when they appeared it was usually as a member of the Marines or in the worst-case scenario member of a pirate crew that pillaged a few villages or towns before disappearing again. This however was something different and the Professor was worried it could endanger not only his fledging organization but also his protegee.

“Well, when you were telling me about Toroa I thought you were exaggerating but have to say…this city is really beautiful…”

Namkhai muttered as he was watching the tall and elegant buildings all around them. Being raised among East Blue nomads he rarely visited something that could be considered a real city and so astonishment was well justified.

Gabriel said nothing and instead was quickly picking a route through the winding streets of the port district that would lead them toward the Northern Gate.

“Are we going to drop at Headquarters? Being one of the founding members I feel kind of weird for not being there even once.”

The Titan of Bokh continued with a glimpse of hope in his voice, but Gabriel shook his head in return.

“No…not now. Knowing Sarah she would try to talk me out of it and I…”

He paused.

“You are weak against her puppy eyes?”

His lieutenant laughed patting his boss on the back.

“I don´t want to worry her.”

He finished, but Namkhai didn´t look convinced at all.

“Well if you didn´t want to worry her, you should take more people with us. Sigrid for example…”

The Professor sighed.

“Needs to control her power firsts otherwise she would cause more harm than good. Besides, we are not here to start a war.”

Namkhai sighed.

“Yeah…she already did that…”

[Vio]

^{Seere #1}

---

A small semi-coastal town in the Kingdom of Toroa basked under a warm, morning sun, recuperating from a recent event that had shaken it to its core—yet it still stood strong. Several dozen slightly rougher men than one would have expected of the Toroan native were putting their efforts into maintaining infrastructure, allowing the local militia to focus its efforts on restructuring its fortifications. It was a slow and tedious process, but a necessary one after a Giantess had busted through it with a single charge a couple of weeks ago.

But despite the events that had transpired on the fateful day a fortnight ago, the civilians of the town seemed rather content by the way things had changed. If a little confused. As far as the local mayor was aware, the Crown hadn’t yet agreed on decisive actions against the settlement’s new occupants, though he suspected that was more due to fear than actual political stalemate between members of the royal council. It made sense. After all, they seldom had much of an idea what to do in the face of a Giant.

“Th– There’s still the matter of taxation by the Crown of Toroa, too, Se– Hm! My Lady,” he corrected himself anxiously. A slightly pudgy gentleman of middling age with a round face and a variety of dark facial hair that protruded from his physiognomy—eyebrows, moustache, and goatee alike. His hairline had receded a fair bit, but his locks were pulled taut and tied at the back into a short ponytail. A pure white shirt and a claret and gold striped doublet and matching breeches evoked the idea of previous centuries, though the chosen attire was far from flattering.

Yellow eyes raised from a massive sheet of parchment that currently rested upon a wooden board, the size of which could have made for the roof of a small house. Almadel Seere looked again at the man, who seemed to shrink under her gaze before straightening himself back out again, perhaps taking heed of previous words she had spoken to him over the course of the last dozen or so days. Behind her, the brickwork and scaffolds of the local garrison could be seen, men who had formerly opposed each other working together to rebuild and repurpose.

“It’s… Well, the next payment comes due in one week,” affirmed the mayor, knowing better now than to wait for the dark-haired Giantess to prompt him for information at the risk of prompting her aggravation instead. “The Crown asks thirty percent of the quarterly income to the town’s treasury as tithe, and–”

^{“Excuse me,” the Giantess interjected:
“Thirty percent? That’s ridiculous.”}

^{“…It’s always been that, my Lady…”}

“You are not to pay it,” she said matter-of-factly, as she looked back down at the parchment upon her lap and returned to scribbling down words with an equally enormous ink brush that could have served men as a battering ram.

^{“B– But, my Lady,” he spoke up in contest:
“If we refuse then the Crown is likely to–”}

“Mayor Percy,” Seere said sternly, pausing her writing for a moment. “That was an order, not a suggestion. Thirty percent of a town’s quarterly income as tithe to the Crown is extortionate. No wonder this remains one of the smallest settlements across all of Toroa while the capital booms and basks in luxuries. You will offer ten percent—the normal historical rate for a tithe—and they will make do.” Extortion. Just another reason why lesser races could not be trusted to lord over themselves. The greedy and corrupt worm their way into positions of power and feast upon the hard work of the honest folks, trapped in the cycle.

^{“Now, I am currently busy,” Seere continued:
“Is there anything else that needs my attention…?”}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Lady Almadel Seere converses with Mayor Percy about town matters.

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NOTE: N/A

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #2

Although on Toroa, the carriage was a preferred method of transportation for people of his class, the two men traveled on foot, navigating through the city towards the Northern gate and outside walking across the fields and villages towards the town that was currently occupied by the giantess and her army.
It was a long walk but Namkhai didn't inquire about the reasons behind it. He knew Gabriel long enough to notice when he succumbed to nostalgia and frankly after what they went through in the last few weeks the Professor deserved some rest. And if a long, silent walk through the countryside worked for him, his bodyguard was the last one who would complain.
Because of that, it took them most of the day to arrive at their destination, reaching the town only in the late afternoon. They were truly a strange pair to see. The Professor was tall, although still in the range of regular humans, and athletic which wasn't really evident as his dark, three-piece suit hid almost all information about his build. What it was screaming to the world, however, was the fact that its owner was a member of the upper class and probably very rich as well.
And then next to him was Namkhai, even taller than Gabriel himself, and incredibly muscular, even now wearing the traditional uniform of his martial art composed of simple line pants with a strong piece of rope instead of a proper belt and lose leather vest with the two characters for "Titan" embroidered into its back.
An elegant gentleman in his thirties, maybe forties judging by the starting silver in his otherwise black hair and stubble beard and wild warrior, almost a decade younger than his master. Looking at them, the idea of a noble traveling with his bodyguard could quickly come to the mind of anyone who didn't know the pair.
"Good afternoon."
With a kind smile on his otherwise strict face, Gabriel greeted the guards standing in front of the main gate as they stopped in front of it.
"I am Lord Moon, noble of the Toroa Kingdom and this is my associate, Namkhai Monghbat."
He nodded towards the Titan of Bokh, trying his best to not grimace as the whole "Lord Moon" sounded strange even to him. But it was what he was and in this situation, this title would probably serve better than the other ones he held.
"We would like to seek an audience with the giantess that currently occupies this place."

[Vio]

^{Seere #2}

---

Neither guardsman had anticipated this moment, so it was only natural for the two of them to side-eye one another in a search for reassurance. In the wake of a change of effective leadership, the two men—both quite powerfully built and clad in the simple, yet formal protective uniforms typical of the Toroan guard—seemed a little unsure of the situation. Their orders had been simple. So simple, in fact, that almost nothing had changed about their shifts and jurisdictions.

“M’Lord,” the one man bowed his head in respect. Still Toroan at heart. “I’ll be completely open with you. I’m not currently sure what the protocol is for an unexpected request by the Toroan nobility. So! We’ll do what’s normally done,” he added, trying to be a little jovial about the situation to stave off an obvious anxiety that had manifested in more recent days. He opened a box at the gatepost, a Den Den Mushi was sitting inside and opened one lazy eye.

^{“Go on ahead, M’Lord,” he gestured:
“We’ll let them know you’re coming!”}

It was just that simple.

What wasn’t simple, however, was the sheer amount of superfluous bureaucracy and the flimsy modicum of actually well thought out legalities. Almadel Seere’s entire day had been wasted dealing with petty requests by the Mayor and other officials—matters that could easily have been dealt with amongst themselves without having to invoke her name. Thankfully, they had not yet reached the point of using her as a judge to settle matters of ‘who accidentally sheared somebody else’s sheep’, or similarly nonsensical disputes.

Indeed, the Giantess had set her mind to contemplating greater goals, all with the intent of furthering her conquest once political and military establishment had been made. Literal hours of work, constantly interrupted by the trivialities of what might as well have been herding cats, and she had finally managed to draw up a battle plan to be implemented in the event of Toroan military intervention. Strategically, it was a very simple one, but afforded a great deal of tactical flexibility—a necessity where pure strength of numbers and quality armaments were both lacking.

“Lady Seere!” announced a man—one of her own following—as he approached. Yellow eyes rolled momentarily before she turned her attention to him. “The guards at the gate have informed us that a ‘Lord Moon’ of Toroa, and an associate—Mister… ‘Monkrat’? …f*¢< is this handwriting… Ahem! They’ve entered the village and are requesting an audience!”

^{“Are they armed?” Seere asked:
“Have they entered with troops?”}

“No, my Lady! Guards said it was just the two of them and that they approached by foot from the road, no visible weapons,” the messenger relayed. “Should me and a couple of the boys meet them and guide them?” For a moment, she seemed to contemplate the option, then nodded. She did not say anything. She did not need to. With a salute and a smile, the man took his leave from the hillside nearest the garrison, heading into the town and following the main route through the village to intercept with another two at his side—another of the Giantess’ troupe of followers and a man from the local garrison.

^{I expected a contingent, Seere pondered:
Not a couple of men waltzing in…}

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Lady Seere is made aware of the arrival of the strangers!

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NOTE: N/A

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #3

Feeling incredibly awkward just from being addressed as “M´Lord”, Gabriel was secretly glad that there won´t be any welcoming ceremony because of his arrival.

“Thank you.”

He nodded in appreciation, entering the town, followed by Namkhai. The Titan of Bokh waited for a moment until he was sure they are out of earshot of the guards before muttering.

“Well, it´s clear the giant isn´t here, so what´s our plan?”

The Professor didn´t answer right away and instead walked through the streets as if he was looking for something.

“Strange, for a place that was conquered it looks surprisingly intact…”

He muttered to himself, making Namkhai roll his eyes.

“The giant Gabe, she isn´t here, so what´s the plan?”

Professor Moon paused, looking at his companion who so abruptly interrupted his line of thoughts, before nodding.

“What do you think, we´ll wait. I am pretty sure that someone who just conquered part of Toroa´s territory will be pretty interested in meeting one of their nobles.”

As he said this, he headed toward a small café near the town´s square.

“And if she won´t?”

Namkhai inquired further earning a gentle smile from his friend and employer.

“Well in that case, we´ll make enough noise for her to notice us.”

This time it was the titan who showed his teeth in a wide grin.

A moment later, the two of them entered the café, only to be greeted by a young man behind the bar.

“Oh, welcome gentlemen! What can I do for you?”

The Professor looked at the menu, written on a blackboard behind the lad, his eyes suddenly lit up as he noticed what was listed among today´s sweet treats.

“I´ll take a cappuccino and all the cookies you have.”

The barista blinked in surprise, then nodded and turned to Namkhai.

“Aaaand, you sir?”

The Titan grumbled, reading through the menu.

“Sandwich and…you don´t have a beer do you?”

The young man shook his head in response, getting a sigh in return.

“Then surprise me…”

[Vio]

^{Seere #3}

---

It wouldn’t take much time for the orders placed to be served. A zingy cappuccino with a fair sprinkling of cinnamon to add to the creamy foam, and a platter of cookies—an order none had really expected to have to dish out this day—for the Professor. And for the Titan of Bokh, a refreshing ‘BLT’ accompanied by what appeared to be hot chocolate, complete with cream and marshmallows, though the mug in which it was served was rather plain. However, the opportunity to sit and enjoy their orders was short as a handbell rang outside.

“Ladies and gentlemen! Apologies for the racket,” bellowed a man who had taken up a stance on a wooden box in the small town square. “We’re looking for a ‘Lord Moon’, official business,” he said, enunciating as clearly as he could and waiting patiently for a response from the town. Nobody seemed aware of the target’s presence, perhaps only because they couldn’t recognise a man who hadn’t explicitly named himself or made his existence known upon entry. Most noble types tended to have a following, though it was rather clear that this wasn’t the case as not a single soul looked out of place.

^{“Hrm… Well,” he turned to his companions:
“Looks like we’re going to have to wait…”}

^{“…When you said ‘Lord’, I was expecting an entourage…”}

“If it’s the Lord Moon I know of,” spoke the Toroan soldier who had been tasked with accompanying the welcome party. A man of early middling age with a stubbled face and close cut hair, a small bit of a moustache upon his top lip. “Then I wouldn’t expect anything ostentatious of him,” he confirmed.

^{“You know him?”}

^{“No. Never met him,” the soldier said:
“I’ve just heard a little about him…”}

^{“Anything we should be worried about?”}

“Your guess is as good as mine! Never really make it my business to get to know the upper echelons.” The military man gave a small shrug of his square shoulders, emphasising his point. “I just follow orders, get paid, and keep my wife and kids safe and comfortable, that's all.” An expression of loyalty to his family above all else, though whether or not that was a good thing in the grand scheme of things was an unknown factor. Even so, he had been one of the troops who had laid down their arms against Commander Keats’ order, so he was a logical mind…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Lady Seere’s welcome party try to find their target!

---

NOTE: Nothing from Seere in this post, it’s all NPC work!

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #4

While the Professor was quite satisfied with his order, Namkhai looked at his hot chocolate with a confused expression that was slowly transforming into an angered one.

“What the h*ell? Do I look like someone who would drink this?”

He asked, poking into one of the many marshmallows, that were floating in the lake of cream and chocolate.

“Hmmmm, do you want to trade?”

Gabriel asked looking at the beverage his companion got with an interest.

“You seriously want this?”

The Titan of Bokh asked in disbelief. To which Gabriel nodded, pushing his own cappuccino toward his companion.

“Unbelievable, you know that as our leader you should maintain at least some semblance of decorum right?”

He talked mostly in a joking manner, switching his mug for Gabriel´s cup in the process.

“You know my policy, sweet goodies first, decorum later.”

The Professor grinned, taking a sip from his mug, before munching on one of his cookies.

“Hmmm, delicious. These guys will deserve some generous tip.”

He muttered, taking a second one right afterward.

“Hmmmm, still it´s a little wonder that this town looks so…undamaged after being conquered by a giantess.”

With a mouth full of cookies, the Professor nodded.

“Yes, amazing right? Of course, I don´t know any details but the rumors have it that she is very considerable when it comes to civilian lives.”

Namkhai frowned.

“Then why do we even bother to visit her?”

The smile on Gabriel´s face faded, getting somehow sad tone.

“There is a great difference between taking a small town that was neglected by the crown for decades and marching at the capital. And no matter how good the intentions are, war is a messy thing. A single stray bullet or cannonball can cause disaster so I would like to make sure she won´t march there. Ever.”

His self-proclaimed bodyguard grunted but said nothing on that matter.

After this brief conversation, both men ate and drank until Gabriel raised his voice again.

“I think we waited long enough, she isn´t coming.”

Namkhai nodded.

“Yeah, if she is anything like Sigrid we would hear her marching from miles away…should I make some noise?”

The Professor shook his head in disagreement.

“No, not yet, let´s just ask around for a bit.”

Reaching for his wallet, he put some cash on the table, around double the cost of her order, and headed outside.

“Hmmmm”

Next to him, Namkhai growled and nodded toward pair of men that looked like soldiers.

“Excuse me, gentlemen!”

With a gentle smile on his face and the last cookie in hand, Gabriel headed towards them.

“I am sorry to bother you, but my name is Prof…Lord Moon and I am looking for the giantess that conquered this place not so long ago. Would you be so kind as to tell me where I can find her?”

Sighing, Namkhai followed his master, trying his best to look threatening as any good bodyguard should.

[Vio]

^{Seere #4}

---

^{“Excuse me,” a voice announced:
“…Tell me where I can find her?”}

“Well, what a coincidence,” said the leader of the little party, eyeing the approaching gentleman as he spoke and casting a careful gaze over the single, powerfully built fellow that followed him. “We were sent to find and escort you to Lady Seere! Pleasure to make your acquaintance, m’Lord, if you and your associate would please follow us?” The somewhat well spoken manner of what looked to be a rougher man often caught people unaware, but just because the Giantess’ initial entourage was composed of less well-to-do individuals did not make them any less cultured.

It would be a short walk, but the trio of men would lead the Professor and the Titan back through the village, towards the hilled coast where the garrison stood in a far more obviously damaged state. And just a little beyond that, where the sparse woods and hills meshed together around an encampment of sorts, sat a figure easily recognisable to the eyes of man. Colossal in comparison, she towered over even the trees themselves, though she seemed to remain mostly still as she gazed out towards the ocean and across the horizon. Thick black hair, tied mostly into a loose braid, hung over one shoulder, contrasting the chalk white horns and fairer complexion she wore.

“Lady Seere!” the escort called out as they drew closer to where the woman stood. Tents and similarly temporary structures adorned the vicinity, none of which were suited to house anything more than a normal human being, functioning as barracks, armouries, break rooms and stables for soldiers, staff, and steeds alike. A large though currently cold fire pit sat in an open area, surrounded by log benches and similar seating arrangements. “Presenting Lord Moon and– What was your name again, sorry?”

“So,” Miss Almadel’s voice rumbled, yellow eyes gazing down upon the newcomers and analysing them in turn. An unassuming gentleman, well kept but not fanciful, and a muscular powerhouse. “Lord Moon, I am Almadel Seere. Why have you come here? Of all the diplomats at the Toroan Crown’s disposal, you are a strange choice,” she stated…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Lady Seere gets straight to the point!

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NOTE: N/A

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #5

“Oh, what a lucky coincidence.”

The Professor smiled as he found out that these soldiers were sent by the giantess to bring them to her. Taking another bite form his last cookie, he waited for Namkhai to catch up to him, before nodding.

“But of course, after all that´s why we are here.”

The surprisingly good manners these soldiers had made a good impression on Gabriel and so he relaxed a bit, following them on their short walk from the village towards the military camp of the giantess and her soldiers. Several things came to his mind as they were slowly approaching them. First, this woman was massive, roughly three or four meters higher than Sigrid. Second, from the state of the fort was evident, that the royal soldiers did put up a fight against the invaders. And third, there were no other giants in the sight, nor any large tents that would indicate their presence.

“Hmmmmm”

Namkhai´s voice disturbed his line of thoughts, making the Professor to turn on his associate.

“Did something happen?”

He asked, but the Titan only shook his head in response.

“Nothing, just…I just realised that in my whole life I met only two giantesses, and both were really beautiful. I mean if you forget for a moment how big this one and Sigrid are, they are really pretty, so I wonder if I am just lucky or if it´s some giant´s thing.”

Why any other person would consider such thoughts silly at best, Gabriel took them completely seriously.

“Well, that´s an interesting question. I don´t know any giant experts, but professor Brass is exceptional anthropologist who travelled through the Grand Line in his younger days so I might…”

He paused, realising that they are getting in the earshot from the camp as one of the soldiers announced their arrivals.

Gaining Seere´s attention, Gabriel bowed his head slightly in a sign of respect, before pausing for a moment.

“Strange? Well, I get it a lot lately.”

He laughed, with Namkhai behind him releasing a silent sigh.

“But no, I am not an official diplomat neither do I work for the crown. My business here is strictly personal. Curiosity driven you can say…see…”

The Professor scratched his stubble beard as he was looking for the right words.

“I according to Sigrid there are no giants of your description among the Elbaf´s leaders so am I right when I assume this conquest is purely personal matter?”

[Vio]

^{Seere #5}

---

Personal business? So the crown really has abandoned this town to fate… Disappointment and frustration boiled within her veins, knowing that the royalty of Toroa had all but given up on a reasonable portion of their domain—either that or they were still too anxious to do anything even remotely reasonable about the situation. A messenger or an envoy would have sufficed, but no, the first course of action had been a purely personal endeavour founded on intrigue.

“Correct. The elders of Elbaf have so far seen my intentions as futile and my beliefs as folly, and others of my kinfolk have seen fit to agree with them,” Seere stated forthrightly, lowering herself to sit upon a raised rock tor and gesturing for her guests to seat themselves near the fire pit. The soft click and rattle of small iron links—those that formed a sort of skin across her body with how closely it hugged the clothing beneath—were faintly audible as she sat.

“My philosophy is simple,” she continued. “Giants are a race superior to those that inhabit this world—we have strength, durability, knowledge, and longevity beyond that of most—and that is what fuels my conquest. Not because I wish to rule over everything,” Lady Almadel clarified sharply, “make no mistake: I have no interest or inclination towards becoming yet another of history’s tyrants. As the superior race, it is the Giants’ duty to protect the lesser races from their hubris, corruption, and greed.” She paused for a moment, nodding in the direction of the garrison.

“That is exactly what I have done here. Commander Keats, the Toroan military officer in charge of this outpost, was a corrupt individual who cared little for the lives of the men below his rank. His pride and complacency had won over, stripping him of any shred of common decency,” Seere elaborated, further emphasising her point…

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Asked about her reasons, Seere explains the basics of her philosophy!

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NOTE: N/A

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #6

Seere seemed rather disappointed when the Professor admitted that he was there on personal business rather than official one, but Gabriel either didn´t notice or didn´t pay any attention to it and rather accepted her invitation to sit down near one of the fire pits.

“Well, that´s a relief.”

The Professor smiled kindly, as Namkhai sat down, right next to him.

“Being in war with the whole kingdom of giants would be troublesome, but if it´s just you I think we can handle it.”

Completely oblivious to the fact, that he voiced his thoughts aloud, he earned a raised eyebrow form Namkhai.

“Although this is kind of racist…”

He muttered, this time only for himself as Seere explained him his philosophy. Now it was his time to feel the disappointment as given the rather humane way she conquered this territory he expected something more from her.

“Well, that´s a very interesting theory…”

The Professor started carefully, as he was trying to put his thoughts together.

“and given the fact we didn´t meet any soldiers on our way here, you might even get an opportunity to test it.”

He smiled again, looking up into her yellow eyes.

“Now for the reason I am here. I´ll be completely honest with you lady Seere. I don´t really care for who is ruling this town if you or…”

He paused, going through his memory in an attempt to find the name of the noble house that was supposed to govern this place

“Rouvroys, but I have my family and friends in the capital and don´t really wish to see them hurt so, I would like to hear your promise, that neither you or your soldiers won´t set a foot into it other than as a tourist or merchants.”

With that he reached towards her with his right hand to confirm the agreement with a handshake.

[Vio]

^{Seere #6}

---

“Well, that’s a very interesting theory,” Lord Moon had begun. Words taken rather sharply to the belly of Seere’s philosophy, though some small degree of admirability seemed to shine through with such a direct statement. This man’s words were those of a soul filled with one of two things—complete and utter hubris or an understanding of his position in the matter. And, given the lack of anything more than a singular travelling companion and the fact he seemed to personally know another Giant, a sliver of caution implanted itself within the Giantess’ spine.

“The fact that your priorities are placed in the safety of family and friends is noble,” she responded, impressions of this unassuming man before her not yet solidified as she mentally weighed his boldness with his concerns. “I will provide you some solace, however: I have no immediate intention of marching upon the capital—the Toroan military forces are compiled within its barracks and my own forces lack the military might to be able to make such a bold and reckless siege as of present—the danger such an action poses to its populace is too great unless a swift and decisive victory can be achieved,” the colossus in black confirmed.

“That is not to say I will not take up such actions in the future, Lord Moon,” Lady Almadel added promptly, so far ignoring the Professor’s token gesture. “If and when the time comes that my military forces are powerful enough to engage the Toroan capital, secure a decisive victory and resist any immediate repercussions, I will not hesitate to do so.” It was clear. Seere’s mind was set, nor did she have any intention of hiding that fact from the two men seated before her. “Is that understood…?”

---

SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Lady Seere makes no promises, but does alert her guests as to her ideals in such a situation.

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NOTE: N/A

---

Almadel Seere | #98817b
Gabriel Moon | #c0c0c0
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #7

As it became fairly obvious, that the giantess won´t accept Gabriel´s terms, the bodyguard behind his back shifted his weight gently forward, almost as if in an anticipation of some order, that however didn´t came and so slowly relaxed again.

Meanwhile the Professor waited for a moment for Sigrid´s hand, before withdrawing his, letting some of the disappointment from this turn of events to reflect on his face.

“Well, that´s not what I asked you for, is it?”

He sighed, taking a moment before continuing.

“You see, I am no general, but I spent most of my life studying history and if I learned something from that it´s the fact all battles are messy. No matter how much stronger your forces are, no matter how noble your intention is, one stray bullet, one misfired cannon is everything you need to cause a disaster and I am not willing to take such a risk, not if the life and wellbeing of my puppies, family and friends are on the line.”

The Professor shook his head, looking up into the giantess´s eyes.

“Besides, if you´ll become a legitimate thread for the capital, you can scare the king enough to ask World Government for some help. I can imagine that even now there are people who are trying their best to sway his opinion in that direction, for one reason or another. And I don´t want to see our freedom disappear like that.”

He sighed and there was a mix of tiredness and sadness in that gesture.

“Lady Seere, I don´t know you for long, but looking around…you seem like a decent person so please be reasonable and accept my terms.”

While the diplomacy wasn´t his best suit, this time Gabriel chose his words carefully, especially the last one.

“In return I can speak with the kind during the next Council of Nobility on your behalf, perhaps help you to legitimise your claim on these lands, but you have to promise me that you or your forces will never attack the capital city, if not.”

He shrugged, leaving it to her imagination.

[Vio]

^{Seere #7}

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Seere’s brow furrowed. Why did diplomacy have to be so tedious? Why was it always someone who thought themselves reasonable presenting the most unreasonable of demands? No wonder past kings of distant countries had been poisoned, usurped, and even stabbed in the wake of their refusals. People couldn’t take no for an answer—humans especially. There was something to be learned from such an encounter, but whatever that was currently eluded the Giantess’ mind.

“You are not the only studied individual here, Lord Moon,” Lady Almadel spoke. “I’ve studied the history of the world as deeply as my time and available resources have allowed—dozens upon dozens of historical documents poured over. Military manuals, records of entire nations’ regimes and alliances, the rise and fall of kings and queens and other political leaders—every decision I have made has been founded on this knowledge,” she elaborated, words impassioned with a strange mix of personal pride and rising temper.

“And do you know what I learned? The one consistency between every single case study, biography, and historical record was simple: Seldom does a leader listen to the demands of another if it fails to benefit them in some way,” she spoke, doing rather poorly in containing her ire as a gauntlet-clad fist clenched at her side. “Many historical figures have willingly watched the world around them burn for the sake of something trivial, materialistic, and often ephemeral. Lies, loopholes, and slander playing their part.”

She paused, taking in a deep breath.

“Allow me to be clear: Loss of life is deeply unfortunate when it is entirely preventable or avoidable, and it is not my intention to bring death and destruction to innocent people,” Seere continued, “but that is a horrible side effect of conflict that I make it my business to mitigate to the best of my ability. If I deem it a suitable option with a likely chance of success, I would rather negotiate than annihilate—much as diplomacy constantly proves itself a folly. Lord Moon, understand this: I refuse to make a promise that I know I cannot keep. I made my decision a long time ago: Nothing will make me back down…”

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SPOILER: Click to show

{Post Synopsis:—}
Lady Seere proves to be rather stubborn as she gets a little frustrated.

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NOTE: N/A

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Almadel Seere | #98817b
Gabriel Moon | #c0c0c0
Percy [NPC] | #bd2a2a
Miscellaneous [NPC] | #eeeeee | #bbbbbb | #888888 | #555555

[Mr. Moon]

Gabriel #8

The Professor´s face brightened with a wide smile as Seere revealed to be fellow scholar like him. His mind started immediately racing, creating elaborate plans about how he might help her to settle her disputes with the crown, so she could visit the library at the university and his own. In matters of second he envisioned a beautiful friendship between him and the giantess and hours spent by debating various topic ranging from history, through military strategy and warfare to deep philosophy, over a glass of good wine. And then, it was suddenly all gone as she continued with her speech, revealing that she wasn´t going to accept his terms.

“Oh…”

Gabriel muttered, lowering his head in a display of pure sadness, that could be only compared to the feelings of hopeful puppy that expected head pat but was kicked instead.

“I though…hmmmmm, never mind...why is it always like this?”

He muttered for himself, earning alarmed look from Namkhai who knew his master long enough to realise what was coming.

“Why every time I am trying to be nice to someone, they interpret it as weakness? Is violence really the only thing you understand? Well, so be it.”

Slowly rising to his feet, the Professor looked up again, but this time there was no smile, happy or sad on his face. Just a stern mask reflecting nothing but single-minded focus and killing intent so strong it was almost palpable.

“If that´s the cae allow me to be clear with you.”

He said, his voice cold and sharp as a blade.

“I’m no diplomat and I didn´t come to negotiate. I am the line that should never be crossed, because behind me is nothing but death. So, I am asking you one last time. Swear you will never attack the capital city, or I´ll slaughter you all.”