Tenth author's journal 2: Mikhail

31_Chorus climax

Chapter 31: Provocation and Deflection

Stepping into the transparent door, the high elve cast many spells of security. Such spells are hard to control as it is decoding magical locks that are implanted into the door not so rough to trigger a criminal reaction from those locks. A hallway made of white limestone appears when those locks are dispersed, and the disrupted flow of mana returns the castle to its true form.

A normal castle that differs from the fairytales weaved by many that attend. For sure, anyone with a bit of rationality would know the hazard of building on glasses or reflective material like mythril. Overheating or freezing due to the ineffectiveness of releasing heat, not to mention how tiresome would the maintenance be every year.

The door leads to the meeting room where I and Ragnorr is the last guest to arrive. The circle table from the left to right would be our empty seats, Tanwen with her guard for the beast representative, the human king Marvos with his chancellor for the mortal representative,  and Kushiel and his accompany for the angel representative.

“I seem that what I foresee was true then. Hello little brother.” Uriel, the eighth archangel speaks from the side of the table. Her tone is always the same, with not a hint of emotion as such a dignified high elf she was before becoming an archangel. Thinking back, she isn’t as cruel as most of them. Her method of teaching was questionable but they are working as my magic was not so stable back then.

“Why keeps on referring it to be our brother, eighth? It has chosen a side from what I have gathered. Let not those sweet demeanor fool you no more.”

“Just do your job, sixth. What business you may find of mine, is not your concern.”

“Of course, sister. We are having a part to fulfill unlike those who separate themselves from the orders before.”

The meeting started with the high elf announcement. The world meeting, what others may think of it? A meeting where those in power would voice their concern and trouble for assistance and alliance? Such a thing from a fairytale never exists in this world.

The world meeting is the result of pledging support and turning against those deemed enemies of one side of the world to be a plot. Meetings held before this would involve the decision making whether to choose a representative. Angel has none, The beast would have tournaments to find the strongest, and the mortal decide among themselves as their short won’t make a signification to change the world tide, the demon chooses one to be turning against the world as a sacrifice.

Standing beside them is a line of high elves who why records the meeting for that history not be twisted. However, as confidential as this occurs, none besides their most trusted can gain knowledge of the meeting. What good of an archive for it to bend of those perceptive that was retelling?

“Let us lend our ear to the representative of the beast’s asseveration.” The high elve behind Tanwen announces. As the strange song plays accordingly to her proposal, she is quite stern as opposed to being the first world meeting that she attends.

“I, Tawen the white flame. Would continue the tradition of the previous dragon tribe leader's wishes. Neither to aid others nor to against others. We will fight until one draws last breaths.“ Tanwen ends the asseveration quickly as she doesn’t want any to catch the fault in such a statement. I remember to have been assigned by Sariel to study such statements every time.

“Since the beast hasn’t taken any side or started any war, we shall move on to the next.” The high elf moves on the human king. In the background, the line seems to meticulously archive the movement of such participants in the meeting. So let's not do anything harsh for now

“The mortal who lives among the world the most may speak of his opinion toward the other side.” The high elf moves onto the human king who stands up instead of sitting like Tanwen.

The dignified king raised himself up, there isn’t any indication of the 51 years old human before us. His physique suggests at least 30-ish of age, not 51. His brown hair was smooth still and those eyes isn’t as dull as an old human's. Seeing with my eyes, those mana flow is regular so this isn’t ‘illusio’ sort of magic.

“Marvos Agnus, the current 34^th king of the human kingdom. As the council of normalcy has voted, we shall continue to propose the world as the angel’s supporter. That’s all on my behalf of the mortal representative.” The human king with a soft voice.

“Since the beast hasn’t taken any side or started any wa-“ The human king interrupted the high elf, his voice turning to a stern one: “May I have a few words as an individual?”

“I permit such.” Tanwen opens with her approval, if she is so interested in such then why would I forbid such words to be said?

“So am I,” I say cheerfully, while Ragnorr shakes his head still. Has Ragnorr turned cold feet at this moment? Either way, it is too late for any to turn back.

“If the other two won’t obstruct this, I will also permit such an off-topic,” Kushiel speaks with a begrudging tone, he is quite angry for a mortal to question the “divine faith”…sigh. Uriel peaks up a little as she is as curious as I, but refrains from saying her current status only as a guide for Kushiel not to step out of bounds.

“Thank you for this opportunity. Very well then, I think the world is going to change very soon with this line of representation.” Marvos declaration greatly disrupts the others, not to mention me.

“Not until the first day of this week did I have affirmation of Mikhail, the former 3^rd archangel would be representative of the demon,” Marvos repeats the time when I made that declaration. What the royal messenger has done must have stirred the kingdom up quite a bit, does he to worsen my reputation?

“Pardon my curiosity but doesn’t it so strange would it be that the one who was worshipped for wisdom, has changed sides?” Marvos continue with his deduction

The question greatly displeased Kushiel as Marvos’s line of question insulted the very purpose of his duty. For one to fulfill the word of heaven will yet cause such distrust in the believer’s ground.

“The mortal will always be faithful to the angel as our belief but for me at least, it would be up to my observation for this light and dark war to support.” With those words, Marvos sat down. Kushiel stared dagger into the seat of the mortal representative as the advisor come along fearing for both the old king’s life and his.

“Since the statement is one of personal, it will rule out outward. The next should be the angel representative, please make your statement.” The high elf nervously moves forward to Kushiel who has almost lost his temper if not the gaze of Uriel.

“I shall share the representative of angels as usual. Ahem.” Kushiel tries to make himself to be righteous again. His steel wing once again appears behind his back signifying his oath of truth and justice, how hypocritical it would be right now as a threat to those who oppose his saying.

“Thy shall not covet evil as it is the mistake of free will. Forget not who have fallen to rebellion in heaven and those bellows still.” Kushiel rehearses the oath in front of everyone at the table. Such an arrogant statement would be imposed if I were still on the angel side, I guess this would smear their reputation as the old testament fanatic.

“However shall you permit my free will as well?” Kushiel suddenly says I look for Uriel's reaction, and to no surprise, it would be neutral still as she has “predicted”. This may have been the reason Sariel send her instead of Raphael or Barachiel.

“I concur, lord sixth. As a favor for a favor.” Marvos bows from his chair, his voice carries a hint of desperation. He has surrendered to his fate already and then.

“I would decline, we have gone long enough this should end first then a speech later.” Tanwen sighs boringly.

“What about you? Little brother, will you give him a chance to speak his mind?” Uriel speaks up suddenly, her question is a view of whatever has I changed to report back to Sariel or Jophiel. Knowing pa, I would guess ma’s much more interested in my situation than him.

“I needn’t the failure approval sister. I can say-“ Before another word can come out of that wretched mouth, I speak: “You may, angel’s representative. This is an important meeting so I advise you not to get sidetracked on unnecessary expressing.”

“Very well then, at least you have some dignity left,” Kushiel growls.

“As I am thinking of the previous statement of the mortal representative. I wish not for a war of unnecessary bloodshed just a black sheep. So I wish to conduct a battle to death now. Do you accept my judgment?” With those words aimed firsthand at the human king, Kushiel makes a sadist looks toward his new “art material”.

“As you wish to correct this faith of mine, I shall act accordingly to heaven's will.” Casting his advisor away, Marvos sighs. Lamenting the mistake of free will, he is going to accept his fate. How fortunate of me to take advantage of the situation if I am able to shield him.

“Very well then. a duel of death shall conduct on this hall once again. Anyone who wishes to participate in the battle shall speak now or keep silent until the end of time.” The high elf announces, and those on the table look toward each other; Ragnorr with gleaming eyes begs me not to step forward.

Stepping forward I stand beside Marvos who is flabbergasted, at what he thought to have angered me too by announcing my temporary support.

“I wish to join to fight with the human king. I concur with the ” I says to the high elf who writes on the piece of paper.

“Lord Mikhail, you needn’t join just because of my mentioning,” Marvos speaks with a sorrowful tone. What a nice human to worry about my condition,  but I know full well what I am and am not able to.

“No, I am just finishing the old woes I have. You too needn’t think of my participation, king Marvos.” I assure the human king, the strength to pull through is what he need now if he wants his feeble existence not to be bound by Kushiel's chain.

“I am honored of fighting alongside you, lord Mikhail. Till the bitter end?” Marvos vows

“Till the glorious end,” I vow also

“Come then, one or two sinners won’t make a difference. They will all quiver in front of god’s grace.” Kushiel's arrogant flaunt toward us has succeeded in my provoke my fighting spirit. I won’t hold back this time.

Snapping his finger, the high elf transform the meeting room into the battlefield which each side would have the same types of equipment forged with the highest grade of mana crystal. The armor hangs on various materials that change size based on the user size. Spears, staffs, swords, and many weapons display incredible might.

“The battle will start upon the peace bell ring. Please prepare before that.”

The end

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What comes up must come down

For the little insect that detests

With magic spells and wrathful hexes

The resolution of the strong win all