Chương 14: Chapter 113: Clarification

"Ah, if you drip-fed me this, I could work forever," Finella muttered before taking a sip of delicious Jimari coffee. A rich fragrance filled the bridge as flavour burst in her mouth, leaving a satisfying bitterness that was somehow pleasant and smooth.

"I could live forever if I had enough of this." She gave the man she'd been working with for a while now a wink.

"Planning on sharing your elixir of immortality with the rest of us?" Aiden asked.

"Or planning to hoard it all to yourself? Come on…" He reached over, playfully trying to take the drink.

"No, no." Finella shook her head, twisting in her chair so the black gold was out of his reach.

"Miss Liona gave it to me, and then she won a bunch of it back, so I need to make it last!" At her words, the bridge erupted into a litany of complaints.

"Share the good stuff, Officer Bright!"

"Aren't we all equals here, huh?"

"What happened to the famous Northern kindness!?"

"I bet she's lying about losing it gambling!"

"Fine!" Finella shouted, narrowing her eyes at her colleagues.

"One sip each, no more! If it's empty when I get it back, then I'll never bring any on the bridge ever again!" Finella turned back to Aiden, and, with tremendous effort, handed him the large mug of steaming Jimari coffee.

"Ah…" Aiden mumbled as he savoured his single sip.

"It's good. I wonder what it'll pair best with? A stout maybe…?" He passed the mug on and fished out a notebook from his pocket. By now, Finella was well aware of the Intelligence officer's hobby as a drinking enthusiast and his plans to produce the most comprehensive book on alcohol in the Empire. Although it was a little weird, she knew she couldn't complain too much. After all, she lived for Jimari coffee herself.

As Aiden flipped through his notes, Finella tried not to focus on her rapidly diminishing quantity of coffee as it was passed through the bridge. In an attempt to distract herself from such a painful sight, she recounted her favourite Jimari facts to him.

"The reason it's so expensive is because it only grows on the slopes of the continent on the outskirts of Jimari. It won't grow anywhere else in the Empire!" Seeing Aiden hum his acknowledgement, Finella continued, "It needs a specific cycle of red moonlight. All attempts to grow it elsewhere completely failed! It takes a long time to train a good picker as well. It's not unskilled labour at all, in fact, it takes—hey!"

"What?" Aiden asked innocently.

"I'm listening."

"You're obsessing over your notebook again. If I can hear you rattle on about Ironwood Forest for half an hour, you can listen to my far more interesting facts about Jimari coffee!" Finella put the effort into wrinkling her nose in the manner that other men had told her made her look cute. It wasn't very effective.

"I didn't rattle on about Ironwood Forest," Aiden said with a sigh.

"I merely highlighted its significance as the first Empire stout Lord-Prospect Thornheart consumed! Look here…" Aiden quickly flipped to a bookmarked page and held it up so Finella could see his scratchy Imperial script." Ironwood Forest. Heavy. Rich in flavour. Bitter, but not unpleasantly so. Rated four-and-a-half moons by Lord-Prospect Thornheart!"

"Hmm…" Finella leaned forward, resting her chin on her palm.

"Maybe I'll try it in Ishaq, if they have it. Four-and-a-half moons, eh? Not bad…" Before Finella could ask him anything further, her mug finally returned. What she saw inside did not make her a happy coffee-drinker.

"You… you…" Finella took a deep breath, preparing to unleash all Seven Hells onto the bridge full of coffee-thieves.

"I'm—""Officer Bright," a coarse voice interrupted her verbal assault before it could get going.

"Captain's requesting you in her quarters. Immediately."

"... On my way, Anathor," Finella replied bitterly, glaring daggers at her colleagues.

"Saved by the bell," someone muttered as she made her way to the exit. With a nod to Dagon, Finella left the room and walked through the Vengeance's corridors. Was it her imagination, but as she drew closer to Serena's office, was the ship getting darker? And… what was this strange knot in her stomach that seemed to be getting stronger with every step? By the time she was facing the large brass letters reading Captain's Quarters, Finella was very much considering just running away.

Things had been busy recently, and Finella had almost forgotten what had transpired in the conversation between her and Amelia in the mess hall. What was I thinking? Finella thought, her mind screaming with regret. But I had to know, didn't I? Steeling her nerves, Finella raised a hand and gave the heavy wooden door a quick knock.

"Come in, Officer Bright," a cool voice sounded from the other side. Resisting a groan, Finella pushed the door open, stepping inside. There was the familiar moose head, the familiar mirror next to the painting of the Empress. The familiar wooden beams and varnished desk, and there, in the centre of the room, with one hand on the hilt of her sword… Was Serena Halen, with a familiar expression on her face. Ah, I'm very much dead, she thought as the door shut behind her. I had a good life, didn't I?

More Jimari coffee than most demons, so that's worth something, isn't it?

"You… asked for me, Captain?" Finella said, using every ounce of her bravery to approach the captain and perform a quick salute. It was difficult keeping her voice from wobbling.

"I've made a habit of underestimating people recently," Serena intoned, taking a step towards Finella.

"And now I finally have time to rectify those mistakes. Before we picked up the Myrmidon's survivors, I was surprised to find myself made aware of just how inquisitive my new squad commander could be."

"Ah," Finella said, taking a step back before she could stop herself.

"Is that so?"

"That is so," Serena replied, a smile forming on her face that reminded Finella of a deadly Northern wolfhound.

"I'm glad we can have a quiet moment to discuss this, don't you agree?"

"Uh, yes?" Finella said with another step back. She was rapidly running out of room to retreat. She raised a hand and rubbed the back of her neck.

"I actually wanted to apologise regarding—""I don't recall giving you an order to play detective regarding Amelia, Officer Bright," Serena said, her voice layered with venom that made Finella shudder and the hairs on the back of her neck rise. She tried to take another step back, only to find the back of her foot bumping against the furniture. With nowhere else to go, she could only try to explain.

"Well, I was naturally a little curious, wasn't I? Really, I didn't learn—""And I especially," Serena interrupted, taking another step towards her, "didn't give you permission to poke your horns into my private life, did I?" The captain's finger tapped the hilt of her sword rhythmically.

"Well, I, uh…" Finella swallowed. Serena was right in front of her, at a distance too close for conversation. The captain bore down on her like a mighty ironwood tree overshadowing a mouse. Finella could only lean back as a last resort to make some distance. That worked, until she felt the back of her head collide with something.

"Officer Bright," Anathor spoke out, his voice sounding as if it came from right behind her, "if you wouldn't mind." Finella awkwardly turned her head to see she'd leant right back into Anathor's moose head!

"Ah… apologies, Anathor, let me just get out of your way…" She tried to shuffle to the side, but the captain intercepted her, not giving her room to move.

"Where do you think you're going, Officer Bright?" Serena snarled. Ah, it was too much. There was nothing else for it. She was going to have to fight the captain again, wasn't she? Would she survive if she put up a good fight and earned the captain's respect? Or… Wasn't there another option? Before Finella's mind could decide on whether it was a good idea or not, she opened her mouth and blubbered, "If you do anything, I'll tell Amelia!" The room immediately became quiet.

It was a painful, lasting silence that made Finella's stomach wither with every second it continued. Oh, Moons, Finella thought. I sound pathetic. However, amazingly, Serena took a step back, a frown forming on her face.

"Officer Bright… That was…"

"I know, I know! I'm sorry, Captain." Finella raised both hands apologetically.

"You, uh, backed me into a corner. Literally and figuratively."

"Seven Hells…" Serena sighed, turning slightly away.

"You as well…" she muttered, as if talking to herself. In a quiet voice, she mumbled, "Amelia would be upset, wouldn't she?" Yes! Finella thought earnestly. Yes, she would!

"Officer Bright!" Serena suddenly exclaimed, loud and forceful. Finella almost hit the ceiling with how much she jumped.

"Y-yes!?" she responded, instinctively saluting.

"You've gained knowledge someone in your position shouldn't have. I'm talking, of course, of Amelia's embodiments. Since I can't carve that information out of your head"—Serena's grip on her sword tightened as if that had been her plan all along—"I have to resort to other methods. I don't expect Amelia's full abilities to stay out of the public eye for long. Moons, they're practically debating it in parliament from what I've heard.

However, until it's official, as far as you're concerned, any talk of Amelia Thornheart in relation to embodiments is nothing more than fantastical thinking. Do I have your understanding and your secrecy on this matter?" This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"You have it!" Finella exclaimed, doing her very best to ignore Serena's sword hand.

"Swear it." Finella straightened her posture so quickly that she might have fractured her spine if she weren't a warrior.

"I swear it!" she announced, injecting as much sincerity into her voice as she could.

"On the honour of my name, Finella Bright! I swear it on the Purple Moon, Plergorth! I swear on my loyalty to the Northern Overlord, Freya Synnøve!" Serena watched her for half a dozen seconds before humming, "Hmm…" That wasn't enough!?

"I've been made aware that Amelia won a bet with you by sharing certain information with you regarding the Empress and a particular…" Serena took a deep breath before finishing.

"... Incident."

"Oh, that?" Finella chuckled, glad of the opportunity to inject some humour into the cold atmosphere.

"It shocked me at first, but the more I thought about it, I figured Amelia was pulling my horns. She can be crafty, can't she? Ha…" Finella rolled her eyes as if to say,'Can you believe she tried that?' Feeling like she had an opportunity to escape the suffocating atmosphere, she continued, "I mean, can you imagine if that actually happened, it would be pure insanity, right?" She gave Serena a nod, expecting a nod or small smile in return. Instead, the captain continued to hold her gaze with cold eyes.

As the seconds ticked by, Finella felt the energy drain from her as a terrifying realisation began to dawn.

"... Right?" she said, her voice unexpectedly desperate.

"It didn't happen, right?"

"... It didn't happen," Serena said in a neutral tone. Oh, Moons! Finella thought, her mind running a thousand klicks a second. It really happened. Amelia! The Empress! Her arm!

"It didn't happen," Serena repeated.

"Did it, Officer Bright?"

"N-no. Of course not," Finella said, forcing the words out.

"Silly of me to entertain it for a second."

"Glad we could clear that up." Finella swallowed. An idea sprang to mind. She really should keep her mouth shut, but this matter pertained to something Finella held near and dear to her heart.

"Since it didn't happen… I don't have to keep bringing you and Amelia my coffee, do I?"

"Don't push it."

"... Yes, Captain," Finella said quietly, feeling herself deflate. Although for the first time, Finella caught the edge of Serena's mouth curling slightly.

"It's your own fault for betting against her, Officer Bright." Serena finally took her sword hand off the hilt of her sword and crossed her arms.

"Didn't you learn your lesson playing cards?" Despite Serena admonishing her, Finella could sense the atmosphere warming back up. Hoping to warm it up even more, she protested, "She's so lucky. I can't believe it! No matter what game we play. Whether it's cards, dice, or anything else, they seem to obey her every round!"

"She's extremely talented," Serena said, her voice sounding the softest it had yet since Finella had arrived.

"Mmm…" Finella hummed.

"She's amazing." A natural lull filled the room, and Finella found a question forming that she knew she had to ask. It was a risk, but she simply needed to know. Sure, she'd sworn secrecy, but the person she'd sworn secrecy to was right here, in front of her.

"How is she so powerful?" Finella asked quickly." Asclepius and Suijin? A human and a demon Second-Word? Aseco alone is almost unfathomable, given the iron grip the Vatican and Tamerlane maintain on human healers, but she also Spoke Taranis at the academy, right?" Finella kept talking before Serena could interrupt her.

"I heard she blew the roof off one of the Speaker rooms! I just… I'm trying to understand how she can be capable of so much power at such a young age. It's unheard of! She's practically rivalling an overlord! It's like she's… she's another Empress! I mean"—Finella flicked her eyes towards the painting—"don't you think they look familiar?" After finishing her rapid questions, Finella held her breath, watching Serena closely for any sign of imminent hostility.

Fortunately, it seemed her judgment was right, and instead of being poked full of holes, Serena only sighed and walked to her chair. The captain sat down, and in a slightly uncharacteristic action, lifted one leg and rested it on the edge of the desk. She then placed an elbow on the armrests and leaned into it, resting her chin.

"Amelia isn't the Empress," Serena said with a wave of her hand.

"I know you have further questions, but believe me when I say far more powerful people than I are fully aware of Amelia's nature and are equally invested in controlling the narrative. Don't stick your horns out, Officer Bright, or you might find a rope around your neck."

"So I just have to keep going on as normal? As if nothing changed?" Finella asked.

"Has your perception of Amelia changed now you know what she's capable of?"

"No!" Finella caught herself.

"I mean, yes. I mean, sometimes. She doesn't feel like what I imagine an overlord to feel like, right? She's just… normal and happy and bounces around like an excited peeka." That earned her a chuckle from Serena.

"That's what I like about her…" the captain said softly.

"And I won't apologise for it." Finella opened her mouth, then closed it. She needed to be careful here.

"For what it's worth, Captain, I'm happy that you're happy. That she seems to make you happy. I mean, uh. Sorry." Finella felt like she was walking in a minefield. Nevertheless, she pushed on. She was now absolutely convinced that what she spoke to Amelia about regarding Serena was true. The Hellfire Captain's horns had cooled somewhat.

"Finella," Serena intoned.

"I expect you to maintain your discretion not only about her abilities, but also when it comes to Amelia's and my… relationship. That means no jests, no taunts, no subtle implications coming from that mouth of yours. My disposition has no bearing on my ability to command, and I expect you to keep that in mind."

"R-right, of course, Captain!" Finella swallowed. Should she push further? This could be her chance, couldn't it? If she could get on a more personal side with the captain, then it may very well save her from being poked with holes in the future when her stupid mouth and inquisitive mind get her in even more trouble. Coming to a decision, Finella asked, "Calling it a disposition, don't you feel like it's the wrong way to go about it?" Serena didn't say anything.

After looking at each other for a few seconds, the captain gestured for her to continue. Finella took a breath, carefully choosing her words.

"Well, Captain, after Olivia returned home, she struggled a lot. You know"—Finella tapped the side of her head—"mentally. She felt a lot of guilt over how she was and… how she felt. She was terrified of being thrown out of the family, and it wasn't until she confided in me about everything that she was able to straighten her mind out. One thing she did was that she, uh, she changed how she viewed herself." Sorry, Big Sister, Finella thought. I need to use your story to save future Finella!

"You call it your disposition," Finella continued, "and Olivia referred to it in the same way at first, but she eventually looked for other words, saying that she would no longer describe that part of herself as if she had some kind of illness or wrongness.

'Disposition'... sounds quite clinical, doesn't it?" Serena remained quiet. In fact, her eyes had slightly unfocused. Had Finella stumbled across some of the captain's deeply held concerns?

"Continue," Serena said quietly.

"Yes," Finella said with a nod.

"She looked for other words, for example, homosexual. It—" She was cut off as the captain clicked her tongue.

"Homosexuality is frowned upon across the Empire, Officer Bright," Serena said, her voice laced with annoyance.

"It's still criminal in the South, if I recall. Should I just skip a step and start announcing myself as a criminal now, so they can arrest me when we make port? Ha!" The captain snorted, her sword hand moving to the hilt of her sword.

"I'd like to see them try."

"W-well, it depends on the definition, doesn't it?" Finella said quickly.

"I've read the wording myself. Often, it only mentions men, which is where Olivia found the word she settled on in the end. She, uh"—Finella cleared her throat—"started to call herself gay."

"Gay?" Serena frowned, looking upwards with a tilt of her head.

"As in… happy?"

"It's not just her," Finella continued, her voice growing with confidence.

"It originated in Centralis, so men of that certain, uh, persuasion, could discreetly find like-minded individuals while avoiding hostility."

"I don't need to find like-minded individuals," Serena muttered, turning her head to look out the window.

"I've already found the only one I need." Finella swallowed as her heart jumped in her chest. This was the same Serena as before, right? The same captain? She could barely believe the thought that ran through her mind, but… the captain actually looked cute for a moment. No, no, she shouldn't think such things!

Finella had just escaped being poked full of holes by the tips of her horns, and thoughts like that would be a one-way trip to not only that terrible fate, but also having all her Jimari coffee being taken from her!

"W-well," Finella said, trying to keep her voice even.

"That's what Olivia started calling herself. Gay. I think it was uplifting for her, like she found a word that was her own. Well, she and others like her, you know?" Serena sighed, looking back at her.

"Olivia."

"Yes?"

"How's she doing?"

"She's… well. She earned good money constructing fortifications during the war, and now she's started a construction company." Finella's sister was a talented earth mage, and it had been her skills that had caused her to collide with Serena during their academy years.

"And her Salinas efforts? Does she still wish to become an earthlord?"

"I… I believe she stopped trying to commune with him so earnestly, but I don't know if she's stopped completely."

"Hmm…" Serena hummed.

"Different paths, is it?"

"Captain?"

"... Nothing." Serena suddenly stood up, prompting Finella to once again snap her posture into the perfect image of an Imperial Officer. Stepping around the desk, Serena faced her and said, "Menes knows."

"Yes?"

"Menes knows our resident icemage, Lia Liona, is Amelia Thornheart."

"I thought he followed you. I guess he saw those Marzanna wards?"

"He's craftier than I thought," Serena said.

"According to Acting-Captain Voss, our Arakian captain has no shortage of intellectual achievements in Ishaq. He's been playing dumb to keep our guard down. He's demanding I provide him a full explanation of what we're really up to."

"I see." Finella didn't quite know what to say. After all, she, along with the other officers, didn't have the full explanation of what they were up to. They knew their 'training deployment' to the South was a cover to search for something, but the captain hadn't been forthcoming about what exactly they were supposed to be looking for. And Finella knew better than to ask.

"It's greatly complicated my task," Serena said, clicking her tongue.

"I should have been more careful. That's why I want you to keep your eyes and ears sharp, Officer Bright. Not just regarding our Arakian friends, but also the rest of the crew, including your squad."

"Captain?" Finella questioned.

"Until the Empire decides it's ready, information regarding Amelia's true abilities needs to be carefully controlled. Now, of course, in a battle between Intelligence's counterintelligence efforts and Amelia's tendency to get herself into ridiculous situations, I admit I have no confidence in Intelligence's victory, therefore…" Serena took a breath before continuing, "I want you to keep an eye and ear out.

If you think someone might be poking their horns in where they don't belong, or are entertaining problematic suspicions, then I want to know."

"Right…" Finella nodded slowly.

"Is there anyone in particular you want me to keep track of?"

"Just keep a general look-out. Oh, one thing of note. Officer Mori witnessed Amelia's Suijin embodiment, but she has no idea of her Asclepius. She's been sworn to secrecy under Greatlord Oshiro, so I don't think you have to worry about her, but keep an eye out. Oh, she seems prone to flushing, and I'm wondering if she has a condition Amelia might need to heal." Flushing?

"Understood. Anything else?" Serena shook her head.

"No. You're dis—" The captain suddenly stopped.

"One last thing. Is Aiden Adachi settling in well? Is his air sickness still troubling him?"

"... He's improving, Captain. He rarely throws up these days. It seems Amelia's frequent healing has helped cure him of his troubles."

"Good." Serena nodded.

"Good," she said again.

"Now I need to have Anathor fetch me Miss Liona and Sayyid Bastet from the kitchens. You're dismissed, Officer Bright."

"Aye, Captain!" Finella saluted earnestly. She'd survived! She turned to leave, about to open the door, when Serena called for her once more.

"Yes, Captain?"

"I enjoyed our talk, Officer Bright." Serena paused momentarily before continuing, "It's given me much to ruminate on."

"... I see. You're welcome." With nothing else that needed to be said, Finella opened the door and began her way back to the bridge. As she walked, she found her mind was filled with complicated thoughts. Honestly, what mess had she gotten herself into this time?