Chương 242: Audience

"Greetings, young silvers. As of now, you stand in the presence of Soaring Soul, former Queen of Hua-Xi. I welcome you to my palace, the full range of its hospitality available to you. Because there are conversations to be had, and gratitude to be offered so that our karma might once again be balanced." As the voice and spirit of Soaring Soul enveloped the garden courtyard, Kite's companions had somewhat differing reactions to the sudden powerful presence.

Fantina bore it with surprising ease, turning and falling to her knees with a practiced motion which made Kite suspect that communicating with a deity regularly made one somewhat inured to the experience. Soul was similarly less fazed, even though she did carry herself a bit more stiffly than usual. As for the others: Dragonfly, Braid, Will, Glint and Little Crow all startled more visibly before following suit.

Wander, on the other hand, seemed instinctively guilty as she froze completely while Laevyeth immediately shifted to her spear form which fell into Will's outstretched hand.

"Be seated," the diamond-ranker commanded, seeming used to the deferential treatment even though it bordered on fearful. With a wave of her hand, colorful jade tiles started floating in from beyond the walls before arranging themselves into eleven chairs hovering above the neatly cut grass, arranged in a circle. As for herself, the tiles formed a much grander throne that towered over the others to which the Queen floated over.

To his surprise, Kite felt no mana and saw no flickers of magic being used in the process as he realized that the woman flew through the power of aura alone. Given how challenging it felt to simply levitate in that matter, to say he was impressed was an understatement. As they all made their way over to the colorful seats, Soaring Soul leaned back in her throne, regarding them all even as several metal and jade components of some kind appeared from what Kite assumed was a dimensional storage.

The diamond-ranker's hands started moving in a blur as she started tinkering with them, even though it did not seem to occupy much of her attention.

"You will have to forgive me for working as we speak. Immortality may have its perks, but that doesn't mean that one should become lax in practicing one's path," she stated, tone completely unapologetic in contrast to her initial words.

"As for introductions, I believe that you all know who I am, and Gleam has already appraised me of your names. You have my thanks for assisting her in the matter of the gate in… Boundary, was it? That city was a mere quarry village back in my days. And speaking of Gleam…" The Queen fell silent for a few seconds, and in the next moment the construct descended from above in a roar of displaced air.

"Mistress! You called!" the construct said with obvious happiness as she settled down in an open space to tower over the circle of chairs, and Kite got the impression that if the construct had possessed a tail, it would have been wagging.

"Yes, Gleam. While you have told me of the incident from your perspective, I would have our intrepid helpers give a proper report. As my remaining herald on this world, it would do you well to hear and learn from them as well."

"Of course, Mistress!"

"Good girl," Soaring Soul said with a faint smile before looking back to Kite and the others.

"Start from the beginning of your involvement in this. Withhold nothing." At that, Kite and his companions glanced at one another before he spoke.

"Honored Queen, I'm not sure how much you know, but most of my companions and I have been involved with these particular adversaries for some time now. And given the deity which they worship, I am not sure we should speak of them outside of a divine sanctum…" Apparently catching on to Kite's meaning, the diamond-ranker responded with a dismissive gesture.

"If the prisoners you brought are clergy of one of the gods, then what has happened inside the gate ceased to be a secret to their patron the moment you emerged. What transpired, who you are, what you know. Everything they have gathered has probably already been communicated. Suppression collars are most effective, but cannot sever the connection to the divine. So speak freely.

From certain divine hints in their auras and on some of their equipment, I believe I know of the deity in question but it would be good to have some confirmation." Kite looked to his companions, but as none of them - not even River or Fantina, who were clergy themselves - seemed to protest, he continued.

"Then, honored Queen, you should know that my companions and I, along with the Adventure Society in Hua-Xi, have been investigating and rooting out followers of Discord who we have found masterminding several plots and cells of other followers of the shunned gods all over the kingdom. And from what we have gathered so far, they seem to have been well ensconced in Hua-Xi for a long, long time, with some kind of greater plan that we have yet to determine as they have compartmentalized their information well enough.

What followers we have managed to capture have known little beyond their local operations and hints of something greater being in the works."

"I see," Soaring Soul noted, unperturbed.

"From the remnant artifact and the state of you and one of the prisoners, I had suspected that it was indeed Discord who was taking action along with the Builder's cult. Go on."

"Well, it was during our hunt for Discord's agents that the Crow clan of Heavenward managed to intercept some kind of operation, and the trail eventually took us to Boundary. By then, they had already managed to enter the gate and we found Mistress Gleam already investigating," Kite began, and with the help of his companions and a few prompting questions from the diamond-ranker, he proceeded to tell her of their whole time spent inside the trial.

Given the questions the Queen posed, she seemed as interested in the disruptive effects which bringing in so many additional people had on the trial as in the actual conflicts themselves. Perhaps even more so, especially when it came to what the Builder cult did to create their empowered constructs.

"So, the changed Ruler remained gold. Curious. Gleam, make a note that we shall try and discern what we may from the records inside the gate now that it has returned," she said, the construct nodding her huge head in acquiescence.

"As you know, honored Queen, we did not manage to capture any of the Builder's cultists, but if you would let us question the agents of Discord, we can perhaps deduce the purpose in both of their groups taking part in this operation. And perhaps even how they managed to enter the gate-" Kite began, but was again silenced by a gesture of the woman on the throne.

"Bah, an oversight of mine. One I really should have anticipated, but hindsight remains a wicked teacher," she said, and was perhaps satisfied with leaving it at that. But Kite was not, enough so that he dared push a bit further.

"Then, honored Queen, would you mind enlightening us? I understand if the secrets of the gates are yours and yours alone, but it just seemed so baffling that what they did was even possible." Soaring Soul raised an eyebrow at his question, regarding them all for a moment before she eventually nodded.

"I suppose it would not hurt. I don't believe any of you have either the ambition or the knowledge to try a similar stunt before diamond rank. And should you reach that rank, I will assume that you'll have far better things to occupy yourselves with than my little legacy. Now, how to summarize in a way that might be comprehensible to you…" she mused, a finger of her one free hand tapping her cheek while the other kept working at whatever creation she was currently constructing.

Kite and his companions waited with baited breath, and the wait proved blessedly short as the mind of a diamond-ranker worked quite swiftly.

"When I had the idea behind the gates- " she began, "- I also quickly realized that I had several gaps in my astral magic knowledge that kept me from realizing those ambitions. And as that knowledge wasn't to be easily - or willingly - found among my peers or the Magic Society, I turned to a faction that possessed means from beyond our world. Given the services I could render, the cult of the Builder was quite happy with the arrangement too.

Their knowledge and help with the project was what made it possible at all. While I will not divulge what knowledge they imparted upon me, I will say this; when it comes to constructs and the principles behind astral spaces, that group is second to none."

"Wait, wait… Let me get this straight. You worked with the Builder cult?" Wander exclaimed.

"But they're so… so…~""They were, and could still be, an adequate means to an end," the Queen said, as if that explained everything.

"I know not of their greater plans, but they had what I needed. Even if, it turns out, they might have left a few loopholes of their own inside the Gate's designs, enough so that even a mere silver of theirs could bypass the conditions for entering with the requisite materials. Such is ever the risk when dealing with ambitious factions. In my defense, I was a quite young diamond-ranker back then.

Let's just say that I have learned much since then, enough to make a little overhaul of the gate to correct this oversight. And before you start acting suspicious; no, I am not a devotee of the Builder, at least not beyond admiring the craftsmanship of its followers." Kite didn't really know how to feel about the gates, whose trials he had endured and that had become a pivotal part of his adventurer career, being reduced to such 'mundane' creations that could be tampered with and needing maintenance.

In his mind, the constructs and their trials had seemed so absolute. But this was obviously not the moment to dwell too long on such a thing, especially not given what the Queen said next.

"The question of motive still remains unanswered though, but there is a relatively easy solution to that at least, given that you brought me a pair of nice and alive prisoners," the diamond-ranker said with a small smile.

"I mean to interrogate them myself. Because while the matter in itself was adequately handled by Gleam and your intervention, they made a spectacle out of my legacy. And I would know the reason."

"Then, honored Queen, given how we have hunted for Discord's followers, would it be possible to let us take part? Or at least observe?" Kite quickly asked.

"Our foes are elusive, and anything we can learn might be a boon to our search. Perhaps even the whole kingdom. Grant us this, and I would consider any negative karma between us severed." At his side, he had felt several of his companions - River first among them - tense in anticipation after the question was voiced and, more importantly, the Queen's response. She regarded them again before coming to a swift conclusion.

"I do not see the harm in that," the diamond-ranker agreed.

"I will have to procure some objects in preparation though, so there will be at least a day before I can begin. As for the balancing of our karma, it would hardly be enough in and of itself. Only the short-sighted and greedy would try to fool the eyes of the heavens through claiming it a balanced trade simply because I have all the power in this situation." Before Kite could respond, Gleam also took the opportunity to speak.

"Ehm, Mistress, if I may add something as well?" the huge construct asked with surprising timidness.

"Go ahead, Gleam."

"As you know, I have also promised each of these champions a reward upon succeeding in the task I laid upon them. I took the liberty as you were not present, and I did not know if you would be returning in the near future either. So I too owe them a debt that has yet to be repaid." Given how the insectoid construct seemed to droop ever so slightly, Kite felt that her posture itself added an unspoken 'Please don't be mad…' at the end.

"I remember," Soaring Soul replied.

"And I assume that you mean to make good on that promise?" A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Of course, Mistress! While my means are limited, I will venture out and gather what I need in order to fulfill them." The Queen looked thoughtfully at the gathered silvers again before shaking her head.

"That won't be needed, Gleam. You may use whatever we have in store here at the palace. It will be a contribution of my own which should neatly work to balance the karmic scales. But should they wish for compensation in the form of equipment, you will have to make everything yourself. Understand?"

"Of course, Mistress! Thank you Mistress! I will strive to live up to your expectations!"

"Good girl. It will be a decent opportunity for tempering for you too. Following the wishes and needs of a commissioner is a lot more challenging than merely going with your creative instincts." Turning back to Kite and the others, the Queen continued.

"While I won't dictate your requests for you, I will point out that - even though she is still learning - my dear Gleam here has grown into a fine crafter over the centuries. Not choosing to make use of her growing skills might be something you dearly regret later in your lives as you ascend throughout the ranks. Take some time and think it over while I head out to call in some favors in order to procure some useful concoctions for the upcoming interrogation. Gleam, make sure they are comfortable."

Kite had not been to many audiences with diamond-rankers before, but their host proceeding to blur and vanish in an instant felt like a definite sign that the audience in question was over. Compared to the Queen and her subtle yet intense presence, the looming form of Gleam felt almost relaxing in the wake of the spiritual pressure which the diamond-ranker had been exuding.

"Wow…," Wander said in the silence that followed.

"My mind is made up. I've got to become a diamond-ranker if it allows me to make exits like that."

"Well, at least it doesn't seem to be spreading," Fantina stated as she finished her examinations of Kite's crystallized arm, still as rigid and unresponsive as it had been since he had blocked the blast meant for Glint.

"So far I can't detect any improvements either though, but time should help. Perhaps it might be easier to just sever the limb and let it regrow, but I won't make such a call without Healer's clergy present. Some more exotic injuries have a tendency to stick around even through such seemingly obvious solutions."

"Thank you, Fantina," Kite replied while - with some effort - he put his robes back on. Voluminous sleeves definitely helped in that regard.

"At least I won't have to worry about waking up tomorrow as a statue."

"Don't you dare, Kite," Dragonfly added from where she sat in a nearby armchair, half submerged in the soft and fluffy stuffing.

"I like you warm and cuddly, thank you very much." The trio - or rather quartet, as one of Wanders bodies was also present - had been directed to a nearby sitting room inside the palace itself when they had asked for a place to rest and examine Kite's injury. Upon entering, it was proven that the insides of the palace were as colorful as the exterior, with the marbled colors only accentuating the exotic furniture inside which seemed to come from all corners of the world.

"Well," Wander chimed in.

"I suppose that you like Kite hard in some places- owie~!" the rat seated at the table next to Kite began, before Fantina flicked its nose without even looking over.

"We all thought it Wander, but there's a time and a place," the older woman gently chastised as Dragonfly blushed. She was about to continue when a surge of powerful aura washed over the palace. It wasn't hostile or oppressive, but rather a signal which they recognized by now.

"Oh? So River is done too? Who is next, Wander?" Fantina asked. After the audience, Gleam had announced that she would make time for each one of them to deliver their wishes in regards to rewards for their trip inside the gate. Little Crow had happily gone first, the celestine apparently already well aware of what he intended to ask for, followed by Braid, Soul, Glint and the duo of Will and Laevyeth who had insisted on going together.

"You, honored priestess," the rat replied, albeit a bit sourly as she rubbed her nose.

"Gleam is still in the courtyard."

"Thank you, Wander. You should come too," Fantina said, rising and walking towards the door.

"No thanks, I'm…" Wander began, but seeing the meaningful look of the priestess she completely backpedaled.

"I'm- mean. I mean to get there even faster than you. Yes! I am speed~!" Contrary to her words though, the rat simply scuttled up Fantina's robes and seated herself at the blond woman's shoulder as she exited. And just before the door slid close, Kite and Dragonfly could hear the outworlder's voice as she complained.

"What was that for~?"

"Some blessed intuition."

"From your goddess? Why? It's not like they're gonna make a baby here of all places-" click"I don't know… If there hadn't been a diamond-ranker or two hanging around, I definitely might have considered it," Dragonfly remarked as she came over and sat next to Kite, blushing despite the attempted nonchalance.

"I'm not sure if having sex inside one of her sitting rooms would be considered offensive or not to the Queen, but I believe we should choose to err on the side of caution this time," Kite said with a chuckle, draping an arm around his intended.

"Well, once we get back home we're gonna have to make an upgrade or five to the privacy arrays of the house. Because I've had a stressful few days with plenty of thrilling, life-threatening moments and not an ounce of privacy," Dragonfly grumbled, even though she melted into Kite's embrace with her usual enthusiasm.

"That was very nice of Fantina, though. Giving us some privacy. Us girls have got to look out for one another."

"Indeed, even though I believe her intuition in this case was more blessed by experience than her deity," Kite replied, squeezing his lover close. They sat in silence for a while, just enjoying the feeling of calm safety that came from knowing that forces much stronger than them were in charge for the moment. But there was something lingering in Kite's mind and, having learned from a year or three or postponing important conversations, he decided to put it into words more promptly this time.

"So, my ardent Dragonfly… I seem to remember that we should get married."

"Heavens, we are, aren't we," she replied, though he could feel the grin in her tone even if her face was currently buried against his side.

"It's not like we haven't done dangerous things before, but this whole trial with the gate brought it into perspective. I think I'd really regret it if something happened in the future and we'd just let the years go by again."

"Well, I'm just glad to hear that you haven't changed your mind now that the danger has passed," Kite teased, earning himself a light pinch in the side.

"I'd never."

"I know, my ardent Dragonfly. I know. You're a passionate one to be sure, but I have never known you to be fickle."

"And don't you forget it, my love."

"Still, this does mean that we might have some planning to do. We are privileged enough that funds won't be a problem, but there are still plenty of other considerations. Which priests will we want officiating? How much time will some guests need for invitations to reach them? And then there's the mark of our union…"

"Well, it does seem that I am very fortunate to have a husband-to-be who has such foresight then. I'm sure you'll do an excellent job in planning it," Dragonfly said cheekily, climbing into Kite's lap before flicking his nose.

"Jokes aside, I'm sure we can get plenty of help in most regards. But as for the mark, I honestly have an idea that I have been playing around with for a long time now. Since before we met, actually."

"Oh? Do tell." So Dragonfly told him, and as she explained her reasoning, Kite found himself nodding along long before she finished.

"- and it feels like it would fit the both of us. Thoughts?"

"That is honestly more fitting than anything I've come up with, dear. But given how far we've come in life, I dare think that we could take it just a bit further." As she heard Kite's additions, the grin on Dragonfly's face grew even wider.

"I stand by my words, Kite. You really do know how to make me happy. Some might think you all measured and reasonable, but there's this little ambitious streak in you that comes up with such good ideas," she said before leaning in to give him a proper kiss.

"Fantina can probably help us too, if not just to confirm whether it's possible or not."

"A good thing that she's nearby then-" Kite began before another pulse of Gleam's aura signaled that it was someone else's turn to see her. And given that Wander had asked to go last, it was just the two of them that remained.

"Well, I think I have an idea, so I might as well go," Dragonfly said, sliding from Kite's lap with some reluctance.

"But… Kite?"

"Yes, love?"

"This… I'm really looking forward to it."

"As am I, my ardent Dragonfly. As am I." The colorful courtyard looked much the same as during their audience with the Queen, minus the thrones and seats, but Kite still found himself awed once again by the craftsmanship of the place as well as by the shimmering form of Gleam where she had coiled herself up in the center of the garden.

"Kite! Come, come! As I believe I've said before, I am most pleased with how you and your companions helped uphold the honor of the Queen's trials. And given how the Mistress so graciously opened up the stores for my disposal, I can honestly say that I look forward to the challenge of trying to fulfill the boons that you have asked of me!" the construct called in a booming voice, even though it lacked the thunderous quality which she used during her more official proclamations.

"I am glad to hear it, Mistress Gleam. And given how much I have received from the gates already, I will send manifold more prayers to Fortune for receiving a gift from you as well," Kite replied, giving the herald a polite bow as he came to a stop before her.

"Well, all three of your prizes have been fitting tributes to the trials you have endured. Wear them with pride too, as I do not believe that anyone who still lives has so many in their possession. The iron and bronze trials so rarely see use. But I digress, as those are treasures you have earned through the strength of your own path. Whereas what I will give you is a reward offered for services rendered in a time of need. So speak, young Kite. What would you ask of me?"

In response, Kite let Matra - the Mother of the Bladed Brood and source of the many temporary conjured weapons that he currently employed in battle - fall into his hand, offering the kris blade up for the construct to inspect.

"If I dare be so bold and, for a moment, assume that I will be able to reach gold rank, I will need to look to the future. And as such, if it is not too much to ask of you, Mistress Gleam, then my request will be with that in mind. This blade here is called Matra, and it was a gift for other services rendered back at bronze rank. Given how integral a part of my path my Mantle has become, Matra has served me beyond compare to make sure that I always had enough weapons on hand.

And should I reach gold, I will no doubt find myself in need of something similar; a weapon that can properly utilize the advantage which the Mantle provides while also being practical enough to be properly wielded."

"Let me have a look then," Gleam replied, one of her legs splitting to reveal the smaller and more nimble limbs which gently took the blade from Kite's offered hand. Small lenses and other devices of - to Kite - unknown purpose started going over Matra from every angle possible as the construct thought aloud.

"Well, it is a curious piece. A custom-commission, given the specific kind of enchantments. But way too old for it to have been made for you, young Kite. But here… Oh I wouldn't have done it like that… And, oh. Oh! Oh my. No that would not do. Hmm, but that concept is rather interesting. I'd better add it to my logs…" This continued for a little while before Gleam eventually seemed satisfied.

"I can see the appeal, young Kite. It was a fortunate find for you and your path both. And you would wish for something similar, but of gold rank?"

"Honestly, honored Gleam, I would rather leave it to your discretion to choose form and functionality," Kite confessed.

"I have another crafter with whom I have worked for some time, and her greatest works for me have been when the guidelines for my commissions were just that. I merely wished to show you Matra to provide better reference."

"Well, I do believe that I have called you a polite young man. Now I must add 'wise' to your titles as well," Gleam replied, clearly both amused and elated.

"Then would you please show me more of your path in action, and tell me what you cannot readily demonstrate? Referencing the weapon is only part of the whole, after all."

"Of course, Mistress Gleam." It took Kite the better part of an hour to show the eager construct as much of his path as possible, and he found it both surprisingly challenging and helpful in equal measure to really summarize and describe his way of fighting and handling different scenarios as it made him see small details in a new light when spoken out loud.

Gleam even brought in a few constructs as live training dummies to get a better feel and put some additional pressure on him, even though they both knew that he was already hampered by the crystallized arm. And as the hour was up, Gleam seemed satisfied.

"This, young Kite, this will be something I can work with. Oh yes indeed. The mistress may have just the thing hidden away in her stores. Just give me time, and I will strive to make something to truly show off the skill and generosity of the Queen of Jade and Sky."

"And of you too, Mistress Gleam. No disrespect to the honored Queen, but let us not overlook who is the one actually giving us this reward," Kite pointed out. And given the slightly awkward silence that followed, he wondered if the construct would have blushed if had been able to do so.