"Counselor Robert Murry, I must express my concern with the Pentagon's solution to the diplomatic situation on Alagore and how we have been sidelined in decision-making. Installing a child as our chief diplomat is highly irregular and unprofessional, and I request the President reverse his support for this House of Ryder nonsense.

The idea of having a child representing us on the world's stage, including elevating a mere Captain (which is no insult to the Officer for his service) into a similar role without any formal education or standing, is unacceptable. On top of that, allowing the Officer to adopt the Princess and placing legal protections to limit our influence on this girl is also intolerable.

This is the United States. We abolished nobility three hundred years ago, and the Military invented one out of thin air. This is highly unAmerican. When this situation in Alagore becomes known to the world, the public will not tolerate such an insult.

Multiple candidates are experts in medieval history but, more importantly, would work with our agenda. If not an expert in the field, I assume the CIA would have a qualified candidate that could conduct a similar role?" – Secretary of State Frank Atkinson

April 6th, 2068 (military calendar)

Salva, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

As the group fired, Ryder carefully studied the recruits. Most were Wood Elves—the majority of the city's fifteen-thousand population, not counting the American presence. To his surprise, many other species were in the ranks: six Nagals, two Lats, two Luperca, and a Kiriyak.

Hearing the firing cease, Ryder watched as his senior NCO, Sergeant First Class Gregory Barrett, walked behind the line of Militiamen, lecturing them on their performance. The intent was to train the best candidates for senior roles—the early steps toward transforming the city's defenders into a professional force.

"Not good enough," Barrett barked. "You're not some ragtag, peace-loving hippies anymore. You've fought well these past few months—but that's no longer enough."

He stopped in front of one of the Wood Elves, locking eyes with him.

"A standard circiletum holds nine flechettes. You missed eight of them."

"Elen síne," the Wood Elf said, apologizing for his poor results.

"Never apologize," Barrett snapped. "The only response is, Yes, Sergeant. Now give me twenty."

A nearby Minutemen sergeant began counting the push-ups as Barrett moved on.

"Let me make this clear," Barrett continued. "The days of the Militia are over. You are now Citizen Soldiers. You've answered the call of duty. As you've seen, Salva isn't some forgotten post at the edge of the moon anymore—it's the center of the damn universe. You're not here just to survive, but to carry liberty forward. You'll be trained in the arts of professional warfare. Now… again!"

Fresh flechette clips were passed out, and the recruits resumed firing.

From a distance, Ryder focused on the same Elf Barrett had berated, watching him struggle.

"You sure these are the best?" Ryder asked.

"I believe so," Natilite replied.

"But he can barely aim," Ryder said.

"Hackett asked me who I thought had the most potential," Natilite explained. "During the first siege, he wasn't the best fighter—but he was brave."

Ryder turned to his commanding officer, Colonel William Hackett. "You agree with that?"

"I asked her to find recruits worth elevating," Hackett said. "Skill can be taught. Guts are harder to come by."

"That was my thinking," Natilite added. "I'm glad you approve."

Lieutenant General Sherman had ordered the building of a proper Salva military force that could work alongside the American Army. The plan was to train a small group for NCO roles, who would then pass on what they learned—laying the foundation for a true Salva Brigade.

While other units defended the city, Hackett and his Minutemen—now folk heroes—focused on rebuilding. They had freed families, saved key leaders, and were the first to liberate the city defenders. Most of all, Hackett invested deeply in Salva's defense and civil affairs.

Ryder admired him. In a short time, the man had gone from foreigner to respected commander. In the eyes of the people, he had become one of them. That was when he noticed his daughter – Princess Assiaya Balan/Ryder – navigating the training grounds, handing out small red flowers while thanking them for their service.

"It is very cute of her," Natilite commented.

"She is still insecure about this new job," Ryder responded. "Not wanting to be seen like Kallem, but also wanting to be useful."

"She is not the only one that is insecure about their new job."

As he watched the recruits, one of the Nagals caught his attention. He looked familiar. After a moment, Ryder recognized him as the same Neanderthal who fought alongside Comanche during the assault on Mountain Airbase.

"Is that… Bigfoot?" Ryder asked.

"Yes," Natilite replied. "His name is Ordlina, of the Wuruk. One of the first I recruited."

"I'm glad he stayed. He fought hard."

"He told me his clan lived in the slums, part of the labor caste. Like many, he joined the Militia to rebel against Kallem. He was going to return to the shop, but with your people offering commissions, he's eager to do more."

She continued listing her chosen candidates. One name caught Ryder's attention—Eldrain Imtorlia, the Elf who had created the energy barrier during their mountain retreat, saving the entire unit until Ivy's arrival.

While Barrett continued drilling the recruits, a new group entered the compound. Lord Folen Elstina, owner of the city's weapons workshop, had arrived. Since his rescue from the Orlatus, Folen had become a key political ally, arming both the Militia and the city's defenses.

Ryder noticed women among his company—an Elf and a Neko. When they arrived, he called over his daughter, which she eagerly rushed over to his side.

"Ah," Hackett said. "They finally arrived."

"Arrived?" Ryder asked. "I didn't know we were expecting anyone."

"Folen was supposed to be here an hour ago," Hackett said.

Ryder took a second to recall the name. Folen, rescued during the war, turned out to be a powerful figure in Salva, owner of the armory and warehouses. He was also the one who identified Assiaya's royal blood by her blue and gold eyes—starting the whole royalty situation Ryder was still adjusting to.

"That's an Elf for you," Natilite said. "Time is always on their side."

"Regardless," Hackett said, "Matt, have you met his wife?"

"No, I haven't," Ryder replied.

"Her name's Thalia," Natilite said. "She supported the rebellion early on. A valuable ally."

As Folen approached, he greeted them all: "My greetings, Duke of Salva, Colonel of the Minutemen, Princess, and my Lady Templar."

"Thank you, my Lord," Natilite said. "I'm honored."

"Greetings," Hackett said. "Glad you came. I see you brought your better half."

"Please don't flatter," Thalia said. "I'm humbled by those who saved my husband."

"And my wife and children," Folen added.

As eyes turned toward Ryder to retell the story, he said, "Thank you for the flattery, but it was a team effort. Captain Webster led the charge."

"He's being modest," Natilite said, launching into the tale—how Ryder had pushed forward despite his injuries, defied Kallem, and protected the Princess in the wild. A story clearly meant to bolster his reputation as Duke.

Before Ryder could protest, Hackett pulled him aside.

"What are you doing?" Hackett hissed.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Ryder said. "I wasn't part of the assault. I was too injured—"

"That's not the point. You could've credited your unit without removing yourself. You're a political figure now. They need to hear stories of bravery. You're a Duke now. Act like it."

Ryder sighed, feeling the weight of it all. The Captain preferred his time as an NCO—among the troops, not above them. When he looked at his daughter, he noticed that she was paying attention to every detail of his.

"Okay, okay," he muttered. "When in Rome."

"It'll get easier," Hackett said. "Be glad there's still a war on. You've got something real to fight for."

As they returned, Natilite was recounting other Unity battles, painting Ryder as a steadfast hero. Behind them stood a well-dressed Neko in a red and white maid uniform. Her fur was light brown with black spots, blending with her tan skin. She had yellow feline eyes—clearly a servant of House Elstina.

"Elen síne," Ryder said, bowing slightly in Elvish.

"Welcome back," Thalia said. "Your team has lived quite the adventure. We're thankful."

"You have our full support," Folen added. "Assiaya can count on House Elstina."

"Hanta-tyë," Ryder said, expressing gratitude.

"Now," Thalia said, "for the real purpose of our visit. Duke Ryder, Captain of the Altaerrie—I bring a gift for you and the Princess."

Ryder turned to Natilite, who shrugged with cheerful curiosity. Then to Hackett, who seemed just as confused but gave a subtle nod.

Thalia stepped aside. "This is Ceka. She's been with our House for five years. An excellent servant."

Ryder understood what was being offered—one of their motuias. His first instinct was to refuse, but cultural sensitivity stopped him. Missteps could damage a fragile alliance.

"We accept!" Assiaya nearly jumped with joy, but then became reserved, glancing toward her father. "Assuming Father approves."

"I'm honored," he said carefully. "But I cannot accept."

Folen raised a hand. "Have you already accepted another Head Maid?"

"Head Maid?" Ryder asked, confused. Natilite explained the title and mentioned the gray Kitsune who helped them escape Forlace.

"I assure you," Thalia said. "Ceka is loyal and highly skilled. Her contract ends soon, and I would prefer she find a proper home."

Ryder was conflicted, regardless of what his daughter throught. He knew motuia was a contract-based system—guaranteed work and shelter in exchange for service. For Ceka, this would be a promotion, an honor. Still, the optics….

"Gracias," Ryder said. "But I still have to—"

Before he could finish, Natilite dragged him aside—again.

"What is wrong with you?" she asked. "You're being rude."

Ryder inserted. "I agreed to all this to protect Assiaya, not own another person."

"Under our Constitution," Hackett said, "the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery or involuntary servitude. We legally cannot adapt it."

"You people are very sensitive," Natilite said. "This is not your world. Do you not have servants? Contract workers? Soldiers? Don't they own your time?"

"It's not the same," Hackett said. "The hang-up is being marked, forced to labor."

"You treat all these as the same," Natilite said. "But a motuia is also a responsibility. We don't give things for free. We earn them. A service for a service."

"I get your point," Hackett replied. "But there are politics involved."

"Which is why I'm a wanderer," Natilite sighed.

Ryder listened to the debate with growing frustration. It was a matter of perspective—definitions, values, execution. How could they enforce Earth's morals without becoming hypocrites? Where were the red lines?

He looked over and saw Assiaya talking with the nobles, probably speaking about this subject, but he wasn't sure. Watching their interaction, he could see that these people had placed a lot of faith and trust in his people.

That was when he saw Noble Folen wife kneeling to his daughter, speaking about something, but respecting the Princess statues. He assumed that perhaps the elven woman was offering the newly appointed city leader advice on ruling or House politics. This made him realize that outright rejecting this offer could send a negative message to the locals of this city, let alone the rest of the Alagore. That his people are not here to assist but are foreign occupiers.

The last thing he wants to do is undermine this House of Ryder that his daughter relies on to rule and survive. Especially, his mentor was the one who proposed this arrangement in the first place. Disrespecting such an important cultural custom would undermine that effort.

Finally, Ryder said, "I'll take her."

Hackett looked surprised. "Matt?"

"You said it yourself," Ryder replied. "I'm the Duke. To lead here, I have to engage with their beliefs. I won't agree with all of them, but we must choose our moral battles—or go home."

"Besides," he added, "I need someone to watch Assiaya. I'm not trusting politicians or soldiers to raise her."

Hackett exhaled. "Your call. But there will be drama. The Ambassador arrives in a few days, and she's not thrilled to be here."

"What does that mean?" Natilite asked. "Chip on shoulder?"

"It means someone's bitter," Ryder explained. "Frame it right, and maybe we can manage this."

"Matt," Hackett said, "get the Council to draft a formal document on motuia. I want to read it."

"I'll ask Yeldan," Ryder said. "He likes that kind of thing."

"Good. I'll send it to the General—but be warned. If we honor your customs, it'll be on our terms."

They returned to the Elstinas, who were clearly whispering about the debate. Ryder wondered what they thought of American culture—were they just as puzzled?

"Welcome back," Thalia said. "Before we continue, allow Ceka to speak."

Ceka stepped forward, bowing with grace.

"My Lord," she said. "I understand your concerns. But this is my choice and desire. Serving your House would be an honor."

Ryder felt out of place being addressed so formally. He nodded slowly.

"Thank you," he said. "Let me be clear: this is your choice. I'm doing this to bridge our values."

"You're very formal and direct," Ceka noted.

"I try not to be," Ryder replied. "Folen, Thalia—thank you. Ceka, welcome to House Ryder. I trust you with my daughter."

"It will be an honor," Ceka said.

"Okay then," Ryder muttered. "So… how does this work?"

"Later today," Folen said. "We'll meet at the Redvale Guild to finalize the contract."

The nobles departed, and Ryder stood there, quietly absorbing the moment. For the first time, he truly understood what being part of this world meant.

*****

Walking along the city streets of Salva, the Comanche Captain and now Duke Mathew Ryder watched as his daughter walked in front of him as if she were the guide, all joyful as usual. He had no idea what her personality was like while Kallem her as a a slave. Still, she has been cheerful and determined since arriving in the city.

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As he continued to watch his now daughter interact with the townsfolk, many showed their respect. They thanked her for freeing them from Vagaham. Many did show appreciation toward him, now the Lord of this city. Assisting his daughter in the negotiations and adapting her, Hackett ensured his name was attached to the Princess's achievement. However, he still struggled to accept all this new attention, especially as a Special Forces officer; being popular wasn't normal.

A group of civilians passed them, all women and children. The mothers stopped their children and demanded they bow to their new royal leaders. Ryder felt uncomfortable but saw his daughter addressing the Elf and Kitsune. The dual-eyed girl performed different gestures with each species, thanking them for their culture. It was clear to him that while she was a slave under Kallem, his daughter learned much.

Because of the lack of options, his daughter was still wearing the red-and-white maid dress, which he found humbling. The Palace servants removed much detail to make the uniform look less like servants. He did propose that she wear her elvish clothing, but she refused. While she didn't state her reason, he could tell she didn't feel uncomfortable wearing such a statue's clothing. They were both still growing into their new responsibilities.

Ryder awkwardly raised his hand in an attempt to thank the townsfolk, saying te'son in elvish. When they passed, he took a breath, glad they were gone. But then he saw his daughter staring at him with confusion.

"Damn, Boss," Barrett said. "You look more stressed than during a bombardment."

"You really should embrace their gratitude," Natilite said.

Turning toward the Valkyrie, Ryder responded, "I am trying. It is not easy entering public life."

Feeling the stress of his new responsibilities, the Captain watched his daughter thank some patrolling American soldiers. He was surprised by her genuine willingness to praise everyone, regardless of what world they belong to. It was as if she was trying to prove something. This reminded him why he was going through with this scheme. He promised God and his wife that he would protect Assaiya, and if this was what he had to do, so be it, even though he was reluctant.

As the group headed toward the marketplace, the city's early warning system started blurring, warning that an enemy artillery barrage was inbound.

Dozens of people looked up toward the cloudy sky. A dozen long-range rockets flew from an M6089 Shok air defense battery close to Indolass. The US-Japan-developed missile platform-guided rocket flew past the city limits and entered the dense gray clouds.

Unable to see the explosions from the distance and cloud cover, the explosive echoes were impossible to miss. For a moment, Ryder believed that the rocket battery defeated the incoming artillery shells and shrouds; however, the two 20mm Bolas came to life, and a string of tracer rounds sprayed the sky. A bright red beam lanced through the sky from the Tawa laser battery. Knowing that this meant that the rockets failed to stop the enemy bombardment, and the last layer of defense was activated. Most likely, the city would be stricken.

The Captain knew what this meant, as did everyone around him. The civilians went into a panic, knowing what was about to happen, while the soldiers attempted to guide them inside any nearby buildings. The Captain felt a sudden strong primal urge that he first felt when fighting the Akuma: to protect his daughter.

Without thinking, Ryder rushed toward his daughter, who was rushing back to him in fear of the sudden attack. He grabbed his daughter and ran into an abandoned store, where he saw other civilians, eleven wood elves, three nagel, and Kitsune with their children. Two 4th ID Infantry soldiers and King, Barrett, Forest, and Natilite were among the civilians, ensuring everyone stayed away from the windows.

He rested Assiaya under a wooden table. As she looked around, the newfound father saw the terror in her blue and golden eyes. The Captain wanted to assure her, but the building suddenly shook violently from the enemy shells impacting nearby, making her grab him tightly out of reaction.

As the bombardment continued, Ryder saw Natilite kneeling beside the table, looking at Assiaya, and assured her that it would be over soon.

Moments later, the early warning alarm stopped. An American woman spoke through the recently installed city-wide intercom, stated that the enemy bombardment was complete, and warned civilians to remain in cover so emergency services could respond to the impact zone.

Seeing that the situation had passed, Ryder turned to his daughter and said, "It is okay. We are safe."

"That was scary," Assiaya said.

"Nonsense," Ryder replied. "In my early days, I had far closer calls than this."

Seeing that his daughter was calm, he requested Natilite keep an eye on her. After the Templar agreed to his request, he approached his team. "Status?"

"We were not in the target zone," Barrett said. "The shell impacted a few blocks away."

"That was not the only one," King said. "Another one landed closer to the Keep construction site. I think it was an energy blast."

"That could have been their target," Barrett said.

"See that mist?" Forest said. "The one nearby, I think it is one of those iceberg enchantment shells."

"We should get going," Ryder said. "I have to be culturally diplomatic today."

As they continued their journey, they had to navigate a couple of detours due to the attack. Damage control teams were rushing through the stone streets while Military Police were managing crowd and casualty control.

When they arrived, Ryder found the marketplace primarily empty. Only a few people were shopping or passing by, and most shops and booths were empty or closed. The fountain at the center of the plaza wasn't working. Some had formal owners fixing their establishments, while others took inventory of what was not stolen and fired the Aristocracy occupation.

However, a large crowd was gathered on the other side of the marketplace, waiting to receive their food rations. This has been a common occurrence since the blockade began. To prevent starvation, and because the United States Army was unable to import resources from most villages and Cities, it was forced to ship in MREs for nearly fifty thousand people.

To Ryder's surprise, the townsfolk were orderly, as the MPs seemed bored. There was no ruckus among the crowd. At first glance, that would seem strange; however, the Captain realized that anyone would be hardened after what they had been through over the past few months.

That was when he saw what the Military Police were protecting. Ivy soldiers occupied a third of the plaza at the other end of the market. Behind the barriers were two M988 stationary mortar systems, large 120-mm smoothbore recoiling mortars typically seen at FOBs and outposts. The giant mortar automatically rotated from its position. It fired three shells from its robotic arm autoloader, likely in response to the recent attack.

Uplinked with the DEFNET, each system has programmable intelligence to respond quickly to attacks. While the giant mortars typically relied on GPS on Earth for precision fire, the platform had an alternative mode for these situations. The PI relied on pre-established digital markers set up in advance to calculate coordinates and determine their fire mission. While not perfect by modern standards, it accomplished the task.

Based on the level of weapons fire, the Comanche Captain concluded that it was another probing mission from the enemy, either to gather a damage report for their artillery or to seek out pop shots against the American and Salva troops guarding the wall.

"That is amazing," Assiaya said, staring at the two machines of death.

Mathew Ryder chuckled at the child's excitement about the military hardware. It reminded him of when he was on a basis with his sister, watching the Military conduct their daily business.

Hearing Natilite comment that she found the guild, he turned and saw their destination—the Redvale Guild.

The Captain stared at the guild sign. He felt a knot in his gut, and the Duke took a deep breath and mumbled, "Let's do it."

Ryder took his daughter's hands as they headed toward the guild. Unlike some buildings they had passed, this structure was in an intact section of the city, except for a few cracks in the stone section. This structure was one of the few that was spared. However, it was smaller than he expected. The Altaerrie man had no idea why he assumed the building would be more prominent. Transferring another person seemed like a big deal, but he recalled that the recruiting office was much smaller.

Looking inside, he saw almost no one. Only a female kitsune cleans up the place after being absent for an extended period. This was a sight he had become accustomed to with the kitsune race, as the business was more of a matriarchy.

"Look who has arrived," Natilte said. "I see Lord Folen."

Ryder saw the Nobleman, Folen Elstina, approaching. Alongside him were two children and an older male. All were dressed professionally in this city attire: green-white colors with buffed sections around the shoulders. The males wore pants, while the girls wore skirts. Among them was the female neko, Ceka. She was wearing the same red-white dress as Assiaya. Only now did he realize it might not have been a good idea to allow her Princess daughter to wear a maid outfit in public.

"My Lord Duke," Folen said. "I apologize for my tardiness. My children saw your people's mortar machines, and curiosity got the better of them."

Ryder chuckled, imagining the site. "Your kids have good taste. Besides, we just got here, so no biggie. Assiaya?"

Assiaya looked toward him, but then at the wood elves. She stepped forward and curtseyed with her traveling dress. "Thank you for your presence. I hope to get to know you all in the days ahead."

The elf girl standing next to Folen stepped forward, taking Assiaya's right hand. "It is an honor to meet you. Thank you for freeing me, my mother, and my brothers from the filthy dwarves and Unity. Once we remove this binding mark, I would be honored if you visited my home. I might be able to provide high-standard clothing for your station."

"Rosanhi," Folen said. "Please be respectful."

"I meant no disrespect, Father," Rosanhi said. "The markets are light in options, and I only wanted to provide aid and respect."

"She was not disrespectful, my Lord," Assiaya said. "I understand her meaning. I do not mind my clothing, as it is what I am used to. I have dressed like this for most of my life, and it has become natural to me. If it is okay, I would like to befriend you."

Rosanhi smiled and bowed. "I am honored."

"Please, no honors," Assiaya said with embarrassed eyes.

Ryder shrugged his shoulders. "It will be good for them. With everything that has happened to them, a little girl's time to de-stress will be healthy. Kids should be kids."

"I suppose so." Folen pointed toward his children and prepared introductions. "As you already know, this is my daughter, Rosanhi. This is my middle son, Itham, who is training to take over my estate in the years to come. And here is my eldest, Taegon."

"I mean no offense," Ryder said. "Is it normal for the middle child to inherit a House estate?"

"I can explain," Taegon said. "Before the war, I was learning the family business, but now, I wish to serve in the Militia until we are free."

"My son decided to serve alongside the Americans," Elstina said. "His mother wished him to continue his studies, but my House is honored."

"I understand," Ryder said. "Thank you for putting aside your interests for your City. I promise we will find you a place for you."

"Do not allow my status to keep me from battle," Taegon said.

To Ryder, the Elstina's seemed like a lovely family. Rosanhi seemed eager to befriend his daughter. Itham approached Barrett, amazed by how different the Altaerrie were. Taegon inquired King about where he could best serve within the Militia.

The Captain saw his team making introductions and answering Itham's questions about Earth and what it was like to be Altaerrie—their clothing, the kind of entertainment, and so on. The boy displayed interest in the differences between the Saipan types of humans.

"With all the introductions," Ryder said. "I believe we should go inside."

"I recommend them staying out here for the moment," Folen said. "This might take a while, so they can enjoy it once the alchemy begins."

"That is fine, boss," Forest said. "I don't mind giving them a crash course on what Earth is like."

"I do wish Fraeya was here," Natilite said. "She would be the best to explain how this process works."

"We need to get her a watch," King said.

"I don't think that will help," Barrett commented. "Besides, I think that is her."

Ryder turned around and saw a female elf rushing through the street, panicking while frantically waving her right hand. The elf girl stopped before him, placing her hands on her knees as she caught her breath.

"Where have you been?" Natilite asked.

"Sorry!" Fraeya said. "I was helping the gardeners fix the plants around the city and lost track of time."

"Didn't you start doing that nine hours ago?" Forest asked.

"That is an elf for you," Folen said. "Time can be an afterthought for us. Now, shall we get to business?"

Folen Elstina nodded and brought forth his senior servant, Ceka, who bowed at the Captain's presence. Besides the children and senior Comanche members, everyone else went inside the guild. The typical bell rang once the door opened, warning the front desk that customers had arrived.

The female Kitsune looked toward the red fur with black spots. Her frown was replaced with a glow, and then the vixen put her hands together and bowed. "Lord Elstina, I am amazed that you have arrived on time."

"Greetings, Kaka," Folen said. "I hope you are ready."

"All the arrangements have been completed," Kaka said. "I was not expecting to engage with any of these bindings for a while, with the state of the economy."

"One additional thing," Ryder said.

"Oh?" Kaka said, staring confusedly at the Altaerrie man. "Who is your friend? He looks familiar."

"He is my Father," Assiaya said.

"And you are?" Kaka asked.

"I will handle this," Folen said. "This is Duke Ryder of Salva, Captain of the American Minutemen. This is Princess Assiaya, leader of Daru'uie."

The Kitsune's eyes widened, and she realized her mistake. She knelt and begged, "Please forgive my rudeness."

"All good," Ryder replied. "I am still shocked myself."

Folen Elstina leaned toward the Captain and whispered, "I understand your hesitancy, and this life is new to you; however, you must not joke about your station in front of the commoners. It is not being above them but instilling the proper respect."

While Ryder hated to admit it, the Elf Noblemen were correct, as the Army had a similar philosophy. Everyone looks up to an officer for guidance and command authority. When that standard is undermined, it is almost impossible to repair. He wouldn't want to do the same as Duke.

"I am sorry," Ryder said before adjusting himself. "The other reason we are here is to remove the binding mark off my daughter's hand."

Kaka turned toward the Princess with a surprised look as if she had not expected royalty to have such a mark. "Is the previous owner here to agree with the removal? Or a representative from the guild who bound her?"

"No," Ryder said. Feeling his daughter's discomfort and noticing that she was covering her marked hand shamefully, he placed his hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

"I see," Kaka said. "It will be tricky and expensive, but it can be done."

"The price will not be an issue," Folen said.

The Kitsune's ears perked as she clapped her hands. "Then we shall proceed. Let us start with the transfer, as that will be easy enough. Oroak!"

A large male Nagal exited the back room, pushing a cart with a few books and unrecognizable tools. The man wore mage-like clothing, with puffy shoulders and a long robe. On the cart was an orb-infused glove, similar to the one Fraeya uses, as well as a small staff. The mage had crazy, long, white hair and a long, mixed color of white and brown beard. He had dark skin, and his eyes were dark red.

"He is an alchemist," Fraeya said. "A specialized sage that deals with codex and enchantments."

"I have no idea what any of that means," Ryder said.

"I am glad I arrived then," Fraeya said. "And that is okay, as this is complex information. But I will do my best to explain."

The Nagal mage went to a fireplace in the back of the room and started a fire in the fire pit. It wasn't the standard red-orange fire you usually see, but dark fire. Ryder recalled seeing this during his travels in the wild at the orc family home. He also remembered that travelers used this type of fire due to its low heat compared to other fire types.

Fraeya continued explaining the process, stating that the Nagal used dark fire to burn the codex resting on the cart. Sages use thaum ink to write in wax books, allowing the spell to take effect when the wax is burned.

Inside the codex, every detail in the contract was included, such as payment, the laws, agreements, the motive for such a binding, to prevent malpractice, the amount of payment, punishment, the length of the contract, and so on.

Most codex are pre-written to save time and money, with only critical sections for the clients and adjustments left blank. In this case, the previous owner acknowledged the transfer. It was surprising for the Altaerrie Captain to realize how legalese these people were for a feudal society.

The next stage would be to use the dark fire and the proper spell casting to ignite the codex. During this chant, Ceka approached. Then, the directions written within the codex would be imprinted, removed, or infused on the person's hand, completing the process.

Oroak took some time to prepare the station and codex, which brought the others inside to see the process. As this was the Americans' first time seeing alchemy, there was great excitement in the room. No one spoke, focusing on watching. Kurt Forest pulled out his phone to record the alien sight.

The Nagal mage called Ryder and Elstina to the table, and they received a thaum fountain pen. "Sign in these spots."

Ryder went through the codex as best he could, trusting Fraeya, who provided context and translation, as the writing was in Elvish. Regarding the duties, it was simple for him to agree, stating that Ceka would be the Head Maid of his House, taking care of the domestic needs. To his surprise, there were many areas of authority he could grant to Ceka, including fiancés, home inventory, and management responsibilities, among others. Regarding payment, he had already spoken with Hackett about the best amount and opted for an above-average amount, with a potential bonus or raise if she met expectations. However, all this would come from his salary.

The main issue for him was the punishment section. Having already researched in advance, he learned about the type of punishment that would be included in such a contract. There wasn't as much physical torture as he expected, realizing that his biases from his country's history blinded him. However, there were choices that he considered outrageous, such as solitary confinement and physical punishment with a baton – reminding him of stories of teachers who used to use rulers to discipline students. Knowing that he wouldn't select most of these options for obvious reasons, he stuck with garnishing wages, removing her status as Head Maid, and termination.

From what Ryder understood, Hackett and Sherman wanted to see how this played out. They will most likely be removed after future reforms to Americanize the institution. If this cultural experiment fails, they want to know now. In addition, if the institution was a core component of the Alagore economy, they also want to know how it worked.

There was a section for the owner that outlined what would happen in the event of a breach of contract. This fell between unjust abuse, forcing the motuia to work outside the approved agreement, and other forms of exploitation. Selling such a contract outside the guild or enslavement of the motuia outside a criminal trial was illegal, which was no longer an issue as the US and Assiaya forced the Council to outlaw that institution. Additionally, the Guild was authorized to conduct inspections if it became aware of any breaches and to impose fees for violations. The last line states that all responsibilities, including debts, health, education, housing, and other essential needs, must be taken care of.

Navigating the code and establishing the legal framework that made joining the military look easy took two and a half hours, but they finally completed the process. Ryder felt exhausted. He could see a lawyer-industrial complex making a fortune in this world.

"Stand back," Oroak said.

Once everyone stepped aside, the Oroak placed the codex on a metal grilling tray above the firepit. He began chanting, and the staff started glowing bright yellow, hovering the orb over the dark fire. The flames grew massively to the extent that they passed the grilling tray and began to scorch the codex.

The nagal mage quickly placed his gloved hand on a clear crystal beside the fire-bit. The small orb on the glove glowed, triggering the crystal to glow and causing mana particles to float around the mage. He pressed his mana-charged glove onto the codex and began chanting a spell.

"Who is the one getting bound?" Oroak asked.

"The Neko," Folen said.

Ceka approached the mage and placed her hand on the codex. The Nagal put his hand on hers, with the orb glowing brightly. The waxed book melted from the dark fire flames and mana, and the information stored in it was transferred into the Neko's hand.

Once the transfer was complete, Oroak guided the neko servant toward a significant antikythera mechanism against the wall. It had a screen made from crystal besides being a pictorial or textual monitor.

Ceka placed her bound hand on a small platform on the analog computer. Oroak turned dials and flipped switches on the mechanism until the orb above her hand activated, scanning the magical binding markings—the information stored on her hand was displayed on the liquid-crystal screen.

"It was a successful transfer," Oroak said.

There was joy in the room, mainly from the native members. For Ryder, this felt strange because it was not typical of his people. One critical perspective his mentor gave him was to see this as if you were buying and selling a player on a sports team. Everyone was there to do a job and be part of a team. The difference was that this mindset was applied to the rest of the economy.

"So," Barrett said. "That is how those computers work."

"You are being loose with the word, computer," Forest commented.

That was when he noticed Ceka approaching him.

"Master Ryder. I understand this was abnormal for your kindness, but I appreciate you're allowing me to serve you. I promise that you will not regret this."

"I trust in your abilities," Ryder said. "I am doing this because I need someone to help look after my daughter while deployed."

"A noble motive," Ceka commented.

"Now, let's get rid of that mark," Ryder said.

"Get rid of what mark?" Oroak asked.

Kaka approached her employee and said, "The Princess has a binding mark on her hand that they want removed. Will you be able to do it?"

"Why is there a thing on royalty?" Oroak blurted before the Kitsune smacked his arm. "All right. My lady, please place your hand under the orb so I can see its quality of it."

Excitement consumed the dual-eyed Princess as she started jumping. She then turned to her father before rushing toward the Antikythera mechanism.

"Do you think you can remove it?" Assiaya asked, placing her hand under the small orb.

"I believe so," Oroak said. "It all depends on the quality of the enchantment. It might take a while and be expensive, but it is not the first time I have been able to remove one of these. There was this one person I had to use three codex's and a week of casting."

As the Nagal mage spoke, the human activated the Antikythera like before. He went silent when the liquid-crystal screen displaced the information stored in the binding mark.

Noticing the sudden change of mannerisms, Assiaya asked, "What is wrong?"

Ryder saw the fear in the other human-type eyes, already knowing that this would not work. Regardless, he asked, "Can you remove it?"

The Kitsune got between them with a nervous smile. "Of course, Oroak can. Just give him a moment."

"I cannot," Oroak said. "I have never seen this quality of a spell before."

"Forget the sales pitch," Ryder said. "Tell me how much you want, and I will pay for it. Just get that marking off my daughter."

Only when the Nagal turned toward the Captain did Ryder know it was hopeless. The mage continued to explain the insane level of detail and magecraft that went into this binding mark, but that was not what occupied his mind.

This only helped confirm to Ryder that the vampire was aware of Assiaya's origins; however, it only confused him. Even if his daughter was a trophy of conquest, why place an impossible bind on her hand when a standard one would be adequate?

"Are you saying you cannot remove this?" Assiaya asked.

She stared directly at Oroak with big eyes, horrified that she was technically still a slave. Ryder slowly walked over, then knelt next to her, placing his arm around her, and she quickly hugged him, softly crying.

"It is okay," Ryder said. "We will figure this out."

He then stood and stared at the guild owner and continued, "Thank you for trying, Kaka. We will be taking our leave."

"I promise to research a method to remove the binding mark," Kaka said. Thank you for your business."

Ryder watched Folen Elstina pay the Kitsune a mix of Salva currency and American banknotes before heading out. When everyone left the room, Natilite, Fraeya, and, to his surprise, the noble elf daughter Rosanhi, were comforting Assiaya. Ceka stood at attention behind them, waiting for an appropriate moment to intervene.

"Well," King said. "That was a real bummer."

"Yeah," Ryder said. "But this isn't going to stop us. If this is how the dice will roll, so be it."

The truth was that Mathew Ryder had no idea what to do, feeling a gut punch. However, he knew they could do nothing at the moment, and the only option was to move forward.

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