The Vel'khanese brigade was welcomed into the palace without any hassle. The guards didn't even bother verifying the members' identities or intentions. They simply opened the gate as soon as they saw the party and stepped right out of the way.

A familiar butler awaited just past the entrance. Cleveland looked the same as Claire remembered. He hid his lean but muscular frame beneath a tuxedo that spanned both halves of his centaurian body. His fur was barely visible beneath the fabric, but it was a deep chestnut brown, same as his hair, with a few streaks of grey running through it.

His piercing yellow eyes had once appeared as intimidating as a snake's, but they had long traded their hostile glimmer for a kindly spark. With crow's feet at their corners and tiny round glasses to adorn them, they almost appeared to be gentle; unlike his master, Cleveland was still aging, and he had already put half his years behind him.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I am glad to see that you have returned to us all in one piece." The horse smiled and bowed, bending his knees to exaggerate the motion. "As you may recall, I am Centrius Cleveland, and I served as your guide during your prior visit."

"Good afternoon, Master Cleveland," said Arciel. "I see you are in good health as ever."

"Fortunately, I happen to have the sort of job that keeps me on my feet." He smiled as he started down the path that led through the corridor. "Right this way, please. His Majesty is already expecting you."

The butler led the group into the castle with a slow, graceful gait. During their first visit, they had been taken straight into the throne room for an audience, but the second was not quite as formal. Cleveland led them through a series of convoluted hallways and showed them to a private lounge. The many sofas and armchairs that sat around it were made of a fine, dark leather with edges embroidered in gold silk. Likewise, the table was made from a deep mahogany, polished to the point that it reflected the sun.

"He will be with you in a second," said Cleveland. "The maids will be preparing some refreshments in the meantime. Do feel free to make yourselves at home and ask if you need anything specific."

"Thank you, Master Cleveland," said Arciel.

"You are very welcome," he said, with a smile. "Now, please excuse me."

Despite the upcoming meeting, many of the northern brigade's members had already settled in long before the instruction was given. Allegra made her way to a metallic device in the corner of the room and grabbed a hallucinated alcoholic drink while Krail and Jules each picked an armchair and sank right in. The remaining members were a little more patient. Lana, at least, had waited for the other three to lead by example before picking a sofa, though it didn't help that she dove in face first.

Arciel was, naturally, much better behaved. She waited for the butler to leave a room before picking a seat opposite an empty armchair. Likewise, Chloe's behaviour was prim and proper for what was likely the first time in her life—she stepped behind her mistress, folded her hands, and stood at attention.

Last to settle down was Claire, albeit not entirely on account of etiquette. The snoose had spent a few seconds inspecting her spikey butt armour before changing into a blouse and taking the empty spot by Lana. The Cadrian maids standing by wasted no time turning their heads in her direction, their eyes sparkling with curiosity, but Claire worked a few of her vectors and stopped them from turning all the way.

Though surprised by the restriction, the servants maintained their professionalism and silence as they struggled against her grasp. She did eventually release them and allow them to look upon her, but they saw nothing when they did. Claire had based the spell off of Allegra's permanent distortion, but rather than manipulating and reprogramming the light rays reflected off of her body, she was simply changing their direction.

"Uhmmm… Claire? Is it just me, or did you suddenly turn invisible?" whispered Sylvia, who appeared to be floating in midair.

"It's just you," said Claire. She fiddled with the spell as she spoke. Adding a whitelist was harder than she thought.

"She's definitely invisible," said Chloe.

"No I'm not."

"I do not believe she is. I see her sitting to my right with her arms crossed," said Arciel.

"The fuck are you going on about? She's right there," said Jules, as he pointed.

"Are you okay, Chloe?" asked Lana. "You don't seem like yourself today."

"I-I'm fine!" said the maid. "Wait, can you guys really see her, or are you just messing with me?"

"I see her as well," said Krail. "Though, I suspect that this is another one of her pranks."

"It's not," said Claire.

"It definitely is, considering that I don't see you either," said Allegra.

"So it's just me, Allegra, and Sylvia?" asked Chloe.

"Actually, uhmmm, I can see her again," said Sylvia. "She suddenly appeared out of nowhere."

"I can see the dent she's leaving in the sofa, if that counts?" said Chloe. "I know you're sitting on her head, but it looks to me like you're floating."

"Hold on," said Claire. "I need to adjust the spell. Right now, I have it tweaked so I can't be seen by maids or lowlives."

"Claire…" Allegra sighed, but was ignored as usual. Claire hadn't spoken to her since she voiced her disdain. Even three months later, she was still being thoroughly ignored.

Claire continued to fiddle with the spell, but she wasn't able to finish tweaking it before her father pushed open the door. Someone, probably Cleveland, had done an excellent job of obscuring the bags under his eyes, but Claire could still tell that he was completely and utterly exhausted.

"Good afternoon, everyone." He glanced around the room as he spoke, his eyes briefly lingering over the spot where a fox was floating on a dented seat. "I see your time in the Langgbjerns has proven fruitful."

"Good afternoon," said Arciel. "It appears we missed each other during our northerly excursions."

"The men mentioned that they spotted your party soon after our arrival."

"We determined it was an apt time to call our training complete. We surely would have missed the opportunity to explore Cadria had we elected to wait any longer."

"That would've been a shame," he said, with a laugh.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Some of the maids began arranging the drinks, the pastries, and the sweets as soon as Virillius was seated while the others laid papers out on the table. Everyone in attendance was given a file, though the monarchs' were thicker than everyone else's.

"I've included some documents for you to look over," he said. "They detail some of the demands we are likely to make in the course of our victory."

"I will have a similar document prepared by tomorrow evening," said Arciel, as she looked over the list. It was arranged based on the number of victories that Cadria secured and outlined many alternatives to the exact compensation requested. Overall, it was surprisingly generous, perhaps even too good to be true. She would have to better scrutinize and evaluate the terms in her downtime to uncover their ulterior motives.

"Take your time," he said. "We plan to spread the proxy war's battles out over the course of the festival. The third page has a proposed outline, but effectively speaking, a battle once every few days, with a break in the middle and the final duel on the final day."

Everyone paying attention (read: not Claire) flipped to the page in question and inspected the schedule. It listed a total of eight different battles, with an added exhibition match to be held during the opening ceremony. It seemed to have been added just for symmetry in order to ensure that the two weeks would be mirrored. Including the exhibition, duels were to be held on days one, three, six, eight, twelve, fourteen, seventeen, and twenty.

"I see no issue with this arrangement," said Arciel.

"How do we determine the order we fight in? Do we pick an order ahead of time? Or are we assigning ourselves to specific opponents?" asked Krail.

"The tradition is for combatants to be arranged in order from weakest to strongest. If two fighters are approximately equal, then they will have to work it out between themselves."

"How curious," said Arciel. "I was under the impression that the arrangement would prove more tactical."

"You are free to arrange yourselves as you believe is fit. It is not necessary to follow our traditions."

"We shall endeavour to aspire to them, though I must admit, I am uncertain as to the order in which it leaves us," said Arciel.

"Please have it figured out prior to the exhibition match. We plan to announce both sides' participants at that time and pair them off to fuel the people's speculation."

"On that note, there is a matter about which I have been hoping to inquire." Arciel snapped her fan shut to reveal a devilish smile. "Would you be against an influx of Vel'khanese observers?"

Virillius cocked his brow. "What do you have in mind?"

"I believe my nation's people are just as eager to witness the battles as yours, and I possess the means to transport them in large quantities. And in fact, we are capable of establishing a connection between Cadria and Vel'khan that shall last until the festival's closing. It will allow for individuals from both sides to travel freely between your capital and ours."

Virillius lightly tapped the table as he pondered the question. "I'm of the impression that it would be enriching for both our peoples, and yours certainly have every right to bear witness to this proxy war's outcome. We can easily expand the colosseum with additional seating, even for those incapable of functioning on land." The white-furred moose clasped his hands together and leaned forward. "The problem is its effect on the world. I doubt the goddess of order would allow it."

"I had and addressed the very same thought."

Arciel turned to Chloe, who silently approached Virillius and handed him a scroll. He carefully examined the document's waxen seal before rolling it open and scanning its contents. His expression remained cold, but the glint in his eye confirmed that it had captured his interest.

"I see no reason to refuse if the goddess has granted her approval." He folded the scroll back up and placed it on his desk. "I can arrange for a location to be prepared by tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Excellent," said Arciel. "Have you any criteria for us to enforce upon those who wish to enter the gate?"

"None," said Virillius. "However, I do believe that we'll require another two days to ensure that all of the major streets are accessible for the exclusively aquatic."

"Your accommodation is greatly appreciated. We shall also endeavour to provide strictly aquatic individuals with means of traveling above ground," said Arciel. "We've a legion of wheelchairs and similar vehicles prepared for the occasion. Likewise, we have secured a number of breathing devices so that your landlocked citizens may explore the parts of our city kept underwater."

"I have been hoping for the opportunity to visit Vel'khan for some time now myself."

"I shall have a list of recommended destinations prepared," said Arciel.

"Thank you." Virillius nodded as he flipped the page. "Now, as much as I would love to spend the afternoon discussing vacation plans, we have much else on our plates."

"Naturally."

"First of all, I'd like to introduce a special guest."

Virillius looked at one of the maids, who opened the door to reveal a muscular white moth. Unlike Virillius, who was dressed in a pair of decorated breeches, a fancy tunic, and a royal mantle, the extra visitor was about as casual as could be. His thin, segmented legs were readily visible, thanks to his polka-dotted shorts. It almost seemed to be competing with his unbuttoned dress shirt to see which of the two articles could hide the least of his body.

The sun-marked mitre atop his head clearly marked him as a member of Rikael's clergy, but he looked to be built more like a rogue. His exposed chest and stomach muscles were thin but toned, just like the six arms that sprouted from each side of his body.

"This is King Ragnar Unfrid of Kryddar," said Virillius. "He just arrived the other day, and will be assisting with the proxy war."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, King Ragnar. I am Arciel Vel'khan, reigning queen of Vel'khan, and the aspect of stolen light."

"Hey, I'm Ragnar," he said, with a casual wave. "Nice to meet you too."

The supposed king plopped himself down in an empty chair with his legs spread open and a yawn upon his lips. Naturally, the behaviour earned him a number of looks, but he dismissed them with a chuckle.

"For what it's worth, Virillius gave me permission to take it easy."

The Cadrian king shook his head and sighed while everyone else exchanged looks in awkward silence.

"You mentioned he would be assisting?" said Arciel, with a cough.

"Yes. We intend to announce the particulars to the public following the exhibition match," said Virillius, quietly. "Ragnar, if you could."

"It's pretty simple. I'm an aspect. My ultimate will kick in and pull you from the grave if you end up kicking the bucket. Now, just between you and me, I don't normally do this, but I owe my old pal here a bit of a favour, so I'll be casting it on everyone on both sides."

"You're shitting me," said Jules. "It just straight up cheats death?"

"It has a few conditions to it, but you shouldn't have to worry about them," said Ragnar.

"Does that mean we're going to be stuck fighting until someone surrenders?" asked Chloe.

"It will be surrender or first death," said Virillius. "Ragnar is able to determine when his ability triggers, though I'm sure it will be obvious for any observers in either case as there is a brief delay before activation."

"The colosseum is also equipped with a readout that can show a fighter's remaining health and mana, and we have built-in countermeasures for people capable of spoofing their status," said Allegra.

"How convenient," said Arciel.

"We had a more complex version of the display in the works. Unfortunately, our blueprints happened to go up in smoke with Tornatus." Virillius directed his gaze at his daughter, but she pretended not to notice, so he simply continued. "If you flip the page again, you'll find a series of medals. These will provide you the ability to enter the colosseum's VIP lounge from now until the end of the festival. We have reserved an area for your party, though you are welcome to request any adjustments."

"I do not forsee any problems or complaints, but I shall notify you should any arise," said Arciel.

Virillius nodded. "I believe that brings us to housing. Would you like to spend the duration of your stay here in the castle? If not, we can prepare one of the villas for you shortly."

Arciel tapped her fan against her chin.

"If it is not too much trouble, I would rather we remained in the castle."

"Then you will be assigned the same suite as you were during your previous visit," said Virillius. "Let's move on. We plan on hanging a banner for each of the proxy war's participants. Do all of you already have crests? If not, our designers may be able to assist."

So on and so forth the discussions continued.

It wasn't until dinner that the party was finally set free.

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