Tenth author's journal 2: Mikhail

26_First decree

Chapter 26: Exchanging novelty

The blood moon ball has been over for a day. Ragnorr has been watching me since I entered the ballroom because I still feel cheated after the sacrificial goat's selection. Such dirty tactics he used, suggest I leave while preparing for the limelight to trap me under obligation.

He told me to set up a meeting at Saudade's palace a week later. This unnecessary impediment is exhausting. The dark bishop was shocked to learn that I would be the sacrificial goat and refused any summons I requested from his servants.

I'm afraid of the rising moon now that dusk has fallen over Saudade. A burdensome task has fallen upon my needy and naive self, without a glimpse of the preferable knowledge at hand. I should take a short break from the garden.

I slam the door open and drag my feet outside. The two guards outside the office greet me. I bid them farewell with a nod of approval as the sky darkened. The tiresome Andromalius has occupied the same white table. His massive structure has been so obstructive that I can only see a slouching gorgon on the near side of the water fountain.

The tea is cold, and the fruits are half-eaten. I guess he has a rough idea of how demon representatives in the past were mysteriously killed. Is he really concerned about that? I clean up the soiled glass table and make another pot of dandelion tea for the fruits... Midnight snacks are bad for posture when consume without restraint, so I avoid putting them on the table.

"Don't get discouraged, Mikhail. You must have known how the demon who sat on the world table died, didn't you?" Andromalius reminds me to search my memory for an event that occurred during my previous life in the garden of promise, whether it was caused by the angel or a third party...

None of the falsehoods in that library can be recalled. The world's table has just made itself known after I attend the blood moon ball.

"No, there isn't a record in the library, and Kushiel hasn't mentioned it other than eliminating an important demon for the world." It was briefly mentioned when Kushiel frequently displayed his accomplishments whenever he got his hands on me. Those aren't recorded as Sariel was deeming them unsuitable for my study and useless in the long run.

It took a while for me to deduce my sense of right and wrong, that is the only I find salvageable of Kushiel's existence. Even if my judgment is faulty, I still have free will.

"If my deduction is correct, it is due to the 6th archangel, then we have nothing to fear." I know how to handle Kushiel; the issue was discipline, and I was afraid of the consequences. Afraid that when I recoil even a little, my existence would be discarded. It is useless now that I have freed and no longer stand behind the validation of pa.

Seeing now how pa was always opposed to Kuishel's experiment with me, he would have let me dispose of him; so I guess now that he is the weakest link in the archangels' line, killing him will not alarm others. Lambert is secretly working with us, and Zadkiel is only interested in his beasts, so those two are out of the question. Gabriel…I wonder whether he will stand beside me.

"The sixth archangel?  The former is God's purpose tool, those who have no sense of deception but were gathered into the sealing. I'm not familiar with your sixth archangel. As you stated, this is the third time I've seen Lord Micheal be this...freed." Andromalius regards his memory as wise as he is. Lord Azazel, not me, was the third archangel he faced. The old system was based on devotion. In the past, the experience was more important than power or authority.

"You have caught on quickly, Andromalius. As both sides consisted most of the misinformation, the only option is to deduct which are truths and lies." I propose, given there isn't much time to spare so we have to piece them before things go bad.

"For the 6th archangel, Kuishel is not the former you knew off. He is the human inquisitor before gaining the title of an archangel. As humans praised him to be a saint. However, the only power he possessed is bounding spell and small-scale holy spells." Kushiel as he was the inquisitor was praised not for his magic but for devotion to the craft of heretic extermination, isolating one of society and brutally torturing them for confession. A tool no more no less, must thing has gone better way Kushiel would have been discarded much earlier.

"I see, just a cheap imitation of the original. Were there any archangels who were the same as before?" Andromalius inquires. His suspicion stays true as the only survivors of the disaster are ma and pa.

"The current first and second are the former 11th and 12th. They escaped the sealing because they are shielded by God's protection." I don't want to mention their name, so I just say their previous hierarchy. Andromalius's eyes widen in recoil at what I have said

"Do you mean Lord Sariel and Lady Jophiel? It wasn't expected for both of them to flee." Andromalius muses. Why did he add a suffix to those? I only use "lord" and "lady" when I'm being respectful; is he still respecting those egoistic maniacs?

"Andromalius, why the suffix?  I thought you were fighting them." I mutter, unsure how comfortable it makes Andromalius. I feel guilty for throwing such a tantrum after seeing how Andromalius sighed.

"True, but they were the sepharim, and I was a strength of Authority. So it was only as a courtesy from the past." Andromalius mentions earlier days when angels, instead of being treated equally as God intended, spit themselves among how favorable they are to God. Such as those created by "lord" and "lady" before humanity creates a society.

"I'm sorry for mocking your courtesy, Andromalius. I hold a grudge against them as my parents, so they irritate me when their names are mentioned." I intend to end this conversation here, clicking my tongue. However, Andromalius' surprised expression indicates a different outcome.

"Wait, did I hear correctly? Parents? I recall that neither demons nor angels can have children through mortal intercourse...you don't mean." As I suspected, he was thinking of an abomination such as a Nephilim or half-angel, which do not live long because they are a flaw in the world system. There is no record of them, so they must have survived in some way. However, because there aren't many primordial angels left after the sealing, they may not have existed.

"Am I the result of mortal and angel intercourse? Obviously not. I am...it's difficult to explain, but I am a mocking attempt to create an archangel." I retell the story of my birth, but it's less about the "lessons" and more about how my body functions and the "rebirth" problem. I'd trust him with my body after seeing how he carried my corpse to safety the last time.

"In truth, I was already aware of your unique physique but not your origin.  It comes as a surprise to me that Sariel is now creating homunculus. Is there anything God has against it?" Andromalius is curious. Truthfully… The question has perplexed me. I haven't known of his true existence, let alone giving him an audience because I have had no knowledge of it.

"I don't think God will ever because he has returned to the chamber and barred anyone from entering." As silence engulfs us once more, I confess. Allow me to refill the cold teapot once more. At the very least, the bitterness of dandelion can keep us awake during this tiring time.

"How much has changed since then..." Andromalius laments the past, and I see a glimmer of regret in his eyes. It's so pitiful that I can't help but frown.

Sitting in silence in the garden, we both realize how pointless it is to continue this meaningless exchange. Assorting is required before a plausible joint history can be made, regardless of how our views change after a session of confession.

Neither of us can let go of the unfathomable truths we've heard, glimpses of prior rebellion for me, and my details of birth for Andromalius.

"However, that isn't our primary concern right now.  We should talk about it another time. Let us make preparations for the guide, your majesty." Andromalius motioned for me to return to my work. I nodded and went about my business as usual.

Kryos frequently sends letters of encouragement through the royal messenger during such dire times. Encouraging...they are words of wisdom like "Screw over those princes..." or "You shouldn't stand to abide by their control." It's a lot of fun to watch him get worked up about me and tell me to run away.

"Ah, both majesties forbidden is such fun.  So, when will the juicy part come?" Every time Ash delivers, he cracks a joke. "It will never happen because we aren't that close either," I always answer.

Workload has steadily increased since Saudade's change to my rule, and previously unheard complaints are being sent as I slowly build my image. The improvements are being implemented at a tremendous speed, with less resistance than the previous one in Aeterna.

However, it will take months to complete, so some citizens will have to sleep in temporary camps built on vacant land next to the market. So Ragnorr's visit will be entertaining.

The end

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So a kingdom has been created.

Have its law, so it citizens.

What next will it come?

Conquest....war never changes.