Everyone in the room introduced themselves to Corvin. There were four people other than Noah and himself, who were the core members of the group. There were other members who didn't attend the meetings, mostly commoners who were recruited because of their skills and members of some noble families.
"As I said, my name is Andy Sitta. I am the current head of the Sitta family, a viscountcy in the northwest of the Empire."
Corvin smiled and shook his hand once again. Then, he turned and reached his hand towards the next person at the table.
It was a woman with dark red, curly hair. She had no accessories on her head, and one of her ears was missing an earlobe. While she was reaching her hand to Corvin, he could see some muscle bulge out of her arm. Even though she didn't have the muscles of a warrior woman like Acherie , she still had some physical training. She looked to be in her late thirties and her light brown eyes always seemed angry, even when she was smiling as she held Corvin's hand and shook it.
"My name is Roz Falyn. I am here to represent the Piscin resistance."
"The Piscin resistance?"
"Yeah? Do you think the recent conquest in Piscea was just to help people? There are many of our city states that didn't want to be under the Empire but were threatened to do so. Even more after the Septen war. And, because my family had been a tributary under the Empire for years, I was chosen as their representative."
"I see..."
Corvin nodded and shook her hand. As they pulled their hands back, Corvin noticed something about her hand and asked.
"Uhm... If it's okay to ask, what happened to your hand?"
"Oh this?"
Roz pointed towards the three golden rings on her middle finger, forefinger and thumb. When the three rings came next to each other, they took the shape of a whale decorated with small gems in a modest way.
"This is just our family heirloom. I know, a ring like this is not common in the south but, isn't it pretty?"
"..."
Roz smiled wider and snickered. Even though her eyes still looked slightly angry, she had a beautiful and mature smile.
"I am joking. You are talking about the missing finger, right?", she said, pointing at her missing ring finger of her right hand.
Corvin nodded.
"It was a punishment from the time I tried to fight against the Emperor. I was inexperienced and hotheaded. I quickly lost and this was the result. I am lucky I wasn't executed."
Corvin remembered the meaning of fingers in the north. It was a common belief in Piscea and the north of the Empire that holding up three fingers side by side meant different things depending on the fingers. The thumb, forefinger and middle finger represented power. The forefinger, middle finger and ring finger together represented loyalty, be it for the country or a lover. And the middle finger, ring finger and the pinkie together represented respect and love.
Cutting someone's ring finger would mean they are a person unworthy of loyalty, respect and love. While not a serious disability, the meaning of the punishment was only better than cutting her middle finger. A punishment that is a disgrace for a ruler like her.
"I-I see... I am sorry."
"For what? Because you are from the Empire? We are working together against the Emperor aren't we? And, I don't need pity from a boy younger than my own son!", she said as she lightly patted Corvin's head.
After that, the next person to introduce themselves was someone familiar to him, with his reddish brown hair and black eyes that looked like his pupils were too big. He had slightly wide shoulders for his height and had a silver necklace with a small ship figure on it.
"Ah. Russet?"
"Hey! What a surprise, isn't it? Seeing a classmate here..."
"Yeah, what are you doing here?"
"Are you really asking that?"
"Well, no actually, I know why you are here. But I thought your family had a good relationship with the Emperor."
"We had to, didn't we? Our territory is next to theirs and we are cornered by the coast to the west. Also, keeping a good relationship with them was good for our trade, but you know how it is recently. Instead of dealing with the privateers, that Emperor is just waiting for an advantageous time to wage an all out war..."
"Yeah, I can guess. Well, I guess we are now more than classmates. Russet Parres, nice to meet you."
"Yup. Nice to meet you as well, Corvin Mundy."
They shook hands. There was only one person remaining, the butler. A symbol was woven to his uniform's chest. A peacock with it's tail wide open. The many colors and details showed the expert craftsmanship of whoever made the uniform to everyone. The collar of the vibrant dark blue uniform was decorated with small dark green feathers at his nape, likening him to the symbol of the family.
"I am Bely, the butler of Cole Pevo, the Duke. For this meeting, I will be representing the Duke because he is busy with something else."
Corvin took a step back in shock.
"Th-The Duke?! Why?! Isn't the Duke the father of the Empress?!"
"Yes."
"Then why is he a part of this?"
"The Duke simply wants to save his daughter."
"What?"
This time, Noah answered Corvin's answer.
"Actually, when I was gathering allies, I got caught by the Duke. I thought I was going to lose my life there, but the Duke just said I knew it and offered help."
"Why?"
"He thinks what we are doing was bound to happen."
"Hm?"
"Please let me explain my master's reasoning.", said the butler.
"Sure.", said Noah.
"The Duke is unsatisfied with the Emperor. The last two Emperors weren't as good as he wanted them to be. Even though he tried to talk about it with both of them, both Emperor's suspected him of rebellion and pressured him to make sure he didn't. Especially since the latest developments, he was sure something like this was going to happen. The Duke doesn't see the Empire winning a war against it's own people, so he decided to support this cause to save his own daughter."
"...If he didn't like the last two Emperor's, then why did he marry his daughter to the Emperor?"
"The marriage between the Emperor and the Empress Consort is a love marriage. It wasn't based on benefits. She liked the Emperor, and the Duke couldn't say no to his daughter."
"I see. That is quite unusual in nobility, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is."
"Phew~ I thought we were in trouble."
"Don't worry. Everything is going smoothly... Not that we have done much yet. Speaking of that, let's talk about what we will do from now on.", said Noah.
"Finally.", huffed Andy.
Noah got up with enthusiasm and started talking.
"The newspaper we published, along with the other's inspired by ours, are agitating the people. There is an ongoing protest outside Altarce Palace as we speak. Both the people and the Emperor are starting to get violent, and I even have reports of some mobilization. Probably, the Emperor has started to gather the army."
"Tch He really is getting ready to fight a war, isn't he. I hoped he would back down and give some concessions already...", muttered Russet.
"It's not a surprise for me, to be honest...", said Roz.
"Yes, things don't look too good, it is almost guaranteed blood will be shed. So, we must make sure the blood that will be shed will make actual change rather than small appeasements. We have an advantage in weapons. Our company is the only one that is allowed to produce rifles currently. That may change when the Emperor gets suspicious of us, but we still have another advantage. We are working on better designs that won't be sold to anyone other than our side until this whole thing ends.
But don't get complacent. We still have a big problem. Sure, we might have the Duke on our side, but the Pevo Family is famous for their craftsmanship, not military power. The same goes for most of us here, we have a lot of money, but we lack military professionalism and experience."
"Oh, you read my letter?", asked Roz.
"Yes. As you wrote on that letter, Mrs. Roz, we lack a professional army. We have a lacking leadership... Especially when we are against the biggest headache for an enemy of the Empire..."
"Who is that?", asked Corvin, with unease tugging at his heart.
"....", Noah didn't speak for a while.
"I-Is it your dad?"
"...Yes. We will have to fight against my dad..."