"Well… human society has strong religious values and they are kind. They are not the strongest or the wisest, but it is funny how everyone lives together with a certain equality. It is true that they can be a bit distant with foreigners but it does not take long for them to treat them as another member of their kingdom. The church is usually strict, but not many have bad intentions and there are cities where we strive so that other races can live together with humans."
I don't know much about the subject, but it seems that the church has great influence in the Imperial Continent. They are divided into two factions: the Pope's faction, which promotes the equality of life and the values of the nature of true religion. And the Cardinal's faction, which promotes the rejection and expulsion of demons; claiming earthly rights for the original human race over all other species of life. The Kingdom of the Divine Empire maintains good foreign relations with the other continents of the world thanks to King Philmonharg Medicis being a devout follower of the Papist faction of the church.
It is not difficult to discern that there must be many internal problems between the two factions. But the Pope's faction has more power on its side and many more believers behind it: both Commoners and influential Nobles, both support conservatism.
Visiting the Divine Empire Realm wouldn't be a bad idea during my current development. I've decided on that.
"It sounds fascinating... There are many stories about your kingdom: about the different races living in harmony with humans in the Phantom Capital." Ruby said.
That's a complex topic, but I'm surprised Ruby has enough confidence to ask him about it.
Humans rejected other races for many centuries, but thanks to the birth of the Papist faction and the New Testament in the religious beliefs of the original church, they began to welcome other non-human races and expand their political relations outwards.
The influence and power of the Divine Empire gradually grew. That was why the Pope's faction overwhelmingly led the Cardinal's faction; because many humans were already familiar with and even formed families with the Beast People of the Sacred Forest and other races from different continents.
But the Cardinal's power has taken an unusual boost these days.
"Yes, in the Capital City of Phantom, the races can coexist together without problems and we support them as if they were part of our own kingdom. We, the Medicis, are committed to the good cause until the end of our reign."
The Medicis family has issues with the Cardinal faction and surely the expulsionist faction must be looking for any sign of weakness on the part of the Medicis to make them step down from the throne of the Divine Empire through a Revolution and place on the throne an expulsionist family of the High Nobles of Phantom; they want a family that is easy to manipulate for their interests, but they would not expose those feelings without first being very careful.
"I would like to visit that kingdom sometime… many great blacksmiths from my kingdom are there and they have given good references about the Divine Empire Kingdom." Ruby said with a smile. The other princesses nodded with smiles on their faces.
It seems that they all share good references about the Imperial Continent.
These are the fruits of the Medicis' efforts during many years of war with their relentless Campaign to promote Rights and Integration.
Galystia smiled to herself in satisfaction. If she is striving to promote the noble sentiments of the Medicis family... then she is succeeding, as the princesses of every kingdom in the world are on her side.
"Now that I am the last one, I will proceed to talk about my home," Ruby said. "My kingdom is very adaptable to new things and they tend to be warm with foreigners. They like to help others and there is always harmony between dwarves; they value art and work where the effort invested is worthy of praise. They tend to be strict with many things and harsh when something does not have the effort they think is necessary, but they make up for it with alcohol. Drinking alcohol is the main motivation for us. You are always welcome if you want to know interesting things in the Metal Kingdom."
Dwarves are hard workers and very resilient warriors, but their weakness is alcohol.
They enjoy and respect alcohol above all else. They even hold alcohol duels to decide many things, such as bets and personal duels.
For some it may sound absurd, but many have lost their own belongings in those clashes.
That's not something to be taken lightly. But the dwarf's blacksmith community is still somewhat interesting.
Round 4
"Pwuaaah!" Farys was already expressing herself strongly in the fourth round. This point also intoxicated the other princesses.
I have to admit that this alcohol gets heavier with each sip. Neither of them wanted to throw in the towel, but it's only a matter of time.
Those who remained unfazed were Ruby and Ryujinzhu...
Are they veteran drinkers?
"I hate it!" Farys said in a heavy voice.
"Oh? What are you talking about, Farys?" Hilyana asked.
"My parents are stubborn!" After looking at the edge of her empty beer glass, Farys continued sadly. "When I graduate from college… I'll have to consider marrying some potential member of my kingdom… but I don't want to." She pouted cutely as she said it.
"Eh… I understand your feelings," Hilyana added. "The same fate awaits me at home…"
With that answer, it was revealed that the same cruel fate awaited Galystia, Asthia, and Ruby.
Aphril wanted to hide it, but the signs of drunkenness were already visible on his face.
"Uhm! I don't have those problems yet." Aphril said indifferently. It seemed the same was true for Ryujinzhu, who didn't say anything in particular but nodded in agreement with what Aphril said.
"My family is in no hurry with that matter, as I am the one who will decide when the time comes… but it will surely come sooner or later." The silent Ryujinzhu said after a long silence, and as she looked at her glass of alcohol with a thoughtful look, she muttered to herself while frowning. "That idea bothers me a little."
Oh? This is the first time I've heard a complaint from you... I think I discovered something interesting from you.
Keep drinking Ryujinzhu! I want to pry into your thoughts while you remain in that state.
Come on!
But one part of this conversation is very true: women do not have an easy path. Since their destinies depend on many factors compared to men... and even more so in cases associated with nobility and kingdoms.
"B-but I won't give up!" Farys said with a slurred pronunciation.
I wouldn't be surprised if Farys is the first to fall. She's very drunk.
"Yes!" shouted the faction of princesses who rebel against their destiny.
This is the birth of the Women's Freedom of Choice Movement!
It's funny to see this side of princesses. We all have a selfish opinion about what we want for our ideal future.
Round 5
Farys was the first to fall, followed by Hilyana. Galystia seemed to be holding on but would soon reach her limit, as would Asthia and Aphril. Ryujinzhu didn't seem too affected and Ruby remained as she had been since the beginning... or so I'd like to say: her face was a little flushed and she seemed a little more docile.
As for me... I can still go on.
"For a human like you, Lucius, to remain this stable up to this point, that means you are someone experienced. Isn't that so?" Ruby asked.
"I'm not a fan of alcohol, but I can handle it thanks to my manly nature. But unlike you, who, despite being princesses, seem to be able to handle several rounds of high-quality beer just fine."
"I only make use of my dwarf genetics, but I am not a frequent drinker." After saying that, she looked at Ryujinzhu. "What about Ryujinzhu? You seem to be someone experienced in the matter."
"I don't understand it either. Maybe it's just my nature, just like you."
"Oh? So you two are formidable opponents."
"Don't leave us out!" Galystia bursts in. The staggering Aphril nodded in response as did Asthia…
Not to belittle them, but they won't be around for long.
"I-I'm sorry, girls, the alcohol is just not letting me think through what I want to say," Ruby quickly apologizes.
"I'll prove it! Pour another round!" he said with a confident expression.
She becomes more aggressive and competitive when she gets drunk.