The royal palace was not meant to be a place that one could stroll into.
Alisson made his way inside through various means, trying not to cause a commotion. He could use the invisibility spell, but only for a short time, as he had no items to fortify his meager Nekomata mana supply. This was enough for him to breach the outer perimeter, carefully avoiding guards where he went. Now that he was inside however, he simply walked with confidence toward the Queen's personal abode. He shed his cloak, and simply told people that he was supposed to be there. Some didn't buy it, but they were easily dealt with and made unconscious.
It didn't seem that the Queendom's garrison ever foresaw such a brazen maneuver. It didn't help that if Alisson were fully equipped and ready to shed blood, he could flatten the royal palace – The strongest Kitsune the Queen had to guard her was already being tied down by Celis. Alisson could sometimes hear explosions and rumbles, faintly in the distance, only perceivable by the ears that fluttered sensitively atop his head, which he had used to great effect in aiding his infiltration.
It wasn't long before he was in front of the Queen's throne room, or whatever name the Kitsune had for it. There was a lack of guards here. Alisson pushed open the doors to find them unlocked. The chamber inside was far brighter than the dark outside, as if the walls themselves pulsed with light. In the middle of the room, at the end of a long walkway, was whom Alisson could only assume to be Queen Tsuhagara, sat at an elevated position on a comfortable looking mat.
Alisson began striding toward her as the doors slowly closed.
"You would allow me to walk this hallowed ground?" Alisson asked.
"You didn't slay any of the guards here, you came quietly, and unarmed. I figured you were either a weakling, or that you meant no harm. That is to say, that when you realized that I meant to kill you, you sought me out for peace, and I am quite intrigued by that line of reasoning…So, why have you come?"
The Queen responded in a syrupy voice, fitting of her buxom and mature body. She was adorned in a simple robe, apparel which did little to hide her cleavage. Nine tails to Alisson's count; just like the Crimson Swordsman. Alisson stopped before the elevated platform that the Queen was sat, but did not kneel.
"In truth, I wanted to meet with you from the moment I set foot in the city for far different reasons than those you might now assume, given the context of the day." Alisson began. "But a certain event made it clear that I needed to converse with you now rather than later; lest I risk more harm done for no good reason."
The Queen gave a purr of intrigue. "Let me ask you definitively, Alisson Vi Nuam, do you come here to slay me? I thought you to be the overconfident one, that you would guess that a Queen like me would be helpless…"
Alisson frowned. "As I understand it, all nine-tailed Kitsune are made to pass a rite of combat. You are undoubtedly a strong foe in some way, even being as unarmed as I am. Unfortunately, I would humbly consider myself a formidable opponent all the same." Alisson shook his head. "But, combat is not why I come. I would not attempt to slay the head of a people on such meager whims, nor any of their leaders for that matter."
"Surely you are aware, Alisson, that I have written an order for your death. Do you not hold this over me?"
Alisson shook his head, and stared into the Queen's eyes. "I think I know why you have chosen, or rather been provoked, into going through with this…In truth, it doesn't have anything to do with today, does it?"
The Queen wore a small smile that was hard to decipher, but said nothing, so Alisson continued,
"You saw an argument erupt in your cabinet, and saw a way to curry favor with people on all sides; by doing something you were going to do anyway. Before I continue, may I be assured that this room is private?"
"Yes, Nekomata boy…Nothing leaves this room."
Alisson took a deep breath. His heart was beating quickly, and adrenaline pulsed through him. "The reason you committed to kill me, it was because the Lady Sidonia had asked you, wasn't it?"
The Queen's smile broke larger. "Oh my…What makes you say that?"
Alisson shook his head. "I know the two of you have been in close contact, as well as with Seraph Michaela, and have formed a strong bond in the face of the threats facing your nations…"
"I only desire the prosperity and protection of my people – But, yes, being a part of a trifecta of female autocrats unified against Irine would certainly help."
"Because of your alliance with the Lady, you would take her at her word if she said that I, Alisson Vi Nuam, was a threat to both Sidonia and the Queendom. Or that I was heretic that needed to be dealt with, if circumstance permitted. Is that more or less what she told you?"
The Queen stared into Alisson's eyes. "Before I decide to answer, tell me, what reason do you have to believe that your Lady would even consider betraying and disposing of one of her own; a loyal and powerful servant such as yourself, no less…"
"Because I've seen it happen before." Alisson clenched his fist tightly.
"Oh? Do indulge me, I'd like to hear everything you have to say…"
"I plan to lay all my cards on the table for you to see, your majesty." The Queen smirked, happy to hear that from Alisson apparently, and he continued after a deep breath, "First, I want to tell you about why I believe the attack earlier today took place. My…mate, Celistine Regadonia, had a brother that I believe to have been a high-ranking member of a movement against the Lady Sidonia, us Sidonians would call them heretics. About twenty years ago, the Lady Sidonia knowingly allowed the Regadonian Keep to be sacked, and with it fell the Regadonian family, all of them innocent, save her brother, Rickard Aud Regadonia. He and Celis were the only two to survive, and Rickard took the opportunity to fake his death, and live a life in the shadows as a heretic, and Celis was believed to be the sole survivor by the world."
Alisson sighed. "I slew Rickard not months ago. As such, the heretics want me dead. Which is why I believe the earlier bombing today took place – They wanted to frame me. I know not if they have connections within your cabinet, but I would take heed all the same, for I do not know what their current motives or plans are."
"…So, your Lady allowed a keep to be attacked, and an innocent family was slaughtered…Your mate almost being included…Is this why you believe her to dispose of you now?"
Alisson waved his hand. "Far from it. That's just one fact. The very fact that I am able to accuse Lady Sidonia of ordering my death is in itself one of the reasons why she wants me dead. I have recently had a string of discoveries that have led me to deep introspection about the Lady Sidonia and my own loyalty therein. The Lady probably never thought of me and Celis as large issues, and thought nothing of disposing us…By surviving, I believe we have been elevated from fruit-flies to nuisances. That is to say, she still does not believe we provide a real threat to her and her regime. I intend to keep it that way."
The Queen smirked. "Is this the part where you tell me that you're really a heretic anyway?"
Alisson looked down. "By my country's definition, yes. They would execute me if they heard the words I now speak. But make no mistake." He looked up to the Queen. "I do not associate myself with those fools. Their methods are disgusting."
"It appears that you are in quite the hard place then, Alisson Vi Nuam. If what you have said is true, then everyone is an enemy to you. You are alone."
Alisson fell silent for a moment. "…Yes. It's just me and Celis. The only other person to be made aware of our predicament, would be you, Queen Tsuhagara."
"What exactly would you do if I told you that the decision to put you to death was solely my own? And what if I relayed to the Lady the words that you spoke to me?"
Alisson looked down, his fist tightening. "I would respect your decision, and I would leave. I would be exiled from both nations, and I would need to gather my strength in obscurity."
The Queen looked slyly down at Alisson.
"Well then, Alisson, it's quite a gamble you're taking right now, aren't you?"
"I was never a betting man, but circumstances have forced my hand."
The Queen continued on smirking at him, "What if I told you Sidonia did happen to send a letter informing me that you were a Nekomata that was of sly tongue and charisma, and would make up any number of stories to paint himself as a tragic hero, and that he was really a deceitful and chaotic bundle of hatred, a heretic down to the bone."
Alisson grit his teeth. "Then I would tell you that I do not believe that the zealous nature of our people, human and Nekomata, can be justified by serving the greater good that is the Lady Sidonia. I would tell you that I plan to oppose her." He clenched his hands. "And that I intend to win."
He looked up to her. "And then, I would ask of your support, when the time comes."
The Queen grinned at Alisson. "Come hither, and sit."
The Queen pet her lap. Alisson took another deep breath, and realized his heart was beating quickly. This was not only a gamble, but an exposure of things he'd kept bottled up ever since learning about them. Alisson accepted the Queen's offer, and mounted the elevated platform the Queen was on, where a couple mats for meeting were laid out. He slowly sunk down onto one of them.
"Alisson, I offered you a seat…"
The Queen continued to pet her lap. Alisson frowned, blushing. "I am a dignified man speaking of a serious issue, I would prefer you do not trivialize my resolve."
The Queen smiled. "But you're also a scared young boy, wary of repercussions and beset on all sides by enemies. You don't catch a break, and you never ask for one either; that's what kind of person you are…Please, it is rude to deny me further."
Alisson frowned. "Then consider me rude."
"Fine then..." She acquiesced.
Alisson couldn't tell whether her request was coming from a place of genuine care or that Kitsune mischief he had grown all-to-accustomed to. It seemed it was in the Kitsune blood to soothe tension through one's body, either through a bath, or through physical contact. Alisson couldn't say he disliked the idea.
"Then come hither, and swear that all you have said has been true."
She extended her hand at Alisson. He came closer, and knelt, taking her hand. "I swear it." He looked into her eyes for a moment, before placing a kiss upon her hand.
"Then, Alisson, consider us allies." She spoke softly. "There are many specifics I would like to hear, but I believe you to be true, and just, in your actions and words."
Alisson let out a sigh of relief. "Then…Is it true? Was I right?" Alisson peered up at the Queen.
She had a small, melancholic smile. "Yes, Alisson. Sidonia labeled you a heretic. I apologize for treating your life with so little value."
Alisson closed his eyes. "I understand the position you have been placed in, I hold no malice over you." His voice trailed off. "Now that I have your word, I can speak upon deeper secrets."
The Queen listened intently with that little smile of hers.
Alisson started after a deep breath, "Let's begin by addressing the fact that there is a second Sidonian unit operating in the city…"
The night continued. Words were exchanged by which nations would fall.
…
The sun would be rising soon. Him and Celis reconvened on a beach outside the city, and watched the ocean as he filled her in. Partway through his conversation with the Queen, she had given orders to the Crimson Swordsman to cease aggression, and Celis warily followed suit.
Apparently, the Crimson Swordsman had offered Celis a shot of sake in the moments after their battle, to which she accepted. The Swordsman had thrown down the glass, shattering it, and Celis followed suit, not understanding what it meant. He had to tell Celis that the Swordsman had recognized Celis as a formidable ally for the future.
"Everything that's happened tonight will be covered up." Alisson said quietly as they stood, overlooking the starry night. "You did well, Celis. I believe I achieved our main goals in being here."
Celis peered up at him, listening intently.
"The Queen has taken measure of my character, and deemed our cause worthy. She has granted us various permissions, among them the ability to visit their most sacred archives, and to ascertain the Moonlight Cannon."
"So…" Celis asked warily. "Will she protect us from Sidonia?"
Alisson shook his head. "It's not a matter of being protected. I made a comprehensive agreement with the Queen. She only stands to gain, and is at little risk of harm. It is simply a pledge of support for the future. That is to say, that if we fail here, she loses nothing, and nothing changes for her country, and she will continue to be allied to Sidonia. This is despite being told of all of Sidonia's little secrets from which our Lady would want none to hear."
"So then…What do we have to do?"
"The Queendom is in no place for drastic action with Irine about." Alisson tightened his fist. "We agreed upon a human-first policy; That is to say, the threat of the humans must be dealt with before we bring our ire to Sidonia." Alisson looked out across the water. "The Irine Principality…must be destroyed."
"…What!? Alisson, that's one of the three largest human nations! We can't do that on our own!"
"Not on our own, no. We will need an army. The plans for the future in my head are beginning to shape and form, I think I know how I can take command of an army, and use it to bring Irine to bear."
"But Sidonia won't promote you to be a general, she wants to get rid of us…"
"No, but you don't have to be a general to lead an army." Alisson retorted. "The Queen informed me that the Holy Angelic Country of Angela will most likely give me the same response. That is to say, I must meet with Seraph Michaela in the near future to formalize our agreement, and I will similarly tell her my intentions to bring Irine to its knees."
The two stood in silence as the sun began to rise over the ocean, hearing the tides crashing against the coast.
"Are you scared, Celis?"
"Of course I am…" She pouted. "Are you?"
Alisson smiled. "More than I have ever been in my life."
He had dedicated his entire life in service to his Lady, to his nation, to his people, and now, he had taken the first step in openly opposing them. This was for himself and Celis, for his kin, for the betterment of the world. Alisson told himself this, but he knew that there was no greater drug for man to invent than that of a righteous cause for violence. He would tell others it was for the world, that Sidonia needed to be ousted, that she was a threat to all of the Nekomata, but in reality, it was all just so that he and Celis could have a peaceful future.
"It feels like in comparison to tonight, the rest of our threats here in the Queendom are pitiful…" Alisson remarked. "The purge of Irinian assets will begin within the week; and the separatists and the heretics are sure to try to do something to stop us. After that…We will wait as Irine makes their reaction to our operation known; They may even invade the Queendom outright as result."
"Wouldn't that make the Queen not want us to kill all the Irinians here…?"
"She resolved that it would happen one way or another. She has already been assured by our Lady that in the event of an invasion, the Sidonian 5th and 6th armies will make a renewed push, and attempt to aid the Queendom. The ensuing chaos may be a boon to help further cloak our movements."
He turned, and began to walk from the beach. It was time to return to the embassy.
They arrived to find bodies around the perimeter. The embassy had been attacked.
***