Author Notes;
Oh boy, oh boy, for the most advanced RM chapter, it's literally nothing short of bringing a super shotgun to a knife fight. For the most recent public release though, not gonna lie, this is quite a surprising turn of event because why not lol
Thank you for sponsoring the needed coffee intake kek.
On a more happier note, Mom is feeling slightly better after all the medicine and therapy. You all are the best for making that happened, you know? So pat yourself on the back and enjoy a nice upcoming weekend!
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For my fics:
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/55793/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich/
https://www.webnovel.com/book/reich-marshal-of-the-belkan-reich_23809095505377305
https://photos.app.goo.gl/waZgkRa3UQhqKQBi9
https://www.scribblehub.com/series/1375924/in-the-grimdark-sector-with-a-system/
Hel: https://postimg.cc/ZvHrJ75S
Lu: https://postimg.cc/NK4ZWBt5
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Respect yourself.
Respect others.
Respect the World.
Respect the Mother Goddess.
These are the tenets that Mommy Hel is evangelizing in today's sermon. A majority of the core teachings of the Yggdrasil Pantheon can be summarised around these four canons, with each of them having a deeper meaning than what's said. Suffice to say, for an all-inclusive religion to maintain its unity, it can never do without any of those principles. Yet, for the people from all walks of life to truly heed the teaching, just walls upon walls of edifying scriptures won't be enough. Proper guidance from someone who possesses unparalleled charisma and an equally impressive understanding of the words being spoken is critical in keeping the flock on the straight and narrow. That someone is, undoubtedly, Mommy Hel.
Mom is a fine preacher, alright, and I meant it with all my heart. As the representative of perhaps the biggest religion in the world currently, Mom attracts an obscene amount of worshippers in her semi-regular sermons. Whenever she steps onto the dais, it's a near guarantee that the number of worshippers coming into the Grand Cathedral will break past five digits and into six. Even other Divines will have to fight for a seat in the lower naves, much less the upper levels, where a more perfect view of the oration can be seen. As for why the Gods and Goddesses compete with one another to listen to another Goddess preaching about the Mother Goddess herself, well, it's because Mom is very great at imparting wisdom and spiritual guidance. A great many people who attend her sessions return with lighter hearts. Even the Divine have their own worries in a modern era that is constantly shifting, and they are not dissimilar to those of the common populace. It's in the Grand Cathedral that, Divines and mortals alike, find their hope, answers, and the will to carry on. Additionally, as a Goddess with her Divinities being Life and Death, Mom radiates peace and tranquility with each word and action. The effects overlap with the special qualities imbued into the very foundation of the Grand Cathedral of Yggdrasil, itself being a quasi-Mystical Artifact with how it's supernaturally constructed on sanctified ground. The combined Holy aura can soothe and calm a great many tensioned and troubled souls.
Mom may not be able to create tangible miracles at will like Elysia and Eden on their many concerts, but no one will ever deny the weight of the lives she has positively affected, even saved. Mom is more than qualified to be the greatest of Saint if she wasn't a Goddess already. Perhaps this is the reason why Mama Lu is so deeply in love with Mom. As the Devil, Mama is paradoxically attracted to what Mommy Hel represented and the serenity she provided.
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When the homily ends and the multi-thousands of people finally leave the Grand Cathedral in a practiced, orderly manner, Mom disappears into the backstage area for around half an hour. From the private chamber Mama and I are staying in, we watch as the droves of worshippers follow the priests and nuns through the many giant wooden gates installed in the South, East, and West of the Grand Cathedral. The Northern side is, of course, not for public access, as that part of the Cathedral hosts the vast majority of the Yggdrasil Pantheon's inner workings.
After the sermon, while many worshippers will no doubt return home to enjoy the rest of this peaceful day, many more will take to the offerings of visiting Berlin's sprawling tourist attractions. Whenever Mom goes to spread the teachings of the Pantheon, the sheer number of people she attracts means good business for all savvy merchants. People moving means flowing capital. A lighter mind and an empty stomach mean money to be spent. The Sanctuary does offer a lot of tourist attractions and certified vendors. However, while the latter is of higher quality, it is limited in terms of offering and quantity, as the Sanctuary doesn't want the chaotic scenes of messy food streets and haggling shoppers. The same doesn't apply outside of the Sanctuary, though, and it's there that a variety of stores and stalls crop up, banding together to tackle the crowds of worshippers leaving the sanctified land. As a result, a lot of Reichsmarks can be made in a single, bustling day by the citizens, provided they keep the pricing and quality reasonable and up to par. The laws are even more strictly enforced by the police in these areas, so if anything is found to be amiss, losing their business license would be the last of their concerns. Coincidentally, these very bustling commercial areas just outside the Sanctuary will be our next destination. We're now just waiting on Mom to join us.
KNOCKKNOCK
... Right on cue.
Erika moves to check the identity of whoever is behind the door first, and after a brief moment, opens it. The person to come inside is none other than Mommy Hel herself. Instead of her black and white regalia from earlier, Mom is adorned in a simple, form-fitting white dress with a black outer coat. Additionally, she is carrying a white purse, and there's a silver cross-shaped ring with a purple gemstone on her index finger. The simple-looking ring, in particular, is none other than the wedding ring Mama proposed to Mom with. As the black, knee-high heels carry Mom toward us, I leap from Mama's lap as I make my way to embrace my other adopted mother.
"That was a great sermon, as always, Mom. I kinda miss the period when I had free time, never to miss your oration." I say sincerely as I am hugged and patted on the head.
Mom takes in a deep, calming breath before responding with a warm, motherly smile. "It would be remiss to discount Aponia's contribution in keeping my speeches so engaging. She's always been the one to have a way with words."
I chuckle, knowing just how invaluable my former orphanage's Matron is when it comes to the art of, let's say, persuasion.
Mom, knowing what I am thinking, boops me on the nose, giggling. "Now, don't you go bother Aponia with something as mundane as intelligence extraction with ONI, you hear. We have trained interrogators for that."
"I know, Mom, I would never think of abusing Aponia's power. I haven't asked Aponia for anything regarding ONI ever since it took off." I acknowledge Mom's concern.
Mom beams at me before turning to Mama, holding out an arm to invite the latter in to form a family circle of just the three of us. As Mama comes to envelop both Mom and me into a hug with her hands and even tail, Mom pulls Mama in for a brief, but audible kiss.
"Really, I hope you all haven't been waiting long. I was held up by a sudden administrative matter." Mommy Hel says apologetically to the two of us.
Mama Lu caresses Mom's cheek tenderly, smiling. "We understand, love, and we didn't wait long, is that right, honey?"
I nod, squinting my right eye comfortably when Mama uses the tip of her thin draconic tail to pat my head up and down out of all things. "Un, the wait really wasn't long, Mom."
"That's good then." Mom breathes a sigh of relief, adding. "Seeing that it's still a bit of time before dinner, shall we go somewhere for a change of scenery?"
Mom then turns to Erika and Lola. "And please, join us, you two, it's not that often I get to see you girls."
Both Erika and Lola stand at attention when addressed by the Spiritual Empress herself before replying. "It will be our honor, Your Majesty."
Mom smiles softly at them, rather than correcting their formality. With the invitation offered, Mama Lu smirks. "Well, since we aren't famished, then I have a couple of places we can take a look around. I don't think any of us has ever been to Asia Town at our leisure, haven't we?"
Both Mom and I share a look before nodding at Mama Lu. Asia Town is exactly what it sounds like. It's a little corner in Berlin that is well-known for hosting a bustling community of Asian immigrants and workers. That said, most of the Town's inhabitants are actually Chinese, with the rest being South Indochina and Japanese expatriates. Asia Town is notable for its drastically different aesthetics and culinary experience. It's indeed a shame that, for the most part, we have only been there for work instead of fun.
Honestly speaking, I am curious to see what Mama Lu has in store there for both of us.
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I am regretting every decision made up to this point.
"How about this?" Once again, another dress is shoved into my arms.
I sigh, accepting my fate, and move back into the dressing room. Counting the last piece, which was cut up by the talented seamstress, I have officially lost count of the number of apparel and accessories that I was forced to put on. Mama Lu, in her grand plan of a date with Mommy Hel and me, thought that it would be a great idea for us all to visit an up-and-coming Japanese dressmaker whose name is Chiori. She is an independent designer and the owner of the fashion brand Chioriya Boutique. And, from what I have seen so far, other than making uniquely beautiful custom attires for individuals, she is an industrious and positively headstrong woman who doesn't hesitate to cut up a painstakingly put together work out of the notion that they will never fit the wearer. In her opinion, the clothes and the person must go hand in hand, and beauty shouldn't be bound by one particular aspect. According to her words, she left Japan because the fashion scene there stifled her growth and creativity. And a confirmation from ONI is all I need to know that she's telling the truth and is clean. In fact, Chiori is one of the underground informants who actively cooperate with ONI in matters concerning Asia Town.
So, for such an impressive seamstress like Chiori to find out that nothing she has on hand can truly elevate my appearance, one can only surmise just how mad she is. Although a good guess can still be made when, in her compulsive anger, Chiori straight-up chops multiple sets of clothes that fail to make the cut with her tailor's knife, material costs be damn. Mama and Mom have been quite straightforward in getting another dress or two from Chiroriya Boutique; even Erika and Lola will go home with an item of apparel each. It's only me who is forced to go under an impromptu fashion show.
As Mama and Mom happily enjoy a feast for the eye at my own expense, the failed clothes are still pretty on me, Chiori, the seamstress, crosses her arms beneath her bosom. Frowning with an appraising look, she asks in near-perfect Belkan.
"Who was it that made your current wardrobe, Marshal?"
I answer with a bit of a wry smile as I fix my eye on the asymmetric dress that I am wearing. "Does the name Elysia and Eden ring a bell, Ms. Chiori?"
The dress I am wearing is quite an alluring piece, a bit too bold for my liking, but it's something that Mama and a few others in the family would no doubt enjoy. Chiori, however, would beg to differ.
Sighing, the seamstress says.
"It will be foolish of me not to know what those names signify. I didn't think that they would be so talented to craft an entire wardrobe for you, though. If there's a chance, I will be honored to consult with them about your specific needs. As it stands, I don't think any mass-produced or limited-production piece will accurately capture or enhance your beauty, Marshal. Everything must be custom-made and unique."
I smile wryly. "Elysia and Eden only make clothes whenever they're done with their concerts, and the results are most certainly wonderful all around. And much like you suspected, the pair never makes anything twice."
As Chiori nods, Mama steps up, saying.
"Which is why I am commissioning you, Ms. Chiori, to tailor a wardrobe that belongs only to the Marshal. As you have seen, the Marshal is a bit of a tomboy, so make it so that she will have both dresses and suits, formal or informal. Money and time are not an issue, but the more you can come up with, the bigger the payout."
Mom adds. "And if the result is satisfactory, we, as Empresses of Belka, will fulfill any request that Chioriya Boutique will have to make, to a reasonable extent, of course."
Chiori turns to my mothers, a hint of surprise is evident on her face. "That is... Mighty generous of you."
She truly didn't mince her words at all, huh. I like that.
"You will really give me that much, just for me to make the Marshal pretty? That's oddly simple." Chiori adds with an even tone.
To this, Mama shrugs. "Look at me in the eye and say that you don't think it's worth investing in something pretty to outfit Yuki with."
Shrugging, the Japanese seamstress answers. "Touche."
What follows is yet another grueling period of body measurement and an interview about my favorite aesthetic and even physical activities. Mama, just what sort of crazy dressmaker have you uncovered in the time I spent steering an entire war, again?