Round in perimeter, the discussion hall held as much solemnity as it did constant banter. Decades—if not centuries of discourse and dispute were the very reason this oriel space continued to remain. In periods where political tension broiled low, and economic growth prospered and flourished, wealthy investors and traders had opted and bid countless times to transform the room into a party or dance hall.
Of course, Emperor Katsuki—alongside his own mother, were revolted by the idea. War, efficiency, and lack of mellowness was paramount.
Within the hall was a round table, much like the room itself in shape. Around the table were fifteen high-back chairs, each engraved with a specific symbol. Anyone vying to discuss agricultural production would be situated in the seat with a symbol of wheat, while those fixated on war and combat would be accommodated to either a seat with a sword or spear symbol.
It didn't take a genius to guess why there was more than one war chair.
As Emperor Izuku pushed open the two massive doors, their stone frames creaked and groaned loudly. As he got himself situated in a personal chair—one commissioned for a ruler, his gaze shifted to Emperor Katsuki, who had prompted his boots onto the table like the latter didn't have a care in the world. For someone who prioritized war and conflict, it didn't surprise Izuku that he was doing this to begin with.
At this moment, another figure stepped through the door. Clad in a long brown coat and servants attire, he strode over to the table with a plate in hand. On the plate was a teapot and a small stack of teacups. Upon a glance, he didn't look that unordinary. But when one would put in effort, they could spot the fluffy, almost canine-like ears protruding past his mop of brown hair, alongside his bushy tail slackly trailing behind them, giving a feeble twitch every once in a while.
"They sent the dog?" Emperor Katsuki sneered, glancing in the direction of the almost canine servant.
"If that's too much of an issue, I'll pencil-dive off the castle to save you the trouble." His lips twitched into an almost mocking smile as he served the emperor some scalding black tea—almost overflowing the cup on purpose.
After doing this, he took a step back, his tail flicking back and forth as the emperor picked up the mug with his gauntlet-covered hands, bringing it to his lips. At this moment, his eyes widened as he spat the tea out, coating the table in front of him.
"You never told me it would be that hot!"
Hearing this, the brown-haired canine-like servant scoffed, his grip on the now empty plate quivering slightly.
"You never told me the temperature you wanted." His mocking smile remained on his face, something that seemed to aggravate the emperor even more.
But, instead of engaging with brute, unkindled force, Emperor Katsuki pushed the teacup away with a low groan, the veins in his head bulging slightly. He folded his arms over his chest, the armor creaking as he did so.
"Leave, or maybe I'll toss you myself."
The servant's furry ears twitched in his brown hair as he turned around, walking out of the hall as he cursed under his breath. Kael, who had been silently assessing the entire interaction, finally spoke up as he bit into a slab of meat.
"You should treat your servants more cordially, then you wouldn't have to worry about them stabbing you in the back."
His words hung in the air, only for Emperor Katsuki to suck them into one ear and out the other. "Like they'd be able to do anything to me."
"Is that how your mother would've acted? Belittling the elementary combat training of the servants?" Kael leaned forward, wiping the corner of his lips with a clean rag.
Emperor Katsuki silently sunk in his chair, huffing like an immature child. His lower lip puffed out, quivering ever so slightly. Emperor Izuku, who also saw the interaction occur, couldn't help but huff as he rubbed his glabella.
"Anyways, you inquired about my findings?" Kael stood up from his chair, walking over to the large circular window that stood multiple meters tall.
Outside, the gloomy, almost morbid atmosphere of the Katshin Empire came into view. The streets were nearly barren—with snow piling about a foot in height. The citizens of the empire slugged through the street, their faces pale and adorned with dark circles. Even the children, usually bright and plump, exhibited clear—almost disturbing signs of malnourishment.
Kael's analytical crimson eyes raked over the grizzly slight, only for Emperor Katsuki's clear-cut voice to sever the perceptive sight-seeing. His elven, pointed ears twitched as he looked back to the emperor, clearing his throat.
"Yes, Seraphis Kingdom..."
At this moment, Kael dug into his silk trousers, taking out what appeared to be a gold coin. On one face of the coin was a man with curled hair, a prominent, almost sharp nose, and a solemn expression. On the backside of the coin was a field, filled to the rim with stalks of corn and wheat, alongside an insignia of a beautiful woman cradling a fawn.
"...truly a remarkable place."
Both emperor's gaze remained fixated on the coin, noticing how its golden shell glistened in the dim lighting of the candles. Emperor Izuku cleared his throat as he spoke in a low voice.
"You bear currency that's invaluable here, why?"
"Well," Kael flipped the coin with his forefinger, catching it in the center of his calloused palms. It landed on the face with the crops and insignia. In the dim lighting, the face of the woman smiled down onto the crops, silently blessing the crops—and the people, with a bountiful harvest. "Their currency is contradictory to say in the manner that gets through his head."
Kael extended his other hand, tapping the forehead of Emperor Katsuki. The blonde-haired ruler gritted his teeth, cursing under his breath. He quickly refrained the urge to attack, clenching his fists taut to distract his habitual, blood-driven instincts.
"Elaborate." Emperor Izuku arched an eyebrow, his expression turning analytical, almost deeply skeptical.
Kael turned to the green-haired man with freckles, nodding his head. His crimson eyes drifted back to the face of the coin as he kept speaking.
"My voyage has been prosperous, but their current situation is not. To be completely honest, I'm disappointed your ambassador hasn't contacted you personally."
"I didn't want to hear about carrots," Emperor Katsuki raised his arms behind his head, leaning back in his chair as it creaked under his weight.
"Well, if you looked past the normalcies of that report, you'd uncover countless issues. I would have told you everything in the throne room, but I fear this is of utmost importance, a subject both figures of prestige must hear and think about."
Kael tucked the coin back into his pocket as he turned back around to face the window, his expression unreadable. "Your off-site garrisons are on the brink of starvation. Apparently, even amidst their agricultural and technological advances, the harshness of winter is plummeting their food production this year... something that's never occurred before."
Hearing the situation, Emperor Izuku exchanged a glance with his comrade, his brows furrowing a little. "Could it be that their technological advances are beginning to stagnate?"
Without waiting for any feedback, he kept speaking. "I've recalled myths and legends. When Gods are angry, they'd unleash famine and chaos upon their believers."
Emperor Katsuki sneered, now smirking. "We haven't heard anything about Gods in forever. According to your little fables, Mother Nature fled into hiding after the cataclysm."
"And..." he leaned forward, his expression also changing to a certain extent. "Why would She want to do such a thing? I still remember the stories you'd tell Hazel—if she really was as benevolent and compassionate as your tales say, either they were written by a phony or even the Gods are good liars."
"Sacralidge!" Emperor Izuku turned around, furrowing his brows.
Something in his emerald eyes flickered, and he let out a quiet sigh. His shoulders sagged as he eased his nerves. Emperor Izuku walked back to his seat, readjusting himself. After a few moments of silence, Kael spoke once again.
"Maybe your majesty's myths are true, and the Gods have wrought havoc upon us. But, let's focus on something less out-of-our-control."
He turned back to the duo, his expression still as indescribable as before. "Good rulers know how to make decisions quickly, so ...what do you have in mind?"
Emperor Izuku raised his hand, silently signalling to the others in the room.
"I suggest having our ambassador stay in Seraphis Kingdom longer than anticipated. If we can accumulate more knowledge than anticipated, perhaps he can give us valuable insight on the current status of the kingdom. For example, what if they're starving too and unable to fend for themselves?"
"And, they're the backbone of us in terms of food too."
Kael abruptly cleared his throat, scoffing. "Wasn't he scheduled to find out more regarding the Adligon Clans? If we are to also invite them to our political landscape, we must appear as solemn and presentable as possible."
Emperor Izuku turned to him, slowly shaking his head as he spoke. "New alliances can wait, current ones are in threat of jeopardization."
"Ahh, I see someone in this room's intelligent enough to listen and make good decisions." Kael turned to Emperor Katsuki, his smile twitching almost playfully.
"Hah, like you'd do anything better than me!" Emperor Katsuki slammed his hand on the circular table, sending small ripples through his untouched cup of black tea.
Emperor Izuku suddenly clenched his throat, coughing furiously as he collapsed to his knees. The skin on his left cheek began to ripple and pulse, with pink, fleshen tendrils protruding in an insectoid fashion. Emperor Izuku shot up from his chair, rushing over to him.
"Goddamnit, you're coughing again..."
He quickly wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulder, helping him to his feet. Emperor Izuku's feet buckled beneath his armor, threatening to give way if he dared to do little as walk.
"I'll help you back to your quarters." Emperor Katsuki's grip tightened as he slowly made his way to the towering stone doors.
Kael watched from the sidelines, his sharp eyes ever the more analytical. His gloved hands remained clasped behind his back as he watched the duo depart without saying a word. As the stone door opened and closed, accompanied by Emperor Katsuki making curses in relation to its weight, the crimson-haired man couldn't help but shake his head as a faint slimmer of disapproval crossed his expression.
Once he was alone, he turned back to the large, oriel window—peering outside at the snow-covered streets below, and the coughing, sickly children who groaned about having little food to eat.
A thought suddenly passed his mind, and he couldn't help but scoff.